Fortune Across the World

Chapter 187: The Final Night Before Parting (Part 2)

The night before their scheduled departure, Ding Qiyu finished helping Master Yan pack the mechanical tools and returned to the room. It was dark, but Zhuyi was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she had gone to the waterfall pool again? They hadn't met there in the past few days due to the preparations for leaving the valley. Ding Qiyu's instincts led her to the waterfall pool, unable to think of any other place Zhuyi might go.

Upon arrival, Ding Qiyu found Zhuyi not on the rock but practicing with Qianling Lihuo by the pool. Zhuyi wore the only set of crimson clothes Aunt Jade had given her, dyed from the Danming flowers of the valley—a color that complemented Zhuyi perfectly.

Watching her dance with the whip under the crescent moon, Ding Qiyu was reminded of their first meeting's fleeting impression, the elegant dance on New Year's Eve, the warm glow in the hot spring, the silhouette shielding her from arrows, and the deep connection formed through sword and whip in the valley.

Lost in thought, she caught an object thrown her way—her Wuchang Sword. The moonlit figure smiled dominantly, inviting, "Little carpenter, together!" It was the genuine brightness she hadn't seen in days...

Ding Qiyu's heart skipped, and without hesitation, she drew her sword, casting aside the scabbard. With a smile, she responded, "Coming!" and joined Zhuyi, transforming the solo dance into a seamless partnership of mutual understanding.

The whip's rhythm ebbed and flowed, while the sword was unpredictable—a master of the battlefield's expanse, balancing offense and defense, protecting while delivering surprise counterattacks. Their movements intertwined, the whip's lethal strikes contrasting with its gentleness when entwined with the sword; the sword's deadly precision offset by its protective barrier. Each move was fluid and flawless, their synergy reaching its peak, blending strength with tender affection.

Completing the invigorating routine, both momentarily forgot logic and reality's constraints. Ding Qiyu tossed aside her sword, laughed freely, and shouted to the sky, "Refreshing! Haha!"

Zhuyi's smile deepened, casually discarding her whip, and lightly said, "Yes, quite invigorating." She turned to Ding Qiyu, half-joking, "Last practice, we might need it tomorrow. Don't hold me back, little carpenter."

The final night... Ding Qiyu lowered her gaze to Zhuyi, her expression turning serious as the smile faded, revealing unhidden affection.

Zhuyi met her gaze without evasion, her own smile gone, her eyes welling with tears, fingers clutching her dress.

Ding Qiyu's heart ached, impulse overriding her fragile restraint. She embraced Zhuyi, lifting her into her arms, voice choked, "Tonight, let me hold you again." She carried Zhuyi back.

Zhuyi remained silent, not resisting. In Ding Qiyu's warm embrace, tears flowed freely, her hand clutching Ding Qiyu's collar, resting her head against the cherished embrace.

Carrying Zhuyi back to their room, Ding Qiyu gently laid her on the bed. As she moved to stand, Zhuyi wrapped her arms around her neck, pulling her down. Zhuyi's lips met hers, and before Ding Qiyu could react, Zhuyi's tongue shyly, clumsily ventured into her mouth, seeking connection.

Ding Qiyu's breath caught, seeing Zhuyi's closed eyes, tear-streaked face, determined yet awkward in seeking her response. Overwhelmed by tenderness, impulse, and longing, Ding Qiyu reacted instinctively, holding Zhuyi close, wanting to dissolve their pent-up emotions in shared warmth.

In that moment, their breaths and heartbeats synchronized. A tear from Zhuyi's eye slipped into her hair, while one from Ding Qiyu's eye fell onto Zhuyi's tear-stained cheek, merging with hers, disappearing into her hair.

In their deep connection, Ding Qiyu felt a sharp pain on her tongue, blood mingling in their mouths. Zhuyi opened her eyes, gently pushed Ding Qiyu's chest, parting slightly. With Ding Qiyu's blood on her lips, she pressed a finger to Ding Qiyu's shoulder, tearful eyes meeting hers, whispering, "Here, your arm, your tongue, even the scar on your forehead. Every wound on you is from Le Zhuyi, they're my marks!" Her voice trembled, hands around Ding Qiyu's neck, stubbornly adding, "This way, you'll never forget me..."

Zhuyi sensed that the little carpenter held feelings for her but chose Miss Fu. She couldn't bind Ding Qiyu from pursuing her desires, yet her profound love led to a small possessive wish. She hoped that in years to come, the scars left by chance would remind Ding Qiyu of being "little carpenter," her little carpenter.

Hearing this, Ding Qiyu's heartache surpassed physical pain, her face wet with tears, arms holding Zhuyi so tightly her knuckles whitened. She repeatedly whispered into Zhuyi's ear, "I won't... the little carpenter won't forget Zhuyi... I won't forget you..."

Though mere words of promise, they offered Zhuyi some solace for her ungrounded heart. Her tear-streaked face nestled into Ding Qiyu's neck, silently weeping as Ding Qiyu shared her sorrow. Alas, despite their shared anguish, they were powerless, watching their final moments of embrace slip away.

Time passed unknowingly, Zhuyi's sobs subsided. She looked at Ding Qiyu and asked, "Tonight, can you hold me to sleep again?"

Her expectant, tender tone touched Ding Qiyu deeply. How could she refuse? She helped Zhuyi up, wiped her own tears, and gently said, "Alright. I'll fetch water."

Zhuyi nodded, releasing her hold, stepping from Ding Qiyu's embrace.

As when Zhuyi first woke, Ding Qiyu cared for her in every way, and Zhuyi quietly enjoyed her tender attention.

Ding Qiyu carefully wiped Zhuyi's tears with a warm cloth. Zhuyi watched her with red, tearful eyes, filled with an unbreakable fondness and reluctance. Ding Qiyu's own reluctance grew stronger.

Both knew the night's sweetness would make parting more painful, yet they chose to embrace the fleeting warmth. Ding Qiyu cherished Zhuyi, preparing everything with care. She extinguished the lamp, then lay with Zhuyi, holding her gently. With a tender smile, she softly began a bedtime story, "Tonight's story isn't set in the treacherous martial world but in an earthly paradise, like this nameless valley..."

Speaking only so Zhuyi could hear, Ding Qiyu shared story after story, interspersing songs, as if driven by an urge to tell her everything she knew. Zhuyi listened quietly, occasionally asking small questions.

They whispered intimately, leaning on each other until dawn. Ding Qiyu finished a tragic love story of martial heroes, her voice fading.

Sensing something, Zhuyi shivered, turning slightly to feel the early light. Closing her eyes, she etched the warmth and Ding Qiyu's presence into her heart. She nudged Ding Qiyu, pulling away, sitting up, and told the vacant-eyed Ding Qiyu, "Little carpenter, it's time to go."

Ding Qiyu's eyes refocused on Zhuyi. In the backlight, Zhuyi's expression was unclear, but her tone conveyed a return to the Zhuyi of the previous day—a mere friend. Suppressing her overwhelming sorrow, Ding Qiyu nodded, reining in emotions and attitudes she shouldn't have...