Deal! . . .
"We won't witness victory in this mortal world, that much is certain," Wenren Chuchu remarked, her expression tinged with worry and sadness. "We understand what we're trying to achieve, but... we have to admit, all the matters here are no longer our concern."
"We wish to accomplish something, to take those we love with us," she continued, her voice heavy with grief. "However, it remains a hope, a dream, something we can never achieve."
Cha Eun Xiao maintained his silence for a moment before responding, "You're right; I share your sentiments."
"In life, things rarely unfold as we wish," he said with a profound gaze, rising from his seat. "From the moment we're born until our final breath, many things must be relinquished... Some people have been with us since childhood, but as we grow and work towards our goals, we gradually distance ourselves from these individuals."
"Perhaps when we look around, we discover they're gone," Cha Eun Xiao continued, his tone reflective. "Yet they represent the most precious period of our lives. They are our closest friends, the ones we don't want to lose, the ones we yearn to return to. But to do so, we must forsake all we've worked so hard for. We choose to continue our journey alone, accepting the loneliness. And we loathe being alone. That's why we seek friends along the way toward our dreams, hoping they will accompany us to the end of our lives."
"What's ironic," he added, "is that when you reach a certain point, sadly, you'll realize that the people around you are all strangers. Those who accompany you to the end are all strangers."
"We can't take the ones we love with us, because we lack the capability," Cha Eun Xiao sighed. "So, we must relinquish whatever is necessary. It may seem harsh, but it's essential. We can't forfeit a great future for mediocrity. We abandon things so we can gain new ones."
Wenren Chuchu sighed in agreement. "You're right."
"Despite being on opposing sides in this battle, we both have the same amount of time left, and we'll both miss the outcome," she observed.
"That's why I want to know why you're here," Cha Eun Xiao inquired.
"In truth, I wish to make a deal with you," Wenren Chuchu confessed, drawing a deep breath. She offered a smile, saying, "I believe you would be interested in making this deal with me."
"A deal?" Cha Eun Xiao furrowed his brow as he regarded her, asking, "What do you have to offer, Princess?"
It should have been a straightforward question, but the way he phrased it carried an oddly mischievous tone, as though he were requesting the girl's affections.
Wenren Chuchu blushed and snapped, "Could you please converse like an adult?"
"Adult, you say? I believe I should speak this way," Cha Eun Xiao countered. "Don't you recall that I am Lord Xiao of Chen, the leader of the three frivolous lords in town? As a frivolous, morally ambiguous young lord, I am expected to converse in this manner, otherwise, I would tarnish my title!"
Wenren Chuchu felt a headache coming on.
"This is futile. How can he continue speaking nonsense?" she thought. "He's even worse in his actual appearance."
She was tempted to ask him, "Does your foolish title make you the law around here? The leader of the foolish lords, really? Is that an appropriate title for you?"
"Brother Cha, if you persist in this manner, I will have no choice but to depart," she declared coldly.
"Very well," Cha Eun Xiao promptly changed his demeanor. Suddenly, he transformed into the solemn commander of an army. "Your Highness, please inform me of your desires. Time is of the essence. There is not a moment to squander."
His ability to swiftly shift from one persona to another impressed her. Wenren Chuchu sighed, feeling a mix of emotions.
"He is so... I don't know whether he's telling the truth or not," she pondered. "I don't know why, but it feels comforting to see him acting so seriously now."
Her heart raced, and she nearly lost control of it.
A complex and unique emotion welled up in Wenren Chuchu's heart, a mixture of fear and happiness. Her feelings were paradoxical, torn between the desire to linger and the urge to depart swiftly.
"This deal is quite straightforward for both of us," she gasped, the words escaping her lips. "Consider this: since neither of us can foresee the outcome of this war, and we each hold people we deeply care for in this world... why don't we strike a bargain?"
Cha Eun Xiao fixed his gaze on her. "Oh? What kind of deal are you proposing?"
"I hold a deep concern for someone here. Even though I must depart this world forever, they will forever remain my most cherished individuals," Wenren Chuchu explained. "It's my unwavering responsibility to ensure I never let them down. I want them to live in safety, to lead happy lives..."
"I wish for them to live free from pain and sorrow."
"They are my parents, and my..." She paused, her voice filled with emotion. "I know I'll never see them again in the future... Perhaps I will suddenly pass away one day in Qing-Yun Realm. But before I leave them, before I meet my end, I want to do more for them. I want to make arrangements for everything within my power. I want to fulfill the duties of a daughter."
"The deal I propose is this: if the Kingdom of Chen emerges victorious in this war, you must ensure the safety of these individuals."
"That's what I'm asking from you."
Without waiting for Cha Eun Xiao's response, she pressed on. "I'm willing to make the same promise to you. I will protect the ones you hold dear, the ones who cannot accompany you. If the Kingdom of Lan-Feng prevails, I will keep them safe."
"You make a promise, and I will reciprocate," she declared.
Looking up, she locked eyes with Cha Eun Xiao. "Both of us will exit this world, yet we possess the power to safeguard certain individuals."
"I believe we can do it."
"That's what I want. A deal! A mutually beneficial arrangement between us!" She spoke with fervor.
As a daughter, her request was simply to look after her parents. She knew she would leave them behind, and so she sought to do more for them. Before it was too late, she desired to provide for her parents, to act as a dutiful daughter.
It was challenging to articulate her sentiments.
"A deal," Cha Eun Xiao uttered and then closed his eyes.
Clearly, Wenren Chuchu had loved ones in the world she cherished. And so did he. Zuo Wuji, Lan Langlang, Prince Hua-Yang, and Princess Hua-Yang—each was a person he deeply cared for. Once he departed, what would become of their lives?