the threshold, facing the unknown, Jiu'er turned to Liu Zichen with a mixture of sadness and hope in her eyes.

"We may never see each other again," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liu Zichen took her hand, his gaze steady and resolute. "But our hearts will always be entwined, Jiu'er. Wherever our paths may lead, we will carry each other's memories within us."