Accompanied by a gentle breeze, Adeptus Liu Yun lightly landed. Her blue and white feathers shimmered under the glow of the sunset.
From a distance, she spotted Yu Xie. Her eyes trembled uncontrollably, and her nose felt slightly tinged with bitterness.
Perhaps because there were others present, she suppressed the deepest emotions in her heart, deliberately acting calm, and walked toward the group with Ganyu.
A thousand years had passed, and the person who had left such a profound mark in her memories had truly reappeared before her. It was so unexpected that she wasn't prepared in the slightest.
She had imagined what their reunion would be like. Perhaps it would be in the winter, just like when they first met? Snowflakes falling all around them, and they would meet in the snow.
Or maybe it would be on a sunny day, with the sun shining down on them, and they would gaze at each other in the sunlight.
But none of those imaginations came to pass. Their reunion was so ordinary. She hadn't even transformed into her human form.
When Ganyu saw Yu Xie, she froze for a moment, recalling the time when she was younger.
The taste of winter bamboo shoots in stew, she had remembered it for a thousand years.
Her eyes seemed to moisten, but Ganyu managed to hold back her tears.
Finally, Liu Yun and Ganyu approached the group. Their gazes naturally fell on Yu Xie.
It seemed there was no need for further words, as Ningguang and Keqing had already understood.
"It seems that Yu Xie is truly the General from the past," Ningguang said softly.
Keqing didn't speak. She, too, understood. She looked at Yu Xie, and a newfound respect filled her heart.
In ancient Liyue, this General had sworn to protect Gui Li Assembly with his life, scaring away the evil gods who coveted it. What kind of courage and strength must that have taken?
"Keqing, we have our answer. It seems it's time for us to leave," Ningguang said to Keqing. "Let the Adeptus and Yu Xie catch up."
"Miss Ningguang, Miss Keqing, the day is growing late. Why not rest here for the night?" Ganyu suggested.
"No need to worry about us," Ningguang replied with a smile, glancing at Yu Xie and Liu Yun. "Seeing such a scene, how could we possibly interrupt? Adeptus, please forgive our sudden visit. We will take our leave now."
With that, Ningguang and Keqing left.
Yu Xie looked at Liu Yun, and Liu Yun gazed back at him, yet neither spoke a word.
Liu Yun had once thought about what her first words to Yu Xie would be when they reunited. She had imagined many things, like "Long time no see" or "I hope you've been well."
But when the moment arrived, she found that she couldn't say anything.
The memories of the past flooded back, overwhelming her as if they might drown her.
In her crane form, she hesitated for a long time, and in the end, she turned and walked straight into her dwelling.
Watching Liu Yun's retreating figure, Yu Xie wanted to say something but found himself at a loss for words.
"Yu Xie... Long time no see," Ganyu's clear voice rang out, trembling with emotion.
"I really...," Yu Xie looked at Ganyu, her eyes trembling, and he trailed off, unsure what to say.
"Mm," Ganyu nodded gently. "I was still very young back then."
"Could it be that we just have the same name, and I happen to look like him?" Yu Xie spoke the words even as he felt how unlikely they were.
Having the same name was one thing, but looking exactly the same? This couldn't just be a coincidence.
"No," Ganyu smiled and shook her head softly. "I can feel it. It's really you. And I believe Master can feel it even more."
"Then why..." Yu Xie began to ask, but trailed off.
"Maybe she just doesn't know how to face you yet. Right now, you might not know, but Master..." Ganyu paused. "Forget it. These things are not for me to explain. Let Master tell you herself."
The sunset gradually disappeared, replaced by a sky full of stars.
Yu Xie thought to himself how strange this world was, that such things could happen.
What connection did he have with Adeptus Liu Yun, really?
At dinner time, the stone table beneath the tree was laden with fragrant dishes.
Shen He sat at the table. "Today's dishes are the most extravagant I've remembered."
"After a long separation, a welcome banquet should certainly be grand," Ganyu smiled as her gaze fell on Yu Xie.
In truth, Ganyu had also imagined what it would be like to reunite with Yu Xie. She had thought it might be a grand occasion, with many words to say.
But now, it was very different from her expectations.
There were no tears of joy, no overwhelming words.
So much was hidden in their hearts, and many things seemed impossible to say.
It was as though their hearts were filled with something, a warmth they had never felt before.
"Did Adeptus Liu Yun make all of these?" Yu Xie looked at the dishes on the table, impressed.
"I made them," a pleasant female voice came from the direction of the dwelling.
The three of them turned to look.
A stunning, mature woman with a high ponytail and red-framed glasses approached gracefully.
Each step she took seemed to stir the wind beneath her feet, and her teal robes swayed with the breeze. Her graceful figure displayed a unique kind of beauty.
"Master?" Shen He was seeing Liu Yun in her human form for the first time, and she couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
Yu Xie looked at Liu Yun in her human form, also feeling a sense of astonishment.
For him, this was the first time seeing Liu Yun in human form, and he couldn't help but be struck by her beauty.
Dinner came to an end in a somewhat awkward atmosphere.
Throughout the meal, Liu Yun and Yu Xie didn't speak much. Yu Xie felt the atmosphere was a bit uncomfortable. He didn't know what to say to Liu Yun, and Liu Yun also didn't say anything to him, as if she were deliberately holding back.
After dinner, it was already late. Yu Xie had thought that Adeptus Liu Yun and Ganyu would talk to him, but things didn't go as he had imagined.
Everyone went to rest.
The peak of Aocang Mountain was very quiet, and Yu Xie found himself unable to sleep. He went alone to sit at the edge of the mountain top, gazing at the night scenery of Aocang Mountain.
Moonlight bathed the clouds and mist, adding a touch of the otherworldly.
He never imagined things would unfold like this—he had once been the General of Gui Li Assembly...
His feelings were complicated.
"What's wrong, can't sleep?" Liu Yun's voice suddenly sounded by his ear.
Yu Xie turned his head. Liu Yun had silently sat beside him without him noticing.
"Adeptus Liu Yun, how come you walk without making a sound..."
"I remember when we weren't very familiar with each other, you once said something like that." Liu Yun's lips curled slightly. "And also, don't call me Adeptus Liu Yun, just call me Liu Yun."
Yu Xie felt a little uncomfortable at first. In his memories, Liu Yun always referred to herself as "this immortal" and rarely used the pronoun "I." But now, in this sentence, Liu Yun had used "I" several times.
"Liu Yun... you must know, I really don't remember anything from the past." Yu Xie said slowly.
"Hmm, I know." Liu Yun replied. "It's alright, you don't have to force yourself to remember. It's fine that you don't remember the past. We still have the future. I know, you are still you."
End of chapter
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