This thought flashed through Buer's mind, and she unconsciously stopped in her tracks.
Mortals have a limited lifespan; it's a rule, unchangeable.
But she is a goddess, and her lifespan stretches over centuries, millennia, and perhaps even much longer.
So, how long could Yu Xie stay with her?
For Yu Xie, his long life would be but a small fragment in her own endless existence.
Buer looked at Yu Xie's back, and suddenly, there were so many things she wanted to say, yet she couldn't open her mouth. It felt as though something was blocking her throat.
"Buer?" At that moment, Yu Xie stopped, turned around, and asked, "What's wrong? Why aren't you walking?"
"I..." Buer hesitated for a moment, her lips moving slightly. "It's nothing."
The sunset gradually faded, and they returned to the small house where Myrna had already prepared dinner.
At the dinner table, Buer remained silent the whole time.
After dinner, she sat alone under the eaves, staring at the moonlit road, lost in thought.
Her mind was in turmoil.
The night was beautiful, but she had no mood to appreciate it.
A faint sound of footsteps reached her ears, and Yu Xie sat beside her.
"I noticed you didn't say a word during dinner. What's wrong? Is something bothering you?"
"...Yes."
"If you don't mind, you can tell me. Maybe it will help to speak about it."
"..." Buer stared at the moonlit road and chose to remain silent.
Seeing her like this, Yu Xie just smiled gently.
"When you're ready to talk, I'll be here, always willing to listen. I think I should be a good listener."
These words made Buer slowly turn her head to look at Yu Xie.
Their eyes met.
The night breeze stirred Buer's long hair, and she looked like a fairy under the moonlight—pure, beautiful.
"Will you leave?"
"Leave? Where to?" Yu Xie was somewhat confused by Buer's sudden question.
"…Anywhere outside of Sumeru."
"I already consider this place home. As long as you don't send me away, I won't leave." Yu Xie looked up at the starry sky. "Even if I travel, the destination of my travels will always be home."
No, that's not it.
Buer wanted to hear a different answer.
She knew she was being a bit unreasonable in this moment. Yu Xie could never say what she truly wanted to hear right now, but she couldn't help feeling disappointed.
"I wouldn't send you away. If you left, who would watch over this house?" Buer said.
"Mm." Yu Xie smiled slightly and nodded.
"Yu Xie, let's go outside for a walk." Buer suddenly suggested.
"Where to?"
"Just follow me."
"What about Myrna?"
"I'll let her know."
Then, Buer led Yu Xie out of the city.
The night was hazy, and the sound of crisp insect chirps filled the air.
The two of them arrived by a small creek, where the flowing water murmured softly, producing a soothing sound, like nature's song in the quiet of the night.
Buer walked quietly, feeling as though her heart had finally found some peace.
There were still decades, maybe even close to a century. Yes, there was still so much time—perhaps not long, but not short either. There was still so much time to spend with Yu Xie, to see him, to be with him.
So, there was no need to start feeling pessimistic just yet, right?
Since the rules couldn't be changed, she should cherish the present moment, every minute and every second.
Listening to the sound of the water, Buer suddenly had an idea. She stopped walking and took off her shoes, holding them in her hand.
"What's wrong?" Yu Xie noticed Buer's actions and asked.
"I want to step in the water."
"Be careful, don't slip or step on any sharp rocks," Yu Xie reminded her.
"I'll be careful. Do you want to join me?" Buer smiled. "Come on, keep me company."
Yu Xie thought for a moment, then took off his shoes and stepped into the water. The water was cold, slightly chilly in the night air.
He walked over to Buer's side and extended his hand.
"If you don't mind, let me hold you. I'll be your support for once."
Buer was momentarily stunned, then smiled again and linked her arm through his.
"Then you'd better stand steady."
And so, the two of them strolled through the creek.
Small fish and shrimp swam past their feet, and Buer seemed to be in much better spirits than before.
Although Yu Xie didn't know exactly what had happened, he too felt relieved.
Time, like the water beneath their feet, flowed slowly, and before long, they arrived at a small waterfall.
The sound of the falling water grew louder as it cascaded down.
"It seems we can't move forward any further," Yu Xie said.
"Mm, it's getting late. Let's head back," Buer said with a smile, turning to leave the water.
But at that moment, she suddenly slipped, losing her balance.
Before she could use her strength to steady herself, she felt a pair of strong hands grab her waist.
The next instant, her body tilted forward.
With a splash, Yu Xie fell into the water, and Buer fell onto his chest.
Yu Xie had originally intended to help Buer stay on her feet, but he lost his balance too, causing them both to tumble into the creek.
Now, here they were.
Buer lay on Yu Xie's chest, their eyes locking.
For a moment, neither of them moved, both silently stunned.
Aside from the cold water, Yu Xie could feel Buer's warmth, the softness of her body, and the rapid beating of her heart.
Buer, as if unwilling to get up, remained lying on his chest, staring directly into Yu Xie's eyes. A faint flush spread across her face.
"Buer, are you... alright?" After a long silence, Yu Xie finally spoke.
"I... I'm fine! What about you? Are you okay?" Buer snapped out of her daze, hurriedly moving off Yu Xie's chest, her face turning even redder.
"I'm fine too. Just... my clothes are soaked," Yu Xie said, standing up from the water and looking down at himself.
"My clothes are pretty wet too," Buer remarked. "Let's go back and change. You should be careful not to catch a cold."
The wet clothes clung to their skin, giving a strange sensation.
"Before we do that..." Yu Xie stretched out his hand, golden light flickering as a coat appeared in his grasp. "I only have this one coat. You can wear it first if you'd like."
"Huh?" Buer glanced down at herself, and the redness on her face reached its peak. She quickly took the coat from Yu Xie and draped it over her shoulders.
A feeling of shyness bloomed in Buer's heart. She lowered her head, but she also felt a warmth flowing inside her, and a smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of her mouth.
When they returned to the house, Myrna was already asleep.
"I'll go heat some water, take a hot bath before resting." Yu Xie said, heading toward the inner room.
"Mm, okay," Buer nodded obediently.
End of chapter
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