Chen Shanyi sat by the window of the stone house, gazing at the dimming sky outside. The fading rays of the setting sun bathed the valley, casting a soft golden glow over the peaceful scene. Yet, within her heart, there was a lingering darkness that refused to dissipate. Her eyes stared blankly into the distance, yet it seemed she saw nothing, as if this tranquility had no connection to her at all.
Her thoughts were once again drawn to the thick book in her hands. She had flipped through it several times, and each page brought with it a deep pain. The fragmented memories and blurry images wandered through her mind, as if some force was trying to pull her back to a past she was unwilling to face.
Siska sat quietly beside her, his gaze gentle and profound. He did not disturb her, but patiently awaited the shift in her mood. Although he had promised to help her regain her memories, he understood that nothing could be forced. The restoration of memory was a painful journey, and what she needed most was time and courage.
At last, Chen Shanyi set the book aside and sighed deeply. She turned her head to look at Siska, confusion and unease filling her eyes. "What exactly have I lost? Why do these memories cause me so much pain? Did I... ever love you?"
Her voice trembled, a subtle flash of pain flickering in her eyes. The broken fragments of her memory trapped her in deep confusion and fear. She knew she had once shared a profound connection with Siska, but that connection had become blurred in her mind. She felt lost, as though she were speaking to a stranger, a stranger who occupied such an important place in her life.
Siska did not answer immediately. Instead, he gently reached out and stroked the top of her head, his voice soft and filled with tenderness. "Shanyi, what you have lost is not just your memory, but the pure affection between us." He paused for a moment and continued, "That affection is a vow I have etched in my heart, the countless moments we shared. Even if you forget, I will always stand by you, until you find your heart again."
Chen Shanyi's heart fluttered slightly, her eyes betraying a touch of emotion. She felt the sincerity and determination in Siska's words, and that deep affection seemed to resonate within her. But at the same time, a vague sense of emptiness spread through her. She felt as though she had lost something precious, and this loss caused her great pain.
"I..." She opened her mouth, trying to say something, but she didn't know where to begin. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, her questions growing more and more, as if an insurmountable mountain stood before her.
Siska looked at her, his gaze soft but tinged with a hint of sadness. "Shanyi, I know you are in pain right now. Trying to recover everything you've lost is difficult. But please believe, the feelings we once shared were real. The vows between us have not disappeared with time. They have always been there, just asleep in your heart."
Chen Shanyi lowered her head, gently tracing her fingers. Her heart was filled with unease, and once again the fragmented memories surfaced. She saw herself standing with Siska, their eyes filled with deep reliance and love. Yet those warm moments seemed to turn to ashes in an instant, vanishing into the endless flow of time.
Her heart began to waver. Had she really loved him? Was it truly possible to recover the love they once shared?
The silence in the air deepened. Siska's gaze softened even more as he watched her. "Shanyi, I will wait patiently, until you are ready to face yourself, until you recover the memory that belongs to us. No matter how long it takes, I will be by your side, never leaving."
A glimmer of warmth flashed in Chen Shanyi's eyes. She gently took Siska's hand, as if searching for some comfort and support. "I... I know you won't abandon me." Her voice was so quiet it was barely audible, yet it was so real.
Siska smiled faintly, lowering his head to gently kiss her forehead. "You won't be alone. I will always be with you."
However, as this vow was spoken, an ominous premonition seemed to hang in the air. Chen Shanyi did not realize that the secrets hidden in this valley and the stone house were far more complex and dangerous than she could have imagined. The story between her and Siska had only just begun.