Xu Yang noticed Hei long."...Hei Long?"Hei Long slowly looked directly at him.His lips trembled."I...forgot about you all."Qing Li stepped closer.His expression softened. "Hei Long..."Hei Long shook his head as another tear slipped down his cheek."No.I really forgot."He pressed a trembling hand against his chest."I forgot those days."His voice became quieter."I forgot how happy we were."Xu Yang remained silent,watching him carefully.Hei Long wiped his tears,but his voice remained shaky."I forgot how we used to run through the mountains.I forgot the stories.I forgot the stupid arguments."A weak smile appeared for only a moment."I even forgot how Xu Yang used to fall every time he tried to run faster than everyone else."
Xu Yang smiled."I did not fall that often."Hei Long let out a small,broken laugh."You did." Qing Li's eyes became teary as he listened. Hei Long's smile disappeared."I forgot all of it."He lowered his gaze."How could I forget something that made me so happy?"Qing Li stepped closer and gently placed a hand on his shoulder."Because someone wanted you to forget."Hei Long looked at him."But I still should have remembered."Qing Li shook his head."It's not your fault."
Hei Long's fingers tightened."It feels like it is.""It isn't."Qing Li's voice became firmer. "We all forgot each other."Hei Long stared at him.Qing Li continued softly,"None of us chose to forget."Xu Yang looked between them silently.Hei Long swallowed hard. "Then how did we find each other again?" Qing Li gave him a small,tearful smile. "Maybe because some memories disappear from the mind..."He placed his hand over his heart."...but they don't completely disappear from here."
Hei Long's eyes trembled."I even forgot..." His voice broke.Qing Li softly said, "Ling Yuan."Hei Long nodded.He looked toward the empty sky beyond the broken shrine."He was always there with us."His expression became softer as the memories returned. "He protected us.He watched over us.He made us feel safe."He gave a faint smile. "Whenever we were fighting,he was the one who stopped us."Xu Yang quietly said,"And whenever we were afraid,he made us believe everything would be fine."Hei Long looked at him and nodded."Yes."His eyes filled again."He always knew what to say."
Qing Li lowered his gaze."He knew how to make all of us feel like we belonged somewhere."Hei Long looked toward the empty sky."He made that time feel like home."The smile disappeared from his face."But now..."His voice faded.He couldn't finish the sentence for a moment.His eyes lowered,and his fingers slowly curled into his palms."Ling Yuan isn't here anymore."
Qing Li's expression softened.Hei Long took a breath,but his voice still carried regret."I remember him now."He looked at the others. "I remember all of us."A faint,broken smile appeared on his face.
Hei Long looked back toward the sky."We were supposed to grow up together."His voice trembled."We were supposed to have more days like those."Xu Yang lowered his eyes."We thought we did." Hei Long gave a quiet,shaky laugh."I remember him sitting under that tree.I remember how patient he was with us."Qing Li smiled sadly."He always listened,even when we asked the same question three times.""And he never got angry."Hei Long wiped his eyes."Even when Xu Yang was being impossible."
Xu Yang looked at him."Why does everyone remember that part?"For a brief moment,Hei Long smiledb then the smile disappeared. "Because those were good days."His voice became quieter."We didn't know they would become memories."Qing Li looked toward the empty sky."None of us did."Hei Long's eyes filled again."If I had known..."He stopped and swallowed hard."I would have remembered every moment."
Xu Yang stepped closer."You can't blame yourself for something you didn't know."Hei Long shook his head."I'm not blaming myself."He paused."I just regret that I didn't know how precious those days were."Qing Li's gaze softened."Neither did I."Hei Long looked at him. "He always stood between us and danger."His eyes became wet again. "And in the end...he sacrificed himself for us."Xu Yang's expression changed.
Hei Long looked down at the white petal in his hand. "He knew what was going to happen."His voice trembled."He knew he might not come back."Qing Li quietly said, "But he still chose to stay."Hei Long nodded slowly."Yes."He closed his fingers around the petal."He didn't run.He didn't ask us to leave him behind."His eyes filled with tears. "He just smiled."The others fell silent.Hei Long looked toward the place where Ling Yuan had disappeared."Even in his last moment...he was smiling at us."His voice broke."As if he wanted us to believe everything would be fine."
Qing Li lowered his head."That was Ling Yuan."Hei Long wiped his tears,but they continued falling."And then we forgot him." He looked at them,his expression filled with pain."We forgot someone who gave his life for us."His voice became quieter."We forgot him as if he had never existed."Xu Yang clenched his fists."He existed."Hei Long looked at him.Xu Yang's eyes were filled with emotion."We remember him now."Hei Long shook his head slowly."But how could we let ourselves forget?"Qing Li stepped closer. "Because the Threads took those memories from us."Hei Long looked toward the empty sky."Still..."He swallowed hard."I wish I had fought harder to remember."Qing Li's eyes became red."We all do."Hei Long looked down at the petal again."He deserved to be remembered."His fingers trembled around it."He deserved to know that we would never forget him."
Hei Long whispered,"I just wish he could have heard us say it."Qing Li looked at him. "Then say it now."Hei Long slowly raised his eyes. "Ling Yuan..."His voice shook,but he continued."We remember you."Another tear slipped down his cheek."We remember everything."He looked at Xu Yang,Qing Li, and Yan Luo."And we won't let the world erase you again." His fingers tightened around the white petal."You gave us memories worth protecting."His voice became softer."So we'll carry them with us."
Qing Li nodded slowly."We will."Xu Yang looked toward the empty sky."Wherever he is,I think he would be relieved to know we finally remembered."Hei Long wiped his tears and gave a faint smile."He would probably tell us to stop crying."Yan Luo let out a quiet breath."And then complain that we're making his sacrifice more dramatic than it needs to be."Hei Long laughed softly through his tears."That sounds exactly like him."
For a few seconds,they stood together in silence,letting the memory of Ling Yuan remain between them.Hei Long suddenly reached for Qing Li.Qing Li immediately stepped forward and embraced him.Hei Long held onto him tightly,his shoulders trembling.Qing Li placed a hand against the back of his head."It's all right."Hei Long closed his eyes."I don't want to forget again.""You won't."Qing Li's voice was firm."Not while we're here."
Xu Yang watched them for a moment before stepping closer.He wrapped his arms around both of them."Then we'll remember together."Hei Long's grip tightened."Thank you."Xu Yang gave a quiet smile."You don't have to thank us."Yan Luo hesitated for a moment.He looked away as if unsure whether he should interrupt them.Then he finally stepped closer and wrapped an arm around the group."Fine."His voice was low. "But don't expect me to say anything sentimental."Xu Yang glanced at him."You just joined the hug."Yan Luo frowned."I changed my mind."Hei Long gave a small laugh through his tears."Too late."
Yan Luo looked at Hei Long for a moment, then suddenly glanced around the ruined shrine."Wait."His expression changed. "Where is our Xiao Bai?"Qing Li and Hei Long looked at each other.Yan Luo's eyes narrowed."He should be with you.Where is is he?!"Qing Li suddenly laughed.Hei Long covered his mouth,trying not to smile.Yan Luo stared at both of them."What's so funny?"
Qing Li shook his head,still smiling. "Look at him,Hei Long."He gestured toward Yan Luo. "After everything that just happened,Now you've time to ask about him."Hei Long looked at Yan Luo and slowly clapped his hands."Such a beautiful friendship."He smiled."I'm impressed."Yan Luo's expression darkened."Can you both stop teasing me and give me a direct answer?" Qing Li finally stopped laughing. "Wang Xio needed to do something important."Yan Luo frowned."What important thing?"Qing Li shrugged slightly. "He didn't tell us."Xu Yang looked at them in disbelief."What is more important than the Threads...and our lives?" Hei Long gave a helpless smile."We don't know."
Yan Luo sighed deeply."He always does this."He crossed his arms."He disappears without explaining anything,and then expects everyone to trust that he has a reason."Qing Li smiled faintly."You sound worried."Yan Luo immediately looked away. "I'm not worried."Xu Yang raised an eyebrow."You asked where he was three times."Yan Luo glared at him."Because someone needs to know where he keeps disappearing to."Hei Long laughed softly. "You're definitely worried.""I'm not."Yan Luo muttered."I just don't like being left out."
Qing Li looked at him with amusement. "That's a very different way of saying you miss him."Yan Luo's face tightened."Qing Li."Qing Li laughed again."Fine.I'll stop."Yan Luo gave him a suspicious look."Good."Hei Long shook his head,smiling as he wiped the last traces of tears from his face."You really are impossible."Yan Luo glanced at him."Says the person who just called our friendship beautiful."Hei Long smiled."I meant it."For a moment,the teasing faded,and the four of them simply looked at one another.
Qing Li's eyes slowly became wet again.He looked at Xu Yang,Hei Long,and Yan Luo, and without saying anything,he suddenly pulled them all into a tight embrace.Xu Yang let out a quiet breath of surprise."Qing Li..." Qing Li held on tighter."Don't complain."His voice trembled slightly."Just stay like this for a moment."Hei Long's expression softened. He wrapped his arms around them again. Yan Luo hesitated,but this time he didn't pull away."I'm so tired,"Qing Li whispered."I'm tired of losing people.I'm tired of wondering whether we'll see each other again."His voice cracked."So I'm just..."He took a shaky breath."I'm just happy that we're here."
Xu Yang slowly tightened his arms around them."Then don't think about what happens next."His voice was gentle."Just stay here with us."Qing Li closed his eyes."I wish we could have had more moments like this."Hei Long lowered his head against Qing Li's shoulder."We can still make more."Qing Li opened his eyes slightly."You really think so?"Hei Long nodded."We lost our memories,but we didn't lose the chance to make new ones."
Yan Luo quietly added,"And this time,we'll remember them."Qing Li looked toward him."You promise?"Yan Luo gave a small nod."I do."Xu Yang smiled faintly."Then I suppose we're all stuck with each other again."Qing Li gave a quiet laugh through his tears."I don't think I'd have it any other way."Hei Long smiled."Neither would I."Yan Luo sighed."You people are becoming sentimental again."Qing Li laughed softly. "And you're still here."
Yan Luo looked away,but a faint smile appeared on his face."Unfortunately."Xu Yang chuckled."You could leave."Yan Luo tightened his arm around them."I said unfortunately."For a moment,they simply stood together.Qing Li looked at them one by one.His eyes were still wet,but his smile was genuine."We lost so much."He whispered."But somehow,we found each other again."Hei Long nodded."And that's enough for now."Xu Yang smiled."More than enough."Yan Luo looked at the three of them and quietly said,"Then let's not lose each other again."Qing Li's eyes filled once more. He held them tightly."I'm happy..."He paused,his voice breaking into a soft smile. "I'm happy we meet again."
Chen Yu and Lin Chen watched them quietly for a moment.Lin Chen's eyes softened as he watched Hei Long smile through his remaining tears."He finally remembered them."Chen Yu nodded slowly."And they remembered him."Lin Chen smiled faintly. "After losing so many memories,they still found their way back to each other."Chen Yu lowered his gaze."Maybe some bonds are stronger than memory."Lin Chen looked at him."Then I hope Hei Long remembers this feeling.""What feeling?""That he isn't alone."
Chen Yu's expression softened."He has them now."Lin Chen nodded."Yes.He has them."He looked toward Hei Long again. "But I wish he could have had all of them." Chen Yu understood what he meant."Ling Yuan."Lin Chen nodded slowly."He should have been standing there with them."Chen Yu's eyes lowered."Some people leave before we get the chance to tell them how much they meant to us."Lin Chen whispered,"And sometimes we realize their worth only after they're gone."Chen Yu was silent for a moment."At least they remember him now."Lin Chen smiled sadly."They'll carry his memory for him."
Chen Yu looked toward Hei Long."Maybe that's enough to make sure he isn't truly gone."Lin Chen's eyes became wet."No one who was loved like that is ever truly gone." Chen Yu gently nodded.Then his expression grew quiet as he looked toward the ruined shrine."And what about Shou Heng?"The peaceful atmosphere immediately became quieter. Lin Chen's smile faded.Hei Long and the others heard his name and slowly turned toward them.For a moment,Chen Yu looked at Hei Long before lowering his voice. "He finally got his father back."Lin Chen's eyes lowered."After all those years..."He paused."And he barely had any time with him."
Chen Yu tightened his fingers around his staff."He deserved more than that."Lin Chen nodded slowly."They both did."Chen Yu looked toward the place where Shou Heng had disappeared."Shou Heng spent so long being unable to stand beside his son."Lin Chen quietly answered,"And when he finally could..."He stopped,his voice becoming heavier."...he had to leave again."
Chen Yu lowered his gaze."After everything he endured,he finally had the chance to speak to Hei Long."Lin Chen's eyes softened."And Hei Long finally had the chance to hear the words he had been waiting for."Chen Yu sighed quietly."Only for it to end so soon."Lin Chen looked toward the broken shrine."Maybe that's why their last moment mattered so much."Chen Yu glanced at him."Because they finally understood each other?"Lin Chen nodded. "Because neither of them had to wonder anymore."
Chen Yu's expression softened."Hei Long knows his father loved him.""And Shou Heng left knowing his son remembered him."Lin Chen paused."I think that's what they both needed."Chen Yu looked toward the empty space where Shou Heng had disappeared."Still...I wish they had been given more time."Yan Luo lowered his gaze.Qing Li looked toward the place where the Thread network had disappeared."He's still gone." Chen Yu frowned."Then did freeing the Threads change anything for him?"Qing Li didn't answer immediately."We don't know." He looked toward the distant horizon.
Hei Long stood silently beside them,his fingers still wrapped around the white petal. At the mention of his father's name,his expression slowly changed.Yan Luo noticed and quietly asked,"Hei Long?"Hei Long shook his head slightly."I'm fine."Qing Li looked at him."You don't have to pretend." Hei Long lowered his eyes."I thought I would be angry.After everything,I thought when he left again,I would hate him for it."Lin Chen gently asked,"But you don't?"Hei Long gave a faint,almost painful smile."I don't know what I feel."He looked toward the shrine. "He's my father.I spent years wondering why he wasn't there.And when I finally found him..."His voice weakened."...I barely had enough time to know him."
Chen Yu's expression softened."But you learned the truth."Hei Long nodded slowly. "Yes."He looked down at the petal."I learned that he never forgot me."His fingers tightened slightly."He remembered my childhood.He even remembered the things I had forgotten."Qing Li quietly said,"Then maybe that's something worth holding onto."Hei Long looked at him."It still hurts.""I know."Qing Li's voice became gentle. "Knowing why someone leaves doesn't make watching them disappear any easier." Hei Long's eyes filled with tears."I wanted more time."Yan Luo looked away,his voice unusually quiet."So did he."
Hei Long looked at him.Yan Luo continued, "Your father didn't leave because he wanted to.He left because he believed staying would put you in danger."Hei Long swallowed hard."I know."He looked toward the sky."That's what makes it difficult to be angry with him."Lin Chen stepped closer. "You don't have to choose between loving him and being hurt by him."Hei Long looked at him."What?""You can miss him.You can be angry.You can love him."Lin Chen gave him a small smile."All of those things can exist at the same time."Hei Long remained silent for several seconds before whispering, "He told me my mother wanted me to be happy."
Qing Li's expression softened."And what did he want?"Hei Long's eyes became wet."The same."He looked toward the mountains. "They both wanted to see me grow.They wanted me to have a life that wasn't controlled by Heaven."Chen Yu nodded. "Then perhaps the best way to honor them is to live that life."Hei Long looked at him. "Without carrying their regrets?"Chen Yu smiled."Without carrying anything that was never yours."Hei Long lowered his head,his shoulders relaxing slightly for the first time."I think..."He took a slow breath."...that's what Father wanted."
Qing Li smiled faintly."Then don't let his last words become another chain."Hei Long looked at him.His eyes filled with tear s,but a small smile appeared."A chain..."He glanced at the empty sky."He spent his whole life trapped by them."Yan Luo said,"Then let his son be the one who lives without them."Hei Long stared at him for a moment before laughed through his tears."You actually said something wise."Yan Luo raised an eyebrow. "Don't get used to it."Everyone in group laughed,and for a brief moment,the sadness became lighter.Hei Long looked toward the sky again."I don't know where he is. And I don't know whether I'll ever see him again." Qing Li stood beside him."Neither do we."
Hei Long closed his fingers around the petal. "Then I'll wait without waiting."Qing Li looked at him quietly."What does that mean?"Hei Long smiled softly."It means I won't stop living just because I don't know where he is."He looked at the people standing beside him."I'll walk forward.I'll make new memories.And I'll keep the ones we almost lost."Xu Yang smiled."That's probably what he would have wanted."Hei Long nodded slowly."I think so too."He looked at the white petal resting in his palm."If he is somewhere out there,I hope he knows I'm not standing here waiting for him to save me."His smile became warmer."I'm going to live."
Yan Luo glanced at him."Good."Hei Long looked over."That's all you have to say?"Yan Luo shrugged."What else should I say?"Hei Long looked at him and smiled."Something encouraging."Yan Luo sighed."Fine."He reached over and lightly flicked the white petal in Hei Long's hand."Don't lose that." Hei Long blinked."The petal?""The memory."Yan Luo looked away."The petal is just easier to carry."Hei Long stared at him for a second before a soft laugh escaped him."You really do care."Yan Luo's ears seemed to turn slightly red."I never said that."Qing Li smiled."You didn't have to."Xu Yang quietly laughed."He's terrible at hiding it."Yan Luo glared at both of them."I can still leave."
Lin Chen,who had been listening from nearby,finally chuckled."You say that every time."Yan Luo turned toward him."And one day I might actually do it."Chen Yu raised an eyebrow."Then why are you still standing here?"Yan Luo opened his mouth,but no answer came."Exactly."Chen Yu gave a small,amused smile."You're too attached to them."Yan Luo sighed."Why is everyone suddenly against me?"Hei Long laughed softly."We're not against you."He stepped closer and gently bumped his shoulder against Yan Luo's."We're just happy you're here."
Yan Luo looked at him for a moment,then shook his head with a reluctant smile."You people are troublesome."Xu Yang grinned. "And yet,you keep choosing us."Yan Luo couldn't hold back his smile anymore. "Unfortunately."Qing Li laughed."There it is again!"Lin Chen laughed under his breath. Chen Yu shook his head,smiling as he watched them."I suppose some things really never change."Hei Long looked around at all of them.His eyes were still slightly red,but the sadness that had been weighing on him was finally gone from his face."Maybe that's a good thing."Qing Li nodded."It is."
For a moment,they simply looked at one another.Then Xu Yang suddenly laughed."All right,who's hungry?"Everyone stared at him in disbelief.Lin Chen burst out laughing."You almost died,and that's what you're thinking about?"Xu Yang looked completely serious. "I'm allowed to be hungry."Chen Yu laughed. "Unbelievable."Even Yan Luo laughed, shaking his head."You're hopeless."Hei Long laughed along with them,his fingers touched the petal hidden inside his sleeve.