Chapter 9: HEARTS LOST IN TIME
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Two hours later—
Inside her room—
Sheng Yue lay quietly on her bed.
The night was calm…
But her heart was restless.
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Her gaze drifted to the ceiling—
Thoughts flowing like a river.
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"Hao Chen…"
"It's been so many years since we met again…"
"And your reaction… was nothing…"
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She bit her lip—
Burying her face into the pillow.
A faint blush crept across her cheeks.
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"You're making me love you even more…"
"My Hao Chen…"
"So mysterious…"
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She drew a deep breath…
Closing her eyes slowly.
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Memories surfaced.
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Back then—
When they were only twelve years old.
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"My eyes were always on you…"
"You're too fast at learning…"
"Too kind…"
"Too shy…"
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She opened her eyes slightly—
Her voice a soft whisper.
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"And… you're so handsome…"
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Her blush deepened.
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"Hao Chen… you're making me crazy…"
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She covered her face—
Embarrassed by her own thoughts.
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Then—
She closed her eyes again.
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"All the girls in our class liked you so much…"
"They kept taking you away from me…"
"Hmph…"
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She opened her eyes abruptly—
Shaking her head.
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"Sheng Yue… don't fall too deeply for that cute Chen…"
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Silence.
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Then—
Her expression softened.
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"You saved my life…"
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Her voice became gentle—
Tender with warmth.
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"That time… when the Viking robbers attacked…"
"You stood in front of me…"
"You protected me… and let me escape…"
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Her fingers clenched the blanket.
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"I ran to the elders for help…"
"But when we returned…"
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Her eyes glistened.
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"Ten of them were already unconscious…"
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"And you… were still standing there…"
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A small, emotional smile touched her lips.
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"And when I got lost in the forest…"
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A soft laugh escaped.
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"I wasn't even scared…"
"Because I knew… you would find me…"
"Hehe…"
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"And you always helped me…"
"Helping me if the elders asked questions I couldn't answer, taking them yourself and solving them perfectly…"
"And teaching me to make herbs…"
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She hugged her pillow tighter.
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"Hao Chen…"
"You're the only one who fits me perfectly…"
"You're mine…"
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Her voice softened—
Almost possessive.
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"It's your fault…"
"Why I fell for you…"
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She smiled—
Calm, gentle—
Eyes glimmering with unshed tears.
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Then—
She stared at the ceiling again—
And closed her eyes slowly.
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Another memory came.
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The day she confessed.
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Outside the classroom—
Hao Chen was cleaning quietly.
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"Hao Chen…"
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He turned—
Calm as ever.
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"Yes?"
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She summoned all her courage—
Heart pounding.
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"I like you…"
"I really like you…"
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Silence.
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Hao Chen smiled gently—
Then calmly said,
"Follow me to the back of the classroom."
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She nodded and followed.
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He looked at her with a hint of seriousness—
A shadow of worry in his eyes.
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"Thank you…"
"I truly appreciate your feelings."
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Her heart trembled—
Waiting, hoping.
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"But… Yue…"
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Her world froze.
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"We can't be together."
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"I like you as a friend… just the way you are."
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"But… I don't have the same feelings."
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"And our paths are different."
"You're from a rich family…"
"And I'm poor."
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"My priority… is helping my clan."
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Tears rolled silently down her cheeks.
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Hao Chen stepped closer—
Gently holding her hand.
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"I can stay by your side as a friend…"
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He paused—
Voice softer now.
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"But being your partner…"
"It's hard to promise."
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Then—
He turned and walked away.
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"…"
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Sheng Yue sank to her knees.
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Tears streamed freely.
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"Hao Chen…"
"I love you so much…"
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He paused briefly—
Looked back—
And smiled.
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Then—
He was gone.
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Days passed.
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They remained friends—
Closer… yet distant.
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Until—
Five days before graduation—
He disappeared.
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Without a word.
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She never knew where he went.
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Back to the present—
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Sheng Yue opened her eyes slowly.
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"And that's all your reaction… huh…"
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She sighed softly.
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"You should be thankful…"
"I'm not angry with you anymore…"
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"Hao Chen…"
"Hao Chen…"
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As she whispered his name—
Her voice softened—
Her eyelids grew heavy…
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Until—
Sleep claimed her.
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Morning—
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Hao Chen prepared to leave.
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He stood before his parents—
Wang Shun and Mei Lin.
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"I'll go now."
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He bowed respectfully.
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Mei Lin smiled warmly—
Handing him food and water.
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"Take this, Chen… it's your favorite meal."
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Hao Chen smiled gently.
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"All your cooking is my favorite, Mother."
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She laughed softly.
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"You little rascal… don't tease me."
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The three of them laughed together.
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Hao Chen stepped forward—
And hugged his mother.
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Then turned to his father.
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"I'll be back early later."
"We still have a celebration."
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Wang Shun nodded.
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"Don't be late," Mei Lin said.
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"Don't worry, Father… Mother…"
"I'll be back early."
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Mei Lin watched him—
Eyes full of warmth.
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"Take care, son."
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"You too… Mom… Dad."
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Wang Shun added firmly—
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"Be careful… Hao'er."
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Hao Chen nodded.
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"Yes, Father. Always."
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He turned—
And walked toward the sect.
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His parents stood silently—
Proudly—
Watching him go.
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Step by step—
He moved forward—
Into the morning sun.
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A new day.
A new beginning.
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Hao Chen looked ahead—
Eyes calm, determined—
and gently said,
"New day… new beginning."