The sun dripped gold across the clearing, bathing the four figures in a warm, ethereal light. Su Ning's eyes crinkled at the corners as he laughed, the sound like tinkling bells that echoed through the camp. Susu, full of energy, tumbled through the wildflowers, her dark hair flying as she chased a firefly. Nearby, Li Yang's face was a mask of determination as she wrestled with Bai Lin. Bai Lin, ever the trickster, grinned mischievously, teasing Li Yang with exaggerated taunts as he easily held her at bay.
Xiao Hong stood back, watching them with a faint smile. It wasn't the first time she'd seen this kind of easy camaraderie, but today, something about it felt different. She didn't think of them as family—not quite—but there was something close, something just as warm that tied them together. The sight of them, laughing, playing, arguing—this was her world now. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough.
A strange feeling washed over her then, unexpected and overwhelming. It was like stepping into a memory she couldn't quite place, something fleeting, a whisper of something long forgotten. She looked at each of them in turn, feeling the sensation of déjà vu crash over her—so strong it took her breath away. These faces, this warmth, this happiness... she knew this feeling, even if she couldn't recall when or how. Her heart clenched painfully at the recognition, an ache that surprised her.
Instinctively, she reached up and pressed her hand to her chest, trying to quiet the sensation that was gnawing at her.
She began to hum softly, a quiet, familiar tune that seemed to flow with her heartbeat. It wasn't a song she recognized, but it felt ingrained in her, like something she should know. The sound grew a little louder as she let herself get lost in the rhythm, trying to hold onto the feeling, to understand what was pulling at her from deep within.
Su Ning glanced at her, his eyes flicking with curiosity, but she didn't notice, too caught up in the emotion stirring within her. The humming grew louder, more insistent, like a plea, a memory she couldn't quite grasp. Then, just as quickly as it had come, it stopped, leaving her breathless and bewildered.
She turned her gaze to Su Ning, his laughter still hanging in the air. A genuine, bittersweet smile crept onto her lips. The feeling of déjà vu lingered, but it was no longer as sharp. It had softened, now intertwined with something tender, something almost… painful. A sense of love, of loss, that she couldn't place.
In her heart, she whispered to herself, "This moment… it's beautiful. And precious. And I'll never forget it."
Across the clearing, Su Ning watched them all, but his smile was missing. A heavy knot settled in his stomach, cold and unshakable. It wasn't the lightheartedness he should have been feeling. No, it was dread. A feeling that something was about to shatter.
His gaze drifted briefly to Xiao Hong, and for the briefest moment, the resemblance to Yinou—the young, bright woman from their past—hit him hard. The memory flooded back unbidden. The night they had sat around a campfire, Yinou animatedly discussing new techniques for weapon crafting, her hands sketching in the dirt, her eyes bright with excitement. She had been like a star, shining so brightly it was hard to look away.
And then, she had given him the dagger. The first weapon she had ever crafted. It was small, simple, but infused with her talent. He had seen her differently after that, no longer just a fellow junior, but someone with fire in her, someone who could spark something in him.
The memory now felt like a painful wound.
Su Ning's thoughts shifted abruptly, snapping back to the present. Jiu Tian's betrayal weighed heavily on him. He had suspected it for a while, but now, with the full extent of the Serpent Demon Clan's plan unfolding before him, he couldn't ignore it. Jiu Tian, someone he had trusted, had turned against them. And the Serpent Clan's machinations were far worse than he had imagined. The entire realm was at risk.
The laughter around him felt distant now, out of reach. He couldn't allow himself to indulge in the moment. His duty came first.
With a deep breath, Su Ning turned away, leaving the others behind. He didn't want to spoil their happiness, but the urgency pressing on him was unbearable. There was too much at stake. And right now, only Zhang Li could help him. He had to find him, and soon.
As he walked away, his final glance lingered on Xiao Hong's smile, bittersweet and knowing. The moment they shared would haunt him, a reminder of the peace they were about to lose. His steps quickened, the weight of his responsibility pulling him forward. He would protect them, stop the Serpent Clan… He had to.