Feeling the tremor running through the back of the chair, Kael let out a quiet sigh.
Yanfei had been acting far too normal today, almost making him believe she'd accepted the truth.
But he'd been too naive to think so.
"Hu Tao, sorry, I can't help with your business today. I still need to continue my date with Yanfei. Could I trouble you to leave us for now?"
Though Hu Tao was flighty by nature, she could tell this wasn't the time for business.
She'd witnessed too many moments like this.
No one could calmly face the loss of the one they loved.
She nodded silently and led her undertaker away.
Yanfei wept behind Kael for a long time.
Just as he was about to turn the wheelchair to comfort her, she stood up on her own.
Tears still clung to her cheeks, but her expression had returned to normal.
"Kael, sorry... did I scare you?"
She looked at him with a smile. "Actually, I'm already prepared for you to leave. I just lost control of my emotions for a moment, that's all. Don't worry about me."
Through her bright smile, Kael saw the grief she was trying so hard to bury.
He reached out, brushing away the traces of her tears.
"Our date's not over yet. Where else would you like to go?"
Yanfei took hold of the wheelchair and kept moving forward.
"There's a place I've always wanted to go with you."
She pushed him out past the edges of Liyue, to a hillside.
Tall grasses, half as high as a person, swayed across the slope.
It was close to sunset, the golden light spilling over the hill, turning the wild grass into a field of glittering gold.
Kael looked at the breathtaking sight and couldn't help but marvel.
Yanfei stood quietly at his side, her voice soft.
"This is where the Adepti often gather. I lived nearby when I was little. Whenever I was upset, I'd come here to look at the view."
"When I was younger, I thought the Adepti were incredible—omniscient, omnipotent. And Lord Rex Lapis was the greatest god of them all."
"But now... now I know. There are some things even Adepti can't solve."
Her words carried heavy sorrow, and Kael couldn't stop himself from reaching out to clasp her hand tightly, hoping it would lend her strength.
Yanfei lowered her gaze to him, smiling, though sadness lingered deep in her eyes.
"Kael, I once heard people say this world has reincarnation. The Adepti live for so long... do you think I'll have the chance to wait for you to come back?"
"Yes."
Kael's voice was firm. "There'll definitely be a day we meet again. Somewhere, in some cycle, we'll find each other once more."
"And when I see you again, I swear I'll never let go of your hand."
Yanfei's eyes immediately turned red.
She bent down, filled with longing and reluctance, and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.
Kael cupped the back of her head, deepening it, pouring every last ounce of his feelings into that kiss.
When they finally parted, Yanfei rested her forehead against his, their eyes meeting through the blur of her tears.
She smiled as crystalline droplets slid down her cheeks.
"Contract sealed, stamp approved. No take-backs."
Kael pulled her into his arms, holding her tight, and whispered in her ear with certainty, "Never."
When night fell, Yanfei brought Kael back to Bubu Pharmacy.
They both knew this was the last night they'd spend together.
She laid him on the bed, then slipped under the blanket herself, curling into his arms.
She clung to the beat of his heart, the warmth of his body.
"Kael, rest well. I'll be right here with you."
Kael could feel it—his body was at its limit.
His organs were failing one by one, exhaustion weighing him down.
Even though the System hadn't prompted him, he knew now he wouldn't be able to use up all his Attribute Points.
This body wouldn't last the night.
He pressed a light kiss to Yanfei's forehead.
The act drained what little strength he had left. He collapsed weakly against the pillow.
With his eyes closed, he whispered, "Yanfei... goodnight..."
After those words, Yanfei felt the body in her arms slowly turn cold and stiff.
She hugged him tighter, desperate to warm him with her own body heat, but it was useless.
Her tears poured like a torrential storm, soaking the pillow within moments.
Choking on her sobs, she whispered back, "Kael... goodnight..."
"We made a contract, remember? You promised you'd come find me..."
"The next time we meet, you'd better hold my hand tight. Don't let go."
"The Adepti live long lives. I can wait."
[This Life Simulation has ended.]
Kael stood in his room, dazed, unable to return to himself.
He could still feel the warmth of Yanfei lying beside him.
[Calculating score... Epilogue for this Life Simulation has been generated. Would the Host like to view it?]
"Yes."
He needed to know what became of Yanfei after he left.
He hoped she remembered their promise—and lived on.
[Epilogue opening...]
[Beidou]
This trade had left the entire Crux Fleet scrambling.
Without Kael's guidance, it took far more time and effort to complete the deal.
Once it was finally over, Beidou rushed the Alcor back from Inazuma to Liyue.
She ran the moment she disembarked, straight to Bubu Pharmacy.
"How's Kael? Has he recovered?"
She looked down at Qiqi, who was sorting herbs.
"Mr. Kael...?" Qiqi tilted her head, puzzled. "Didn't Mr. Kael already pass away?"
Beidou froze at her words.
"That's nonsense! How could he be dead? You must be mistaken!"
Qiqi, faced with her sharp tone, calmly pulled out her notebook and flipped through it with care.
"No mistake... Mr. Kael passed away on..."
Beidou shook her head again and again.
"No... impossible... I just saw him the other day... he was fine... we promised... he promised he'd get better..."
She stopped.
She suddenly remembered—every time she tried to make plans with Kael, he'd dodge the question, or just smile without answering.
He'd never once agreed.
So that's why...
"He knew... He knew he was going to die... Why?! He knew, so why didn't he tell us?"
"Why didn't he let us... walk that last stretch with him...?"
The steadfast, iron-willed captain of the Crux broke down, her cries raw and anguished.
"Why..."
"Because he didn't want you all to stop moving forward for his sake. He didn't want to become a burden on the Alcor."
Yanfei appeared at the doorway of Bubu Pharmacy, holding a pitch-black box.
She handed it to Beidou.
"This is his ashes. I think... rather than staying in Liyue, he'd prefer to keep sailing with the sea."
Beidou's hands trembled as she took the box, clutching it tightly to her chest.