Chapter 96 Heart-to-Heart Talk: Fate is the shadow of opportunity.
In fact, from the moment Shen Mi set foot on Luofu Mountain, Dan Heng had a vague premonition. It was as if fate had already written the script, and that his past would one day reach her ears in some unexpected way.
Therefore, he was constantly uneasy. He was afraid that this would create a rift between them, afraid that she would feel fear towards him because of those long-buried truths. That fear was so deep that it was almost instinctive, to the point that he wanted to grab her tightly in his arms, cover her ears, and make her only hear his voice.
Yet, rationally and clearly, such a wish is nothing short of delusional. The past will not disappear because of his escapism; like an undercurrent lurking beneath the water, it will one day surge forth and shatter everything.
The inner conflict in Danheng intensified as a result. On one hand, he longed to protect this hard-won peace and not let any shadows approach her; on the other hand, he knew he was destined not to give her a completely flawless world.
This tug-of-war felt like an invisible shackle, constantly tightening around his heart, causing him to feel a hidden anxiety and suppressed longing every time he gazed at Chen Mi.
He longed for a new life, and for memories that belonged only to him.
So, when he tentatively revealed that he had been unable to sleep all night because of the past, he was extremely tense. His eyes were fixed on her face, intently watching her reaction. If she showed even the slightest hint of unease or fear, he would immediately fall silent, abruptly stopping.
However, Shen Mi neither walked away nor tried to brush him off with dismissive words. She simply walked over quietly and took his hand.
In that instant, Dan Heng's heart tightened suddenly, as if struck by something. A continuous wave of heat rolled from her palm, forming a stark contrast with his cold palm, abruptly halting his turbulent thoughts.
Shen Mi looked up at him, her eyes full of laughter: "Then... shall we look at the moon together? And chat for a while? I can't sleep either."
These words, as light as a feather, landed heavily in Dan Heng's heart. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and after a long while, he finally responded in a low voice, "Okay."
The warmth beneath his fingertips hadn't dissipated; instead, it seeped into his very bones.
Shen Mi suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence: "Just chatting like this is a bit monotonous! There seem to be some drinks downstairs, I'll go get some."
Dan Heng nodded, his tone still steady, but with a hint of barely perceptible concern: "Do you want me to go with you?"
"It's okay! I'll be back soon!" Shen Mi waved his hand and joked with a smile, "You wait for me here, but don't fall asleep secretly."
Dan Heng couldn't help but chuckle: "No."
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around and walked downstairs briskly.
Danheng watched her figure disappear at the top of the stairs, the warmth of her hand still lingering on his fingertips. He subconsciously tightened his grip, but the tension in his heart gradually eased, replaced by a strange sense of peace.
Shen Mi crept into the kitchen and took two bottles of Lin Yuan Ice Spring water from the refrigerator. Seeing a plate of cut fruit in the refrigerator compartment, she had an idea and decided to take it upstairs as well.
Just as she was about to go upstairs, she caught a glimpse of light coming through the crack in Jingyuan's door at the end of the corridor.
Chen Mi paused, thinking to himself: It's so late, why isn't Jing Yuan asleep yet?
She had intended to open the door and ask, but remembering that Dan Heng was still waiting for her upstairs, Shen Mi gave up the idea and quickened her pace upstairs.
Shen Mi gently pushed open the half-closed door, and the scene before her eyes came into view.
Danheng sat quietly cross-legged on the bay window, his profile contrasting beautifully with the night. He pushed the window open a crack, and the night breeze slipped in, carrying a cool and refreshing scent that circulated throughout the room, quietly dispelling the stuffiness.
He seemed lost in thought, gazing at the scenery outside the window. His features were accentuated by the moonlight, making him appear even more refined. He stood silently, like a silhouette.
Shen Mi tiptoed inside, afraid of disturbing his moment of peace. The fruit platter and the iced spring water she held shimmered faintly in the moonlight. She pursed her lips, a strange and indescribable feeling welling up inside her. Just looking at him like this made her want to cry.
She called softly, "Danheng."
The sound seemed to be carried away by the night wind, landing in his ear and dispelling all the sorrow between his brows.
"I'm back."
Shen Mi nodded, showed him what she had found in the refrigerator, and said with a smile, "Look! I found something good!"
"Linyuan Ice Spring".
"Yes, yes. I thought we'd finished them by evening, but I was surprised to find there were still some left, exactly two bottles!"
Danheng's gaze softened. He took the fruit plate and iced spring water from Shen Mi and placed them on the small table in front of him. Then he gestured for her to sit opposite him: "Sit here, the wind won't blow on you."
The bay window was quite high, and one should have needed a step to get up there, but since no one had been living in the house for a long time, there was clearly no preparation. Shen Mi gently placed her hand in Dan Heng's palm, and the latter pulled her up steadily with a little force.
Shen Mi shifted his position, moving closer to the wall.
She looked up at the window; the night was as still as water, and the garden was tranquil and secluded under the moonlight. A stone bridge spanned the stream, its surface shimmering and reflecting the graceful willow branches and the twinkling lights of lanterns. A winding path led to a secluded spot, where the outline of a pavilion could be vaguely seen among the flowers and trees, the shadows of the flowers swaying gently in the breeze, as if the entire garden was softly singing the tenderness of the night.
Looking at the scenery outside the window, Chen Mi exclaimed, "What a beautiful view! It's wonderful!"
The moonlight shone on her slightly flushed cheeks and reflected in Danheng's eyes. This tranquil garden seemed like a small world set up just for the two of them, where they could speak freely, think what they wanted, think what they wanted, and love what they loved...
"Chen Mi," Dan Heng suddenly called out to her.
"Hmm?" Shen Mi withdrew his gaze and looked at Dan Heng with full concentration, listening carefully to every word he was about to say.
"Do you know what happened to me?" Dan Heng sat solemnly, his tone slow, as if he were dissecting himself.
Shen Mi swallowed the icy spring water in his mouth, listened quietly to him finish speaking, and then nodded: "I know, I think I know more about what happened to you than most people in the world."
"Then you..." Dan Heng paused, speaking slowly and deliberately, his words conveying deep meaning: "Don't you find it terrifying? Having two souls within one body, reborn yet carrying the memories of your past life. Sometimes, even I can't tell who I really am..."
“You told me who you were. On a night on a desolate planet, you told me yourself that your name was Dan Heng. ‘Dan’ is your surname, and ‘Heng’ means eternal and unchanging.” Shen Mi smiled slightly, his gaze falling on Dan Heng’s face, slowly and sincerely, “You will always be Dan Heng.”
I understand your confusion, I know you are deeply affected by your past misfortunes, I understand your heart, and I know your future.
That's why I feel sorry for you, and I really want to tell you: Don't be confused, don't doubt yourself, and always stay true to yourself. You will meet many true friends, and you will also meet people who are worth protecting with your life.
“Danheng,” Chen Mi spoke softly, her tone gentle yet resolute. She used a fictional story to convey her sincere feelings, “Perhaps I am a magical fairy with the ability to travel through time and space. I secretly went to your future to take a look. You will not be alone in the future. You will meet a group of companions who are like family to you. They will trust you and like you. Then you will go to planet after planet, upholding justice, punishing evil and promoting good, and helping those in need.”
Danheng's eyes flickered slightly in the moonlight, as if drawn by her words, and a warm and indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.
Shen Mi leaned closer, gently took Dan Heng's hand, and respectfully placed it on her forehead, as if silently praying. Her voice was soft yet powerful, and she said sincerely, "You will not get lost, nor will you be alone. I will protect you from where you cannot see me, and even if you do not remember me, I will silently stay by your side."
"Thank you." Dan Heng smiled easily. "That sounds really nice."
Shen Mi simply smiled and quietly watched him without saying a word. The night breeze gently brushed past the windowpane, and the shadows of the garden flowers swayed on the water's surface. The shimmering light and moonlight intertwined, as if the entire night was enveloped in this tranquility.
Much later, Danheng recalled that smile, which was actually filled with Shen Mi's certainty and confidence in the future. She believed that the future would unfold as she had said, and indeed it did.
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Author's Note: Second update today! Daily updates from now on! Until the story is finished. [Kiss][Kiss][Kiss]
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