One Year Later.

“Fragrant Tavern.”

Shuiyang stood at the door of the tavern, which was bustling with activity inside. The aroma of wine could be detected from ten miles away.

Shuiyang entered and immediately bumped into a young girl. The girl apologized sweetly and, after receiving Shuiyang’s forgiveness, ran out joyfully.

Inside the tavern, a woman’s voice called out a reminder.

“Chun’er, don’t run around!”

The girl responded while running out: “Got it!”

Shuiyang and Shi Zhao approached the bar counter, where Lady Zhuohua greeted them with a smile, asking, “What kind of wine would you like to drink?”

Shuiyang looked up at the bar, noticing two jars displayed in the most prominent position. One was labeled Blossom Wine, and the other Elegance Beauty Wine.

“The names of your wines are quite charming,” Shuiyang remarked.

Lady Zhuohua chuckled, “Just girlish whims, these names are casually chosen.”

“In that case, give me a pot of Blossom Wine.”

Shuiyang placed the silver coins on the bar counter, and Lady Zhuohua responded, “Alright, please find a seat. I’ll bring the heated wine to you shortly.”

“Thank you, innkeeper.”

Shuiyang and Shi Zhao found a seat amidst the lively buzz of customer chatter in the tavern.

“Lady Zhuohua, another pot of wine!”

“Lady Zhuohua, here’s the payment for the wine!”

“Alright! Have a good day.”

…

Shi Zhao looked around and then, speaking to Shuiyang, said, “Although that girl

is not here, traces of her presence are everywhere.”

Shuiyang chuckled softly, “The departed are gone; we must let go of the past.”

Shi Zhao sneered, “This Lady Zhuohua is truly heartless.”

Shuiyang raised an eyebrow, smiling intriguingly, “Is she really heartless or perhaps filled with guilt?”

Just then, Lady Zhuohua brought the wine to their table.

“Enjoy your wine. Let me know if you need anything.”

Shuiyang nodded in response.

Lady Zhuohua returned to the bar, and the young girl came bouncing back.

“sis!”

Lady Zhuohua bent down, gently chastising, “Look at you, where have you been? Covered in mud again.”

The young girl grinned foolishly, her eyes bright, “sis, candy.”

The girl extended her hand, revealing a delicate piece of candy. Lady Zhuohua was momentarily stunned but then took the candy, tenderly caressing the girl’s chubby little face.

“Thank you, Chun’er.”

This scene was observed by both Shuiyang and Shi Zhao.

Shi Zhao looked confused, while Shuiyang simply smiled.

After half a pot of wine, a young girl clumsily bumped into Shuiyang. She bent down to help the girl up and noticed the wooden sword in the girl’s hand. “Is this yours?” she asked.

The young girl nodded with her big sparkling eyes.

“And what’s your name?” Shuiyang inquired.

The girl smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, “My name is Luo Wanchun.”

Pffft!

Shi Zhao, who had just taken a sip of wine, heard the name and spat out his drink.

Glaring at him in disdain, Shuiyang pulled Luo Wanchun behind her. The girl pouted, scrutinizing this strange uncle.

Shi Zhao awkwardly wiped his mouth and continued drinking.

Shuiyang turned to Luo Wanchun, immediately putting on a kind demeanor.

“Little Wanchun, did your older sister give you this sword?”

Luo Wanchun’s eyes dimmed, and she nodded.

Sensing her change in mood, Shuiyang asked, “Don’t you like the wooden sword your older sister gave you?”

Luo Wanchun pouted, clearly upset, “I don’t like the wooden sword. I like embroidery, but my older sister insists that I learn swordsmanship.”

Her little mouth almost turned upward to the sky.

Shuiyang felt a pang of sympathy for the child, seeing her being treated as a substitute by her own family.

She patted Luo Wanchun’s little head, “Go and play.”

Luo Wanchun waved the wooden sword wildly as she ran out.

Lowering his voice, Shi Zhao asked, “Little Shuiyang, is that child…”

Picking up her wine cup calmly, Shuiyang replied, “People need something to hold on to, a hope to live for, or perhaps she seeks to atone.”

Shi Zhao sighed deeply in reflection.

After finishing their drinks, Shi Zhao walked to the door and leaned against the doorframe, while Shuiyang approached the bar.

“Lady Zhuohua, can you give me a pot of Elegance Beauty Wine to take away?”

“Sure! I’ll get it for you right away.”

As Lady Zhuohua busied herself behind the counter, Shuiyang suddenly spoke out of the blue, “If something lost and found is a rare treasure, cherish it genuinely. Don’t repeat the mistakes of the past and cause heartache again. There are many choices; why make her choose this path?”

Lady Zhuohua’s hand froze mid-action, and by the time she turned around, Shuiyang and Shi Zhao had already vanished.

She hastily put down the wine jar and ladle, but the jar fell and shattered, spilling wine everywhere. Ignoring the mess, she rushed outside.

The bustling street was filled with people coming and going, yet there was no sign of Shuiyang.

Just then, Luo Wanchun tugged at the hem of her clothing, “Older sister.”

Looking down at the doll-like Luo Wanchun instantly calmed her chaotic emotions. Lady Zhuohua crouched down.

“Sis, who are you looking for?” Luo Wanchun asked innocently.

Lady Zhuohua smiled tenderly, patting Luo Wanchun’s head, “It’s nothing.”

Taking the wooden sword from Luo Wanchun’s hand, she asked, “Chun’er, you don’t like swords, do you?”

Lowering her head as if she had made a mistake, Luo Wanchun murmured softly, “I don’t like them.”

The voice was just loud enough for Lady Zhuohua to hear. Luo Wanchun anticipated that Lady Zhuohua would get angry, as she usually did, but this time, she didn’t. Instead, Lady Zhuohua took her little hand and asked, “Then, what do you like?”

Luo Wanchun answered cautiously, “I… I like embroidery. One day, I want to make beautiful clothes for you to wear.”

Lady Zhuohua felt a lump in her throat and tightly hugged Luo Wanchun.

“If you don’t like it, you don’t have to learn it. Let’s go learn embroidery.”

“Really?”

Luo Wanchun was overjoyed and planted a kiss on Lady Zhuohua’s cheek.

“You’re the best!”

Holding Luo Wanchun close, Lady Zhuohua felt as if she had recovered a priceless treasure, cherishing and feeling grateful for her presence.

“But remember, no stopping halfway. Once you’ve chosen, you must not give up easily,” she said seriously, pointing at Luo Wanchun’s nose.

Luo Wanchun nodded earnestly, “I won’t give up.”

“Pinky promise.”

A big hand and a little hand linked pinkies and sealed the vow.

That year, filled with hope, their hearts brimmed with expectations.

Perhaps, in another world, they became the people they hoped to be.