My eyes widened as the hellish force entwining me began to turn white, little by little. Then, I felt a warmth like springtime. Just as I was astonished, a pair of strong arms wrapped around me. I turned my head, and in that instant, stared in disbelief at the man behind me, overwhelmed by a surge of emotions.
My eyes grew moist. It had been so long—everything that happened between me and the man behind me was long past. Yet, in my mind, those memories felt as fresh as if they happened yesterday.
"Qingyuan!"
My eyes widened again—this time, I wouldn't let go. I opened my arms and embraced the man behind me. He smiled and shook his head.
"It's alright. Leave everything to me."
Zhang Qingyuan suddenly appeared behind me, smiling and raising one hand.
"This isn't a place you should be. Go back!"
As Zhang Qingyuan spoke, the hellish force entwining us began to vanish. In no time, the massive infernal marks in the air around us faded away, and Zhang Qingyuan brought me down onto the rooftop.
"Qingyuan, you shouldn't have come. If you do, you'll only waste your..."
Zachary Justice was still speaking when Zhang Qingyuan smiled.
"Why wouldn't I come? My wife is here—Roxie!"
My eyes widened, and my cheeks flushed. Now I was absolutely certain—the man holding me by the waist was Zhang Qingyuan, the man I loved most in my life.
"Qingyuan, you..."
A hand pressed gently to my cheek. Zhang Qingyuan smiled tenderly and shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Roxie. You've suffered because of me."
I pressed my lips together and shook my head, at a loss for what to do. My heart was full of excitement, but also bitterness and sorrow. Tears rolled down my face before I realized it. Zhang Qingyuan's hand stayed on my cheek as he leaned his head closer.
I felt a warm sensation on my lips, and my tears poured out like a breached dam. I kept shaking my head, but with that kiss, all my resentment and anger melted away.
After a long while, Zhang Qingyuan lifted his head. The familiar gentle smile lingered on his lips, and he kept holding me tenderly.
"Daoist, let's go to where I am staying."
Zhang Qingyuan looked at Zachary Justice, who nodded. Zhang Qingyuan glanced at me again; my face was flushed and my whole body felt hot.
"It's alright, Roxie. As long as you believe, I will always be here."
I nodded. With a flash of bright white light, I saw the blue sky and ocean before me, and the endless white sand beneath our feet. Zhang Qingyuan was right beside me, and I never let go of his hand.
"That was dangerous, Qingyuan. Don't ever do that again. If you fail, you'll vanish forever."
As Zachary Justice spoke, Zhang Qingyuan nodded. He crouched down and set me down, but my arms were still around his neck, unwilling to let go. Zhang Qingyuan smiled and sat on the sand, still holding me. Tears kept streaming down my face as I lay in his arms.
"It's alright, Roxie. No matter how the future changes, I am still myself. Believe..."
Before Zhang Qingyuan could finish, I pressed a hand to his lips. There was no need for words—I had never doubted this man, the one I would entrust everything to.
Not far away, Zachary Justice smiled.
"It seems you two finally understand each other as husband and wife. That's good."
Zhang Qingyuan hummed in response, and I looked over at him.
"My consciousness has almost been completely eroded by hell, Roxie."