She was sure that if they knew each other, Jun Li would know.

  Jun Li stopped in his tracks, turning to face Qin Shu. He stared at her for a while before asking, “Do you know who you are?”


  Qin Shu nodded. “I think I do… I know I used to learn martial arts at Mount Qi; Tingyu told me. Tingyu and I were disciples of the same sect. I… I don’t remember the events that transpired on Mount Qi.”


  Jun Li smiled. “If you can’t recall your time on Mount Qi, then it might better to let the past rest as it is. It wouldn’t be too late to talk about our past when you’ve retrieved the memories you’ve lost. Wouldn’t that be better?”


  Jun Li neither denied nor admitted to their past relationship.

  Even though he had spoken in a roundabout manner, his words implied that they did share a common history.

  Qin Shu looked at him in confusion. “Wouldn’t it help me remember if you shared what you know about the time I spent on Mount Qi? Perhaps it might jolt my memories. I’m curious to know how we met in the past.”


  “I want to wait for you to recover your memories of me before I tell you what I know. When you do remember, I’d be more than happy to reminisce about our past together. In the meantime, put those questions of the past aside. Let nature take its course, and, one day, you’ll know the truth.” Jun Li said.

  Qin Shu stared at Jun Li for a long time, offering him a hesitant nod. “Alright.”


  Jun Li smiled and continued walking. “You’re here; where’s Fu Tingyu?”


  “He was supposed to come with me, but he’s been swamped of late. He’s been running back and forth, dealing with things left and right, such that he is awake past midnight tying up loose ends. I couldn’t make him come with me – it would have been selfish to do so…” Qin Shu replied softly.

  Jun Li readily accepted Qin Shu words at face value. “That’s true. The Fu family is big; many people depend on it. He would not be able to be in two places at once. I’m surprised, though. I never thought he would allow you to visit me unaccompanied.”


  At the mention of Fu Tingyu, a warm smile touched her lips, drawing them up into a beautiful arc. “He has changed a lot. Although I don’t remember how he was like on the mountain, I believe we must have had quite an amicable relationship.”


  Jun Li shot her a sideways glance. “What about Han Xiao?”


  Han Xiao? Qin Shu mulled over the question, answering, “Everyone says I used to like Han Xiao, but I don’t remember anything about the time I spent on Mount Qi… I see him as a good friend.”


  Jun Li stroked her hair tenderly. Qin Shu’s hair was soft and smooth, having an irresistible quality. “It’s good you understand your thoughts and feelings. My advice, if you’d have it, is not to overthink things. It’s best if you play things by ear.”


  Qin Shu nodded. Rushing to recall her lost past was an act of futility; Rome was not built in a day.

  “Is there a way to recover your memories?” Jun Li asked.

  Qin Shu shook her head. “There is, though it isn’t feasible. Tingyu says it’ll be hard to track down the culprit since more than ten years have passed. Unless someone at the level of a Martial Sovereign examines my mind, there’s no way to retrieve the memories I lost. As you know, martial artists at that level have all but disappeared.”


  Jun Li was silent for a moment before he said, “Happiness is the most important thing.”


  Qin Shu tilted her head and looked at Jun Li. Though he always looked indifferent, he was, in fact, a very empathetic person.

  Late that evening, Gu Yan treated Jun Li to another round of acupuncture. This time, It was for detoxification. Although the effect was not significant, it was still better than nothing.

  Jun Li had a weak body. After he received treatment, he took a shower and promptly fell asleep.

  Gu Yan had been studying his prescription for the past two days, working out ways to extend Jun Li’s life.

  –


  The next day…


  Gu Yan checked Jun Li’s pulse. Afterwards, he instructed, “I have made some medicine. You need to take it at the appointed times. As for those strong drugs you were using, please don’t use them anymore. They will do you no good.”


  Jun Li acquiesced with a smile. “Yes, thank you for the reminder, Professor Gu.”


  Qin Shu had spent the past two days keeping Jun Li company on his daily walks. Incidentally, those walks were beneficial to her too.

  The back garden was no less beautiful than the front garden. In June, the leaves were a vibrant green, lush and full of vitality. Though the flowers were not in full bloom, there was more than enough to please the eye.

  Jun Li suddenly stopped and turned his head to look at her.

  Curious, Qin Shu asked, “Why aren’t you leaving?”


  “Tomorrow, you will return to Jiangcheng.”Jun Li said.

  Qin Shu was puzzled. “Huh? What are you trying to say?”


  “I want to hug you.” No sooner had he declared his intention than he pulled her into his arms.

  Qin Shu did not know how to react. Jun Li’s gentle sounded over her head. “This is farewell, I guess. I don’t know when we will meet again. Promise me. Promise me you’ll always be happy, no matter what happens. Please?”


  Qin Shu hesitated for a moment before she returned the hug. She saw Jun Li as an older brother of hers. Despite not knowing the kind of relationship they once had, Qin Shu was happy with the way things stood.

  “Mm, you must take good care of your body too. When the time comes, I will hold a banquet for the birth of my child and treat you to a bottle of good wine.”


  Jun Li nodded. “Mm, I’ll be there.”


  …


  Qin Shu left the following day. Jun Li and Lan Qi sent her off.

  Before boarding the plane, Qin Shu gently reminded, “Jun Li, please take care of your health. You must taste the wine I’ll prepare.”


  Jun Li smiled at her. “Don’t worry; I will.”


  Only then did Qin Shu turn around and board the plane.

  Ye Luo was piloting the jet.

  Once they were comfortably settled on board, Qin Shu asked Gu Yan the dreaded question, “How much longer does he have to live?”


  “That’ll depend on how well he looks after himself; two months at worse and around half a year at best.”


  Gu Yan was forthright with his prognosis. “It would take a miracle for him to live longer than that.”


  Qin Shu heard this and prayed with all her heart that a miracle would happen. Jun Li did not deserve this ignoble fate – He was too good to perish just like that.

  The plane gradually turned into a speck, disappearing over the horizon.

  Lan Qi turned to Jun Li questioningly. “Why didn’t you tell her?”


  Jun Li’s riposte was immediate, “She hasn’t regained her memory yet. Why should I tell her?”


  “If you wait for her to regain her memory, wouldn’t it be too late, then? How long do you have left to live? By the time she remembers, you’ll be dead…” Lan Qi’s eyes were red as he choked back the tears threatening to fall.

  Jun Li sighed. “What’s the point of telling her now?”


  Seeing Lan Qi’s puffy, red eyes, Jun Li patted Lan Qi on the shoulder, “There are some things that are fated and can not be changed. If I should die before she remembers the past, then I ask for you to follow her. She will put a roof over your head and food on the table. Control your emotions; you’re not a child anymore.”


  Upon hearing what was essentially Jun Li’s last testament, Lan Qi broke into tears, bawling his eyes out.

  Helpless, Jun Li murmured, “Didn’t I say you should control yourself better?”


  …


  …


  Back at Bright Garden…


  Qin Shu alighted the private jet. She saw Fu Tingyu in his suit from the plane’s window, waving at her in welcome.

  Just as she was three steps from the ground, Fu Tingyu engulfed her in a hug, his clean-shaven chin rubbing against Qin Shu’s luscious hair. “Babe.”


  Fu Tingyu had received a call from Ye Luo early that morning, informing him of their impending arrival. Since they were about to touchdown, he decided to wait for them at the airfield.

  If Qin Shu had returned a day later, he would have rushed to her side even if it meant he had to take an overnight flight to the capital to see her.