One week later.
When Clarisse returned home from school, she found her mother packing her luggage.
“Mother… are you…?” “I’m packing,” Durand replied as she folded her clothes.
“I plan to return to our homeland soon.
When I asked you to invite Dr.
Qi yesterday, it was actually to say goodbye.” Clarisse froze.
So that was why her mother had shown such extraordinary hospitality yesterday.
It had been the highest standard of courtesy the Durand family could offer.
Oblivious to her daughter’s reaction, Durand continued, “I’ve already asked your aunt to handle the transfer procedures.
It should be done soon.” “If you have any close friends, make sure to say your goodbyes properly.
Being separated by an entire planet makes meeting again much more difficult.” After a moment, Durand finally noticed the silence and turned around.
Her daughter stood there stiffly, her face filled with hesitation and inner conflict.
“What’s wrong, my child?” “Mother… I… I don’t want to go back!” Clarisse lifted her head, meeting her mother’s gaze with determination.
Durand saw the unmistakable resolve in her eyes.
“…Is it because of Dr.
Qi?” “How did you know?” “Silly girl.” Durand stepped forward and gently embraced her.
“Your mother has lived long enough to recognize when her daughter has fallen for someone.” “Don’t be afraid.
I won’t interfere with your choice.
In fact, I support you.” “If not for differences in status and background, someone like Dr.
Qi would have countless noble daughters pursuing him.” “There is nothing to criticize about him.
His character, his appearance, his temperament… all of it is exceptional.” She sighed softly.
“It’s just unfortunate that noble daughters rarely have freedom in love or marriage.” “Our Durand family has some standing, but in the end, we are still a small clan.” “Because of that, you are free from those constraints.” Durand gently stroked her daughter’s hair, smiling warmly.
“So go.
Be brave.
Tell him how you feel.” “Life is short and filled with hardship.
If you don’t fight for what you want, it will slip away before you realize it.” “Mother…” Clarisse’s eyes grew moist as she buried herself in her mother’s embrace.
“You’ve grown up,” Durand said softly.
“You’re no longer that little girl who needed constant protection.
Go and do what your heart tells you.
I will always support you.” “Mm!” Clarisse nodded firmly.
That night, after dinner and a bath, Clarisse returned to her room and opened her wardrobe.
Inside were neatly arranged sweaters and scarves she had knitted herself.
From the uneven, clumsy pieces of her early attempts to the clean, refined works she produced now, her progress was evident.
Even though many of them were already masterfully crafted, she still wasn’t satisfied.
Picking up her knitting needles and yarn, her gaze softened as it fell on the glass lamp by her bedside.
It was a gift from Dr.
Qi.
A special one, meant just for her.
The lamp contained space-folding technology.
It could store small personal items such as tarot cards, cosmetics, or her phone.
It could even shrink in size, making it easy to carry.
She knew such items were far from cheap.
A gentle smile curved her lips as she leaned back against the headboard and continued knitting.
This would be her gift to him.
When the coldest season arrived, she would bring it to Dr.
Qi… and confess her feelings.
For that, it had to be perfect.
Time passed.
Heavy snow blanketed the mountains, making the paths nearly impossible for outsiders to navigate.
But Clarisse knew these trails better than anyone, except Qi Zhimu himself.
Years of walking them had etched every turn into her memory.
At most, the snow only slowed her steps.
But she didn’t mind.
If anything, the slower she walked, the stronger her anticipation grew.
Since her mother’s recovery, her mood had been consistently bright.
Qi Zhimu, however, understood more than he let on.
Though he had no experience with romance, he could sense her growing attachment.
Recently, her intentions had become even more obvious.
Still, he chose to pretend he didn’t notice.
Because he knew the truth.
If time could turn back a hundred years, he might not have rejected someone like her.
But there were no second chances.
He was dying.
[Remaining Lifespan: 9 Days, 4 Hours, 44 Minutes, 35 Seconds] His life was nearing its end.
As for what came after, he had no certainty.
He could only hope that whatever awaited him would not resemble the tragedy of his past.
After taking the medicine that maintained his youthful appearance, Qi Zhimu prepared to enter the hidden space within his home.
Suddenly, he sensed a disturbance outside.
A small drone rapidly approached from the sky and stopped in front of him.
Recognizing the insignia, he immediately knew who it belonged to.
The drone transformed, extending a mechanical arm that presented an emerald-green reagent.
At the same time, a holographic projection appeared.
It was Yu Qingtu.
“Little one, I have urgent matters to attend to.
I won’t make it back in time for your birthday.” “This trip may take half a year… or even several decades.” “So I’ll give you this in advance.” “Drink it, and you’ll retain your youth for at least a thousand years without needing other methods.” “Happy birthday.
Don’t forget about your big sister.” “As for your teacher… well, let her do as she pleases.” Her expression softened.
“When I return, I expect to taste even better pastries.
That won’t be a problem, right?” She blinked playfully, and the projection vanished.
The drone retracted its arm and shot back into the sky.
Qi Zhimu stood there silently.
Then he turned and walked back inside, carefully storing the reagent.
Looking toward the figure in the assembly area, his expression grew complicated.
He placed both hands on the control console and began extracting memory data, transferring it into the figure.
“…I’m sorry, Sister Qingtu.” “I won’t be able to serve you those pastries myself…”