Part Three: The Weight of Tomorrow
“The wind carried away the fear of yesterday, leaving only the promise of tomorrow.”
The afternoon sun gradually softened.
Golden light filtered through the maple leaves, painting dancing shadows across the garden.
Yu Mingyue sat beneath the old maple tree.
One leg stretched out.
The other bent comfortably.
She leaned back against the rough bark.
“…”
“…I’m really tired.”
She laughed to herself.
Not because she was unhappy.
Because she had never imagined that one day…
She would complain about something so ordinary.
Gu Mengmeng plopped down beside her.
“…Move over.”
“There isn’t much space.”
“You’ve gotten healthier.”
“…What does that have to do with space?”
“You take up more room now.”
“…Mengmeng.”
“What?”
“I’ve only been healthy for two days.”
“So?”
“I don’t think I expanded.”
Gu Mengmeng pretended to think very seriously.
“…You’re right.”
“I’ll check again next week.”
Yu Mingyue couldn’t help laughing.
“…You’re impossible.”
“I learned from you.”
Before Yu Mingyue could answer—
A shadow fell across her.
She looked up.
Lu Yanxi stood there quietly.
In his hand…
A white towel.
“…”
“…For me?”
He nodded once.
“You’ve been sweating.”
Yu Mingyue accepted it.
“…Thank you.”
She wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Then smiled sheepishly.
“…I must look terrible.”
Lu Yanxi looked at her for a long moment.
Messy hair.
Red cheeks.
Slightly flushed from running.
The towel hanging crookedly around her neck.
He quietly answered.
“…No.”
“…You look healthy.”
Yu Mingyue froze.
The smile on her face slowly became softer.
“…”
“…That’s the nicest compliment anyone has ever given me.”
Silence settled gently between them.
Not awkward.
Comfortable.
The kind of silence only people who had known each other for years could share.
…
Several meters away…
Gu Mingzhe was still watching her.
Not like a doctor anymore.
Just…
Watching.
Xie Chengyi walked over.
He stood beside him.
“…Stop observing.”
Gu Mingzhe glanced sideways.
“…Habit.”
“You’ve checked her breathing seventeen times.”
“…”
“…Was it seventeen?”
“Eighteen.”
Gu Mingzhe sighed quietly.
“…I’m improving.”
Xie Chengyi looked toward Yu Mingyue.
“…So are we.”
Neither of them spoke again.
Because…
Healing wasn’t something that happened overnight.
It happened little by little.
Just like this.
…
Meanwhile…
Xiao Bai had flown to the highest branch of the maple tree.
He looked down at everyone.
Then secretly opened a tiny notebook.
Across the first page, neat golden letters appeared.
Normal Human Experience Checklist
☑ Sleep until nine.
☑ Receive a healthy medical report.
☑ Run until tired.
Xiao Bai smiled proudly.
Then added another empty box.
☐ Watch the sunset.
He nodded in satisfaction.
“…Excellent progress.”
Yu Mingyue looked up.
“…Little Potato.”
Xiao Bai nearly dropped the notebook.
“…Host!”
“Why are you hiding in the tree?”
“I am documenting your rehabilitation.”
“…Show me.”
“No.”
“…Why?”
“It is confidential.”
“You just announced it out loud.”
“…”
“…That was an unfortunate oversight.”
Yu Mingyue stood up.
“…Give it here.”
Xiao Bai immediately flew higher.
“No.”
“Come down.”
“No.”
“I’m taller than you.”
“You are not!”
“I definitely am.”
“I am floating!”
“That’s cheating!”
Everyone watched in confusion as Yu Mingyue chased absolutely nothing around the garden.
Gu Mengmeng blinked.
“…Who is she talking to?”
Lu Yanxi calmly answered.
“…Probably Xiao Bai.”
No one questioned it.
They had already accepted that Yu Mingyue could see someone they couldn’t.
Besides…
Whoever Xiao Bai was…
He made her laugh.
That alone was enough.
…
Several minutes later…
Yu Mingyue finally gave up.
She collapsed onto the grass.
“…I surrender.”
Xiao Bai floated down triumphantly.
“…Victory.”
“…You cheated.”
“I utilized aerial superiority.”
“…That’s still cheating.”
“It is strategic.”
Yu Mingyue looked up at the blue sky.
White clouds drifted lazily overhead.
The breeze brushed gently across her face.
“…”
“…It’s beautiful.”
No one answered immediately.
Then Gu Mengmeng quietly lay down beside her.
“…It is.”
One by one…
The others joined them.
Lu Yanxi rested against the trunk of the maple tree.
Gu Mingzhe sat nearby, one knee raised.
Xie Chengyi folded his arms and leaned back.
For a long while…
Nobody spoke.
There was no need.
The wind spoke for them.
The rustling leaves.
The distant birds.
The faint splash of water from the fountain.
Everything felt…
Peaceful.
Yu Mingyue slowly closed her eyes.
“…Yanxi-ge.”
“…Hm?”
“…Brother Mingzhe.”
“…Yes?”
“…Chengyi-ge.”
“…What?”
“…Mengmeng.”
“…I’m here.”
She smiled.
Without opening her eyes.
“…Thank you.”
The four of them looked at her.
She continued softly.
“…For waiting for me.”
Silence.
A long silence.
Finally…
Lu Yanxi spoke.
His voice was almost carried away by the wind.
“…You came back.”
Three simple words.
Nothing more.
Yu Mingyue opened her eyes.
She looked at him.
Then smiled brighter than the afternoon sun.
“…Mm.”
“…I came back.”
The breeze gently lifted the fallen maple leaves.
One leaf drifted through the air.
Spinning slowly.
Before landing softly in Yu Mingyue’s lap.
She picked it up.
Holding it carefully between her fingers.
“…”
“…I think…”
She whispered.
“…Today is my favorite day.”
No one argued.
Because…
They all felt exactly the same.
Far above them…
The clear blue sky stretched endlessly into the distance.
For the first time…
Tomorrow no longer felt uncertain.
It simply felt…
Close.