Chapter 8

I refused to meet his gaze, just frowned and retorted, "Isn't this supposed to put your mind at ease? Why are you so worked up?"

Charles's chest heaved with anger, and after a long moment, he let out a cold laugh. "You're still as crazy as ever!"

With that, he whipped his sleeve and stormed off.

I called out, "Charles.

"I swore an oath. Now it's your turn. Promise me something."

Charles stopped in his tracks, turned back with a frown, and snapped, "What are you trying to pull now?"

I pushed myself up, moving slowly as I walked over to him.

In his eyes, shining bright in the firelight, I caught a glimpse of my own pale, weak smile.

I said, "Promise me. After we leave here, don't ever come back to this place for the rest of your life, okay?"

Charles's face changed in an instant.

I thought he was about to snap at me again, but instead, his voice came out tight and strained. "Emily, what's wrong with you?

"Why have you been acting so weird these past few days? Saying all sorts of strange stuff, like you're..."

Charles didn't finish his sentence. Instead, he grabbed my hand, looking straight at me, demanding:

"Are you hiding something from me?"

My heart felt like it was being wrung out, the pain so sharp my fingers curled up tight.

For a second, I wanted to spill everything to him, but I knew it would only add to the pain for both of us.

I forced myself to pull my hand free, copying his tone on purpose. "Charles, are you getting cold feet now?

"Three days from now, we'll just be strangers. Whatever happens to me, it's none of your business anymore."

Charles's face gradually drained of color, inch by inch.

Guilt surged inside me like storm clouds, but before I could say a word, he gritted his teeth and shot back:

"Then whether I come back here or not, it's none of your business either!"

He shot me a fierce glare, then turned and walked away toward the guesthouse.

With tears in my eyes, I watched him leave, feeling like this was just a preview of the day we'd say goodbye for good.

I just didn't want to see Charles coming back here with someone else after I was gone, walking the same paths we used to walk together.

Even if we met again as spirits, I never wanted to go through that kind of heartbreak again.

On the fifth day of our trip, we headed to Peachblossom Village.

After a night at the hotel, we woke up before sunrise and made our way to the prime viewing spot for Nambar Peak.

As the sky slowly brightened, the towering Nambar Peak started to take shape in the morning mist, its outline growing clearer with every passing minute.

Fresh snow covered the inky mountain slopes, tracing a winding, sharp boundary where white met dark.

If luck was on our side, everyone waiting here might catch the golden sunlight pouring over the snowy peak, a sight that could take your breath away.

But even after the sky was fully bright, the clouds stubbornly refused to lift, shrouding the mountain and blocking out the sunlight.

A faint sense of disappointment washed over me.

Seeing the disappointment in Charles's eyes, I offered, "Charles, want me to dance for you?"

I unwrapped my red scarf and slipped off my coat.

Wearing the same bright red dress as I did years ago, I spun and twirled in front of the towering snowy mountains.

My steps felt weak and hollow, nothing like the strength I once had. My dance was a shadow of what it used to be.

All I wanted was to let out the sourness and frustration that had been festering inside me.

I was still at an age where emotions could run wild, where love and hate could explode without warning, but my time was almost up.

But even so, I'll give it everything I've got, just to let my soul soar one last time. This is how I want to say goodbye to the world.

"Look! The sun's out! It's the golden mountain!" someone shouted.

Everyone around us gasped and cheered.

My legs suddenly went weak, and I stumbled sideways.

Charles lunged forward and caught me in his arms before I could hit the ground.

He squeezed me so hard our bodies bumped together with a muffled thud.

Leaning against him, I turned to look at the distant peak.

The clouds had completely cleared, and sunlight bathed the mountain top, turning the snow into a dazzling golden glow.

Suddenly, emotions flooded me, and tears streamed down my face.

"Charles, it's the golden mountain!" I cried out.

He wrapped me up in his coat, his voice shook, like he was fighting to keep something inside.

"Yeah, we're seeing the golden mountain again..." he said softly.

I was out of breath, staring at the breathtaking view in the distance, desperate to burn this moment into my memory.