The days and months passed quickly like a dream. Spring had not yet ended, and summer had quickly arrived. The carpet of Rhododendron flowers was still brilliant, and the silver waterfall was still pouring down. However, because people were unhappy, the beautiful scenery was also tinged with a vague sadness.
This period of time was the last time Erina was on the mountain before flying to country B. Since yesterday afternoon, she and Henry had come here to say goodbye to Orson. According to his and her wishes, both of them decided to stay with their master for another day.
After nearly a year of hard practice, Erina has improved a lot. After many times fighting together, Henry realized that her actual combat ability was very good, her movements were flexible and extremely accurate.
“You're distracted. Do you look down on me?” Erina retracted the sword that was lying next to Henry's neck and asked.
“Not. Because I keep thinking about you leaving, I can't help but feel sad.” He smiled lightly, his eyes filled with sorrow.
“Master will be disappointed in you if he hears these words. Young master, if… I mean if one day, the two of us become enemies. Ah, no, rivals. Then when we fight, what will you do?” She looked at him and asked hesitantly.
“That day will not come. At worst, I'll raise my hands and let you tie me up.”
Looking at Henry's cheerful face and hearing his nonsensical answer, Erina could only smile faintly. Perhaps he thought she was joking now.
After placing the sword on a nearby rock, Erina slowly walked down to the foot of the waterfall. Henry quickly followed her. His words were completely sincere after careful thought.
If one day the relationship between him and her deteriorated to the point of becoming enemies, he would rather give up himself and let her decide than hurt the person he loved even a little bit.
The days when the rain had not yet come, the waterfall still poured down, creating white foam like mist. On both banks, the Rhododendron flowers were in full bloom, the red color evoking so many deep memories.
Today, Henry and Erina did not meditate or practice martial arts in the water. He helped her walk along the craggy cliff and stand behind the silver waterfall swaying in the wind like a pure silk curtain.
Erina closed her eyes, enjoying the cool feeling in the middle of the wild and poetic mountains and forests. She had left her footprints on this majestic mountain for a whole year and this place had become an unforgettable memory for her even in the future.
When the gentle golden sunlight spread, warming everything, the two of them returned to the top, preparing lunch. Walking beside her, Henry felt extremely moved, the short moment was like a fast-forward film of the days he spent with her on this mountain.
“Erina, do you need to buy anything else?” He turned to her and asked softly.
“Oh. I made an appointment with Fayre to go to the supermarket to buy some more winter clothes.” She smiled and replied.
“I intend to take you away.” His voice carried sadness and disappointment.
“It's been a long time since she and I have seen each other. Before we parted, we should have had a good time.”
After saying that, Erina walked away quickly. Henry sighed and looked after her. Did she really think that the distance of half a world and two years would erase everything? Didn't she know that besides her, his heart could hardly contain another figure?
If the result of the return day is the same as the departure day, then why did she leave? Wouldn't it be better to just follow fate's arrangement?
Today's vegetarian meal looked quite sumptuous and beautifully presented. At first glance, Orson could understand the hearts of the young disciples.
Orson lived a simple, noble life, did not care about fame and fortune, and did not like gifts, so Erina could only express her feelings and gratitude to him through food.
“Erina, please meet me for a while this afternoon.” Orson spoke gently.
“Yes.”
After speaking, she glanced at Henry. He just nodded and smiled slightly instead of telling her to do as her master said.
Last night, Erina suddenly woke up, and through the crack in the wall, she saw the light on Orson's house. Out of curiosity, she stood and waited, and after a long while, there were very light footsteps and Henry appeared, coming back from that side.
Ever since she overheard the conversation between Orson and Henry at the top of the waterfall, she felt like she was being left out.
Although she had no intention of learning or studying Orson's secret martial arts, she still felt sad. Because he clearly saw that her feelings and emotions were not focused on Henry, he treated her differently from the way he treated Henry, right?
In the afternoon, after helping Henry cook, Erina ran to find Orson. Seeing the shadow of his disciple outside, he told her to open the door and come in.
“Master.” She bowed her head and greeted him respectfully.
“Please sit down.” He lowered his voice and pointed to the chair opposite.
Waiting for the female disciple to sit down, Orson pushed the notebooks towards her. Erina did as he said and gently flipped through the pages.
Emotions suddenly surged because she saw drawings and handwritten letters inside that described martial arts moves that she had not yet learned.
“Master, this...” Erina looked up, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Your time here is too short. I don't know if we'll be able to meet again in the future. Your senior brother and I have recorded all the moves and techniques from simple to advanced. When you go there, if you have time, practice more.”
“Thank you, master. I promise to practice hard. Let me... go home and bring dinner over.”
She quickly wiped the corner of her eyes and ran away, joy seeping through her heart. For a long time, she had misunderstood her master, thinking that he only taught her that much and not wholeheartedly like he taught Henry.
After eating, Erina quickly cleaned up and went into her room, lit an oil lamp, and intently pored over her notebook until it was dark and she still didn't know it. When Henry called her name, she startled and raised her head, stammering.
“You...how did you get in here?”
“You didn't lock the door, so I pushed it lightly and it opened.” Henry smiled at her.
“Oh, I must have forgotten. You... what do you want from me?” Erina asked hesitantly.
“Erina, blindfold yourself and follow me to a place.”
“What do you say? Blindfold?” Her eyes widened when she heard his strange suggestion.
“Yes. Just for a moment. I'll give you a surprise.”
While Erina was still bewildered, Henry quickly used a black cloth to blindfold her, put her on his back, and carried her outside.
Although she didn't want to, thinking about him staying up all night to copy books for her, she tried to please him.
When they arrived, he carefully put her down. The moment the cloth was removed, Erina became emotional and covered her mouth with her hand to suppress the exclamation that was about to escape her mouth.
In the middle of the summer night, millions of magical lights flickered like small stars spreading across the quiet mountains and forests. The swarm of fireflies weaved a colorful carpet covering thousands of trees and blades of grass. The enchanting beauty made her feel like she had strayed into a fairyland.
Erina happily spun around with them. Her innocent and fresh image made Henry's heart beat wildly.
The magical scene quickly disappeared because, after the sparkling moment of finding each other, the fireflies spread out in all directions and gradually disappeared into the night.
Erina stood on tiptoe and picked up a tiny firefly. When the slender hand opened, it flew high, hiding in the dark canopy of trees. She looked at it for a long time and felt regretful.
“It's over.”
“Right. Erina, you know? To have the brilliant moment for the dance of light of this season of love, they have to go through a period of quiet and arduous waiting underground.”
Henry said as he held out his hand in front of her. The last firefly flickered and then quickly flew away. He was as regretful as she was. The colorful lights of the bustling city could not compare to the countless stars falling from the sky.
“Young master, how do you know there are fireflies tonight?” Erina spoke dreamily.
“Pay attention to the early summer days, if the weather is hot and humid during the day, and cloudy but windless at night, fireflies will surely appear.”
After the gentle sound echoed into the quiet night, both of them silently listened to the breath of nature and the universe. The falling stars in the darkness illuminated the desires deep in their souls. If they only had one life to live, why didn't they boldly pursue their dreams so they wouldn't have any regrets?
At this moment, Erina was no longer afraid or worried about the future. No matter what happened, she would strongly hold her lover's hand to overcome everything. If she could not shine with him, she would willingly fade away with him.
Beside her, the loyal man still kept his original dream, which was to be with the girl he loved forever. He would build, care for, and cherish that home every day.
The desire seems simple for all rich boys, but for Henry, it is too out of reach because Erina does not care about external frivolities.