Into The Sea

As they stepped out of the palace, golden sunlight poured down from the sky. Lan Wu narrowed her eyes before turning back and calling out, “Ah Yue.”

Ji Lingyue instinctively looked over, her gaze falling on the hand Lan Wu extended toward her. Bathed in sunlight, the lines on her palm were clear, warm and unblemished. She stepped forward, intertwining her fingers with Lan Wu’s as they walked side by side toward the Wanxiang Gate.

Along the way, Ji Lingyue suddenly said, “Lan Wu, you need to cultivate diligently.”

Hearing those familiar words after so many years, Lan Wu was momentarily taken aback. “Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden?”

“Because one day,” Ji Lingyue said, “we’re going to ascend together.”

Lan Wu smiled. “Isn’t it a little early to be thinking about that? Besides, once we become immortals, we’ll live forever. We’ll have all the time in the world. Won’t you get tired of being with me every day?”

Ji Lingyue turned to her. “Then will you grow tired of me?”

A soft breeze rustled through the trees. Dappled sunlight flickered across Ji Lingyue’s shoulders. Lan Wu paused, gazing at her, her soft features shrouded in the shade of the trees.

After a moment, she murmured, “Who knows?”

Ji Lingyue frowned. “What kind of answer is that?”

Lan Wu smirked and kept walking. “What kind of answer are you hoping for?”

“Of course, it’s ‘never’,” Ji Lingyue huffed. “Can’t you at least say something sweet once in a while?”

Lan Wu chuckled, tightening her grip on her hand. “I won’t.”

Ji Lingyue blinked. “What do you mean you won’t? You won’t get tired of me, or you won’t say sweet things?”

Lan Wu glanced at her. “What do you think?”

“You’re doing it again!”

Seeing that no one was around, Ji Lingyue playfully reached for her, fingers curling mischievously. Their laughter rang through the quiet courtyard, but before long, a muffled clap of thunder echoed overhead. A soft drizzle began to fall.

Lan Wu conjured a paper umbrella and pulled her close. “Once we finish my sister’s coronation, we can finally travel the world together. Is there anywhere you want to go?”

“Yes,” Ji Lingyue nodded. “I’ve seen a lot of beautiful places before. Back then, I always thought, ‘if only you were there to see them with me.’”

Lan Wu paused. “When was that?”

“During those forty years you disappeared,” she said, no longer pained by the memory.

She even smiled. “During those years when I walked the world alone, I met many people and saw many things. Maybe I’m even more experienced than you, a fish who never left the sea.”

“Is that so?” Lan Wu pressed her lips together, then said gently, “Then I guess I’ll rely on you to show me around.”

Ji Lingyue hummed in response and took a few quick steps forward. She stretched out her hands, catching raindrops in her palms, before spinning once with a smile.

“Ah Yue, don’t catch a cold.”

Ji Lingyue turned back, walking backwards as she grinned. “Come closer, I want to tell you a secret.”

Lan Wu sighed, helpless but amused, as she brought the umbrella closer. “What is it?”

Ji Lingyue suddenly reached out, looping her arms around her neck, and pressed a quick kiss against her lips. “I really, really like you.”

“That’s not a secret at all.”

Even as she said it, Lan Wu couldn’t stop herself from smiling. She lowered the umbrella, shielding them from the spring rain and any prying eyes, and leaned in.

Ji Lingyue obediently closed her eyes, tilting her chin up as Lan Wu’s fragrant breath drew near, welcoming the tender, lingering kiss.

The rain fell harder, drumming softly against the umbrella. Ji Lingyue’s breath grew unsteady as she pulled Lan Wu closer, tightening her embrace.

For the first time, she felt something she had never known before—an unwavering, quiet sense of belonging.

She was hers.

Her Lan Wu.

—

Authors Note:

And so, Into the Sea comes to an end.

Thank you all so much for your continued support. When I first created the two main characters, I only intended to write a short and lighthearted story. I never expected it to grow so long, nor did I anticipate receiving so much love and support along the way.

I’m especially grateful for how much you’ve come to care for the characters. During the writing process, I sometimes wondered if Lan Wu’s personality was too kind and uninteresting, or if Ji Lingyue’s personality was too extreme and unlikable. But your comments have reassured me time and again. Not only the main pair, but even the side characters found their way into your hearts. That, to me, means this story has been a success.

In short, I started writing at the beginning of last year, and it’s been almost a year now. There may still be many areas where I’m not yet mature as a writer, and I truly appreciate your patience and support.

I’ll see you all in the side stories! (^ω^)