Chapter 234 - 200: As If an Old Friend Comes (Finale)

After leaving Ye Yuan and Cang Lan’s room, Long Yan stared at Su Mo’s door for a long time, his mind in turmoil.

Then, he smiled, relieved.

Su Mo had set out on this trip just to travel for fun, so the next day, the four of them officially began the first leg of their journey, following the itinerary Long Yan had originally planned for her.

It was also Ye Yuan and Cang Lan’s first time in a place like this, so they were happy to explore along with them.

By the time they finished the trip Long Yan had planned, half a month had passed.

The beach was beautiful at dusk.

The evening breeze was gentle, and the sound of the waves lapping against the shore was strangely captivating.

Ye Yuan and Cang Lan were preparing dinner ingredients not far away.

Long Yan and Su Mo sat side by side. The evening wind stirred her hair, and a few strands gently brushed against his neck.

He froze for a moment, his heart suddenly racing.

Amid the brilliant colors of the sunset, he turned to look at her, his voice soft yet exceptionally clear. "Su Mo, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a very long time."

She turned to look at him, her eyes crinkling into a smile.

For a moment, Long Yan couldn’t tell if it was the scenery that was so beautiful, or if the person before him was the one who truly captivated his heart.

He gazed into her sparkling eyes and said, word by word, "I like you."

"I don’t want us to just be friends. I want to see if we can become something more."

"I... I won’t fight with them over you, and I don’t need to be by your side all the time. Just when you need me, or when you think of me, I’ll be there in an instant. How does that sound...?"

By the end, his voice had grown almost pleading. "I only want a tenth of their time. Just a tenth will be enough."

Su Mo looked at him and smiled gently, then rested her head on his shoulder. "Okay."

After all these years, she had grown used to his presence, to this companionship. The unspoken understanding between them felt as if it were etched into her very soul.

When the four of them returned to the hotel, they saw someone sitting in the lobby.

Fei Yan stood with a smile and walked over. He greeted the other three first before turning his gaze to Su Mo.

"They sent me to ask when you plan on coming back."

"Soon~"

Su Mo smiled and started walking toward her room.

Fei Yan got up and followed her.

In the dead of night, she snuggled against his chest and asked in a muffled voice, "That scar on your body... was it also from crossing the Wangchuan?"

"Mhm."

"Why has no one ever mentioned this before?"

"Because there was no need. Coming to see you was our own decision. We didn’t want you to keep us around out of guilt or self-reproach."

If Ye Yuan hadn’t been so guileless and spilled everything, he—or rather, all of them—would have preferred she never found out.

Su Mo wrapped her arms tightly around the man before her. ’She stayed for him, for all of them, not out of pity, but because they were worth it.’

...

Later that night, Su Mo had what felt like a dream.

She dreamed she had gone to the world Ye Yuan described.

Only, the place was very different from his description.

Smoke curled up from chimneys, and the scene before her was one of warmth and peace. People tilled the fields, and from a nearby schoolhouse, she could hear the clear voices of young cubs reading aloud.

In a daze, Su Mo was bumped into by a young Beastman who was coming out carrying a stack of books.

He was a Wolf Beastman, and he apologized to Su Mo profusely.

A Female of a similar age followed behind him, frowning as she chided, "Feng Yao, you’re a grown man now, why are you still so clumsy? How are you supposed to teach the cubs when you’re like this? I’m going to tell Mother and have her scold you!"

"Sis, can’t you spare me some dignity?" He then turned back to Su Mo apologetically. "I didn’t hurt you, did I?"

Su Mo smiled. "I’m fine."

She thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you know Ah Nuan?"

’According to Ye Yuan, she was supposed to be a good friend of hers.’

At her words, the two of them froze.

Soon, Yun Zhao and Feng Yao led Su Mo to a shop. A long line of people snaked out from the front, and the faint, sweet scent of cosmetics drifted on the wind.

The middle-aged woman at the head of the line was incredibly busy.

Yun Zhao shouted at the top of her lungs, "Mother, someone’s here to see you!"

Without looking up, Ah Nuan asked, "Who is it?"

"It’s me, Su Mo."

At those words, the porcelain jar in Ah Nuan’s hand slipped from her fingers and fell. She looked up at the approaching woman in utter disbelief.

Then she suddenly threw her arms around the woman, tears streaming down her face. "You... What took you so long to come back and see me? Don’t you know I’ve been waiting for you!"

Su Mo’s eyes reddened as she choked back a sob. "If I never came, why didn’t you give up?"

"I couldn’t. I was afraid you’d suddenly return one day and not find anyone familiar. Besides, I always had a feeling you’d come back."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted you to know that we’re all living well now—better than before." Ah Nuan hugged her, sobbing uncontrollably. "I’ve been living a good life, just like you told me to. So have they. Everyone is striving for a better future. Are you happy?"

Su Mo smiled, a sense of relief washing over her. "I’m happy."

「South City.」

The next time Su Mo appeared in the public eye, it was several years later.

Her long hair was swept up in a neat, high style, and she exuded an air of sharp competence. Holding a heavy trophy, she delivered her acceptance speech with calm composure.

In the intervening years, she had pursued further studies and participated in several research projects. Now, still at a young age, she had reached a level of success most people could only dream of.

On the very same day, Little Jiu and Fu Ying were also at an awards ceremony.

Fu Ying took home the award for Best Screenwriter, while Little Jiu’s years of hard work paid off as she was crowned Best Actress.

The camera’s view shifted, panning across their two phone screens.

Displayed on both was the image of Su Mo, holding her own trophy.

The woman on the screen was composed, elegant, and confident. She radiated a captivating charm from within that drew every eye.

The camera cut to the front row of the audience.

Seated in the very center were seven men, each a dazzling figure in his own industry. At that moment, their gazes were all fixed, mesmerized, on the woman at the center of the stage.

Ye Yuan’s eyes were red, tears welling up as he watched the woman on stage.

Later, when Su Mo was rewatching the video with Little Jiu and the others, Fu Ying couldn’t help but tease, "Looks like your little Mermaid’s crybaby nature isn’t going away anytime soon~"

Su Mo just smiled. ’If it can’t be changed, it can’t be changed.’

’Following her heart was all that mattered.’