Na'er, I Will Always Protect You

Of course, he had suspected from the very beginning that Na'er's identity might be special. He had always had that feeling, and Old Long, Snow Empress, and Ice Empress's expressions and words would not deceive him.

And for some reason, he always felt that this trip to see the sea would be different...

Besides, if it was all true, did that mean Na'er might leave?

That was possible. But even if she left, they would meet again. Still... if he had a choice, he hoped Na'er would not leave. She could recover, but she should not leave.

Of course, the best outcome—at least in his opinion—would be for her to grow up forever under his care. But... would that truly be the best choice?

Wouldn't that mean denying Na'er the right to choose? Wouldn't it mean imprisoning her?

But at this moment, aside from hoping that the unease in his heart was unfounded, all he could do was accept reality and follow the course of fate.

And whether it was true or not, he had to grow stronger, protect others, and protect Na'er.

Even if it took time for them to reunite, when he saw her again, he would definitely protect her as a truly good older brother! He would not let her suffer even the slightest harm.

"Na'er, I'm ready. Shall we go?"

"Mm! Brother, let's go!"

With that, Na'er took Wu Yang Jin's hand and headed toward the seaside...

Aolai City, as mentioned before, was not a large city. Not many people came here to travel, but many still lived happy lives of their own.

However, Aolai City had never been specially developed with tourist attractions or anything of the sort. It was simply as it was.

There was no need to mention building anything along the shore. The seaside remained in its natural state, with the breeze brushing over the waves.

The beach itself was not particularly beautiful, but the moon in the sky was exceptionally gentle. A crescent moon hung high in the air, casting snow-white moonlight. Stars dotted the heavens, dazzling beyond compare, like precious gems embedded in the curtain of the night sky.

"Brother, do you like the sea?"

"Hmm? Of course. I really like swimming in the sea and sitting by the shore, watching the waves."

"I should've brought Brother to the seaside more often."

"It's fine, Na'er. There will be plenty of chances in the future. And no matter where I go, as long as Na'er is with me, I'll be content."

Together? In the future? Brother...

"Na'er, don't you think the starry sky is beautiful tonight?"

"Huh? Yes, I haven't watched the stars with Brother in a long time!"

"Then, Na'er, stay with Brother and watch them forever, okay?"

"Huh? Okay..."

After that, Na'er fell silent, lost in thought. Wu Yang Jin only noticed her state a little later.

"Brother... if... if one day I leave, will you miss me?"

"Leave? To be honest, if Na'er left, Brother would definitely be sad. But Na'er might have a choice of her own, right? And I would definitely miss you, Na'er. Don't forget, you're my little sister. I would miss you every moment, every minute, every second!"

"Brother... Yang Jin-ge..."

"But if Na'er really is going to leave, then naturally, I don't want that. I want you to stay and let me always be by your side, protecting you for the rest of your life. I won't let anyone hurt you! Not even a tiny bit! No one is more important than Na'er! Okay?"

He also wanted to test Na'er's thoughts. Though he knew it would sting her heart somewhat, judging from Na'er's expression and her words, it seemed his fears had come true.

"Protect Na'er... for a lifetime, so she won't be hurt?"

After hearing Wu Yang Jin's words, Na'er blinked her purple eyes. Confusion and loneliness flickered within them, and for a moment, her little head did not know what to do. Wu Yang Jin took the opportunity to let Na'er lean against him.

"Na'er, remember this. No matter who you are, where you came from, or where you're going, Brother will always watch over you and protect you. Even if you leave, I'll find a way to find you. When we meet again, that will be the day I protect you for the rest of your life! No one can ever separate us!"

"Brother... sob, sob! Thank you, Brother! Na'er understands! If... if Na'er leaves, she really won't be able to bear parting with Brother! Brother! Na'er really likes Brother!"

Na'er could not hold herself back any longer. She did not endure it. She knew she should be decisive and resolute, but before her brother, she could relax and leave everything to him!

Afterward, Na'er and Wu Yang Jin walked along the shore for a little while longer. Then Wu Yang Jin suddenly suggested carrying Na'er home on his back, because when they had first met, Wu Yang Jin had carried Na'er just like this to the home that belonged to the two of them.

At the same time, Na'er tucked her feet into Wu Yang Jin's pockets. This time, however, there were no grilled fish or fried potato cakes. Instead, Wu Yang Jin carried Na'er's shoes in his hand, while Na'er buried her little head against his back, listening to him speak and responding from time to time.

After returning home and finishing their meditation, Na'er waited for him once again. After they each said goodnight, they returned to their rooms and went to sleep.

But this time, it was no longer a quiet, uneventful night as they waited for the next day...

At some point during the night, Wu Yang Jin's door opened. A small silver figure silently entered, and Na'er came to stand beside Wu Yang Jin's bed.

"She came?" Old Long sensed it.

"As expected..." Snow Empress sighed.

"Sigh..." Ice Empress did not know what to say either.

Na'er stood by the bed, her eyes filled with reluctance and pain. Then she nearly forgot something important. After wiping away her tears, she took it out.

She took a note from her pocket and placed it beside Wu Yang Jin's pillow, carefully weighing it down for fear that it might fall or be damaged.

The next moment, a flash of silver light passed through her eyes. One silver scale after another unexpectedly appeared on her chest, and several teardrops suddenly fell onto them.

The scales she had created linked together, forming a necklace. She placed it beside the note. Then, seeing the necklace from his birthday in Wu Yang Jin's hand, another wave of sorrow welled up in her heart.

"Brother, I'm sorry, but Na'er has to leave..."

Na'er bent down and gently kissed Wu Yang Jin on the cheek. A trace of resolve mixed with reluctance appeared in her eyes, and then a Silver Light Gate appeared before her.

"I'm sorry. Goodbye!"

Na'er turned back one last time and stared at Wu Yang Jin in a daze. In the end, she stepped into the Silver Light Gate without looking back.

And in Wu Yang Jin's heart, before falling asleep, he had truly hoped none of this was real.

He did not want Na'er to truly leave. He had truly regarded Na'er as his little sister, as the most important person to him! He wanted to protect and cherish her properly!

So, if Na'er really left, if she truly had to leave him for a while, then...

To fulfill the words he had spoken at the seaside, to truly reunite with her once more, he would work hard for her! He would work hard for Na'er! And he would work hard for his own identity as well!

Somewhere, at the corner of a wall, the lights in a house came on...

Somewhere beside a wall, tears slid down Na'er's beautiful face.

Na'er clutched that box of lollipops and chocolate, the outfit her brother had given her, and the most precious necklace.

"Brother, Brother..."

"Miss, we... should go."

Someone looked at Na'er as he spoke.

"Miss, I know you can't bear to leave. Even I can sense an unexpected yet familiar aura, though I cannot be sure. But we truly have to go."

"I... understand, Brother..."

"Miss, let's go. None of that is important for now."