Everything Has an Expiration Date

After much deliberation, Li Shishi decided to make a grand spectacle of the event first. Since neither Su Su nor Sister Chi Yuan liked or needed those overly complicated formalities, she decided to try to attract as many spectators as possible.

She stroked Jiang Rongyue's head beside her, the gesture like a tiger petting a golden retriever, and then raised her chin and said:

"Susu, Sister Chi Yuan, leave this matter to me and Rongyue."

"You can just stay here, have some tea, and wait for news."

Jiang Rongyue let the other person's slender hands play on her head; this intimate gesture didn't elicit any reaction from her.

--Well, she probably wouldn't react much even if Li Shishi stripped her naked, threw her on the bed, and started doing strange things to her.

The girl simply grabbed the man's mischievous hand and gently kneaded it in her palm, ignoring his instinctive arrogance, and replied calmly:

"Yes, I'll go down the mountain with Shishi in a bit."

"Although the news that I am still alive has been relayed to the core members, most of the people in [Chaoxian] are still somewhat uneasy. This time, I'll take this opportunity to sort out these trivial matters and make a public appearance before starting to prepare for matters between my master and Grand Martial Uncle."

Su Qing'an remained silent for a while after hearing this. Judging from the solemn tone and Li Shishi's eager look, he felt that the two of them would probably have a big affair, but in a sense, he did not object to it.

Just like when Otto said that it wouldn't matter if a photoshopped wedding photo of the two of them were played on a loop throughout Europe and even the world for ten minutes, his inner reaction was that maybe that would be pretty good too.

The feeling of being declared to the whole world is much stronger than the feeling of social death.

This is what it's like to like someone in your youth: you can be so humble that you feel like dust, letting passersby trample over you; or you can want to declare your feelings to the whole world, to ignite the courage and passion in your heart, and to boldly assert your love for the one you love.

Su Qing'an thought to himself that perhaps he hadn't gotten over this period yet, and deep down he still had that childlike mentality of showing off what he owned.

A large-scale wedding ceremony is actually the best way to satisfy this subtle mentality.

As for Fu Hua, she probably wouldn't have such thoughts in her heart.

But this is the only time she has proven herself to be living for herself after thousands of years of wear and tear.

Therefore, the ceremony itself may be optional, but it still adds a special and distinctive touch, making people feel that it's nice to have a lively atmosphere.

--Then let them do whatever they want.

These were fleeting thoughts that crossed their minds, but ultimately they were put on paper and given a response.

Su Qing'an ate a mouthful of watermelon mixed with ice from the bowl, glanced at the girl beside her who was fanning herself with an ivory folding fan, casually picked up a piece with a bamboo skewer and fed it to her, saying softly:

"Okay, then I'll leave it to you."

The immortal lazily half-closed his eyes, his cheeks puffing slightly with the support of the fruit for a moment, and nodded in agreement. His slightly raised ponytail swayed, revealing a slender, fair neck that looked even softer in the light.

She swallowed the watermelon, her glistening lips, still moist with the juice, looking quite appetizing, and said:

"Just don't push yourself too hard."

Jiang Rongyue nodded and said:

"No, that won't happen."

"It's just a trivial matter of getting married; there's nothing troublesome about it that's worth making a fuss about."

Fearing the two might change their minds, Li Shishi immediately Dao Integration:

"Yes, yes, the wedding can be held in Chao Xian City. Rongyue is the boss there, so there's no need to make things difficult for her."

"Sister Chi Yuan, just wait to wear your wedding dress, you'll look absolutely stunning then."

The person involved didn't react much to these words.

Su Qing'an was somewhat taken aback.

... A wedding dress?

He seemed never to have imagined what it would look like for her to wear a wedding dress from this era.

Once you think of this, it seems to have even greater significance in marrying her openly and legitimately in the world.

The boy pursed his lips, smiled, and said confidently:

"Yes, it will definitely look great."

Time flies, and before we knew it, we'd arrived at this point...

When he first came into this world, he never imagined that he would face such a future. The overwhelming despair and reality crushed his spine and will, leaving him only able to clutch tightly at the faint light and warmth he already possessed, never daring to think about what the future would hold or what might happen.

Now, the suffering of the past seems to be being repaid in another form.

Su Qing'an could feel her mindset changing. If she continued living like this, even if she only lived to be a hundred years old, it wouldn't seem like such a regrettable thing.

It's like someone who has tasted the bitterness of life finding normally sweet candy too cloying; nine parts bitterness and one part sugar are enough to recognize it as the taste of happiness.

Immortality?

Even without recounting his past experiences of dying so young that he could dance with death at any moment, the meaning that the word "longevity" could bestow upon someone at the age of twenty is neither grand nor alluring.

The young man felt that marrying her might be the best ending.

As for the hibernation pod, the possibility of future reunions, the continuation of life and daily routines in the post-apocalyptic era, and the interesting stories that might continue in the future, it seems both important and unimportant.

That intense hatred for the gods who once controlled my destiny has not faded, but it is also constantly shifting in my mind's priorities.

Su Qing'an had to admit that in his original world, without parents or friends, without social interaction or any distinct hobbies or desires that filled his heart, he would have been like a walking corpse, expecting yet numb to the miracle that might happen at any time, living a life without any waves.

Not everyone has the ticket to a miracle.

Perhaps, looking at it another way, his very presence here is a miracle.

But now the beginning of the story may no longer matter, and most of the rage and hatred that once filled the boy's blood and bones has dissipated.

It's like a young man who once thought that wielding a holy sword and possessing the profession of a hero meant to defeat the demon king. However, just as he was about to achieve his goal, the king gave him a cup of poisoned wine. So, when this young man had to start over, he lost all his former passion and discovered that the holy sword could also be used to kill the king.

As perspectives shift, stances change, ideas are updated, and mindsets mature, many previously held beliefs and unshakeable principles will change.

Su Qing'an was not the mastermind who forgave everything. He simply gradually realized that in the beginning and along the journey of this story that was forced to begin, he gained irreplaceable treasures while being battered and bruised. Even though it initially stemmed from a "game" that he was caught up in, it still could not change what he now truly possessed.

Therefore, the boy had to face his current self.

Rather than raising vengeful claws against an unknown god, isn't it more important to protect what we already have?

If he has nothing, he will naturally have nothing to fear.

But when he finally received the love he lacked, he had to shed his armor and become hesitant and cowardly.

This is both a good thing and a bad thing.

The boy, carrying these choices he might never face again in his life, felt the harmonious whispers around him and the ever-present sound of flowing water, and smiled.

Mixed in with this were the sounds of Su Muxi and Xiao Xuan playing Go, the crisp, rhythmic clatter of their pieces.

The two little ones seemed evenly matched, neither able to gain the upper hand.

The relationship between Rongyue and Shishi developed faster than he had initially anticipated. Once the knot in their hearts was untied, there was no need for him and Fu Hua to worry about their future development.

Su Qing'an believed that they could handle this relationship and emotions on their own.

Whatever the choice, as long as it comes from the heart, it will not be a wrong choice.

And after some time, her relationship with Chi Yuan, which had been interwoven across several different timelines and repeatedly restarted, would finally come to an end with a wedding ceremony.

The young man thought that if he compiled his experiences into a book, perhaps his wedding day would be the end of the story.

Jiang Rongyue gazed at the distant Cloud Cliff Sea, pondering the matters she should attend to, yet an overwhelming joy welled up in her chest.

She understood that, given her master's lifespan and goals, there might be many more disciples in the future.

But the only people who were fortunate enough to personally participate in and even organize their master's wedding were themselves and their master.

It doesn't matter if Jiang Rongyue can't accompany the Immortal Chi Yuan through countless generations of withered pines.

From this moment forward, this most memorable moment in the immortal's remaining life will be filled with his own traces and image, gradually fading into a special and nostalgic meaning over time.

Whenever she thought about this, she felt she needed to approach this matter with the utmost seriousness and do her best to handle it well.

If, in the future, when her master thinks of her first disciple, what surges in her chest is not sadness and indifference, but rather longing or awe, then she believes all her efforts now will have their due value.

Li Shishi didn't have so many thoughts in her mind. On the contrary, she thought less and lived more clearly than when she was 16. The chaotic thoughts that used to linger in her mind had faded away. She no longer worried about the suffering caused by the difference in lifespan. She just focused on cherishing the warm moments of the present.

The young girl, pulling at the hem of her bright red skirt to reveal her fair legs, didn't seem like the elegant Courtesan she once was, but rather like a country girl who didn't know manners. She radiated heat without any restraint, chattering on about trivial topics that seemed endless.

Jiang Rongyue couldn't bear to watch any longer, so she reluctantly placed her palm on the back of the other person's neck. Before the person could complain about the heat, she channeled the Heaven and Earth Qi to blow a cool breeze of suitable temperature. As a result, Li Shishi leaned back like a cat to comfortably cool off, making onlookers want to laugh.

The usually stern and unsmiling Sect Master of Chao Xian was quite embarrassed, but still pretended not to see the occasional glances from his master and Grand Martial Uncle.

Unfortunately, Li Shishi couldn't blame everything on herself for using the Heaven and Earth Qi.

She definitely needs to take responsibility for this.

--This applies to even the most subtle details of life.

As for how to conceal or explain this relationship after returning to [Chaoxian], we'll just have to wait and see.

Jiang Rongyue herself didn't really care about this. If it weren't for the fact that this was a gift for her master, she probably would have come out as gay without batting an eye.

As time passed, the sun gradually set.

At this time of year, Fuyun Temple, situated at an extremely high vantage point, always receives a greater share of the afterglow, witnessing the magnificent spectacle of the sea of clouds being dyed in gradient colors.

Therefore, Li Shishi and Jiang Rongyue watched the sunset in the courtyard for a while before leaving. Although they only stayed at Fuyun Temple for a few days, the outside world's "pilgrimage" did indeed need the two of them to appear together once in order to stabilize people's hearts.

Until the immortals take on disciples again, or Jiang Rongyue herself takes on disciples, the core of the [Chaoxian] faction will ultimately be the publicly known [Number One Under Heaven] and [Half-a-Son Against Heaven].

However, judging from Li Shishi's Stigmata ability, it would probably not be difficult for Immortal Chi Yuan or Jiang Rongyue to take her as a disciple.

If even this ability called [Fellow Daoist] cannot find a few promising candidates in the world, then there is indeed no need to take on disciples in the short term.

As Su Qing'an watched the two figures walk further and further away until they disappeared from his sight, a sense of melancholy rose in his heart for no reason. He suppressed it, knowing that more melancholy would inevitably arise in the future.

Time.

If one wishes to stop it, the only option is to impose a curse called immortality.

If one wishes for Li Shishi and Jiang Rongyue to also attain immortality, the only way is for them to slumber in the post-apocalyptic era like oneself, waiting for him to recover to his prime and obtain the complete Black Abyss White Flower to regulate their bodies.

But they are ultimately people of this era, just as Eden chose to die with the civilization of the previous era. Forcing them to stay is not a respect for those involved.

The immortal gazed at the distant clouds, the White Sparrow fast asleep in his arms, and whispered:

Are you considering letting them enter a deep sleep along with you?

Su Qing'an stroked the Little White lying beside her. The tiger's head seemed to have been tortured by some capitalist, and at this moment it showed a comfortable expression, much like a big cat, except that the rolling sound in its throat was not as cute as a cat's purring.

However, if no external force is applied to infect parts of its body into demons, this tiger, which Su Muxi calls Little White, will slowly age while accompanying her, and will die in about twenty years, or even less.

All beauty and warmth have their due time limit.

This reality, which may seem enough to make people sad and upset, is sometimes not necessarily a bad thing.

Because changing this shelf life often means accepting the consequences and costs that come with an indefinite expiration date.

It's like a can of cola that will never lose its bubbles, or a Canned Food that will never expire. You lose the motivation to eat it before it goes bad and tastes bad, but you can't bear to throw it away.

When beauty is preserved forever, time never stops, and no one can know whether the final outcome will be good or bad.

Su Qing'an believed that even if he now possessed the ability to grant people eternal life, this was still not a power that should be abused recklessly under the influence of personal desires.

He nodded and said:

"I won't ask Rongyue; that child's personality is too troublesome in that regard."

"But before I fall into a deep sleep, I will probably ask my Senior Sister Shishi for her wishes."

Fu Hua thought for a moment and asked:

"Aren't you afraid that Shishi will influence Rongyue's decision?"

Su Qing'an said softly:

"If she chooses to enter a state of slumber, then perhaps Rongyue will only truly find meaning in her existence in that era."

"Rongyue is different from Shishi. Her personality is flawed and empty. She doesn't care about anything in this era. She's like a ghost wandering outside the world, yet she possesses a unique and special quality."

"For this reason, we don't need to worry about many ordinary people facing this problem."

"On the other hand, she cares about Mount Taixu, you, and this bond itself, so if she didn't have feelings for her Senior Sister Shishi, perhaps telling her directly wouldn't be a problem."

The young girl's pale fingertips gently scratched White Sparrow's chin. Her eyes, gazing at the distant sea of clouds, held a profound wisdom and depth. She spoke softly in a calm and gentle tone:

"But Shishi is different. In her original future path, she was a figure quite representative of her time. She has an inseparable relationship with this era in a certain sense. Even though your appearance made her leave the Capital City and now she is like a wandering knight-errant, this has given her the opportunity to maintain this devout love."

"This child loves everything about Shenzhou right now. She will continue to travel this vast world, to see the most prosperous and beautiful times, to witness all the aspects of life that she can see, and to spend a life with Rongyue that everyone should have."

"Even back when she first arrived at Mount Taixu, she was already a very insightful person."

"Now, after five years, this is even more true. Looking back, I'll become more mature and better understand the beauty and joy of life as an ordinary person."

The immortal judged:

"By the time you go to ask Li Shishi, I think she will have the necessary restraint and rationality to face the temptation of immortality and make a calm judgment."

"So I don't object to you asking her, but there's one thing I still want to say."

She lowered her eyes and said softly:

"I have witnessed the lives of many ordinary people. Birth, aging, illness, and death are natural laws worthy of mourning, but they are not mistakes that need to be reversed or changed."

"I know you just want to give them the right to choose."

"But sometimes, even having this right is a curse."

Even if the people you consult are generally considered to have the appropriate qualifications, this is still a Pandora's box that cannot be opened for long.

Su Qing'an understood what the other party was worried about. Fu Hua had experienced the era when Fusion Warrior were generally questioned. She must have also been confused about what she should do if the Honkai really ended, given her long lifespan. But in the end, she still couldn't find the answer.

Therefore, she didn't want anyone to fall into this abyss like she had.

The boy breathed in the air that seemed to blow down from the clouds and softly agreed:

"Yes, I understand, Hua."

But... even if you understand, you'll still feel resentful when the time comes.

But those around me have experienced similar feelings thousands, even tens of thousands of times.

Never-ending, without complaint or regret.