Three years later, just as Lin Chen opened his eyes after meditating and cultivating as usual, he felt as though something was hanging around his neck.
Just then, a soft knock came from outside the door. Ya Li walked in, her voice tinged with sadness. "Lin Chen, come to the living room."
Lin Chen suppressed the complicated feelings in his heart, rose, and followed her to the living room.
A letter lay quietly on the table in the center. Its handwriting was graceful and unmistakably Na'er's.
Ya Li picked up the letter and handed it to Lin Chen. Her expression was full of conflicting emotions and regret. "Na'er left this behind. She's gone."
Lin Chen's fingertips paused. He slowly opened the envelope, and familiar lines of handwriting came into view.
"Big Brother Lin Chen, Uncle Yun Ming, Aunt Yali, Na'er is leaving. Thank you for taking such good care of me all these years. I'm gradually remembering who I am. My family has come to get me. Na'er doesn't want to leave you."
"Na'er will always remember how good you were to me, Big Brother Lin Chen. I'll keep wearing the bracelet you made for me."
As he looked at the note, Lin Chen's expression turned complicated. Grief surged through his heart. Just as in the original story, Na'er had left.
He forced down the bitterness welling inside him, carefully put away the letter, and, after informing Ya Li, headed for the familiar snack street.
The street was still bustling, filled with all kinds of enticing aromas. It had been Na'er's favorite place. She used to tug gently at his sleeve, eyes full of anticipation as she clung to him, begging him to buy sweet, soft pastries and all sorts of steaming snacks.
Lin Chen slowly passed each shop, carefully searching the crowd, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the necklace at his throat.
Most of the street vendors knew them. Seeing Lin Chen alone, one asked, "Lin Chen, how come you're by yourself today? Where's Na'er? Why didn't she come with you?"
Lin Chen gave a slight shake of his head. A shadow of sadness crossed his pale jade-green eyes, but he said nothing.
He looked through every stall, visiting all the places Na'er loved to eat, yet never caught sight of that familiar figure.
Memories of the past rose in his mind. When he reached a corner by the street, he sat down. Tears fell as he murmured, "Na'er, didn't you say you wouldn't leave me? I believed you. Why did you still leave?"
The noisy snack street teemed with people. A few noticed Lin Chen sitting in the corner. He bowed his head, tears striking the stone pavement as scenes of his time with Na'er replayed endlessly in his mind.
In the shadows at the mouth of an alley, beyond his sight, a slender figure with silver hair watched him silently.
She clapped a hand over her mouth, fighting to keep her tears from falling. Seeing the young man crying alone, she felt as if her heart had been ripped apart, the pain so fierce she could barely breathe.
She wanted so badly to rush out, throw herself into his arms, and tell him she couldn't bear to leave—that she didn't want to go at all.
But she carried an unfinished mission. She could only hide in the shadows and watch him again and again, engraving the young man's image deep in her heart as she swallowed every ounce of her reluctance and heartache.
At last, Lin Chen slowly stood, wiped away his tears, and turned to leave the snack street, heading home.
"My Lord... it's time for us to go." A melodious female voice sounded behind Na'er.
Na'er—who should now be called Gu Yuena.
Gu Yuena steadied herself before replying, "Let's go, Bi Ji."
For several days, Lin Chen searched without ever finding Na'er.
Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu even personally joined the search, turning over every street corner and remote spot in Shrek City. Yet no matter how hard everyone searched, they found not a single clue.
It was as if the silver-haired girl who loved to laugh and eat, and was always glued to Lin Chen's side, had never set foot on this land at all—as if she had vanished without a trace.
That evening, everyone gathered at their residence.
Feng Wuyu sighed and patted Lin Chen on the shoulder. "Little Lin Chen, we've searched everywhere we can."
Zhuo Shi silently nodded as well.
Lin Chen lowered his eyes, fingers gripping the Silver Dragon Scale Necklace at his throat. After a long silence, he finally raised his head. The grief in his pale jade-green eyes gradually settled into resolve.
At this point, he could only take a chance. He made up his mind to go to Eastsea City.
Lin Chen turned around, his expression returning to its usual calm as he looked at Ya Li. "Mom, take me to Dad."
Ya Li didn't ask why. She knew the boy had already made up his mind.
Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu exchanged a glance, understanding each other without a word. Without further delay, the group set out together for the Sea God Pavilion.
When they reached the Sea God Pavilion, Lin Chen said, "Dad, I want to go to Eastsea City."
Yun Ming gazed silently at Lin Chen. After a moment, he took a dark golden, ancient-looking token from his sleeve and slowly held it out to the boy.
"This token holds one use of my Sky-Piercing Sun-Shooting." His voice was steady, carrying unquestionable authority. He looked at Lin Chen and gave him a serious warning. "If you encounter a force you can't withstand, crush it. No one below Super Douluo can stop this move."
Lin Chen accepted the token solemnly. It was cold and heavy in his hand, and he could clearly feel the terrifying power contained within. He bowed deeply. "Thank you, Dad."
Ya Li stood to the side, her eyes faintly red. She stepped forward and gently patted his arm, filled with reluctance. "Be sure to protect yourself while you're away. Remember to call home often."
Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu also stepped forward in turn and patted his shoulder.
At dawn the next day, Eastsea Academy was beginning its new term.
Lin Chen had already contacted Tang Wulin the night before and packed a few things.
Before he left, Ya Li repeatedly reminded him, "Take this card. Three million Federation Credits will be deposited into it every month, right on time. Don't go without while you're away. If it isn't enough, send me a message anytime and I'll transfer you more."
At the train station, Lin Chen looked back at Shrek City. The Silver Dragon Scale Necklace at his throat grew faintly hot. He drew a deep breath, turned, and boarded the Soul Guidance Train bound for Eastsea City.
The train slowly started moving. The familiar scenery outside the window gradually receded. The boy gazed into the distance, wondering, Na'er, will you be at Eastsea Academy?
The Soul Guidance Train slowly pulled into Eastsea City Station. Its shrill whistle died away, and the doors slowly opened.
Lin Chen stepped off the train, his gaze instinctively sweeping over the crowd. Deep down, he still held on to a faint glimmer of hope.
A familiar figure immediately waved vigorously at him. The boy raised his arm high and called out in a bright, clear voice, "Brother Lin Chen, over here!"
It was Tang Wulin, who had arrived early to wait for him.
Three years had passed since they last met. Tang Wulin had grown quite a bit taller, and his features had gained a touch of resolve, though he still looked a little young. His clear eyes remained as pure as ever.
Lin Chen's pale jade-green eyes were clear and deep. With his high nose bridge and clean-cut lips, his face was handsome in just the right way. He had lost some of his youthful awkwardness and gained a steadier, more refined air. Both his looks and bearing outshone Tang Wulin's.
Lin Chen walked over, a faint smile spreading across his pale jade-green eyes. "Wulin, long time no see."
Tang Wulin greeted him with exceptional warmth. "Brother Lin Chen, I've been waiting ages for you. Come on, the term's about to start."
Then he looked Lin Chen over and exclaimed sincerely, "Brother Lin Chen, you've gotten way too handsome since I last saw you!"
"Come on, let's not be late for the start of term."
Before you continue