Thank you to every reader who has patiently read this far.
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Thank you so much Orz
Isolated from all the noise and turmoil of the world, Lynn and Natasha secluded themselves in a remote protected area in the far north of Iceland, spending half a month in peaceful tranquility. Far from the neon lights of the city, far from the strife and intrigue, far from the shackles of the impending crises, this period of time was the most relaxed, pure, and healing time Lynn had experienced since he transmigrated and entered the game.
In the past two weeks, there were no battles to strategize, no plots to be constantly watched for, no hidden dangers to overcome, and no entanglements of human relationships or grudges to unravel. Time here seemed to slow down deliberately; the sunrise and sunset were gentle and tender, the wind had its own sound, the sea had its own rhythm, and the days were peaceful and relaxed, gradually smoothing out the fatigue, anxiety, and hidden wounds that had accumulated between the two of them.
Every morning, the two were awakened by the gentle sea breeze and the clear chirping of wild birds, rather than by urgent alarms and complicated affairs. Pushing open the tent curtain, they were greeted by lush green meadows covering the mountains and plains, with the sea and sky meeting in the distance. The morning mist floated in the air, and the rising sun slowly cast a soft light, warming the entire wilderness.
They would wash together by the stream, gather dry branches, slowly build a campfire, and roast simple meals. There were no fancy delicacies, just ordinary ingredients, but with the help of the mountain breeze and the warm fire, they became especially comforting to the stomach and heart.
During the day, they would stroll slowly along the cliffside trail, treading across the soft grass, listening to the waves crashing against the rocks, and watching the clouds drift slowly across the sky. When they got tired, they would lie side by side on the grass, either closing their eyes to rest or chatting casually for a few minutes, not talking about tasks, not talking about disputes, not having the pressure of the future, but only talking about the wind, the clouds, and this pure mountain wilderness.
Natasha completely shed her ingrained agent's guard, shedding the aloofness and coldness she had cultivated over the years. She no longer needed to constantly scrutinize her surroundings with a tense nerve, concealing her sharpness, or maintain a flawless demeanor at all times. She would sit quietly with Lynn watching the sunset, reach out to catch the evening breeze that brushed past them, and lazily turn the pages of a book by the campfire, letting the firelight warm her eyes and brows. The smiles she occasionally revealed were relaxed and genuine, without a trace of perfunctory business; they were the gentleness that belonged only to her after shedding her armor.
Lynn was the same, completely freed from all pressure and constraints. He no longer needed to constantly weigh the pros and cons, carefully balance the situation with all parties, forcibly suppress the loneliness and solitude of being alone in a foreign world, or maintain the composed and prudent demeanor of a strong person. Here, he could be lazy and carefree, relaxed and unrestrained, without being on guard or putting on a brave face, and openly enjoy this hard-won, undisturbed tranquility and peace.
In their undisturbed time alone, the two completely shed all external labels and identity constraints. They were no longer a mage and an agent burdened with a mission, nor were they participants and monitors checking each other; they were simply each other's closest and most reassuring companions. They saw the softest and most authentic side of each other beneath their armor, understood each other's hidden weariness and tenderness, and the barriers in their hearts completely dissipated. Their tacit understanding and bond grew deeper and stronger with each passing day.
The setting sun melts into gold, the Milky Way hangs low, dawn and dusk alternate, and half a month passes quietly. The mundane daily routines and the gentle companionship of day and night gradually soothe the wounds and regrets of their past lives.
Lynn thought that this rare peace would last a long time, allowing them to completely empty their minds and break free from all the shackles of the past.
But the peace and stability of this world are always fragile.
A sudden phone call shattered the tranquility of the mountains and fields like a sharp blade, instantly pulling the two back to the turbulent reality.
That afternoon, a gentle sea breeze blew and the warm sun shone brightly. Lynn was leaning against the tent, quietly watching the surging sea in the distance, enjoying a moment of tranquility. Suddenly, his cell phone vibrated sharply in his pocket, breaking the silence of the entire wilderness.
He took out his phone, and Tony's name appeared on the screen.
Lynn's fingertip traced the answer button, his tone still carrying a lingering languid ease. He habitually started with a joke, "A rare guest indeed, our genius inventor Mr. Tony. So, is your complete suit of armor finally finished? Or are you planning to treat me to a Michelin-starred meal?"
On the other end of the phone, there was none of the usual banter or teasing, not a trace of relaxed laughter.
Tony's voice was exceptionally low and hoarse, carrying an intense, suppressed anger and anxiety. Every word was cold and heavy, coming slowly but clearly. " Happy is seriously injured."
"He recently discovered some anomalies, and during his investigation, he was directly affected by a terrorist attack."
"I know perfectly well that this attack wasn't related to Happy at all; it's very likely because of what he was investigating."
He is now in the hospital's intensive care unit, his fate unknown.
A few short words instantly shattered the gentle atmosphere of the mountains and fields, and the air suddenly froze.
Tony's voice trembled with barely concealed anger, lingering fear, and helplessness. "Later, when I made those harsh remarks on TV, I originally planned to reveal my real address, but then I remembered your prior warning not to disclose my true location. So I just casually gave you the address of my storage warehouse."
"Just now, that address was completely razed to the ground."
A brief silence fell on the other end of the phone, the suppressed hostility almost palpable through the receiver.
Suppressing his turbulent emotions, Tony asked in a low voice, " Lynn, is there anything you want to tell me?"
Lynn's fingertips stiffened slightly, her heart suddenly sank, and she instantly regained her composure.
The fake address was precisely destroyed, and Happy was seriously injured. The opponent's target was clear and their methods were ruthless; they were obviously after Stark.
He didn't speak immediately, his mind racing as he quickly sorted through the crises and clues in the plot. He finally remembered that the plot of Iron Man 3 was about to begin.
The last vestiges of languor vanished completely.
Seeing no response, Tony finally lost his temper, his voice rising sharply, filled with anxiety and urgency. " Lynn! Happy is my friend, and your friend too! He's in the intensive care unit, his life hanging in the balance!"
Sensing the breakdown and self-blame in his voice, Lynn slowly came back to his senses, also feeling somewhat guilty. The peace and tranquility of the past few days had made him lower his guard.
Lynn said calmly and reassuringly, " Tony, calm down."
"You know me, I can assure you. Happy Ji will be alright. No matter how angry or panicked you are now, it won't solve anything, it will only disrupt your own rhythm and play right into their hands."
He understood Tony's self-blame and pain at that moment, and also the danger of this situation. After a moment's hesitation, he decisively said, "Never mind, I won't say any more to you now. You stay in Stark Tower, stabilize the current situation, calm down, and we'll discuss the details when I get back. I'll pack my things now and head back immediately."