Final Moments

As for your father, it has been verified that it was all the manipulations and schemes of the imperial advisor, Mrs Zhou said. I hold no grudge against your father.

Do you have any news about Linda? Robb asked.

Mrs Zhou shook her head and said "maybe no news is good news". All these years Linda had endured a lot of hardships and even I neglected her when I blamed her for our family's downfall back then. Now I just want her to be safe, that's it, Mrs Zhou explained.

Don't worry she will be safe, she is with our teacher and he is powerful, he can surely protect her.

Mrs Zhou nodded. I hope so, she said.

Aunt let's go and inspect the house.

Okay.

In the heavenly realm, Stanley was busy in his chambers carving wooden statues and thinking of his mission.

I have recovered my memories of my life in the past. He can be trusted, I will take the chance and make my last move.

Just then as he thought to himself, his younger brother Alfred came to see him bringing along an order from their father.

What are you doing here? Stanley asked.

Father has an order, Alfred replied.

What?

It's time to go back to the human world.

Stanley heaved a distressed sigh.

If it was in the past, I would love to be there because Linda will be waiting to see me but now..., he said while standing up. The next time we meet, it's only death awaiting Linda. And I even have to do it myself.

Stanley walked up to Alfred.

Please I want you to do me a favour.

As long I can do it, I will surely help you, Alfred replied.

I want you to give me and Linda some time alone.

Do you want to help her escape?

Stanley turned around and looked up, holding the emotions building up within him and said "as for what I promised father, I will surely do it".

Okay, I agree.

Thank you, Stanley said. 

They looked at each other for a while before Stanley left on his way to the mortal world. 

 At home, Linda finished cooking and went to groom herself and applied some make up. As she was almost done, she heard approaching footsteps and looked out through the window and saw Stanley coming. She immediately tidied up and covered her hands where the formula's effect had started showing. She immediately ran to the door before Stanley could come in.

You are back, welcome, Linda welcomed him.

Stanley just kept a sad expression, he looked at Linda and hugged her tightly.

I miss you.

What took you so long?

Stanley didn't reply and just looked at her in a distressed manner.

The heavenly court didn't find a way to cure the formula right? Linda asked him again.

Stanley nodded.

It's okay. Besides I'm not afraid of dying, I don't care. As long as you are with me everyday then it's worth it, I won't have any regrets, she assured him. Look at me, am I beautiful? She asked trying to cheer him up. 

Yes, he replied and smiled a little. But there is something remaining, come with me.

He took her by the hand and made her sit at the make up table. Then he picked up a golden hair band from the table and put it on her hair.

Now you look even more beautiful, he said.

Then he walked to her side and knelt with one knee.

Linda Happy birthday.

How did you know it? She asked in shock.

I read your admission document at the academy.

And you remembered it?

I had to check and measure your immortal bones repeatedly, so I learned it by heart, Stanley answered.

They both smiled at each for a while before Linda took him to the dining table and dished out the food she prepared.

You made all these? Stanley asked.

Yes.

Wow.

Try it! She said and handed him a fork and knife.

He tasted them and smiled.

Not bad right? She asked him.

It's delicious, he replied and took another bite of the food. Here have some, he said and pointed to the food.

She picked up a fork and started eating with him. After a while, Stanley remembered something.

Wait! Today is your birthday and there is no cake. To get or make a cake now would be difficult, at least there should be some pastries. I should be cooking for you today, let me prepare the snacks, he said and stood up from the table. 

 He entered the kitchen and made some snacks within a short period of time and brought them to the dining table.

Have a taste, he told Linda.

She looked at it and teared up. 

Honestly, since I left Suzhou, I haven't celebrated my birthdays anymore. Since my home was lost in Suzhou, I lost my childhood life. And my mother started to take me as a jinx. She thinks I got my family killed and caused serious damage to Suzhou, since then I haven't celebrated birthdays anymore. So during my birthdays, I will just look in the direction of Suzhou and miss my grandfather and father. Sometimes I fell into self denial and wondered if one of those things would have happened it weren't for me, she narrated while looking down at the table

Then Stanley took her hand to comfort her.

But it's different now! She said and turned to look at Stanley with bright eyes. I have someone who loves me and cares for about me, it makes my existence meaningful.

Hearing this, Stanley's conscience almost ripped him apart. But he managed to wave it aside in order not to ruin his plan. At this moment, only he knew this may be their final moments together. Oh right! I have a birthday present for you, he said and brought out a handkerchief with something inside it and gave it to her.

Open it.

She immediately did so and saw that it was the bracelet her grandfather had given her when she was little, it was broken the day Cynthia fought her at the academy. But now it was repaired.

Wow! Who did you give it to that repaired it so well?

I did it by myself, Stanley answered.

He took from her and wore it on her wrist.

Although it has no spiritual power anymore but it will be a memory between you and your grandfather which will never be erased, he told her.

If grandfather knew I am so happy now, I'm sure he will be happy too, Linda said in a sobbing tone.

She grabbed Stanley's hands and asked "will you always be with me?"

Yes, I will always be with you, he answered.

Then how much longer do you think I can live?

You will surely live in safely, he assured.

They both smiled at each other and Linda went on to taste her pastries.