Chapter 818 71: Acknowledgment

...Let's go home.

When the little girl heard Chen Lusi's words, she once again lifted her snowy white chin just a bit.

Then, instead of reaching out to take Chen Lusi's hand, she simply took a step forward and threw her arms around Chen Lusi, burying her small head in Chen Lusi's chest and rubbing against her lightly.

Chen Lusi froze for a moment, then gently pressed a hand on her head.

At the same time.

Beside the two of them.

The grand hall tangled between illusion and reality, after a brief pause, completely dissolved.

As if... it had never existed at all.

At the same time.

A golden thread suddenly dropped down from the void.

Suspended in midair.

The golden thread split into two, and began to slowly slide apart.

Like a door opening.

Only.

This time, beyond the door there was no longer the ominous black fog, but light.

Holding Lan in his arms, Chen Lusi did not look back, but gazed into the distance.

In truth.

By this moment.

He could barely even tell whether what had just happened was something that truly occurred, or just another kind of Heart Image...

"...You've grown up."

Just as his thoughts went that far, a gentle, kindly voice suddenly sounded.

Chen Lusi's body went stiff, then he slowly turned around.

A middle-aged woman with a tender expression was standing there quietly, looking at Chen Lusi with loving eyes.

Looking at that face that was so familiar, yet so strangely distant, even though he had already gone through this once in the Goryeo Branch, Chen Lusi still felt somewhat dazed at this moment... Only after about five seconds did he come back to himself, and softly replied, "Mm."

No matter what she was.

No matter what exactly the person standing by his side at this moment was.

Chen Lusi just wanted... to talk with her.

"Have these years been hard?"

The middle-aged woman with the gentle expression couldn't help stepping closer upon hearing this, moving toward Chen Lusi. A look of sudden heartache showed on her face as she softly asked again.

"It's been alright."

Chen Lusi did not pull away. Cradling Lan lightly, he turned and looked at the woman who had come closer: "I don't feel it was that hard... Mother."

Perhaps it had simply been too long since he last called her that.

When he tried to utter the name most familiar to everyone, he actually paused without thinking.

As if he had forgotten how he was supposed to address her.

And what finally came out was the more formal "Mother."

"..."

Hearing this form of address, the middle-aged woman couldn't help stepping forward once more, reaching out her hand toward Chen Lusi's face.

Chen Lusi turned his head to look at her, not dodging.

"..."

The kindly middle-aged woman's hand passed straight through Chen Lusi's face.

She froze, then couldn't help shaking her head, her face full of pain. Her voice seemed tinged with a faint sob: "...It must have been very hard."

Silent, Chen Lusi looked at the mother before him, unconsciously tightening his hold on Lan in his arms. His expression grew complicated, and the emotions he'd been suppressing broke the surface. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, yet not knowing what to say.

In his arms.

Lan couldn't help lifting her head a little, glancing to the side.

"But it's all over now... it's all over."

Seeing that Chen Lusi was on the verge of speaking yet holding back, the middle-aged woman sniffed, then suddenly smiled gently again. She once more lifted the hand that could not touch him and, as if comforting him, cupped his face in the air: "Mama has seen everything. Now Si is a man who stands tall, a man who can protect others.

I've watched it all, you're truly remarkable, truly remarkable... Back then I said you would definitely grow into a man who stands tall like this, but he wouldn't believe me.

Truly remarkable..."

It was the third time she repeated that he was remarkable.

In her words... there was nothing but reluctance to part and pride.

Looking at her, Chen Lusi sniffed softly, and finally spoke the words he had kept buried in the depths of his heart: "Back then I couldn't protect you... I'm really sorry. And... I miss you all very much."

"Silly child, how old were you then."

The middle-aged woman immediately scolded him in a soft, reproachful tone when she heard this. After a brief silence, she went on gently: "...Mama misses you very much too. Mama's greatest regret is not being able to stay with you as you grew up. I'm sorry."

Chen Lusi: "..."

"But, seeing you as you are now, Mama's heart is at ease."

The middle-aged woman's face was full of smiles as she continued, "Because I've seen how my Lu Si looks after growing up—so handsome..."

And as her words sounded.

Behind Chen Lusi, the door woven from golden threads began to tug at his body.

His figure gradually grew faint, turning little by little into flecks of golden light that drifted toward the other side of the door.

"..."

Chen Lusi lowered his head and opened his eyes, then raised his right hand, instinctively starting to resist.

But.

Just as the thought arose, he saw his mother reach out once more and cup his face.

This time.

Her hand did not pass through his body, but truly held his face.

He was startled.

"You still have ties in the Human World—how could you linger here for long?"

The middle-aged woman smiled kindly: "Don't worry. No matter when or where, your dad and I will always be by your side... So step forward bravely, don't look back, don't be afraid."

Slowly, Chen Lusi lowered his hand and looked at the person before him who was dearest and most familiar.

"And besides, you are Mama's pride."

The middle-aged woman slowly let go of his face, studying Chen Lusi as though she wanted to etch his features forever into her memory.

Then.

He smiled, imitating the tone of those legendary figures from just now, and with a hint of uncertainty, asked carefully, "May I?"

Chen Lusi suddenly broke into a grin. As his upper body gradually turned into golden motes of light, his eyes reddened and he whispered, "Thank you... Mom."

He spoke the final sentence.

Immediately after.

His entire upper body turned completely into golden light, drifting toward the other side of the door.