Crossing the River

She never meant to enter a royal city; He had every intention of escaping through the palace gates. She had thought this marriage had nothing to do with love; He had planned to stay by her side without asking about love. Who could have guessed: was it a bond from a past life, or a cause planted in this one? A city on the brink of ruin had brought a besieged life together… I've finally worked up the courage to post this story, which was supposed to be the main installment. I should say that this “Present Life” story is entirely about Zhiwei. It's not a continuation of the past-life story involving reincarnation and rebirth. There are different people, loves, and stories here. So whether or not you've read the past-life story, you can start fresh right here. In a flash of time, life is like a dream. As the years turn, more than a decade slips by. The boy from a past life becomes a young man, and the young man of old steps into middle age… It sounds rather poignant, doesn't it? Some people are impossible to imagine with graying hair and wrinkled skin; some lives are meant to stay young forever… From now on, the world will have no more beauty, no more warmth… (Forgive Shu. Neither my feelings nor my writing can recreate that kind of stirring moment.) So only memories can stay forever in one place. What moves forward is life, every vivid chapter of it. I wonder if Zhiwei's personality in this story matches what you expected? A little preview: compared to the past-life story, this one will be a slow burn. How the youthful awkwardness and vibrant days of the past gradually transform into the Lan King of today, and even into what comes after… But the fleeting images in his memories will remain forever etched in the heart of the boy he once was… P.S. Because of my limitations, all historical, political, military, and traditional Chinese medicine details in this story are purely imaginative. I'll do my best to minimize inconsistencies. If I miss anything, please point it out, and kindly bear with me. Based on reader feedback, the aim of this story is to replace covert schemes with open strategies, and overt propaganda with subtle persuasion. Thank you all for your continued support. If you'd like to chat, leave a comment or visit my column, “Odds and Ends.” Thank you~~ Theme: