She wanted to go alone and put a real full stop to that youth that spanned eight years.

A few days later, Ivy went alone back to the city she had left many years ago.

She found the old Huo family mansion according to the address.

The Old Madam Huo opened the door.

Seeing Ivy, she didn't seem surprised; only the sadness in her eyes deepened by a few degrees.

"You're here."

She invited Ivy into the study and carried out the heavy box from the deepest part of the bookshelf.

"It’s all here."

Ivy didn't speak, just crouched down and opened the box.

Inside were diary after diary, neatly stacked.

She picked one up at random and flipped to the first page, the date being the day they first met.

The handwriting was exuberant, filled with the high spirits of youth.

Chapter 25

【Today, a new student named Ivy arrived in the department. She’s cold and sharp, like a little wild cat that shouldn’t be trifled with. Kind of interesting.】

Ivy’s fingertips brushed gently over that line of text.

It was as if she could see that boy from back then—the one in the white shirt, leaning against the basketball court, raising an eyebrow at her and whistling.

She continued to flip through.

【She actually signed up for the rescue reserve team. Is she crazy? It’s so dangerous. No, I have to keep an eye on her.】

【During training today, she fell off the climbing wall and scraped her arm. I scolded her, and she actually dared to glare at me! I secretly brought medicine to her room at night; I hope she isn't so foolish as to miss it.】

【She received the Golden Wings Medal. Standing on the podium, she shone brighter than the stars. I think I’ve started to like her.】

【We are together. She said she likes the feeling of flying side-by-side with me. Me too.】

【We are married. I swear to be good to her for the rest of my life.】

The diary was flipped page by page, recording every sweetness and argument, every honor and scar between them.

Until the day she lost her hearing.

The diary entry for that day consisted of only one short sentence, though the handwriting looked as if it had exhausted every ounce of his strength.

【I snapped her wings.】

From that day on, the lines between the words in the diary became filled with struggle, pain, and self-loathing.

【I learned sign language; I wanted to be her ears, but the way she looks at me no longer holds light.】

【Selena is back, with Sierra. She says she’s my daughter. I don't know what to do. I’m afraid my mother will force me; I’m afraid I’ll lose Ivy.】

【I’m such a jerk. I actually used my father’s sacrifice to force her. The way she looks at me is like looking at an enemy.】

【She’s gone. She doesn't want me anymore.】

【I saw the news about her. She’s so good, so dazzling, and she has someone better by her side. I’m genuinely happy for her, but why does my heart hurt so much?】

The last page of the diary stopped at the night before he left for the disaster zone.

【Ivy, I’m leaving. Going to a place you once fought in. I have no face to see you; I can only use this way to tell you that I love you—I’ve always loved you. If life could start over, I would definitely never let go of your hand again.】

【I’m sorry, and wish you happiness.】

Ivy closed the diary, her eye sockets already wet.

She didn't cry out, just let the tears slide down silently.

So, it wasn't that he didn't love her.

It was just that this love was buried too deep by his pride, arrogance, cowardice, and stupidity, and in the end, it was twisted into a sharp blade that hurt her.

The late-arriving truth didn't bring her satisfaction, only endless sorrow.

Ivy closed the final diary and placed it back into the heavy wooden box.

The moment she covered it, she stood up, her movements a bit slow, her legs numb from squatting for so long.

She turned to the Old Madam Huo, who had been standing silently to the side, and bowed deeply and solemnly.

"Thank you."

This bow was thanks for her honesty, allowing her to see the other side of the story that had been sealed away.

It was also thanks for her fulfillment, finally allowing her to completely part ways with that obstinate youth.

Tears rolled down the Old Madam Huo’s eyes, and she waved her hand, her voice hoarse and severe.

"It is I who should say thank you."

"Thank you for being willing to come, and on behalf of that jerk kid, thank you for being willing to forgive him."

Ivy didn't answer whether she forgave him or not.

To someone who had already completely let go, whether to forgive or not had long since lost its meaning.

She just straightened up and looked at the old woman calmly: "It’s all in the past. Take care of yourself."

With that, she turned and walked out of the Huo mansion without a shred of lingering attachment.

The moment she walked out of that gate, the afternoon sunlight of winter spilled over her, warm and not blinding at all.

Ivy tilted her head, squinting slightly.

The gloom that had occupied the bottom of her heart for years seemed to be baked dry and evaporated under this warm sun, dissipating without a trace.

The massive stone that had pressed on her chest for years was finally completely moved away.

Unprecedented lightness.

She didn't go to Ethan’s tomb.

Tombstones are reminders left for the living, and as for her—she didn't need them anymore.

Ivy went directly to the airport and booked the nearest flight back to Zurich.

In the waiting hall, she dialed Lucas’s number.

The familiar, gentle voice came from the other end almost immediately.

"Hello?"

The familiar, gentle voice brushed over the heart she had just finished cleaning.

Ivy couldn't help but want to laugh, her tone turning light as well: "Mr. Lucas, is the mushroom soup you simmered okay?"

The person on the other end paused, then a low laugh came through, indulgent and helpless.

"Not really. It said if you don't come back soon, it’s going to grow legs itself, run to Zurich University, and find their missing Professor Ivy."

"Then it had better be quick, because its owner is about to board the plane."

A beautiful curve formed on the corners of Ivy’s mouth.

"Hmm, I’ll be waiting for you at home."

Hanging up the phone, Ivy looked at the planes taking off and landing outside the window, knowing with absolute certainty.

On the other side of the world, there was a person, a lamp, and a bowl of mushroom soup about to grow legs and run, waiting for her.

That was where she belonged.

Chapter 26

Over ten hours later, Zurich.

As soon as Ivy opened the door to her home, she was wrapped in a warm, solid embrace.

Lucas asked nothing, just held her, his chin rubbing gently against the top of her head.

After a while, he released her, naturally taking the suitcase from her hand and helping her take off her coat.

"Are things finished?"

"Yes." Ivy nodded.

"That’s good."

He took her hand, interlacing their fingers, and pulled her toward the brightly lit dining room.

"Let’s eat, my Professor Ivy. You must be starving, right?"

On the dining table, the creamy white mushroom soup gave off a rich aroma.

Ivy looked at the man opposite her, who was focused on serving her soup.

Looking at the flickering lights reflected in his eyes and that self-evident gentleness and tolerance, a place in her heart softened completely.

Thank you, Lucas.

Thank you for bringing your boat to find me when I had trapped myself on a lonely island.

Thank you for letting me know that love can also be warm sunshine, rather than scorching flames.

After dinner, the two huddled on the sofa, watching the city nightscape outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, chatting idly.

"Lucas." Ivy spoke suddenly, her voice very soft.

"Hmm?" He turned his head to look at her.

Ivy met his gaze, and word by word, she said clearly:

"Let’s have a baby."

Lucas’s breath stalled for a second.

He looked into her eyes, which were first filled with shock, and then drowned by a massive, nearly overflowing emotion.

He knew her past wounds, knew her reservations and resistance toward this, so he never mentioned it—he just waited.

He hadn't expected to wait until today.

He didn't speak, just reached out and rubbed her forcefully into his arms, the force as if he wanted to embed her into his own bone and blood.

After a long while, Ivy heard him say a single word, his voice trembling in her ear.

"Yes."

Outside the window, stars filled the sky.