Chapter Twenty-Three: Transcendence

Will’s arrival did not disrupt the rhythm of Zhao Nan’s life. He didn’t tell Fenina about it, and life returned once more to its quiet routine.

Thanks to Will’s initial guidance, Zhao Nan quickly became friends with him and also met Will’s close companion, Blair—a man who drank too much and had just married, with a wife expecting a child.

Gradually, Will got to know Fenina as well. In front of her open and graceful demeanor, Will’s initial awkwardness melted away, and it didn’t take long for him to accept her. Fenina had learned to use her smile to change how others perceived her.

Sometimes, Zhao Nan would go to a nearby bar with Will and Blair for a drink, returning home before it got too late. There, someone would always have dinner ready for him and clean clothes waiting.

At the Weiss Factory, Zhao Nan entered his fifth year. He had been promoted to supervisor of a workshop, no longer needing to work relentlessly just to maintain enough time for two people. Zhao Nan now had more free hours to devote to other pursuits.

He began to enjoy reading, largely influenced by Fenina. Reading became another evening pleasure for the two. They shared their thoughts and insights, and gentle smiles always spread across their faces before sleep each night.

Days rose and nights fell.

The sixth year arrived. In this world, once time had begun, the body no longer aged. Zhao Nan and Fenina’s appearances remained almost unchanged.

What changed was the heart.

Zhao Nan’s demeanor grew more reserved, and the occasional flash of wisdom in his eyes inspired unconscious respect among his staff.

“Hey, Zhao Nan.” At lunchtime, Will approached him.

“Good afternoon, Will. You seem very cheerful today?”

Zhao Nan smiled slightly. A year before, Will had transferred to another workshop, but their connection had not been broken.

“Of course, tomorrow is my mother’s fiftieth birthday. I intend to give her a proper celebration.” Will’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Zhao Nan paused for a moment, then placed his hand on Will’s arm. “Wish your mother a happy birthday from me, and send her a bouquet of flowers as well.”

“Ah, twenty-four hours! That’s too much, Zhao Nan, I can’t accept it!” Will said, a bit flustered.

“Will, do you love your mother?”

“There’s no one in this world I love more!”

“In that case, why not accept it?” Zhao Nan laughed softly. “Since you love her, wouldn’t it be good to give her a more memorable birthday?”

“But…” Will bit his lip, then looked gratefully at Zhao Nan. “Thank you… I mustn’t waste any time, I’ll start by ordering a bouquet of lilies. And I’ll be sure to include your name!”

Zhao Nan nodded, watching Will leave in high spirits. Suddenly he remembered something and called out instinctively, “Wait.”

---

“What is it?”

“If you were given a hundred years, but in exchange lost your mother’s life, would you take it?” Zhao Nan asked.

Will fell silent for a moment, then broke into a brilliant smile. “Then I’d rather not have it.”

“Hmm… go on then, I’ll smooth things over here at the factory. Half an hour should be enough for a round trip, right?”

“Zhao Nan, you really are an angel!”

“Too bad I don’t have wings.” Zhao Nan smiled carelessly.

After Will left, Zhao Nan finished his meal quietly. He ate slowly, and even after everyone else had gone, he remained seated in the cafeteria, gazing out the window in silence.

That evening.

“You seem troubled today.”

After dinner, they sat quietly on the sofa, the television switched off, each holding a book, sitting at opposite ends. Fenina handed him a cup of coffee, her gaze curious.

“How can you tell?”

“Whenever you’re bothered, you subconsciously touch your nose.”

Zhao Nan touched his nose instinctively, then smiled and, under the gentle light, reached out and softly caressed Fenina’s face.

He touched the scarred side of her face. Fenina’s gaze darted away, and she instinctively lowered her head, whispering, “Don’t…”

Zhao Nan gently lifted her face, his eyes meeting hers, as radiant as gemstones. At that moment, in his eyes, Fenina was nothing but those enchanting eyes and a heart that resonated with his own.

He lowered his head and, amid her confusion, pressed his lips to hers. There were two different sensations—one soft and delicate, the other rough and coarse.

In six years, it was their first kiss, their first embrace, their first time so close. Fenina lay quietly in Zhao Nan’s arms, listening to his heartbeat, and suddenly asked, “Zhao Nan, do you love me?”

“I’m not sure…”

Zhao Nan shook his head, holding Fenina tightly. Under her slightly dimmed gaze, he whispered, “I just know that life wouldn’t be complete without you.”

Fenina clutched his clothes firmly, speaking softly, “If one day I could rid myself of this ugly face, but could only choose to do so either during the day or at night… which would you prefer?”

“I’m already used to who you are now. Whether day or night, it makes no difference to me. So it’s up to you.”

---

“Hmm…”

Fenina pressed against his chest, her heartbeat steady and unchanged. She exhaled carefully, afraid to break the peace of the moment. And so, resting on his chest, she slowly closed her eyes.

“Zhao Nan… let’s go back.”

“Go back where?”

“To the original world.” Fenina didn’t open her eyes, speaking softly. “You already know what the ‘Heart of Time’ really is, don’t you? The annotations in those books you’ve read—they’ve already pointed the way, haven’t they?”

“We’ll talk about it later.”

The next day, Zhao Nan took leave from work. He simply stayed quietly with Fenina. Together they cooked, took afternoon walks, watched the sunset.

In the evening, they embraced, doing nothing, only listening to each other’s heartbeat as they drifted to sleep.

Early the following morning, the doorbell rang, waking them from their dreams.

“Will?”

“Zhao Nan!”

Seeing Will’s hurried manner and irrepressible excitement, Zhao Nan sighed quietly.

“Zhao Nan, how long have we known each other?”

“Since you started here, three years.”

“Good! You’ve taught me so much in these three years, thank you!” Will grasped Zhao Nan’s hand. “So, let me thank you—and let me wish Fenina good morning as well.”

Seeing the six years suddenly added to his own arm, and watching Will’s departing figure, Zhao Nan sighed softly and closed the door.

Fenina came up behind him, holding him, pressing herself against his back in silence.

“The quiet days are almost over…”