Chapter 256

Chapter 256: The Garden in Memory

“Long, long ago, there was a father who doted on his daughter.” Yixuegelin’s ethereal voice began to narrate slowly.

“He built a garden for her, filled with all sorts of colorful flowers.”

“The young lady lived carefree in this garden, sometimes strolling, sometimes singing.”

“Her innocent and pure voice was like that of a newly hatched bird.”

“The father loved his daughter so much that he would sometimes invite some very good friends and relatives to listen to her sing, sharing in this beauty and joy.”

“At the banquet, guests and the father sat watching the young lady dance and sing among the flowers, unable to help but be enchanted.”

“They bestowed upon the young lady various blessings: elegant and exquisite long dresses, everlasting flowers, dazzling gems, and also wished for her eternal youth.”

“If time could forever stay at that moment, perhaps this would also be a beautiful story.”

“But the young lady felt tired, she didn’t want to remain in this garden, she wanted to go out and see. This thought was naturally stopped by her father.”

“There are many bad people and dangers outside,” the father said.

“The young lady did not rebel but chose to obediently stay in that garden, even when several handsome youths secretly told her they could take her out, she did not agree.”

“Father loves me, he won’t lie or deceive me, this was the simple thought of the young lady.”

“But fairy tales eventually come to an end; the father died.”

“Without support, the young lady finally fell into the world, lacking any survival skills, she quickly encountered all kinds of difficulties—deception, lies, greed, lust—and various people with ulterior motives began to approach her.”

“This world is indeed as ugly as Father said.”

“Luckily, war broke out, and the young lady was sent to the battlefield because of her special abilities. After witnessing all the bloodshed and cruelty, she ultimately died on the battlefield. Thus ended her simple life. Here, Yixuegelin’s ethereal voice gradually paused.”

“Sorry, it’s not a story full of twists and emotions.” The ghostly young lady slowly turned her head toward Lolan Hill and continued speaking.

“It’s nothing.” Perhaps this is life, Lolan Hill thought, full of change and unpredictability, devoid of artistic beauty.

“Although these events seem to have happened before my birth, I feel like I’m watching a stranger’s memories.” Yixuegelin slowly floated up, her illusory fingers drawing faint blue light points in the air.

“That deceased young lady, although she looked exactly like me, I cannot feel her emotions, nor can I understand her love, hate, and other feelings.”

“Memories tell me that ghosts should have unresolved wishes or obsessions; otherwise, they cannot gather their scattered souls and thoughts but will dissolve into nothingness.”

“But what is my wish?”

Yixuegelin’s ethereal voice faded, and the scene slowly fell into silence.

After a long while, the silver-haired young lady stood up.

“I don’t know how to explain, maybe everyone’s experiences and thoughts are different.” Lolan Hill took off the flower in her hair and watched its petals fall one by one.

“The meaning of life is different for everyone. For others, I dare not make hasty judgments.”

“I can only boldly guess that perhaps the young lady wished for a different life for herself.”

“Wishing to gain something is a wish, wishing to leave something behind is also a wish. Past memories may not all be beautiful, perhaps she doesn’t want the new you to bear such a heavy burden, so you can live freely and experience a completely different life.”

The young lady gently rubbed the ice vase flower in her palms, and the pale blue flower slowly rose in the wind.

“Just like a newly hatched bird, light-hearted, spreading its wings, experiencing the sky of flowing clouds and gentle winds.”

“Just let it be my small conjecture. If you think it unreasonable, then you must have your own reasons, which others cannot interfere with.”

Lolan Hill watched the ice vase flower drift further away in the wind, expressing her own small reflections. She was not a master of emotions or a philosopher who had seen the vicissitudes of life; this was just her small thought.

“Mm, but it does sound better after hearing Lolan say so.”

Yixuegelin floated in the sky, circling around the ice vase flower.

“So, how does a new life begin? I don’t particularly crave anything.”

“Then do what you like and find comfortable.”

The young lady’s voice came from beneath the sea of flowers.

“For me, every evening, watching the sunset and twilight is something I like. In winter, sitting by a warm fireplace, watching the snowflakes slowly fall outside the window. On sunny days, taking a nap under the slightly windy window. During harvest season, watching the golden grain fields sway in the wild—these are things that make me very happy.”

“No matter how many times, I never get tired.”

The young lady spread her arms, took a few slow steps, then leaped down from the hill, floating gently with the wind, then floated side by side with the ghostly lady in the sky.

“There are indeed some unsatisfactory things in life, many difficult and painful matters, but this does not hinder my ability to dream.”

“It is precisely because of these beautiful things waiting ahead that I am willing to endure and strive through these hard years.”

“One step at a time, the path opens up.”

Yixuegelin looked at the silver-haired young lady and asked, “Did Lolan ever feel lost and struggle?”

“Yes, it lasted for a long time. I felt like a mouse underground, feeling inferior and insignificant, afraid of being seen.”

“Completely unrecognizable. If Lolan were a mouse, she would be a cute white chubby hamster.” Yixuegelin’s mood gradually became more cheerful.

After resolving her inner conflicts and gradually letting go, Yixuegelin no longer dwelled too much on the unfamiliar past in her memories. The two flew freely in the sky, exploring the forest and wilderness under the moonlight, until the warm sun rose again from the east.

Gentle sunlight bathed the world. The two flying figures finally landed beside a tranquil lake, right outside the Ice Flame Beehive.

“So, let’s start here.”

—

Three days later, with Lolan Hill’s help, the ice vase flower originally growing on the hillside was transplanted beside the lake.

The clear and cold water in the deep mountain lake slowly lowered the crystal-clear coffin, which then slowly sank to the bottom.

Ripples spread, and the sleeping young lady remained peaceful. The two on the lake surface watched the coffin in the water, slowly rising and returning to the shore.

“Should we leave it underwater?” Lolan Hill asked.

“Mm, every time I see it, it’s like looking in a mirror.”

“The mirror shows me sleeping, and this side of me should take a lesson, no longer blindly follow others’ words, but live a life of my own.”

“Now, is there anything you want to do?”

“Yes, I want the ice vase flowers to bloom, creating the garden I love.” The ghostly young lady said, her illusory body revealing true beauty in the sunlight.

Thank you only myself, Young Rain of Blades, ·, Carnivorous Beast, Dream Saint, Devour Eclipses, Sword Questioning Heart, Good at Nothing, Lazy Scholar, Baby, …, Dreaming Broken Butterfly, Shallow Snow, Wind, Sudden, na, and 16 book friends for their generous support.

End of Chapter