prologue and chapter 1

Time has folded inward; the mountains have fallen forward into the sea and the winter has faded into summer. Time has passed as it should for everyone else, but I live inside that fold, at the deepest crevice. Here it is dark and expansive; here, time doesn’t pass but feels eternal. Here, I wait for her, for a return that may never happen.

Reincarnated into the modern era, Li Qian found himself born into one of the four great families of Shanghai. The Li, Yuan, Ling, and Song families dominated Shanghai in the past many years, and they all had children born around the same age. Though his old memories were lost, and his surroundings had changed drastically, his vision of one thing remained vivid—the innocent and pure face of the woman he had loved with a depth that transcended time.

As Li Qian navigated the modern world and relationships with his childhood friends, he couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was missing from his life. At the young age of twenty-two, he took over as CEO of the Li Group, but a

sense of longing gnawed at his soul. In his dreams, he saw vague flashes of battlefields and ancient palaces; amid it all, he saw her.

“Chen Fan,” Li Qian called his secretary over.

“Yes, Young Master?”

“I dreamt of her again.”

Chen Fan held his breath at these words.  It’s been months since the boss had mentioned her; why now?

“I want you to contact Master Yao again and have him do another reading.  Tomorrow, no, today, if

possible.  And bring me the manuscripts from the library; I want to see them again.”

Chen Fan hesitated, even though he knew it could cost him his neck.  The Young Master had pinned his hopes on

these before, only to be disappointed.  “Ah, that…”

Li Qian gazed at him with frosty eyes and snapped, “What’s the delay? Go, now!”

“Right away, Young Master.” Chen Fan bowed and backed quickly out of the office.

The Young Master seemed profoundly serious this time; his drawn brows and fierce temperament sent Chen Fan’s heart racing.  He was used to an extreme level of stress in his position, but his boss’s demeanor today was a high-pressure system, crushing everything in its way.

Hours later, and with years off his life, Chen Fan had managed to deliver Master Yao to the boardroom.  Sweat

dripped down his neck as he led Li Qian down the hallway.

“Young Master,” he bowed and ushered him toward the door.

Li Qian slowed his steps.  He’d felt a rising level of panic all day as if something more precious than life was

slipping away from him.  The harder he tried to grasp the image in his mind, the quicker it fell through his fingers.  Suddenly, a clear gong rang through his mind.  ‘This is your last chance to find her.’  The thought was as clear as a

mountain stream, rushing through his mind with crystalline clarity.

With a dreadful moment of expectation, Li Qian stepped through the door.

“Master Yao, it is an honor to seek your guidance today. I’ve come for the last time to seek answers that have eluded me.”

Master Yao had sat at the boardroom table and laid out an incense bundle and his divination tools. His eyes were wise and perceptive, and he quirked a corner of his mouth when he saw Li Qian’s flustered appearance.

“Not quite the environment I’m used to, Young Master Li, but I can see the desperation rising in your soul. Speak, and let the energies guide us towards the truth.”

Li Qian took a seat and leaned forward.  “Master Yao, you know I have been searching for a girl.  She’s only a face in my mind. I don’t even know if she’s real, but I’m certain her soul is calling for me.”

“I feel,” he hesitated, worry squeezing his heart, “I feel that this is my last chance to find her.  I must find

her!  Can you help me, Master?”

Li Qian had never begged, not in this life, but he was as close to begging now as he’d ever been.  This impending

sense of doom was closing in on him, suffocating him slowly but surely.

Master Yao nodded thoughtfully, his wise eyes taking in Li Qian from head to heart.  His fingers traced the intricate

patterns on a well-worn divination coin.

“I can see you and this young lady have an intertwined fate, young man. You are correct that the gods are granting you this last chance.  Your soul’s desperation is spanning time, and I believe hers may finally answer.  I’ll

call the light, and let us unravel the threads of destiny together.”

Master Yao closed his eyes and flipped the coin high into the fragrant air.

Li Qian watched anxiously as the coin spun and fell heavily to the table.  It didn’t roll or bounce; it just

thudded down with an ominous peal.  Moments passed before Li Qian finally asked, “What do you see, Master

Yao?”

Master Yao opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the coin’s position. “The coin speaks of a path, a journey to a remote village nestled between mist-covered mountains. The village holds the key to your young lady’s whereabouts.”

Li Qian’s eyes widened eagerly.  “You’ve seen her, Master?  Tell me, where is she?”

Master Yao pulled a delicate scroll from his bag and unfurled it on the table. His gnarled fingers traced the lines on the worn map.  “Listen well, Li Qian. You must traverse the forest of ancient pines, where whispers of the past guide the way. Follow the river’s song until you reach a bridge leading to the village's heart.”  His finger tapped down firmly.  “There, beneath the blossoming plum tree, you shall find the answers you seek.”

“Thank you, Master Yao,” Li Qian stepped away from the table and bowed his head. “Your guidance has saved me.”

Master Yao nodded, his eyes twinkling with ancient knowledge.  ‘This young pup has suffered enough in his long life; I hope he can find some peace when he meets his love again,’ he thought.

He cleared his rheumy throat.  “Go now, Li Qian, and may the spirits watch over you on your quest. Remember, the

future is as fluid as the river – it bends and shifts, but with determination, one can navigate its currents.”

Li Qian hurried from the room, his heart alight with purpose, as Master Yao watched him with a knowing smile.

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