Bubbling Beneath the Surface
"Drink, Ximeng, then let us go home," Le Hong coaxed with a small, vulnerable smile. "Don't waste time here."
In the end, Liu Ximeng drank the cup without a word. Perhaps it was his wish to get Le Hong off his back, or maybe it was him trusting that his beloved wife would never have any ill-will towards him.
But once he was finished, not a droplet was left to cling to the bottom of the cup.
By sunset, Liu Ximeng had quietly followed Le Hong out of the city and towards her ship. The incantations had disappeared from the face of the island, the barrier pulled down.
Mang HuaZhen was free to go, yet he stayed behind, standing by the rocky shores. He watched as the sun rays bounced off the gentle waves, setting the sea twinkling like fiery gems.
Le Hong knew he was there, but paid him no attention as she boarded her ship first.