blogombal Chapter 409 New Reflections After a Brush with Death...
Chapter 409 New Reflections After a Brush with Death...
Chapter 409 New Reflections After a Brush with Death...
The storm raged all night and continued for half the day.
In that small, dark snow cave, where only a walrus oil lamp flickered, time seemed to stretch out into eternity.
The Petrarch wind outside howled like countless vengeful spirits, and with each impact, the snow overhead emitted a tooth-grinding groan.
Lin Yu'an curled up, listening to Kenta and Odak's snoring, but couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
In this cold, confined space, just a wall away from death, the sense of superiority of the reborn is completely stripped away.
He looked at the layer of snow above him that seemed poised to collapse at any moment, and fear spread silently like a tide.
Lin Yu'an had to admit that he was afraid... This was the first time he had felt fear since his rebirth.
It's not the fear of death itself that's scary, but the fear of what comes after death.
He thought of his home in America, of his wives who were still waiting for him, and of his children who were still young.
If this thin layer of snow fails to stop the storm this time—will fate give him a second chance?
Can he be reborn again with his current memories?
It's highly unlikely... This time he didn't bring Noah's Raven Claw. A miracle is called a miracle because of its unrepeatable nature.
Once he becomes a frozen corpse in this icy fjord, everything he possesses now—wealth, glory, those warm embraces and innocent smiles—will be completely severed from him...
His children will lose their father, his wives will lose their husbands, and Noah will forever wait in Ilulissat for someone who will never return.
Thinking of this, Lin Yu'an's heart clenched, and an unprecedented longing for "stability" overwhelmed his fervor for adventure.
We must get back alive!
His consciousness quickly scanned the supplies stockpiled in the space:
He had his mind locked onto those medical oxygen cylinders, and once the ventilation openings of the snow cave were blocked, he could put the masks on his face in just one second.
There were also several entrenching tools, down jackets, high-energy military rations, and even two professional storm-resistant mountain tents.
Although these pieces of equipment might not guarantee 100% survival against the Petrarch wind, each one is a bargaining chip in his battle against death.
Lin Yu'an clenched his fists tightly, his muscles tense, ready to explode at any moment. He was like a lurking leopard, vigilantly sensing every change in the wind pressure around him.
He would not hesitate to use these methods if anything seemed amiss.
Even if his secret were exposed, he would never allow himself to die here quietly.
He must live!
But if... he glanced at the other three people in the cave...
If it really comes to that, if he has to conjure oxygen tanks and tents out of thin air to save his life—
Therefore, this secret must absolutely not be revealed. Space is his greatest asset, but it is also the source that could bring utter destruction to him and his family.
Lin Yu'an's eyes turned colder than the storm outside in that instant.
He liked these Inuit men, admired their survival skills, and was grateful for their invitation.
But if the only choice is between his life and theirs, and if it's to keep the secret—
He would not hesitate to silence these three people forever, making this storm their perfect funeral.
Except for Odak.
Lin Yu'an glanced at the old man beside him, his breathing heavy, and the coldness in his eyes subsided slightly. Only Audak was someone he absolutely had to bring back.
As for the others—
I hope Sila will be merciful and not let him go that far.
This deep contemplation continued until the wind died down.
Kenta was the first to push aside the snow blocking the door, and the blinding sunlight made him squint instantly.
They crawled out of the snow cave like groundhogs, stunned by the sight before them.
The entire fjord's topography seemed to have been reshaped by the gods; the ice that had separated the walruses was now covered by newly piled, hill-like snowdrifts.
It silently testifies to how terrifying the power of last night was.
Lin Yu'an stood at the cave entrance, breathing in the cold air he had just survived, the sunlight stinging his eyes.
He had never felt that the world was so vibrant, so worthy of his affection.
"Look over there—" Aki pointed with trembling hands to the spot where they had separated the walruses yesterday.
The area is now a flat, clean, white snowfield. The three walrus carcasses, each as large as a small mountain, the bloodstains, and the red flesh they had to painfully discard—all have vanished without a trace.
There was not a trace, as if they had never existed, as if the bloody massacre was just a collective illusion.
"That's the appetite of the Petrarch wind." Odak took a deep breath. "It devoured everything. If we had continued on our way yesterday, I'm afraid—"
He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone knew the outcome. It wasn't just the walruses that were buried under meters of snow.
"Sila took its share." Kenta brushed the snow off his clothes, his tone filled with a complex sense of awe. "It gave us the prey, and it took back what it wanted. It spared our lives, which is the greatest mercy it could show."
Looking at this pure yet almost cruel world, Lin Yu'an felt a deep sense of powerlessness, even though he was a reborn person with a spatial cheat.
"We look like insects," Lin Yu'an suddenly whispered.
"What?" Aki next to him didn't hear clearly.
"I said, here we are like insects crawling under the boots of the gods. If the gods stomp their feet even slightly, we're finished."
Aki paused for a moment, then gave a smile that looked more like a grimace: "That's right, but insects have their own way of living. At least—we're a few incredibly lucky insects."
Audak pulled a flattened cigarette case from the inside pocket of his fur coat, trembling as he took out a cigarette and handed it to Lin Yu'an.
"Want one? For—for the sake of our survival."
Lin Yu'an took off his heavy gloves, the chill instantly stinging his fingertips. He took the cigarette, and Odak pulled a small tin box from the same warm pocket—his precious matchbox.
"laugh-"
A crisp scraping sound.
Audak cupped his hands together to create a sheltered little nest, protecting the tiny flame that seemed insignificant in the extreme cold.
Lin Yu'an leaned closer and took a deep breath.
That real feeling of "being alive" finally returned to my body, accompanied by the dizziness from nicotine.
"Thank you, Odak."
"No, I should be thanking you." Odak lit one for himself, took a deep drag, and gazed into the distance. "Thank you for bringing me back."
"Huskies!"
Kenta's whistle interrupted the brief moment of reflection.
They ran towards the snow pit on the leeward side of the snow cave. It had already been filled in by snow.
The next second, several puffs of white steam suddenly shot up from the snow like a fountain.
Immediately afterwards, one Greenland hound after another shook their bodies and emerged from the snow like zombies bursting from the ground.
They vigorously shook their bodies, sending the thick snow flying everywhere, then excitedly wagged their tails at their owner, making "woof woof" sounds, as if they had just had a good night's sleep.
One dog even had a piece of bone that it hadn't finished eating the day before still in its mouth.
"Look at them!" Kenta laughed heartily, vigorously rubbing the head of the lead dog. "That's why machines can never replace dogs! In this weather, your snowmobile would have been scrap metal long ago, but these—"
They are part of the ice sheet!
Looking at the tenacious creatures of his Mars team, Lin Yu'an smiled.
"Are our spoils still there?" This was the question that concerned the other hunter the most.
"Don't worry," Aki shouted as he dug through the snow, "I strapped the ivory, the heart, and the elephant hide to the sled chassis before the storm came!"
"Let's go!" Kenta flipped onto the sled that had been dug out again, cracked the whip, and said, "Let's go home!"
Tonight, I'm going to finish that bottle of whiskey I've been saving!
"And walrus heart!" Aki shouted, jumping onto another sled. "I want roasted walrus heart! I've been craving that taste!"
Twenty minutes later.
Three sleds left deep tracks on the new snowfield as they sped off toward Theolapaluk.
Upon their return to Theolapaluk, they received a hero's welcome.
The villagers had been living in fear for them for a day and a night during the storm, and now, seeing them return safely with the three pairs of enormous trophies that gleamed like ivory in the sunlight, the whole village erupted in cheers as if they had survived a disaster.
That evening, a grand celebration banquet was held at Kenta's home.
His house was the largest and sturdiest wooden house in the village, with an old-fashioned dripping oil stove burning brightly in the center, completely keeping out the polar cold.
On a long table made of driftwood, the Inuit’s most abundant and precious food was laid out.
Slices of walrus heart, sizzling and glistening with oil on a stone slab, exude an enticing aroma; puffin meat, marinated in herbs, has a unique fermented flavor; and there's also a plate of thinly sliced, translucent walrus skin.
The village elders and hunters sat together in a lively and joyful atmosphere.
Aki used exaggerated body movements to recreate that thrilling hunt again and again.
Odak became the undisputed protagonist. His face was flushed from drinking, and he held a piece of walrus meat in his hand, telling the children surrounding him over and over again how he had defeated the "devil".
After a few rounds of drinks, Kenta picked up a glass of whiskey he had obtained from the US military base, stood up, and gently tapped the glass.
The crisp sound immediately silenced the noise inside the room, and everyone turned their attention to the young leader.
He first looked at Odak, raised his glass in tribute: "To Odak, the most resilient old wolf of Karnak. He has regained his glory."
Everyone raised their glasses in response.
The celebration banquet ended in this pleasant atmosphere, and the villagers began to leave one after another. Only Lin Yu'an and Kenta's family remained inside the house.
Kenta turned his gaze to Lin Yu'an, his eyes becoming more sincere and serious than ever before.
He said in slightly broken English, "Lin, today, you and Odak have proven your courage and strength to us all. Theolapaluk welcomes warriors, and you are a true warrior."
He paused, took a deep breath, as if his next words carried immense weight. He slowly revealed the true purpose hidden beneath the invitation.
"My maternal grandfather, Ikuo Oshima, came here from faraway Japan fifty years ago."
"He was a strong man, just like you. He stayed, bringing us not only new tools, but more importantly, new and strong blood to our isolated village."
"But now, fifty years have passed. Our bloodline has become thin again, and we need new energy to awaken our powerful genes."
His gaze finally settled firmly on Lin Yu'an's face, undisguised, carrying a primal, yearning for the continuation of life.
"On behalf of our village, we invite you here with the highest respect to leave your powerful seeds."
.
After Kenta finished speaking, the room fell into complete silence.
The air seemed to freeze, with only the dripping sound of oil from the stove, like a heart counting down.
Kenta and his family's eyes were all focused on Lin Yu-an like searchlights.
The women's eyes held curiosity and anticipation, while the men's gazes were filled with serious scrutiny.
Lin Yu'an remained silent for a moment.
He didn't answer immediately, but slowly stood up. He turned to Kenta's mother, who was sitting in the main seat, and bowed solemnly.
This ancient custom from the East surprised the Inuit people present, but they could all feel the solemnity and respect it contained.
After doing all this, Lin Yu'an raised her head and calmly said, "Kenta, my friend. To receive such sincere recognition from you is an honor I will never forget in my life."
"I fully understand your request, and I know that in your culture, this is the highest praise and trust a tribe can give to a stranger."
His opening remarks contained no trace of contempt, embarrassment, or anger, only an understanding and respect based on equal human dignity.
This instantly eased the tense atmosphere.
"However," he changed the subject, "in my cultural tradition, having children is a father's lifelong responsibility."
"A father is not just someone who gives life. He teaches his child to take his first steps, stays up all night by his bedside when he is sick and has a fever, and stands up for him when he is bullied."
"Moreover, we must be by his side at every stage of his growth, telling him what is right and wrong, what is honor and what is responsibility."
His gaze swept over everyone in the room, his eyes sincere and unquestionable.
"This is a man's most inescapable promise to his own bloodline. My life, my family, are on the other side of the world, far away."
"I cannot make this promise to a child born here. If I cannot keep it, yet accept your most generous gift, it would not only be a deception of you, but also a betrayal of my national traditions."
He looked at Kenta one last time and said, word by word, "I don't want to deceive you, nor do I want to go against my traditions. I respect the choices you have made for the continuation of our people, so I braved the storm and came here to fulfill my promise."
"Now, I also implore you to respect my traditions."
Silence fell over the room once again.
Kenta's mother, the silent old woman, had a hint of approval in her eyes and slowly nodded to Lin Yu'an.
"I see."
Seeing his mother nod, Kenta breathed a sigh of relief, his face showing neither disappointment nor anger at being rejected. He raised his glass to Lin Yu'an, then drank it all in one gulp.
"Respect is a two-way street." He put down his cup, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and his entire demeanor changed instantly.
If he was a tribal leader who followed ancient traditions just now, he has now become a shrewd, pragmatic hunter familiar with the rules of modern society.
"Well then, Lin," his tone became businesslike, but not cold, "since the traditional gift-giving method cannot be fulfilled, we will proceed according to the current rules. This, too, is a form of respect."
He looked at Lin Yu'an and began to calculate clearly and methodically.
"According to the hunting laws of the Greenlandic Autonomous Government, Odak has a hunting permit for local residents. The walrus he hunted belongs to him and the village of Kanak. There is no problem with that. We, Theorapaluk, will not take a penny."
He pointed at Lin Yu-an: "But you are different. You hold a commercial hunting license, which means that your hunting activities are commercial in nature."
"The walrus king you hunted, although you fired the shot yourself, was hunted within our village of Theolapaluk's hunting area and annual hunting quota. According to regulations, you need to pay a fee for this."
"This fee wasn't set by me personally; it's based on clear legal provisions." Kenta listed the items one by one, counting on his fingers. "First, there's the government resource tax, which is paid to the autonomous government as a certain percentage of the value of the game."
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Secondly, there's the commercial hunting quota usage fee. Because you've used up one of our quotas, we lose an opportunity to sell to other commercial clients.
"Finally, the service fees for me, Aki, and another brother as your certified guides and safety personnel will be increased by 20% during extreme weather conditions such as Pittrak."
Kenta dipped his finger in whiskey and wrote a clear number on the table.
"The total cost, including all expenses, is 150,000 Danish kroner."
This is a considerable sum, equivalent to more than 20,000 US dollars.
Looking at the number, Lin Yu'an knew very well that in Greenland's commercial hunting market, the market price for an ordinary walrus was usually around 80,000 kronor. Kenta's price was almost double that.
But this extra portion is the "life-saving money" for those who shared life and death in the Petrarch storm, and also the "compensation" for rejecting that ancient proposal.
For a top-class walrus king with tusks exceeding half a meter in length, and for this weighty friendship, this is an absolutely fair, even sincere, price.
Kenta didn't extort money; he simply resolved this thorny issue in the most dignified way.
"Deal." Lin Yu'an answered with a smile without the slightest hesitation. This result was the best for him.
He looked at Kenta and added, "But I hope this money is more than just a transaction. I hope it can buy new school supplies for the children in the village, or a better satellite phone for the hunters."
"Please consider it as a friend, a tribute and a gift to the brave village of Theolapaluk."
After saying that, he took out a somewhat worn notebook from his inner pocket, wrote a simple IOU in English and Danish, and solemnly signed his name at the end.
He tore off the note and handed it to Kenta with both hands.
"There are no banks or internet here. The next time you deliver goods to Karnak, show this note and my guide, Odak, will take you to get the money. Whether it's cash or a bank transfer, just ask, and it's ready anytime."
Kenta took the thin piece of paper, glanced at the name on it, carefully folded it, and put it into the innermost pocket of his chest.
He had no doubts, not even a question like, "What if you run away?" In the Arctic, a hunter's name is the hardest currency.
Kenta looked deeply into Lin Yu'an's eyes, at his calm demeanor and his decisive, straightforward manner.
Finally, a genuine smile appeared on his face. He extended his rough, strong, calloused hand and firmly grasped Lin Yu'an's hand.
"So, Lin. The deal is done." He shook him vigorously. "Although you left no bloodline here, you left something more enduring—respect and friendship. We, the people of Theolapaluk, will always remember you as a friend."
This invitation, which began with an ancient tradition of "seed selection," ultimately ended in a flawless modern business transaction.
Kenta gave the villagers an explanation in a way that made everyone feel dignified.
Lin Yu-an defended his principles and dignity with money and promises.
And Audak, the silent old hunter, will embark on his journey home, carrying with him the glory he has regained.
The journey back to Karnak was still long, but my state of mind was completely different.
Gone was the anxiety and tension of their arrival; the three sleds sped across the ice field. Kenta sent Aki to accompany Lin Yu'an and the others back to Karnak to retrieve the money.
As the familiar Karnak huts appeared on the horizon, Odak let out a long howl. The howl lacked its former desolation, instead filled with the exhilarating feeling of returning home.
Kanak, at Odak's home.
The cabin was packed with neighbors who had come after hearing the news. When the pair of ivory tusks, each half a meter long, were placed on the table, even the most discerning old man in the village exclaimed in amazement.
Maria held Odak in her arms, tears streaming down her face. She cursed him as a crazy old man while proudly stroking her husband's tired yet radiant face.
Five-year-old Alek touched the cool ivory with adoration, as if touching the legend of his grandfather's youth.
-
Lin Yu'an did not disturb this warm family moment in Audak. He took Aki to the Pilersuisoq supermarket in the center of the village.
There was an unassuming blue wooden house with a sign that read "Greenland Bank" hanging on the door.
Although the storefront is small, this is indeed the northernmost bank branch on Earth.
Because they had made an appointment in advance, the withdrawal process went smoothly. When Lin Yu'an walked out of the bank carrying the heavy canvas bag, the cold wind outside invigorated both of them.
They found a sheltered corner.
"150,000, it's all here."
Lin Yu'an unzipped the bag, revealing a bundle of Danish kroner inside. In the Arctic, although electronic payments are becoming more common, cash remains the irreplaceable king in remote places like Theolapaluk.
Aki rubbed his gloved hands nervously; even through the thick clothes, he could feel their weight.
But instead of counting the money like a greedy merchant, he didn't even unzip the bag to take a closer look. Instead, he stuffed the canvas bag into the bottom of his backpack and fastened the buckle tightly.
"No need to order, Lin. Kenta said you're a trustworthy friend."
As he spoke, Aki pulled out the IOU written by Lin Yu'an from his pocket. He had kept the note very well, and he handed it back to Lin Yu'an with both hands.
"Kenta told me to return this to you. He said that regardless of whether you ultimately receive the money or not, this note must be returned to you."
Lin Yu'an took the neatly folded note and took out the windproof lighter from his pocket.
"Click".
Blue flames shot up and engulfed the edges of the note.
The two watched silently as the piece of paper, worth 150,000 crowns, turned into black ash in the wind, eventually scattering on the white snow.
"We're even. Please give my regards to Kenta and your clan." Lin Yu'an extended his hand.
Aki gripped it tightly, his eyes sincere: "Definitely. Lin, the gates of Theolapaluk are always open for you. Next time you come, don't bring money, just bring some wine. We'll be waiting for you to go hunt narwhals together."
The young hunter didn't linger. Carrying the huge sum of money that could change the fate of the village, he drove his sled and disappeared into the vast snowfield.
Over the next two days, Lin Yu'an accompanied Audak in handling the complicated follow-up matters.
They registered their game with the local natural resources administration and obtained an export permit from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
With this document, Audak's pair of ivory could legally remain at home to be passed down to his grandson, while Lin Yu'an's pair could be legally transported out of Greenland.
The day of parting finally arrived.
On the rudimentary gravel runway in Kanak, red Strike 8 propeller planes were already warming up their engines.
The Odak family came.
"Lin, my friend." Audak hugged Lin Yu'an tightly. "Without you, my old bones might have rotted away in Devil's Fjord."
"Without you, I wouldn't have found that place either." Lin Yu'an patted the old man on the back. "Take good care of that ivory; it's the best ending to your legendary career."
"Don't worry." Odak loosened his grip, his eyes slightly red, but his smile was bright. "When you come back next time, Alek might be able to drive his own sled. Then, he can take you to the new hunting grounds."
It's a deal.
Lin Yu'an waved goodbye, took only the sparks with him, and boarded the plane. Its eleven brothers remained in Karnak to continue their polar life.
With the roar of the propellers, the plane took off.
Looking down through the porthole, Lin Yu'an saw the northernmost town in the world grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared beneath the clouds.
Goodbye, Karnak. Goodbye, the end of the world.
Ilulissat, western Greenland.
This is the tourist center of Greenland and the famous "Ilulissat Icefjord." Unlike the primitive and rugged Karnak, it boasts a modern port and the renowned World Heritage Site, Ilulissat Icefjord.
He returned to the cottage he had bought for Noah.
-
As I pushed open the door, a warm, dry breeze rushed in.
The soft carpets, pristine white sheets, and modern shower room were a stark contrast to the snow cave that had been filled with the smell of diesel fuel and walruses just days before.
This is what the civilized world feels like.
"install!"
A crisp sound rang out. Noah was sitting on the sofa by the window, holding a cup of hot coffee in her hand, with the huge, skyscraper-like icebergs drifting slowly in the background.
She was wearing a beige cashmere sweater, looking elegant and sophisticated. Seeing Lin Yu'an enter, she put down her cup, quickly walked over, and gave him a warm hug.
"You look—like a wild man." Noah laughed as she tidied his slightly messy hair, her fingers tracing the chapped cheeks caused by the cold wind. "Looks like the hunt was quite exciting?"
"More than just amazing," Lin Yu'an murmured, sinking into the soft sofa. "It was a near-death experience. We encountered a petrifying wind and almost got dragged into being a stud by the locals."
"What?" Noah's eyes widened, then she couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Looks like I'll have to listen to this story properly."
"No problem, I have plenty of time." Lin Yu'an held Noah's hand. "But before that, I need to take a shower."
Outside the window, massive icebergs drifted silently in the dim light of the polar night, occasionally emitting thunderous sounds of disintegration.
But by the time the sound reached the warm room, it had become faint and distant.
As the passion subsided, only the steady breathing of the two remained in the room, along with the languid atmosphere in the air.
Nuoya nestled in Lin Yu'an's arms. "Have you booked the tickets?" she asked softly, her voice slightly hoarse with sleepiness.
"Yes, the flight has been changed. We'll stay in Ilulissat for a few more days." Lin Yu'an gently stroked his smooth back, feeling the delicate warmth from his palm. "We'll fly to Copenhagen in a week, and then return to the United States."
"Was this trip to Greenland a success?"
"It's perfect."
Lin Yu'an turned her head and looked at the bedside table. There, the folded permit for the import and export of endangered species, along with the narwhal's horn and the walrus's tusk, gleamed softly in the warm light of the lamp.
Noah raised her head, resting her chin on his chest, and looked into his eyes: "Will you miss it there?"
Lin Yu'an remained silent for a moment.
"Yes." He lowered his head and gently kissed Noah's forehead.
"That ice field is cruel, so cruel that it shows no mercy. But it is precisely because of this that life seems so passionate there."
She tightened her arms around the person in her arms, as if trying to hold onto this hard-won peace.
Noah's lips curved into a gentle smile. "Alright. Then Mars and I will stay here and guard this ice field for you, waiting for your return."
He was silent for a moment, then suddenly turned over and looked intently into Noah's eyes.
"Noah, are you really not coming to America with me? Danish passports are visa-free, and the procedures are quick."
Noah gently shook her head, her eyes filled with no sorrow, only a clear and serene tranquility.
"No—An," she said softly, smoothing the wrinkles between his brows with her fingers. "America is too far away and too noisy. Besides—there are four wonderful women waiting for you there, and they need your company more than I do now."
She winked playfully and said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "I don't want to join that crowd. Rather than sharing your time in a complicated city, I prefer to have a complete home at the ends of the earth, a home that belongs only to the two of us."
"When you are tired and miss the snow and ice, there will always be a light on for you here."
Lin Yu'an looked at her, a warm feeling welling up in his heart, mixed with a trace of guilt.
He knew that Noah's refusal was not just for the so-called "avoidance of suspicion" or "generosity," but also because she had lived two lives and had long seen through many human relationships.
She chose to stay in Greenland in this way, preserving for him a pure space of freedom, and also preserving for herself an independent dignity.
Ever since learning that Noah was also a reincarnated person, Lin Yu'an often fell into deep thought.
In this life, I possess a system, wealth, and even the enviable "blessing of having multiple wives," but what is the ultimate purpose of living? Is it endless conquest? Or continuous accumulation?
The answer has always been vague.
Until he was in that cramped snow cave, facing the Petrarch wind that could devour everything, and as the chill of death brushed against his scalp, what flashed through his mind was not money, not achievements, but the faces of his family.
At that moment, the answer became crystal clear.
We live in order to protect.
Family is really important.
It was so important to him that he didn't want to endure any more long separations, nor did he want anyone who loved him to grow old while waiting.
Especially Noah—the woman who was willing to wait for him at the ends of the earth.
An idea took root in his mind and quickly grew into a towering tree.
"Noya," Lin Yu'an suddenly spoke, his voice low and firm, "I don't want to wander like this anymore."
"Hmm?" Noah looked at him with some surprise.
"I've decided to settle down here." Lin Yu'an's gaze passed over the iceberg outside the window and turned to the more distant future.
"Let's find a place, a place big enough and beautiful enough. A place without discrimination, without external pressure, and without endless conflict. I want to build a paradise that belongs to all of us."
He lowered his head, forehead to forehead with Noah's: "When the time comes, I will bring everyone over. You, them, and the children. We will be together, never to be separated again."
Noah's eyes lit up; she understood the determination in his words.
"It sounds like a fairy tale," she said softly.
"Then let's make it a reality." Lin Yu'an kissed her lips. "When I get back to America, I'll discuss it with them. Trust me, that day isn't far off."
The curtain of aurora slowly opened in the night sky outside the window, the green band of light like a dreamlike paradise.
In this frigid polar night, a warm blueprint for "home" is quietly being drawn up.
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