“Don’t leave me! NO! NO! NO! NO! Qian Qian! NOOOOOOOO!”
Bai Qian jolted upright, drenched in cold sweat and fear, abruptly awakened. The same dream haunted her again. The one she could never remember. Though her mind was blank, she constantly heard that sobbing voice. A scream, sharp with pain, and calling her name, stayed with her long after she was awake.
Ever since becoming High Goddess, she’d dreamt it, but Zhe Yan, the wise and ancient Phoenix Immortal, dismissed it as a meaningless fox dream. Although Bai Qian was the only High Goddess, a position of great honor and power, she was already 180,000 years old, a mere speck in the vastness of time.
Thus, it wasn’t a significant accomplishment nor something to brag about in the grand scheme of immortality. Of all the members of her family, Gugu, the High Goddess Queen of Qingqui, remained unmarried. In her 180,000-year existence, the goddess remained untouched by love, her heart unmoved by the passions she’d read about in mortal tales.
Though somewhat pathetic given her age, her father never compelled her into marriage or a marital agreement. Her life, therefore, was one of complete independence, pure leisure, and genuine freedom!
With liberty, Bai Qian ate, slept, drank, and wandered at will. Free from a husband’s controlling dictates. Such divine happiness! She chose to remain a lifelong bachelorette, and her family respected her decision.
In the eternal world, her Fox Clan was quite progressive, even embracing same-sex marriage. Following countless millennia of indirect and evasive approaches. Zhe Yan and Bai Zhen have finally gotten married. She couldn’t identify which one was the husband, yet their wedding was the most extravagant the immortal realm had ever seen.
Seeing Zhe Yan, the ancient Medicine God, marry his friend’s youngest son was an unusual event. Despite a significant age gap, a younger man and his much older partner found happiness together, rendering age insignificant. Bai Zhen’s happiness and fulfillment with his partner brought her immense joy.
Migu burst in, screaming, shattering her morning reverie, a beaming smile and a bouquet of vibrant wildflowers in hand.
He shouted, “Gugu! Happy Birthday!”
With a roll of her eyes and a feigned annoyance, Bai Qian said to Migu, “We agreed, after my last birthday ten thousand years ago, that I wouldn’t have any more, yet you still remind me annually! Why?”
Migu softly sat down next to her, pouting. “Gugu, I picked each one of those myself. Just for you. I’m not to blame for your inability to remember, or your decision to forget your birthday.”
It was correct. Bai Qian’s life was riddled with holes, much like a sea sponge. Her heavenly trial left her with the memory of a goldfish. She had no memories between the ages of 50,000 and 140,000 years old. It was completely blank and clean. During her trial, 90,000 years of memories vanished under mysterious circumstances.
Zhe Yan attributed the condition to excessive wine consumption, calling it clear brain damage. Severe alcoholism often leads to frequent blackouts and gaps in memory. He told her that. Did it make a difference? Her lost years lacked significant events or essentials, meaning her absence wasn’t detrimental.
That Phoenix, with such a sharp tongue and advanced age! Though a brother-in-law, Zhe Yan was also a friend who frequently caused her grief. Yet, a single wonderful aspect connected her birthday and him. Each year, he made a special wine, just for her.
Bai Qian jumped up excitedly, making all the flowers fly around, while Migu whined. But it was the right moment! Her absolute favorite moment, so perfect and extraordinary! It was time to have a crazy night of drinking at Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms to celebrate Zhe Yan’s birthday wine!
Zhe Yan~
Bai Qian’s birthday celebrations were marked by both recognition and a persistent somberness in private. Following that horrific event; They reunited annually, just once, following that most tragic day. At Zhe Yan’s orchard, they quietly acknowledged her birthday with a bottle of her favorite peach wine. In the last 40,000 years, neither Mo Yuan nor Ye Hua had a personal encounter with her.
During Zhe Yan’s updates to Mo Yuan and Ye Hua on her condition, silence sometimes filled the air. He related stories of her ridiculous behavior. Sometimes, they sat in silence, recalling that awful day and sharing their sorrow. The twins finally bonded after Bai Qian almost died, an event no one could forget.
Zhe Yan spoke first, breaking the silence. “Ye Hua showed his genius by stopping time at that moment. We gained valuable time to save her.”
With a quick gulp of wine, Ye Hua softly explained, “Without Mo Yuan taking her blood, my powers to stop time would have been useless.”
“Though a collective effort saved her life, she suffered from insurmountable mental trauma. Looking back, we should have given her the amnesia potion sooner.” Mo Yuan said.
Zhe Yan’s frown reflected memories of shared helplessness and confusion. Having experienced nearly six unsuccessful suicide attempts, erasing her memory was deemed the most suitable solution for her. “I’m so glad she’s a little slow; otherwise, Xiao Wu would’ve asked more about her missing time.”
Mo Yuan asked Ye Hua, “How’s it going with SuJin?”
Sujin who had played a pivotal role in Bai Qian’s kidnapping and torture had been under Ye Hua’s care since that day.
“I think I might be a sadist. Every day, I rip her skin off and say horrible things to her. I genuinely mean every word. I constantly tell SuJin that I despise and hate her, and that she should go to hell.”
In a cold, emotionless voice, Ye Hua explained, “I rewind time each day before SuJin dies, heal her, and then start the day again. You would think I would grow tired or bored after 40,000 years, but strangely I enjoy and relish it immensely.”
“She deserves that and more,” Mo Yuan said, gently patting Ye Hua’s knee to show his support as a brother.
“Let’s remember Ye Hua’s lost child before we go our separate ways. We must prevent Xiao Wu from seeing either of you upon her soon arrival,” Zhe Yan‘s tone reflecting his sudden need to be hasty.
They raised their drinks. Ye Hua’s right eye teared up, and Mo Yuan’s left eye teared up. The brothers had given one eye to restore her lost vision, wishing they could have given more. When they also heard a soft feminine voice behind them, they all froze.
It was Bai Qian’s voice.
A wave of panic froze everyone as they stared at each other; then, she curiously asked. “Zhe Yan, have you forgotten it’s my birthday?”
Following 40,000 years of deliberate evasion, Bai Qian’s first encounter with Mo Yuan and Ye Hua would occur. They knew her, but she didn’t recollect them.
When all three men gradually, hesitantly turned to face her she gracefully rounded her slender arms, bowed courteously and spoke with a bright smile.
“It’s an honor to meet you both, High God Mo Yuan and High God Ye Hua. I am High Goddess Queen Bai Qian of Qingqiu. I’m privileged and honored to greet the sons of Heavenly Father.” She beamed with joy as she looked at everyone.