Chapter 43: Without You by My Side, How Can I Be Happy?

Chapter 43: Without You by My Side, How Can I Be Happy?

As Tang Fei slid down into the tank, her sash billowed with the buoyancy of the water. All the lights beneath the tank illuminated it like a glowing gemstone holding the entrance to another world. Tang Fei's skirt gathered and dispersed like clouds, as if colors had been poured into the water, diffusing in soft hues.

Underwater, the camera followed Tang Fei's movements at the photographer's command. Despite the difficulty in controlling her soaked clothes, Tang Fei moved with effortless grace.

Underwater shooting was physically demanding. After a short sequence, Tang Fei was pulled out of the water, hanging on the side of the tank. Her hair, cascading like a waterfall, clung to her face and shoulders, while droplets of water glided down her exquisite features like shimmering stars in an empty sky.

"Makeup card, Pure Lotus in Water, five-star rating under specific conditions, Freshness +1, Naturalness +1."

Tang Fei's makeup was barely noticeable, yet her face radiated beauty as if she were barefaced. Indeed, under the focused lights of the tank, she was genuinely glowing.

"When did our makeup artist become so skilled?"

"How could they suddenly be so magical? It's because Tang Fei has great natural features. With someone else, you wouldn't even bother to look, let alone study their makeup."

He Zhou offered Tang Fei some encouragement and cookies. "Sis, once we finish the close-ups, let the stand-in handle the long shots."

Tang Fei, munching on the cookies, replied, "A Zhou, being underwater feels just like being at home, incredibly comfortable."

Tang Fei took a deep breath. Just now, while swimming underwater, her body had moved as if it had muscle memory, not the same as her 30% proficiency. There must be something special about the Six-star Skill Card that the system hadn't mentioned.

"Ms. Tang, are you feeling sore? Do you have any energy left? Do you need a break?" The on-site producer, with their plump legs, approached her. Now that Tang Fei had publicly become the first signed artist under Nine Points, she needed to showcase the support of the production team.

Thoughtful and attentive.

"I'm fine, I'm in great shape. I can keep shooting for another three hours." Tang Fei swung her legs, like a fish tail flicking, sending droplets of water into the air in a circle. It looked as if she were performing acrobatics, using her legs to create a circle of water in mid-air.

"..."

What was going on?

The producer doubted their eyes. They turned to look at the others and found that they all had their mouths agape, staring at Tang Fei's legs in disbelief!

It wasn't an illusion!

What was happening here?

Did Tang Fei know acrobatics?

The lifeguard and the stand-in were both stunned.

Who could possibly possess such mastery over water without decades of practice? Even decades of experience wouldn't be enough!

This was insane! Did they still need her to save anyone?

Why bother with a stand-in when this sister was even more skilled in the water than he was?

Someone commented, "With Tang Fei livestreaming daily in the pool, drawing pictures with her feet, she should have enough to live on, right?" Everyone also recalled Tang Fei weaving, perhaps she could even livestream that?

Tang Fei seemed to possess an abundance of peculiar talents. How did she grow up like this? How did her parents cultivate her?

He Zhou nearly dropped his chicken soup in shock. "Sis, you... Didn't you sink to the bottom of the pool after a while before? Now you're... How are you so good?"

"Talent runs in the family, get used to it. Don't be so surprised all the time," Tang Fei said as she reached out with her damp hand to pat He Zhou's forehead. "There, there, no need to be scared."

He Zhou climbed out of the pool and wiped the cold water off his forehead. "Sis, how did you... become like this?"

Disrespectful at her age?

She was still young.

Too mischievous?

To describe her like that would invite a scolding for sure.

Ah, He Zhou held back his exclamation and obediently stood aside as the second underwater sequence began.

Tang Fei dove in again. The lighting in the water, refracted by the ripples, created an ethereal and dreamlike image of an ancient beauty moving gracefully underwater with effortless poise. The resistance of the water seemed to have no effect on her, and her clothes swayed obediently with each movement, forming various enchanting shapes. It was as if there was a real mermaid swimming within the tank.

The promotional team and crew members could only think of one word:

Beautiful!

So beautiful!

"No one can surpass Li Xiuyun in this."

"How many people will be captivated when it airs on television?"

"My heart is racing. Tang Fei is even more enchanting in the scene. Ah, I'm smitten." Surprisingly, this heartsick admirer turned out to be a young crew member, usually infatuated with male leads, now captivated by a female one.

The production team captured Tang Fei's most captivating underwater movements from behind the monitor, editing them together. "Let's release it with the soundtrack. Didn't netizens ask for Li Xiuyun? We'll give them what they want!"

They shot over twenty underwater scenes, with Tang Fei resurfacing for air and snacks between takes to regain her energy.

In this underwater sequence, Su Yang pursued Li Xiuyun in his dream, sensing something amiss. However, the Li Xiuyun in his dream was her genuine soul remnant. He feared for her safety, thus, despite knowing it was a trap, he chased after her.

As Li Xiuyun's life force dwindled, the Queen Worm took advantage of her remaining soul.

Under its control, she led Su Yang deeper into his subconscious, layer upon layer, until he fell into a deep, unrousable slumber.

The Queen Worm whispered seductively into Xiuyun's ear, "Want to be with Su Yang forever?"

"You will be together forever. Do as I say."

"This is your paradise. You can stand by his side. You two will be like before, returning to those past times."

"You will be happy. Forget those long, lingering days on your sickbed. This is how you should be living."

Li Xiuyun turned her gaze back from the water, her eyes shimmering with deep emotion. She looked at Su Yang, who was chasing after her, then her vision drifted to her own limbs in a daze.

"This is how I'm supposed to be?"

What a beautiful dream it was to be forever with Brother Su, she thought, believing herself to be dreaming, where she could freely build her world as she pleased.

"But I am not like this. I know my hair has turned white, my skin wrinkled, while Brother Su remains the same young man. I also know that many have introduced female psychics to him, thinking they would be a match."

"To spend my entire life lying in bed, I am not content. The thought of Brother Su being with someone else in the future pains me even more."

"But who are you, and why are you speaking in my ear?"

"Where is this place?"

Li Xiuyun halted, and Su Yang finally caught up to her. He had understood the enemy's scheme, but he allowed himself to succumb, finally grasping Li Xiuyun's hands. "Xiuyun, this is the Abyss of Consciousness. We can exist here eternally, as long as I don't die, you will remain forever."

Li Xiuyun's future days would no longer include him, something Su Yang couldn't accept. In that instant, all he wished for was to sink into this realm, preserving Li Xiuyun's consciousness indefinitely.

The most vulnerable weakness of human nature had been seized. Even upon uncovering the conspiracy, he found himself unwilling to let go, hesitant to break this illusion himself.

This was the deepest regret in Su Yang's subconscious. Humans had become powerhouses among all tribes, with friends and family living happily. Children grew up carefree, studying and practicing martial arts in peace. Amidst this tranquility, only Li Xiuyun remained frail and aged.

Li Xiuyun had suffered this calamity to save him. If there was a way to preserve her consciousness alongside his, even in eternal slumber, he would have attempted it.

...

Li Xiuyun smiled as she agreed with Su Yang. They built a nest of love within their subconscious, raised children, and spent days together, watching their offspring grow, marry, and start families of their own.

"I'm not old yet," Li Xiuyun said at their children's wedding, gazing at her still smooth hands, like polished jade.

"You'll never age, Xiuyun," Su Yang embraced her.

"Thank you, Brother Su. I've been very happy in this life," a tear rolled down Li Xiuyun's cheek.

"Xiuyun?" Su Yang sensed something amiss.

Li Xiuyun held Su Yang tightly. Her consciousness was about to vanish willingly. "Brother Su, this dream was beautiful. It would be even better if it were real. You must find happiness, I can't be with you anymore."

Suddenly awoken from the depths of his consciousness, Su Yang cried out, "Xiuyun!"

He found himself in the medical office, being treated, without Li Xiuyun by his side. Ignoring the cries of astonishment around him, he summoned his spiritual energy and flew back home. Li Xiuyun, lying on the bed, had already lost her breath.

Her silver hair couldn't conceal her former beauty; she lay there as if in one of her countless past comas, as if she would awaken again. Su Yang approached her slowly, with great difficulty. He gently held her hand, which still carried warmth, but no pulse. He caressed the corner of her gentle smiling lips with his finger: "How can I be happy without you by my side? I can't do it."

Su Yang spoke softly and tenderly, as if afraid of waking the person in his arms: "I have many long days ahead. I wonder if you have the patience to wait for me by the Naihe Bridge. What if we end up in different generations in our next lives?"