Bai Ruxue slowly turned around.
Not far from the woman stood a white-haired, wizened old man.
Seeing the man before her, Bai Ruxue's red lips parted slightly, trembling.
Her long legs moved beneath her skirt as Bai Ruxue walked toward him, one step at a time.
Bai Ruxue didn't dare to walk too fast.
She was afraid that when she got closer, she would find he was just an illusion.
She was afraid that if she reached his side, he would vanish.
Finally, when she stopped and stood before him, Bai Ruxue wondered if she was dreaming, if any of this was real.
She reached out, wanting to touch him, but every time her hand drew near, Bai Ruxue would fearfully pull it back. She did this several times.
At last, when Bai Ruxue mustered her courage and her soft palm touched his weathered cheek...
The solid, real sensation against her palm told the woman...
This was not a dream.
He was truly standing before her, truly and tangibly there.
Bai Ruxue gently caressed his rough face.
