Take Me Away, My Love - Chapter 19 - Li Minchun's Return
The moment Li Minchun saw Xian Cheng appear on Zhenmu Island, she already knew what her fate would be.
So, the two of them engaged in a detailed conversation.
The surging seawater, mixed with white surf, fiercely crashed onto the beach. The sound of the waves felt like a pounding on one’s heart, creating a sense of tension.
Just like the state of Li Minchun’s heart now.
Even though she didn’t want to face reality, she was forced to confront it.
She wore a cotton long dress, with straw sandals on her feet. Her ink-black hair cascaded down, slightly curly, draped over her shoulders. A small, bright red flower was proudly tucked at her temple, adding a touch of color to her appearance.
Even without any makeup, her natural, unique charm vividly embodied the expression “breathtaking beauty.”
From the side, her high nose and perfectly shaped lips accented her features perfectly, and even her bright eyes seemed like luminous pearls.
In fact, they appeared more dazzling than the stars in the sky.
“You did find your way here after all,” Li Minchun said slowly. Her voice had become much steadier, no longer the voice of the proud Li Minchun from years ago. Instead, she seemed more mature and reserved, which was intriguing to witness.
“How have you been?” However, Xian Cheng didn’t follow her lead but instead asked a different question.
Looking at the beautiful person beside him, memories played out in his mind like film reels repeating over and over. The days they spent together were so joyful, but now, they seemed far away.
“I’ve been doing well.”
Li Minchun smiled, her eyes curved, and the corners of her mouth, though curving in different directions, were nonetheless very appealing.
Xian Cheng furrowed his brows and reluctantly asked, “That child, is he your son?”
“Yes, isn’t he adorable? I think life is peaceful and happy right now. This is the life I want. But unfortunately, it will soon disappear.”
Thinking about the things she might have to face in the future, Li Minchun’s eyes dimmed. Those ordinary yet deeply cherished days were like the waves in front of her-they recede and never return.
“Li Minchun, you live in two different worlds with them, don’t you understand that yet?” Overwhelmed with emotion, Xian Cheng pressed his hand on the back of Li Minchun’s hand. In response to his intense gaze and clear expression, she calmly withdrew her hand from his.
She quietly gazed at the distant ocean and said, “No matter what, being with them is when I am happiest. That’s what life is about.”
“What life is about.”
Those few simple words pierced Xian Cheng’s heart deeply.
He had always prided himself on being the top mercenary under Madam Li, but today, someone had taken it as a disgrace. They claimed that it wasn’t what life was about. He couldn’t accept that, not at all.
“Let’s not talk about that. What do you plan to do in the future?”
“If you can keep my whereabouts a secret, maybe I’ll choose to live in seclusion.”
Hearing this, Xian Cheng couldn’t help but laugh. Should he be relieved that she still regarded him as one of her own, or sadly wonder if Li Minchun had become foolish since having a child?
She couldn’t possibly be unaware that as soon as he found her, Madam Li had already pinpointed her location.
“Do you think that’s possible?” Xian Cheng asked with a smile.
Li Minchun stuck out her tongue, but her face remained clouded with visible worry.
“To be honest, Jian Yiqing’s time is running out. I’ve been busy looking for an antidote for him, but unfortunately, there’s been no progress.” As she spoke, more sadness flooded Li Minchun’s face.
“If he’s going to die soon, why are you still unwilling to leave here and come back with me?” Xian Cheng couldn’t understand.
If she was staying for Jian Yiqing, and now he was dying, what reason could there be to stay any longer?
“Even if he dies, I will die with him!”
Li Minchun spoke these words with unwavering determination.
The resolute gleam in her eyes was something Xian Cheng had seen many times before. Whenever Li Minchun set her mind on something, her eyes would shine like this.
But today, behind that look was a chilling conviction.
If someone else had spoken such words, Xian Cheng might not have believed them, but coming from Li Minchun, he believed them completely.
He knew Li Minchun didn’t make empty promises.
This made Xian Cheng extremely anxious, his emotions immediately stirred. He exclaimed, “Do you know what you’re doing and saying? You are Li Minchun, the invincible Li Minchun! How can you lightly talk about giving up your life for a man? Are you still the Li Minchun I know, the stubborn and undefeated Li Minchun?”
Li Minchun stood up gently and calmly said, “After meeting Jian Yiqing, the mercenary Li Minchun no longer existed. The person standing before you now is Jian Yiqing’s wife, Jian Qingtian’s mother, Li Minchun.”
“Li Minchun!” Xian Cheng was deeply hurt.
Unfortunately, faced with this outcome, he was powerless.
In the end, Xian Cheng became deflated.
He said, “I can save him, but you have to promise to come back with me.”
That one sentence had the power to make Li Minchun’s eyes light up.
“What did you say?”
“Since the day you disappeared, Madam Li has entrusted me with the antidote, but the condition is that after finding you, you must come back with me before I can give you the antidote.”
Before Xian Cheng could finish speaking, Li Minchun was nodding repeatedly, “I agree. As long as you give me the antidote, I’ll agree to anything.”
Seeing how readily she agreed, it was Xian Cheng who wore a look of bitterness.
Could that man really be so important to her?
“If one day I were gravely injured and on the brink of death, would you be just as anxious?” Xian Cheng blurted out this rather trivial question.
Li Minchun paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded, saying, “Of course.”
Even though he was reluctant to save Jian Yiqing, Xian Cheng knew that without this exchange, there was no way Li Minchun would agree to return with him.
Watching as Jian Yiqing’s complexion gradually improved after taking the medicine, Li Minchun finally felt a sense of relief.
“Li Minchun, you…” Noticing something amiss, Xiao Ru’s mom stepped forward and asked with concern.
Ever since Xian Cheng had arrived, Li Minchun had seemed different. More recently, she had been giving away all of her belongings to Xiao Ru’s mom, which gave her a sense of unease.
Li Minchun smiled, took Xiao Ru’s mom by the hand, and sincerely said, “Xiao Ru’s mom, we owe our thanks to you for taking care of us during this time. We will always remember your great kindness and generosity.”
“Dear, what are you saying? It was fate that brought us together; there’s no need to say such things.”
“I will soon be leaving Zhenmu Island and returning to our original world. Would you like to come with us?” Li Minchun asked.
This family was the only one she wished to take with her. Even though their simple and kind nature might not suit the environment of her world, she still wanted to know their preference. If they had the desire to leave Zhenmu Island, she believed she could grant them that wish.
“Really? Can I really leave with you?”
For many years, the people living on Zhenmu Island had come to a common understanding.
That is, Zhenmu Island was completely isolated from the world, and many believed it was a place no one could enter or leave.
However, ever since Li Minchun’s arrival, those rumors seemed to have been dispelled.
Whether it was due to her extraordinary abilities or their own inadequacies, Li Minchun had gradually come to be seen as a sort of divine figure in their eyes.
“Yes, if you’re willing, I can take your entire family with us,” Li Minchun affirmed with a nod.
Meanwhile, Xian Cheng stood beside her, furrowing his brows.
The reason Xian Cheng was able to successfully enter Zhenmu Island this time, aside from having a map, was due to the use of a high-tech submarine. This submarine is equipped with eight large claws on the bottom, allowing it to firmly grip the ocean floor, making it move freely underwater like a giant octopus.
There are fewer than four of these submarines worldwide.
Additionally, the optical illusion surrounding Zhenmu Island causes any cruise ship looking towards it to see nothing but endless sea, just like anywhere else. Even if one gets close, a strange force will directly repel them.
Frequent travelers on this route know that at a certain point, the ship will make a mysterious turn, slightly veering off its previous course.
Moreover, this deviation seems to be naturally occurring, beyond human control.
People often say this place is magical, yet they have no idea what kind of energy lies hidden here.
Without the map’s guidance, Xian Cheng likely wouldn’t have found this place either.
As for how Li Minchun once managed to enter with Jian Yiqing, it was purely coincidental.
“What’s the outside world like? How does it compare to Zhenmu Island?” Xiao Ru’s mom asked eagerly, her eyes full of curiosity.
Li Minchun smiled and said, “If I had a choice, I’d prefer to live here forever, surviving on fishing every day, rather than return to that place filled with deceit and treachery.”
“It sounds like the place you came from is both exciting and terrifying,” Xiao Ru’s mom replied, somewhat apprehensive. After all, she was both fascinated and scared of the unknown world outside.
“To be truthful, you’re not suited for the outside environment. For people who have lived on Zhenmu Island for generations, it’s nearly impossible to adapt to life out there. So think carefully-if you want to leave with us, I can take you. But if you plan to return, that won’t be possible.”
Li Minchun’s words sparked a deep contemplation in Xiao Ru’s mom.
Xiao Ru’s dad came over, hugged his wife, and said earnestly, “I love Zhenmu Island. I want to stay here forever.”
Their innocent and adorable daughter, Xiao Ru, hugged her mom’s leg and chimed in, “Xiao Ru does too!”
Seeing that both family members wanted to stay, Xiao Ru’s mom naturally let go of her desire to see the outside world.
She said, “Our whole family will stay on Zhenmu Island. We’re not leaving.”
Li Minchun smiled, a smile of relief. Secretly, she was glad that this family wouldn’t enter the outside world, which was fraught with too many dangers unsuitable for such kind-hearted people.
“I hope you won’t tell anyone about what happened here. If fate allows, we will meet again.”
With these parting words, Li Minchun and her companions boarded the submarine under the cover of the dark night.
From then on, she left Zhenmu Island-a place where she had been fortunate enough to find a brief period of tranquility.
After leaving Zhenmu Island, Li Minchun entrusted Jian Yiqing and Jian Qingtian to Zhang Mi, while she returned to the organization with Xian Cheng.
As she stepped through the gates of the organization once more, Li Minchun felt a surge of mixed emotions.
She clenched her fists tightly but resolutely entered.
Having made her decision back then, she knew there was no turning back. To ensure a happy future with Jian Yiqing and Jian Qingtian, she must face Madam Li.
She believed that what is meant to come will come, and what must be faced will inevitably be faced.
