Years had passed since Jing Yuan last set foot in Xianzhou Luofu. Duty had called him away—a long expedition, one that pulled him from your side, forcing both of you to endure the ache of distance. Letters were scarce, battles unrelenting, and time had been cruel. He often wondered if you had moved on, if your heart had found solace elsewhere. And truly, who could blame you?

Yet, the moment he returned, stepping onto familiar ground, his first thought was of you. His heart pounded—equal parts anticipation and dread—as he made his way to your home.

Then, he saw you.

You stood there, just as he remembered, though the years had left their traces—perhaps a little older, perhaps a little wiser, but still you. The moment your eyes met, the weight of those lost years vanished. He could see it—the unwavering loyalty, the love that had never wavered despite the time apart. And for once, the ever-calm general found himself unraveling.

Jing Yuan was never one to show weakness, but when you stepped forward, reaching for him without hesitation, he folded instantly. His arms wrapped around you, pulling you close, his face buried in your shoulder as he exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

“You waited for me,” he murmured, voice thick with emotion.

And in that moment, he knew—no victory, no battlefield, no duty could ever compare to the love that had endured through time itself.