9 ：A dream of dreams

    The　serene　mountain　village　that　had　become　Sukie　and　Han　Fengling’s　sanctuary　was　a　place　of　tranquility　and　love.　Yet，　despite　the　peace　they　had　found，　a　lingering　sense　of　unfinished　business　gnawed　at　Sukie.　She　often　found　herself　lost　in　thought，　contemplating　the　future　and　her　role　in　it.　Her　dreams　were　haunted　by　visions　of　her　former　life，　the　modern　world　she　had　left　behind，　and　the　unresolved　threads　that　still　tugged　at　her　heart.

    One　crisp　morning，　Sukie　sat　by　the　stream　that　ran　through　the　village，　the　water’s　gentle　flow　soothing　her　troubled　mind.　Han　Fengling　approached　quietly，　his　presence　always　a　source　of　comfort.　He　sat　beside　her，　his　hand　gently　brushing　hers.

    “What　troubles　you，　Sukie?”　he　asked，　his　voice　soft　and　filled　with　concern.

    She　sighed，　turning　to　meet　his　gaze.　“I’ve　been　thinking　a　lot　about　the　life　I　left　behind，　the　modern　world.　There　are　things　I　left　unfinished，　people　I　care　about.　And...　there’s　a　part　of　me　that　wonders　if　I　could　have　done　more，　been　more.”

    Han　Fengling’s　expression　grew　thoughtful.　“Do　you　miss　it?　That　world?”

    “In　some　ways，　yes，”　she　admitted.　“But　it’s　not　just　about　missing　it.　I　feel　like　I　have　a　responsibility　to　go　back，　to　finish　what　I　started.　And　maybe，　if　I　do，　I　can　make　a　better　future　for　us.”

    He　nodded，　understanding　dawning　in　his　eyes.　“You’re　talking　about　returning　to　your　time.”

    “Yes，”　Sukie　said，　her　voice　firm　with　resolve.　“I　need　to　go　back　and　face　my　past，　make　things　right.　And　maybe，　just　maybe，　I　can　find　a　way　to　secure　our　future.”

    Han　Fengling’s　grip　tightened　on　her　hand.　“I　understand.　And　I　will　support　you，　no　matter　what.　But　how　will　you　return?”

    She　looked　down　at　their　intertwined　hands，　a　mixture　of　fear　and　determination　in　her　eyes.　“I’ve　been　studying　the　ancient　texts，　the　ones　that　speak　of　time　travel.　There’s　a　ritual，　a　way　to　reverse　the　process　and　return　to　my　time.”

    Han　Fengling’s　eyes　widened　with　a　mix　of　awe　and　concern.　“It　sounds　dangerous.”

    “It　is，”　Sukie　admitted.　“But　it’s　a　risk　I　have　to　take.”

    With　Han　Fengling’s　unwavering　support，　Sukie　began　to　prepare　for　the　ritual.　The　villagers，　unaware　of　the　true　nature　of　their　efforts，　offered　their　assistance，　providing　the　necessary　herbs　and　materials.　The　night　of　the　ritual　arrived，　the　air　heavy　with　anticipation　and　anxiety.

    As　the　moon　reached　its　zenith，　Sukie　stood　at　the　center　of　a　circle　marked　with　ancient　symbols.　Han　Fengling　stood　beside　her，　his　presence　a　steadying　force.　The　villagers　watched　in　silent　reverence，　their　faith　in　Sukie’s　abilities　unshaken.

    Sukie　took　a　deep　breath，　her　heart　pounding　in　her　chest.　She　began　to　chant　the　incantation，　her　voice　steady　and　strong.　The　air　around　them　crackled　with　energy，　the　symbols　on　the　ground　glowing　with　an　otherworldly　light.　The　power　of　the　ritual　surged　through　her，　filling　her　with　a　sense　of　purpose　and　resolve.

    Han　Fengling’s　hand　tightened　around　hers.　“Remember，　no　matter　where　you　go，　I　will　always　be　with　you.”

    Tears　welled　in　Sukie’s　eyes　as　she　looked　at　him.　“I　love　you，　Fengling.　I　will　come　back　for　you.　I　promise.”

    As　the　final　words　of　the　incantation　left　her　lips，　a　blinding　light　enveloped　Sukie.　She　felt　herself　being　pulled　away，　the　world　around　her　dissolving　into　a　blur　of　colors　and　sounds.　The　sensation　was　overwhelming，　but　she　held　onto　Han　Fengling’s　words，　his　love　grounding　her　as　she　was　thrust　back　into　the　unknown.

    When　the　light　faded，　Sukie　found　herself　standing　in　the　familiar　surroundings　of　her　old　apartment.　The　modern　world　greeted　her　with　its　cacophony　of　sounds　and　sights.　She　took　a　moment　to　steady　herself，　her　mind　reeling　from　the　abrupt　transition.　The　reality　of　her　situation　hit　her　with　full　force　–　she　was　back.

    Determined　to　make　the　most　of　her　return，　Sukie　wasted　no　time.　She　quickly　immersed　herself　in　her　studies，　re－enrolling　in　high　school　with　a　renewed　sense　of　purpose.　Her　friends　and　teachers　were　surprised　by　her　sudden　transformation，　the　once－ordinary　girl　now　driven　by　an　unyielding　determination.

    Her　first　task　was　to　ace　the　entrance　exams.　Sukie’s　nights　were　spent　poring　over　textbooks，　her　mind　a　whirlwind　of　equations，　historical　dates，　and　scientific　theories.　Her　days　were　filled　with　classes，　each　lesson　a　stepping　stone　towards　her　goal.　The　challenges　were　immense，　but　she　faced　them　with　a　resolve　forged　in　the　fires　of　her　past　experiences.

    Sukie’s　transformation　did　not　go　unnoticed.　Her　teachers　were　impressed　by　her　dedication，　her　peers　inspired　by　her　relentless　drive.　She　formed　new　friendships，　bonds　built　on　mutual　respect　and　shared　aspirations.　Yet，　amidst　the　flurry　of　academic　pursuits，　her　thoughts　often　drifted　to　Han　Fengling，　his　presence　a　constant　source　of　strength　and　motivation.

    One　afternoon，　after　a　particularly　grueling　exam，　Sukie　sat　in　the　school　courtyard，　her　mind　racing　with　thoughts　of　the　future.　She　was　joined　by　Mei　Ling，　her　loyal　friend　from　her　previous　life，　who　had　also　crossed　over　to　this　time.

    “You’ve　changed，　Sukie，”　Mei　Ling　said，　her　voice　filled　with　admiration.　“There’s　a　fire　in　you　that　wasn’t　there　before.”

    Sukie　smiled，　her　gaze　distant.　“I’ve　been　through　a　lot，　Mei　Ling.　And　I’ve　learned　that　if　you　want　something，　you　have　to　fight　for　it　with　everything　you　have.”

    Mei　Ling’s　eyes　softened　with　understanding.　“You’re　thinking　about　him，　aren’t　you?”

    “Every　day，”　Sukie　admitted，　her　voice　tinged　with　longing.　“I　promised　him　I　would　come　back.　And　I　will.　But　first，　I　need　to　make　sure　that　when　I　do，　I　can　give　us　the　life　we　deserve.”

    As　the　months　passed，　Sukie’s　hard　work　paid　off.　She　graduated　with　top　honors，　securing　a　place　in　one　of　the　most　prestigious　universities.　Her　chosen　field　was　computer　science，　a　discipline　with　the　potential　to　shape　the　future.　She　saw　it　as　a　way　to　harness　the　power　of　technology　to　create　a　better　world，　one　where　she　and　Han　Fengling　could　be　together　without　fear.

    Her　university　years　were　a　whirlwind　of　discovery　and　innovation.　Sukie’s　brilliance　shone　in　every　project　she　undertook，　her　passion　and　creativity　setting　her　apart　from　her　peers.　She　developed　groundbreaking　technologies，　earning　accolades　and　recognition　from　the　academic　community.

    Yet，　despite　her　successes，　Sukie　never　lost　sight　of　her　ultimate　goal.　She　invested　wisely，　buying　Bitcoin　and　other　cryptocurrencies，　her　foresight　and　intuition　leading　to　substantial　financial　gains.　She　used　her　newfound　wealth　to　secure　a　comfortable　future，　buying　a　home　and　a　car，　ensuring　that　when　the　time　came，　she　would　be　ready　to　provide　for　Han　Fengling.

    Throughout　it　all，　Sukie’s　heart　remained　anchored　to　the　promise　she　had　made.　She　kept　in　touch　with　Mei　Ling　and　Li　Zifeng，　their　bond　a　lifeline　to　her　past.　Together，　they　devised　a　plan　to　return　to　the　ancient　world，　to　reunite　with　Han　Fengling　and　fulfill　the　destiny　they　had　forged　together.

    The　day　of　the　final　ritual　arrived，　and　Sukie　felt　a　mixture　of　excitement　and　trepidation.　She　stood　in　the　same　spot　where　she　had　performed　the　initial　ritual，　the　symbols　on　the　ground　glowing　with　a　familiar　light.　Mei　Ling　and　Li　Zifeng　stood　by　her　side，　their　presence　a　comforting　reminder　of　the　strength　they　shared.

    As　Sukie　began　to　chant　the　incantation，　the　air　around　them　crackled　with　energy.　The　symbols　glowed　brighter，　the　power　of　the　ritual　building　to　a　crescendo.　Sukie’s　voice　was　steady　and　clear，　her　heart　filled　with　hope　and　determination.

    The　light　enveloped　her　once　again，　the　world　around　her　dissolving　into　a　blur　of　colors　and　sounds.　She　felt　herself　being　pulled　back，　the　sensation　both　exhilarating　and　overwhelming.　As　the　light　faded，　she　found　herself　standing　in　the　familiar　surroundings　of　the　mountain　village.

    The　villagers　greeted　her　with　joy　and　relief，　their　faith　in　her　unwavering.　Sukie’s　heart　raced　as　she　searched　for　Han　Fengling，　her　eyes　scanning　the　crowd.　When　she　finally　saw　him，　standing　at　the　edge　of　the　village　with　a　look　of　disbelief　and　joy　on　his　face，　she　felt　a　wave　of　emotion　wash　over　her.

    “Fengling！”　she　cried，　running　to　him.

    He　caught　her　in　his　arms，　holding　her　tightly.　“Sukie，　you　came　back.”

    “I　promised　I　would，”　she　said，　tears　streaming　down　her　face.　“And　I　always　keep　my　promises.”

    They　stood　there，　wrapped　in　each　other’s　embrace，　the　weight　of　their　journey　lifting　from　their　shoulders.　The　love　they　shared　had　brought　them　back　together，　and　now，　they　could　finally　begin　the　life　they　had　always　dreamed　of.

    As　the　villagers　celebrated　their　return，　Sukie　and　Han　Fengling　stood　together，　their　hearts　filled　with　gratitude　and　hope.　They　had　faced　unimaginable　challenges，　but　their　love　had　endured，　guiding　them　through　the　darkest　of　times.

    In　the　days　that　followed，　they　worked　together　to　build　a　future，　blending　the　knowledge　and　experiences　of　both　worlds.　Sukie’s　innovations　brought　new　opportunities　to　the　village，　while　Han　Fengling’s　strength　and　wisdom　ensured　that　their　community　thrived.

    Their　love　story　became　a　legend，　inspiring　others　to　believe　in　the　power　of　courage，　resilience，　and　unwavering　devotion.　As　they　stood　hand　in　hand，　watching　the　sun　set　over　the　mountains，　Sukie　knew　that　they　had　truly　found　their　place　in　the　world.

    Together，　they　had　created　a　legacy　of　love　and　hope，　a　testament　to　the　enduring　power　of　the　human　spirit.　And　as　they　faced　the　future，　they　did　so　with　the　knowledge

    that，　no　matter　what　challenges　lay　ahead，　they　would　always　have　each　other.