12 ：Wind Continues to Blow

    The　cool，　crisp　air　of　the　Nordic　autumn　filled　Sukie，s　lungs　as　she　stepped　out　of　her　luxurious　new　home.　Her　decision　to　move　to　the　picturesque　Scandinavian　country　had　been　impulsive，　driven　by　her　newfound　wealth　from　the　meteoric　rise　of　Bitcoin.　She　had　hoped　to　escape　the　chaotic　memories　of　her　past，　both　in　the　modern　world　and　the　surreal　experiences　in　the　ancient　one.　But　little　did　she　know　that　her　new　life　was　about　to　become　even　more　complicated.

    The　first　few　weeks　in　her　new　environment　were　a　whirlwind　of　cultural　confusion.　Despite　her　attempts　to　assimilate，　Sukie　found　herself　constantly　bewildered　by　the　stark　differences　in　customs　and　language.

    One　afternoon，　Sukie　decided　to　visit　a　local　café.　She　had　heard　that　the　Nordic　pastries　were　to　die　for　and　was　eager　to　indulge.　As　she　entered　the　quaint　little　shop，　the　warm　aroma　of　freshly　baked　goods　enveloped　her，　bringing　a　smile　to　her　face.

    ＂Hi！　Can　I　get　a　cinnamon　bun　and　a　cup　of　coffee，　please?＂　she　asked　the　barista，　her　English　tinged　with　an　accent　that　was　foreign　to　the　locals.

    The　barista，　a　young　man　with　blond　hair　and　a　friendly　demeanor，　looked　at　her　with　mild　confusion.　＂Sorry，　could　you　repeat　that?＂

    Sukie　took　a　deep　breath，　realizing　that　her　accent　might　be　causing　some　misunderstanding.　＂A　cinnamon　bun　and　a　coffee，　please.＂

    ＂Ah，　kanelbulle　och　kaffe.　Sure，　coming　right　up！＂　he　responded　with　a　smile.

    As　Sukie　waited，　she　glanced　around　the　café，　appreciating　the　minimalist　yet　cozy　interior.　The　large　windows　allowed　sunlight　to　pour　in，　casting　a　golden　glow　over　the　wooden　furniture　and　green　plants.

    ＂Here　you　go.　Enjoy！＂　the　barista　said，　placing　the　bun　and　coffee　on　the　counter.

    ＂Thank　you！＂　Sukie　replied，　taking　her　order　to　a　nearby　table.　She　took　a　bite　of　the　cinnamon　bun　and　closed　her　eyes　in　delight.　The　taste　was　as　heavenly　as　she　had　imagined.

    While　savoring　her　treat，　she　couldn，t　help　but　overhear　a　conversation　at　the　next　table.　A　group　of　locals　were　chatting　animatedly　in　Swedish，　and　although　she　couldn，t　understand　much，　she　caught　a　few　familiar　words.

    Curious　and　eager　to　learn，　Sukie　leaned　in　slightly，　trying　to　pick　up　more　of　the　conversation.　Suddenly，　one　of　the　men　turned　towards　her，　catching　her　off　guard.

    ＂Are　you　enjoying　the　kanelbulle?＂　he　asked　in　perfect　English，　a　hint　of　amusement　in　his　eyes.

    Sukie　blushed，　feeling　slightly　embarrassed　for　eavesdropping.　＂Yes，　it，s　delicious.　I，m　still　getting　used　to　the　language　and　culture　here.＂

    The　man　smiled　warmly.　＂It　takes　time.　I，m　Lars，　by　the　way.＂

    ＂Sukie，＂　she　replied，　shaking　his　outstretched　hand.

    Lars　had　a　striking　appearance—tall，　with　piercing　blue　eyes　and　an　athletic　build.　There　was　something　familiar　about　him　that　Sukie　couldn，t　quite　place，　but　she　dismissed　the　thought　as　they　continued　to　chat.

    Over　the　next　few　weeks，　Lars　and　Sukie　began　to　see　more　of　each　other.　He　introduced　her　to　local　traditions，　took　her　to　hidden　gems　in　the　city，　and　patiently　helped　her　with　the　language.　Their　bond　grew　stronger　with　each　passing　day，　and　Sukie　found　herself　feeling　happier　and　more　settled　than　she　had　in　a　long　time.

    One　evening，　they　decided　to　visit　a　famous　lake　just　outside　the　city.　The　setting　sun　painted　the　sky　in　hues　of　orange　and　pink，　reflecting　off　the　calm　waters.

    ＂It，s　so　beautiful　here，＂　Sukie　sighed，　taking　in　the　serene　landscape.

    ＂Yes，　it　is.　I，m　glad　you　like　it，＂　Lars　replied，　his　gaze　fixed　on　her　rather　than　the　scenery.

    As　they　walked　along　the　shore，　Lars　suddenly　stopped　and　turned　to　face　her.　＂Sukie，　there，s　something　I　need　to　tell　you.＂

    Her　heart　skipped　a　beat，　sensing　the　seriousness　in　his　tone.　＂What　is　it，　Lars?＂

    ＂I，ve　grown　to　care　for　you　deeply，＂　he　began，　his　eyes　searching　hers.　＂But　there，s　something　about　me　that　you　need　to　know.＂

    Sukie，s　mind　raced，　wondering　what　he　could　possibly　reveal.　＂Go　on，＂　she　urged　gently.

    ＂I，m　not　just　a　local　here.　I　have　a　rather　unique　heritage，＂　he　continued.　＂My　family　has　a　history　that　intertwines　with　different　cultures，　and　I　believe　you　might　have　felt　a　connection　to　that.＂

    Sukie　frowned　in　confusion.　＂What　do　you　mean?＂

    Lars　took　a　deep　breath.　＂I　found　out　recently　that　I　am　a　descendant　of　a　noble　family　from　ancient　times.　When　you　first　told　me　your　name，　I　did　some　research　and　discovered　something　astonishing.＂

    Sukie，s　eyes　widened　as　she　listened，　her　heart　pounding.　＂What　did　you　find?＂

    ＂Our　families　were　connected　in　the　past.　I　believe　I　am　related　to　someone　you　knew　very　well　in　another　life，＂　he　said，　his　voice　filled　with　emotion.

    A　flood　of　memories　from　her　time　in　the　ancient　world　surged　through　Sukie，s　mind.　＂You　mean...?＂

    ＂Yes，　Sukie.　I　believe　I　am　a　descendant　of　Han　Fengling，＂　Lars　revealed.

    Tears　welled　up　in　Sukie，s　eyes　as　she　struggled　to　comprehend　the　revelation.　＂But　how　is　that　possible?＂

    Lars　stepped　closer，　gently　taking　her　hands　in　his.　＂I　don，t　know　all　the　details，　but　I　feel　a　deep　connection　to　you，　as　if　our　souls　have　known　each　other　for　centuries.＂

    Sukie　felt　a　wave　of　emotions　crash　over　her.　The　familiar　feeling　she　had　sensed　in　Lars　now　made　sense.　Despite　the　modern　setting，　she　realized　that　their　bond　transcended　time　and　space.

    ＂I...　I　don，t　know　what　to　say，＂　she　stammered，　her　voice　trembling.

    ＂Just　know　that　my　feelings　for　you　are　real，＂　Lars　said　softly，　his　eyes　locked　onto　hers.　＂And　I　want　to　be　with　you，　if　you，ll　have　me.＂

    Sukie　took　a　deep　breath，　her　heart　swelling　with　a　mixture　of　joy　and　uncertainty.　＂Lars，　this　is　all　so　overwhelming.　But　I　can，t　deny　the　connection　I　feel　with　you.＂

    He　pulled　her　into　a　gentle　embrace，　and　she　felt　a　sense　of　comfort　and　belonging　that　she　hadn，t　experienced　in　a　long　time.

    As　they　stood　by　the　lake，　the　sun　setting　behind　them，　Sukie　knew　that　her　journey　was　far　from　over.　With　Lars　by　her　side，　she　was　ready　to　face　whatever　challenges　the　future　held，　their　love　bridging　the　gap　between　past　and　present，　and　promising　a　new　beginning　filled　with　hope　and　adventure.