The small Shiliu was planted by Sixteen and April when they were fifteen.
At that time, the two had already learned a lot about planting and cultivating pomegranate trees from April's parents. Coincidentally, the spiritual plant garden was expanded that year, and April's parents had to take responsibility for planting pomegranate trees in an additional empty plot.
April and Sixteen were eager to try, and after much pleading with her parents, they were allowed to plant a pomegranate tree at the edge of this empty plot.
With April's parents watching over them, the two successfully planted the spiritual seeds of the pomegranate tree.
Every seven days thereafter, the two would come to the spiritual plant garden to look after their exclusive little Shiliu.
Sixty-six years passed in a flash, and the small Shiliu, which was once not even as tall as the two of them, had now grown into a nearly ten-meter-tall tree.
The two who were once inseparable had long since parted ways.
Zhou Fan's palm brushed over the texture of the small Shiliu. He looked up at the lush, canopy-like branches and leaves, and actually saw a very light and faint 'one' on the thickest branch.
This color was April's favorite sky blue, and even after many years, Zhou Fan had not forgotten it.
He left the spiritual plant garden and quickly walked up the hillside where the two used to play as children.
The stone that seemed so tall and big when they were children was still in its original place.
The sun cast down, and Zhou Fan's gaze lingered on the small shadow.
In this shadow, he and April had accompanied each other through one innocent and interesting spring and autumn after another.
Even though the bright sun was within reach outside, the two always liked to huddle together for warmth.
This was their first secret base, and also the beginning of their story.
Zhou Fan dug away the soil with his hand, and at the base of the large stone, he unearthed a small copper box.
With slightly trembling fingertips, he opened the box. A stack of yellow talismans covered in writing lay quietly in the center of the box.
Zhou Fan spread them out one by one, fixing them with his Divine Sense.
There were nine talismans in this stack. When arranged into a 3x3 square, the familiar handwriting connected together to form a letter.
"To my dearest Shiliu,
When you read this letter, I should no longer be here.
I'm sorry I couldn't accompany you through your entire life. I... I was actually very happy, truly, I'm not lying.
Although I always called you a fool, it was truly wonderful to have met you in this short life.
The only thing that pains me is that I broke off our relationship a few days before I was about to leave.
I know you were tested and found to have no Spiritual Root, so you must have been very depressed. But I couldn't accompany you, I really couldn't.
After the Spiritual Root test three days ago, I returned home and could barely even eat. I didn't want you to see me in that state, I'm sorry...
You should be with Zhou Chenxi by now, right? Congratulations to you two. After I'm gone, she can finally get what she wished for. It's perfect, let her accompany you through that darkest period. I believe you two will be happy.
Hmm, there's still so much I want to tell you, but the pen is truly too heavy.
Do you remember that Starry Sky Spell?
Shiliu, I didn't lie to you, that was truly something I prepared especially for you.
Now, look up at the sky.
Forever yours, April."
The yellow talismans were crumpled, likely because April accidentally shed tears on them while writing the letter.
With a 'pat', a tear, after more than sixty years, once again fell onto this letter.
Zhou Fan quickly put away the stack of talismans. He wiped his eyes with his hand.
Ever since he bound the System, Zhou Fan had never shed a tear.
Now, tears streamed uncontrollably down his cheeks, and Zhou Fan looked up at the sky.
Today's sun was bright, and the sky was a clear, pristine blue.
Zhou Fan gazed steadily at the boundless sky blue until a shooting star with a long tail streaked across.
The sky began to rain meteors.
Under the sun's rays, these fleeting meteors were not dazzling.
But as Zhou Fan watched them, it was as if he saw April, with her dazzling, star-like eyes, smiling and asking him.
"Do you like it? This Starry Sky Spell I prepared for you?"
...
Zhou Fan stood there in a daze, clutching the small box tightly in his hand.
The meteor shower was truly beautiful, but it only lasted for a few short hours.
It ended. As dusk fell, Zhou Fan carefully placed the small box in the very center of his Storage Pouch. He returned to Zhou Chenxi's home, his mind elsewhere.
Zhou Chenxi had already prepared a steaming hot dinner for Zhou Fan. She and Zhou Fan sat together, and the two ate the meal in silence.
As night fell, the two lay in bed. Zhou Chenxi, as if oblivious to Zhou Fan's abnormality, began to undress them both.
Zhou Fan did not cooperate with Zhou Chenxi's further advances.
Zhou Chenxi could only stop her actions.
"You still can't forget her, can you?"
Zhou Fan nodded.
"Then what am I?" Zhou Chenxi couldn't hold back any longer. Her negative emotions erupted for the first time.
"Am I a substitute, or just your temporary amusement?"
Zhou Fan no longer remained silent. His voice hoarse, he said, "You said before that April ran off with another man forty years ago and left the Zhou Family."
"But now, from what I understand, April passed away on the third day after her Spiritual Root test when she was eighteen."
"Zhou Chenxi, you lied to me."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chenxi paused for a moment before saying in self-deprecation, "Yes, that's right, I lied to you."
"But if I had told you the truth about it, would there still be a place for me in your heart?!"
Zhou Chenxi cried out, venting, "When she was still around, you only had eyes for her! I pursued you for so long, but couldn't even get a single glance from you!"
"Later, she left, and we were together. It was me! It was me who accompanied you through that most painful time!"
"Now you're back, your body is with me, but your heart is still thinking of her! Why should I tell you the truth? Just so you can love her even more?!"
Zhou Chenxi was in tears. After a long silence, Zhou Fan pulled Zhou Chenxi into his arms.
He reached out to wipe away Zhou Chenxi's tears and promised, "As long as you don't lie to me again, I will definitely treat you well and stay with you for life."
"Then do you love me?" Zhou Chenxi asked, sniffling.
"Yes." Zhou Fan's answer was short and firm.
Zhou Chenxi instantly hugged Zhou Fan's waist tightly. She buried her face in Zhou Fan's chest and cried even louder.
...
When the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, Zhou Chenxi had returned to being a gentle, clingy girlfriend.
She lay in Zhou Fan's arms, drawing circles, and suddenly spoke.
"Shall we leave the Zhou Family tomorrow? I want to see the place where you've lived all these years."
Zhou Fan didn't agree immediately, but instead said, "Won't you stay a few more days? After all, you've lived in the Zhou Family for so long."
"No, I'm afraid the longer you stay in the Zhou Family, the more you'll think of her."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Fan dotingly ruffled Zhou Chenxi's head and said, "Alright, I'll listen to my Chenxi."
"We'll leave tomorrow."