Capítulo 1105: Chapter 871: Ultimately Unavoidable, Farewell
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz…
The Sky Communication in her pocket began vibrating at a specific frequency. Lu Qingxue, familiar with her device’s settings, naturally understood what this meant.
“What’s going on?”
Mu Fan raised his head, looking into Lu Qingxue’s icy eyes, the doubt within them no longer concealed.
“It’s the family’s communication, please wait a moment.”
Lu Qingxue didn’t avoid Mu Fan but stood by his side, took out the device, connected the call, and placed it to her ear.
“Hello…”
The voice from the other side was very soft, with a peculiar frequency different from the current interstellar language of the Federation. Considering Mu Fan didn’t intend to eavesdrop, he had no idea what the Snow Clan message was about.
What he knew was that Lu Qingxue’s body trembled slightly, followed by a prolonged silence of five seconds…
“Understood, I’ll return right away.”
The call ended.
When Lu Qingxue looked up again, Mu Fan felt as if the Valkyrie before him, once slightly thawed like a melting iceberg, revealing just a hint of brightness after lifting a veil, had once more cautiously retreated into a shadow where no sunlight could reach, carefully hiding herself, trying not to show any emotion or thought.
However, for Mu Fan, who had walked this path shoulder-to-shoulder, this behavior itself stood out in stark contrast.
“What’s wrong… your aura is unstable.” So Mu Fan finally asked the question.
A hint of deep-seated exhaustion flashed in Lu Qingxue’s picturesque eyes, but she still made an effort to show Mu Fan her best side, not wanting him to worry.
Moreover, it really shouldn’t concern Mu Fan, right?
“The family is summoning me; my mother is gravely ill. Qingxue must return.”
This was the first time since entering Dingchuan Academy that Lu Qingxue used “Qingxue” to refer to herself in front of a peer of the opposite sex.
This was also the first time Mu Fan heard Lu Qingxue use a self-reference other than “I”.
In her snow-white combat uniform, the Valkyrie, originally looking exceptionally heroic and bright, now had beautiful eyes trembling slightly, her long eyelashes fluttering gently with her mood.
“Is there any difficulty?”
Mu Fan keenly sensed something amiss, but since Lu Qingxue didn’t elaborate, he couldn’t make assumptions. He could only find a phrase he considered most suitable from his limited vocabulary to respond.
“Some family matters need verification upon my return.” Lu Qingxue’s extraordinarily beautiful eyes lowered, evading Mu Fan’s gaze, and she spoke softly, “As for the upcoming match… I’m sorry I can’t perform in front of you or cheer for you on the sidelines.”
[Although I really want to watch you…]
Ultimately, that final heartfelt message only echoed lightly in her tightly closed heart.
“I hope Ding Chuan can win all the way through, as it’s the wish of generations of Dingchuan students, but this year I’ve let you down… I hope you can carry this regret for me.”
Lu Qingxue raised her head, her eyes restored to their former brilliance. Clearly a request, it could easily be mistaken for a cold, queenly command.
Mu Fan looked at her and nodded solemnly, “I will.”
“In that case, let’s part from here.”
Lu Qingxue’s face remained unchanged, cold as ever, her voice equally as clear and pleasant as pearls dropping on a jade plate.
Perhaps due to Lu Qingxue’s usual demeanor, Mu Fan, despite some doubts, didn’t notice anything particularly unusual about the Valkyrie’s actions.
“Alright, safe travels.”
Mu Fan didn’t know why he felt a fleeting reluctance in his heart, a rarity for someone as equanimous as him.
Perhaps it’s the time spent together, Lu Qingxue’s strong, independent, and considerate heart hidden beneath the icy exterior had made Mu Fan accustomed to having such a confidant by his side.
So, Mu Fan finally moved his lips to add another sentence.
“If you need my help with anything, just call me.”
His tone and expression were entirely natural, just like when they were fighting side by side.
“Okay.”
Lu Qingxue looked down at the travel bag in her hand, gently handing it over to Mu Fan’s drooping hand.
“Goodbye.”
In the eyes of uninformed bystanders, it appeared rather laughable, yet to Mu Fan, it seemed like a completely formal farewell.
After speaking, as her gaze met Mu Fan’s, the telepathic connection between them as soulmates naturally arose.
A fleeting look in her eyes might have conveyed many of Lu Qingxue’s unspoken words, but whether or not they were understood was no longer her concern.
The ice goddess, now walking away, with steps firm and unyielding, still carried that breathtakingly unparalleled beauty and poise.
Gazing at Lu Qingxue’s departing figure, Mu Fan’s mind flashed back to their meeting at the Special Training Base when Lu Qingxue had once told him…
[May you become the pillar of Ding Chuan.]
“I will become the pillar, spreading the academy’s glory across the Galaxy.”
The divine beauty paused in her steps, turned her head, revealing those stunning eyes filled with encouragement, hope, and affirmation.
She nodded firmly.
Then turned around once more.
A quiet floating car had arrived at some point in the distance; the car door opened, and an elderly white-haired butler stepped down.
It was the same old man Lu Qingxue had brought with Mu Fan to the Space Station for the information exchange meeting the first time.
This time, Mu Fan ultimately couldn’t see the trace of redness beginning to spread in Lu Qingxue’s icy eyes…
In the butler’s bowing reception, Lu Qingxue’s figure vanished completely inside the floating car.
Under Mu Fan’s gaze, the floating car quietly and swiftly drove off into the distance, finally turning into a black dot and disappearing from his view.
Thus, Mu Fan also ultimately didn’t see…
Behind the floating car’s window, those still captivating eyes completely revealed their emotion, tinged fully with red.
“In our lifetime, on this narrow path, we meet at last… inevitable.”
Lu Qingxue’s voice, as melodious as falling ice pearls, whispered softly from her lips.
“Before understanding, after emotion arises…”
“Lasts no longer than a day.”
Lu Qingxue’s eyes finally closed, her once unparalleled Valkyrie stance in the academy’s Sword Dao, finally… vanished completely.
At this moment, Lu Qingxue resembles nothing more than a delicately crafted ice doll.
“Miss Qingxue, you won’t be returning to Dingchuan Academy anymore.”
“Hmm.”
“The Family Head misses you very much.”
“Hmm.”
The aged butler did not continue speaking.
From the driver’s seat came an almost inaudible sigh…