After three hours of searching, Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu met Aishu on their way to find their wife. Aishu showed them the way. The two men saw Ping'an standing, staring down at the Northern Fortress.
"Do you think Aishu said something to her?" Zhao Renshu whispered to Guo Baiyu.
"Didn't you mention it in front of her yesterday?" Guo Baiyu countered, a wry smirk on his face.
"If she decides to stay here, what would you do?" Zhao Renshu pressed, a hint of genuine worry in his voice.
"I will be with her," Guo Baiyu replied calmly, his gaze fixed on Ping'an. "These people are very nice."
Zhao Renshu stopped abruptly. "No! Please, you will have to use your brain to persuade her to leave this place. I will not be able to survive on plants and apples."
Guo Baiyu reminded Zhao Renshu, "Remember what she told us in the past? The best thing she encountered was meeting us. I can live here on plants and apples if that makes her happy. If you want to eat meat, we can visit Waterfall City."
"Aren't you afraid someone will snatch you to be their husband?" Zhao Renshu laughed, teasing him, then whispered softly, "What if Fang Yaoting happens to come to Waterfall City?"
Guo Baiyu shook his head, a fond exasperation on his face, and the two walked towards Ping'an.
"Ping'an!" Zhao Renshu shouted, his voice ringing out.
Ping'an turned around and walked towards Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu, a smile gracing her lips. She asked, "Why are you two here?" She then looked at Guo Baiyu, a flicker of concern in her eyes. "Why are you walking?"
"My back aches from laying down too much," Guo Baiyu replied with a smile.
Ping'an stared at Zhao Renshu, her gaze questioning.
"It's not my fault!" Zhao Renshu quickly defended himself. "He wants to find you." He smiled at her, walked over, and kissed her lightly on her lips. "And I miss you too."
"Don't give me that expression," Ping'an said, feigning annoyance, though her eyes softened.
"What expression? I'm just a caring husband," Zhao Renshu protested, his grin widening.
"What is that?" Guo Baiyu asked, gesturing towards the fortress.
Ping'an sighed, her expression turning somber. "That is the Northern Fortress that stands between our world and the world of demon creatures. Aishu said that if the Northern Fortress were to fail, the Demon Gate would be opened, and the Centaur kin would be the first to be wiped out. Next is Waterfall City, and the demons will descend down south, one city at a time, until these creatures completely control the land."
"How long do we have?" Guo Baiyu asked, his voice grave.
"She didn't say," Ping'an replied.
"What role do you play in all this?" Guo Baiyu pressed gently, sensing her deeper thoughts.
"She told me a story of how Syaoran saved the world five hundred years ago," Ping'an began, a deep sigh escaping her. "From the story that Aishu told me, Syaoran is very powerful. He killed two winged beasts alone and closed the Demon Gate, preventing more creatures from escaping. If the Northern Fortress does fail for real, I don't—"
Guo Baiyu held her left hand, gently squeezing it. "We will think about it when we cross that bridge." He smiled at her, a comforting presence.
"Agreed," Zhao Renshu chimed in. "We don't have to worry. I really want to leave this place."
Ping'an looked at Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu, then back at the fortress. "Let's take a closer look," she suggested.
"Ping'an, I don't think this is a good idea," Guo Baiyu said, a frown creasing his brow.
"Aishu said it's okay," Ping'an insisted, her determination clear.
The lovers walked down the small hill and entered the Northern Fortress. The faded bright magic still surrounded the Northern Fortress's symbol on the ground.
Ping'an stood in the middle between the two orbs. She said, "I don't know what will happen if I put my hands on these two orbs."
"Don't try anything stupid," Zhao Renshu warned, his voice sharp with concern.
"You know exactly what will happen if you put your hands there," Guo Baiyu added, his voice serious.
Ping'an looked at Guo Baiyu, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and fear. "Do you think I will become Syaoran?"
Both men said at the same time, "Yes."
Ping'an also wanted to know, a sudden impulse taking over. She quickly put her hands on the orbs.
"No!" the two men shouted, their hands reaching out for her in alarm.
Ping'an stood for a moment, but nothing happened. She felt nothing. Then, she pulled her hands away, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes, and put her hands back onto the two orbs. Still, nothing happened.
The two men were as surprised as Ping'an, their expressions mirroring her confusion.
"I don't understand," Zhao Renshu said, bewildered. "You didn't turn. This means you are not the real Syaoran."
Guo Baiyu looked at Zhao Renshu. "Or maybe it's because the timing is wrong," he mused.
"Even if the time comes," Ping'an said, a hint of weariness in her voice, "I don't know how I could become Syaoran."
"Since you can't become Syaoran, can we leave this place?" Zhao Renshu asked eagerly, seizing the opportunity.
Ping'an smiled at Zhao Renshu, a knowing twinkle in her eye. "We still have criminals to catch." She knew the real reason why he wanted to leave.
"YES!" Zhao Renshu jumped around excitedly, pumping his fist in the air.
"What's wrong with you?" Ping'an asked, amused.
Zhao Renshu put his arms around Ping'an's waist and put his chin on her right shoulder. "I was worried that you would stay here and refuse to go with us. Then we would eat apples and vegetables for the rest of our lives!"
Ping'an scoffed, "If we must live here, you can go to Waterfall City and dine once a month or twice a month."
"Wow... you sound like Baiyu," Zhao Renshu remarked, surprised.
"No matter where you are, we will always be by your side," Guo Baiyu said softly, his voice full of devotion. He kissed her on her left cheek.
"To be honest, I believe Syaoran did what he did at the time because of such a moment like this," Ping'an mused, looking at both of them. She kissed Guo Baiyu's lips and then turned to kiss Zhao Renshu's lips.
"A moment like this is worth it," Guo Baiyu agreed, his eyes shining.
"At that time, I didn't know how much I loved Syaoran, but now, I know how much I love you," Zhao Renshu said, his voice unusually sweet.
Ping'an turned around and smiled at him. "When did you start talking so sweetly?" She gently touched his chin.
"Since I started living with a scholar," Zhao Renshu quipped, gesturing to Guo Baiyu.
Ping'an turned around and embraced both Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu tightly. She said, "I will not trade this moment for anything. Since the beginning until now, the path we have chosen to move towards the future is full of discrimination and hatred. We are always chasing the sun in pursuit of a better day, dreaming that one day we can build a home and grow old together in a place where people can accept us for who we are. Regardless of the uncertain future, as long as I walk with you two, I am not afraid to walk on this tortuous road full of thorns."