Epilogue
Xiaomi had not been underwater long. She would be fine.
Everyone who went into the water needed to stay in the hospital for observation.
I delayed my return to school to look after Sheng Yan.
The rain stopped.
Sheng Yan stayed busy all day.
He kept taking calls.
His expression stayed serious.
When he finally finished his last meeting, I walked over.
"Chen Songhe, I have good news."
"What is it?"
"The Spring Seed project passed the shareholder vote."
I froze.
Sheng Yan had mentioned the project before.
He wanted to build new school buildings here and had named it Spring Seed.
I thought it was just talk.
He had been pushing the plan quietly this whole time.
Sheng Yan looked even more excited than I felt.
"I have never been this happy about closing any deal."
He told me the plans for the new buildings.
He listened carefully to my ideas.
Later he stared at the new buds on the trees.
I asked, "What are you thinking?"
"Your grandfather was an extraordinary man."
I looked up, surprised.
Sheng Yan continued.
"I never understood why my grandfather spoke of your family with such respect. Now I think I do.
He helped countless children like Xiaomi leave the mountains and see a bigger world."
He paused, then turned to me with steady eyes.
"You are doing something just as important."
Some people fight in boardrooms.
Some lose themselves in luxury.
But there are always those who stay in spring and plant flowers for tomorrow.
I watched the mountain I once thought I could never cross turn into open sea.
"Where did you put the withdrawal letter?"
I asked the sudden question.
"In the bottom drawer. Why?"
"Give it to me when we get back. I will tear it up."
Sheng Yan went still for a moment, then understood.
"No more withdrawal?"
"No. But I want to change the person in the Marriage Agreement."
I smiled at him.
"We are both Sheng family. Marrying you works too, right? Sheng Yan, are you willing?"
That stormy night had shown me something.
I was afraid of losing him too.
Sheng Yan might not be perfect.
He might have held prejudices before.
But he had worked to change and had come to understand my dreams.
Sheng Yan held me and would not let go.
"I am willing."
A breeze moved across the hills and carried the scent of spring.
This time, it was our turn to plant the flowers.