To the Unknown You (2)

In the adjacent cabin, Lu Jiashu was tightening the child safety net for five-year-old Zhou Zhou. His wife, Bai Xiaofeng, an elementary school teacher, was currently speaking to the four children in a voice as gentle as a lullaby, "When the rocket launches in a bit, it will shake a little, like the earth giving you a gentle nudge. Don't be scared, it's just the Earth saying goodbye to us." Seven-year-old An An's eyes widened, "Will the Earth miss us?" "Yes," Bai Xiaofeng stroked her head. "That's why it's sending us the entire sunset." Eight-year-old Le Le had already pressed his face against the porthole, "Then, do you think we'll be able to see a rainbow in the 'unknown place' we're going to?" Lu Jiashu, Ji Yiheng's partner, exchanged a look with him, and both fathers smiled. No one knew the answer—because they didn't know, they had to go see it together. The countdown echoed from the broadcast. Xia Yucheng quietly took Ji Yiheng's hand, "If this is the last time we set foot on solid ground—" "No," he said, "it's the first time we put our entire family above the clouds." (To be continued)