To You, Unknown (9)

Final Act・The First Morning in a New World The dawn broke slowly, like a letter you’re reluctant to finish. The purple sky brightened layer by layer, first rose, then apricot, and finally, the dawn surged from between two moons, turning the entire luminous flower field into flowing gold. Two couples sat side-by-side on the slope by the ship’s hatch. The four children were still fast asleep inside, their four pairs of tiny shoes lined up neatly by the door, toes pointing towards the unfamiliar, gentle sun outside the window. “Our children,” Lu Jiashu said slowly, “will grow up under two moons.” “Their first arithmetic lesson,” Bai Xiaofeng chimed in with a smile, “might have to be taught using the stars.” Ji Yiheng gazed into the distance. In the morning light, the spaceship stood quietly, faint streaks from its atmospheric entry still visible on its white hull, like a precious, opened letter. “Do you regret it?” Xia Yucheng asked, tilting her head. “Leaving that blue planet.” He thought for a moment, then answered earnestly, “I don’t know. But I know we brought the most precious thing with us.” “What?” “Each other,” he said. “Four adults, four children, exactly two couples, eight ‘each others’.” Xia Yucheng smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. Inside the ship, the rustling sounds of the children waking up could be heard, followed by Lele’s clear shout: “Daddy! Mommy! Come in quickly—the sun is shining on our beds!” The morning breeze swept across the flower field, and thousands of luminous flowers swayed gently, making the entire spaceship gleam translucently, like a boat anchored in light. (To be continued)