157. The Decision: A Year of Life Sacrificed!

Had her parents shown even the slightest objection or disapproval back then, Qingxin, caught in the middle, would surely have been torn and deeply pained. He could not bear to see her suffer.

If they had defied her parents' wishes to be together, there would always have been a lingering regret in Qingxin’s heart—a void that no amount of his love could ever fill.

Therefore, gaining the support of his parents-in-law was something he felt profoundly grateful for. Ever since Qingxin had explained the significance of the "Destiny Jade," he had secretly made up his mind.

"Ashen, you must know what the price is for traveling with me to my time!" Qingxin asked, her brows knitted in concern.

"I know," Gao Shen replied solemnly. "But I must see your family in person to express my gratitude." He understood the cost perfectly.

"Sacrificing a year of your life is too heavy a price! If my parents knew, they would never approve of this," she urged.

Life force is a mysterious phenomenon—strong enough to perform miracles and defy natural laws, yet simultaneously so fragile that it could vanish from this world in an instant. Life is full of unforeseen events; no one can predict whether the future or an accident will arrive first. Given such unpredictable and uncontrollable instability, how precious life truly is!

Yet, Gao Shen was willing to trade his own lifespan for a chance to travel through time, simply to meet her family and show them his respect and sincerity.

"Qingxin, I know what you’re worried about. I intend to grow old with you, after all! I wouldn’t gamble with my life, but I must make this trip. We’ve just been married; how can I not let your parents meet me in person so they can rest easy?" Gao Shen said, a faint smile on his lips as he gently rubbed her palm with his interlaced fingers.

Seeing her still looking troubled and disapproving, he continued in a soft voice, "Qingxin, you have already sacrificed so much by marrying me. Given our unique circumstances, I fear I won’t be able to fulfill my filial duties to your parents like a normal son-in-law. Moreover, once I return to the military, it won’t be convenient or easy to travel through time again. So, while we are on our first day of marriage and have the time, let us go now."

Hearing his heartfelt reasoning, Qingxin was deeply moved. If possible, she also wanted her parents to see the man she had chosen, so they would not have to worry about her. But how could she decide when the condition was the sacrifice of Gao Shen's own life?

According to the records in the space, for a fated couple holding the "Destiny Jade," the act of dripping their blood onto the pendant serves as a confirmation of their union, binding their destinies together forever. If the couple resides in different eras, they can travel through time together once they have confirmed their bond through blood and consummated their marriage. Of course, this travel must follow certain laws and cannot disrupt the established course of history.

Because Gao Shen lived in the past and Qingxin in the future, the jade allowed her to travel to his time, but he could not initiate the portal himself. To travel to the future, he had to pay with his own lifespan: one year of life for every single trip—a full three hundred and sixty-five days! Furthermore, each visit was limited to only twelve hours.

Would one be willing to lose three hundred and sixty-five days of life for a mere twelve hours? To Qingxin, this exchange was far too heavy.

"Qingxin, let’s go together just this once. I won't ask to travel with you every time after this, okay?" Gao Shen said with a light, playful tone.

Qingxin sighed deeply, her heart conflicted. But seeing his determined expression, she realized he had already made up his mind. Finally, she gave a slow, reluctant nod.

Just this once, then. It would fulfill the wishes of both families, letting them see one another and putting everyone’s hearts at ease. No matter what the future held, she was determined to remain by Gao Shen's side. Wherever he was, she would be.

From now on, she would have to pay close attention to his health, nourishing him and ensuring he remained strong for as long as possible.

Seeing her response, Gao Shen’s expression softened. He had been truly worried she would remain stubborn; without both of them holding the jade and sensing the connection, he would never have been able to make the journey alone.

"Then let’s prepare," Gao Shen said, a smile touching his lips.

Qingxin nodded. She gripped the jade in her right hand, while Gao Shen held it in his left, their right hands interlaced. They looked at each other in silence, their eyes filled with tender affection.

In an instant, their hearts aligned. A soft glow enveloped them, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished, leaving the wedding chamber empty.