10 ：Go on ! Maiden

    Sukie’s　return　to　the　modern　world　was　met　with　mixed　emotions.　The　joy　of　reuniting　with　friends　and　family　was　tempered　by　the　realization　of　the　challenges　that　lay　ahead.　Her　mission　was　clear:　to　secure　a　future　where　she　and　Han　Fengling　could　be　together　without　fear　or　uncertainty.　This　required　not　only　financial　stability　but　also　a　deep　understanding　of　the　intricacies　of　the　modern　world.

    As　she　settled　back　into　her　life，　Sukie　found　herself　at　a　crossroads.　She　had　to　choose　a　career　path　that　would　provide　the　resources　and　stability　necessary　for　her　and　Han　Fengling，s　future.　After　much　contemplation，　she　decided　to　pursue　a　career　in　finance，　an　industry　with　the　potential　for　significant　financial　gains.　She　knew　that　with　her　determination　and　intellect，　she　could　excel.

    Sukie　enrolled　in　a　prestigious　business　school，　dedicating　herself　to　her　studies　with　the　same　fervor　she　had　shown　in　her　previous　academic　pursuits.　The　rigorous　coursework　and　demanding　schedule　were　challenging，　but　she　remained　focused　on　her　goal.　Her　classmates　and　professors　were　impressed　by　her　intelligence　and　drive，　often　seeking　her　insights　during　discussions.

    During　her　time　at　business　school，　Sukie　formed　a　close－knit　group　of　friends　who　shared　her　passion　for　finance　and　entrepreneurship.　Among　them　was　Jason，　a　brilliant　but　introverted　student　who　quickly　became　her　confidant.　They　spent　countless　hours　studying　together，　discussing　market　trends，　and　sharing　their　dreams　for　the　future.

    One　evening，　as　they　sat　in　the　library，　their　textbooks　spread　out　before　them，　Jason　looked　at　Sukie　with　curiosity.　＂You　know，　Sukie，　you　never　talk　about　your　past.　Where　did　you　get　this　drive，　this　unwavering　determination?＂

    Sukie　smiled，　her　thoughts　drifting　to　Han　Fengling　and　the　life　they　had　shared.　＂I，ve　been　through　a　lot，　Jason.　More　than　most　people　can　imagine.　But　it，s　given　me　a　clear　sense　of　what　I　want　and　what　I，m　willing　to　fight　for.＂

    Jason　nodded，　sensing　the　depth　of　her　words.　＂Well，　whatever　it　is，　it　makes　you　one　of　the　most　remarkable　people　I　know.　I　have　no　doubt　you，ll　achieve　everything　you　set　out　to　do.＂

    His　words　filled　her　with　a　renewed　sense　of　purpose.　She　knew　that　her　time　in　the　modern　world　was　not　just　about　achieving　financial　success，　but　also　about　preparing　herself　for　the　life　she　wanted　with　Han　Fengling.

    As　Sukie　excelled　in　her　studies，　she　also　began　to　invest　in　cryptocurrencies，　having　learned　about　their　potential　during　her　time　in　the　ancient　world.　She　spent　hours　researching　and　analyzing　market　trends，　making　calculated　investments　that　soon　began　to　pay　off.　Her　portfolio　grew　rapidly，　and　she　used　her　profits　to　secure　assets　that　would　ensure　a　comfortable　future.

    Despite　her　busy　schedule，　Sukie　never　lost　sight　of　her　promise　to　Han　Fengling.　She　frequently　communicated　with　Mei　Ling　and　Li　Zifeng，　who　provided　updates　on　the　situation　in　the　ancient　world.　Their　support　and　encouragement　were　invaluable，　reminding　her　that　she　was　not　alone　in　her　mission.

    One　weekend，　Sukie　decided　to　take　a　break　from　her　studies　and　visit　her　parents.　The　drive　to　their　house　was　filled　with　memories　of　her　childhood，　a　simpler　time　before　her　life　had　become　so　complicated.　As　she　pulled　into　the　driveway，　her　mother　greeted　her　with　a　warm　hug，　her　eyes　filled　with　pride　and　love.

    ＂Sukie，　it，s　so　good　to　see　you，＂　her　mother　said，　leading　her　inside.　＂You，ve　been　working　so　hard.　I，m　worried　you，re　overdoing　it.＂

    Sukie　smiled，　appreciating　her　mother，s　concern.　＂I，m　okay，　Mom.　I　just　have　a　lot　I　need　to　accomplish.＂

    Her　father　joined　them　in　the　living　room，　his　expression　serious.　＂We，re　proud　of　you，　Sukie.　But　we　also　want　to　make　sure　you，re　taking　care　of　yourself.　You　don，t　have　to　carry　the　weight　of　the　world　on　your　shoulders.＂

    The　warmth　and　support　of　her　parents　were　a　balm　to　Sukie’s　weary　soul.　She　spent　the　weekend　relaxing　and　reconnecting　with　her　family，　finding　solace　in　their　love　and　understanding.　It　was　a　reminder　that　she　was　not　alone　in　her　journey，　and　that　there　were　people　who　cared　deeply　about　her　well－being.

    After　returning　to　school，　Sukie　threw　herself　back　into　her　studies　with　renewed　vigor.　Her　determination　paid　off　as　she　graduated　with　top　honors，　securing　a　coveted　position　at　a　leading　investment　firm.　The　fast－paced　world　of　finance　was　exhilarating，　and　Sukie　quickly　established　herself　as　a　rising　star　in　the　industry.

    Her　success　did　not　go　unnoticed.　She　caught　the　attention　of　James　Whitmore，　a　wealthy　and　influential　businessman　known　for　his　sharp　instincts　and　aggressive　tactics.　He　invited　Sukie　to　join　his　team，　offering　her　a　position　that　promised　both　wealth　and　influence.　While　the　opportunity　was　tempting，　Sukie　was　wary　of　Whitmore，s　reputation　and　the　potential　ethical　compromises　that　might　come　with　working　for　him.

    One　evening，　as　she　sat　in　her　luxurious　apartment　overlooking　the　city，　Sukie　received　a　call　from　Mei　Ling.　Her　friend，s　voice　was　filled　with　excitement　and　urgency.　＂Sukie，　we，ve　made　a　breakthrough.　There，s　a　way　to　stabilize　the　time　portal，　to　make　it　permanent.＂

    Sukie，s　heart　raced　with　hope　and　fear.　＂Are　you　sure?　How　does　it　work?＂

    ＂We，ve　found　ancient　texts　that　describe　a　ritual　involving　rare　gemstones　and　a　specific　alignment　of　the　stars，＂　Mei　Ling　explained.　＂But　it，s　dangerous，　and　it　requires　precise　timing.　We　need　to　act　quickly.＂

    Sukie　knew　this　was　the　moment　she　had　been　waiting　for.　Her　time　in　the　modern　world　had　given　her　the　resources　and　knowledge　she　needed，　but　it　was　time　to　return　to　Han　Fengling　and　fulfill　her　promise.　She　took　a　deep　breath，　her　mind　racing　with　the　implications　of　the　ritual.

    ＂Mei　Ling，　I，ll　do　whatever　it　takes.　Just　tell　me　what　I　need　to　do，＂　Sukie　said，　her　voice　filled　with　determination.

    As　they　discussed　the　details，　Sukie　felt　a　mixture　of　excitement　and　trepidation.　The　ritual　required　specific　gemstones　that　were　both　rare　and　expensive.　Fortunately，　her　investments　had　provided　her　with　the　financial　means　to　acquire　them.　She　contacted　a　reputable　gem　dealer　and　arranged　to　purchase　the　necessary　stones.

    In　the　following　days，　Sukie　meticulously　prepared　for　the　ritual.　She　reviewed　the　ancient　texts，　cross－referencing　them　with　modern　scientific　knowledge　to　ensure　every　detail　was　correct.　Her　apartment　became　a　makeshift　laboratory，　filled　with　charts，　crystals，　and　arcane　symbols.

    On　the　night　of　the　ritual，　Sukie　stood　on　the　rooftop　of　her　apartment　building，　the　city　lights　twinkling　below　her.　The　stars　were　perfectly　aligned，　their　celestial　dance　a　testament　to　the　precision　required　for　the　ritual.　Mei　Ling　and　Li　Zifeng　stood　by　her　side，　their　presence　a　comforting　reminder　of　the　bond　they　shared.

    As　Sukie　began　to　chant　the　incantation，　the　gemstones　arranged　in　a　circle　around　her　began　to　glow　with　a　soft，　ethereal　light.　The　air　crackled　with　energy，　and　she　felt　a　surge　of　power　coursing　through　her　veins.　The　ritual　was　working，　but　it　demanded　all　of　her　focus　and　strength.

    Mei　Ling　and　Li　Zifeng　watched　in　awe　as　the　portal　began　to　form，　a　shimmering　vortex　that　seemed　to　pulse　with　life.　Sukie’s　voice　grew　louder，　the　ancient　words　flowing　from　her　lips　with　a　clarity　and　power　that　belied　their　age.　The　portal　stabilized，　its　edges　solidifying　into　a　gateway　between　worlds.

    With　a　final　surge　of　energy，　Sukie　completed　the　ritual.　The　portal　stood　open　before　her，　a　testament　to　her　determination　and　sacrifice.　She　turned　to　Mei　Ling　and　Li　Zifeng，　her　eyes　filled　with　gratitude　and　resolve.

    ＂Thank　you　both，　for　everything，＂　she　said，　her　voice　steady　despite　the　emotions　swirling　within　her.

    Mei　Ling　hugged　her　tightly.　＂Be　safe，　Sukie.　And　remember，　we，ll　always　be　here　for　you.＂

    Li　Zifeng　nodded，　his　expression　serious.　＂Good　luck，　Sukie.　You’ve　got　this.＂

    Taking　a　deep　breath，　Sukie　stepped　through　the　portal.　The　transition　was　both　exhilarating　and　disorienting，　the　world　around　her　shifting　and　transforming　in　a　kaleidoscope　of　colors　and　sensations.　When　the　light　faded，　she　found　herself　standing　in　the　familiar　surroundings　of　the　mountain　village.

    The　villagers　greeted　her　with　joy　and　relief，　their　faith　in　her　unwavering.　Sukie’s　heart　raced　as　she　searched　for　Han　Fengling，　her　eyes　scanning　the　crowd.　When　she　finally　saw　him，　standing　at　the　edge　of　the　village　with　a　look　of　disbelief　and　joy　on　his　face，　she　felt　a　wave　of　emotion　wash　over　her.

    “Fengling！”　she　cried，　running　to　him.

    He　caught　her　in　his　arms，　holding　her　tightly.　“Sukie，　you　came　back.”

    “I　promised　I　would，”　she　said，　tears　streaming　down　her　face.　“And　I　always　keep　my　promises.”

    They　stood　there，　wrapped　in　each　other’s　embrace，　the　weight　of　their　journey　lifting　from　their　shoulders.　The　love　they　shared　had　brought　them　back　together，　and　now，　they　could　finally　begin　the　life　they　had　always　dreamed　of.

    As　the　villagers　celebrated　their　return，　Sukie　and　Han　Fengling　stood　together，　their　hearts　filled　with　gratitude　and　hope.　They　had　faced　unimaginable　challenges，　but　their　love　had　endured，　guiding　them　through　the　darkest　of　times.

    In　the　days　that　followed，　they　worked　together　to　build　a　future，　blending　the　knowledge　and　experiences　of　both　worlds.　Sukie’s　innovations　brought　new　opportunities　to　the　village，　while　Han　Fengling’s　strength　and　wisdom　ensured　that　their　community　thrived.

    Their　love　story　became　a　legend，　inspiring　others　to　believe　in　the　power　of　courage，　resilience，　and　unwavering　devotion.　As　they　stood　hand　in　hand，　watching　the　sun　set　over　the　mountains，　Sukie　knew　that　they　had　truly　found　their　place　in　the　world.

    Together，　they　had　created　a　legacy　of　love　and　hope，　a　testament　to　the　enduring　power　of　the　human　spirit.　And　as　they　faced　the　future，　they　did　so　with　the　knowledge　that，　no　matter　what　challenges　lay　ahead，　they　would　always　have　each　other.