No Substitutes for the Bigshots' Dream Girl Anymore!-Chapter 1818: Jack Stewart Side Story (5)
In the days that followed, from reaching the peak to stepping away from it all, he had long anticipated it.
Give yourself a little more time, to see the world.
That’s what she thought, so he did the same.
The journey was filled with countless sights—mountains, rivers, fields, and the long roads of life.
Along the way, he’d experienced many landscapes. He remembered her saying she wanted to see the aurora someday, the icy terrains of the Arctic, and the snow-capped mountain villages that looked like scenes from a fairy tale.
He went there too, sitting by Crescent Moon River listening to ancient ballads. When the aurora appeared, he thought of how happy she must have been in that moment.
Months later, he returned to the country and started a cycling tour, doing something many believed he would never do.
The roads were sparse, with only the occasional traveler on pilgrimages. At night, they would rest and sit together, chatting casually about how long each of them had prepared for this journey.
Most of them came in pairs or groups.
But he was alone.
One day, he found a barely surviving little white dog in the roadside grass. Its breed was unclear, but its hind legs were injured—it seemed to have been abandoned there.
It was terrified of people, its eyes filled with fear of the world.
Perhaps this world had never treated it kindly.
Originally, he had planned to visit a temple beneath a clear blue sky, but now it seemed he’d have to save that trip for another time.
But it was worth it; on the return journey, he gained this little white dog.
Although Little White was initially timid, once its injuries healed, it became unexpectedly affectionate, always liking to follow him closely—even when it ran far ahead, it would frequently glance back to ensure he was still there.
He had thought about finding a good home for it with someone kind-hearted, but now... well, he might as well keep it with him.
When he rode his bike, Little White ran beside him; when he lay on the grass, Little White sat by his side. Under the endless blue skies and on vast open fields, sometimes lost in thought, her smiling face would still appear before him.
To love someone, he had given all of his feelings. He didn’t need anything in return—just this was enough.
When he woke from the dream, daylight had already broken the sky.
The snow that had fallen all night finally stopped, though the streets and alleys were still bustling with life. Red lanterns hung from tree branches, and the lids of breakfast stall pots lifted, releasing warm clouds of steam, adding a touch of warmth to winter mornings.
Decades of memories flowed through his dream like a carousel, flashing by in mere moments when recalled.
Jack Stewart had booked his flight.
Three mornings later, Hannah accompanied him to the airport.
He looked the same as when he arrived—long pants, T-shirt, jacket, with a baseball cap perched on his head. The brim cast a shadow that faintly obscured his brows and eyes.
Sitting atop his suitcase, he appeared almost eye-level with Hannah. His long legs bent as he remarked, "Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t see me off? It’s not like it’s some kind of tragic farewell..."
Hannah shot him a look, irritated. "Cut it out with the dramatics, okay?"
"Alright." He raised both hands in mock surrender, laughing as he said, "My bad, wrong choice of words. Don’t be mad."
It was only the second day of the lunar year; most people traveling home hadn’t yet left, so the airport was unusually quiet with few people around.
Hannah knew Jack Stewart was leaving, but she hadn’t expected him to pick such a moment—the days meant for reunion. A traveler during this time of celebration would stand out all the more lonely. "Can’t you stay a few more days? Hayes Edwards is putting together a gathering the day after tomorrow, everyone will be there."
Jack Stewart adjusted the brim of his hat, revealing his eyes. "No, but do tell everyone I’m sorry."
The time was almost up.
After a brief silence, Hannah finally spoke again.
