No Substitutes for the Bigshots' Dream Girl Anymore!-Chapter 1819: Jack Stewart Side Story (6)

"Where are you planning to travel this time?"

"Haven’t decided yet," Jack Stewart smiled casually. "I’ll just go wherever my feet take me."

That’s how he spent the past year. Occasionally, his destinations were chosen to follow her footsteps, like chasing stars in the sky.

Unreachable, but visible.

Still, that’s not too bad—at least it provided a direction, not complete aimlessness.

"So you’re off wandering again?" Hannah tried to tease him as she had before, but somehow her voice lacked its usual lightness.

It was reluctance.

Six years of knowing each other. The highest highs and lowest lows—they always had each other by their sides.

Jack Stewart looked away, avoiding her eyes, pulling the corners of his mouth into a forced smile. "Yeah," he said, pretending to be carefree. "Wandering, alone, with no real plans."

"Didn’t you say you still have a dog?"

Jack Stewart turned to look at her face. "Yeah, there’s still a dog."

That was enough.

Someone in his heart, a dog by his side—it wasn’t entirely alone.

"Jack Stewart," she called his full name. When he looked over, she curved her lips into a smile and tried to keep her voice steady. "When you return, remember to call me. I’ll come pick you up."

The golden rays of light filtered through the glass, pooling in her eyes, her smile exactly as he remembered it.

"By then, you won’t even know where you’ll be traveling. Will you still remember me?" He stood up from his suitcase, reached out to ruffle her hair messily, and pulled his hand back. "Alright, I’m off."

The warmth from his palm lingered. He clenched his fists tightly and turned to leave.

Hannah stayed where she was, watching his silhouetted back against the sunlight, tears pricking her eyes. "Jack Stewart, remember to let me know when you arrive."

He stopped but didn’t turn around, raising his hand to wave. "Got it. See you next time." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

When will "next time" be?

Who knows?

Beneath the brim of his hat, his eyes turned red. He didn’t even have the courage to look back at her one last time, afraid he’d break down and cry.

If he cried, it would be too humiliating, and she’d probably tease him about it for the rest of their lives.

For the rest of their lives.

He took a deep, trembling breath, and under the morning sun, walked farther and farther away.

This was his journey alone.

Returning to the starting point with Little White.

Along the way, they experienced countless landscapes, truly walking between heaven and earth.

Peace Bridge was adorned with the most beautiful hues of autumn, even under the snow’s cover, its golden warmth still visible. In the distance, Naga Snow Mountain stood majestic, lakes reflecting an earthly paradise. No sounds of cars echoed, no voices disturbed the air; the gentle breeze swept through, touching the heart.

Near Mist Prairie, nestled by Shepherd City, snow-capped peaks met green expanses. Golden-hued sunsets painted the mountains in enchanting colors, like a dream where the sun never sets, time remains still, and in a world of light, nothing dies.

Further ahead lay the 81 bends, a route carved into cliff edges, each turn harrowing and breathtaking. Looking out into the void brought an overwhelming sense of awe, leaving only raw emotion in the heart.

Around Beauty Lake, wild Tibetan antelopes gathered, bending down to drink peacefully, the lake as still as a mirror, unperturbed. The glaciers loomed nearby, forests intertwined, and in the biting chill, life thrived with vigor.

Peach Blossom Valley, Michael Lynch, Blackwood Forest—fairytale-like towns nestled against hillsides. Along the journey, he saw snow-capped peaks, glaciers, plains, and lakes.

Here, there was neither the myriad affairs of the human world nor its bustling smoke and flames. Here, there was only himself.

By the time he reached the mountain’s base, afternoon had already arrived.