The Fated Encounter at the River of Time

In the heart of ancient China, where the whispers of the gods still danced upon the winds, there lay a river known as the River of Time. It was said that those who dared to cross it would be granted a glimpse into their fated future. Among the many who had ventured there was a young woman named Mei, whose life was as ordinary as it was extraordinary. Born with a rare destiny, she had been chosen to become the bride of Wu Geng, the legendary immortal who had fallen in love with a mortal woman in an age long past.

Mei had never known her own history, nor had she ever felt the pull of the River of Time. It was a force that she had only heard about in hushed tones from the elders of her village. But one fateful night, a storm had risen, and the River of Time had revealed itself, its waters flowing with a mysterious allure.

As Mei stood at the riverbank, she felt a strange pull. She could not resist the urge to step forward, her feet sinking into the cool, muddy ground. The wind howled around her, and she heard a voice, distant yet clear, calling her name. It was Wu Geng, his voice echoing through the ages.

"Mei, my love," he called, his form shimmering in the moonlight. "It is time for us to be together again."

Mei's heart raced with a mix of fear and excitement. She had never seen Wu Geng, but his voice was like the music of the heavens, beautiful and powerful. She took a step closer, her eyes wide with wonder and disbelief.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, a figure dressed in ancient robes, his eyes alight with a knowledge that transcended time. It was the Fates themselves, the three sisters who weaved the threads of fate and love.

"The time has come," the eldest of the Fates, Yuan, spoke. "The River of Time has brought you together, Wu Geng and Mei. But love and fate are a delicate balance. One must choose, and the other must accept."

Wu Geng stepped forward, his presence a beacon of strength. "I choose Mei. She is my heart, my soul, and my destiny."

Mei, feeling the weight of the world upon her shoulders, knew that she had to choose as well. She looked into Wu Geng's eyes and saw the love that had spanned eons. Yet, she also saw the pain and the sorrow that came with being an immortal.

"I choose Wu Geng," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I must know the cost."

The Fates nodded, their faces serene. "The cost is great, Mei. You will be separated from your mortal life, and your love will be tested beyond measure. Can you bear this?"

Mei looked at Wu Geng, and in his eyes, she saw the same love and determination. "I can bear it," she said, her voice strong and resolute.

With a final, solemn nod, the Fates stepped forward, their hands weaving the threads of fate. The River of Time surged, and Mei and Wu Geng were pulled into its currents. They were gone, leaving behind a world that would never know their love.

In the days that followed, Mei's village was thrown into turmoil. The elders spoke of a great loss, and the people mourned the woman who had been chosen to become the bride of Wu Geng. But Mei's spirit remained, her love for Wu Geng a beacon of hope in the hearts of all who knew her.

Wu Geng, now an immortal, faced his own trials. He was no longer bound to the mortal world, but his heart remained with Mei. He wandered the world, searching for her, his love a driving force that could not be denied.

Years passed, and the River of Time remained a silent witness to the love that had been lost and found. But in the hearts of Mei and Wu Geng, the love that had been forged by the Fates was as strong as ever. It was a love that transcended time, a love that defied the very boundaries of fate itself.