The Saintess Returns

Chapter 1

“Grandfather, I don’t agree with letting Summer inherit the position of Saintess.”

Summer held her phone, her tone calm but firm. “Why? Just because I’m blind?”

On the other end of the line came her grandfather’s aged, authoritative voice. “The Saintess must guard the mountain village for life, never leaving for a single step. This is both a sacred duty and an inescapable fate. You can’t drag anyone else down anymore. Those who care about you will only end up hurt because of you. Summer, do you remember? Once before, because you didn’t want to be Saintess, you secretly ran away.”

Summer gave a faint smile, but there was no warmth in her eyes. “Grandfather, don’t worry. I’ve thought it through. I won’t run again.”

“Good that you understand. Come back to the village in three days and take up the position.”

She hung up the phone, lifted her head, and gazed at the enormous wedding portrait on the wall. The man in the photo was handsome and gentle, but his eyes were closed—he was blind, a man named Ethan Chen.

In the deep mountains of the Summer family village, infants born with unusual signs were often designated as Saintesses, bound to protect the village, dispel calamities, and never set foot beyond its borders. At nineteen, Summer had secretly fled those mountains.

That same year, she met Ethan Chen.

Back then, he was in his prime, radiant and dazzling, so brilliant that people dared not look directly at him.

She fell in love with him. And luckily, he felt the same.

They dated, married, and walked through life together—until a sudden car crash a year ago changed everything.

To save Ethan, Summer’s eyes were injured, leaving her completely blind. Ethan was consumed by guilt, staying by her side day and night, often saying, “Summer, I’m sorry. I’ll take care of you forever.”

She believed him. She trusted deeply in that love. So she quietly began searching for a way to heal her eyes, eventually finding a miracle doctor who restored her sight.

Overjoyed, she prepared to surprise Ethan. But instead, he gave her a much bigger “surprise.”

—He was lying in their marriage bed with another woman.

That woman was Tiana, the sister of a friend Ethan had said needed his care.

Summer trembled as she groped her way to the bedside, pretending she still couldn’t see. “Why is this room so dark? It feels like someone’s in the bed?”

Tiana lifted her head from the man’s arms, her voice soft and coquettish. “Summer, it’s me. Ethan, don’t worry. I’ll go now.”

With that, she slowly sat up and leisurely fastened her buttons.

Ethan’s throat moved, but he said nothing, didn’t stop her. Soon, muffled sounds of breath and movement came from the bed.

“Mm… Ethan, you made me feel so good just now…”

“Did I? Then I’ll come find you more often.”

“Yes, Ethan, you’re so good to me. Summer can’t see anyway, so why hold back? She’s been blind this long—she should be used to bigger things by now.”

This time, the man didn’t go along with her. Instead, he sat up.

“Enough. Summer and I aren’t divorced yet. We agreed—while she can’t see, this is just… private.”

Hearing this, Tiana wasn’t upset. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pouting.

“Ethan, I know it’s hard for you. Fine. We’ll just have to sneak around. What can I do? I love you too much.”

Then the two of them left, one after the other. Neither noticed the light at the end of the hallway flicker back on.

---

Ethan rushed into the empty wedding room, his face full of apology.

“Sorry, Summer. Something came up at the company and I missed our anniversary. See? I came back as fast as I could. Don’t be mad, okay?”

Right on cue, Tiana followed him in, beaming. “Yeah, Summer! Ethan prepared a special surprise for you! Let’s go to the courtyard and watch the fireworks. He ordered the biggest, most beautiful ones—just for you!”

Summer was guided out of the room. In the courtyard, fireworks exploded in dazzling colors.

Ethan looked up at the night sky. “Summer, you love fireworks, don’t you? Today’s our anniversary. I had them set off your favorites. Look—”

At the peak of the display, the sky blazed with light.

Summer looked up. But when the fireworks faded, the words still glowing in the darkness read: “Ethan loves Tiana.”

For a moment, she went rigid.

Then she heard Ethan and Tiana talking nearby, their voices tinged with playful jealousy.

“What’s this? Why did you change my name like that?”

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it? I prepared so many surprises, and you’re still not happy?”

Tiana hugged his arm, swaying as she begged. “How do you want to change it next time?”

“I’d never change your name.” She stood on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his lips, completely ignoring Summer standing in the shadows.

Ethan’s expression shifted slightly, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he wrapped an arm around Tiana’s waist, forgetting Summer was even there.

Summer’s nails dug into her palms. The pain nearly made her grind her teeth. Just as she was about to break, Tiana handed her a lighter.

“Summer, since you can’t see, why don’t you help me light this…”

Ethan’s eyes widened. He wanted to stop her, but Tiana urged, “Summer, just help out.”

Pale-faced, Summer took the lighter with trembling hands. Her heart hardened.

The next second, she touched something warm.

She heard herself ask, “What is this?”

Tiana leaned close to Ethan’s ear and whispered with a smirk, “Nothing. Just a little something to spice things up. I’m being good—I won’t bother you two.”

No sooner had she spoken than Ethan eagerly closed the door.

He took Summer’s hand, saying, “Summer, the fireworks are over. It’s cold. Let me take you back to the room.”

He led Summer while holding Tiana close.

“I still have some documents to handle. I won’t sleep with you tonight,” Tiana said, rising gracefully.

“Then we’ll go. You rest well.”

Summer stood alone at the door until their figures vanished down the hall. Then the emotions she’d held back for so long burst forth like a dam breaking.

She bit her lip, telling herself not to cry, but the hurt came in waves.

The man who once swore he’d care for her forever was now holding another woman, whispering sweet nothings, putting on a show of love right in front of her.

“It’s okay. Soon, I won’t care anymore.”

---

Chapter 2

Summer stood in the wedding room, her eyes fixed on a phone lying on the far sofa—Ethan’s phone.

She walked over and touched the screen. No lock.

Ethan never set a password.

Before, she was blind. She couldn’t see even if she wanted to.

Now it was different. She could see. So she would look at all the traces he’d tried to delete.

And that’s how she learned the full story of Ethan and Tiana.

“Tiana, Ethan is so good to you. Tiana, I’m so happy I met you. I’ll always be good to you.”

The messages were filled with cloying sweet talk.

Ethan replied after a long pause, his tone cold and distant.

“Got it. I don’t like you sending this.”

Tiana sent a pouty emoji. “I just like you, that’s all.”

After that, Tiana sent lots of cute emojis, but Ethan’s replies remained restrained.

Until one day, Ethan suddenly sent a message.

“Tiana, I think I’ve become dependent on that medicine you gave me. I feel terrible. If Summer hadn’t saved me back then, I might have died. I don’t want any treatment. I only ask one thing—don’t let her know about this.”

Seeing this, Summer’s fingertips trembled. In the days that followed, she’d noticed small clues.

She remembered Ethan coming home on time every day—except that one night he never came back. It was the first time he’d stayed out. The next day, he returned with an unfamiliar scent on him.

So that night, he’d gone to Tiana’s place.

Not long after, Ethan sent a message cutting ties. Tiana’s replies flooded in.

“Ethan, don’t be so cruel to me. I know you love Summer. But however much you love her, that’s how much I love you. Summer’s blind and busy taking care of herself—she doesn’t have time for you, does she? I’ll be here for you.”

“Ethan, do you really like me? If you don’t, why were you so good to me? Why wouldn’t you stop when I cried? Why, when you already have her, do you still keep me by your side? I don’t want anything—just you.”

Tiana’s messages poured in, but Ethan never replied.

A week later, Tiana messaged again.

“Ethan, if you don’t want me, I’ll go to someone else. If I leave, you’ll never find me again. My body will belong to someone else.”

At those last words, Summer suddenly understood something.

That day Ethan had rushed out, saying there was an emergency at work—but it wasn’t work. It was Tiana. The moment that message was sent, he’d stood up, panicked, and dialed.

“Summer, something urgent at the office. I’ll be back soon.”

Only now did Summer realize: what Ethan was urgent about wasn’t the company. It was Tiana.

After that, Tiana began appearing in their lives without shame.

“Ethan, you’re amazing. You left marks all over me. Look.”

“Ethan, I learned a new dish today. Want to try it?”

“Got it. Next time you wear something that short outside, I’ll deal with you.”

“Ethan, come to my place tonight, okay?”

The explicit exchanges stabbed into Summer’s heart like knives. She couldn’t read anymore.

It had all been there all along.

She forced herself to sleep.

If she slept, she wouldn’t have to think.

But the tears still fell.

“It hurts so much. It really hurts.”

---

The next morning, Summer woke with swollen eyes.

Ethan wasn’t in bed. She washed up, then groped for her cane and went downstairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, Ethan and Tiana were already seated at the dining table.

When Ethan saw her, he quickly stood and helped her to a seat.

“Summer, why didn’t you call me? It’s dangerous to come down alone.”

He pushed a bowl of porridge toward her.

Summer was silent, about to lower her head and drink, when Tiana’s voice rang out. “Summer, try it! I made this porridge myself. Ethan hasn’t even tasted it! Don’t you want to try Ethan’s cooking? I’d love to taste it too.”

The challenge in her words was unmistakable. Summer just lowered her head and drank.

Then Tiana placed a silk scarf in front of her, smiling sweetly. “Summer, let’s open the gift first. I prepared it specially for you. You’ll look beautiful in it.”

Her eyes and expression seemed sincere enough. But the moment Summer’s fingers touched the scarf, her heart went cold.

The scarf still carried a faint trace of perfume—Tiana’s brand. Summer looked down and saw smudged marks on the fabric. Lipstick stains.

Given how intense Tiana and Ethan had been, of course there would be marks like this.

While Summer was lost in thought, Ethan opened a box and took out a bracelet.

“Summer, I got this especially for you. It’s the one you’ve always wanted.”

It was a jade bracelet, warm and translucent, glowing softly under the light.

“I searched for a long time to find this. They say it’s good for your health.”

He gently took her hand to put it on.

But Summer pulled her hand back.

“Ethan, where’s your bracelet?”

Ethan froze, a flicker of panic in his eyes. “That… I accidentally broke it. It’s being repaired. I’ll get it back in a few days.”

Summer didn’t press further, but Tiana curled her lips into a meaningful smile.

Suddenly, Tiana stood up as if to leave. The moment she took a step, there was a sharp crack as something fell to the floor.

“Oh no—”

Tiana cried out, her voice laced with panic.

Summer turned her head instinctively. A wooden comb lay broken in two pieces. Blood dripped from Tiana’s pale, delicate foot, staining the floor. The sight was jarring.

Tiana’s tears fell as she choked out, “Summer, I didn’t mean to. Please don’t be mad. I’ll go now.”

“…”

Ethan sighed. In the end, his heart softened.

He walked over and helped Tiana up. “It’s just a comb. It broke. Forget it.”

“Ethan, don’t blame Summer. It was my fault.”

She cried even harder.

Summer watched in silence, feeling as if something were blocking her chest.

Then she spoke. “Both of you, leave.”

Her voice was quiet but piercingly clear.

“I don’t want to see you anymore.”

---

Chapter 3

Summer turned and went back to her room, closing the door.

She leaned against it and slowly slid to the floor.

The tears finally came.

She cried quietly, like a wounded animal curled up in a corner, afraid to make a sound.

She didn’t know how long she wept before she finally stopped.

She stood up, walked to the mirror, and looked at herself.

The woman in the mirror had red, swollen eyes and a haggard face.

She gently touched her own eyes.

These eyes had gone blind saving Ethan.

And now, they had become her greatest irony.

“Summer, you’re so foolish,” she whispered.

Then she turned and began packing.

She couldn’t stay here another moment.

She was going back to the village.

Back to the place she had once fled.

Now, it was her only refuge.

---

Chapter 4

Summer returned to the village three days later.

Her grandfather stood at the village gate. When he saw her, his face broke into a relieved smile.

“You’re back. You’re back.”

He patted her shoulder gently. “The Saintess position is ready. In three days, we’ll hold the succession ceremony.”

Summer nodded. “Okay.”

She had nothing left to hold on to.

From now on, she just wanted to guard these mountains and live out her days.

---

Chapter 5

On the day of the ceremony, many people came to the village.

Summer wore the Saintess’s robes and stood before the altar, listening to her grandfather chant the ancient scriptures.

She closed her eyes, feeling the mountain wind on her face.

Then she heard a familiar voice.

“Summer!”

Her eyes flew open. Ethan stood at the edge of the crowd, his face frantic.

“Summer, come back with me!”

He rushed forward, reaching for her hand.

Summer stepped back, avoiding his touch.

“Ethan, it’s over between us.”

“No!” he shouted, desperate. “It’s not over! I won’t let it end!”

“You won’t let it end?” Summer looked at him coldly. “Did you think of me when you were with Tiana?”

Ethan’s face turned ashen.

“I… Tiana and I…”

“Don’t explain,” Summer cut him off. “I know everything.”

She looked at him. There was no hatred in her eyes—only calm.

“Ethan, I don’t hate you. But I can’t love you anymore.”

“This is where we end.”

---

Chapter 6

Ethan knelt before Summer, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Summer, I’m sorry… I know I was wrong… Please, give me one more chance…”

Summer shook her head.

“Ethan, some mistakes can’t be undone. There are no second chances.”

She turned and walked toward the altar.

Behind her, Ethan’s cries grew fainter.

She lifted her head and looked at the sky.

The mountain wind howled, whipping her hair around her face.

She closed her eyes. Tears slid down her cheeks.

“Summer, from now on, you are only the Saintess.”

---

Chapter 7

Three years later.

Summer had become a respected Saintess in the village.

Every day, she chanted prayers and guarded the mountains.

Sometimes, she still thought of Ethan.

But those memories had faded.

She heard that Ethan had married Tiana.

She also heard he wasn’t doing well.

She just smiled faintly and said nothing.

“Everything is fate,” she whispered, then turned back to her prayers.

---

Chapter 8

One day, an uninvited guest came to the village.

Ethan stood at the gate, his face worn and aged.

“Summer, I know I have no right to see you. But… I’m dying.”

He gave a bitter smile. “The doctors say I have a terminal illness. I don’t have long.”

Summer looked at him for a long time.

“So?”

“So…” He looked at her, his eyes full of pleading. “Summer, can you forgive me?”

Summer shook her head.

“Ethan, I don’t hate you. But I can’t forgive you either.”

“Some wounds, once they’re made, never heal.”

Ethan lowered his head. Tears fell.

“I understand.”

He turned and slowly walked down the mountain.

Summer watched his back. Then she spoke. “Ethan, take care.”

His steps paused, but he didn’t turn around.

He kept walking until he disappeared at the end of the road.

Summer looked away and went back into the village.

“It’s all over,” she murmured, and returned to her prayers.

---

Chapter 9

Three months later.

Summer received news of Ethan’s death.

She was silent for a long time. Then she lit a stick of incense.

“Ethan, may you rest in peace.”

She closed her eyes and prayed for him in silence.

Outside the window, the mountain wind howled.

As if seeing him off.