Given the strength of Zhao Li and the other person, they heard the peddler's words clearly. Both looked at each other simultaneously, then smiled at one another, and continued strolling through the city.
However, Ye Yunsheng felt Zhao Li's grip on her hand tighten slightly.
If purely based on age, they weren't much older than the peddler.
Time passed, and Zhao Li and the other person wandered aimlessly for a long time. The unusual emotions in their hearts slowly calmed down.
Under the glow of the setting sun, the two walked towards the Zhao Family.
"Zhao Li, maybe we should come back another time."
Ye Yunsheng had thought Zhao Li's words about going home together were an expression of his feelings, and she hadn't expected him to mean it literally. He said he was going home, and he really was going home. At this moment, she felt like backing out.
Zhao Li's hand holding Ye Yunsheng's tightened slightly, as if encouraging her. He said,
"Yunsheng, I don't want to wait another twenty years."
Ye Yunsheng was silent for a moment, then softly hummed in agreement. Her tense body slowly relaxed.
Why would she want to wait another twenty years?
Zhao Li felt Ye Yunsheng's change and whispered,
"My mother has been urging me for a long time. She'll definitely be happy to see you."
Although he hadn't experienced something like this before, the internet was so developed in his previous life that he had seen similar scenes. Naturally, he knew Ye Yunsheng was nervous and began talking about some of his own embarrassing moments to distract her.
Amidst the quiet conversation along the way, the two had already reached the gate.
The guard saw Zhao Li and the other person, recognized him, and greeted him.
Although Zhao Li hadn't been home the entire time these past few years, Great Qian was only so big. He could almost travel across it in just two hours, so his appearances at the Zhao Family had become more frequent. The situation from last time, where no one recognized him, hadn't happened again.
Zhao Li nodded and led Ye Yunsheng into the house.
Though the guard was curious, he suppressed the burning fire of gossip in his heart and remained dutiful.
Along the way, many people saw Zhao Li but only waved a greeting, not approaching.
Although Zhao Li usually didn't put on airs, he had almost become a legend in the Zhao Family. Except for a few close individuals, everyone else held him in awe.
As for the woman beside Zhao Li, although they were curious, they didn't inquire.
Zhao Li nodded in acknowledgement and quietly introduced things to Ye Yunsheng.
Ye Yunsheng nodded occasionally, feeling surprised.
The Zhao Family wasn't small, but walking along, she had seen many people. Her biggest feeling was that this Zhao Family was completely different from the large clans she knew. Compared to others, the Zhao Family was extremely harmonious:
"Growing up in a place like this, it's no wonder he developed similar feelings to mine."
Ye Yunsheng felt she had found the reason for Zhao Li's uniqueness.
Zhao Li hoped everyone would know about him and Ye Yunsheng, so he had slowed his pace considerably, but the road always had an end. After a little over half an hour, they still returned home.
"Mother, I'm back!"
"If you're back, you're back. Don't shout."
Han Xiangyu sat on a stone bench under an old tree, leaning on the edge of the stone table, teasing a lazy orange cat on the table. She replied casually, clearly distracted.
The joy on Zhao Li's face froze, and his mouth twitched slightly. He clearly hadn't been home for very long, yet he still felt his mother's disdain.
"I brought my wife back."
His heart stirred, and he added.
As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Yunsheng's face instantly turned red. She lowered her head, not forgetting to extend her delicate hand and pinch Zhao Li's waist.
Zhao Li gasped:
"Is finding a weak spot a talent every woman possesses?"
Han Xiangyu turned her head and indeed saw a fairy-like woman beside Zhao Li. Under the setting sun, the two stood quietly, appearing remarkably well-matched.
She instantly sat up straight:
"Why didn't you say you were coming back? And this is?"
"Aunt, just call me Yunsheng."
Ye Yunsheng spoke up before Zhao Li could, appearing poised and confident, which left Zhao Li momentarily stunned, as if his previous nervousness had been his own illusion.
"Yunsheng, come, sit here. What are you still standing there for? Go find your father, and then prepare dinner together."
Han Xiangyu naturally pulled Ye Yunsheng over, had her sit beside her, and spoke softly. She gave Zhao Li a look, but seeing that he wasn't reacting and was still standing there, she had no choice but to tell him to leave.
Looking at Ye Yunsheng, she nodded slightly.
With Zhao Li gone, only Han Xiangyu and the other person remained in the courtyard.
Han Xiangyu still felt a bit unreal. Whether it was ten years ago or in recent years, she had never heard of her son being interested in any girl. She hadn't expected him to quietly bring back a girl like a fairy.
She sized up Ye Yunsheng. Not only was she beautiful, but her demeanor was also extraordinary.
Unknowingly, the suspicion that had arisen in her heart completely dissipated. She said,
"Miss Yunsheng, did Zhao Li bully you? If you were bullied, tell me, and I'll get revenge for you."
Ye Yunsheng shook her head, a smile unconsciously appearing on her face as she recalled the day's events.
It had only been a short day, yet she felt as if it was how things should have been all along, with no sense of abruptness whatsoever.
Seeing this, Han Xiangyu completely relaxed.
The smile on Ye Yunsheng's face was exactly the same as the one she wore when she was with Zhao Lingxiao.
She couldn't help but smile herself.
Noticing Han Xiangyu's smile, Ye Yunsheng's face turned red, a playful fierceness appearing on her beautiful features:
"Thank you, Aunt. If he dares to bully me, I'll definitely come to you and make him pay."
Han Xiangyu finally couldn't hold back and burst out laughing, causing Ye Yunsheng to bury her head in her chest.
After a while, Han Xiangyu stopped, naturally took Ye Yunsheng's hand, and said:
"Girl, quickly tell Aunt what's going on with you two. I feel like I'm dreaming."
Hearing this, Ye Yunsheng's thoughts drifted back to a long time ago.
She had watched helplessly as her father and brother fell before her eyes, and even she herself seemed about to become a plaything. It was Zhao Li who killed the men and helped her bury her father and brother.
He was clearly her benefactor, yet he said it was his fault, and the deep self-reproach in his eyes couldn't fool her.
She found Zhao Li very strange. It was clearly the fault of the world, so why did he think it was his problem?
She remembered crying loudly in front of her father and brother's graves. He stood quietly by, offering neither condescending comfort nor indifferent detachment. The next day, she woke up indoors.
She remembered her emotions surging, causing her internal cold energy to erupt. It was he who, with all his might, endured the chilling energy with his own weak energy, guiding the cold energy within her body to circulate, setting her on the path of cultivation. After that, she advanced by leaps and bounds.
And at that time, she herself had given up on herself, but he hadn't.
She also remembered him burying his head in his food. It was clearly just simple vegetarian dishes, yet he ate them with great relish.
She also remembered his extensive knowledge and active mind, teaching her with utmost dedication. As she cultivated, she realized that what he had given her was actually the foundation of his own cultivation.
She remembered even more clearly that when she spoke of wanting to change the world, he didn't dismiss her or think she was crazy. All he had was worry. Over the years, she had also come to understand what he was worried about.
That month in the valley left an indelible impression on her young, precocious mind. As she grew older and her strength increased, she never again met anyone like Zhao Li.
Zhao Li's image was also deeply imprinted in her memory, becoming even clearer—both teacher and friend, confidant, Half Revered, Half Admired, Half Enamored.
To Ye Yunsheng, Zhao Li was precisely that.
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