Looking at Bai Ze's angry expression, Zhao Shuning had a rough guess in her mind.
Presumably, all these were instigated by Bu Ran, not wanting any external matters to bother her.
"Ling'er, I've fetched the spring water from the foot of the mountain for you."
Yan Ruyu entered the room but felt that the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.
"Xiaobai?"
"Your Honor, it's not my doing."
"What's going on?"
Bai Ze lowered his eyebrows and said, "Previously, Hun Dun came to Qingyun Peak."
With just this one sentence, Yan Ruyu knew what had happened.
"You may leave."
"Yes, Your Honor."
Xiaobai left.
Yan Ruyu sat down and fed Zhao Shuning the spring water. The spring water was sweet and slightly cool, which meant that it had been carefully sought.
"Do you resent me?"
Yan Ruyu finally spoke.
Zhao Shuning gave a charming smile and replied, "What should I resent you for?"
"Resent me for not telling you about this. You're passionate and have a strong spiritual power. You regard Ye Qingluan as your real mother. Your mother is in trouble, and it's the Loulan where you once lived that's causing her trouble."
"You did this for my own good."
"I just think that your body has reached a dead - end. Even I spent two years just to keep a wisp of your breath. I just don't want these things to trouble you anymore. Maybe what I did is a bit too selfish."
"Bu Ran—you know me."
"I know your personality, but you've had such a hard life. I definitely can't bear to let you interfere in worldly matters anymore. Even if you're willing, you may not have the strength."
"Yes, I know."
Zhao Shuning of course knew that Bu Ran was doing this for her own good.
However, Ye Qingluan was her mother, and the Eastern Wilderness was her future home.
If she ignored their fates for her own selfish desires, then how was she different from Mo Yan?
"This matter is up to fate. You don't need to worry about it anymore."
"Bu Ran, what about them?"
"Ling'er."
There seemed to be a hint of anger in Yan Ruyu's expression. He rarely got angry. Every time he did, Zhao Shuning would unconsciously shrink her neck.
She said, "Bu Ran, we'll still have a chance."
"I know what you want to say, but I can't take the risk. I'm sorry, Ling'er. I don't want you to interfere in this matter. It's against justice."
Zhao Shuning gave a charming smile, which was a bit out of place. Yan Ruyu also felt something was wrong.
"Ling'er?"
"Bu Ran, speaking of being against justice, isn't your current behavior also against justice? You know very well that normally, I wouldn't have lived for these two years. According to the Heavenly Way, I should have passed away two years ago. But you still used your spiritual power to nourish my body forcefully. This kind of coercion isn't following the Heavenly Way either."
Yan Ruyu tightened his right hand slightly. He had nothing to refute.
"Bu Ran?"
"Ling'er, don't say such things anymore."
"Bu Ran—"
Zhao Shuning called out to him.
"If I can't solve these things while I'm alive, I'll always feel uneasy in my heart."
Really?
Yan Ruyu turned around and looked at Zhao Shuning meaningfully. Then he said, "Then forget about it."
Zhao Shuning immediately realized something was wrong. Before she could say anything, a hazy consciousness came over her.
She once again admired her own "inability". She knew about Bu Ran's ability. If he forcibly erased her memories, it was very possible.
Sure enough, her guess was right, but it seemed a bit too late.
Yan Ruyu watched as Zhao Shuning's eyes became hazy. He murmured, "I'm sorry, Ling'er."
If she interfered in worldly matters, with her body, as soon as she used her spiritual power, she would surely die suddenly. But if she forgot all these things, with his ability, Ling'er could at least stay by his side for three more years.
At this moment, Yan Ruyu felt extremely selfish. For the first time, he so desperately wanted to completely possess this little girl.
In the following days, Zhao Shuning lived extremely happily. She was like an innocent child, staying with Yan Ruyu every day.
In spring, they traveled across every inch of the land on the Nine - State Continent.
In summer, he took her to the mildest place in the Eastern Continent to escape the heat.
In autumn, he picked all the fruits in the world for her to taste. Although her favorite was still grapes.
In winter, they stayed in the cave on Qingyun Peak.
Sometimes, she would quietly look at Yan Ruyu, as if Yan Ruyu was her whole world.
Sometimes, when Yan Ruyu gently played the vertical flute, she would dance gracefully. When she was tired from dancing, she would lie in Yan Ruyu's arms to rest.
The two leaned on each other, and their life was very sweet.
Yan Ruyu would always get lost in thought while looking at the woman in his arms.
If only she could always stay by his side.
If she knew that he finally used that move on her, would she blame him?
Yan Ruyu cherished every day they spent together. Every day was like a stolen moment.
She would always raise her head, put on a straight face, and pretend to be angry with him. Yan Ruyu always liked to stroke Zhao Shuning's head. Looking at her confused eyes, he would gently kiss her on the forehead. With just this gentle kiss, he was so satisfied.
The years were peaceful, and Yan Ruyu cherished every day when Zhao Shuning was by his side. Hearing her softly call him Bu Ran and seeing the smile on her lips, he knew that everything was worth it.
However, late at night when all was quiet, he couldn't help but doubt himself. As the founder, he had done such a thing for a little girl. If future generations knew about it, they would surely despise his actions.
Human selfishness was really terrifying. Even Yan Ruyu couldn't escape it.
However, the happy days would eventually come to an end. No matter how carefully Yan Ruyu took care of Zhao Shuning, her life would finally come to an end.
At this moment, Zhao Shuning was lying in bed, her chest rising and falling slightly. Her breath was very weak. But the light still twinkled in her open eyes, which proved that she was still alive at this moment.
Yan Ruyu was guarding her beside the bed. Three years had passed in a flash. The days with her had made him like a man possessed, unable to extricate himself.
At this moment, Zhao Shuning looked at Yan Ruyu. She gave a faint smile, just like the white lotus on the top of the snow - capped mountain, pure, cold, and endearing.
"Ling'er."
"Bu Ran."
"I'm going to leave, right?"
"Ling'er, don't be afraid. I'm here beside you. I'll always be by your side."
Yan Ruyu reached out his hand and held Zhao Shuning's right hand. His heart at this moment was like it had sunk into a century - old ice cellar, freezing and chilling.
"How could I be afraid? I've never been afraid when I'm with you. In the end, I've also become a selfish person."