A turbid tear trickled down from the weather - beaten eyes of Old Master Zhao.
He was nearly a hundred years old. In his long life, he had been through many perils.
In the past, he hoped that the Zhao family would flourish and become a well - known family on the Nine - Continent Land. With the help of his granddaughter, Shuning, he had achieved this lifelong aspiration.
But at this point, he finally understood that what he truly desired was the well - being of every member of the Zhao family.
Under Shuning's leadership, the Zhao family was becoming more and more prosperous. However, this little girl had shouldered an indescribable burden, yet she never complained.
Just like now. Although she had come back from the brink of death, she only looked up and softly called him "Grandpa".
"Girl, you're finally back."
"Grandpa, you're an old man, and I'm not a child anymore. You don't need to feel sorry for me."
Zhao Shuning could easily sense the guilt and uneasiness in Old Master Zhao's heart.
"Shuning."
"Grandpa, let's go inside and talk."
At this moment, Old Master Zhao finally came to his senses and quickly agreed.
Later, when they entered the main hall, Old Master Zhao met Yu Ge and Feng Qingchen. He learned that they were here to propose marriage on behalf of the Emperor Zun, Yan Ruyu, and his smile became even brighter. He kept saying yes.
However, Zhao Shuning had been away from Linjiang for forty years. Many of the local people no longer recognized her, and she was glad for the peace. After all, being too ostentatious would attract many villains.
At night, Zhao Shuning lay on a rattan bed in the courtyard of the Zhao Mansion in Linjiang, staring blankly at the star - filled sky.
Time passed too quickly in this world. Sometimes, you thought you were still a child, but in the blink of an eye, it was time to take on responsibilities.
Yan Ruyu came to Zhao Shuning's side, gently sat down, and slowly swayed the rattan bed she was lying on.
"Bu Ran, what exactly connects people? Is it blood relationship or friendship?"
"People's emotions are ever - changing. Strangers may be connected by complex feelings, and sometimes, these feelings are more powerful than anything else."
Zhao Shuning turned her head, put her hands under her chin, and stared intently at Yan Ruyu.
"Bu Ran, what on earth did I do to deserve you? How did I manage to 'trick' you here?"
"I was just about to say the same thing." Yan Ruyu smiled tenderly.
"Huh?" Zhao Shuning was surprised. In her impression, Bu Ran was never such a narcissistic person.
"I was just about to say that I must have done so many good deeds and accumulated so much fortune to meet Ning'er and keep her by my side. In fact, I'm luckier than Ning'er." Yan Ruyu was as gentle as ever.
After hearing this, Zhao Shuning's stunned expression softened.
It was so overwhelming. Did Bu Ran even know that his unintentional sweet words were simply heart - stopping?
"Why is Ning'er blushing?"
"Nothing."
Yan Ruyu reached out his hand to touch Zhao Shuning's forehead. She suddenly sat up on the rattan bed, avoiding his hand.
"Ning'er?"
"I'm a bit hot."
"Really?"
"Yes. Bu Ran, have Mother and Father left?"
"Yes. They left after the banquet today because there were many things waiting for them there."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
"Sister has left too, right?"
"Yes."
"What about Brother and Little Aunt?"
"They stayed. Ning'er, there's something I'm not sure if I've told you."
"What is it?"
"About Zhao Huai."
"It's not too late to tell me now."
"Actually, Zhao Huai is not—"
"Not a human. His real form should be a supreme being above all divine beasts, right?" Zhao Shuning said calmly.
In fact, she had known this when she first met Zhao Huai.
"Yes. Since you've met him, you must know these things. He won't hide anything from you."
"Bu Ran, why are you saying this now?"
"I've hidden this from you. I knew you were so heart - broken after losing Zhao Huai, but I couldn't tell you the truth. Will you blame me?"
"I won't blame you." Zhao Shuning smiled slightly and continued, "Bu Ran, every decision you make is more well - thought - out than mine. Although I don't know why you hid this from me, I know you did it for my own good."
"Is it too late for me to tell you the reason now?"
Zhao Shuning shook her head.
"It's never too late."
Only then did Yan Ruyu start to explain all the things he had considered at that time.
Zhao Shuning listened very attentively. At the end, Yan Ruyu looked into her eyes lovingly and asked, "Did I explain clearly?"
Zhao Shuning turned her head to the other side. She didn't know what to say.
"I didn't tell you at that time because I was afraid you would worry. Now that you know Zhao Huai is alive, you'll find out these things sooner or later."
"My brother has no ill intentions. He has no ill intentions towards anyone on the Nine - Continent Land."
Yan Ruyu sighed.
"Ning'er, Zhao Huai only treats you like this."
He continued, "Do you know that the Zhao Huai I saw on the Ghost Isle appeared in such a form in front of me for the first time. Before that, I had never seen him like that. In my memory, in the sect, he was always silent, completely different from the arrogant Zhao Huai I saw on the island."
Zhao Shuning believed Feng Bu Ran, but she couldn't convince herself. Because Zhao Huai had been really good to her to the core.
"When I met him before going to the island, the hostility and arrogance in his eyes were completely different from the Zhao Huai in the sect."
Zhao Shuning said sullenly, "I know."
Of course she knew. She knew Zhao Huai was not ordinary.
When they were kids, Zhao Huai was so weak. When his memory was sealed, he was extremely frail. However, when his weak body faced the Flying Serpent, he could intimidate it.
At that time, Zhao Shuning already felt something strange.
Later, when she encountered the crazy Huo Dou, it became much more obedient in front of her. This was because before that, Zhao Huai had fed her his blood. So there was the blood of the supreme alien beast in Zhao Shuning's body, and the Huo Dou naturally didn't dare to be presumptuous in front of her.
"The moment he regained his memory, Ning'er, Zhao Huai was no longer just Zhao Huai."
"I understand."
Zhao Shuning understood all the reasons. However, the little things between her and Zhao Huai couldn't be easily forgotten.