Chapter 37 - 037 The land of tenderness is the most grinding to the mind

Editor:

Atlas Studios

The light filtered through the window lattice, casting the shadows of Xu Chang’an and Yun Qian intertwined, as the remnants of rain slowly dripped from the eaves, splashing onto the stone pavement below.

Xu Chang’an stared blankly at Yun Qian.

Yun Qian had repeatedly asked how often he could come to see her in the days ahead, so he thought she would be reluctant to see him leave.

But as Xu Chang’an watched his wife wave her small hand to bid him farewell, he confirmed once again that the one truly lacking resolve was not Yun Qian, but himself.

This tender tranquility is indeed too warm and soft, like a great millstone dulling one’s mind, making one reluctant to face the relatively harsh world outside.

Even though that’s what he thought, Xu Chang’an’s gaze remained resolute, without the slightest hint of wavering.

...

As he walked to the small courtyard, seeing Yun Qian following him to the door, Xu Chang’an stopped in his tracks.

Putting a hand to his forehead, he helplessly asked, "Miss, I’m leaving, and you seem quite happy?"

"What else?" Yun Qian’s ponytail swayed, she lightly tapped her little finger below her eyebrow and asked, "Do you want me to cry? I might not be able to."

Her face was flawless, unlike Liu Qingluo who had a tear mole at the corner of her eye that could evoke sympathy even without words.

"I can’t imagine what kind of situation would bring tears to your eyes, Miss."

"Hmm." Yun Qian’s gaze fixed on Xu Chang’an.

Xu Chang’an walked to Yun Qian’s side, gently holding her, clasping her waist tightly as if to merge her into his embrace.

"Won’t you miss me?" Yun Qian raised the corner of her mouth; her chin lightly rested on Xu Chang’an’s shoulder, speaking calmly into his ear, "You can come back to the island anytime you wish."

As she spoke, Yun Qian’s tone paused, "You like farming, I can accompany you."

Listening to those words, Xu Chang’an understood a different meaning altogether.

Did you hear?

If I don’t strive hard, I can just go back with her and farm, drifting through my days.

"You always say something about my family, you can just assume there really is one." Yun Qian calmly said, "Return to the island without worrying about any trouble, so if you’re ever exhausted here... just come back and tell me."

Yun Qian’s meaning was even simpler.

If you don’t want to strive, just return and live with her.

"..." Xu Chang’an was stunned, this was the first time Yun Qian had responded to the mystery of her background, even though it was still vague.

"Miss is still a rich lady." Xu Chang’an said helplessly, "I thought your standards were low, turns out you look down on the Chaoyun Sect too?"

If Yun Qian had any cultivation that would be fine, but in reality, she’s so weak that she probably can’t even defeat a chicken, making such words feel incredibly dissonant.

"There’s really nothing worth looking at." Yun Qian thought, except for her own husband, everything else is the same.

"Can’t you tell me all about your origins, Miss?" Xu Chang’an couldn’t help but ask.

Yun Qian said with a serious face, "We have a long future ahead of us, no need to rush, whether it’s children or anything else."

Xu Chang’an: "..."

Perfect.

Miss Yun used his own words against him without changing a bit, and he really had no way to counter it.

"In the books you write, there are a lot of remarkable girls." Yun Qian blinked, then stretched out her hand, her thumb and index finger trying hard to separate, then trying hard to close again, finally maintaining a state of being somewhat apart and somewhat together, before continuing, "Have you ever thought, I might be just a little bit more remarkable than you think."

"..."

Xu Chang’an shook his head, looking at Yun Qian’s fair, jade-like fingers, and said, "I’ve always believed you’re very remarkable, Miss, not just a little bit, but what you say... I can’t see it."

Not being able to see is the same as not existing.

Besides...

He needed to protect Yun Qian and improve himself, regardless of his wife’s origins; he had done everything a husband should and shouldn’t do, so he had to be worthy of her, right?

"You still don’t understand." Yun Qian’s eyes flashed with some affection, she wrapped her hands around Xu Chang’an’s waist, playfully looking up into his eyes, "After returning to the island, if you still want to go out and play, you can do so at any time."

Just like how Xu Chang’an always pampered her, the affections between a couple were mutual.

Yun Qian wouldn’t think Xu Chang’an was unambitious for not being resolute, as cultivation and achievements were meaningless to Miss Yun standing before him.

Happiness is what matters most.

In fact, even from a mundane perspective, Xu Chang’an being able to hold her in his arms made him the most remarkable and promising person in the world.

But Xu Chang’an didn’t think so; his own strength was the real truth.

"Now that I’m already on the mountain, I won’t think about the island anymore, I won’t be going back." Xu Chang’an lightly tapped Yun Qian’s arm, then released his embrace and seriously said, "I’ll find a guide for Miss as soon as possible."

"You handle those arrangements yourself." Yun Qian nodded, then said, "Just remember to find a girl."

"Okay, I’m leaving then." Xu Chang’an stretched lazily, then turned around and left without any hesitation.

Yun Qian leaned against the doorframe of her new home, watching as Xu Chang’an walked down the flower path and disappeared from sight, then picked up the Sweet Bag her husband bought for her, seated herself on the doorstep, and took a small bite of the cloud-shaped candy.

The sweetness of the honey seeped into her heart, and Yun Qian’s white ribbon swayed; this is the most beautiful scenery in the world.

There was something she had always been telling Xu Chang’an.

"Just be happy."

How should I put it?

Happiness is the most direct goal, she didn’t want Xu Chang’an to put the cart before the horse, making himself endure difficulties for the sake of cultivation.

But overcoming challenges in itself is something heartening and exciting.

...

Leaving Yun Qian’s residence in North Garden, Xu Chang’an, in his pale white robe, strode along the path of Celestial Bright Peak, the Steward Order at his waist catching the attention of many Outer Disciples.

Most people assumed the young steward to be an Inner Sect Disciple.

Accustomed to these gazes, Xu Chang’an gradually slowed his pace after distancing himself from the North Garden, his brow furrowing slightly.

He didn’t understand Yun Qian’s past, but he knew her character intimately.

Miss Yun might really have an extraordinary background.

His heart was a swirl of mixed emotions.

"What can be done..."

A sigh.

Nothing at all.

Being just a cultivator in the Qi Refining Realm, he hadn’t formally stepped into cultivation, so obviously, he shouldn’t aim too high; staying grounded is what’s most important.

...

Xu Chang’an reached Celestial Bright Peak and found the middle-aged woman, Steward Qin, to discuss Yun Qian’s situation.

Steward Qin looked at the young man before her and faintly smelled a hint of a girl’s fragrance on Xu Chang’an.

Choosing a house shouldn’t take that long.

She sternly said, "Xu Neizhi, I know your wife is charming, but she has just arrived at the mountain. You must exercise restraint."

"...?"