Xiao Ling traversed several quiet paths and arrived at the courtyard where Han Yue lived.
Since Xiao Xun'er's departure, Han Yue had been the sole resident, making the courtyard seem somewhat deserted.
While the flowers and trees within the courtyard were still vibrant, the absence of the former bustle of laughter and joy gave it a sense of silence and emptiness.
Xiao Ling gently pushed open the gate and stepped into the tranquil courtyard.
Han Yue sat at a stone table, her deep purple robe swaying gently in the breeze, her figure standing out against the verdant bamboo forest.
She clutched a yellowed ancient tome, her brows slightly furrowed, her gaze unfocused, as if lost in deep thought.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the bamboo leaves, illuminating Han Yue's face and outlining her cool features.
Her long hair fell casually over her shoulders, its silver strands shimmering subtly in the light and shadow.
Her slender fingers gently turned the pages of the book, her movements were graceful and calm, but her deep eyes revealed her inner turmoil, as if she was worried about something.
Hearing the footsteps coming from the courtyard, Han Yue raised her head, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
"Xiao Ling, you're here." Han Yue stood up and greeted her with a smile.
Xiao Ling nodded, walked to her side, and the two sat together naturally.
The atmosphere between the two was warm and intimate. There were not many words, but they could feel each other's heartbeat and breathing.
"Zi Yan said you had something to talk to me about. What is it?" Xiao Ling asked softly, looking at Han Yue gently.
Han Yue gently put down the ancient book in her hand, her eyes revealing some complex emotions. She took a deep breath and looked at Xiao Ling tenderly, her voice tinged with reluctance.
"My family sent me a letter, hoping I could return. You know, I recently achieved a breakthrough to the mid-level Dou Wang realm. The cultivation resources at Canaan Academy aren't really that helpful for me, and my family hasn't been very supportive of my staying here."
She looked up, her eyes gleaming with longing for her family, yet also with tenderness for Xiao Ling.
"Here, I have you, and the good times we spent together—those are all precious memories. But I also miss my family, especially my sister. She's grown so much I barely recognize her."
Xiao Ling listened quietly, sensing the reluctance and anticipation in Han Yue's words.
He reached out and gently grasped Han Yue's hand, offering her warmth and support.
"I understand you. If you want to return, I won't stop you. Besides, your family needs you, too." Xiao Ling's voice was filled with understanding and support.
A flicker of tenderness flashed in Han Yue's eyes. She squeezed Xiao Ling's hand tightly and whispered, "Thank you, Xiao Ling. I feel relieved when you say that."
As time passed, the sky gradually darkened. The two of them remained together, enjoying this rare moment of peace and quiet.
Xiao Ling gently embraced Han Yue in his arms, letting her head rest on his shoulder.
His eyes fell softly on Han Yue's profile. Every contour of her fair face felt familiar and intimate to him.
At that moment, Xiao Ling's thoughts drifted back to certain scenes from the original novel, particularly the character of Jia Hongchen.
Xiao Ling had always disliked that character when he first read the novel. Now that Han Yue was his woman, he would never tolerate anyone else's ambitions.
His pride and possessiveness wouldn't allow anyone to harbor fantasies about his woman.
Although the current timeline differed from the original novel, Xiao Ling knew he had to plan ahead to avoid unnecessary trouble for Han Yue. He
already had a plan in mind, thinking to himself, "Guess I have to go to the Devil Flame Valley and quickly acquire the recipe for refining the Heavenly Demon Puppet so I can create a demon leader for Han Yue."
Originally, Xiao Ling had planned to rest for a while after this retreat before heading to the Black Horn Territory to acquire all the treasures from the novel. But now that Han Yue was returning to her family, his plans had to change.
He drew back his wandering thoughts and turned to Han Yue, saying, "Yue'er, wait a few days before setting off. I want to prepare a special gift for you."
Xiao Ling then pulled a softly glowing pill from his ring and handed it to Han Yue. "This is the Douling Pill. I personally refined it. It's perfect for you now. Once you've refined its power, my other gift for you should be complete."
Han Yue took the pill and could clearly sense the pure energy within it, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.
After returning it to her ring, Han Yue asked softly with a hint of curiosity and concern, "What gift are you going to give me? Actually, you're already the best gift for me. I'm just worried about whether this gift will put you at risk or in danger."
Xiao Ling looked at Han Yue, a gentle glint in his eyes. He shook his head softly, a mysterious smile playing on his face. He didn't directly answer Han Yue's question, but instead softly soothed her,
"Just be patient. Everything is as I planned." Don't worry, there won't be any danger. "
Han Yue saw that Xiao Ling was unwilling to say more, so she stopped asking. She understood Xiao Ling and knew that he had always been a man of his own opinions.
As Xiao Ling's partner, she should choose to trust and support his every choice.
As the night deepened, the two of them walked into the bedroom unconsciously. The lights in the room were soft, giving the room a warm tone and creating a private space that belonged only to them.
Han Yue leaned lightly on Xiao Ling's chest. She could clearly feel the rhythm of Xiao Ling's heartbeat, her fingers dancing lightly on the back of his hand, and every subtle movement conveyed her deep emotions.
Xiao Ling gently stroked Han Yue's silver hair. His touch was like a spring breeze blowing across the lake, gentle and delicate, and every touch revealed his deep concern for her.
The conversation between them became soft and Full of affection, every word seemed to be whispered in each other's ears, conveying the tenderness and strength in each other's hearts.
As the night deepened, the atmosphere in the house quietly became warm and full of romance. The breathing of the two gradually became rapid in this quietness, and the air was filled with an indescribable ambiguous atmosphere.
By the bed, Xiao Ling gently untied Han Yue's bun, letting her long hair fall like a waterfall, draped over her shoulders, and shimmering with a soft luster.
Han Yue responded with the same tenderness. She gently helped Xiao Ling take off her clothes. The two naked bodies were gently wrapped in warm light under the soft light.
On this quiet night, the two people's bodies and minds were comforted by each other in silence. The exchange of emotions went beyond words and reached a deep understanding and resonance.
(End of this chapter)