Inside the old mansion of the Wang family in Jinling City, ever since Wang Ye took office at the Ministry of Justice, he had been busy every day. Before dawn, he would set off to investigate the whereabouts of the demonic beasts. The number of meals he had at home grew fewer and fewer, and the phenomenon of not returning home for several consecutive nights became increasingly frequent.
This posed a dilemma for Chu Qingyi, who was left alone in the empty room. On one hand, staying at home was incredibly boring, and her severe injuries prevented her from engaging in prolonged physical activity, limiting her range of movement. On the other hand, she simply couldn't bring herself to like her father-in-law, Wang Laowu. She had to avoid him at all costs and keep him out of her sight.
Initially, she had considered accompanying Wang Ye in hunting demons, but her current physical condition made it impossible for her to control her heavenly energy for an extended period. Not only would she be unable to assist Wang Ye, but forcibly mobilizing a large amount of heavenly energy would only result in backlash, causing more harm than good.
As time passed, she lost any desire to go out. Instead, she secluded herself in the side room all day long. She either sat cross-legged, refining the heavenly energy between heaven and earth, or she read ancient texts to pass the time.
This plight deeply saddened Wang Laowu, who was completely infatuated with Chu Qingyi. Aside from the three meals a day, he could hardly catch a glimpse of her. Their conversations in recent days could be counted on one hand, mostly occurring at the dining table where he would chatter on while Chu Qingyi's cold face remained expressionless. Irritated by his incessant talking, she would quickly utter "I'm full" and hurriedly return to her room, depriving him of any chance for interaction.
He dared not secretly peer through the window like he did that day. Although his beloved Qingyi was injured, being an immortal cultivator, she had perceptive abilities. If she caught him peeping in secret, it would be a futile and embarrassing endeavour. Under the combined feelings of shame and anger, she might inform Wang Ye, making it impossible for him to get close to her and potentially affecting his relationship with his son.
"Sigh."
Wang Laowu let out a long sigh. He stood at the entrance of the main room, gazing wistfully towards the location of the east wing, hoping to catch a glimpse of his beloved Qingyi through the reflection on the window paper.
Unfortunately, the blank window paper concealed Chu Qingyi's entire figure. Even if he stared intensely, he couldn't see anything inside the room.
Leaning against the door, his frail body clad in a loose, stained coarse hemp robe, his few strands of hair hanging as always over his forehead, filled with dandruff, unwashed for several days, some even tangled. Buzzing flies occasionally landed on his head.
His rough and calloused hand unabashedly scratched his head, causing flakes of dandruff to fall to the ground with every movement.
He sighed while lifting his head, his cloudy old eyes filled with anticipation. Even if it was just a moment, he yearned to see his beloved Qingyi.
As if in response to his summons, the door creaked open, and a graceful figure walked out. It was none other than his long-awaited Qingyi.
However, she completely ignored his presence. After giving him an expressionless glance, she walked on her own towards a corner of the courtyard. There, she had piled up the herbs she had asked Wang Ye to buy from the market. Some of them still had traces of soil on their roots, lying haphazardly on the ground, while others had been planted in idle flower pots, albeit crookedly, with withered roots and no signs of life.
Initially, Wang Ye was puzzled as to why the meticulous Chu Qingyi suddenly began to meddle with these herbs. Later, he discovered that she had been devotedly studying the art of alchemy in recent days, poring over numerous ancient texts and resolved to start from the basics, immersing herself in the cultivation and cultivation of herbs.
She believed that only by deeply understanding the fundamental pharmacology of herbs could she lay a solid foundation for personally refining precious medicinal materials in the future.
Unfortunately, the art of alchemy was a complex and obscure field within the Immortal Law. Even disciples from alchemy sects couldn't achieve much progress in a year or two, let alone Chu Qingyi, who came from an unrelated background. Despite her diligent and relentless research, without guidance from a master, her efforts would be in vain.
"Crash!"
The sound of a broken flower pot suddenly resounded in the courtyard.
She had failed once again. In the Heavenly Master's Sect, the fairy, always surrounded by servants, had never performed such coarse tasks. This simple task of transplanting herbs had become an insurmountable barrier for her. After several attempts, either the roots of the herbs were broken or the flower pots were accidentally shattered.
She stared at the fragments of flower pots scattered on the ground. The pristine white dress had been stained with some dirt, and a trace of impatience finally appeared on her cold and beautiful face.
"Qingyi, Qingyi, are you alright? You should let me handle these things in the future. What if you get hurt? Let me take a look!"
Wang Laowu, who had been observing Chu Qingyi's every move, heard the sound of the broken flower pot and hurriedly rushed over. His dry face was filled with worry, and he reached out to grasp her hand, intending to examine it closely.
Chu Qingyi, realizing his actions, discreetly withdrew her jade hand into her sleeve, evading Wang Laowu's grasp. For a moment, Wang Laowu's hand awkwardly lingered in the air before reluctantly retreating.
"Oh, you want to keep these herbs alive? Simple! Give me a few days, and I guarantee these herbs will appear before you in perfect condition!" Wang Laowu boasted, grinning widely to reveal a mouthful of yellowed teeth.
Planting herbs was just like farming, after all. Wang Laowu might not have any other skills, but he was excellent at cultivating crops!
After saying this, he could almost picture his beloved Qingyi Fairy sitting beside him, her face filled with admiration, eagerly seeking his advice on the specific methods. But to his surprise, Chu Qingyi simply cast a disdainful glance at him, lightly brushed her sleeve, and turned back to the eastern wing of the house.
Wang Laowu stared at her proud and aloof figure, then looked at the pile of withered yellow herbs, feeling utterly helpless.
Several days later, Wang Laowu carefully nurtured a few herbs that had regained their vitality and placed them at the doorstep of the eastern wing. He knocked on the door and swiftly disappeared.
When Chu Qingyi heard the noise and opened the door, she discovered several undamaged herbs swaying vibrantly in their pots. The deep brown soil in the pots was moist and fine, distinctly different from the soil she had casually dug up on the roadside before.
She was astonished and swept her gaze across the courtyard but couldn't find Wang Laowu's figure. Instead, she noticed a hoe carelessly placed in the yard, its blade still carrying soil that resembled the soil in the flower pots.
Understanding dawned on her.
She gathered all the herbs and brought them into the room, staring at them in a daze for a long time. At that moment, she found that Wang Laowu, apart from being sloppy and unclean, wasn't as detestable as she had thought. At least he had proven his worth in critical moments.
Watching from the shadows, Wang Laowu took note of everything. He deliberately placed the small hoe in the courtyard, allowing Chu Qingyi to discover how much effort he had put into taking care of the herbs. It was far more important for her to see it for herself than for him to say it.
"Hehe."
Wang Laowu chuckled, revealing a wide grin that made his small, slanted eyes even narrower and resemble a thin slit.
In the evening, as the father-in-law and daughter-in-law were having dinner, the weary-looking Wang Ye appeared before their eyes, covered in dust. Despite his tired appearance, his face was filled with undisguised joy, holding a bottle of Daughter's Red wine and some side dishes.
Seeing this, Wang Laowu guessed that something good had happened.
After a series of explanations, they learned that the Ministry of Justice had finally captured a demon beast they had been pursuing for several days. Wang Ye, being one of the main leaders in charge, received the credit and not only received high praise from Xu Zhengfeng but also gained a change in attitude from other Shadow Blades who had previously looked down on him. This recognition not only affirmed his strength but also marked his stable position within the Ministry of Justice.
"And there's something even more important. I feel that in the recent battles with the demon beasts, my heavenly energy has become purer. The previous sense of emptiness has weakened considerably," Wang Ye said, his excitement evident. After several cups of wine, his face was flushed, and he was in an extremely exhilarated state due to the alcohol's effect.
"Congratulations," Chu Qingyi sincerely expressed her happiness for Wang Ye. Both of them had come to Jinling City because of Wang Ye's unstable heavenly energy, which greatly differed from his cultivation level. This led to Chu Xiong sending him out for training and even issuing a command that he couldn't return to the sect until he broke through the Yin-Yang Convergence realm.
She knew that Chu Xiong's command was more of a punishment for Wang Ye than an opportunity for him to train. It weighed heavily on him like a mountain, making it hard for him to breathe. Even in his dreams, his murmurs were about reaching higher realms of cultivation.
Now, Wang Ye's strength had finally improved, and as she watched him full of energy, Chu Qingyi felt as if the young man who had made a name for himself in the sect's competition had reappeared before her.
As Chu Qingyi had thought, during the time they were away from the sect, the only failure in Wang Ye's life felt like a heavy burden on his chest. It suffocated him, and even in his dreams, he was ridiculed for having empty fame without true abilities. He felt like he had let down the sect that had nurtured him and his master's careful teachings. He even imagined that Chu Qingyi looked down on him, leaving him with the label of "useless".
Countless times he woke up crying from his dreams, gasping for breath and covered in sweat, immersed in nightmares that held him captive until he saw Chu Qingyi peacefully sleeping beside him, at which point he could finally relax.
Now his strength had finally improved, how could he not be excited?
He looked at Chu Qingyi, who was equally happy, and instinctively held her delicate and boneless hand. The couple exchanged smiles, understanding each other without words.
Watching the harmonious interaction between the two, Wang Laowu, who had always been distant from them, felt a twinge of sourness amidst his happiness for his son. Since his wife's passing, leaving him and his son dependent on each other, they had been together. Whenever he thought of his deceased wife, he would hold his son in his arms, finding solace in this simple happiness.
To him, his son Wang Ye was the only comfort in his lonely life.
But now that his son had grown up and started his own family, the old man found himself alone again...
Looking at Chu Qingyi, who had never been close to him before, he rarely had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of her beauty. Yet now she was happily leaning on his son's shoulder, appearing dependent like a little bird.
The scene filled Wang Laowu with envy. He gripped the chopsticks tightly, exerting too much force, causing his knuckles to turn white. He stared fixedly at the tightly held hands of the two, imagining himself as the man currently embracing Chu Qingyi.
Stimulated by alcohol, an excited Wang Ye, held his desolate father tightly in his arms, with Chu Qingyi on his left and his father on his right.
"Dad, you... don't worry, Xiaoye... will definitely... let you enjoy your future life..."
Wang Ye was already heavily intoxicated, slurring his words and swaying back and forth. His consciousness was hazy, and he exhaled hot breath while emitting a strong alcoholic odour in the room.
Thanks to his son, Wang Laowu had his first close encounter with Chu Qingyi. She was just a fist's distance away, and he could even feel her breath gently brushing against his cheek.
A faint fragrance enveloped his nostrils, and at that moment, he felt as if he were surrounded by a sea of flowers. A gentle breeze caressed his surroundings, as if a lover's tender hand was softly stroking his cheek.
He greedily took a deep breath, wanting to inhale this scent into his very bones.
"Qing... Qingyi, I, Wang Ye, am not a weakling. I... I will definitely make you the happiest woman in the world!"
In his intoxicated state, Wang Ye, who had already lost his consciousness, swayed once again. Wang Laowu, caught off guard, lunged forward and almost collided with Chu Qingyi, who was also being held by Wang Ye.
He looked up, nearly spewing blood from his nose.
He saw two towering peaks standing, shrouded in gauzy fabric, with glimpses of deep abysses within. They undulated with each breath, waves surging forth.
Wang Laowu's blood surged, his face turning red, panting heavily. His eyes stared fixedly at the two peaks before him, longing to immediately rush forward and tear apart the garments obstructing his view, to truly behold the appearance of those peaks.
His lower region betrayed him by becoming erect, hindered by the confines of his coarse pants, causing discomfort and frustration with nowhere to release it.
Chu Qingyi, whose beautiful eyes had been fixed on Wang Ye, did not notice the shameful state of her father-in-law. Seeing how drunk Wang Ye was, she feared for his well-being and quickly deceived him, taking the wine cup from his hand and stabilizing his swaying body.
Wang Ye, a towering figure at eight feet tall, couldn't be controlled by a six feet woman. With a strong swing of his muscular arm, he mumbled and stood up again. He passionately called out to those around him to raise their glasses and drink with him.
"Dad... can you help me support him back?"
Biting her red lip lightly, Chu Qingyi hesitated for a while before her thin lips parted, and she spoke with eloquence. It had been several days since Wang Laowu last heard such a melodious voice, and he was particularly thrilled. The crisp sound was like pearls falling on a jade plate, exceptionally beautiful.
Especially when she used the word "dad," it made Wang Laowu's heart surge. During the time they lived under the same roof, Chu Qingyi had always maintained a distant attitude, as if they were strangers. If it weren't for Wang Ye's presence, they would never have intersected in this lifetime.
Now, hearing Chu Qingyi willingly call him "dad," Wang Laowu couldn't contain his excitement. Tears filled his dim eyes as he repeatedly agreed. They each supported one of Wang Ye's arms and struggled to carry him back to the east wing.
After taking care of Wang Ye, the father-in-law and daughter-in-law cleaned the kitchen inside and out, and washed the clothes Wang Ye had changed out of.
Chu Qingyi, who couldn't wield any heavenly powers at the moment, was just like an ordinary woman. However, since she rarely engaged in household chores, most of the work was done by Wang Laowu. She could only follow behind him, occasionally wanting to help but not knowing where to start. Her bewildered and innocent appearance was quite adorable.
While busying himself with his tasks, Wang Laowu secretly observed Chu Qingyi. The aloof fairy who usually carried an air of superiority rarely showed such a meek expression, with her two little hands unable to find a place to rest and tightly clenched together. Her watery eyes watched Wang Laowu bustling around, and her pearl-like teeth lightly bit her lower lip, filled with hesitation.
Pretending to be oblivious to everything he noticed, Wang Laowu pretended to be tired while working, shaking his arms and wiping off sweat, occasionally furrowing his brow and sighing deeply.
Seeing this, Chu Qingyi felt even more guilty. She learned from Wang Ye that Wang Laowu had been widowed in middle age and never remarried in consideration of his son's feelings. After his son's departure, he had to live a lonely life, already in his sixties, with a frail body that laboured for the household day in and day out. She couldn't fathom how much effort he had put into this family.
Thinking about her attitude towards her father-in-law, Wang Laowu, during the past few days, she felt increasingly remorseful, her young face full of conflict.
"Dad... thank you..." Chu Qingyi finally gathered her courage and spoke to Wang Laowu's back.
Wang Laowu, who was washing the dishes, suddenly paused, and his emaciated body trembled slightly.
"We're all family, no need for thanks. You should go back and take care of Xiao Ye. I'll handle things here." His voice was slightly hoarse, with a hint of a crying tone mixed in.
Saying that, he rubbed his nose and sniffed back the mucus that had run into his nostrils.
Thinking that Wang Laowu was in an emotional state, Chu Qingyi believed that he asked her to leave to hide his vulnerable state. So, she understandingly turned around and went back to her room.