Dressed in formal attire, Qian Xunji approached but did not enter. He stood quietly outside the gate, watching Bibi Dong from a distance.
Bibi Dong was in the pavilion, trying to reopen the book she had torn apart. She noticed the movement outside and her eyes filled with deep loathing.
"Teacher," Bibi Dong spat out the words as Qian Xunji began to speak, her tone dripping with contempt, "I'm afraid you're not welcomed here."
Qian Xunji was unfazed by her sarcasm. He had grown accustomed to this treatment over time. Ignoring her hostility, he continued, "I heard that Xiao Xue and Xiao Jue came to see you again?"
"You heard?" Bibi Dong paused, her actions stilling as she let out a cold laugh. "Ha! Weren't you the one who sent them?"
This wasn't a real question. Bibi Dong already knew the answer. Even that little girl had become cautious around her after the last bloody incident.
As for Qian Xunji and his family, who hoped the children would carry on the family legacy, they wouldn't send them to her but neither would they stop them.
As if confirming her suspicions, Qian Xunji spoke, "Dong'er, you know I wouldn't let Xiao Jue be harmed, but I also won't stop them from coming."
This calm explanation only elicited a mad laugh from Bibi Dong. "Hahaha! Teacher, I wouldn't dare say I know you! If I did, how could I have ended up like this?!"
Her laughter teetered on the edge of hysteria, tears threatening to spill as she looked up at him with a wild glint in her eyes.
Qian Xunji fell silent, adjusting his breath as he gathered his thoughts before calmly stating, "Dong'er, Xiao Jue is different. He's not like anyone else. He genuinely wants to be close to you, not for any other reason than simply because you're his mother."
"Shut up! I'm not his mother!" Bibi Dong's body shook as the book in her hands was crushed into a ball.
That child was indeed different. She had known it since the moment he was born, even when he was still in her womb.
But that only made her want to avoid him more. She could never forget what had happened that day—the betrayal by the man she had once seen as a father, who had ruined her life.
Her eyes reddened with anger as she coldly sneered, "Teacher, did you know? Every time I think about them being your children, it makes me sick!"
She let out a mocking laugh, her eyes fixed on Qian Xunji with a vicious glint. "They're just like you! The sight or even the sound of them makes me want to vomit!"
Qian Xunji remained silent, enduring her harsh words until she could no longer speak, her voice hoarse. After a long pause, he turned to leave, giving her space to vent her anger.
"I hope one day, Xiao Jue will make you change your mind," Qian Xunji said as he paused at the gate, not looking back. "I wasn't a good teacher or son, but I want to be a good father. I don't want them to fail like I did, and I don't want them to grow up without a mother. So, Dong'er, if you have any requests, just say the word. As long as it doesn't harm the Spirit Hall, I will do everything I can."
Just as he was about to walk away, Bibi Dong's response came faster than he expected, catching him off guard and sending a shiver down his spine.
"I want to go to the Slaughter City!"
Her voice was hoarse, yet it carried a chilling edge. Qian Xunji fell silent, understanding all too well what that place entailed. He took a deep breath before responding calmly, "Very well. I'll make the necessary arrangements in due time."
"Thank you, teacher," Bibi Dong replied, her voice laced with a cruel smile.
Qian Xunji turned back to look at her, his face softening with a rare gentleness. "Dong'er, I know you want revenge. But I still hope you'll reconsider. The children are waiting for you."
Without waiting for a response, he quickly left the courtyard. Little did he know that his final words only strengthened Bibi Dong's resolve.
Qian Renjue's appearance terrified Bibi Dong. Despite his warm smile, all she felt was fear. She had to get away from here.
---
In the days that followed, Qian Renjue's persistence began to wear on Bibi Dong. Every single day, without fail, he and Qian Renxue would arrive at her courtyard with flowers in hand. The exchange was always the same.
Qian Renjue would cheerfully poke his head through the gate, asking, "Mom, can we…"
"Shut up!"
"Big sister, may we…"
"Get out!"
"Okay! We're leaving! Mom, don't be mad."
Qian Renjue never lingered. He would promptly place the flowers in the barren flowerbed before leaving with Qian Renxue, laughing as they went. His quick departures left Bibi Dong no chance to react.
This continued every day, pushing Bibi Dong to the brink. She eventually resorted to leaving the courtyard to train elsewhere, but the siblings' visits were unpredictable, and they continued their routine without fail. Each time she returned, she often ran into them again, driving her nearly mad.
---
A month and a half later, at dusk, Qian Renjue stood in front of the worship hall, waiting for something.
"Sis, when do you think Grandpa Feather will be back? Mom hasn't gone back to her courtyard, has she?"
Qian Renxue shook her head in response to his question. "I don't know," she admitted, noticing the cup in Qian Renjue's hand with two flowers inside, one from yesterday and one from today.
She reached out and ruffled his hair, knowing full well that their mother must have enlightement in the middle of cultivation, which was why she hadn't returned.
Just then, they saw Qian Xunji approaching.
"Dad!"
---
Buy the full version (280+ and still ongoing) here:
Patreon.com/rashta/shop
100++ chapter in advance
And soon will reach 200+ advanced chapters
Buy once and read it for a lifetime.
(No monthly membership)