Silver steps swayed beneath adorned hairpins and glowing cheeks,

Warmly tucked in a lotus tent through the spring night.

Clouds dispersed and rain ceased, the afternoon sun was just right.

In a corner of the mountain abode's courtyard, two clad in white robes were seated at a table.

Lu Ran basked lazily in the sun, gazing at the distant serene forest.

Jiang Ruyi, holding a porcelain teapot, silently poured tea.

Watching his deeply contemplative expression, Jiang Ruyi picked up a small porcelain cup and gently placed it before Lu Ran on the table.

From initially being shocked and joyous about Lu Ran's sudden appearance, to inexplicably feeling wronged,

And now,

Feeling his real presence before her, all her complex emotions dissipated like smoke.

Blue skies and soft breezes,

The mountain wind lifted his white robe, carrying fallen leaves that floated past his peaceful gaze.

In that moment,

Jiang Ruyi wished time could stand still here forever.

Regarding this world, she harbored no grand dreams or desires.

Regrettably, fate plays its tricks.

In her youth, she met a proud, ambitious boy.

Promises he made still echoed in her ears.

Some people, some words, once spoken, leave indelible marks.

The wind will remember, so will the clouds.

And so will the passing years.

And she would remember too.

Whether he remembered or not, she had always been there, accompanying him on his journey.

However long Lu Ran was lost in thought, Jiang Ruyi sat quietly just as long.

When Lu Ran finally snapped back to reality and turned to her, he caught her averting her gaze.

A hint of fluster flashed across her face.

A faint pink tinted the delicate lobes of the young girl's pale ears.

"What are you thinking about?"

Jiang Ruyi picked up the small tea cup, speaking softly before taking a sip.

Lu Ran asked, "The New Year is approaching, what are your plans?"

Jiang Ruyi fiddled with the white porcelain tea cup, "I won't be going back."

"Hmm?" Lu Ran expressed his surprise.

"My master said my swordsmanship has just begun to advance, and I am making significant daily progress.

I want to continue this state."

"How about your uncle and aunt?"

"I was thinking of bringing my parents here for the New Year. I could find them a place to stay temporarily in Luoxian Village."

"Of course, that's possible," Lu Ran promptly nodded.

The Jiang Family had toiled hard all their lives, confined to a cursed land.

Taking a holiday during the New Year to relax and recuperate in Cai Nan was something Lu Ran wholeheartedly endorsed.

Jiang Ruyi showed a slight smile, "Hmm."

Lu Ran thought for a moment, "Then I'll also bring Little Yuanxi over, how about we celebrate New Year's together?"

"What about Aunt Qiao?"

Lu Ran shook his head, "She's in seclusion, not emerging until New Year's Eve."

Jiang Ruyi nodded silently, her fingertips gently touching the tea cup.

Suddenly, Lu Ran suggested, "Why not call them now? Today's the tenth, a few days before the city lockdown.

Why not have your uncle and aunt come over now?"

"Hmm?"

Lu Ran shrugged, "Apply for a holiday or something. Work is never-ending.

Come earlier, have a peaceful fifteenth.

Before the New Year, we can also take your uncle and aunt to see Cang Mountain and Erhai, visit Dali Ancient Town."

Energy fluctuations often attract the Evil Demon's invasion,

But this place is, after all, the residence of a deity.

Of course, Lord Immortal Goat wouldn't intervene lightly, God's protection is the last line of defense.

Mainly, because the Da Xia military is stationed here!

The corps guarding Demon Cave and Galaxy Bay are exceedingly strong and have always secured Luoxian Mountain comprehensively.

One word: Stable!

Jiang Ruyi pondered for a while before nodding.

Suddenly, Lu Ran's gaze shifted, seeing the door of the mountain residence open, the Cold Night Sword slowly flying in.

Resting on the sword was a mobile phone, presented beside its owner.

Jiang Ruyi made a call to her parents, Lu Ran's ears twitched, and he turned to look behind.

He spotted only half a head peeking over the flower-covered fence.

Oh?

Isn't that the malevolent maid of the mountain master's wife?

Maid Si peeked around, her beautiful eyes meeting Lu Ran's.

Maid Si didn't duck back down.

Despite sneaking around, she acted as if she was entitled to be seen.

Lu Ran, amused, gestured for her to come over.

"Hmph." Maid Si leapt into the air and vaulted over the fence.

Lu Ran made a quiet gesture, indicating Jiang Ruyi who was still on the phone.

Maid Si pouted but didn't act like a third wheel and simply sat at the table.

Lu Ran took the empty tea cup and motioned it towards Maid Si.

She, engrossed in peeling pistachios, pretended not to notice.

The calling Jiang Ruyi's lips curled slightly.

She too pushed her tea cup towards Maid Si.

"…"

Moments later, Maid Si grudgingly picked up the porcelain teapot, pouring tea for both.

Lu Ran blissfully picked up his tea cup, sipping it and winked at Maid Si.

She faced the sky, rolling her eyes at the clouds above.

Minutes later, Jiang Ruyi hung up.

"Here." Maid Si had peeled many pistachios, passing a small plate to Jiang Ruyi.

Jiang Ruyi softly said, "My parents are coming the day after tomorrow, let's visit the ancient city together after the fifteenth."

Maid Si nodded repeatedly, "Sounds good."

Lu Ran surprised, "You agree just like that?"

"You have quite the influence with my parents," Jiang Ruyi explained as she passed the plate to Lu Ran.

Maid Si: "…"

Unabashedly, Lu Ran picked up a pistachio, crunching loudly.

Such childishness prompted Maid Si to roll her eyes at the blue sky.

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but smile, asking, "The New Year is nearly upon us, what are Sister Xian'er's plans?"

"I..." Maid Si opened her mouth, turning to look at Lu Ran, "Can I spend New Year here?"

Lu Ran nodded immediately, "As I said, you can stay here as long as you like."

Maid Si's face lit up with joy!

She picked up a pistachio, intending to feed it to Lu Ran.

Jiang Ruyi raised her eyelids, just watching.

Lu Ran jumped back startled, "Hey! Hey?"

"Oh!" Maid Si, holding the pistachio, shifted her target mid-way, headed towards Jiang Ruyi's mouth.

Jiang Ruyi looked somewhat helplessly at Maid Si.

Maid Si kept appeasing, saying "I was wrong, too excited," as she finally popped the pistachio into Lady Luo Xian's lips.

"And Aunt Si?" Jiang Ruyi asked softly.

Seeing Jiang Ruyi's gentle demeanor, Maid Si breathed a sigh of relief.

She replied hurriedly, "She went back to her maternal home, like every year, mum takes me back for the New Year."

As she spoke, Maid Si buried herself in peeling pistachios, her voice growing fainter, "They probably wish I wouldn't come back.

Heh.

Without me, the whole family would probably be happier, not frightened all the time."

Jiang Ruyi's heart softened, grasping Maid Si's hand gently, "You have us."

"Hmm." Maid Si's face brightened into a sweet smile.

Sickly sweet.

She picked up another pistachio and brought it to Jiang Ruyi's lips.

Lu Ran watched this tender scene, feeling somewhat moved.

Speaking of which, every time Lu Ran felt truly happy, this cruel world seemed poised to strike him down.

Lu Ran turned towards the distant forest.

What form would the next blow take?

The upcoming fifteenth night of the twelfth lunar month?

Or the Divine Ruins that would be opened after the fifteenth of the first lunar month?

Hmm…those thoughts seemed incorrect.

The blows raining down on humanity occurred daily, irrelevant to personal happiness.

In this harsh world, suffering is the dominant theme.

So,

Steal half a day's leisure when you can, and enjoy it openly.

Don't borrow trouble and sorrow ahead of time.

"Lu Ran, Lu Ran? Young Master!"

"Hmm?" Lu Ran came back to reality.

Maid Si, looking at the clouds, rolled her eyes again, "Won't respond unless called Young Master, huh?"

Lu Ran laughed, "What's up?"

Maid Si's eyes shone with excitement, "Ruyi and I were just talking, in this 'Heavenly Pride' exam, if you score 134 points, you'll be the true Number One Heavenly Pride of Da Xia!"

Lu Ran nodded.

He was leading the second-ranked by 17 points!

In theory, if he scored another 134 points this time, all would be well.

But, Lu Ran didn't think the second place could score a perfect 150 points.

So, the score Lu Ran needed could be slightly lower.

Maid Si playfully asked, "You feeling confident?"

Lu Ran, "It depends on the battlefield, on what challenges the Evil Demon presents."

Maid Si unconvinced, "Even without any special incidents, with your speed, patrolling the city all night, you could surely hack your way to 134 points, right?"

Lu Ran shook his head, "The scoring standards in River Realm are different from those in River Realm."

Maid Si, growing curious, "Aren't you usually very boastful? How come you're being modest now?"

"You will be the Number One Heavenly Pride of Da Xia."

Suddenly, Jiang Ruyi spoke softly yet firmly.

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.

Jiang Ruyi did not speak further but merely watched him quietly, her eyes filled with pride.

He always had been.

Always.

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