https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-347-Banishment-to-the-Falling-Immortal-Pavilion-/12947847/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-349-A-Letter-from-the-North-Wind/12947849/
Chapter 348: Half a Day of Joy
Chapter 348: Half a Day of Joy
Cloud-like hair and a flower-like face, adorned with a golden headpiece,
In the warm lotus-covered bed, a spring night passes.
As the clouds disperse and the rain ceases, the afternoon sun shines brightly.
In a corner of the mountain courtyard, the two, clad in white robes, sit at a table.
Lu Ran lazily, basking in the sun, gazing at the serene mountains in the distance.
Jiang Ruyi holds a porcelain teapot, silently pouring tea.
Seeing his absent-minded expression, Jiang Ruyi picks up a small porcelain cup and gently places it on Lu Ran's table.
Regarding Lu Ran's sudden appearance, she was first shocked and then delighted, but now she feels a sense of unexplained grievance.
And now,
Feeling his tangible presence before her, all the complex emotions in her heart have already dissipated.
The blue sky and white clouds, the warm breeze blowing.
The mountain wind caresses his white robe, lifting a fallen leaf that floats past his peaceful and serene gaze.
For a fleeting moment,
Jiang Ruyi wishes time would forever freeze at this moment.
She doesn't have grand dreams or desires for this world.
Unfortunately, fate has other plans.
In her youth, she met a proud and ambitious young man.
The promises and vows he made still echo in her ears.
Some people, some words, once spoken, leave an indelible mark.
The wind remembers, the clouds remember.
Time remembers.
She remembers too.
Regardless of whether he remembers or not, she has always been by his side.
As long as Lu Ran is lost in thought, Jiang Ruyi sits quietly.
When Lu Ran snaps out of his daze and looks at her, he sees Jiang Ruyi averting her gaze.
Her expression seems a little flustered.
On the delicate, pale earlobes of the young girl, a faint pink blush appears.
"What...what are you thinking about?"
Jiang Ruyi picks up the small porcelain cup and speaks softly, then takes a small sip of tea.
Lu Ran: "It's almost the New Year. What are your plans?"
Jiang Ruyi plays with the white porcelain teacup: "I'm not going back."
"Hmm?" Lu Ran is a little surprised.
Jiang Ruyi: "My master said that my sword technique has reached the initial stage, and I'm making good progress every day.
I want to maintain this state."
"What about your uncle and aunt?"
"Can I bring my parents over for the New Year? I'll find them a place to stay in Falling Immortal Village for a while."
"Of course you can." Lu Ran nods decisively.
The Jiang family couple has worked hard for half their lives, confined to a cursed land.
Taking advantage of the New Year's holiday, Lu Ran wholeheartedly agrees to let them come to Cai Nan to relax and recuperate.
Jiang Ruyi shows a faint smile: "Okay."
Lu Ran thinks for a moment and says, "Then I'll bring Xiao Yuansi over too, and we can celebrate the New Year together?"
Jiang Ruyi: "What about Aunt Qiao?"
Lu Ran shakes his head: "She's in seclusion, but she'll come out on New Year's Eve."
Jiang Ruyi silently nods, gently wiping the teacup with her finger.
Suddenly, Lu Ran says, "Why don't you call them now? Today is the 10th, and there are still a few days until the city lockdown.
Let's have your uncle and aunt come over now."
Jiang Ruyi: "Hmm?"
Lu Ran shrugs: "Take a few days off, work is never-ending.
Come earlier and spend a peaceful 15th.
Before the New Year, we can also take your uncle and aunt to see Cangshan Erhai and visit Dali Ancient City."
Strictly speaking, the more intense the energy fluctuations, the more likely it is to attract demon invasions.
But this is the very place where the deity resides.
Of course, Lord Sheep won't easily intervene; the deity's protection is the last line of defense.
Most importantly, the Great Xia military is stationed here! The garrison at the Demon Cave of Galactic Bay is very strong, and they have always protected Falling Immortal Mountain thoroughly.
One word: stable!
Jiang Ruyi thinks for a moment and nods lightly.
Lu Ran suddenly turns his gaze, and the mountain house door opens, revealing the Cool Night Sword flying towards him.
On the sword, a phone is placed and presented to its owner.
As Jiang Ruyi calls her parents, Lu Ran's ears twitch, and he turns to look behind him.
On the flower-covered fence, half a head peeks out.
Hey?
Isn't this the malicious maid of the Mountain Lord's Consort?
Si Yashuang sticks her head out, and her beautiful eyes meet Lu Ran's gaze.
Si Xianxian doesn't shrink back.
Despite her sneaky behavior, she looks completely innocent.
Lu Ran finds this amusing and waves her over.
"Hmph." Si Xianxian flies into the air and directly jumps over the wall.
Lu Ran makes a gesture to be quiet and indicates Jiang Ruyi, who is on the phone.
Si Xianxian pouts, not realizing she's a third wheel, and sits down on the table.
Lu Ran holds an empty teacup and gestures to Si Xianxian.
Si Xianxian continues peeling her happy fruit, pretending not to see.
As Jiang Ruyi spoke on the phone, a faint smile lifted the corners of her lips.
She gently pushed her teacup towards Si Xianxian.
Si Xianxian: "..."
After a moment, Si Xianxian reluctantly picked up the porcelain teapot and poured tea for the two of them.
Lu Ran savored the tea, then winked at Si Xianxian.
Si Xianxian looked up at the sky and rolled her eyes at the clouds.
A few minutes later, Jiang Ruyi hung up the phone.
"Here." Si Xianxian had peeled many happy nuts and handed the small plate to Jiang Ruyi.
Jiang Ruyi spoke softly, "My parents will be here the day after tomorrow. After the 15th, let's go visit the ancient city together."
Si Xianxian nodded repeatedly, "Okay."
Lu Ran asked, "You agreed so quickly?"
"You have a lot of face with your parents." Jiang Ruyi took the plate and pushed it towards Lu Ran.
Si Xianxian: "..."
Lu Ran didn't hold back. He picked up a happy nut and ate it noisily.
This childish act made Si Xianxian roll her eyes at the blue sky and white clouds again.
Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but laugh and asked, "It's almost the New Year. What are your plans, Immortal Sister Cai?"
"I..." Si Xianxian opened her mouth and turned to look at Lu Ran, "Can I stay here for the New Year?"
Lu Ran nodded directly, "I've said it before. As long as you want to, you can stay here as long as you like."
Si Xianxian's face immediately lit up with joy!
She picked up a happy nut and was about to feed it to Lu Ran.
Jiang Ruyi raised her eyes slightly, gazing gently at Lu Ran.
Lu Ran was startled and quickly backed away, "Hey? Hey?"
"Oh!" Si Xianxian picked up a happy nut, but midway, she changed her target and fed it to Jiang Ruyi's mouth.
Jiang Ruyi looked at Si Xianxian with a hint of helplessness.
Si Xianxian kept pleading for forgiveness, saying things like, "I'm sorry, I'm just too happy," but in the end, she still stuffed the happy nut into Jiang Ruyi's rosy lips.
"Where's Aunt Si?" Jiang Ruyi asked softly.
Seeing Jiang Ruyi's attitude, Si Xianxian heaved a sigh of relief.
She hurriedly said, "She went back to her parents' home. Every year, my mom takes me back for the New Year."
As she spoke, Si Xianxian lowered her head and continued peeling the happy nuts, her voice growing softer, "They probably don't want me to go back.
Hmph.
Without me, that whole family will probably be happier, no longer living in fear."
Jiang Ruyi's heart softened, and she held Si Xianxian's hand, squeezing it gently, "You have us."
"Mhm." Si Xianxian smiled sweetly again.
So sweet it was cloying.
She picked up another happy nut and brought it to Jiang Ruyi's lips.
Lu Ran looked at this heartwarming scene, feeling a touch of emotion.
Speaking of which, every time Lu Ran felt extremely happy, this cruel world would always strike him down.
Lu Ran turned to look at the distant mountains and forests.
What would the next blow be?
Would it be the night of the 15th of the last month?
Or would it be the divine ruins that would open after the 15th of the first month?
Hmm. Such thoughts seemed inappropriate.
The blows that fell on people's heads day after day had nothing to do with whether they were happy or not.
In this cruel world, suffering was the main theme.
So,
Enjoy the fleeting joy of life, and embrace it with equanimity.
Do not prematurely borrow trouble and sorrow.
"Lu Ran, Lu Ran? Young Master!"
"Hmm?" Lu Ran snapped back to attention.
Si Xianxian rolled her eyes at the clouds in the sky again, "If you don't call me Young Master, I won't respond!"
Lu Ran laughed, "What's the matter?"
Si Xianxian's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Ruyi and I were just talking. This time, if you score 134 points in the 'Pride Celestial' exam, you'll truly be the First Pride of Great Xia!"
Lu Ran nodded.
He was 17 points ahead of the second-place student! Theoretically, if he scored 134 points again, everything would be fine.
However, Lu Ran didn't believe that the second-place student could score a perfect 150 points.
Therefore, Lu Ran could lower his score requirement a little.
Si Xianxian smiled and asked, "Are you confident?"
Lu Ran: "It still depends on the battlefield and what questions the demons will ask."
Si Xianxian didn't think much of it, "Even without special events, with your speed, you could patrol the city all night and still score 134 points, right?"
Lu Ran shook his head, "The scoring standards of the River Realm are different from those of the River Realm."
Si Xianxian was quite curious, "Aren't you usually so arrogant? Why are you being modest now?"
"You will be the First Pride of Great Xia."
Suddenly, Jiang Ruyi spoke softly, her tone gentle yet firm.
Lu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly.
Jiang Ruyi didn't say another word but silently watched Lu Ran, a hint of pride in her eyes.
It had always been.
(End of Chapter)
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