Heart's Sentiments

Ever since we returned to the Daoist temple, Su Er had remained unconscious.

I asked Fourth Uncle, but he only said there was nothing to worry about.

It had been a full two days now. For these two days, I had stayed by Su Er's bedside without leaving, so that any movement she made would immediately catch my eye.

On an autumn afternoon, when the setting sun had dyed the pear blossoms red before us, I sat quietly beside Su Er. Watching her remain in a coma, my heart ached like it was being cut.

*A single word of love painted from the worries of the world;*
*Ask the mortals of the earth, who does not suffer for love?*

I took Su Er's hand, pressing it against my palm, and gently brushed away her messy hair:
"Su Er, I'm sorry. I promise I won't let you suffer anymore."

The wind, chasing a flock of cranes, blew into the bamboo room, lightly swaying Su Er's hair.

Her small hand suddenly twitched.

Instinctively, I gripped her hand tightly and said in delight,
"Su Er, you're awake! You're finally awake!"

Su Er slowly opened her eyes to look at me, her gaze still filled with worry:
"Chu Ling, are you alright?"

I patted her hand and shook my head gently:
"I'm fine, I'm fine..."

Su Er smiled, raising her hand to lightly touch my face:
"It's good that you're fine."

I lowered my eyes, sighing softly in my heart, before saying,
"I... I was afraid you wouldn't wake up again."

Su Er looked at me quietly and finally smiled:
"How could that be?"

I sat by the bed, hesitating for a long time before finally gathering the courage to speak:
"Su Er, I'm sorry. I blamed you wrongly back then because I truly felt that she was my mother."

Su Er's voice lowered like a sigh, then gradually grew firmer:
"I know. Auntie's longing and care were very genuine, but... there was a very strange feeling around her, as if something was contained inside her body. It made me extremely uncomfortable, which is why I used the Yin-Yang Eyes."

I nodded, my gaze dim as I looked out the window:
"It was a technique... Someone used my mother's evil soul, exploiting her maternal love so that her son would let his guard down and lose his life."

Su Er's face, which had been calm and unmoving, suddenly turned solemn.
"Then how did you escape? Back then... when I saw you in danger, I couldn't think of anything else."

A look of pain appeared on my face, and I said in a low voice,
"It was thanks to your Yin-Yang Eyes, which awakened my mother's good soul just in time. In that moment of life and death, Mother knocked the lamp out of my hand."

Hearing this, Su Er let out a sigh of relief:
"How is Auntie now?"

Looking at Su Er's pale face, I really didn't want to tell her what happened next, but I had to respect her right to know.

I tried to maintain an indifferent expression, speaking as if it were no big deal:
"Mother burned her own soul to block the ghosts."

Su Er looked at me in panic, her face turning even paler. Her choked, broken voice pained my heart:
"Is it... is it because of me? Did I harm Auntie?"

I quickly pulled Su Er into a tight embrace, whispering in her ear,
"Su Er, calm down. It wasn't your fault. Thanks to you, I managed to escape death."

As I spoke, I gently patted her back to comfort her:
"Fortunately, the innkeeper volunteered to purify Mother so she could enter reincarnation."

Su Er's eyes at this moment were as clear as autumn lake water, breathtakingly beautiful yet carrying an extreme sorrow:
"I really feel so sorry toward Auntie. If only I had noticed earlier, it wouldn't have ended like this."
Saying that, she suddenly covered her face and sobbed.

Awkwardly, I quickly comforted her,
"Everything is fine now, don't blame yourself."

I had never been good with words, so I could only offer a few simple consolations. After crying for a bit, Su Er seemed to feel better. She looked at me and said,
"Chu Ling, don't be angry with Grandfather anymore. I can see that whatever he does, he wants the best for you."

I raised my eyebrows slightly, the corners of my mouth curving up as I smiled,
"You've slept for too long, so you don't know. Grandfather and I have already reconciled."

Su Er's eyes lit up, and she smiled happily:
"That's wonderful."

I suddenly felt that the chaotic world, because of her pure smile, had gradually become extraordinarily quiet.

Finally, everything was resolved.

Joyfully, I went to inform everyone that Su Er had awakened. Fourth Uncle and Grandfather also rushed over to visit.

Fourth Uncle walked to the bedside, observed Su Er's complexion, and then turned to us:
"This girl is recovering quite quickly. Using the divine power of the Yin-Yang Eyes without permission this time has depleted her vitality. I will instruct Zhang Sheng to make some nourishing dishes for her."

Grandfather nodded, his gaze still calm yet dim as he said to me,
"For now, I will remain at the Daoist temple with Fourth Uncle to nourish Zhou Yao's soul. Chu Ling and Su Er, you two should head home first to investigate the matter of the Zhou family's abandoned well. Encountering so many dangers this time suggests there might be someone pulling the strings from behind."

I was shocked, my voice trembling:
"Who could hold such a grudge against us?"

Grandfather sighed softly, his gaze wandering aimlessly:
"This matter is likely related to me."

I asked in doubt:
"Related to you, Grandfather?"

Grandfather nodded, turning around:
"Chu Ling, I cannot tell you for now. I hope you can help me investigate the abandoned well at the Zhou family home, alright?"

How could I refuse? It could also be considered helping Madame Zhou, giving her some peace of mind.

I nodded and said resolutely,
"Alright, Grandfather, please rest assured."

Grandfather said nothing more, but I knew he had always been kind-hearted and never harbored any malicious intent to harm anyone. His asking Su Er and me to investigate this time was also out of good intentions.

Fourth Uncle walked over and offered a sincere reminder:
"Lad, you must be careful in all things, understand?"

I suddenly felt that this responsibility seemed fraught with danger, yet there was not a single trace of fear in my heart.

Because Zhou Yao had once said that I had never fallen into danger alone without Grandfather.

No matter what kind of ghosts or demons were out there, as long as Grandfather appeared, they could be dealt with.

Fourth Uncle went back to Grandfather and said,
"These past few days, I've been observing the celestial phenomena and noticed an anomaly in the west. The resentment rising to the heavens is extremely bizarre."

Grandfather fell into deep thought for a long time before replying to Fourth Uncle:
"The west... isn't that in the direction of Yuanhuan Village?"

Fourth Uncle looked at him with a questioning gaze:
"Yuanhuan Village?"

Grandfather nodded.

Then he lowered his voice:
"In Yuanhuan Village, someone used a forbidden art to raise a fierce ghost. I have temporarily sealed it. I wonder if the anomaly you observed is related to this?"

The two of them spoke very cautiously, keeping their voices as low as possible.

Fourth Uncle said with some worry:
"I didn't expect them to appear so strong this time."

Grandfather sighed softly, his eyes carrying countless worries that were hard to put into words:
"There's no avoiding it this time. Let's just end this grudge once and for all."

Fourth Uncle frowned, his tone somewhat guarded:
"We are in the light while they are in the dark; it will be hard to fight them."

Grandfather looked into the far-off distance:
"Even if we cannot defeat them, we must try. If we let this continue, many more people will be dragged into it."

Fourth Uncle raised his head and said resolutely,
"No matter the duty, even if my body is shattered to pieces, I will help you."

Grandfather was amused by Fourth Uncle's serious expression and chuckled:
"It's not that severe. Just do as I say."

Fourth Uncle scratched his head and smiled foolishly.

I saw that Grandfather's worry was hard to hide, his face etched with an indescribable fear.

I smiled, walked over, and said to him:
"I will also lend you and Zhou Yao a hand."

Grandfather was taken aback, looking at me with hesitation:
"Chu Ling..."

I smiled:
"After all, Zhou Yao and I are like brothers. We are family, so why draw a line between us?"

Grandfather's mood brightened.

He held my hand and said in a choked voice,
"You accept Zhou Yao's existence?"

I said,
"Why wouldn't I accept it, Grandfather?"

Grandfather smiled at me, but his smile carried a hint of choking emotion:
"I owe you too much."

I waved my hand and said to him,
"I have yet to repay you for raising me, so how could you owe me?"

Grandfather probably felt a weight lift from his shoulders, and his eyes grew less dim.

To liven up the atmosphere, I joked,
"Hearing about it is nothing compared to seeing it. Zhou Yao is so handsome, no wonder so many ghost girls come looking for him, haha?"

Grandfather laughed too, but it was a bitter laugh:
"It is not out of love, but out of hatred."

Hatred...

Hatred...

It was truly hatred...

But clearly, they all wanted to marry Zhou Yao. Calling it hatred seemed a bit forced.