He wanted to turn his head to look at me, but I pressed my face hard into the crook of his neck, not letting him see my current state.
Gu Yuan didn't turn his head any further and answered without hesitation, "Yes."
Just this single word had already warmed my heart. All my efforts were worth it.
However, I didn't give in easily. I pouted and said in a half - angry, half - coquettish tone, "You're not sincere."
Gu Yuan asked in confusion, "Why am I not sincere?"
"You didn't even think about it. It means you didn't use your brain at all. So you're just perfunctorily answering me."
Gu Yuan was speechless at my answer. "Then how should I answer?"
"You should at least think for a while before answering." I wrapped my arms around Gu Yuan's neck and tightened my grip.
"Okay."
For quite a while, Gu Yuan didn't say anything. I was still waiting for his answer. "Do you need to think for so long? You're not sincere. Humph."
Gu Yuan was completely defeated by my innocence. He bounced me up on his back forcefully. I couldn't help laughing out loud. I finally managed to subdue him for once.
As we were talking, he carried me on his back to the foot of the City of Eternal Night. By now, Jun He on the city wall had left, and the crowd outside the city gate had dispersed. People were bustling back and forth in front of the City of Eternal Night.
Wasn't this place supposed to have its gates wide open? Why were the gates closed today?
I jumped off Gu Yuan's back and rushed to knock on the door knocker before him.
After waiting for quite a while, no one came to open the door.
"It seems no one's here," I said to Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan looked calm. He said coldly towards the inside, "Since we're already at the door, why not open it?"
"Hahaha... There's really a master protecting the little girl. This is interesting."
As the voice came from inside, the gates clanged open to the left and right.
Jun He, dressed in a black robe with golden trimmings, stood in front of us. There was a smile on his face, and his eyes were always fixed on me. His unruly look made me feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Little girl, we meet again so soon."
"Yes, what a coincidence," I replied politely.
"Did you come to the City of Eternal Night specifically to find me?" Jun He joked.
"Not really. We're looking for Gu Qingcheng. Do you know her?" I asked.
Hearing this name, Jun He's face darkened. He answered, "What do you want with that old woman?"
As soon as his voice fell, a boot suddenly flew from behind Jun He and hit the back of his head precisely.
Jun He rubbed the back of his head and let out a groan.
Then a sharp voice came over:
"Who are you calling an old woman, you brat? Are you tired of living?"
Gu Yuan and I followed the voice and saw a beautiful woman in her early thirties standing behind Jun He. She had red lips and white teeth.
The woman had a graceful figure. Her green dress made her look extremely charming and elegant.
It was just that her temper seemed...
For a moment, she was pinching Jun He's ear and scolding him.
Jun He was pinched so hard that he cried out repeatedly, "Mom, be gentle. Your son still has to marry a wife. If you keep pinching, my ear will fall off."
"Marry a wife, marry a wife. You keep talking about marrying a wife every day, but I've never seen you bring back a decent girl. Do you want to piss me off?"
"Ouch, I've brought one back for you. Look, isn't this girl nice?"
Jun He shouted and pointed at me.
What was this all about? When did I become his wife?
Just as I was about to explain, Gu Qingcheng's bright eyes had already fallen on me. She sized me up from head to toe.
"Ouch, son, you're really reliable. This girl is nice," she said as she pushed Jun He aside and walked happily towards me.
She circled around me twice and kept clicking her tongue.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Your taste is good this time, son. This girl has amazing bones. She's really a good material for martial arts. She'll definitely keep you in line in the future."
Gu Yuan, standing beside me, was obviously angry. He was just about to say something when I tugged at him.
After all, we were going to rely on them in the future. I didn't want Gu Yuan to have an unpleasant encounter with Gu Qingcheng.
"No, no, no... Sister, you've misunderstood. I'm not the wife he brought back. I'm here specifically to find you."
Hearing me call her sister, Gu Qingcheng looked shy. She pouted and acted coyly. "Ouch, little girl, your mouth is so sweet. I like you so much. Tell me, did that brat of mine deceive you into coming here? If so, I'll break his dog legs today."
One second, Gu Qingcheng was kind to me, but the next second, when she turned to Jun He, she immediately scolded him sharply, "Go and pick up my shoe."
Jun He didn't dare to refute and could only slink away to pick up the shoe.
"By the way, sister, this is my young master. His name is Gu Yuan, and my name is Lan..."
No, no. I quickly corrected myself. "My name is Chi Yu. Chi as in the pool, and Yu as in the fish. Madam asked me to give you something. She said I must hand it over to you." I kept calling her sister, which made Gu Qingcheng extremely happy. She was laughing heartily.
"This was given to me by Gu Yuan's mother and she said you'd definitely take us in when you saw this."
I took out the jade pendant from my waist and handed it to Gu Qingcheng.
When Gu Qingcheng saw the jade pendant, her smiling face suddenly became serious.
She reached out to take the jade pendant and stared at it for a long time without saying a word. She even ignored Jun He when he handed her the shoe.
"Sister, are you okay?" I asked worriedly.
Gu Qingcheng slightly curled her red lips, showing a meaningful smile.
"How is she?" The "she" Gu Qingcheng asked about must be Xi Nv.
What should I say? Should I tell her the truth?
"She's fine. She's been in the Cloud Mist for many years and has gotten used to the life there," Gu Yuan answered before me.
"I guess this time she must have encountered a problem she can't solve, so she remembered me. Well, I owed her a life back then. Today, I'll pay it back to her son."
After saying that, she snatched the shoe from Jun He, put it on, and led us into the main hall of the City of Eternal Night.
The interior decoration was still as magnificent as ever, exactly the same as I had seen before.
As soon as Gu Qingcheng stepped in, everyone who saw her politely called her Manager Gu.
She nodded and responded all the way, then walked straight to the third floor.
This floor was not open to the public. It should be her private area. The rooms were large and spacious.
She led us to the guest rooms. Pointing at two bedrooms, she said to Gu Yuan, "This is your room."
Gu Yuan pushed the door open and took a look. The decor was just right for his personality.
Then Gu Qingcheng led me to another room. When I opened the door, I was completely stunned.
The combination of purple and light pink was so dreamy.
"Is this... my room?" My expression was extremely exaggerated. She was so girly!
"I've always dreamed of having a daughter since I was a child and letting her live in the room I decorated for her. Fortunately, God has been kind to me. He gave me a daughter in my prime. My life is worth it."
Gu Qingcheng was talking to herself, looking completely intoxicated. I didn't know how to respond.
"You old coquette... Twenty - four? Come on."