Chapter 237: Those Flowers

In the kitchen, a warm light glowed.

At the dining table sat a man and a woman.

Lu Ran devoured his meal with gusto, occasionally casting an indignant glare at the little Li Hua cat cradled in the young girl's arms across the table.

Jiangjiang Ruyi wore a faint smile, lowering her head to play with Little Li Hua's cat paw.

It was this very cat paw!

Lu Ran felt extremely aggrieved.

It was this paw that had just pressed against his face, interrupting his Zi Ji Shi Fa.

Mainly, little Jiang Ruyi had come to her senses and fled in panic, claiming she needed to wash her hands.

And then there was no "then."

"Just eat yours; stop scaring it," Jiangjiang Ruyi suddenly spoke, her tone carrying a hint of playful reproach.

Lu Ran: "."

"Meow~" Little Li Hua hummed contentedly while eating beef.

Nestled comfortably in the young girl's embrace, it only had to endure its paw being played with in exchange for the girl's feeding.

What a life of luxury and riches it enjoyed.

Lu Ran felt even more aggrieved.

"Hehe~" Jiangjiang Ruyi finally lifted her eyes, unable to suppress a laugh as she glared at Lu Ran. "Eat quickly; stop staring at Li Hua."

Lu Ran pursed his lips and buried his head in his meal.

Gently pinching the fleshy pad beneath the cat's paw, Jiangjiang Ruyi asked, "What are your plans for the next half-month?"

Lu Ran shrugged. "Cultivate, of course. I probably won't descend into the Demon Cave for now."

For month after month, Lu Ran had been spinning like a top without rest.

He wanted to stay home and cultivate peacefully for a few days.

Besides, this was a heaven-sent opportunity!

The trio of Deng Deng Tianchang and the others had descended into the Demon Cave for training, and Sister Sister Xian'er, that little tagalong, had been sent back to her hometown.

【23】 Lu Ran could seize this chance to spend more two-person world time with Jiangjiang Ruyi.

Lu Ran could take this opportunity to spend some alone time with Jiangjiang Ruyi.

Watching movies, strolling through streets—things ordinary people possessed, Lu Ran wanted to possess them too.

"That works too." Jiangjiang Ruyi nodded gently. "Then I will go back to cultivate as well."

Lu Ran suddenly said, "It's so late; don't go back. Stay here and sleep."

"Ah?" Jiangjiang Ruyi's heart fluttered in panic as she looked up at Lu Ran.

Visible to the naked eye, her Bai Xi cheeks flushed red once again.

Lu Ran naturally enjoyed a full feast for his eyes.

She really got shy so easily.

Mm... so fun~

I love watching it; I really love watching it!

"I can't." Jiangjiang Ruyi lowered her head again, speaking softly. "Mom and Dad will worry."

Lu Ran laughed instead. "You are a But River Realm expert; what is there for Uncle and Auntie to worry about?"

After hesitating for a moment, Jiangjiang Ruyi still said, "I must return. At dawn, I must offer reverence to the deity."

Lu Ran thought for a moment and did not insist further.

Offering reverence to the deity was a matter of utmost importance!

If believers were descending into the Demon Cave for training, that was one thing.

But when resting at home, which believer in this world did not kneel and pray before the spirit shrine?

Perhaps only Lu Ran could sleep whenever he wanted and meditate whenever he wanted.

"Sigh," Lu Ran sighed inwardly.

The cat delayed things, and now the deity was delaying things too!

It was just so annoying.

Watching Lu Ran eat silently, Jiangjiang Ruyi spoke softly, breaking the silence. "Is it delicious?"

"Mm-hmm!" Lu Ran nodded repeatedly. "Delicious."

Rice, stir-fried green vegetables, and beef with wolfberry soup.

The girl's culinary skills were quite good; at the very least, it tasted far, far better than canned food.

Jiangjiang Ruyi observed Lu Ran closely; seeing no sign of anger in him, her heart finally eased slightly.

She also picked up her chopsticks and tasted a bite of the green vegetables.

This was something she had just learned from her mother at noon; it was quite simple.

Mm... the taste wasn't bad.

Jiangjiang Ruyi put down her chopsticks and nodded inwardly.

After returning home, she would learn a few more dishes to cook for him.

"Meow~"

Little Li Hua whimpered softly, its little belly round and full from overeating; as sleepiness surged, it found a comfortable position in the young girl's embrace.

Half an hour later, having eaten and drunk his fill, Lu Ran washed the dishes, tidied the kitchen, took his keys, and walked Jiangjiang Ruyi home.

Jiangjiang Ruyi's home was not far; walking from Lu Ran's house took at most fifteen minutes.

That residential compound had a beautiful name: On the Water's Edge.

Along the way, the two walked side by side.

Rain Alley City's population was never large, and at night, the streets appeared even more desolate.

This suited Lu Ran just fine; he didn't have to worry about being recognized.

With his hand hanging naturally at his side, he quietly reached out sideways and grasped the girl's slender, soft palm.

Jiangjiang Ruyi let him lead her, silently walking forward with him.

In the spring night, a gentle evening breeze blew, lightly brushing against her jet-black long hair.

In the night sky, countless stars twinkled, accompanied by a crescent moon hanging overhead.

The dim yellow streetlights shone upon the two of them, stretching their shadows very long.

Jiangjiang Ruyi had never imagined that fifteen minutes could pass so quickly.

When she came to her senses, she had already entered the residential compound and was standing beneath her own apartment building.

"Go back," Lu Ran said, gently squeezing her palm.

"Mm." Jiangjiang Ruyi finally withdrew her hand, saying softly, "Goodnight."

Lu Ran watched her enter the building's doorway, then suddenly remembered something: "Oh, right, Jiang Ruyi."

"Mm?" Jiangjiang Ruyi stopped in her tracks and turned her head to look at him.

"Here." Lu Ran pulled a key out of his pocket.

"What is this?" Jiangjiang Ruyi asked, somewhat puzzled.

Lu Ran smiled: "It's the key to my place, so you won't have to use Yong Shen Fa in the future to sneak around picking locks."

"Get lost." Jiangjiang Ruyi spat at Lu Ran and turned to walk away.

Lu Ran immediately chased after her, catching her before the elevator and stuffing the key into the pocket of the young girl's jeans:

"My mistake, my mistake, don't be angry."

Jiangjiang Ruyi snorted but didn't take the key out, stepping into the elevator instead.

Lu Ran stood outside the elevator and, until the very moment the doors closed, asked:

"Tomorrow, will I still get to eat dinner?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi shot Lu Ran a glare: "In your dreams."

Lu Ran awkwardly scratched his head: "Oh."

The elevator doors closed tightly, and the car began to ascend.

Inside the elevator, Jiangjiang Ruyi took out the key, placed it in her fair, tender palm, and looked at it again and again.

She slowly closed her fingers around the key, her pretty face flushing slightly as she whispered to herself:

"Lunch is possible."

At the same time, outside the compound gate.

Lu Ran gazed at the crescent moon while walking through the empty streets of Rain Alley.

The spring breeze brushed against his face; the night was utterly tranquil.

Listening to the chirping of insects, Lu Ran felt a strange illusion of having stolen half a day of leisure from his busy life.

Unknowingly, he arrived at a desolate area.

Lu Ran looked at the pitch-black abandoned residential complex; feeling not a shred of fear in his heart, he stepped inside.

It had been a long time since he last came to visit his father.

Tonight, however, he had many things to tell his father.

Familiar with the path, Lu Ran walked into an abandoned house and headed for the rooftop.

However, when he climbed to the seventh floor, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Sniff~

Lu Ran twitched the tip of his nose.

Was this the scent of camellias?

Somewhat stunned, Lu Ran took the steps two at a time and burst onto the rooftop.

Not far away, before a stone railing, a figure draped in a trench coat stood silently.

"Sister?" Lu Ran called out softly.

The woman turned her head to look; her sharp eyes softened slightly.

"What a coincidence?" Lu Ran said, greatly delighted.

Seeing Lu Ran's joyful expression, Deng Deng Yuxiang's lips curved upward slightly.

Bathed in moonlight, that captivating face was stunningly beautiful.

"Long time no see!" Lu Ran stepped forward quickly.

Deng Deng Yuxiang turned her head, gazing southward toward the Wu Lie River, which rushed day and night: "Yes, long time no see."

"You haven't been here in a long time."

Lu Ran was quite surprised as he moved to stand beside the woman: "You come here often?"

Deng Deng Yuxiang nodded gently: "This is where I advanced to Jiang Jing."

"I also went to the bridgehead, the riverside, or other building rooftops, but the view of the Wu Lie River from those places never felt quite right."

"Is that so?" Lu Ran asked thoughtfully, "After advancing to Jiang Jing, must one frequently consolidate one's state of mind?"

Deng Deng Yuxiang shook her head: "No, I simply want to look."

Lu Ran: "."

"Hehe~" Deng Deng Yuxiang chuckled softly.

Seeing Lu Ran's thwarted expression, she couldn't help but reach out and rub his head, neither too lightly nor too heavily.

Lu Ran hurriedly brushed away the sinful hand of a Jiang Jing expert: "It's been nearly three months since we last saw each other, right?"

"I watched your performance at the Prodigy Tournament; it was very good." Deng Deng Yuxiang did not respond directly but instead changed the subject.

Lu Ran immediately said, "Uncle Sun said you were watching from the very top of the Wu Lie Building!"

"How could I not put on a good show!"

Deng Deng Yuxiang shook her head and said, "You are too young; I couldn't see clearly."

Lu Ran:???

What kind of talk is that!

Deng Deng Yuxiang looked at Lu Ran with a smile, making no attempt to hide the admiration in her heart: "But I watched your channel; it was stunning."

"That's more like it." Lu Ran muttered a sentence, then asked, "By the way, Sister, what have you been busy with lately?"

Deng Deng Yuxiang fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "Cultivation."

Lu Ran scrutinized the woman carefully, his brows slightly furrowed as he probed, "Is something troubling you?"

"Hehe." Deng Deng Yuxiang laughed helplessly.

They had been apart for several months; the time felt long.

Yet in the span of just a few sentences, Lu Ran made her recall all sorts of past events.

In his presence, she seemed unable to hide anything.

Including the most important matter of her breakthrough.

Even she herself had fallen into prolonged confusion, unsure of how to advance.

Instead, it was Lu Ran who helped her unearth her inner convictions, straightened out her thoughts, and guided her into the Jiang Jing realm.

"Sister?"

Seeing the concern on Lu Ran's face, Deng Deng Yuxiang said softly, "What, do you want to help resolve my worries?"

Lu Ran turned around and sat leaning against the rooftop railing: "Might as well try; you never know."

Deng Deng Yuxiang pondered for a moment before saying softly, "Northwind City wants to summon me over."

"Lord God?" Lu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.

Deng Deng Yuxiang: "No, it is Northwind City."

"At my age, achieving so much has caught the attention of some seniors who wish to call me over."

Lu Ran: "To guide your cultivation? Isn't that a good thing?"

Deng Deng Yuxiang lifted one long leg, placing her foot on the railing, and gestured toward the distant Wu Lie River:

"But my roots are here."

"Breaking through minor realms doesn't require a sudden flash of inspiration; as long as your heart is here, that is enough."

Without waiting for the other to speak, Lu Ran added, "Going out to receive guidance from famous masters, plus within Northwind City, you'll have access to heaps and heaps of cultivation resources!"

"Break through fiercely; it'll be absolutely delightful!"

Deng Deng Yuxiang gazed at the river, her eyes slightly blurred: "But once I leave, I don't know when I'll be able to return; this place..."

"Don't you have me?"

"You?"

"Yes." Lu Ran grinned broadly, "You have me; this place is my home too."

Deng Deng Yuxiang looked quietly at Lu Ran, her eyes shimmering slightly.

"What, looking down on me?" Lu Ran pretended to be dissatisfied, "I am a Prodigy, ranked seventh in Great Xia!"

"That is true." Deng Deng Yuxiang finally responded, nodding gently, and uttered a single term from her lips, "Ran Mei."

Lu Ran shrugged his shoulders: "Then take a look~"

Deng Deng Yuxiang suddenly reached out her hand.

Lu Ran didn't understand why, yet within mere seconds, he felt only a surge of wind and waves attacking him.

He immediately flashed aside to evade, hearing a crisp "Slap!" as Deng Yuxiang grabbed the flying Zhanye Great Blade in one grasp!

She turned her head to look at Lu Ran, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly: "Come, Ran Mei!"

"Let me experience the style of Great Xia's seventh rank."

"No, no, no!" Lu Ran waved his hands repeatedly, "I didn't bring my blade when I went out today."

Deng Deng Yuxiang's eyes narrowed, her legs slightly bent: "You are the blade."

Lu Ran was completely numb!

It really has to be you, Great Nightmare!

So every time we meet, you just beat me up?

He hastily retreated backward: "Sister! No... don't, you're about to depart on a long journey; let's chat a bit longer!"

"Shh." Deng Deng Yuxiang closed her eyes, tilting her head slightly, "Listen."

Lu Ran was nearly on the verge of tears.

No! I f*cking don't want to listen!

"Whoosh~"

Deng Deng Yuxiang suddenly darted toward Lu Ran, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on her lips:

"The sound of the wind."

(End of Chapter)