[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-dark-and-dawn-light-years":3,"chapter-dark-and-dawn-light-years-dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-22":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Dark and Dawn Light-Years",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2264622,4420,"Chapter 22: I Don","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-22",22,"\u003Cp>Two young girls bowed in greeting, then sat down opposite Li Lin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin returned the bow, looking at them with slight surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Li, please forgive us—my elder brother was unable to return in time, and our father is occupied with urgent matters, so my sister and I must entertain our esteemed guest. If we have been lacking in any way, please accept our apologies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Li Lin’s eyes, the one speaking was the younger Han girl, composed and naturally proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the Hu woman beside her, who seemed so poised, now appeared shy and awkward, her head bowed, as if she dared not even glance at Li Lin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you call me Young Master, I’ll boldly address you as Huang Ermei.” Li Lin smiled slightly apologetically: “Then this lady beside you must be Huang Damei.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know their given names, so this was all he could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the term sounded a bit rustic, it was still a proper form of address.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ling raised her hand, and a servant brought tea, pouring for all three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, please drink,” Huang Ling raised her cup with both hands, then took a small sip, calmly and gracefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hu woman beside her lowered her head and sipped lightly; when she sensed Li Lin watching her, she grew even more nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m curious—how did you come to know my elder brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ling was genuinely curious: her elder brother was always haughty, proud to a fault, yet he held this man—plain in every way except his looks—in unusually high regard, even praising him for his bearing. Such praise was not given lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin thought a moment, then said: “That day, I had just become a Spirit Hunter, strolling through the market, when Zi Jing approached me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your brother approached you?” Huang Ling was even more intrigued: “You don’t know why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ling tucked her curiosity away for now, planning to ask her elder brother later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, they fell into casual conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, she kept asking questions, and Li Lin kept answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Huang Ling had high emotional intelligence—her wording was always appropriate, never causing offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within roughly two incense sticks’ time, she had nearly uncovered Li Lin’s entire background.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Li Lin wasn’t foolish—he kept quiet about what he couldn’t reveal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he had said, even if unspoken, could easily be verified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout this, the “Hu woman” sat quietly, listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze mostly rested on Li Lin; when he looked her way, she flinched like a startled rabbit, lowering her head in flustered confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph… she’s a tall foreign beauty, yet why does she carry such a gentle Han woman’s grace?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This contrast truly gave Li Lin a sense of her charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, Huang Qi appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin exhaled in relief—if Huang Ermei kept probing, she’d soon ask what position he’d slept in last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since our elder brother has returned, my sister and I will retire to our chambers. It was a pleasure speaking with Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ling bowed slightly, then led her elder sister away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qi stepped forward, clasped his fists, and smiled: “My apologies, Young Master—I encountered an old woman who fell on the road. I helped her up and escorted her home, which delayed me. Please don’t hold it against me, Kun Ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin’s expression turned strange… I’m supposed to believe that story?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Huang Ling brought Huang Qing to the study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally they weren’t allowed here, but their father had specifically instructed them to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knocked, received permission, and entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ling’er, what are your thoughts on Li Kun Ge today?” Huang Yan set down his brush and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ling thought a moment, then said: “He’s… fine. His manners aren’t refined, but he’s not crude either. Father, please stop arranging matchmakings for me—I don’t like him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?” Huang Yan paused, stroking his beard: “Aside from his lack of ambition, what else do you dislike about him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ling sighed: “He’s a lecher. While talking with me, he kept staring at my elder sister—and his gaze often lingered on her chest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Hu woman,” Huang Qing, blushed furiously at this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yan burst out laughing: “I disagree—you’re wrong about him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did I say incorrectly?” Huang Ling asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did he look at your elder sister the same way he looked at you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No… he didn’t…” Huang Ling suddenly realized: “So he only looked at my sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yan nodded: “In looks alone, you surpass your elder sister. If Li Kun Ge were truly a lecher, he’d look at you the same way… but he didn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s taken with my sister!” Huang Ling understood: “So this matchmaking was meant for her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yan nodded, stroking his beard: “You already made it clear you weren’t interested. Would I force you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ling frowned unconsciously; for some reason, she felt a strange unease in her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yan turned to his eldest daughter: “Qing’er, what do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing, blushing, lowered her head: “I leave it entirely to Father’s judgment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent!” Huang Yan beamed: “Finally, your mother and I can breathe easy. This matter requires careful planning—and haste. When your elder brother returns, I’ll discuss it with him. For now, return to your chambers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing blushed and rose to leave, reaching for her younger sister’s hand—but the girl didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ling spoke loudly: “I don’t agree to this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Huang Yan and Huang Qing froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My sister is of noble status—how can she marry such an ordinary man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little sister, I… don’t feel noble,” Huang Qing said gently. “To others, I’m a Hu woman—my hair is yellow, my eyes are blue. These things can’t be changed. I’m an outsider.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yan sighed: “Ling’er, don’t be childish. Qing’er is already nineteen—next year she’ll be twenty! We’ve finally found a suitable match, and they’ve taken to each other. If you break this up, you’ll never find another so well-suited. Do you want your sister to spend her life alone, with only a lamp and a Buddha?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words were harsh. Huang Ling felt hurt: “That’s not what I meant. I just want my sister to marry someone better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the best,” Huang Yan said firmly. “I know you love your sister deeply—but even the strongest bonds must one day part. Qing’er will marry. In a year or two, so will you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ling had rarely heard her father speak so sternly. She understood: the matter was settled. She could not change it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she truly believed Li Lin was unworthy of her elder sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the study, Huang Ling took Huang Qing’s hand: “Sister, don’t worry—I’ll help you. I won’t let you fall into misery.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t need you to help!” Huang Qing pouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1140,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2f1bdb55d620c74e3f6a98f0d529b9160e02a1a3759341158d1bcd62e390f83d","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-23","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-21",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]