Chapter 444

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Upon hearing this, An Wangfei's tears surged forth like a breached flood; her body trembled unceasingly, and she choked out, "Although you weren't born from me, you are also someone I've watched grow up from childhood!

I've always cherished you as if you were my own son; I was truly so afraid you would leave us and never return. These past two days, whenever I thought of this, I couldn't sleep all night long, and my heart always felt empty and hollow."

Yan Jie gently patted An Wangfei's back, comforting her: "Mother, it's all my fault for making you worry so."

An Wangfei shook her head, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said: "It's not your fault, Jie'er; it's Mother who overthought things."

An Wang, watching this scene before him from the side, couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion in his heart.

He saw his son and daughter-in-law embracing tightly, tears sliding down like beads from a broken string; the sight made even this iron-boned man's nose turn sour.

However, An Wang was ultimately a father of authority; he felt that showing an overly sentimental side before his son was somewhat improper.

So he forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his heart, stepped forward, lightly patted Yan Jie's shoulder, and said with feigned sternness: "A grown man blubbering like this — what kind of appearance is that!"

Hearing his father's words, Yan Jie only then snapped back to his senses as if waking from a dream. He realized he had lost composure before An Wang, hurriedly let go, and looked at An Wang somewhat embarrassedly, his eyes still glittering with undried tears.

He struggled to suppress the impulse to throw himself into his father's arms for comfort, and said in a low voice: "Understood, Father King."

Seeing this, An Wangfei glared at An Wang discontentedly and reproached: "You, honestly, you just know how to ruin the atmosphere!" An Wang, glared at like this by An Wangfei, instantly felt rather awkward; he touched his own nose and muttered in explanation: "I just saw you two crying so sadly, wanted to comfort you a bit."

An Wangfei paid An Wang no further mind, sat down on her own, then beckoned for Yan Jie to sit as well.

She said gently to Yan Jie: "All right, Jie'er, you may go. As for your maternal grandfather's family, whenever they wish to come live here they are welcome; this is their home."

Hearing his mother's words, Yan Jie's face immediately showed a happy smile; he said gratefully: "Mother Consort, you're so good!"

Then An Wangfei began to nag Yan Jie about various daily-life precautions — to take good care of his health, not overwork, and always tell the family if anything came up, and so on.

Meanwhile An Wang was left cooling on the side, no one paying him any attention. He helplessly shook his head, quietly walked to one side and sat down, silently listening to An Wangfei and Yan Jie's conversation, occasionally interjecting a sentence or two.

On the other side, in Bai Yu's room, Bai Zi Ang, Bai Zihang, Bai Yun Lan, and Wei Shengsheng had all gathered together. Bai Yu scanned the crowd and slowly said: "Tomorrow we rest one more day; the day after we prepare to set off and return to Shenyi Gu."

Hearing this, Wei Shengsheng couldn't help blurting out: "Going back this fast? I haven't even had time to abduct Qianqian back yet!" Her tone revealed a trace of regret.

The corner of Bai Yu's mouth curled up slightly; he gave Wei Shengsheng a seeming-smile-not-smile look and said: "I expended tremendous effort to abduct Jie'er back; if you go abduct another Qianqian, I truly fear An Wang and his wife would directly overturn our Shenyi Gu."

Wei Shengsheng laughed awkwardly, hurriedly agreeing: "Haha, that's true, makes perfect sense."

Seeing this, Bai Yu nodded in satisfaction, then continued: "Since that's the case, I'll tell everyone straight out today.

After we return to Shenyi Gu, within the next three to four months I will devote all efforts to cultivating Bai Yunzheng to become the next Valley Master of Shenyi Gu. When the time is ripe, I will step down, then go travel mountains and waters, enjoy a leisurely life."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and continued: "Whatever opinions or thoughts you have on this, you may all raise them."

Wei Shengsheng hurriedly spoke up: "No objections, no objections; my family's two good-for-nothings definitely have no objections either." As she spoke, she deliberately glanced at Bai Zihang and Bai Yun Lan.

Bai Zihang and Bai Yun Lan exchanged a look, and both nodded in agreement: "Right, we have no objections."

However, Bai Zi Ang frowned slightly, a puzzled expression on his face, and asked: "Father, your age isn't that old; why so early and in such a rush to pass the Valley Master position to Zheng'er?"

Bai Yu said with a face full of helplessness: "You still have the nerve to say that? If it weren't for you two good-for-nothings, I would've retired long ago, gone out to enjoy blessings and spend my old age in peace!

Now that I've finally waited for Zheng'er to grow up, become an adult, able to stand on his own and support the entire Shenyi Gu, you won't even let me retire — A Ren't you trying to work me to death?"

Seeing his father angry, Bai Zi Ang hurriedly explained: "That's not what I mean, Father! I'm mainly worried Zheng'er's ability is insufficient, afraid he can't handle it."

Bai Yu glared at Bai Zi Ang and said irritably: "He can't? You can?"

Seeing his father this angry, Bai Zi Ang feared further scolding and could only obediently shut his mouth, not daring to say another word.

Bai Yu looked around; seeing no one raise any objection, he said no more, waved his hand, and let everyone return to rest.

Next morning, after everyone had eaten breakfast, Bai Yu went alone to find An Wang. Upon seeing An Wang, Bai Yu stated directly that he planned to set off tomorrow to return to Shenyi Gu.

Hearing this, An Wang hurriedly urged him to stay: "Old Master Bai, you've only been here a few days; why leave so soon? Why not stay longer, let me properly fulfill the host's duty."

Bai Yu smiled and shook his head, explaining: "Your Highness An Wang, truly sorry. There are still many affairs in Shenyi Gu that need me to return and handle; I really cannot get away. When I have time later, I will certainly come visit again."

Seeing Bai Yu's resolve to go was firm, An Wang could not force him to stay further, and could only say helplessly: "Since that's the case, I won't press. Old Master Bai, take care on your journey; if there's anything you need help with, just send someone to tell me."

After thanking An Wang, Bai Yu took his leave and departed.

On the other side, An Wangfei and Shangguan Xingyu were discussing what return gifts to bring for the Bai family. The two spoke back and forth, discussing with great relish.

Simultaneously, Wei Shengsheng, as usual, arrived early at Qianji Yuan,