Chapter 563

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Seeing Qianqian so insistent, Yan Shuang'er felt a hint of worry in her heart, but she could not continue to stop her; she could only say helplessly, "Alright then, since your mind is made up, you go on your own; the two of us will head back first."

Finished speaking, she exchanged a glance with Qi Xi, and Qi Xi also nodded, indicating she understood.

Immediately Qianqian got off the carriage, and only after her figure disappeared from Yan Shuang'er's sight did the carriage slowly start moving.

Meanwhile, Qianqian on the other side walked with a somewhat slow pace, as if leisurely strolling the streets. She passed through the bustling crowds, feeling the lively atmosphere around her.

However, just then, she suddenly felt a gaze following her like a shadow.

This gaze made Qianqian alert; she continued walking without showing anything, while using her peripheral vision to observe her surroundings.

When she confirmed that gaze was indeed following her all along, her heart couldn't help but tighten.

To avoid arousing the other party's suspicion, Qianqian pretended nothing was wrong and walked into a shop selling bags.

Inside the shop she slowly selected bags, seemingly casual, but in reality all her attention was focused on the movements behind her.

After a while, Qianqian confirmed that person had not left, so she muttered, "Forget it, I don't know what kind of bag Xiao Jing'er likes; better wait until tomorrow and bring him out to choose together." Finished speaking, she put down the bag in her hand and prepared to leave the shop.

Qianqian deliberately walked toward a place with fewer people, her steps even slower, giving the impression of a leisurely stroll.

As she walked, she paid attention to the movements behind her, ensuring that gaze was still following her.

Walking along, Qianqian discovered a small alley ahead, looking very desolate, with almost no one passing through.

Her heart stirred; she decided to enter this alley to see if the person tailing her would follow inside.

When she gradually sensed someone following tightly behind, her heartbeat began to speed up, but strangely, this feeling did not make her feel fear or unease.

On the contrary, an inexplicable sense of peace welled up in her heart, so she continued forward with even greater confidence.

Sure enough, just as she stepped into that narrow alley, a familiar aura rushed over her like a spring breeze.

This aura was so intimate that she had almost no guard up. Before she could even react, a hand swiftly covered her mouth like lightning, while the other hand clenched into a fist and pressed against her stomach.

Qianqian's body stiffened violently, but soon relaxed, because she immediately recognized the owner of that hand.

It was a voice she could not be more familiar with, carrying a slight tremor, as if unable to believe what was happening before her eyes, yet also as if she had waited far too long.

"Qianqian, is it you?" His voice sounded softly by her ear, filled with indescribably complex emotions.

The moment Qianqian heard this voice, tears burst forth like a flood breaking a dam, no longer able to be restrained.

Her throat seemed blocked by something; she could not make a sound, only nodding slightly in response.

She gently held the hand covering her mouth, feeling the warmth of his palm.

Then, with her other hand she haphazardly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, striving to make her voice less choked: "This isn't a place to talk; come with me."

Words barely fallen, Qianqian unhesitatingly executed her lightness skill, her figure darting forward light as a swallow.

The person behind seemed to instantly understand her intent as well, following tightly behind her, also employing lightness skill, weaving through the narrow alley together with her.

He harbored not the slightest doubt, following Qianqian with peace of mind; after a good while, the two arrived together before a residence with no signboard hanging.

The residence looked somewhat old, the surroundings also rather quiet, but he paid them no mind, stepping unhesitatingly through the gate together with Qianqian.

After entering the residence, they passed through a quiet small path and arrived at an empty room.

Qianqian walked quickly to the door, swiftly locking it behind her, then shouted toward the outside: "Wangchen, guard the door well, don't let anyone in!" Wangchen's reply came immediately from outside: "Yes, Master!"

The door had just closed when Qianqian could no longer suppress the emotions in her heart; tears poured down like a flood breaking a dam.

Her gaze fell on the man before her, his face much thinner, dressed in coarse hemp clothes — precisely Ouyang Chengren, the one she had longed for day and night.

Without the slightest hesitation, Qianqian threw herself into Ouyang Chengren's arms like a wounded little bird, hugging him tightly, as if afraid he would vanish again.

Her body trembling slightly, she sobbed softly, murmuring, "I thought... I thought I'd never see you again..."

Ouyang Chengren was caught off guard by this sudden embrace, his hands freezing in mid-air; after a good while they slowly lowered, gently stroking Qianqian's hair.

His voice trembled slightly, but he still tried to make his tone gentle, saying softly, "It's alright, I'm back..." Qianqian cried for a good while, tears like a flood breaking a dam, gushing out continuously, soaking the clothes on Ouyang Chengren's chest.

Not only that, she also felt her face a bit raw, from the friction of tears against Ouyang Chengren's clothes.

Finally, Qianqian slowly lifted her head, looking at Ouyang Chengren through tear-blurred eyes, choking out, "A Ren't you cold in those clothes? I'll have someone prepare some clothes for you."

Seeing this, Ouyang Chengren hurriedly took Qianqian's hand, comforting her: "No rush, no rush. I want to know first where this is, whether it's safe? After all, my identity isn't suitable for exposure right now."

Qianqian hurriedly replied: "Rest assured, everyone here is my people; absolutely no one will speak carelessly."

Hearing Qianqian's such definite answer, Ouyang Chengren only then relaxed slightly. He scratched his head a bit embarrassedly, then said: "That... can I bathe first, then change clothes?"

Qianqian nodded repeatedly, saying: "Okay, okay, okay, you wait a moment."

Speaking, she hurriedly opened the door and shouted to Wangchen outside: "Wangchen, go have Steward Wang send people to bring hot water, prepare a bath. Then go buy a set of men's clothes according to your build, be quick!"

Wangchen acknowledged and immediately turned to leave. Not long after, the steward arrived leading several servants; they not only carried buckets of steaming hot water, but also brought a large bathing tub.