Chapter 815: Extra Chapter 4: 52

Gu Ya nodded firmly, somewhat reluctant to let Xiao Jiu leave.

Some people know each other a lifetime and remain mere nodding acquaintances; others meet only for a few days yet become the most vivid stroke in life.

After a while, Gu Ya finally loosened her hold on Xiao Jiu.

She hesitated a moment, then softly asked, "I… may I take a look at that little guy?"

After all, having carried it in her womb, Gu Ya still couldn't let go of the little white tiger.

Xiao Jiu then took out the Seven Treasure Exquisite Pagoda and released the little white tiger.

Gu Ya gently cradled the little white tiger in her arms, stroking its fluffy little head, and even lowered her head to rub her cheek against the tiger's face.

Actually, if Xiao Jiu had no other plans for the little white tiger, Gu Ya wouldn't mind raising it as her eldest daughter.

Whether the Meng family or the Gu family, both have the means to build an estate for the little white tiger and hire dedicated staff to protect the little guy.

But Xiao Jiu said, this little guy is no ordinary beast; it is a spirit beast that has awakened spiritual wisdom and once cultivated.

It needs a better cultivation environment, something Gu Ya cannot provide.

For the little white tiger's sake, Gu Ya could only let it go.

When the parting became unavoidable, Gu Ya held the little white tiger and shed tears.

She whispered in the little white tiger's ear, "Baby, remember the way home; if you miss Mommy, come back and see—this place will always be your home."

The little white tiger seemed to understand, actively rubbing its little head against Gu Ya.

Gu Ya cried even harder……

The cleanup work at Seal Army Mountain, as well as the subsequent protection of the ancient tomb, will be taken over by Fang Chuanzong.

It must be noted that over these years, Fang Chuanzong and Xiao Jiu have cooperated frequently; his position in the Special Affairs Handling Office has risen accordingly, and his jurisdiction keeps expanding.

However, he is also getting on in years; although he has some cultivation, he ultimately cannot compare to Xiao Jiu and them.

Xiao Jiu heard Fang Chuanzong say that he has already been training a successor.

In a few years, after stepping down, Fang Chuanzong plans to relocate his whole family and settle in the Jiǔyàn qū.

He's not just talking; Fang Chuanzong has already bought property in that area of the Jiǔyàn qū.

On the way back to Wufu Town, Xiao Jiu remained listless.

She called Master Huiquan, telling him that after a while she could return the Seven Treasure Exquisite Pagoda to the Clear Spring Daoist Temple, as she needed to first refine that poisonous snake.

Master Huiquan repeatedly said there was no rush, exchanged a few pleasantries, then hung up.

After the call ended, Xiao Jiu remained listless, eyes closed, leaning against the back seat to rest.

Hui Moqiong glanced at Xiao Jiu several times in the rearview mirror, feeling uneasy.

He knew Xiao Jiu felt very lost.

Until they had completely settled the Seal Army Mountain incident, before departing, they were still searching and waiting for the Seventh Lord.

But that place had long lost the Seventh Lord's aura.

This time Hui Moqiong didn't even see Liu Junyan's face, leaving him feeling a vague sense of loss—how much more so for Xiao Jiu?

After returning to the Dang Pu, Xiao Jiu first filed the pawn tickets, then reviewed this Zhejiang trip; Li Qingying specially came back to inquire about the situation and also made dinner.

Xiao Jiu had dinner, took a hot shower, blow-dried her hair, then took out the willow branch bracelet and held it in her hand to fiddle with.

She was actually quite tired.

While continuously drawing heavenly lightning to strike the thunder-hit wood on the ridge of Seal Army Mountain, it greatly drained her internal energy.

Yet she felt irritable inside; only by gripping the willow branch bracelet could she gradually calm down.

She convinced herself that Liu Junyan might not have fully regained his memory, that he merely felt familiar to her…… perhaps he had other matters to attend to, temporarily unable to return home or recognize her…… or maybe it was something else……

Hmm, in short, it certainly wasn't that he had recognized her but chose not to greet her and leave because he didn't want to acknowledge her……

Xiao Jiu wandered in thought, dazed, not knowing when she finally fell asleep.

The willow branch bracelet slipped from her hand and fell beside the pillow.

The bedside lamp was still on; soft light enveloped Xiao Jiu's face, making her whole appearance look beautiful to an almost unreal degree.

A large hand with distinct knuckles picked up the willow branch bracelet, examined it, then placed it on the bedside table.

Then the man turned off the bedside lamp and got into bed.

He merely stretched out his left hand toward her; Xiao Jiu leaned over on her own and naturally nestled into the man's embrace.

The man let out a soft chuckle.

Xiao Jiu originally thought she was dreaming.

Hearing that soft chuckle, she jolted awake from her dream, opened her mouth to speak, but her lips were already covered.

This feeling…… familiar yet strange.

Xiao Jiu couldn't help trembling slightly, eyes wide open as she tried to see the man who was kissing her so fervently.

Is it him?

Is it Liu Junyan returning?

Or is she dreaming within a dream, or actually in reality?

Xiao Jiu struggled, raising her hand to push the man away, then groping to turn on the light, but the man stopped her.

He never spoke, merely insisting on kissing Xiao Jiu.

The kiss left her breathless.

It seemed as if he wanted to convey all the longing of nearly ten years with this prolonged, overbearing kiss.

Afterwards, Xiao Jiu also gave up struggling.

Even if it's a dream within a dream, so what?

Such a beautiful dream, Xiao Jiu has had for nearly ten years.

She has waited every day, every year for Liu Junyan to return; she misses him greatly.

I miss him so much.

Although he has left, he left too many traces in this pawnshop, especially in the room that belongs to them.

His clothes, his daily items, and every little bit of their time together could unexpectedly trigger Xiao Jiu's endless longing.

Longing surged like a tide; when emotions rose, Xiao Jiu could no longer bear it, so she would take some things Liu Junyan had used to keep herself company.

The prayer beads he had handled, the shirt he had worn, the big gold bracelet he had given her…

But the man tonight was all too real.

His warmth, his breath, completely enveloped her.

Their ragged breaths tangled together, growing increasingly unsteady; Xiao Jiu felt she would drown in this long-lost pleasure tonight…

She called his name several times, hoping he would respond, but from beginning to end, the man merely buried himself in his work, not uttering a single word in reply.

Xiao Jiu felt as if she were going mad.

Is this hysteria?

How could I have such a vivid, realistic dream within a dream?

Only in dreams does Liu Junyan not speak to me, right?

No, even in the stone tomb at Seal Army Mountain, he didn't speak to me.

You damned man, if you have the ability, never speak to me again!

The more Xiao Jiu thought, the tighter she clenched her teeth, and she fiercely scratched the man's back a few times.

Those few scratches, charged with emotion, made the man hiss; Xiao Jiu then couldn't bear to stop and withdrew her claws.

A night of debauchery.

At the break of dawn, the man left.

At that moment, Xiao Jiu came fully to her senses.

The warmth of the bedside bed, the mingled scent of sandalwood in the air, and the marks all over her body—everything indicated one fact: Liu Junyan had indeed returned…