Chapter 969: with translation of chapter title

When her lower back was lifted for the fourth time, Shan Shan regretted it.

She was shaken so hard she felt like vomiting.

She had always thought herself strong, given her cultivation foundation, but at daybreak Shan Shan still begged for mercy.

She had no strength left.

She needed Ao Jing to carry her to bathe, and even with her legs planted on the ground they were swaying.

Ao Jing's temperature had fallen, his body satisfied, but psychologically… he had acquired a taste for it and couldn't let go.

Only when Shan Shan could no longer bear it and fell into a deep sleep did Ao Jing finally release her.

He bathed her again while holding her, changed her into clean pajamas, laid her on the side chaise, then started changing the sheets and duvet cover, tidying up, washing the clothes…

After everything was taken care of, he then held the already asleep Shan Shan back to bed to get some extra sleep.

They slept like that, embraced, for another half day before waking.

In that brief half‑night and half‑day, Ao Jing's midnight window‑climbing, overnight stay, and setting up a barrier were no longer secret to the Feng Clan, Xiaoye, and Zhong Shushu.

The Feng Clan didn't stir up any trouble, after all the Big Family had long accepted Ao Jing as their son‑in‑law.

But Xiaoye and Zhong Shushu were on pins and needles.

The kids are adults, their relationship is good; by rights it shouldn't be a big deal.

The key is attitude.

Ao Jing's attitude.

Ao Jing's parents' attitude.

Before Ao Jing had returned home, Xiaoye's call had already reached Liu Junyan.

When Liu Junyan picked up, she was still a bit puzzled: 'Brother, anything up?'

"Um," Xiaoye stammered, "Old Seven, you and your spouse, make time to come back quickly; I have something to discuss with you two."

Hearing Xiaoye's grave tone, Liu Junyan inexplicably felt nervous: 'Did something happen at home?'

With less than a month left, the Earth Vein Journey would soon end; if there were no major incident, Xiāo gē wouldn't call them back.

The phone was on speaker, and Xiao Jiu beside them also grew tense.

Xiaoye said with difficulty: 'It… it's about the children… possibly… possibly Jing'er will soon come to propose; before that, I think our two families should sit down and talk properly.'

Xiaoye lowered his stance considerably.

There was no response on the other end for a long time, and Xiaoye felt he was about to break into a cold sweat.

Raising a son is no easy task.

If you want to find a wife for your son, you must be aware of lowering your stance.

After a long while, Liu Junyan's voice came from the other end, he asked: 'Shan Shan… is she pregnant?'

No wonder Liu Junyan asked that.

After all, he knew about the earlier pressure to have a child.

Both children get along well with the male phoenix; they'll strive for him, which is only natural.

Liu Junyan felt a myriad of reluctance, but there was nothing she could do.

Mainly, Xiāo gē had always held his head high; suddenly lowering himself set off alarm bells in his mind, leaving him no choice but to think in that direction.

Xiaoye hurried to deny: 'No, that's not it……'

Liu Junyan let out a long sigh of relief.

But Xiaoye immediately added: 'But it might be soon……'

Liu Junyan hung up with a slap.

Go back!

Now! Immediately! Hurry back!

Xiao Jiu grabbed Liu Junyan and pressed her down: 'What are you going to do?'

'Go home.' Liu Junyan said matter‑of‑factly.

Xiao Jiu asked: 'What are you going back for?'

Liu Junyan opened her mouth, but for a moment she was lost for words.

'Isn't that embarrassing?' Xiao Jiu teased, 'Those two kids have been dating so long, they're probably already together— isn't that normal? What's the point of us meddling? You're rushing back now, eyes pleading— can you really drag Jing'er away and keep him from Shan Shan?'

Liu Junyan wilted.

It seems that's the reasoning.

Xiao Jiu said earnestly: 'Xiaoye made this call to show his attitude and his regard for Shan Shan; are you still climbing the pole, rushing back to fight desperately? Aren't you embarrassed?'

Liu Junyan lowered her head even further.

'The kids are grown; as parents we ought to learn to step back quietly, have a sense of boundaries, okay?' Xiao Jiu continued, 'Jing'er is someone we've watched grow up, of sound lineage, we know his background— if you don't trust him, who can you trust?'

Liu Junyan admitted fault: 'I understand.'

At that moment, Xiao Jiu's phone rang again—it was Zhong Shushu calling.

Xiao Jiu answered, stepped aside, and chatted with Zhong Shushu.

'We're not going back for now; the round‑trip is too taxing.'

'Yeah, there's still less than a month left until it ends.'

'Let the kids handle their own affairs; don't put pressure on Jing'er. When the time comes, they'll sort it out themselves, and then we can help with the arrangements.'

'I can't trust anyone, but I can still trust you, right?'

……

Liu Junyan sat to the side, watching Xiao Jiu talk calmly with Zhong Shushu, her earlier agitation gradually easing.

Xiao Jiu and Zhong Shushu chatted for a long while, and Liu Junyan also watched Xiao Jiu for a long time.

Liu Junyan recalled all the experiences he and Xiao Jiu had gone through, from becoming acquainted through fighting, to being forced to separate, yin-yang separated, then reuniting, together they struggled out of adversity, until now they lived a peaceful life… All along the way, Xiao Jiu had changed a lot.

Xiao Jiu's appearance still looked that young, like a person in their early twenties, but her demeanor was completely different.

Steady, composed, and intellectual.

Xiao Jiu just stood there, needing to do nothing, and could make people feel completely at ease.

It seemed that no matter how many years passed, Xiao Jiu would still give Liu Junyan surprises.

Previously, Liu Junyan was Xiao Jiu's reliance; but now Xiao Jiu has become Liu Junyan's sea‑stabilizing divine needle in his heart.

When Xiao Jiu hung up the call, a broad chest had already pressed against her.

Liu Junyan embraced Xiao Jiu from behind, burying his face in her shoulder, and sighed: "Xiao Jiu, it's great to have you."

Xiao Jiu glanced at Liu Junyan, puzzled, wondering what sentiment this man was expressing all of a sudden.

But she did not push Liu Junyan away; instead she reached out and patted his head to comfort him.

On the other side, after Shan Shan woke up and opened her eyes, she met Ao Jing's gaze.

Ao Jing didn't know when he had woken up; one hand was crooked to prop his head, the other hand loosely clenched, and he was gently touching Shan Shan's earlobe with the back of his hand.

His gaze was unprecedentedly gentle and profound, like the bottomless Gujing—unfathomable, yet one could feel the ripples spreading from its depths.

In fact, Ao Jing had been staring at Shan Shan like this for nearly half an hour, and no matter how he looked, it was never enough.

Her lips were full; at the moment the edges were still slightly swollen, shimmering with an enticing moisture that made one want to taste them lightly.

Her brows and eyes belonged to a naturally bold type; even when closed, the slightly upturned corners of her eyes remained captivating.

Her ears were rather small, yet they had earlobes; Ao Jing had long wanted to kiss them—this was his favorite spot…