Chapter 360: Cutting off the past, to start anew?_1

"Greetings, Lord Auspicious Beast."

Ahin's delicate snow-white legs bent slightly as she bowed to Xu Ran. Her voice, crisp and melodious like a nightingale's song, resonated through the air.

Seeing this, Xiaowu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong had their eyes glued on her. Even they had to admit that the woman in front of them was breathtaking. Dressed to the nines, she even made them feel somewhat outshone.

"Wow, Sister A Yin, you can transform now. You look so beautiful," Xiaowu blinked her large eyes, sizing up Ahin from head to toe.

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing also looked curiously at Ahin, feeling somewhat envious. The woman before them was so beautiful and imperial that even they found her appealing.

Ignoring what Xiaowu and the others had said, Ahin gazed at Xu Ran with a look of resentfulness, as if to reproach him for not visiting her for so long and leaving her in the care of Xiaowu and the rest.

"No need to bow; we're all family here, not strangers," Xu Ran said, lifting his gaze to Ahin, and as he met her limpid eyes, he felt his own body soften.

Ahin's beauty even exceeded Liu Erlong's by a margin.

Although both had a similar style, Ahin had an added touch of nobility, wearing a blue and gold dress that evoked a gentle and virtuous calmness. However, Liu Erlong was also exceptional, looking stunning in professional attire. What mattered most was that his precious Long'er even helped him with Tang San, being his intimate treasure.

"Really not strangers, or just pretending?" Ahin spoke, her voice exceedingly pleasant but tinged with a hint of resentment.

These days, she had been waiting here, longing to show Xu Ran her most beautiful self the next time he visited. But she seldom saw him.

Even when Xu Ran did come, it wasn't to see her but to engage in mischief.

In her room, she had witnessed countless times what Xu Ran and Xiaowu... She knew all too well the moves Xu Ran liked.

"Cough cough, haven't I been busy lately? So I forgot to come and see you for a while," Xu Ran coughed lightly. Ahin used to be just a plant not long ago, right? Even if he liked Ahin, he couldn't feel attracted to a plant.

But now Ahin must be nearing her full development, right?

Given this rate of growth, maybe in a month or two?

But Ahin's excellent development was also thanks to the Bluesilver Emperor's right leg bone that he had snatched back from Tang Hao. With the soul bone restored, Ahin's recovery capabilities were greatly enhanced.

"Yes, Lord Auspicious Beast is indeed busy with countless responsibilities, needing to take care of matters in both The Soul Beast Realm and the human world. Being so occupied naturally leaves little time for other things. Moreover, with the treasure granted by Lord Auspicious Beast allowing me to recover once more, I am already more than content and dare not complain too much," Ahin said, her body inclining slightly, but her words still hinted at a trace of underlying sorrow and grievance.

Her wistful appearance not only stirred compassion in Xu Ran, but even Xiaowu and the others felt a pang of pity.

Zhu Zhuqing rolled her eyes at Xu Ran, pinching his arm with her thumb and index finger joined together, as if to say, "Look at what you've done, leaving behind a trail of romantic debts."

"I have some matters to take care of outside, I'll step out for a bit."

"Perfect timing, school just ended, and I'm off to go shopping."

"Me too, wait up for me."

Seeing this, the three girls felt it best not to stay any longer; to linger would show a lack of tact.

They had been prepared to accept all of this since Ahin's arrival, mentally bracing themselves for it. The relationship between Ahin and them was also good, so if Ahin and Xu Ran were to be together, it seemed only natural.

...

"Ah Yin, how come... your appearance..." Xu Ran examined Ah Yin for a moment, puzzlingly asked. He had met Ah Yin before for some time, and now she had changed a lot compared to before, although she seemed even more delicate and charming now. Her temperament, however, hadn't changed much from before.

But Ah Yin was now in a state equivalent to having grown anew, having another chance to choose her appearance, physique, and even her own destiny once more.

Perhaps the current Ah Yin wanted to make a clean break with her past.

"The old Ah Yin is a thing of the past. I've been reborn now and don't want to have too much to do with my former self. All I want is to expose Tang Hao's true face and personally take revenge on that enemy. After that, I'll lock away all of my former memories and start a new life for myself..." Ah Yin had intended to say that she wanted to live her new life with Xu Ran, but thinking of their relationship and her current identity, she felt it was inappropriate to say so.

Although she had cultivated anew and remained pure, she still pondered erasing all memories of her past with Tang Hao. However, she still had an unspeakable past, and it would be normal for Lord Auspicious Beast not to want her.

Her life was given by Lord Auspicious Beast, and even if it meant being an ox or a horse in service, it would be worth it. But leaving Lord Auspicious Beast was impossible. Since her life was given by Lord Auspicious Beast, she couldn't possibly leave, even if only to become a lowly servant to him.

A drop of water bestowed should be returned with a gushing spring!

Besides, how could Lord Auspicious Beast's kindness to her be considered just a drop of water? A mere gush or two of spring would definitely not be enough.

"Is that so?" Xu Ran opened his mouth, looking at Ah Yin. It might be better for Ah Yin to forget her past, so there would be no grudges between him and her when they were together. Since Ah Yin said this, she must have a way to lock away her original memories.

At that time, Ah Yin would forget everything and remember only him and Xiaowu and the others. This is a good thing; otherwise, it would be difficult for him to strike Tang San in the future.

He thought of Tang San's face, a smile tugging at his lips.

About to be motherless, yet still thinking of opposing him?

Poor Xiaosan. After Tang Hao is dealt a beating, Ah Yin will forget all about you, her silly son. Then, alas, poor Xiaosan.

"I ask Lord Auspicious Beast to bestow a name upon me for my rebirth," Ah Yin said as she knelt on the ground, sincerity coloring her stunningly delicate cheeks. She no longer trusted ordinary humans now; the only humans she believed in were those related to Xu Ran. She didn't want to interact with anyone else.

Humans are too cunning; those not of our kind must have differing hearts. Even if they pretend well, behind it all they're just people with the heart of a beast.

"Bestow a name?" Xu Ran was taken aback, looking at Ah Yin's exquisitely tender cheeks.

It seemed that Ah Yin was determined to cut ties with her former self and start anew.

"Bluesilver Emperor. Previously, you used the character 'Yin' to be called Ah Yin. Now, take the character 'Lan' (blue)."

"From now on, I will call you Lan'er," Xu Ran thought as he gently lifted her graceful face to gaze at her exquisite features.

"Truly beautiful. Beyond compare," Xu Ran said earnestly.

"Lan'er thanks Lord Auspicious Beast for the bestowed name. From now on, I will do my utmost to serve Lord Auspicious Beast, to become his loyal right-hand," Ah Yin's eyes sparkled, clearly finding the name chosen by Xu Ran beautiful.

The name Lan'er has its origins. Ming Yue Xin, originally named Tang Lan, in Gu Long's novel, was called Lan'er by Young Master Yu, becoming his loyal right-hand.

In this moment, it fit perfectly. If Ah Yin could be like Ming Yue Xin to Young Master Yu, using any means for him, that would be even better.

Tigers do not eat their young, but a woman's heart can be the most venomous!

[Just a slight name change, will try to use the name Ah Yin less to avoid being reported if I get too carried away writing—though I think the new name sounds quite nice, hehe, I'm such a genius!]