The Baptism

The downpour intensified, showing no signs of stopping. After Meng Rui returned to the house, she did not come out again, leaving Yang JingTian alone in the deluge. The oncoming storm unleashed an astonishing roar across the sea.

Driven by the ferocious wind, massive waves rose from the ocean, crashing against the coastal rocks and churning up froth into spectacular sprays.

The waves surged relentlessly, with some reaching up to nine meters high. Yang JingTian stood upon a rock, perilously close to the water's edge.

A colossal wave struck, and he was enveloped by the tumultuous sea.

"Yang JingTian, come back!" came a trembling voice.

There stood Meng Lin, behind Yang JingTian. Without an umbrella, she was clad only in a cloak, which provided little protection against the relentless rain battering her delicate face.

The wave rolled over them, leaving Yang JingTian still firmly planted, as if he had become one with the rock, unmoved.

Meng Lin climbed onto the rock and fiercely pulled on Yang JingTian, trying to lead him away.

Another mountainous wave roared towards them.

Seeing there was no escape, Yang JingTian enveloped Meng Lin in a protective embrace.

With a thunderous crash, they were engulfed by the wave, swept away into its heart.

Meng Lin had never experienced such an ordeal; her body trembled with fear. The only solace was the strong embrace that held her, a warmth and sturdiness that brought comfort.

Yet, the impact of the waves made her feel the suffocation of imminent death.

To her, Yang JingTian's reckless defiance against the storm seemed a mad gamble, an act of self-destruction.

But for Yang JingTian, who had grown up by the sea, this was nothing out of the ordinary.

As the waves receded, Yang JingTian carried Meng Lin towards the shore.

In his arms, Meng Lin breathed in the youthful scent of a desiring male, a long-awaited hope.

It was like a return to yesteryears.

Yang JingTian, however, had no such thoughts, only feeling a profound exhilaration.

He could sense her heartbeat, vital and clear as if it coursed through his own veins.

Yang JingTian pondered deeply – when a man starts to think, he tends to grow profound.

A man not given to thought is often seen as simple-minded, physically robust but mentally lacking. Hence, contemplation is generally beneficial for a man; at such times, he exudes an intellectual charm that can bewitch a woman.

Yang JingTian's reverie utterly captivated Meng Lin, not simply because of his intelligence but also the charm that transcended it—innate depth.

His profound eyes were like powerful magnets, deeply attracting everyone who laid eyes on them.

For a woman craving protection and love, such an allure was fatally enticing.

In that instant, Meng Lin found herself hopelessly drawn to that poison.

The unique poison that is Yang JingTian.

When Yang JingTian brought her back home, she was still lost in a dizzying trance of emotions. As he made to leave the house once more, she snapped out of her reverie and called out to him, "Where are you going?"

Indeed, where are you headed, Yang JingTian?

"To the Jianghu. I belong to the world of Jianghu," Yang JingTian replied calmly.

A single tear glistened and fell from Meng Lin's eye, like the lifeblood of her spirit had been drained. She was at a loss.

"Why did you even come?" Meng Lin pressed on with her question.

Turning back with his trademark playful grin, Yang JingTian said, "Fate, it was fate that brought me here."

Meng Lin's face flushed with a mix of shyness and irritation as she countered, "I don't know if it's a debt I owe you from a past life."

At the unexpected change in Meng Lin, and feeling some relief in his own heart, Yang JingTian chuckled, "It's me who is in your debt."

Meng Rui, beaming with hope, asked, "Big Brother Yang, will you stay?"

Yang JingTian smiled, his heartger might, "No, I'm going to take you out to find the best doctor for Rui."

An excited Meng Rui responded, "That would be wonderful. I've longed to see the world beyond here."

Meng Lin, however, uttered softly, "No, we will not go anywhere."

Perplexed, Yang JingTian asked, "Why? Don't you want to heal Rui?"

"I don't trust the people out there," stated Meng Lin.

In disbelief, Yang JingTian pressed, "Do you intend to stay here with Rui for the rest of your lives?"

"Can't we?" Meng Lin's eyes clouded with a far-off look.

"That's unacceptable," asserted Yang JingTian. "Birds have wings to soar; people need dreams to pen their life stories."

Replied Meng Lin, "An ordinary life is also a life worth living."

Insistent, Yang JingTian proclaimed, "I must go out into the world."

"Then go," Meng Lin responded weakly.

Silence befell Yang JingTian.

The storm arrived swiftly and left just as fast.

The wind ceased; the rain stopped.

The clouds dispersed.

Moonlight re-emerged and stars twinkled anew.

The sea shimmered beneath the moon's boundless reflection.

With a profound sigh, Yang JingTian stepped out of the little house.

The Jianghu is where he yearned to be.

The sound of knocking roused Meng Lin from what seemed like a dream.

In truth, she had been sleepless all night. As Yang JingTian stepped out to leave, her heart shattered, and tears flowed uncontrollably.

She resented herself for not holding onto Yang JingTian, for not being young again, for being so reserved.

"Who is it?" Meng Lin suppressed her sorrow and composed herself, opening the door.

"I'm starving, get these cooked up," demanded the voice.

Meng Lin was momentarily stunned — a tumult of sorrow and joy overwhelming her, she nearly ran to the newcomer to burst into tears.

It was Yang JingTian.

The infuriatingly charmiuthout warninis stull held several large fish, mountain chickens, and a pair of lively rabbits.

Meng Lin was so agitated; she wished she could bite him to vent her frustration but instead playfully scolded, "You went out all night for these?"

It was like a young wife chiding a newlywed husband, bantering like a couple at odds.

With a grin, Yang JingTian quipped, "There was no place to sleep outside, and with nothing better to do, I caught some game."

Meng Lin pulled him inside, ordering, "Go change into clean clothes, then rest on the bed. You must be exhausted from staying up all night."

Scratching his head, Yang JingTian inquired, "Where would I get clothes to change into?"

"Go to my room, get into bed, and take off your clothes. I'll wash them for you," Meng Lin directed.

Nodding, Yang JingTian handed the game to Meng Lin and headed for her room.

Once Yang JingTian lay in Meng Lin's bed, a delicate, sweet scent enveloped him. Her room, even more modest than Meng Rui's, filled with a faint fragrance, deadly alluring to any man.

Perhaps truly exhausted, Yang JingTian fell into a deep slumber shortly after lying down.