Reunion with Xiao Rou, and Tang... Hao!

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The weather was clear and sunny. Despite the blazing sun overhead, the cool breeze made the journey refreshing, and the heat was hardly noticeable.

"This is wonderful!" Blue Silver Empress leaned against Lin Yongming without a care in the world.

This time, her mood was entirely different from their previous outings.

Having fully confessed their feelings and with their hearts now intertwined, Blue Silver Empress felt a sweetness she had never experienced before.

"A-Yin, what are you giggling about?" Lin Yongming asked, hearing her soft laughter.

"None of your business. Focus on the road. Don't get us lost," Blue Silver Empress replied, quickly composing herself.

"Did I not 'teach you a lesson' thoroughly enough last night? How dare you speak to your husband like that," Lin Yongming teased.

"Oh, stop it! We're not officially married yet. I can still change my mind," Blue Silver Empress retorted, her cheeks flushing.

"Oh? Then I'll have to cherish you even more. If you run away, I'd be at a huge loss," Lin Yongming said with a mischievous grin.

"Hmph! Don't think I don't know what you're implying. Always thinking about such things," Blue Silver Empress shot back, seeing right through him.

"What can I do? You're just too irresistible," Lin Yongming said earnestly.

"You're still saying that!" Blue Silver Empress pinched his waist.

Though she was embarrassed, hearing such words from the person she loved filled her heart with sweetness and happiness.

"Ouch! That hurts!" Lin Yongming pretended to beg for mercy. "Alright, I'll stop. If you keep this up, I won't be able to focus on the road."

"Hmph! Now you know my power," Blue Silver Empress said triumphantly.

"Yes, A-Yin is the most powerful," Lin Yongming nodded.

"Xiao Ming, does it hurt?" Blue Silver Empress asked, gently rubbing the spot she had pinched.

"Not at all."

"Then should I pinch you again?"

"Uh… it hurts a lot."

"Haha, just kidding."

As they chatted, they had already traveled far from Thunderstorm Village without realizing it.

By around three in the afternoon, Blue Silver Empress caught sight of the endless sea of trees.

The largest forest on the Douluo Continent—the Star Dou Forest.

"Xiao Ming, it's still daytime. Let's stop near the village where Sister Xiao Rou lives and walk the rest of the way," Blue Silver Empress suggested.

"Alright," Lin Yongming agreed without hesitation.

Since they were close to the Star Dou Forest, the surrounding villages were surrounded by small woods.

The village where Xiao Rou lived was nestled among these woods, and most of the houses were made of wood.

"I wonder if Sister Xiao Rou is here," Blue Silver Empress mused as they walked out of the woods near the village.

"A-Yin, didn't you say before we left that Sister Xiao Rou rarely goes anywhere else?" Lin Yongming asked, puzzled.

"Yes, but for safety, she moves every few years."

"But don't worry. Even if she's moved, it won't be far—maybe just to the next village."

"Let's go into the village and see. If she's not here, I can use my aura to call her," Blue Silver Empress said confidently. She always had a way to find Xiao Rou.

"Alright. You know Sister Xiao Rou better than I do. I've only met her a few times," Lin Yongming replied.

"Let's go."

Lin Yongming and Blue Silver Empress walked side by side into the village, which was smaller than Thunderstorm Village.

Blue Silver Empress led the way to the eastern part of the village.

Soon, they arrived at Xiao Rou's wooden house.

"A-Yin, my Mind's Eye doesn't sense Sister Xiao Rou's presence," Lin Yongming said after observing the surroundings.

"Hmm, I don't sense her aura either. But the front of the house is clean, so someone must still be living here," Blue Silver Empress noted.

"Maybe we came at the wrong time. She might be out. Let's wait for her here," Lin Yongming suggested.

"Alright, let's rest under the tree shade and wait," Blue Silver Empress agreed.

They sat down under a nearby tree.

"A-Yin, it's been years since we last saw Sister Xiao Rou. I wonder if she's found someone special," Lin Yongming said curiously.

"No way. Sister Xiao Rou has high standards. Besides, in her previous life, she had a husband. After giving birth to Xiao Wu, she reincarnated into human form. But her husband disappeared, and she never talks about it," Blue Silver Empress explained.

"You never know. When fate strikes, it's unstoppable. Just like you, A-Yin. I'm sure you never imagined you'd spend your life with a human, but here we are," Lin Yongming said with a smile.

"You're right. Before I met you, I never thought I'd fall for a human," Blue Silver Empress admitted, nodding in agreement.

"But if Sister Xiao Rou does find someone, I'd be happy for her," she added sincerely.

"Just like us, right?" Lin Yongming said gently.

"Yes, just like us," Blue Silver Empress said, leaning against him.

After a while, Lin Yongming suddenly sat up straight.

"What's wrong?" Blue Silver Empress asked, puzzled.

"My Mind's Eye sees Sister Xiao Rou entering the village," Lin Yongming said seriously.

"Really? Sister Xiao Rou is back? But why do you look so serious?" Blue Silver Empress asked, confused by his expression.

"Because she's not alone. She's with someone we've met before," Lin Yongming continued.

"Who?" Blue Silver Empress asked, surprised. "It's not a Title Douluo from the Spirit Hall, is it?"

"No, it's Tang Xiao and Tang Hao," Lin Yongming said.

"Them!" Blue Silver Empress was stunned. "How do they know Sister Xiao Rou?"

"But if it's just them, why are you so serious? I thought a Title Douluo had discovered Sister Xiao Rou's identity."

"I'm not sure," Lin Yongming said helplessly.

"A-Yin, I think Tang Hao knowing Sister Xiao Rou is more serious than a Title Douluo finding out about her," Lin Yongming thought to himself, though he didn't say it out loud.

"Wait, Tang Hao and Sister Xiao Rou shouldn't have any connection. How did they meet?" Lin Yongming's heart sank as he pondered.

"Could this be the butterfly effect? I changed A-Yin's fate, which in turn changed Tang Hao's. Or is someone orchestrating this?" Lin Yongming felt a growing sense of unease.

"Come on, why are you standing there? Let's go greet Sister Xiao Rou and surprise her," Blue Silver Empress said, pushing him gently before running ahead.

"Let's see how things play out. Maybe I'm overthinking this," Lin Yongming thought, following her.

Lin Yongming caught up to Blue Silver Empress just as Xiao Rou and the others turned the corner of the village path.

"Sister Xiao Rou!" Blue Silver Empress waved and called out excitedly.

Xiao Rou, who had been talking to Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, looked up and saw them. She was carrying a basket of vegetables.

"A-Yin! You're back!" Xiao Rou's face lit up with joy.

Blue Silver Empress ran toward her, and Xiao Rou quickened her pace. It was like a scene of two people rushing toward each other.

Since Xiao Rou was holding the basket, she could only extend one hand, but Blue Silver Empress hugged her tightly with both arms. Xiao Rou placed a hand on Blue Silver Empress's back.

"Sister Xiao Rou, surprise! How have you been all these years?" Blue Silver Empress asked happily.

"Yes, it's a wonderful surprise. You've matured a lot, but your personality is still the same," Xiao Rou said with a smile.

"Sister Xiao Rou, it's been a while," Lin Yongming greeted as he approached.

"Xiao Ming! You've grown so tall. I almost didn't recognize you," Xiao Rou said, looking at him in surprise.

"I raised him well, didn't I?" Blue Silver Empress whispered proudly.

"You!" Xiao Rou chuckled.

"Uh… Blue Silver, Lin Yongming!" Tang Hao and Tang Xiao looked at them in shock.

"It's been a while, Brother Tang," Lin Yongming nodded politely.

"Yes, it has. You know Xiao Rou?" Tang Hao asked, looking bewildered.

"Of course. Sister Xiao Rou is like family to Blue Silver," Lin Yongming explained.

"Exactly. But how do you know Sister Xiao Rou?" Blue Silver Empress asked curiously.

"Uh…" Tang Hao hesitated.

"The world feels so small. I never thought we'd run into you here," Tang Xiao said with a sigh.

"Since you all know each other, that's great. Come inside, and we can talk more," Xiao Rou invited them with a smile.

"Alright," Blue Silver Empress said, linking arms with Xiao Rou as they walked toward the house. "Sister Xiao Rou, when I first arrived and didn't see you, I thought you might have moved."

"No, I've been living here quite comfortably," Xiao Rou replied.

"Brothers Tang, come along," Lin Yongming said.

"Brother Lin, when did you leave Heaven Dou City? How's Yuehua?" Tang Xiao asked as they walked.

"She's doing well at Moon Pavilion. Wait, aren't you her brothers? Shouldn't you know better than me?"

"By the way, how did you meet Sister Xiao Rou?" Lin Yongming asked, trying to probe subtly.

"Let me explain," Tang Hao stepped in.

"It's a long story. A year ago, after we met you in Heaven Dou City, we returned to our sect. My brother soon broke through to the 60th rank, and our father sent us out to obtain our own spirit rings."

"He also told us not to return until I reached the Soul Emperor level. After getting our spirit rings, we trained in the Star Luo Empire."

"Three months ago, I reached the 60th rank and came to the Star Dou Forest. That's when we met Xiao Rou, who had just obtained her seventh spirit ring. At the time, my brother and I were being chased by a 90,000-year spirit beast, and Xiao Rou saved us," Tang Hao explained briefly.

"I see. So you two were saved by Sister Xiao Rou in a dramatic turn of events."

"It seems like every time we meet you, it's because we've saved you," Lin Yongming said with a smile.

"Uh… yeah. It's a bit embarrassing," Tang Hao admitted, his face reddening.

"But if it's been three months, you should have already obtained your sixth spirit ring. Why are you still following Sister Xiao Rou?"

"Don't tell me you're…" Lin Yongming said with a hint of suspicion.

"Brother Lin, don't misunderstand. We're just here to thank Xiao Rou for saving us," Tang Hao quickly clarified.

"I didn't say anything. Why are you so nervous?" Lin Yongming said with a faint smile.

"Uh…" Tang Hao was at a loss for words.

"Xiao Ming, what are you talking about? Come over here," Blue Silver Empress called from the doorway.

"Coming!" Lin Yongming replied.

"Brothers Tang, let's sit down and chat."

Lin Yongming smiled, but as he turned away, his expression darkened slightly. "They've known each other for three months already. I wonder how Sister Xiao Rou feels about them. If I tell her that Tang Hao might bring her harm, how would she react?"

"Brother Lin, how did you meet Xiao Rou? Tell me about it," Tang Hao asked as he caught up.

"Me? I met her not long after I met A-Yin. She helped me obtain my second and third spirit rings in the Star Dou Forest," Lin Yongming said calmly.

"I see," Tang Hao said thoughtfully. "It's been over a year since we last met. I noticed you're wearing a ring. Are you and Blue Silver married?"

"Not yet. We just had an engagement ceremony a month ago," Lin Yongming replied.

"Congratulations! You're moving faster than we are," Tang Hao said with a hint of envy.

"It's only natural. Remember how close they were when we first met them?" Tang Xiao added.

"You're older than me. Don't tell me you haven't found someone yet. With your status, there must be plenty of noble ladies interested in you. Not to mention the four single-attribute clans. Haven't they arranged any engagements for you?" Lin Yongming asked, pretending to be curious.

"Uh, I guess I'm just rebellious. I never listen to my father," Tang Hao said awkwardly.

"What about you, Brother Tang Xiao?" Lin Yongming asked.

"Aside from Yuehua, I'm like my brother. I've been focused on training and didn't want to be tied down too early," Tang Xiao admitted.

"I see," Lin Yongming nodded.

"Why are you all so slow? What are you talking about?" Blue Silver Empress said, placing stools on the wooden platform outside the house.

"Have a seat."

Xiao Rou came out of the house with bowls of water. "Sorry, I don't have much to offer. Please have some water."

"Thank you, Sister Xiao Rou!" Lin Yongming said, accepting the bowl.

"Thank you!" Tang Hao and Tang Xiao said quickly.

"It's getting late. I'll prepare dinner. Stay and eat before you leave," Xiao Rou said with a smile before heading back inside.

"Xiao Ming, you all chat. I'll go help Sister Xiao Rou," Blue Silver Empress said, following her.

"Alright, A-Yin. Thank you, Sister Xiao Rou," Lin Yongming replied.

The three men sat outside, and an awkward silence fell over them.

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 215 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 80 power stones I will publish the next chapter.