News of Ling Luoyi's emergence spread instantly, with all sorts of people arriving in droves. Visitors came one after another, including many seniors who had heard the news and wished to seize the opportunity to witness the grace of this legendary top-tier alchemist.
However, Ling Luoyi did not have the patience to entertain them, as she had less than three months before returning to the Sacred Domain, and during this time, she also had to deal with the extraterrestrial demons, unsure if they would arrive before her departure.
Ling Luoyi did not meet these seniors; Ling Huayu and the others handled it on her behalf, while she and Qiu Yuanxi sought some peace.
In the evening, Ling Huayu and the others, as if by telepathy, did not inquire about when Ling Luoyi would leave, so everything appeared joyful. Only those who knew Ling Luoyi was leaving felt a sense of loss, suppressing it forcefully to avoid showing it.
After dinner, Ling Luoyi was summoned to Ling Huayu's study. Everyone else had retired to their rooms to rest.
"Grandfather, is something the matter?" After they sat down, seeing that Ling Huayu did not speak, Ling Luoyi asked.
Ling Huayu looked at Ling Luoyi hesitantly. Despite his reluctance, he knew she would leave eventually and could not stop her. Thus, he asked the question he was unwilling to voice, "Luo'er, I heard from your second uncle that you can only return for two years. How much time is left?"
Ling Luoyi was not surprised that Ling Huayu would ask this question, but she viewed it with detachment. She said, "Grandfather, I will be leaving at the end of May or early June this year."
"So soon!" Even though he was mentally prepared, Ling Huayu was still shocked by the timeline. The end of May or early June this year meant only three months left!
"Grandfather, you forgot, with the minor world, no matter where I go, I can return to see you anytime. Even if we part, it won't affect us much."
Even though Ling Luoyi brought up the minor world, Ling Huayu's heart did not feel at ease. He had privately asked Qiu Yuanxi and subtly learned that Ling Luoyi would be very busy after returning, so even with the minor world, she could not enter at any time. He didn't know what she would be busy with, but judging by Qiu Yuanxi's expression, it would be very dangerous. Yet, he could not stop her.
After a long period of hesitation, Ling Huayu looked at Ling Luoyi and said very seriously, "Luo'er, no matter what you do in the future, remember to be careful. We will all be waiting for you to return in the minor world."
So be it. Children have their own matters. As elders, they should just take care of the household and ensure their children have no worries behind them.
"Mm, okay." Ling Luoyi responded with a smile. Looking at Ling Huayu's concerned gaze, she suddenly felt a deep envy for the original owner, envying her for having such wonderful family members, while she herself...
Ling Huayu gave Ling Luoyi a few more instructions before letting her return to Qingyin Pavilion.
On her way back to Qingyin Pavilion, Ling Luoyi encountered something unexpected. Not far away, Qiu Yuanxi was laughing and joking with a man, walking ahead. Qiu Yuanxi was smiling happily, and the man looked at her with an undeniable depth of affection.
Regarding this scene, Ling Luoyi thought, what was going on?! When did A'Yuan and Elder Brother get together? She had only been in seclusion for a year, how could she be so out of touch? Why hadn't A'Yuan told her about this?!
Just as Ling Luoyi was bewildered, Qiu Yuanxi happened to look back and saw her, happily calling out, "Little Luo'er!"
Upon hearing this, Ling Luochen also looked over, his expression somewhat nervous. Upon closer inspection, the tips of his ears were slightly flushed, as if he had been caught in a young boy's secret crush. However, his gaze towards Qiu Yuanxi was very firm.
Having been discovered, Ling Luoyi walked over, her eyes questioning Qiu Yuanxi.
Seeing Ling Luoyi looking at her like that, Qiu Yuanxi was not shy at all and explained, "Little Luo'er, your Elder Brother and I just met on the road and then walked together."
Met on the road?
Although this was a minor world, Qiu Yuanxi still lived with her in Qingyin Pavilion. Ling Luochen was a man, and the direction of Moshu Hall where he lived was different from Qingyin Pavilion. Could they really meet on the road like this? And walk together?
Sensing Ling Luoyi's suspicion, Qiu Yuanxi said, "Little Luo'er, we really just met on the road. Stop being so nosy."
Her? Nosy?!
"Alright, let's go back." Before Ling Luoyi could get angry, Qiu Yuanxi walked ahead on her own, leaving the siblings behind.
Seeing Qiu Yuanxi walk away, Ling Luochen and Ling Luoyi followed. They walked in silence. Ling Luochen hadn't figured out how to tell Ling Luoyi that he had fallen for her friend, while Ling Luoyi was hesitating whether to extinguish Ling Luochen's feelings for Qiu Yuanxi.
When they reached the entrance of Qingyin Pavilion, Qiu Yuanxi had already gone inside, but Ling Luoyi did not enter.
Ling Luochen knew she had something to say to him, so he did not leave. He proactively admitted his feelings for Qiu Yuanxi: "Luo'er, Elder Brother likes Miss Qiu. I apologize for not getting your permission first."
Luo'er was his sister, and yet he liked his sister's friend. This was indeed inappropriate.
Ling Luoyi had no objections to this matter. They didn't need to explain to her who they liked, but...
Ling Luoyi hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Elder Brother, it doesn't matter who you like, and you don't need to apologize to me. It's just that there's something you need to know: A'Yuan is already engaged."
What Ling Luoyi didn't say was that Qiu Yuanxi didn't like her fiancé, and her fiancé didn't like her either. The two were discussing how to annul their engagement. However, how could a marriage alliance between two clans be easily dissolved? If it were that simple, why would these two spend years and still not be able to break it off?
Ling Luoyi did not tell Ling Luochen this because she did not want Ling Luochen to harbor any unrealistic hopes. Regardless of whether Qiu Yuanxi had a fiancé or not, the gap between them was too great, both in terms of family background and their own capabilities. Uncle and Aunt Qiu would never agree. Rather than suffering heartbreak later, it was better to sever the connection before feelings deepened.
Hearing Ling Luoyi's words, Ling Luochen's heart sank. He genuinely did not know Qiu Yuanxi was engaged, as Qiu Yuanxi had never mentioned it.
Ling Luochen knew that Qiu Yuanxi's family was not ordinary, and the Ling family's strength was certainly not enough to match. Therefore, when he fell for Qiu Yuanxi, he had already prepared himself for anything; nothing could stop him! He had considered whether Qiu Yuanxi might have a fiancé, but since Qiu Yuanxi hadn't mentioned it, he dared not ask. He feared that if the answer was yes, he would no longer be able to like her.
But now that Ling Luoyi had presented him with the reality he was unwilling to face, Ling Luochen had to think clearly.
After a long period of contemplation, Ling Luochen said with a sad expression, "Luo'er, I understand what you mean. Elder Brother will keep his distance from Miss Qiu."
Ling Luochen did not want to give up on Qiu Yuanxi, but Qiu Yuanxi was engaged. If he hadn't known, he could pretend it didn't exist, but now that he knew, he couldn't deceive himself.
"Luo'er, I know. Miss Qiu can annul her engagement, but it cannot be because of me."
Hearing Ling Luochen say this, Ling Luoyi looked astonished. However, she thought the same thing. The only reason Qiu Yuanxi could annul her engagement must be for her own sake, and for no one else.
"It's good that Elder Brother knows this himself." Seeing that he had no intention of speaking further, Ling Luoyi said, "Then, Elder Brother, I'll go inside now."
"Mm."