Chapter 119: Reunion with Everyone

"The ospreys cry, on the islet in the river. A fair and graceful maiden, a gentleman's good match."

Watching that beautiful, slender figure and hearing that melodious voice, a smile tugged at the corner of Lu Zhe’s mouth.

Xue Ling’er stood before the doorway, smiling down at the tall, lean, and handsome youth standing at the foot of the stairs, his skin slightly bronzed by the sun.

The two gazed at each other for a long moment. Lu Zhe ascended the steps and strolled to her side. Looking at the beautiful woman before him, his face suddenly flushed, and he rubbed the back of his head with a shy, awkward smile.

Seeing Lu Zhe acting so self-conscious and ill at ease, Xue Ling’er suddenly burst into a giggle. The laughter was breathtakingly beautiful, like an epiphyllum blooming in the deep of night—elegant and graceful, making even the vibrant flowers nearby seem to dim. Reaching out to touch his cheek, she asked with concern, "You seem to have lost weight."

Lu Zhe looked down at the beautiful woman and smiled faintly. "You have, too."

*Squeak, squeak!*

Suddenly, a monkey’s cry erupted from inside the room, breaking the tender atmosphere between them. At the sound, Lu Zhe’s face lit up. He turned quickly to see a flash of white darting down from a tree, leaping straight into his arms.

As the white blur landed in his embrace, Lu Zhe grinned. "Haha, Little White! It’s been a long time."

*Squeak, squeak!* Little White the monkey, having reunited with its long-absent master, was beside itself with joy, gesturing wildly and squeaking with delight.

Lu Zhe hefted the creature and expressed a mild, puzzled surprise. "Well, look at you, you’ve put on quite a bit of weight while I was gone." He sighed with a touch of melancholy. "Unlike your master, who has had to brave the wind and sleep in the open, suffering all sorts of hardships."

Little White chirped back, whether or not it understood a word of his complaints.

Xue Ling’er stepped forward, watching Lu Zhe play with the monkey, and smiled brightly. "Let’s go. Father is waiting for us in the great hall."

Lu Zhe nodded, continuing to tease Little White as he followed Xue Ling’er toward the hall.

"Little White! Little White!"

Suddenly, an urgent voice reached Lu Zhe’s ears. He froze. The voice sounded so familiar—could it be...? Just as he was about to place it, a young woman dressed in a pink ru-skirt and a short-sleeved jacket came into his line of sight.

She was rushing, as if searching for something. Suddenly, she looked up, and their eyes met. Both were momentarily stunned. A moment later, Lu Zhe smiled. "Long time no see, Xue Fei."

The hurried woman was Xue Ling’er’s younger sister, Xue Fei’er. A year had passed, and she had blossomed into a beauty whose looks and figure were arguably on par with her sister’s. One could only imagine how many young men would be smitten by her. It was a miracle that the threshold of You Laoliu’s home hadn't been worn flat by suitors.

For a moment, Xue Fei’er stood stunned, as if she had never expected to see Lu Zhe appear before her. Her eyes were filled with disbelief, perhaps even a glimmer of joy. But when she saw Xue Ling’er standing beside him, that joy seemed to shift into a trace of sadness. The emotions passed in a flash. Xue Fei’er forced a smile, stepped up to Lu Zhe, and patted his shoulder. "Well, well, long time no see. You’re not dead yet?"

Lu Zhe sensed her playful tone and smiled back, not to be outdone. "Indeed, I’m not dead. Does that come as a surprise to you?" He patted Little White in his arms. "And I have you to thank for my little guy getting so fat."

Xue Fei’er laughed heartily, showing none of the reserve expected of a young lady.

Lu Zhe smiled faintly and looked toward Xue Ling’er. "Shall we go, Ling’er?"

Xue Ling’er nodded and turned to her sister. "Fei’er, we have business in the hall. Are you coming?"

Xue Fei’er shook her head. "Why would I go? You’ll just be discussing those deathly boring matters of cultivation. I’d rather play with Little White."

Lu Zhe looked down at the monkey in his arms and chuckled. "Little guy, I’ll catch up with you later. Go play with her for now." After handing the monkey over to Xue Fei’er, he turned to Xue Ling’er. "Let’s go."

As they walked away, a flicker of sorrow crossed Xue Fei’er’s eyes, and she clutched Little White a little tighter.

Upon arriving at the hall, they found Doctor Lao and You Laoliu already there. You Laoliu sat in the seat of honor, while Doctor Lao occupied the chair to his right. The doctor was smiling at You Laoliu, saying, "I say, your daughters have grown into such elegant beauties. Tell me, have any matchmakers been knocking lately?"

At the doctor’s teasing, You Laoliu slapped his thigh with a frustrated sigh. "They have, plenty of them! I’ve had to replace my threshold three times already. But they’re all just spoiled brats from wealthy, powerful families. How could I ever let my precious daughters marry into such households? You know how it is."

"True enough. If they are to marry, it must be into a good family," the doctor said, casting a glance at Lu Zhe, who was just approaching the hall.

You Laoliu understood immediately and nodded in agreement.

Entering the hall, Lu Zhe bowed to You Laoliu. "Uncle Liu." Then he bowed to the doctor. "Master."

Both men nodded with smiles.

Lu Zhe moved to sit to the left of Doctor Lao, while Xue Ling’er took her place to the right of her father.

Doctor Lao looked at Lu Zhe. "As I told you on the way here, you’ve come back to recover. You are to stay here and heal properly. Is that understood?"

Lu Zhe nodded.

"You’re injured?" Xue Ling’er asked anxiously.

Doctor Lao glanced at her and teased, "What? Does it break your heart?"

Xue Ling’er blushed and sat back down.

"Is the injury serious?" You Laoliu asked.

"Nothing major. I’ve already treated the external wounds, but the internal damage will take some time to mend," the doctor explained calmly.

"Oh," Xue Ling’er and You Laoliu breathed a sigh of relief.

"We came back for two reasons: one is to let this boy tend to his internal injuries. As for the second..." The doctor trailed off, wearing a mysterious smile. He turned to You Laoliu. "I will explain it to you personally in a moment."

You Laoliu scratched his head at the doctor’s cryptic behavior. Though he didn't quite understand, he nodded.

"Well, we’ve had a long and weary journey. It’s time to rest. You’ll have to act the part of the host and find us some rooms," the doctor said with a yawn.

You Laoliu nodded and gestured to his daughter. "Ling’er, show Lu Zhe to the guest rooms."

Xue Ling’er nodded, walked over to Lu Zhe, and led him out.

Watching them leave, You Laoliu turned back to the doctor, his expression turning serious. "Tell me, what is it you intend to do?"

Doctor Lao let out a long yawn, showing none of the other man’s gravity. Suddenly, his expression darkened, and he said in a low, firm voice, "I am going to refine a pill."