Under the setting sun, Yan Shouyi leaned his hands on the railing of the arched bridge over the lotus pond, earnestly examining his child.
The lotus pond seemed to isolate the outside clamor. Looking at this scene, no one would have thought that outside the Folk Research Association, there was a crowd of over four hundred people, with conflicts potentially erupting at any moment.
“Do you think they are sister and brother, or brother and sister?”
Yan Shouyi’s sudden question caught Lin Zitong off guard.
She touched her belly and hesitated, “That depends on who is born first, doesn’t it?”
“But if I’m not sure who is older, how can I make a decision? How will I explain it to the child who is left behind?”
Yan Shouyi’s words almost broke Lin Zitong’s heart.
With tear-filled eyes, she hugged Yan Shouyi and comforted him, “No matter who is sent away, he (she) will always be our child. Our family of four will surely reunite one day.”
Yan Shouyi felt a lump in his throat.
He was silent for a while, then finally reached out and picked a pair of conjoined lotuses.
The young souls wrapped within the lotuses stirred uncomfortably, their brows furrowed.
“You will be the elder brother from now on. You must protect your sister and mother along with Dad,” Yan Shouyi said softly to the children’s souls, holding back tears.
The elder brother seemed to sense his impending separation from his sister. He turned his body to face his sister, reaching out a small hand as if trying to grasp something.
Lin Zitong could no longer hold back, and tears streamed down her face.
“Although that Yu fellow is a bookworm, he is a good person. He will definitely protect you. Trust him.”
Yan Shouyi made up his mind and resolutely turned away with the lotus.
“My child… my child…”
Lin Zitong chased after him for two steps but stumbled and fell.
A woman is inherently weak, but as a mother, she is strong. Yet, at this moment, Lin Zitong felt as if all her strength had been drained, unable to keep up with Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi, with his back to Lin Zitong, said in a low voice, “I will take the elder brother out. You stay here with the younger sister. Take care of yourself, and don’t be too sad.”
After saying this, Yan Shouyi lowered his head and walked out of the lotus pond.
Lin Zitong could only lean against the railing of the arched bridge, muttering to herself, “It’s all my fault… it’s all my fault for not being able to protect you…”
…
Outside the lotus pond, when everyone saw Yan Shouyi emerge with the lotus, they fell silent.
Only then did they realize how difficult a decision it was, even to entrust the child to Yu Lumen.
Yan Shouyi seemed to be carrying a mountain on his back, each step appearing exceptionally heavy, as if he had exerted all his strength.
The one who understood Yan Shouyi the most was Grandmother Wen Yuxian.
But she merely patted Yan Shouyi’s shoulder and walked into the lotus pond to care for Lin Zitong, who could not walk out.
Luo Ning gritted his teeth and said, “Are you really going to give the child to Yu Lumen?”
“Isn’t there a better way?” Agong also looked extremely sad.
Wang Jiwang took a deep breath, “Sooner or later, we will bring the child back.”
“Brother Yan…”
Long Feicheng walked up to Yan Shouyi and craned his neck to look at the elder brother in the lotus. His nose twitched, and he said, “If you don’t want to do something, don’t do it. Don’t force yourself.”
“My mind is made up.”
Yan Shouyi raised his head, his eyes devoid of any emotion.
He strode out.
The others quickly followed.
On top of the tall tower, the dog Taoist was so angry that he bit his cigarette butt and swallowed it.
“Shouyi is really going to hand over the child!” the dog Taoist exclaimed. “Big Brother, that’s your own grandson!”
Yan Chou remained silent, his gaze following Yan Shouyi closely.
He watched Yan Shouyi carry the lotus and walk out of the main entrance of the Folk Research Association.
The moment he appeared, Yu Lumen’s expression softened, and he nodded at Yan Shouyi.
As for Hong Sifang and the others, they looked as if they had eaten flies.
They had planned for so long, put in so much effort, and brought over four hundred people.
And all they got was this thing?
Yan Shouyi approached Yu Lumen and cast one last look at the child. He said in a low voice,
“He is the elder brother. Yu, you must… take good care of him for me.”
Yu Lumen nodded, extended his hands, and carefully took the lotus.
“I promise you, I will protect him with my life.”
After taking the lotus, Yu Lumen took two steps back.
He turned and looked at everyone with a warning gaze:
“The matter should come to an end now. You should leave Rongcheng immediately. The Heavenly Master’s Mansion will send people to investigate the matter of the Emei Sect and uncover the truth. Until then, I do not wish for anyone to instigate further conflict between the two factions.”
The ordinary disciples had also begun to clear their heads.
Since the Heavenly Master had intervened, and Yan Shouyi had compromised, if they continued to make a fuss, it would seem too deliberate.
After all, everyone was after fame and fortune; there was no need to stubbornly pursue the matter.
Thus, many people turned around, preparing to leave.
Hong Sifang let out a cold snort and said to Yan Shouyi, “You are lucky this time!”
“Let’s go. We’ll deal with these demon-like people again after some time!”
The members of the Folk Research Association felt extremely indignant.
But no matter what, this was probably the best outcome for now.
Seeing that the matter was finally about to be resolved, Yu Lumen prepared to leave with the child.
However, at that very moment.
A sharp sword suddenly pierced through Hong Sifang’s chest!
Blood splattered!
No one had expected that such a turn of events would occur at this time!
Hong Sifang looked at the sword emerging from his chest in shock. His first suspect was Yan Shouyi.
But Yan Shouyi was standing at the entrance of the Folk Research Association, never leaving Hong Sifang’s sight.
Moreover, Yan Shouyi clearly wielded a saber!
Tang Zhongxue and Master Heng Hua stood beside Hong Sifang, clearly seeing the perpetrator.
This person was Yan Shouyi!
Another Yan Shouyi!
There were actually two Yan Shouyis at the entrance of the Folk Research Association!
Behind Hong Sifang, a Yan Shouyi with a bandaged head and one blind eye, his remaining eye spewing murderous rage, held a bronze sword stained with Hong Sifang’s blood!
“Yan Shouyi, what are you doing?!” Yu Lumen roared.
Killing now would render all their previous efforts futile!
If he had been prepared to act from the beginning, why would he have compromised with me?
Handing the child over to me, aren’t you afraid…
Suddenly, Yu Lumen realized everything.
Yan Shouyi had probably lost patience with Hong Sifang and his group long ago. He might not even have any hope for reconciliation between the two factions.
His choice to hand the child over to Yu Lumen was not because he truly wanted the child to become a hostage of the prominent sects.
Instead, he hoped that after completely falling out, Yu Lumen would do his utmost to protect the child.
This way, even if Yan Shouyi perished in the ensuing war between the two factions, the Yan family would at least have a trace of bloodline left…
Yan Shouyi
had declared war on the prominent sects!!!