After listening to Yi Zhixie’s explanation, Shen Xiaoyan nodded. So that was how it was.
No wonder Wu Ershan and the others were so far behind in strength. She had thought it was due to their lack of skill.
“You cut off Wu Ershan’s finger. After that…”
Speaking of this, Yi Zhixie was reminded of Shen Xiaoyan cutting off Wu Ershan’s finger, which was a hidden danger.
“Consider it a spur for us.”
Understanding more, Shen Xiaoyan realized this was indeed a problem, but she couldn’t live in constant fear because of it.
Life had to go on, and this matter was a spur for them.
Constant peace could lead to complacency.
“You’re quite open-minded,” Yi Zhixie said with a hint of admiration.
“Even if I’m not open-minded, I can’t live in constant fear, can I? Besides, he can’t come here now, can he?” Shen Xiaoyan also smiled.
“You were injured, and that Mu Zhong…”
Shen Xiaoyan said this, looking at Na Mu Zhong somewhat strangely.
According to what they had discussed earlier, Na Mu Zhong should have been fine. Why did Shen Xiaoyan see her strength during the previous fight as being similar to Yi Zhixie’s?
“Why do you think I can still be active and lively now?” Yi Zhixie’s words carried a hint of bitterness.
“It’s Mu Zhong. For all these years, she has been using her own cultivation to prolong my life. Otherwise, how could Mu Zhong only be in this state?”
Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.
If, before, Shen Xiaoyan had harbored a sliver of dissatisfaction with their lifestyle, it had now vanished completely.
If one’s very survival required depleting one’s loved one’s cultivation, what point was there in cultivation?
Let alone talk of revenge, that would be pure fantasy.
“Alright, so many years have passed for us, and now we’ve made you suffer along with us.”
Seeing the somber expressions on Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei’s faces, Yi Zhixie forced a smile, but his voice was tinged with melancholy.
Shen Xiaoyan suddenly recalled a saying from her past life: “Heroes in their twilight years, beauties in their autumn.”
“Zheng Wei, the spirit-nourishing water has been given to you. Seize this opportunity. We need to go back too,” Yi Zhixie said, standing up and taking Na Mu Zhong’s hand as they walked out.
Na Mu Zhong had been standing aside, not saying a word, just smiling faintly at Yi Zhixie, her eyes full of love that seemed about to overflow.
Shen Xiaoyan watched their retreating figures, hand in hand, feeling deeply moved, a pang of sadness welling up in her heart.
“Are you feeling sorry for them, Mǐmi?” Zheng Wei suddenly asked.
Shen Xiaoyan didn’t speak or move, just waited quietly for Zheng Wei to continue.
“Although they are pitiable, the pitiable often have something detestable about them,” Zheng Wei sighed and continued. “Yi Zhixie was poor at judging people, being deceived by someone for hundreds of years. He had talent but only knew how to muddle through life, always caught up in romantic entanglements. This fate is his destiny.”
Shen Xiaoyan remained silent for a long time after hearing this.
Although she knew Zheng Wei was right, she still felt a sense of lament, which was probably a common trait among women – being more emotional.
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan like this, Zheng Wei couldn’t bear to let her dwell on it. He hugged her, gently patted her back, and said, “Don’t think about it too much. If Yi Zhixie finds a way in the future, perhaps we can help them. But all this depends on us becoming strong first. Otherwise, their current situation will be our tomorrow.”
Shen Xiaoyan was jolted by Zheng Wei’s words. Her previously muddled mind instantly cleared.
“You’re right. Then hurry up and eat this, and achieve spirit manifestation quickly.”
Shen Xiaoyan said this, handing the porcelain bottle in her hand to Zheng Wei, and then prepared to take him into the space with her.
“Don’t rush.”
Zheng Wei quickly stopped Shen Xiaoyan. “Mǐmi, although we should feel a sense of urgency, it’s not to this extent, is it? It’s still daytime. I’ll play with the children with you for a while. When they take their nap at noon, I’ll go for spirit manifestation.”
Shen Xiaoyan smacked her forehead in annoyance. Right, how could she forget that it was still broad daylight? If something happened and they couldn’t be found, it would be a big problem.
Zheng Wei asked Shen Xiaoyan to put away the porcelain bottle first, and then they went to the East Wing room together to find the children.
However, unexpectedly, the children were exceptionally energetic that day and refused to take a nap at noon.
Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei were helpless and could only play with them.
Yue Qingxin and Sima Han were also the same. The older Sima Shuíróng was nothing like Sima Han’s cold demeanor or Yue Qingxin’s gentle nature.
His fearless personality was already starting to show, and it was unclear who he took after.
The four of them played with the children all day, each feeling weary and sore.
It wasn’t because they were all pampered, but because playing with children was a strenuous task.
Not only did one need strength, but also patience, and most importantly, one had to be as playful as the child. Otherwise, if you just watched from the side, the child would still be unhappy.
If they were unhappy, they would cry and fuss. Although they wouldn’t resort to extreme measures, the first two actions were already unbearable.
The reason was simple: they understood nothing.
You couldn’t hit or scold them; you could only accompany them with great care. Only then could they give you a smile when they were happy.
After dinner, Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei finally managed to feed, satisfy, and then bathe and lull the three tired little ancestors to sleep.
Looking at the quiet sleeping faces of the three children, Shen Xiaoyan sighed deeply.
“What’s wrong? Are you tired?” Zheng Wei walked behind Shen Xiaoyan, placed his hands on her neck, and massaged her with just the right amount of force.
Shen Xiaoyan closed her eyes contentedly, enjoying Zheng Wei’s massage, and said, “I always feel that it’s better than when I was pregnant with them. Back then, although I was also very tired, I could do whatever I wanted. Unlike now, where everything is beyond my control.”
“Puchi…”
Zheng Wei chuckled when he heard Shen Xiaoyan’s words.
“You’re speaking so pitifully. Don’t you feel happy accompanying them?”
Shen Xiaoyan shook her head. “It’s not that I’m unhappy, it’s just…”
Shen Xiaoyan’s words trailed off, as she truly didn’t know how to describe her conflicted feelings.
“I know. After having the children, your personal time has definitely decreased a lot. But don’t worry, when they get a little older, I’ll let them play by themselves. I’ll accompany you every day, and you can do whatever you want. How about that?”