บท 60: Chapter 60: The Reliable Gu Yuena
At an unknown lakeside.
Zhang Lexuan sat on a large rock, quietly watching Huo Yuhao set up a barbecue grill.
The moonlight was just right, the silver surface of the lake shimmering as a gentle breeze blew by, carrying a hint of cool moisture that made one feel refreshed and at peace.
In the unprecedented tranquility, Zhang Lexuan's pupils gradually lost focus, making it hard to tell whether she was looking at Huo Yuhao, the lake behind him with its occasional ripples, or both.
As she continued to gaze, Zhang Lexuan suddenly spoke up.
"Yuhao, was that grilled meat wrap from last time made by you?"
"Ah."
Huo Yuhao raised his head in confusion and, after a moment of thought, recalled that she was referring to that time two years ago in the Star Dou Forest.
"Yes, how did it taste?"
Zhang Lexuan's lips curved into a smile as she recalled the scene from back then, speaking with a grin.
"The moment I took my first bite, I regretted sharing it with others."
"Really? Then next time, if there's a chance, I'll treat you to another one, but tonight we won't be eating pre-made food."
Huo Yuhao smiled as he lifted the muntjac he had just caught in the forest, "We're eating something fresh."
Zhang Lexuan didn't respond, simply curling up slightly, resting her elbows on her knees, supporting her head with one hand, and watching as Huo Yuhao busily worked.
Before long, an orange flame flickered to life, lighting up her eyes and reflecting the young man's profile in her gaze.
Grilling meat was something Huo Yuhao was already very familiar with. The muntjac was quite fatty, so there was no need to brush on extra oil. The fat sizzled under the flames, occasionally dripping into the fire and causing a bright flare-up.
As the meat shrank on the grill, an irresistible aroma wafted through the air, causing Zhang Lexuan's nose to twitch involuntarily.
Perhaps because she had already embarrassed herself once in front of Huo Yuhao, or maybe because there were no other people around, Zhang Lexuan didn't bother hiding her hunger this time. Her beautiful eyes were fixed eagerly on the meat that Huo Yuhao was flipping over the fire, her expression one of anticipation.
Finally, after adding the last of the seasoning, Huo Yuhao spoke two words that sounded like music to her ears.
"It's ready."
"Thank you."
In the glow of the firelight, Zhang Lexuan reached out, took a bite, and as the delicious flavors blossomed on her tongue, her eyes sparkled with delight.
After chewing and swallowing the bite of food, she looked at Huo Yuhao, seemingly speaking offhandedly.
"Yuhao, are you planning to do something?"
After a brief pause, she added, "Something related to the evil soul masters?"
Huo Yuhao's hands momentarily paused in their task of turning the meat, but then he resumed, continuing nonchalantly as he teased her.
"Lexuan-jie, eavesdropping on others is not a good habit."
"I happened to overhear by accident."
Zhang Lexuan chuckled, showing no embarrassment at his teasing.
"So, I guessed right?"
Huo Yuhao silently flipped the meat, and after a long while, he responded with a soft "mm."
Zhang Lexuan pressed further, "Even if it has nothing to do with you?"
"Even if it has nothing to do with me, I still want to do something for them."
Lowering his eyes to the fire's blaze, Huo Yuhao chuckled softly as he replied.
"Lexuan-jie, I'm still just a kid, you know. It's normal for someone my age to get hot-headed and want to do something reckless, right?"
"A kid?"
Zhang Lexuan gave him a mocking look and, without any grace, stuffed the remaining meat into her mouth before glaring at him with a mouth full of food.
"Besides your appearance, what part of you looks like a kid? Other kids your age are all calling their sisters this or that, but here you are, quietly getting things done all on your own."
Huo Yuhao's expression twitched slightly, unsure of how to respond, so he just kept turning the meat silently.
"But…"
Zhang Lexuan stretched lazily, her body arching in a way that accentuated her figure in the soft, firelit glow.
As she exhaled a breath, it seemed as though she was also releasing some of the worries that had been weighing on her. She looked at Huo Yuhao seriously and said, "But still, thank you."
"Hm?"
"Thanks to a certain little brother's advice, I've finally come to terms with something that's been troubling me for a while."
She didn't want to become like Yan Shaozhe or Xuan Zi, people burdened by responsibilities they couldn't change. But as Huo Yuhao had said, when there's no choice, as long as you don't betray your own principles, that's enough.
The world is not perfect, but that's precisely why the beautiful things in it are so precious.
Seeing the confusion in Huo Yuhao's eyes, Zhang Lexuan blinked and smiled brightly.
"Even though I'm older than you, it seems like I haven't outgrown the age for doing foolish things either."
"So, if you ever need me while you're off being foolish, just let me know."
"Take care, Lexuan-jie. Come visit again sometime."
Not long after lunch, Huo Yuhao stood at the door, waving goodbye to Zhang Lexuan.
Once her figure had disappeared into the crowd, Huo Yuhao turned and reentered the house.
Closing the door, he was immediately met with the stares of two figures sitting on the sofa, looking directly at him.
"Mom, wh-what's wrong?"
Compared to Gu Yue Na's calm and steady gaze, his mother's eyes were far more complicated.
"Yuhao, what's with your appearance?"
She wasn't too concerned about Zhang Lexuan, having grown accustomed to her son's impressive efficiency in attracting girls. If he didn't return with a new girl after a trip, she might even be a little surprised.
In comparison, while Zhang Lexuan was a bit older, it didn't bother her much. Other than marveling at how girls nowadays seemed to have no qualms about dating someone ten years younger, Huo Yun'er didn't think too much of it.
But this new appearance of his was different. He had already been quite the heartbreaker before, but now, if he went out looking like this… what would happen next!?
"I changed like this after acquiring my second soul ring. Don't worry, Mom, it doesn't have any negative effects on my body."
Huo Yun'er nodded. Just as she was about to say something, the front door swung open once more.
"I'm back!"
A familiar voice echoed before a lively figure entered. It was Tang Ya, back home for the holidays.
"Guess what! You'll never believe who I just ran into! The senior disciple of the inner court was in Heaven Dou—"
Her words abruptly stopped when she saw the long-haired boy sitting on the sofa smiling at her.
"You…"
After scrutinizing him closely, Tang Ya finally recognized the familiar outline of his face, and her eyes widened in surprise.
"Yuhao? How did you get so handsome!?"
With no choice, Huo Yuhao had to explain the whole situation again. After listening, Tang Ya pondered for a moment, then her face turned serious, and she said in a stern voice:
"Something like this can't be taken lightly. Tonight, I'm sleeping with you to thoroughly check your condition."
"…?"
Feeling the Lust Sin gauge in his mind increase, Huo Yuhao thought he might lose control.
Instinctively, he looked to his mother for help, but Huo Yun'er just cleared her throat, smiling at Tang Ya.
"Xiao Ya, you've just come back. I'll go slice some fruit for you two."
With that, she turned and headed for the kitchen without looking back.
Out of options, Huo Yuhao shot a pleading look at Gu Yue Na, who blinked at him twice.
Though no words were exchanged, their silent understanding, built over two years, reassured Huo Yuhao.
That blink said, "Don't worry, leave it to me."
At that moment, he was so relieved he almost cried.
Gu Yuena is so reliable!
Evening.
Squeezed between Gu Yuena and Tang Ya in the middle of the bed, Huo Yuhao stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought...
(End of Chapter)
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