Chapter 205: Going to Heaven
In the mist-shrouded Upper Heaven, the glazed tiles of the golden palace shone with a warm sheen in the morning light. Standing outside the palace, Si Zhui took in the familiar yet unfamiliar scene before him, his fingertips subconsciously tightening around Lin Yan's hand. After three years of being together in the mortal world, this was the first time he had set foot in Jun Wu's celestial realm.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here." Lin Yan squeezed his hand, and the warmth from his palm gradually reassured Si Zhui. As the two entered the golden palace, they saw Jun Wu, clad in a dark gold-embellished robe, sitting on a bright yellow throne with dragon patterns, smiling down at them. Unlike the gentle elder he had been in the mortal world, Jun Wu now radiated a faint celestial aura. However, the moment he laid eyes on Si Zhui, his brows softened.
"Zhui'er, come here." Jun Wu waved at him, his tone full of unconcealable love.
Si Zhui hesitated for a moment, then, under Lin Yan's encouraging gaze, he walked step by step into the hall. Jun Wu stood up and stepped down from the throne. He reached out and gently ruffled his hair. The refreshing immortal energy on his fingertips made him feel warm all over. "Are you used to living in the human world? Did Lin Yan bully you?"
"No, no." Si Zhui's cheeks flushed slightly as he whispered, "Brother Lin is very good to me. We are very happy in the human world."
"That's good." Jun Wu smiled and nodded, then turned his gaze to Lin Yan beside him, his tone becoming more serious. "My grandson is very thoughtful and easily disturbed. You have to take good care of him in the heavens."
"Yes, grandpa." Lin Yan answered respectfully, but his eyes were always on Si Zhui, full of doting.
Jun Wu watched the two of them smiling at each other, feeling increasingly satisfied. He had long since learned from Xie Lian how Lin Yan had protected Si Zhui in the mortal realm, a love more transparent than the purest immortal crystal in the heavens. Seeing their continued deep affection, Jun Wu simply raised his hand and waved. A beam of golden immortal light descended upon Si Zhui's head, transforming into a small jade crown. "From this day forward, Si Zhui is the 'Little Sun' of the Upper Heaven. With the 'Chengze Seal' bestowed upon you by me, you may freely enter and exit the Upper Heaven, and no one will dare to stop you."
Si Zhui reached out and touched the jade crown on his head. It was warm to the touch, and he could also feel the immortal power flowing through it. He opened his eyes wide in surprise: "Grandfather, this..."
"You are my grandson, Jun Wu, and you deserve this honor." Jun Wu smiled gently, looked at Lin Yan again, and handed over a black jade pendant. "This 'Heart Protector Pendant' can protect your immortal body. I am relieved that you and Zhui'er are together."
Lin Yan accepted the jade pendant and thanked him solemnly. Si Zhui looked at the undisguised love in Jun Wu's eyes and suddenly remembered that when he was on earth, Wei Wuxian always said, "Your grandfather must have spoiled you to death in heaven." Now it seemed that it was completely true.
That afternoon, Jun Wu personally took Si Zhui on a tour of the Upper Heaven. From the Imperial Garden, planted with immortal plants, to the Heavenly Book Pavilion, filled with ancient tomes, to the Observatory overlooking the entire celestial realm, Jun Wu patiently explained each place to him, occasionally plucking immortal fruits from the Imperial Garden and handing them to him, like an ordinary mortal elder caring for his younger generation.
"Grandpa, the stars here are much brighter than those on earth." Si Zhui stood on the observatory, looking at the sky full of brilliant stars, his eyes full of amazement.
"When night falls, the stars here will be even brighter." Jun Wu said with a smile, "If you like, you can come here anytime in the future. Grandfather will ask the immortal officials to prepare your favorite osmanthus cake for you."
Si Zhui felt warm inside and nodded vigorously. He suddenly felt that the Heavenly Palace was not as cold and lonely as he had imagined. With the love of his grandfather and the company of Lin Yan, this place actually felt like home.
When they returned to the Golden Palace, Lin Yan was sitting at a stone table inside, flipping through an ancient book from the Heavenly Realm. Seeing Si Zhui return, he immediately stood up to greet him and asked softly, "Are you tired? I brought you some Celestial Tea. Try it."
Si Zhui took the teacup, the warm tea swishing down his throat, its delicate orchid fragrance instantly dispelling all his fatigue. Jun Wu sat beside him, watching their tacit interaction, his smile growing even deeper—his little grandson had finally found someone who could accompany him across the mortal realm and the heavens, spending the years in peace and contentment.
As the night deepened, the stars shone brightly outside the Golden Palace. Si Zhui leaned against Lin Yan, looking at Jun Wu in front of him, and suddenly whispered, "Grandfather, thank you."
"Silly boy, what are you thanking me for?" Jun Wu ruffled his hair. "As long as you are happy, grandpa will be relieved."
Lin Yan held Si Zhui's hand tightly, his eyes firm: "Grandfather, don't worry. Whether in the human world or in heaven, I will protect Zhui'er and will not let him suffer any injustice."
Jun Wu smiled and nodded, gazing at the starry sky. He suddenly felt that the millennia-long loneliness of the Upper Heaven had become remarkably warmer with the arrival of these two children. And the story of Si Zhui and Lin Yan, in this mist-shrouded Upper Heaven, was about to begin a new chapter.
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