Chapter 63
In this chaotic world of wandering and helplessness, having experienced death and witnessed much bloodshed, one will understand how precious it is to have a place to stay and how fortunate it is to have a loved one.
Feng Zhi and the others escorted Lao Si's ashes back to Black Cloud Village. Lin Qiang turned his horse around halfway and parted ways with them, heading to another of the most chaotic places besides Great Yan—Jiangbei Provincial Capital.
His beloved was there; she was the place that held all his heart.
"Chirp~"
Inside the prefectural governor's mansion, which had been occupied by the Hongmen army, a yellow bird fluttered down from a branch, its sharp little claws gripping the edge of the pear blossom window lattice in a certain room, tilting its head and rubbing its round body inside.
As it rubbed against the surface, it got stuck...
"Chirp~ Chirp!!!"
The bird was getting increasingly tighter, and its cry grew sharper, successfully attracting Yuan Qiong's attention. She turned her head and saw a plump little bird stuck in the carved pear blossom window.
“…Stupid bird.”
Yuan Qiong walked to the window and gently poked the fluffy little body of the yellow sparrow with her slender, white fingers.
The little yellow bird was displeased and stretched its head out to chirp at her, "Chirp!"
"Stupid bird."
"Chirp!"
"Stupid bird!"
"Chirp! Chirp! Chirp chirp—"
"........"
"You think I can't say you're stupid? Did I say something wrong? You stupid bird, just as stupid as your master."
"Chirp—"
Seeing that the little yellow bird was about to roll over in anger, Yuan Qiong reached out and pulled it out of the openwork carving, placed it on the windowsill, and mocked, "Little thing, not big, but quite temperamental."
"Hmm...you're right. The little thing not only has a bad temper, but it's also disobedient." A deep, magnetic voice, tinged with amusement, came from behind: "Other people's pets know how to be affectionate, but mine is not only not affectionate, it's always flying around everywhere, it's really a headache."
From the moment Yuan Qiong saw Huang Que, she guessed that the man must be nearby.
She turned around and smiled slightly: "Oh? This one isn't clingy. Why don't you raise another one that's obedient, clingy, and doesn't fly around everywhere?"
Here it comes, here it comes, the killer question is here.
"We raised them ourselves, so no matter what, we have to cherish them. What else can we do with them...?"
"What did you say?"
"It's nothing, it's nothing. I just like little people with tempers. They're not only cute and beautiful, but also smart, generous, and understanding."
You still need to have the will to survive, otherwise you'll get scratched!
Lin Qiang immediately stepped forward with a smile. His tall figure made Yuan Qiong look very petite. He bent down and massaged Yuan Qiong's shoulders attentively, just like stroking the fur of a proud cat at home, for fear that she would scratch him if she was unhappy.
"My little girl is the best, the most amazing, and the most incredible. You've worked so hard these past few days. I'll definitely celebrate with you properly when we get back."
Yuan Qiong rolled her eyes at him and pointed at the yellow sparrow on the windowsill with her slender fingers, saying irritably, "There are Hongmen people outside the room. Put your stupid bird away and don't alert them."
"Chirp!" the little yellow sparrow argued vehemently.
"I'm talking to you, you stupid bird. There's such a big window, why don't you fly over it and instead try to sneak into the latticework? What else can you call that but stupidity?"
"Chirp chirp chirp!"
"You're stupid! Just as stupid as your master!"
"......."
Lin Qiang, caught in the crossfire, felt utterly innocent. He chuckled and tucked the fluffy little creature from the windowsill into his pocket, then pinched Yuan Qiong's noticeably thinner cheeks, saying with concern, "It's only been a few days, how did you get so thin? You're a grown man, why are you arguing with a bird?"
"Hmph!" Yuan Qiong glared at Lin Qiang, shook off his hand, and sat down sullenly. Was she angry with the bird? She was clearly angry with the bird's owner!
Wasn't this bandit supposed to be highly skilled in martial arts? He just watched others bully her without even showing his face? He let the Hongmen members lock her up in this little room! He claims to like her, but he just abandons her like this? Huh? Disgusting!
"What's wrong? Why are your eyes red all of a sudden?" Lin Qiang squatted down in front of her, but Yuan Qiong turned her face away: "None of your business. Take your stupid bird and get as far away as you can!"
Okay, I'm angry.
Lin Qiang quickly realized that the little girl was angry because he had left without saying goodbye a few days ago.
"There's another reason for this. I'll explain it to you when I have time, okay? Let's go home first." Lin Qiang held her hand on her knee, his smile bright and cheerful. "I promise, no matter what happens in the future, I won't just disappear like this again. From now on, I'll be a kite in your hand, the string is in your hands, and you decide where it flies, okay?"
"You said it yourself."
"I said it."
"Keep your word."
"A journey of a thousand miles cannot be overtaken."
...Okay! I'll trust you for now.
Yuan Qiong withdrew her hand and slowly rubbed her fingers together.
"Big Black Beard, remember your words today. If one day you betray me, or... attempt to break free from me, I, Yuan Qiong, swear that I will make you suffer endless torment, never to be free again..."
Yuan Qiong spoke with utmost seriousness. Lin Qiang clicked his tongue and laughed out loud. This girl is really ruthless; she's definitely a little ingrate.
"Okay, I promise you."
He also liked the ungrateful wretched girl. Similarly, if one day she ever wanted to break free from him, it would be absolutely impossible...
"Can you come with me now?" Lin Qiang stood up, bowed and scraped with the most gentlemanly manners, and smiled as he extended a hand to her: "My dear little girl."
Tch, these bandits are always up to some weird little tricks.
As Yuan Qiong thought this to herself, a smile crept onto her lips. She placed her delicate left hand into his broad, warm palm, and in that moment of being held, they seemed to have fulfilled the most sacred promise of commitment.
She said: I give you my heart; I give you my trust; I give you my future; I give you my life. A promise for life, may you never break it.
He said: I will defend your sincerity with love; I will defend your trust with actions; I will defend your future with everything; I will defend your life with my own. A promise made for life, I will never betray it.
"I think I've found the meaning of my second life. That is, to protect you."
Lin Qiang laughed heartily, his deep eyes sparkling like a galaxy. Just like a few years ago, he picked her up as if she were a child and easily placed her on his arm.
Yuan Qiong exclaimed in surprise, hugging his neck tightly, her cheeks flushed: "Why are you hugging me like that! Put me down!"
This position was the last thing she wanted to remember! It was so embarrassing!
"Hahaha..." He looked up at her and laughed, "Girl, now you're taller than me. Only if you're taller than me can you see farther than me."
Let's go!
Shortly after the two disappeared, the door to the room was suddenly flung open with a loud bang. Hong Xin stared at the empty room, his anger blazing! The people who had kidnapped him from his own home were too arrogant!
"Martial law at all times! Search every house! We must find Wang Yao!!!"
"promise!"
Looking back at the prefectural governor's mansion where the rebels were gathered, Yuan Qiong sneered, the scattered stars adorning her loose, snake-like hair bun gleaming.
“With that big black beard, Hong Xin must be furious right now. We should lay low for a while and not confront him directly; there’s no need for that.”
"Don't worry, we won't get involved with them, let's go."
Lin Qiang wasn't a great man, nor did he possess any lofty sentiments. From beginning to end, everything he did was simply to build a safe haven for the person he cherished most. Now, the provincial capital of Jiangbei was no longer safe, and the little girl had successfully gained enough prestige, so there was no point in lingering any longer.
At Black Cloud Village, he had prepared everything for her; everything she wanted could begin there.
"Girl, let's go back to Black Cloud Village."
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