When
Hidden in the shadows, Ye Ziyun's words left Ye Zong in a long silence. His nose stung slightly. In front of his daughter, he had always been a strict father. He knew that what he'd done was far from enough, and that he owed Ye Ziyun a great deal. Hearing her speak like this today, his heart wouldn't settle for a long, long time. So this was what Yun'er truly thought.
"Nie Li, I used to believe that with my talent, I could never reach my father's level in this lifetime. But after you taught me your cultivation technique, gave me the Snow Queen Demon Spirit, and allowed my strength to undergo a qualitative transformation — giving me the chance to pursue my dreams — I have no way to repay you. My father would never agree to let me be with you, but in gratitude, I can grant you three wishes. No matter what they are, as long as it's within my power, I will absolutely refuse none of them." Ye Ziyun seemed to think of something, her cheeks flushing crimson, yet she held her head high, her clear gaze resolute.
Ever since she was young, her father had taught her: in this life, kindness must be repaid, and a person must keep their word. Once a promise is made, it must be honored.
In the distance, Ye Zong furrowed his brow. A thought struck him — so Yun'er's cultivation had advanced so quickly all because of Nie Li's guidance. His opinion of the boy shifted ever so slightly. It seemed Nie Li had been treating Yun'er quite well after all.
"Really? No matter what I ask, you won't refuse?" Nie Li suddenly flashed a mischievous grin and began walking toward Ye Ziyun.
Seeing that meaningful smile on his face as he approached, Ye Ziyun instinctively retreated a few steps, her cheeks growing even redder. What did Nie Li want to do? Her mind conjured all sorts of images, but then she seemed to remember something and straightened her posture. She had promised Nie Li three wishes, and she intended to keep her word. Going back on it would be disgraceful.
Nie Li walked up to Ye Ziyun, step by step, and looked down at her. At this moment, she was enchantingly beautiful — her skin was so delicate it seemed it might break at a touch, her crimson lips slightly pressed together, her porcelain nose glistening, her bright eyes alive with spirit. She was utterly captivating, like a ripe grape, impossible not to want to take a bite.
She wore a white silk dress, a white ribbon cinched at her chest, accentuating her slender, lovely figure. The hem of her skirt danced in the breeze, making her look like a fairy against the night sky. A faint, youthful fragrance drifted toward him.
What a breathtaking young woman!
Images from his past life slowly surfaced in his mind, and Nie Li's heart overflowed with tenderness. In this moment, nothing in the world sounded better than pulling the beauty before him into his arms!
Sensing Nie Li's approach, and that unique aura of his, Ye Ziyun grew increasingly flustered. Her heart pounded wildly, and even her fair, jade-like neck was tinged with a delicate shade of pink.
A subtle, tender tension spread between the two of them.
How beautiful this night was!
In the darkness, Ye Zong watched Nie Li closing in on Ye Ziyun with that flirtatious air, and every favorable thought he'd just formed about the boy evaporated instantly. The veins on his arms bulged — if Nie Li dared lay a single finger on Yun'er, he would waste no time beating the brat to within an inch of his life!
Nie Li breathed in the scent of Ye Ziyun greedily. A deep, melancholic sadness flickered through his eyes. So often, he feared that everything before him was nothing more than a dream. Nearly every night, he would wake from nightmares — seeing the moment Ye Ziyun died, tears of self-reproach soaking his pillow.
Ye Ziyun would never know the depth of Nie Li's feelings for her — how bone-deep and soul-etched they were. Through countless brushes with death, through centuries of solitude, only the memory of Ye Ziyun had ever brought him warmth. That kind of love carved itself into the marrow.
Reborn into this world, he felt happiness, but he also feared losing everything. That was why he pushed himself and those around him to grow stronger without rest — so that when the crisis arrived, they would have the power to protect themselves.
No matter what happened, he would never let what stood before him slip away again.
With Ye Ziyun so close he could feel her very existence, Nie Li desperately wanted to hold her, to pour out everything locked inside his heart. But after a deep, quiet sigh within, he pulled all those feelings back in. If he embraced her now, it would surely terrify her.
Nie Li's lips curved slightly as he leaned close to Ye Ziyun's ear and murmured slowly, "My first wish is — I want you to…" He deliberately drew out the last word.
Hearing this, Ye Ziyun's entire body trembled, her hands shaking. She had already guessed that Nie Li would make such a request. Though her sense of propriety rebelled against it, the fact remained that he had done her an immense kindness. She had promised to grant his three wishes, and she would not go back on her word.
If it was Nie Li, her heart didn't find it entirely impossible to accept.
Even as she thought this, her mind was a tangled mess.
"You little beast — wait until I get my hands on you!" Ye Zong's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and he was practically about to explode. The oppressive aura of a Black Gold powerhouse surged from his body, ready to erupt at any moment. If a Black Gold-level expert struck in anger, this entire courtyard would be reduced to rubble!