Chapter 59: Leaving
And so, the three left the main hall together.
Outside, the sun blazed brightly, leaves on either side of the path swaying gently in the breeze.
Su Wan’er was in high spirits, chattering as they walked, with Su Wanyuan and Luo Jiutian occasionally responding.
Halfway along, Su Wanyuan paused. “I’ll go pack my things and catch up with you later.”
“Alright, we’ll wait for you!” Su Wan’er waved cheerfully.
After watching Su Wanyuan leave, she and Luo Jiutian continued toward Wang Ruolan’s courtyard.
Soon, they arrived.
“Godmother, I’m back!” Su Wan’er called as she pushed open the gate, her tone as lively as ever.
Wang Ruolan, hearing her, turned with a smile. “Wan’er, where’d you run off to? You look so excited.”
Su Wan’er grinned mysteriously. “Godmother, guess what happened.”
Wang Ruolan shook her head playfully. “I can’t guess.”
“Then I’ll tell you—” Su Wan’er glanced around, lowering her voice. “Nine Heavens Brother healed Sister! She can cultivate now!”
Wang Ruolan froze, then smiled warmly. “That’s big news. I didn’t raise Wanyuan, but I cared for her a while. I know her temperament—this means a lot to her.”
Her tone carried a touch of emotion. “She’s been hung up on not being able to cultivate for years. Now she can finally let that go.”
“Shouldn’t we celebrate?” Su Wan’er’s eyes lit up, turning to Luo Jiutian. “What do you think, Nine Heavens Brother?”
He smiled faintly. “Up to you.”
Wang Ruolan laughed. “Sounds good. It’s a rare occasion—let’s make it lively in the courtyard.”
…
Evening.
Su Wanyuan walked along the path to Wang Ruolan’s courtyard, carrying several storage bags.
Her mind wandered uncontrollably to Luo Jiutian—his steady gaze, confident tone, and that casual yet piercing question: “Do you want to cultivate?”
Her cheeks flushed, whether from the memory or the sunset’s glow.
She shook her head, forcing herself to calm down.
Soon, she reached the courtyard gate.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed it open.
The scene before her left her stunned.
The table was laden with dishes, their aromas filling the air.
“Sister, you’re finally here!” Su Wan’er’s eyes curved with her smile. “I’ve been starving, but they wouldn’t let me start!”
Su Wanyuan blinked, puzzled. “This is…?”
Wang Ruolan smiled. “Wan’er said you can cultivate now. Such good news calls for a celebration.”
Su Wanyuan noticed Wang Ruolan’s eyes were no longer bandaged.
Surprised, she asked, “Aunt Lan, your eyes…?”
Wang Ruolan chuckled. “Nine Heavens healed them.”
Su Wanyuan’s gaze shifted to Luo Jiutian by the table.
He merely nodded, saying nothing.
“What are you standing there for?” Wang Ruolan stepped forward, taking her storage bags and setting them aside. “Come sit.”
Su Wanyuan was pulled to a seat, staring at the scene in a daze.
Su Wan’er handed Luo Jiutian a ladle to serve soup, then scooted her chair closer to him.
Wang Ruolan placed dishes in an empty bowl, reminding her not to eat too fast.
Lively chatter filled the courtyard, warm and cozy.
Su Wanyuan’s nose stung as she whispered, “…Thank you.”
“What’s there to thank?” Wang Ruolan waved it off, smiling. “Seeing you pull yourself together puts us at ease.”
“Exactly!” Su Wan’er plopped a piece of spirit beast meat onto her plate. “Try this, Sister. These foods are great for your cultivation. I picked them out myself—don’t be picky.”
The four gathered around the steaming dishes, eating happily.
Su Wan’er busied herself serving Luo Jiutian, occasionally pushing a heaping plate toward her sister.
Wang Ruolan, watching them, smiled warmly, adding food to Su Wan’er’s bowl. “Wan’er, don’t just take care of others. Eat some yourself.”
Su Wanyuan ate quietly, bite by bite.
At first, no one noticed, but soon her plates were empty.
Wang Ruolan suddenly realized that Su Wanyuan, only at Qi Refining, had eaten a ton without batting an eye.
Surprised, she set down her chopsticks. “Wanyuan, after eating all that… you feel nothing?”
“I…” Su Wanyuan paused, hesitating. “I don’t feel anything, just that I could eat more.”
She lowered her head, embarrassed.
Did eating so much as a girl seem odd?
Su Wan’er blinked, as if discovering a new world. “Sister, you can eat that much? I thought I was the big eater.”
Luo Jiutian wasn’t surprised.
Her Gluttonous Devouring Pulse, tied to the “glutton” name, made it normal.
He took a bite of meat, saying casually, “It’s your physique. Don’t worry—it’s not bad for cultivation.”
“Really?” Su Wanyuan looked up softly.
He nodded calmly.
Her tension eased with his reassurance.
Wang Ruolan glanced at the relieved Su Wanyuan, then at the composed Luo Jiutian, her brow slightly raised, lost in thought.
She smiled, placing a piece of spirit beast meat in Su Wanyuan’s bowl. “If you can eat, eat more. It’s good for your cultivation.”
“Okay.” Su Wanyuan’s lips curved slightly.
…
The small feast ended quickly.
Wang Ruolan and Su Wanyuan went to tidy up, leaving Luo Jiutian and Su Wan’er in the courtyard.
“Wan’er, are you sure you want to stay with the Su Clan?” he asked, his tone carrying a deeper meaning.
She caught it, her smile fading. “Some things I have to face myself. I can’t always rely on you, Nine Heavens Brother.”
He gazed at her determined eyes, silent.
After a moment, he said, “Alright, take care.”
Su Wan’er stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him gently.
“Nine Heavens Brother, you take care too.”
He paused, not returning the embrace, only patting her shoulder.
Then, he stepped back, turned, and walked away cleanly, his figure vanishing at the path’s end.
She stood there, arms still outstretched, as if his warmth lingered.
Moments later, Wang Ruolan returned.
Looking around, she asked, “Where’s that boy, Nine Heavens?”
Su Wan’er retracted her gaze, her smile returning. “He said he had urgent business and left first.”