Chapter 638: The Protagonist’s Father

Chapter 638: The Protagonist’s Father

Becoming Lin Nuo’s wife was the dream of the lovesick Su Kexin, and she finally awaited the moment to arrive.

Of course, this was just pretending, not the real deal.

However, to Su Kexin, this marked the beginning of a beautiful future. Making the fake turn real wasn’t an issue.

After all, she and her Senior Martial Brother had a deep level of understanding; they could act like a couple to get familiar and gradually blend together, and when the time was right, it would become real.

If they were to be husband and wife, the Phoenix Twin Swords would undoubtedly unleash even greater power, and they would become a legendary righteous couple renowned throughout the ages.

Su Niang Xiao Yulan was still unaware. The two, who had previously addressed each other as martial siblings by the riverside, were now acting as if they were married.

Was this the speed of youth? Or was it intentional concealment?

She didn’t understand; she was old and didn’t grasp how young people interacted.

But if these two could become a couple, that would definitely be a beautiful thing! Kexin still needed someone to rely on, and this Lin Nuo fellow seemed quite reliable. Although she didn’t know much about him, she could sense his calmness and dependability.

She hoped her daughter wouldn’t repeat her past mistakes.

“Oh, oh, ha, Kexin, you’ve found a suitable husband! I’m so happy for you! I don’t have much to give you, but take this bracelet, will you?”

The old lady brought out her antique bracelet for Su Kexin, but how could Su Kexin accept it? Even if it was an official marriage, she wouldn’t take it.

After all, it wasn’t easy for her either; why would she want to take something from her?

The two kept refusing, then Su Niang joined the refusal squad, it turned into a game of Taiji—going back and forth, as if they were trying to pull off a miraculous move.

Watching this, Lin Nuo felt uncomfortable. Why didn’t they just play Rock-Paper-Scissors to settle it?

While they argued and refused, he took the opportunity to observe Su Family Village.

This Su Family Village was somewhat similar to Ru Yu Village; it used to be bustling with people and laughter.

But as time passed, everything changed. The lively scenes faded, and people gradually left to seek broader horizons. It became an empty and neglected village.

Ru Yu Village was still somewhat okay; sometimes villagers returned from afar, but the situation in Su Family Village was dire. People left with no news of whether they lived or died, leaving no trace behind.

As for the villagers, they weren’t skilled recluses; they were ordinary folk, waiting for their faraway descendants to return.

In the end, they lived like lonely old folks.

Lin Nuo and Su Kexin became faux married couple without delay, and soon the news spread throughout Su Family Village. The few remaining locals, who had grown up there, all learned of it and cheered for them, bringing various gifts.

But their gifts were quite limited—cabbages, cured meat, salted fish—all sent over. Naturally, Su Kexin and her mother wouldn’t accept, even insisting on treating everyone to a meal as compensation.

After dealing with the well-meaning villagers, they returned to the ancestral home.

It was an old-fashioned grand ancestral house, currently only inhabited by Su Kexin’s grandmother, with ancient decorations, altars on the walls, and incense burning. There were offerings and water for the deities.

The interior was clean; grandma was diligent, often tidying up, a stark contrast to other ancestral homes filled with dust and cobwebs.

They knocked on the door, and a little old lady, walking unsteadily, approached it.

“Who’s there?”

“Grandma, grandma, it’s us~”

Upon hearing the lively and sweet voice, the grandma gently pushed open the door and immediately spotted her beloved granddaughter.

“Ah, grandma, I missed you so much~”

Su Kexin quickly hugged the short old lady, who smiled warmly.

“Kexin is back! And Yulan, good, good.”

The grandmother extended her wrinkled and rough hand, gently stroking Su Kexin’s face. She had no other desires; she just wished to see her children more often. Having company brought her great satisfaction.

“Yes, yes, we’re back to visit you~”

“I’ll go kill one of the old hens for my lovely granddaughter. Come in, sit down; there will be food soon.”

“Mom, you don’t need to tire yourself out; just chat with Kexin. I’ll handle it; you’ve worked hard.”

Xiao Yulan and the grandmother argued, both wanting to handle the old hen’s slaughter. (Old hen: Who did I offend?)

In the end, they agreed to do it together.

The grandmother noticed Lin Nuo and approached him, smiling widely, revealing her few remaining teeth.

“Dear granddaughter, is this your husband?”

Lin Nuo: “…”

What’s up with all these old folks? Can’t they say he’s just a friend or something? Can’t even mention any other identity like godfather?

No, I mean, a friend is something normal, right?

They must be so eager for Su Kexin to get married!

“Yup, yup, grandma! This is my husband. His name is Lin Nuo; he’s from the same sect as me, also my Senior Martial Brother. We developed feelings over time in our cultivation. He treats me very well, and I love him very much.”

Su Kexin said hurriedly, raising her voice as if worried the neighbors couldn’t hear.

Well, the whole village already knows.

“Grandson-in-law, oh, that’s great!”

The grandmother lightly held Lin Nuo’s hand, her smile growing even brighter.

“Very handsome, very handsome, good, good.”

The grandmother regarded Lin Nuo as if he were a rare creature.

However, Lin Nuo didn’t feel repulsed; instead, he found a sense of familiarity he hadn’t felt in a long time.

He reminisced about his departed grandmother, the love she had for him.

They were welcomed inside, while Xiao Yulan and the grandmother planned to slay the old hen for a grand chicken feast.

“Yulan, you truly have had it hard these years. If it weren’t for my family’s Ling Jiang…”

“Mom, let’s not talk about that; it’s a rare reunion. Let’s discuss happier things instead.”

Xiao Yulan intentionally avoided that topic and didn’t continue the discussion with her grandmother.

Lin Nuo caught on to this and thought that the family might have some sad story.

By the way, he hadn’t met Su Kexin’s dad yet. A powerful protagonist usually has powerful parents, right? Xiao Yulan was an ordinary person, so her dad must be exceptional.

But this time, while visiting the village, he didn’t even get to see the person. Did he die or what?

Sitting together, Su Kexin leaned closer to Lin Nuo, treating him already as her husband.

“By the way, where’s your dad? It’s rare to be back in the village without calling him?”

As soon as Lin Nuo asked, the smile on Su Kexin’s face dimmed, as if he had touched a painful spot.

“Oh, he… he’s busy.”

“Where is he busy?”

“Haha, Senior Brother, let’s not talk about this; it’s not interesting. Do you want some fruit? I’ll peel one for you.”

“Are you not planning to tell me? So I’m just this husband with no rights, huh?”

“It’s not… Alright, fine. You’re also family, so it’s okay to tell you. My dad has been missing for a long time now.”