Chapter 149: I’ll Always Be Here Waiting for You
Before he left Cangzhou City, Yun Zhonghe had a couple of things to take care of.
First, he needed to head to the Immortal Alliance branch to settle the account for the mission in Qingzhu Town. The rewards for that mission were substantial, especially with two monster beast heads at the Golden Core Stage. Plus, they ransacked their treasure trove, turning a handsome profit.
Although he was part of the wealthy Yun family and wasn’t desperately short on resources, no one turns down free money. On top of that, Yun Zhonghe needed to take Tao Jiu’er shopping; she had been worried during their trip to Qingzhu Town, and he promised to make it up to her.
Tao Jiu’er never turns down an invitation from Yun Zhonghe, and she happily agreed.
This time, Yun Zhonghe didn’t opt for his carriage, choosing to walk instead, even going so far as to change into some plain clothes to appear more low-key. Despite this effort, Yun Zhonghe was already a household name in the city, thanks to his signature dazzling gold hair—someone spotted him wherever he went.
“Great, I changed clothes just to fit in,” Yun Zhonghe thought sarcastically to himself.
Wherever Yun Zhonghe went, people waved, and some female cultivators even approached him, asking for autographs, leaving him bewildered and embarrassed.
Seriously?! How could a yellow-haired nobody become such a sensation?
But then again, after conquering 35 floors of the Myriad Path Divine Tower, he earned every bit of fame—even if they say the last five levels were freebies.
Except for the kids of Immortal Alliance’s high-ups, no one has achieved what Yun Zhonghe has.
Tao Jiu’er thought proudly, watching this unfold. She had known him since childhood!
“Haha, if you don’t want to be recognized, you could just take a carriage,” Tao Jiu’er teased.
“No, I want to walk through Cangzhou City with Jiu’er sister,” Yun Zhonghe said earnestly, gently grabbing Tao Jiu’er’s hand despite all the eyes watching.
Even though many people were staring, he hesitated not.
This simple gesture seemed to seize Tao Jiu’ers’ heart. She felt a warmth rising through her body; her face started to flush.
“How mushy can you get? I’m just your servant.”
She played with her hair absentmindedly, unlike the usual confident demeanor she had when teasing Yun Zhonghe.
That confidence was only transferred to someone else.
“For me, Jiu’er sister is the most important family, not a mere servant,” Yun Zhonghe confessed sincerely.
Family…
At the word “family”, Tao Jiu’er paused briefly. She glanced at Yun Zhonghe, whose chiseled features and spirited brows made her heart race.
She’d been silently admiring this face for many years.
Yun Zhonghe noticed her gaze and turned to see her, pointing towards a street corner and recalling, “Do you remember? That time mother spanked me, and it was you who led me here, then bought me candy to cheer me up.”
Memories resurfaced, and Tao Jiu’er softly whispered, “Because you broke the vase your favorite lady loved.”
“I used to be quite a troublemaker. Good thing you have always protected me,” Yun Zhonghe genuinely mused.
They continued walking and came upon a dilapidated little house.
“This place,” Yun Zhonghe said. “That year there was a wave of monster beasts attacking Cangzhou City. Father was fighting outside, but some beasts slipped into the city. We hid here from them.”
Old memories flooded back, and Tao Jiu’er nodded. At that time, Yun Zhonghe was just a child, and she had held his hand everywhere, protecting him tightly.
Tao Jiu’er felt a sense of nostalgia wash over her. She didn’t expect all these memories to still be vivid in his mind.
He remembered, and he remembers everything.
Walking through Cangzhou City, many memories resurfaced. Looking back, Tao Jiu’er’s presence was always by his side.
There were laughs, tears, and frights, but mostly happiness and peace.
With Tao Jiu’er around, life felt full and meaningful.
Yun Zhonghe simply wanted to tell her that he remembers everything, and their relationship isn’t a master-servant dynamic. They can hold hands and stroll together in public, like a real family.
They visited every little shop they had been to, each street they had run through.
Tao Jiu’er looked at Yun Zhonghe, seeing the grip on her hand, and something welled up within her. She squeezed his hand back.
His small hand had now grown large and strong, becoming a dependable man.
From the west side of the city, they walked to the north, south, and back south again, chatting all the way.
Tao Jiu’er slowly relaxed, reverting to her playful demeanor, occasionally teasing him, mostly out of affection.
They bought snacks Tao Jiu’er loved, watched plays she found interesting, and even snagged new booklets from a bookstore—a long awaited gift that made Tao Jiu’er jump for joy.
Yun Zhonghe smiled warmly at her, but there was something hidden in his eyes.
After a while, Yun Zhonghe leaned in, “Actually… Jiu’er sister…”
“Oh, right! You were going to check in with the Immortal Alliance, go do that first.”
Caught off guard, Tao Jiu’er realized they had arrived at the Immortal Alliance entrance.
Yun Zhonghe held back his words, “First get your work done. I’ll wait for you.”
No matter where he was or how long it took, she would wait for him.
Their eyes met, and Yun Zhonghe froze.
“Okay, Jiu’er sister, you just wait a moment. I’ll come back soon.”
Yun Zhonghe hurried to finish his tasks.
Tao Jiu’er waved, watching Yun Zhonghe enter the Immortal Alliance branch. She sighed, “Sigh, I have to rush off and deal with other women’s business.”
She knew about Yun Zhonghe’s dealings with Mu Jixue, Lin Zhongyu, and Qin Hongye. No one knew more than her how these women felt towards him. Women always know best.
Tao Jiu’er didn’t resent it; she could tell Yun Zhonghe considered them friends, but seeing him attend to these other ladies, having grown up together like family, it bothered her slightly.
Especially because she had feelings for Yun Zhonghe…
“If something happens to me one day, will he work as hard for me?”
She didn’t realize she said this aloud until she shook her head.
What was she thinking? As a servant, it was her duty to serve wholeheartedly. To think for Yun Zhonghe to do anything for her, that’s ridiculous.
But… before being a servant, a bodyguard, a supervisor, a sister, she was also a woman.
