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Ling'er chuckled lightly, "Brother Ye, you really are something. You can get lost even in your own home."
Ye Mingshang shrugged, "What can I do? Our house is just so big."
Originally, Ling'er had come to pick him up, and he could have gone back with her. However, the Cloud Lion insisted on fulfilling his duty and escorting him back. Since he had asked for help, he felt it would be rude to send him away.
The Cloud Lion wasn't as fast as Ling'er, but he was powerful enough, and the distance to White Back Mountain wasn't very far. Before long, they arrived at their destination. Bai Xiangxue had been waiting in the courtyard and sighed in relief upon seeing Ye Mingshang. She scolded him lightly, "You never say a word before leaving. I thought you were going to disappear again."
Ye Mingshang felt a bit guilty and apologized to Bai Xiangxue, promising not to leave without notice again. He then thanked the Cloud Lion. Bai Xiangxue also noticed the Cloud Lion: "You're one of Cloud Lion's little fellows, right? It's been a while since we last met. Your magical power has improved quite a bit."
The Cloud Lion chuckled, "I didn't expect my humble self to be remembered by the lady. I'm truly honored."
"Well, thank you for bringing Ming Shang back. Here’s a spirit pill as a reward." Bai Xiangxue waved her hand, and a shining pill floated in front of the Cloud Lion.
The Cloud Lion quickly expressed his gratitude and accepted the spirit pill, planning to refine it later. He believed that with this pill, his magical power would significantly improve. His insistence on escorting Ye Mingshang back was naturally motivated by the desire for a reward; after all, some things need to be seen by others to be worthwhile. This thought was understandable—it's human nature—but receiving such an unexpected reward was a pleasant surprise since he hadn't put in much effort and instead gained a substantial Transmutation.
By this time, it was already January; the weather was cool and the days were short. After sending off the Cloud Lion with thanks, Bai Xiangxue began preparing dinner. Although her body was not like that of an ordinary person—she could go years without eating or drinking—Ye Mingshang needed food, and she wanted to feel more human.
Ye Mingshang initially wanted to help but was stopped by Bai Xiangxue. After a day of activities, he was sweaty and went to wash up in a hot spring located about a hundred meters away. Although it wasn't large, it was quite nice.
After stripping down and soaking in the hot spring with a towel on his head, he felt incredibly comfortable. It wasn't until Bai Xiangxue called him for dinner that he responded quickly, washed up, and got dressed.
At dinner, he overindulged; normally he wouldn't eat so much, but being home meant enjoying his mother's cooking. How could he not eat more? Once school started again, he'd have to settle for ordinary meals—though they were good too, they couldn't compare to this home-cooked food.
As the moon rose above the willow trees, Ye Mingshang, feeling too full to sleep, climbed onto the roof to sit and admire the bright moon above. The air here was fresh—not like in big cities filled with smog—and it was clear enough to see many stars that were invisible in urban areas except for the brightest few.
"Brother Ye, what are you doing?" A melodious voice echoed in his ears like a gentle breeze or bubbling spring water.
Without needing to turn around, he knew it was Ling'er who had come up. Ye Mingshang smiled slightly and replied, "Nothing much. Just looking at the sky of my hometown and admiring all the stars."
Ling'er pouted and frowned in confusion. "What's so interesting about this? You can see it every day."
Ye Mingshang chuckled softly; those who had never left home would never understand its value. When at home, one often yearns for adventure outside; yet once away from home, initial novelty fades into emptiness over time.
Many young people today find their parents annoying with constant nagging; however, once they leave home or lose their parents, they realize something is missing and life becomes troublesome. When parents are around, they take care of everything—cleaning up after them, making their beds, doing laundry and cooking—but when they're gone, one might feel utterly helpless as if they can't manage anything on their own.
The clothes are not washed clean, the food tastes as bad as poison, the bed is left unattended, clothes are thrown everywhere, and cleaning is too much trouble. It wasn't until a thick layer of dust settled in the house, cobwebs formed, and the trash can overflowed that I forced myself to clumsily clean up, because I simply couldn't afford to hire a maid.
Seeing Ye Mingshang made me smile without saying anything. Ling'er felt puzzled; had she said something wrong? "Brother Ye, what are you thinking about?"
Ye Mingshang smiled and said, "I was wondering if there really is Chang'e on the moon, and if she is as beautiful as you, Ling'er."
Ling'er pouted and playfully said, "Hmph! Brother Ye is a bad person, thinking about other women when I'm right here. Hmph! I'm not talking to you anymore."
Ye Mingshang chuckled. Over the years, Ling'er had grown from a little girl into a graceful young lady. Fortunately, her physical changes hadn't affected her inner self much; she was still as adorable as before, with the same childish temper. This was really good; she could be willful without living too burdened.
Ye Mingshang laughed and suddenly asked, "Ling'er, can you sing?"
"I can't, why?" Ling'er turned to look at him with a puzzled expression.
"Nothing much, I just think your voice is lovely. If you could sing, it must be beautiful."
Ye Mingshang's words made Ling'er fall into deep thought. Then she nudged him with her arm: "Then, Brother Ye, will you teach me to sing?"
"I can teach you, but I'm not very good at singing myself."
"That's okay; just teach me," Ling'er shook her head dismissively.
"Alright then." Ye Mingshang cleared his throat: "Your tears~ frail yet wounded~ the pale moon bends and hooks the past~"
This song, Chrysanthemum Terrace, was the first song he heard shortly after leaving home. He fell in love with it at first listen. Although a long time had passed, he still remembered the melody and lyrics well—perhaps even better than Zhou Dong did. His voice was magnetic, bright yet slightly husky; it suited these beautiful ancient-style songs perfectly. Ling'er was momentarily entranced.
Unconsciously getting into character and recalling many memories, he finished a verse. Ye Mingshang looked at Ling'er, who was lost in thought with her hands clasped and face full of enchantment: "It's your turn now."
"Huh? So soon? I haven't had enough yet." Ling'er snapped back to reality, looking unsatisfied.
"But I want to hear your singing voice too," Ye Mingshang smiled.
Ling'er nodded happily and then recalled the lyrics and melody of what Ye Mingshang had sung. She cleared her throat and imitated him: "Your tears~ frail yet wounded~ the pale moon bends and hooks the past~... rain lightly taps~ on the crimson window~ my life on paper~ blown into disarray~..."
To be honest, Ling'er's pitch wasn't very accurate, but her voice was beautiful—like a celestial melody that lingered in the air. As she sang, Ye Mingshang's memories were drawn in as well; he remembered how he had gone to watch the movie just because he liked this song.
In the song, he seemed to see the Crown Prince dressed in splendid attire, filled with sorrow as he gazed out into the quiet night alone, reflecting on his life—busy and bustling. Despite holding a high position as a prince with immense power and wealth, he lacked even the simplest joy. His life of military campaigns felt like being a puppet; familial bonds were worthless. He even had to watch his mother drink that bitter medicine he knew was poison every day while feeling powerless.
Think about it, he is truly much happier than him. In terms of status, he is the son of the Demon King Minghe. Although not by blood, he is treated as if he were. The Underworld River, though strict, genuinely loves him; the strictness is only to help him grow. His mother is so considerate and gentle, treating him even better than her own son, simply impeccable. Besides the love from his parents, he has many uncles and aunts, and there’s Ling'er, his childhood friend. Although he is an orphan who has experienced abandonment and witnessed the tragic deaths of relatives, separated by life and death, the old dean loves him, those little companions love him, and now his parents love him too. He is truly happy; he possesses almost everything beautiful that a mortal can have.
Ling'er's flawless voice combined with a melancholic melody resonates deeply. Looking at the starry sky and the half-moon, one can't help but sigh. On one hand, it’s for the pitiful Crown Prince, and on the other hand, it’s for himself. Speaking of which, his previous life was indeed one filled with battles; to resurrect the woman he loved, he transformed from an Idiot into a Grandmaster and Killing God General.
In order to be with the woman he loved, he searched everywhere for her reincarnation, enduring several lifetimes of hardships and suffering the retribution of heaven. If it weren't for this emotional torment, his life would have been perfect.
Listening to the song as it reached its conclusion, the climax faded back into tranquility: “The chrysanthemum withers!~ The ground is full of wounds!~ Your smile has faded~ Flowers fall and hearts break~ My thoughts flow quietly~
The north wind howls~ The night lingers on~ Your shadow cannot be severed!~ Leaving me alone on the lake in pairs~...”
As the song ended and tranquility returned, it felt like the state of mind of a Crown Prince who had lived a busy life; it was as if he had found liberation and finally concluded...
“Brother Ye, did Ling'er sing well?” Ling'er looked at Ye Mingshang expectantly, who was lost in thought.
Ye Mingshang came back to his senses, smiled reassuringly at Ling'er, and reached out to stroke her hair. Ling'er allowed him to do so, comfortably shrinking her neck while smiling with her eyes squinted.
“Ling'er sang beautifully; I was completely captivated.”
Ling'er smiled happily: “Really? That’s great! If Brother likes to listen, I’ll sing more for you in the future, okay?”
“Sure!” Ye Mingshang smiled as he looked at the charming girl and the moonlight like water...
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