After seeing Huang Hai off, Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong's mood also became somewhat low.
They had not enjoyed their newlywed bliss for long before hearing the bad news of Tong Jiuhua's death, which was certainly not what either of them had wished for.
However, the deceased were to be respected, and Tong Jiuhua's death was no trivial matter, forcing them to be vigilant.
Therefore, after seeing Huang Hai off, they did not rush back to the main hall, but instead sat by the fountain in the front courtyard of the Bai family's residence.
Lin Zitong seemed worried, "Big fool, Tong Jingcheng's soul was stolen. Does this mean he might have a chance to return?"
It was obvious even with a stubbed toe that Tong Jiuhua was killed while resisting and protecting Tong Jingcheng's soul. Therefore, the killer had a very specific target: to take Tong Jingcheng.
It was just unknown whether the one who abducted Tong Jingcheng's soul was Tong Jingcheng's accomplice, an enemy, or a more powerful third party.
Yan Shouyi comforted her,
"Even if Tong Jingcheng can be resurrected, his years of effort in Rongcheng have already been destroyed by us. He won't be able to trouble us again in the short term. By the time he has the ability to find us again, I promise I will have enough power to protect you and prevent you from being harmed again."
Upon hearing this, Lin Zitong felt a little more relieved. She pressed her face against Yan Shouyi's chest and said,
"My master seemed to know something, but he left without saying goodbye, not even bidding me farewell. This is also very unusual."
"Indeed..." Yan Shouyi said in a deep voice, "Sect Leader Lu's reaction was too abnormal. It gave me a sense of invisible pressure, as if something major was about to happen."
This time, it was Lin Zitong's turn to comfort Yan Shouyi, "No matter what, as long as we are together, there is nothing to fear."
"You are right." Yan Shouyi patted Lin Zitong's back, their hands gripping each other even tighter.
"By the way," Yan Shouyi said, "have you communicated with the person inside you?"
Regardless, upon learning that there was another consciousness within Lin Zitong, Yan Shouyi still felt a little uncomfortable.
Lin Zitong replied, "Only once. At that time, I was provoked by Bai Yusheng, and the ghost within my body suddenly appeared, directly devouring Bai Yusheng. After that, it called me mistress, but I haven't had any communication with it since. No matter how I call it, it doesn't respond."
Yan Shouyi stroked his chin and analyzed,
"It seems that it only appears when you are in danger. This is somewhat similar to the consciousness within me. However, since it called you mistress, it probably won't harm you, and might even protect you."
"I wonder if it's male or female," Lin Zitong muttered softly.
If it were a girl, it would be fine. But if it were a man... Lin Zitong could not accept it at all.
Just then, Lin Zitong's hand suddenly began to tremble uncontrollably. Then, she dipped her finger in the fountain water and wrote the character "女" (female) on the ground.
"What's wrong?" Yan Shouyi asked nervously.
Lin Zitong was a bit confused, "It seems the consciousness inside me controlled my hand. It's answering my question just now!"
Yan Shouyi also found it astonishing, "So, the consciousness inside you is female?"
"Perhaps it could be lying?" Lin Zitong said.
Yan Shouyi was amused and exasperated, "There's no need to lie. Regardless, she saved your life. We can try again later to see if we can communicate with her."
Before Lin Zitong's revival, Yan Shouyi had a brief exchange with the consciousness inside her, and that consciousness seemed to have a great need to devour malevolent energy.
According to Yan Shouyi's understanding, the consciousness within Lin Zitong should be very weak and need to devour malevolent energy to recover its strength. Before devouring enough malevolent energy, it would likely minimize its appearances to conserve its power.
The two then chatted about the events of the previous day, with Yan Shouyi telling Lin Zitong everything that happened from her death to her revival.
After listening, Lin Zitong felt not only lingering fear but also warmth.
Her death had brought such great pain to Yan Shouyi, even causing him to fight desperately against Tong Jingcheng.
What girl wouldn't want a man who loved her to the point of madness?
Therefore, Lin Zitong felt even more that marrying Yan Shouyi was not an impulsive decision.
As they were being affectionate, they suddenly saw Yan Chou accompanying someone out of the main hall.
This person was none other than the beautiful socialite Zheng Zhaodi.
Zheng Zhaodi was dressed very fashionably, wearing a large British sun hat, white gloves, and carrying a luxury handbag.
Although Zheng Zhaodi was getting on in years, she was still charming, her figure had not deteriorated, and she had gained the allure of a mature woman, enough to drive any man wild.
Lin Zitong couldn't help but praise, "If my mother were still alive, she might have been a bit like Aunt Zheng. But Aunt Zheng's temperament is truly unparalleled. I wonder if I can be like her when I reach her age..."
Yan Shouyi laughed, "Naughty girl, what are you thinking about!"
"Everyone gets old!" Lin Zitong pouted, "I can't stay young and beautiful forever either."
Sensing that the conversation might lead to their first marital argument, Yan Shouyi quickly stopped, not daring to dwell on the topic any further.
"Um... look, my dad and Aunt Zheng seem to get along quite well?"
To change the subject, Yan Shouyi could only betray his own father.
Lin Zitong was indeed distracted. She chuckled,
"Actually, I noticed it yesterday, but I didn't dare to say it. I feel like Aunt Zheng is interested in our dad."
"Ah?"
Yan Shouyi was taken aback. He had merely wanted to change the subject and hadn't noticed Aunt Zheng's interest in his father at all.
But after Lin Zitong said that, Yan Shouyi suddenly noticed it.
When Aunt Zheng walked, her body would unconsciously lean towards his father's direction.
When she spoke, she would always lower her head slightly, feeling shy to look directly at his father.
Most importantly, whenever his father looked at Aunt Zheng, Aunt Zheng would instinctively push her hair back.
These were all crucial pieces of evidence!
Yan Shouyi muttered to himself, "Could I... be getting a stepmother?"
Lin Zitong smiled, "This is also quite good. Aunt Zheng is so beautiful; even young men would queue up to pursue her. Moreover, our dad has suffered a lot over the years. If he has a woman by his side to support him, you'll also have less to worry about."
Since this morning, Lin Zitong's way of speaking and thinking seemed to have completely aligned with Yan Shouyi's.
Even discussing arranging a second marriage for Yan Chou felt so natural...
Yan Shouyi coughed twice, "I have no objections, but it still depends on my father's own wishes."
Not far away, Yan Chou and Zheng Zhaodi were walking out together. Zheng Zhaodi's steps were half a pace slower than Yan Chou's, as if deliberately trying to slow down.
However, Yan Chou didn't notice any of this; his pace was unhesitating, and Zheng Zhaodi could only follow with a sigh.
"When I return to Hong Kong this time, I don't know when I'll see you again," Zheng Zhaodi said from behind Yan Chou.
Yan Chou replied without looking back, "I'll be very busy later, but I will eventually have a chance to go to Hong Kong." dafengnovel.com
Zheng Zhaodi was slightly pleased, "When?"
"It's hard to say now, perhaps within ten years."
"..."
Zheng Zhaodi murmured, "Waiting another ten years, I'll truly be an old woman."
"What?"
Yan Chou turned his head and asked in confusion.
Zheng Zhaodi quickly shook her head, "Nothing."
At her age, she no longer had the youthful yearning for love. To personally express love and affection carried much greater pressure than for young people.
Especially now that she and Yan Chou could maintain a relatively good relationship, if her feelings were rejected, perhaps their current relationship would not survive.
Therefore, Zheng Zhaodi rationally chose silence.
Yan Chou glanced at Zheng Zhaodi, then turned around and hailed the car outside.
"The car is here, hurry up and get in, don't miss your flight," Yan Chou reminded her.
Zheng Zhaodi sighed, nodded, and got into the car. Yan Chou, ever the gentleman, closed the door for her.
Inside the car, Zheng Zhaodi looked up and met Yan Chou's gaze. Seeing Yan Chou smiling and waving goodbye, Zheng Zhaodi could only purse her lips, force a smile, and drive away with the car.
Watching the car gradually recede, Yan Chou couldn't help but tilt his head back and let out a long sigh.
How could he not know Zheng Zhaodi's feelings for him?
It was just that he still missed Yan Shouyi's mother and didn't want to give Zheng Zhaodi a false love just to satisfy her.
Therefore, it was better to cut ties decisively; there was nothing to be reluctant about.
"Dad!"
Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong suddenly jumped out, startling Yan Chou.
Yan Chou quickly composed himself, feigning as if nothing had happened, "Did you two see Daoist Huang off?"
"Yes, Daoist Huang left long ago. Zi Tong and I were sitting nearby just now and saw you send Aunt Zheng off," Yan Shouyi said.
Yan Chou coughed twice, "Aunt Zheng was in a hurry to leave, and I forgot to ask you two to say goodbye to her."
Lin Zitong giggled, "Dad, I don't think Aunt Zheng cares that much about us. She only cares about you."
"What did you say?"
Yan Shouyi added, "Zi Tong and I were just discussing it. If Aunt Zheng were to become our stepmother, neither of us would object. So, if you have any thoughts about it, it's not too late to pursue her now."
Yan Chou looked at Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong, his mouth agape, unable to speak for a long time.
After a silence of about five or six seconds, Yan Chou finally reacted and said irritably,
"My love for your mother is as deep as the sea, how could I possibly marry another woman? Do not mention this again, or I will be displeased!"
With that, Yan Chou left in a huff.
Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong were both a bit stunned.
It was just remarriage, why would he get so angry?
Besides, Yan Shouyi's mother had passed away nearly twenty years ago; he should have moved on by now.
Yan Shouyi rubbed his nose and said, "Naughty girl, don't take it to heart. My dad's reaction is actually a good thing."
"A good thing? Why do you say that?" Lin Zitong asked, confused.
"I take after my dad. My dad is so devoted to my mother, which shows that I am also a devoted person!" Yan Shouyi smiled, "So you can rest assured about me!"
Lin Zitong was amused and exasperated, and playfully hugged Yan Shouyi, planting a kiss on him.