The Milky Way split the pristine starry sky in two, and the vast expanse of stars twinkled, their rhythm matching Yan Shouyi's heartbeat.
Er Ya, holding Yan Shouyi's hand, skipped along, mumbling, "The Immortal Sister is so pretty, she's the most beautiful human we've ever seen!"
"Oh? How many humans have you seen?" Yan Shouyi asked with a smile.
"Four!" Er Ya counted on her fingers. "Grandpa, Immortal Sister, Little Master, and that strange human just now."
Yan Shouyi: "..."
So you've only seen four humans? And my mother is the only female human you've ever encountered!
However, Yan Shouyi had no doubt about his mother's beauty.
After all, how many women in the world could make his father fall in love at first sight?
Besides, my own appearance speaks for itself...
The closer they got to the Heavenly Pond, the faster Yan Shouyi's heart beat.
When he reached the end of the path and his vision suddenly opened up to reveal the Heavenly Pond, sparkling like a gem under the starry sky, his heart finally calmed.
He scanned the area around the Heavenly Pond and soon spotted a small wooden house with candlelight flickering within.
Tie Zi also pointed in that direction, "Immortal Sister is there, let's go faster!"
His mother seemed to be well-loved, as these four pets were not much calmer than he was, appearing equally eager to see her.
With a smile, Yan Shouyi rode on Shan Pao's back and, led by his companions, soon arrived outside the wooden house.
The person inside heard the commotion and slowly opened the door, a half-read ancient book still in her hand.
She wore a simple dress, devoid of any adornments, looking so unpretentious that she seemed out of place in modern times.
When she saw Yan Shouyi rushing towards her, her eyes shifted from bewilderment to surprise, and then to overwhelming joy.
With a soft thud, the ancient book dropped to the ground, and she unconsciously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Her breathing quickened, her hands trembled uncontrollably, and her gaze followed that figure intently until he stood before her.
Yan Shouyi dismounted from the deer and stopped at the foot of the wooden house's steps.
"Immortal Sister~~ sob!"
Er Ya was overjoyed to see the Immortal Sister. She intended to rush forward and greet her as usual, but Tie Zi pulled her back.
Tie Zi covered Er Ya's mouth and whispered, "Don't disturb Immortal Sister and Little Master. Let's be quiet."
Er Ya came to her senses, nodded her little head vigorously, and then followed Tie Zi around to the back of the wooden house.
Subsequently, four heads peeked out from behind the house, observing curiously.
The "Immortal Sister" shook her head helplessly, but she didn't mind the four lively creatures. Instead, she studied Yan Shouyi.
There was an inexplicable connection through their bloodline. Looking at this unfamiliar young man, she knew who he was without any doubt.
Yan Shouyi, in turn, regarded the woman before him with curious eyes.
Middle-aged, the years had left subtle traces on her face. Her perfect facial structure was adorned with delicate features, and her brow conveyed kindness and gentleness.
We look so alike.
Yan Shouyi felt as though he was looking at a female version of himself. He finally understood why, when Grandpa took him traveling in his youth, the elders always praised him for his delicate features.
It turns out, I resemble my mother more.
A hesitant smile appeared on Yan Shouyi's face. He opened his mouth and said, "Hello, I am..."
"I know, I know," Jiang Qingxue's eyes immediately turned red.
Seeing his mother like this, Yan Shouyi, who had always been strong-willed, couldn't help but feel a sting in his nose and his eyes welled up.
"Child, you've suffered."
Jiang Qingxue rushed forward and gently held Yan Shouyi in her arms. She didn't treat him as a young man in his twenties, but rather like an infant swaddled in blankets. Her warm embrace seemed capable of shielding him from all hardship, and in that moment, Yan Shouyi felt a peace he had never known.
Yan Shouyi looked up and choked out, "Mom."
This single word, "Mom," seemed to pierce Jiang Qingxue's heart. She gently stroked Yan Shouyi's head, tilted her head, and softly replied.
"Mom is here."
Yan Shouyi couldn't help but lower his head and wipe the tears from his eyes.
Yet, for some reason, the more he wiped, the more tears flowed.
They simply wouldn't stop.
A mother's embrace is always a child's safe harbor, but Yan Shouyi had been adrift for twenty years, experiencing countless joys and sorrows, losing so much, before finally allowing his body and soul to relax completely for the first time.
He had always been strong, always strong, even when he inadvertently revealed his loneliness to Lin Zitong, he would quickly compose himself and move forward.
But here, in his mother's embrace, he instantly recalled all the grievances he had endured and the faces of those who had left him.
Grandpa, Uncle Zou, Old Celestial Master, Senior Lu Jing...
"Child..."
Seeing Yan Shouyi sobbing uncontrollably, Jiang Qingxue didn't tell him to stop crying. Instead, she gently patted his back, telling him to cry it all out, to let go of all the grievances of the past twenty years.
In front of his mother, there was no need to pretend to be strong.
Seeing Yan Shouyi cry, Jiang Qingxue felt immense guilt. She could imagine the difficulties and injustices her child had faced over the past two decades.
"Why is Little Master crying?" Er Ya asked, unable to comprehend.
Everyone looked to Tie Zi, the wise one of Changbai Mountain, but Tie Zi also looked confused. "Did I hurt Little Master when I beat him in the cave earlier?"
"Then you're in trouble. Immortal Sister will definitely scold you later," Shan Ji said with a hearty laugh.
These four carefree creatures, living in the mountains, found it difficult to understand the complexities of human emotions.
Yan Shouyi cried for a long while before he could finally manage to stop.
Jiang Qingxue gently wiped the tears from his face.
At this moment, a peculiar feeling filled both their hearts.
Though they were biological mother and son, they had not seen each other for twenty years. Yan Shouyi had even expected their reunion to be somewhat awkward and reserved, perhaps involving sitting down for tea and maintaining a polite distance.
Jiang Qingxue also worried that Yan Shouyi might harbor resentment towards her, blaming her, his heartless mother, for abandoning him and his father for twenty years.
But now, with Yan Shouyi bursting into tears upon their meeting, it had paradoxically brought them closer.
The unfamiliarity of twenty years of separation vanished in an instant.
Yan Shouyi managed a teary smile. The first thing he thought of was to report his marriage to Jiang Qingxue.
"Mom, I'm married. My wife's name is Lin Zitong. She's a very lovely girl. If you meet her, you'll definitely like her... Also, Zitong is pregnant, with twins, due next month!"
Being able to marry Lin Zitong was Yan Shouyi's greatest pride, so he shared this news with his mother as his first act.