"You mustn't forget that just like you, I grew up under grandpa's watchful eye!"

"Mhm!" Chen Hao nodded. In an instant, his mind conjured up images of his childhood, playing at home with Lin Xiaofan while their grandfather sat by, watching them with a smile. He turned to Lin Xiaofan in front of him with a smile and said, "Thinking back on those days now, I suddenly find them so warm, so nostalgic!"

The solemn expression on Lin Xiaofan's face turned slightly displeased as she coldly said, "Chen Hao, you've changed!"

Chen Hao laughed heartily and then shrugged, saying nothing more. He walked to the hospital room door and took his grandfather's hand, silently vowing in his mind, "Grandpa, rest assured! It won't be long before I beat King Ning and get you back. I won't let you down!"

Seeing Chen Hao gazing silently at his grandfather, his face exuding confidence and determination, Lin Xiaofan, who had been childhood sweethearts with Chen Hao, naturally knew what he was thinking. In her memory, the old Chen Hao, who was insecure and quick-tempered, rarely had such an expression. It was only when she was bullied or needed help that this confident and reliable Chen Hao would emerge.

But what Lin Xiaofan didn't expect was that, when all the hardships came crashing down, this version of Chen Hao had become the norm, and he was getting better and better. This made her feel somewhat unwilling to accept it; why couldn't the Chen Hao she dated and fell in love with back then be like this?

Twenty minutes later, Chen Hao and Lin Xiaofan walked out of the hospital side by side.

They maintained silence the entire way, until they reached the crossroads where they would part ways. It was then that Lin Xiaofan finally turned to Chen Hao and said, "Chen Hao, I've heard a lot about you from Tang Jing."

"Ah!" Chen Hao was taken aback, wondering if Tang Jing had told Lin Xiaofan about his immortality or the enchanted power in his left eye.

Lin Xiaofan gave a bitter smile before continuing, "Not to mention anything else, let's talk about your girlfriend who was the school belle. I heard that you care a lot about her, dote on her to no end, and you'd even give up your own life for her!"

"Oh!" Chen Hao nodded, then murmured softly, "Isn't that what a good man is supposed to do?"

All of a sudden, Lin Xiaofan huffed in anger, stepped forward, and grabbed Chen Hao's clothes, glaring at him as she demanded, "Then why weren't you like that when you were with me? You didn't care about my feelings at all, you weren't ambitious, and you were always angering me, picking fights with me!"

As Lin Xiaofan's voice grew louder, it drew the attention of the people around them. Chen Hao felt extremely awkward and, shaking off Lin Xiaofan's hand, said somewhat angrily, "Because you don't deserve the person I am now! What else are you good for besides complaining, despising me, and losing your temper? She's different; she cares for me, helps me, and makes me a better person!"

Chen Hao's words turned Lin Xiaofan into a weeping figure. Ignoring the strange looks from passersby, she squatted on the ground, covering her mouth with her hands, crying silently.

Thinking about everything Lin Xiaofan had done after breaking up with him, Chen Hao was furious. After taking a few deep breaths, he turned and left, abandoning the crying Lin Xiaofan on the street.

After leaving, Chen Hao walked along the bustling streets, with oncoming car headlights and the bright city lights occasionally flashing before his eyes, bringing back memories of the past he had with Lin Xiaofan. Three minutes into his walk, he suddenly stopped, regret written all over his face, as he muttered, "I'm such a bastard, how could I say such things to her. She's one of the most important people in my life!"

Having said that, Chen Hao turned around and ran back to find Lin Xiaofan.

Half a minute later, he arrived back at the crossroads where they had parted. By then Lin Xiaofan had already gone, and in the reluctant direction ahead, Chen Hao saw her frail silhouette. In the wind and amid the noise, it looked so pitiable, making one want to protect her.

"Lin Xiaofan!" Chen Hao shouted towards her retreating figure.

Lin Xiaofan turned around, and the streetlight's slanted beam illuminated her face, revealing the undried tears marks and also her surprised expression.

Chen Hao ran up, pulling the frail Lin Xiaofan into his arms, gasping for air as he said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! What I said earlier was all out of anger, how could you possibly not be good enough for me now, it's my fault for not cherishing you properly! Although I wasn't very outstanding during that time, it was still the happiest and most carefree period of my life. Thank you!"

"Wuu wuu!" Lin Xiaofan sobbed as she clung to Chen Hao's chest.

Feeling the tremble of Lin Xiaofan's body, the warmth and moisture of her tears, Chen Hao's eyes also reddened. In the halo of the streetlight ahead, Chen Hao faintly saw a scene from years past, when he and the young Lin Xiaofan were walking hand in hand. He blinked, not needing to wave, his heart already saying farewell to that era of simple times to which he could never return.

..

Ten minutes later, Chen Hao watched Lin Xiaofan board the bus. From the bus door, Lin Xiaofan looked back and smiled at Chen Hao, "What a pity, I didn't wait for a better version of you!"

Chen Hao smiled back.

After watching the bus carrying Lin Xiaofan disappear, Chen Hao finally let his smile fade.

"Bastard!"

Suddenly, an alluring voice came from behind Chen Hao. He turned and saw Ye Yuqiao looking at him with an expressionless face.

"How come you're here?" Chen Hao asked.

"I happened to pass by after dinner and then saw you embracing someone." Ye Yuqiao spoke coldly, "I'm loyal enough, right? I didn't disturb you while you were wrapped in her arms."

Chen Hao's expression darkened, thinking he was done for. He carefully observed every detail of Ye Yuqiao's face; the more expressionless it was, the angrier she was supposed to be.

"What are you looking at?" Ye Yuqiao glanced at him coldly and then hid behind Chen Hao. "I'm tired of walking; carry me home on your back."

"Ah!" Chen Hao was somewhat bewildered, "You're not angry?"

"What's there to be angry about?" Ye Yuqiao's tone was very calm, then she lightly patted Chen Hao's back. "Hurry up and kneel down!"

Chen Hao did as told and hoisted Ye Yuqiao onto his back. He couldn't understand why every time he had contact with Tang Jing, Ye Yuqiao would show some degree of concern, yet this time, when he hugged Lin Xiaofan, his ex-girlfriend, Ye Yuqiao didn't seem to mind at all?

..

In the southwestern part of Y City, there lies a small town called Ping County, which borders Dao County to the northwest.

To the west of Ping County, there sits a village known as Hetou Village, just across the Sha River from Hewei Village in the eastern part of A City.

Not long ago, the two villages located upstream and downstream on the Sha River had a small dispute over land: the residents of Hewei Village had encroached on the land of Hetou Village. Later, the villagers of Hetou armed themselves, drove the Hewei villagers back, and burned down the trees planted by the Hewei villagers on their land.

In Cang County where Hewei Village is located, many farmers worship a minor deity known as the 'Drunken Immortal.' Like all the other minor deities under the jurisdiction of King Ning's Manor, this Drunken Immortal was actually portrayed by a fierce ghost. Hearing that the people under his domain were being bullied, the Drunken Immortal did not hesitate to arrive in Hetou Village, ensuring the villagers had no peace for days and dared not leave their homes.

In the end, the people of Hewei Village once again occupied Hetou Village's land, and fearing further disturbances from the Drunken Immortal, the villagers of Hetou could only endure and remain silent.

Before long, the village chief of Hetou heard from relatives in Dao County that a young and promising new President of the Yin Yang Master Association had just cleared the ghost market in Dao County a few days ago.

After hearing this news, the chief of Hetou Village immediately set out by car for the urban district of Y City overnight.

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