“I knew it was you!”
Shui Qianqian rebuked with disappointment, as if her son, pure and kind, could possibly seduce an older woman.
“When did this happen? How many times?”
Facing Shui Qianqian’s soul-searching questions, Ye Ji found herself unable to conceal anything.
So, she quickly replied, “It happened not long ago, several times!”
Hearing this, Shui Qianqian’s heart completely collapsed. It was beyond saving now.
After all, they had already crossed that line.
At this moment, she trembled with anger, her vision went dark, and she nearly fell to the ground.
“Sister!”
Ye Ji quickly got up and held Shui Qianqian.
“Get away, I don’t need your support?”
Shui Qianqian said coldly, “Speak! What are your plans?”
“Sister! Please give me a chance. Yun Fan and I are truly in love!”
Ye Ji pleaded desperately.
But Shui Qianqian said, “To prevent this from becoming a disgrace to my Long family, when this is over, you will return to the Holy Land with me!”
Ye Ji instantly despaired. She knew exactly what Shui Qianqian meant. Once she went to the Holy Land, she might not have many opportunities to see Yun Fan again.
Thus, she finally took that step, “Sister, this matter has already spread!”
“What?”
At this moment, Shui Qianqian felt a tightness in her chest. As expected, her worst fears had come true.
“How can you be so shameless!”
Shui Qianqian scolded, “He is your nephew!”
“Sister, listen to me!”
“What else do you have to say!”
At this point, Shui Qianqian had lost all affection for Ye Ji. Their more than twenty years of sisterhood had vanished into thin air.
Ye Ji retorted, “Sister, it is true that I was in the wrong first, but I am only one of many. Yun Fan has so many women around him, what’s one more?”
“What did you say?”
Shui Qianqian asked disbelievingly, “How many are there?”
Ye Ji counted carefully and said, “As far as I know, there are over ten!”
Of course, she also knew that Yun Fan seemed to only have that kind of relationship with her, and perhaps Ally.
The others didn’t count.
As for why she included them, it was to deflect Shui Qianqian’s anger.
“So many?”
Shui Qianqian actually became calmer, as if she had developed immunity to anger.
“Mmm!”
Ye Ji nodded weakly, as if conveying a message to Shui Qianqian.
Your son is this wild, it’s definitely not my fault.
At this moment, Shui Qianqian closed her eyes and sighed.
My son is excellent, but he also has some flaws. This is more than just being wild; to put it mildly, it’s promiscuous, and to put it extremely, he’s like a public bus.
Accepting this reality, Shui Qianqian no longer blamed Ye Ji and said to her, “I forgive you!”
Ye Ji breathed a sigh of relief.
But Shui Qianqian added, “However, his current character is inseparable from you. If you had disciplined him properly instead of having designs on him, he wouldn’t have become like this!”
Ye Ji was speechless. She had been caught in the crossfire. She wanted to discipline him, to make Yun Fan love only her, but from the moment Yun Fan joined Ghost Valley, the outcome was already sealed.
If she could, she would have pointed at Shui Qianqian’s nose and said, “Have the guts to blame the Old Celestial Master! Why bully me? You’re so capable.” She felt like crying, as she had been bullied by Shui Qianqian back then, and she still couldn’t escape this fate!
However, she absolutely dared not say these words.
At this moment, she absolutely could not anger Shui Qianqian further. She quickly nodded, “Sister, it’s all my fault!”
“Alright!”
Shui Qianqian asked, “What about those women?”
“Each one is as beautiful as a celestial being!”
“Who asked about their looks? I meant other aspects!”
Ye Ji quickly corrected herself, “They are all outstanding, their character is impeccable. Yun Fan has good taste!”
“If he had good taste, he wouldn’t have chosen you!”
Shui Qianqian rolled her eyes at her. This sister was truly like a seller of melons praising their own wares.
“Sister, I’m telling the truth!”
Ye Ji quickly held Shui Qianqian’s arm, feeling a million points of hurt internally. When did she become so inadequate? However, the two sisters had always been like this, speaking without restraint, so she didn’t take it to heart.
After all, from the day they became sisters, in front of Shui Qianqian, she was always the timid little girl.
Shui Qianqian had calmed down completely and said to her, “Call that brat over. I must teach him a good lesson. How can he be so wild!”
“Yes!”
Ye Ji quickly called Yun Fan.
Not long after, Yun Fan arrived at the courtyard again.
At this moment, he was somewhat speechless. He had just been ruthlessly kicked out by Ye Ji and was about to go to sleep, but then Ye Ji called him back.
He had no idea what Ye Ji was up to, but he and Ye Ji were already as familiar as could be.
Therefore, he didn’t get angry and agreed directly.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he saw Shui Qianqian.
“Why do I feel an inexplicable familial bond with her?”
Yun Fan was startled. He had never met her since he could remember, yet upon seeing her for the first time, he felt a long-lost familial affection.
“Son, come here to me!”
Shui Qianqian said with a heartache.
It had been twenty years. When she was gravely injured and near death, Yun Fan was still an infant. Now, more than twenty years later, Yun Fan had grown up.
She missed her son incessantly, but unfortunately, she had not been able to return. Even this return was a risk.
Now that she was finally in close proximity to Yun Fan, her guilt and longing intensified.
“You are my mother?”
Although Yun Fan feigned confusion, his heart was in turmoil. No wonder he felt so familiar, so much like family.
So, she was his mother.
“Mmm! Yun Fan, this is your mother, Shui Qianqian!”
Ye Ji reminded Yun Fan from the side.
Upon hearing this, the familial affection that Yun Fan had longed for finally erupted.
As Ye Ji was an outsider to this reunion of mother and son, she found an excuse to return to her room, quietly observing everything.
However, at this moment, she curled her lips. Although this was a grand reunion, she seemed to remember Shui Qianqian telling her earlier that she would teach Yun Fan a good lesson.
But from the current situation, she was overthinking. Shui Qianqian seemed to have no intention of punishing Yun Fan at all.
The mother and son talked for over an hour. Shui Qianqian told Yun Fan her apologies and the reasons for her inability to return over the past twenty years.
Yun Fan understood. He had never resented his parents. If it wasn’t absolutely necessary, who would abandon their son?
“Yun’er, you have so many confidantes, I don’t blame you. I can only say you were too naive and it’s normal to be deceived emotionally!”
Shui Qianqian complained, “But how could you not let Ye Ji go? You know, she’s my sister! Don’t you realize how difficult it will be for me to interact with her in the future?”
Yun Fan was speechless and quickly said, “Mom, this is a long story. Please don’t blame her!”
“Alright, I’ve already dealt with her, so I won’t blame her anymore!”
Shui Qianqian said helplessly. After all, they were now related by marriage; how could she blame Ye Ji?
At this moment, Shui Qianqian said to Yun Fan, “I heard that Jiang Yutian might make a move against you. Since your father and I are in the Holy Land, he can’t do anything to us, so his target might be you!”
This was also why she had rushed back. Jiang Yutian was too powerful. If he came to the mortal world, she knew Yun Fan wouldn’t be able to handle him.
It would be a disaster for both Yun Fan and the Long family, as that man was insane.
Years ago, outside the Medicine King Valley, if not for the help of that benefactor, she and her husband, Long Aotian, might have died at Jiang Yutian’s hands.
It was a pity that they had searched for that benefactor afterward and found nothing. Even now, she didn’t understand why that benefactor had intervened so righteously.
Hearing this, Yun Fan said, “Mom, don’t worry. I’ve not only grown up, but my strength has also broken through. I should be able to handle Jiang Yutian’s methods!”
After breaking through to the peak of Foundation Establishment, he had some confidence in his strength.
But Shui Qianqian said, “Never underestimate him. Jiang Yutian’s strength is not as simple as you think. According to the information I’ve gathered, Jiang Yutian’s strength might have already surpassed the peak of Foundation Establishment, reaching the cultivation of half-step Golden Core!”
“What?”
Yun Fan was instantly shocked. Half-step Golden Core was a formidable opponent. Someone who surpassed Foundation Establishment, regardless of whether they had reached true Golden Core, was not to be trifled with.
So, he said, “If he has indeed broken through to half-step Golden Core, then it is indeed troublesome!”
“Yes!”
Shui Qianqian said with some helplessness, “If your master, the Old Celestial Master, hadn’t met with trouble, even with Jiang Yutian’s half-step Golden Core cultivation, he wouldn’t dare to cross the line!”
“What happened to my master?”
This was Yun Fan’s biggest concern at the moment. There were various rumors about his master’s situation. Although he usually called him an old man, an old fogey, their master-disciple bond was deep, so how could he not care? If he had surpassed Foundation Establishment, he wanted to personally go and rescue his master.
But all of this seemed to be arranged by his master long ago, so even he could only follow his master’s arrangements and move forward step by step.
Because his master’s arrangements seemed chaotic, yet each step was full of mystery.
At this moment, Shui Qianqian said, “I’m not too sure either, but the situation is not good. The news from the Holy Land is rather limited!”
“I understand!”
Yun Fan nodded. The only comfort was that his master was not in mortal danger. After all, so many messages said his master was not dead, so his master was definitely still alive.
Moreover, if his master had truly passed away, the ancient families would have surely made their move long ago. Therefore, while worried, the priority at this moment was to become stronger.
Peak Foundation Establishment was invincible in the mortal world, a superpower wherever they went. However, compared to the ancient families and even stronger Holy Lands, it was still not enough.
Although the Holy Land was powerful, Yun Fan could tell from his mother’s words that their status in the Holy Land was not high. His father, Long Aotian, was a disciple of an elder.
Therefore, relying on the power of the Holy Land was out of the question.
At this moment, Shui Qianqian said to Yun Fan, “Yun’er, although our opponents are all very strong, I see hope in you. Perhaps your future achievements could rival the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool!”
“Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool?”
Yun Fan asked doubtfully, “Is she very strong?”
“More than strong, she is breathtakingly beautiful. That level of heavenly talent is beyond my imagination. But don’t be discouraged. What if one day you can reach her height?”
Shui Qianqian comforted, “You must still have dreams; what if they come true one day?”
Although she was older than the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool, the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool was her idol. Countless times in her heart, she had fantasized about the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool becoming her daughter-in-law.
However, she only dared to fantasize. Although her son was exceptionally outstanding, compared to the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool, there was still a gap.
After all, the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool was known as a heavenly maiden.
Yun Fan naturally wouldn’t be arrogant enough to think his talent was unparalleled in the world. The world was vast, and there were always people with talents surpassing his.
Just like the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool his mother mentioned.
However, he didn’t like comparisons; he was content with being himself.
At this moment, Yun Fan also said, “Mom, don’t worry too much. If Jiang Yutian truly dares to come to the mortal world, I will make him regret it, even if he is half-step Golden Core!”
“Mmm hmm!”
Shui Qianqian said, “Mom believes in you. Besides, you are not fighting alone. Aren’t you still having me to help you?”
“Although I was seriously injured and delayed for several years, I have also broken through to the peak of Foundation Establishment!”
Yun Fan had always known about his mother’s high talent, but he hadn’t expected his mother to have also broken through to the peak of Foundation Establishment. That was truly impressive.
After all, from the situation his mother had just described, she seemed to have only cultivated for less than ten years over the past twenty-plus years.
With two peak Foundation Establishment powerhouses like him and his mother, even if Jiang Yutian dared to come, Yun Fan wouldn’t feel as much pressure.
However, he had not yet encountered the Golden Core realm, so Yun Fan didn’t know the difference between half-step Golden Core and Golden Core.
Would the combat power of a half-step Golden Core greatly surpass that of a peak Foundation Establishment? It was a pity his master wasn’t here; otherwise, these small issues could simply be asked of his master, and he would answer them.
…
The next day, Ye Ji was constantly trying to please Shui Qianqian. Although they had been like sisters in the past, their relationship had become less close due to Yun Fan.
To secure her position, Ye Ji had to appease Shui Qianqian.
Initially, Shui Qianqian was quite happy. Although Ye Ji was a bit older, she was good in all aspects, especially her relationship with her.
They had been like sisters twenty years ago, so she had a great deal of affection for Ye Ji. However, when Ye Qingcheng arrived, the situation changed.
“Auntie, hello!”
Ye Qingcheng respectfully greeted her.
Upon seeing Ye Qingcheng, Shui Qianqian was quite satisfied. It seemed her son truly had good taste.
Furthermore, she had heard that her son already had a fiancée, so she intended to meet Yun Fan’s fiancée after this matter was settled.
Since she was the fiancée personally chosen by the Old Celestial Master, she must be an exceptionally outstanding individual.
However, Ye Qingcheng in front of her was also very good. She was reportedly adopted by Ye Ji, which was a minor flaw, but the girl didn’t seem to mind.
So, she decided not to dwell on it either.
Moreover, she could tell that although Ye Qingcheng had not yet entered Foundation Establishment, her talent was genuinely good, definitely not weaker than her own. Furthermore, Ye Qingcheng’s growth and cultivation had not been delayed, which was definitely Ye Ji’s credit.
At this moment, Shui Qianqian nodded and said to Ye Qingcheng, “Child, have you and my son broken through that barrier?”
Ye Qingcheng blushed upon hearing this. Fortunately, only she and Shui Qianqian were present, otherwise, she would have been truly embarrassed.
So, she honestly replied, “Auntie, not yet.”
“My son could actually restrain himself?”
In this regard, Shui Qianqian admired Yun Fan’s self-control. Remaining unperturbed, he was indeed an outstanding man.
Much stronger than his father, Long Aotian.
“Auntie, actually, I have my reasons!”
Ye Qingcheng said aggrievedly.
“What reasons?”
Shui Qianqian asked, puzzled.
Then, Ye Qingcheng told Shui Qianqian how Ye Ji had obstructed her relationship with Yun Fan, including how she had forced her to marry someone else to break them up.
It had to be said that Ye Qingcheng’s acting skills were truly impeccable. In just a few words, she had transformed herself into an innocent victim.
Of course, she was indeed an innocent victim. She had previously been a cold goddess, but now she had become almost someone who was bullied.
First, Ye Ji bullied her, and then Dai Qisi bullied her. It could be said that she had lived very undignifiedly during this period. After all, she was the number one prodigy and talent in Jinling.
Now that she finally had someone to pour out her heart to, why wouldn’t she cling to them?
Upon hearing this, Shui Qianqian became instantly furious.
Seeing this, Ye Qingcheng felt smug. She had always been suppressed by Ye Ji, although she had long accepted this reality.
But she was still being controlled by Ye Ji. Now, it was finally her chance for revenge. The grievances that had been accumulating in her heart dissipated at this moment.
Let’s see if Ye Ji would dare to bully her again using her seniority.