Chapter 48: Her Tender Affection

Sighing inwardly, Liu Fan found himself lost in thought once more. After a moment, he consoled himself, “Let everything follow its course.” Casting aside his restless musings, his mind achieved a rare clarity, and for an instant, he slipped into a state where self and surroundings merged and faded away. Such moments of enlightenment are precious and seldom attained, even in a lifetime of cultivation. His luck was extraordinary—for though the enlightenment lasted but a heartbeat, it equaled years of hard-won insight. As fate so arranged, his realm advanced naturally and effortlessly: in that fleeting instant, Liu Fan’s cultivation broke through from the early to the middle stage of Transformation, a testament to the depth of his fortune.

At that moment, Liu Fan’s eyes grew piercingly sharp, like twin blades glinting with cold light, cutting straight to the heart. Those around him could not help but shudder, feeling as though nothing within them could remain hidden beneath that gaze.

“Oh my, brother-in-law, your eyes are so intense—you’ve got my heart pounding!” It was Sun Junyao, famed for her mischievous ways, who was the first to break the silence. She too had been caught by Liu Fan’s gaze just now. Though her words were often impulsive and bold, she had never before encountered a look that set her heart aflutter. Flustered, her quick wit came to her rescue; she cleverly drew Zhao Wanyi into the conversation as a shield, masking her own embarrassment.

Sure enough, all eyes turned to Zhao Wanyi at her words, sparing Sun Junyao further attention. Seeing her ploy succeed, Sun Junyao finally breathed easy, though she herself did not fully understand her own reaction.

Chen Yazhi, who shared a close bond with Sun Junyao, noticed her unease. As close friends, they could read each other’s hearts, and so Chen Yazhi regarded her with a meaningful look before falling into thoughtful silence.

Sun Junyao, sensing Chen Yazhi’s gaze, looked up, and the two exchanged a glance—a fleeting exchange of glances, a hint of blush coloring both their cheeks as their thoughts turned involuntarily to Liu Fan. Their eyes then drifted toward Zhao Wanyi at Liu Fan’s side, a bittersweet pang passing between them. All this happened in the span of a few heartbeats, and soon they composed themselves, standing aside with easy smiles as if nothing had transpired.

To outsiders, Sun Junyao’s words seemed harmless, but for Zhao Wanyi, they held deep significance. From the day she met Liu Fan, he had occupied her thoughts, though she had never dared confess her feelings for fear of scaring him away. Yet after their fight at the hotel that night, Liu Fan’s gentleness toward her reassured her that she had a place in his heart. Sweetness bloomed within her, and as she recalled it, a flush stole across her face.

Each time she saw Liu Fan, her heart leapt. Summoning a courage she could not name, she hooked her arm gently around his and asked with concern, “Xiaofan, are you alright? Did the police give you any trouble? If you’d been hurt, I’d never forgive them.”

Her gaze swept over him, her eyes searching for any sign of injury. Only when she saw he was unharmed did she relax. Unbeknownst to her, her intimate gestures seemed quite suggestive to those around them.

Soon, noticing the looks from others, Zhao Wanyi glanced up to see everyone watching her and Liu Fan with knowing smiles. Liu Fan seemed unconcerned, his earlier reservations resolved; he no longer resisted Zhao Wanyi’s feelings and allowed her to hold his arm without protest.

But Zhao Wanyi, after all, was a young woman with a shy heart. Unable to withstand everyone’s scrutiny, she darted into Liu Fan’s embrace like a startled rabbit. Pressed against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart and the masculine warmth emanating from him, she flushed even deeper, as radiant as a cherry in spring.

Nervous and uncertain, Zhao Wanyi worried that Liu Fan might misunderstand her boldness and push her away. But instead, just as she was lost in anxious speculation, a strong, steady arm drew her close.

Liu Fan, seeing Zhao Wanyi so delicate and endearing before him, felt a swell of tenderness. He slipped an arm around her slim waist, leaned close, and whispered softly in her ear, “Don’t worry, Wanyi. In this world, there’s no one who can harm me. If you don’t mind, from this moment on, I will protect you for life. Do you… believe me?”

In that moment, Zhao Wanyi’s heart melted utterly. She never imagined Liu Fan, usually so reserved, could speak such intoxicating words, nor that his promise would carry such boldness. She gazed up at him, her eyes brimming with love and longing, tears welling up and falling silently onto Liu Fan’s arm. “Four eyes meet in unspoken understanding, and love binds their hearts as one.”

But beautiful moments are always fleeting; even the heavens seem envious of romance, inspiring verses like, “Envy not the immortals, envy only the mandarin ducks.” Just then, Sun Jianguo, watching the pair lost in their world, hesitated to interrupt but knew it was late. Duty prevailed: it was well past one in the morning, and he had to dismiss his team lest trouble arise from lingering too long. Clearing his throat, he reminded them, “Ahem! Xiaofan, and you too, Zhao—sorry to interrupt, but it’s already past one. You all have class tomorrow, don’t you think you should head back and rest?”

“Oh!” Zhao Wanyi, still lost in the tender atmosphere, squealed in surprise at Sun Jianguo’s words, suddenly remembering they were still at the police station, surrounded by so many onlookers. Reluctantly, she let go of Liu Fan, though her eyes lingered on him.

“Uh, ha ha.” Liu Fan, too, was left a little awkward, grinning sheepishly as he tried to change the subject. “Thank you, Brother Sun, for all your trouble tonight. Let me treat you to some good wine another day—something money can’t buy. For now, we should get going.”

Mentioning wine reminded Liu Fan of a fortuitous discovery during his cultivation in the Hetu Luoshu realm: he had once encountered a mountain teeming with white macaques and, among them, found the legendary Immortal Brew known as ‘Monkey Wine.’ The aroma alone had drawn him in, and after tasting it, he’d never forgotten. The wine contained a trace of spiritual energy; a small cup each day could invigorate the mind and improve the body.

Admittedly, this was a flimsy excuse, but to a true lover of wine, it was irresistible. Soldiers are famed for their straightforwardness and their love of drink; the proverb proved true yet again. The moment Sun Jianguo heard mention of ‘good wine,’ he forgot all else and exclaimed, “What? Good wine? Why wait—when we get back, let’s have a few cups! But I warn you, if it’s not really good, I don’t want it.”

“What kind of wine? That’s a secret for now, but I promise it’s nothing ordinary. If it weren’t, I’d be ashamed to offer it to you. You’ve never tasted anything like it—once you do, all other wines will seem bland. But tonight isn’t the time; after all that’s happened, who could enjoy a drink? Besides, I need to see Wanyi and the others home. They must have worried enough for one night, and they’re all tired. Didn’t you say there’s class tomorrow, too?”

“You’re such a tease! You just whet my appetite and refuse to satisfy it—are you trying to torture me?” Sun Jianguo put on a long face, clearly disappointed. In his eyes, if Liu Fan—so accomplished—praised a wine, it must be something extraordinary. He pressed further, “So when you have time, you have to call me right away.”

“How about this Sunday?” Liu Fan suggested, amused by Sun Jianguo’s eagerness. “There’s no school, so it’s perfect.”

“Deal! Sunday it is. Call me when you’re free—I’ll pick you up, and we’ll go to my place. My wife will cook a few dishes to go with the wine—her cooking is divine, a true delight of this world.” Mentioning his wife’s cooking, Sun Jianguo’s face lit up, and he nearly began to drool at the thought.

Dreams are always bountiful, but reality is often lean. Just as Sun Jianguo was lost in thoughts of food, his niece’s voice interrupted, “Uncle, you want to drink again? If you do, I’ll tell Aunt when we get home and make sure you sleep on the couch every night!”

“Gah—cough, cough!” Sun Jianguo was so startled he nearly choked, his face turning red as he coughed and gasped for air. Fortunately, his martial training lent him stamina, or he might have fainted right then and there.

“Heh heh… phew, that was close. You’re always stirring up trouble! If you go tattling to your aunt, I won’t help you with anything ever again.” Embarrassed at being exposed in front of everyone, Sun Jianguo tried to keep his dignity, breathing heavily as he put on a stern face.

Of course, a man who ‘fears his wife’ is not always truly afraid; often, it is a sign of respect. Naturally, there are exceptions, but those are rare.

With her mischievous nature, Sun Junyao would never back down so easily. She stepped forward, her brows arching playfully as she looked Sun Jianguo up and down. She replied slowly, “Uncle, I think you’ve got it backwards. I’m always the one helping you at home! Every time you make Grandma or Aunt angry, it’s me who smooths things over for you. Should I start sharing some of your embarrassing stories now…?”

Sun Jianguo knew his niece too well; that glint in her eye was always the prelude to one of her pranks.

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Today’s second update is here—enjoy! The story only gets more exciting from here, so please look forward to it! All kinds of support are welcome!