Ch 22: Grandma & Grandpa

The old man's eyes also burned with anger. Though he and Su Wen bicker constantly and never exchange affectionate words, the depth of their bond was unmistakable.

Grandpa continued, his voice softening,"Even though he was only ten at that time, he was more mature than most adults. I truly didn't expect him to learn those cultivation techniques in just two years. Then at the academy… not only did he learn medicine and alchemy, but poetry as well. Last time he came home, I even caught him playing with formations like it was nothing. If he had more time, I'm certain he would happily learn every immortal field there is."

Grandma smiled with warmth and pride."For two years, when he stayed with us, he brought so much colour to our lives. He took care of us… learned cooking just so we could stay healthy and live longer."

Her eyes softened with tenderness."When he left for the academy, I was so sad I couldn't sleep properly for a week. I didn't want him to go… but I couldn't destroy his future for my own selfishness. I thought… I might not be able to see him again."

Grandpa nodded quietly, not saying anything.

He looked down at his own hand, slightly trembling, and spoke in a defeated tone,"I'm afraid… We don't have much time left."

Grandma's expression dimmed as well."Yes… this is the price we pay for going against the Heavenly Rules."

She continued, her voice low,"I didn't expect him to visit us every three months during his academy breaks. Disciples usually don't want to waste a single moment, they use every breath to cultivate. But he… he still came back, without fail. Not caring about his time and money."Her hands tightened slightly on her lap."And honestly… if he hadn't come at that time… we wouldn't have made it until now."

"He must have noticed our condition back then, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he learned spirit cooking… just to make nutritious meals for us. Each time he returned, his cooking improved drastically. Some of the recipes he made were so unique and delicious… it felt as if they didn't even belong to this world."She sighed softly."The main reason his cooking improved so much is clearly thanks to his alchemy."

Grandpa nodded with a rare gentle smile.

"Although we don't have much time left… I feel that the reason we came here in the first place… might still be achieved."

Grandma nodded, sadness and hope mingling in her eyes."Yes… because of Su Wen."

Then she glanced toward the guest room where Du Yue was staying. Her voice softened, filled with quiet determination."I don't care whether our purpose succeeds or not… but I don't want to leave with regret. I want my grandson to live a life full of love."

Grandpa followed her gaze. It was full of mischief. He nodded silently, lips twitching.

How could he possibly admit… that he, too, was a little excited to watch the live drama unfold in this house?

Du Yue, who had just woken up, was still lying on the bed. Her pale complexion had improved considerably since yesterday, and there was a spark of light in her right eye, a stark contrast to the lifeless gaze she had worn the day before.

Usually, she required very little sleep; at her cultivation level, one or two hours of rest was enough, and the rest of the time could be devoted to cultivation. But ever since the incident, she hadn't been able to sleep at all, and even when she tried to rest, she couldn't close her eyes, afraid that she would be abandoned once again.

Last night, however, after the medicinal dinner, Su Wen had advised her to rest well so the medicine could take effect properly. For the first time in a long while, she had slept the entire night through.

Perhaps it was because she finally felt safe or maybe it was the exhaustion from her injuries, but the warmth she felt in her heart was undeniable. The care everyone had shown her on the mountain made her feel strangely comforted.

A faint blush appeared on the right side of her face, the unbandaged side, as she thought about Su Wen. She no longer cared whether she would fully heal or not; now, she was simply happy to be cared for.

"Hmph, that Young Master of the Mountain... although he's a bit childish and proud, he's not bad," she muttered to herself, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I won't let him bully me, though."

With that, she got up, ready to freshen up and look forward to the new day.

Du Yue came out of the room, only to find both grandparents staring at her with knowing smiles. When they saw her eyes, now filled with a little light, their faces softened with happiness, and they couldn't help but grin mischievously.

Before she could greet them, Grandma spoke with a teasing tone, "Du Yue, you little girl, you woke up! How was your sleep last night?"

Grandpa added, "Come, come, sit and tell us."

Du Yue, slightly embarrassed, didn't show much change in her expression, but the flush on her face gave her away. She greeted both of them, sitting down next to them and saying, "Thank you, seniors. I had a good sleep last night."

Grandma snorted softly, clearly displeased, and said with mock anger, "What seniors? Is this how you repay your saviours?" She acted a little disappointed, but the sparkle in her eyes gave her playful mood away.

Grandpa, enjoying the drama from the side, chimed in, "She's right. You're not allowed to call us seniors anymore." He raised a finger and spoke with feigned righteousness, "You should start calling us Grandpa and Grandma."

Du Yue blinked, caught off guard. "This…" She hesitated for a moment, but after a beat, her face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Grandma… Grandpa."