Yun Yao's Past

I responded, "Got it, sis. I'll be careful," and ended my conversation with Nangong Yiyi inside the Yin gathering token.

The chat with Nangong Yiyi only lasted a few seconds. When I came to my senses, I continued to size up the young man named Jiang Yujie.

He had a buzz cut and was wearing a leather jacket.

A belt was fastened around his waist, but it was a bit wider than a normal belt.

The belt had several grooves, and eight identical throwing knives were neatly tucked into them.

These throwing knives looked like they were made from some kind of "animal bone."

But upon closer inspection, they had a "metallic texture," so for a moment, I wasn't sure what material they were made from.

His arms were thick, and he wore black capri pants, leaving his ankles exposed.

He had on a pair of black leather boots, giving him a bit of a Western cowboy vibe. If he wore a cowboy hat, he'd look even more the part.

Grandpa Yun looked at us and said, "Alright, alright, no need to stand outside.

Guests are here, let's go inside. Please, both of you."

Yun Yao also smiled at me and said, "Let's go, let's head in first."

Then she glared at Jiang Yujie. I noticed he seemed a little afraid of Yun Yao.

He moved to the other side of me, and we walked towards the mansion together.

The interior was vast, with many servants bustling about, walking quickly.

When they encountered Yun Yao and her grandfather, they bowed and greeted them, "Patriarch, Miss."

Yun Yao and her grandfather nodded slightly in return.

We entered a very large living room. It was antique and elegant, yet had a modern decor style.

Countless antique calligraphy and paintings were displayed, making it look incredibly luxurious.

Grandpa Yun sat on a sofa that was clearly custom-made. He raised his hand and gestured for us to sit.

He then quietly said to Yun Yao, "Yao Yao, have the servants bring some tea." Yun Yao nodded.

Soon, two servants brought tea sets and cups and began preparing tea for us.

Their movements were meticulous, and the tea set was exquisite. A moment later, the aroma of tea filled the air.

They then placed the tea before us. The tea's fragrance was refreshing. I felt a bit awkward, unsure whether to drink it or not.

Jiang Yujie next to me had no such reservations. He picked up his teacup and drank. The tea was so hot it made him wince.

"It's delicious, just a bit too hot," Jiang Yujie said, breathing out.

Yun Yao shot him a glare. "Serves you right for being so impatient. I hope it scalds that foul mouth of yours."

Then the two of them started bickering back and forth.

Grandpa Yun shook his head with a wry smile, and I watched them argue with an awkward expression.

I hadn't expected Yun Yao, who looked like a pure and lovely young girl, to use such crude language. She was practically cursing Jiang Yujie's ancestors.

I could feel my eye twitching uncontrollably as I listened.

"Alright, alright. You two have grown up together and always loved to bicker. Why are you still like this as adults?

Yao Yao, Yujie, we have guests. Don't lose your manners," Grandpa Yun said with a smile.

Only then did they begrudgingly fall silent, exchanging one last glare before stopping.

"Young friend, tell me about your situation," Grandpa Yun said to me.

I stood up, intending to speak, but I wasn't sure how to address the old man. So I said, "It's like this, Patriarch Yun..."

Before I could finish, Grandpa Yun interrupted me.

"No need for such formalities. Our families have a good relationship. Just call me Grandpa Yun."

I nodded and agreed, then recounted the words my father had left for me.

I was careful to omit certain important details.

For instance, Nangong Yiyi, the Martial Uncle who taught me to cultivate, and the matter of killing 'Little Puppy Huang Baibin' in the cave.

Also, everything inside my small space, and the Yin gathering token – I kept all these crucial things hidden.

My Martial Uncle had told me before he left to only reveal three-tenths of what I knew to others, and I remembered it well.

I didn't dare expose all my trump cards. I feared I wouldn't even know how I died.

Grandpa Yun pondered for a moment and said, "We don't know much about these matters since we rarely leave the city.

However, your father's disappearance and Yun Yao's father's disappearance happened around the same time."

I was taken aback and, not understanding the situation, asked, "Um... Grandpa Yun, why did Yun Yao's father also disappear? Is it related to my father's disappearance?"

I glanced at Yun Yao again and noticed her eyes were a little red. She had been looking down, silent.

Grandpa Yun sighed. "Ah... this goes back a long way."

He continued, "That was many years ago. At that time, my son, Yun Yao's father, went somewhere with your father. I don't know where, but they were gone for a long time, maybe two or three years. When they returned, he brought back a baby girl, saying she was his child. I was furious. After all, we are a prominent family, and reputation is very important. But since the child was already born, there was nothing I could do. I had my good-for-nothing son do a blood-mixing test with the infant. In the end, their blood merged. I still couldn't accept it, so I went to various hospitals for paternity tests. The results were all the same: this infant girl was indeed my son's biological child. I had no choice but to agree. Then I told my son to take another wife, but he refused to, no matter what. I threatened to disown him, but he said he wouldn't take another wife even if I disowned him. He didn't want to betray the mother of the infant girl. So, I was helpless and couldn't possibly disown him. Seventeen years passed like this, and life has been quite peaceful. It wasn't until recently that my son told me something bad might happen, that the past might catch up. I asked him what it was, but he didn't tell me. He just told me to take good care of Yao Yao and then disappeared. I asked uncertainly, 'Was that infant girl Yun Yao?' Grandpa Yun nodded, sighed, and then looked at Yun Yao with doting eyes. Yun Yao started crying, burying her face in her grandfather's chest. Grandpa Yun gently patted her back. After a while, Yun Yao stopped crying. Jiang Yujie also watched the scene with a frown. A moment later, after Yun Yao had been comforted, I thought everything over. I realized Yun Yao's experience was similar to mine; neither of us had ever met our biological mothers. I organized my thoughts and said, 'Actually, I haven't met my mother either. Perhaps she was still alive when I was little, but in my memory, there's nothing about my mother. My dad said my mother left when I was very young. Now it seems that 'very young' in my dad's words must be around Yun Yao's age.' Grandpa Yun looked at me, a flicker of sadness crossing his eyes. Grandpa Yun sighed, 'Alas... so you're all in similar situations.' 'It's okay, you can live here from now on, in the Yun Mansion. It's good to have more people. The Yun Mansion looks grand, but there aren't many true family members.' 'There are so many people here, why do you say there aren't many family members?' I asked. Grandpa Yun closed his eyes in pain and shook his head, indicating he didn't want to talk about it. Yun Yao said tearfully, 'Because most of my uncles died protecting the Yun family. Those who are still alive are often away and rarely return. And there aren't many uncles left.' Thinking of my own situation, my nose stung, and a few tears fell. My father is missing, his fate unknown. Qianqian has become a soul. As for my grandfather, I had no hope. The only martial uncle who treated me well and was still alive has also left me to search for the truth. I truly have no one, a solitary person. If we're talking about who's more miserable, I'm far more miserable than Yun Yao. At least she has this huge fortune and can have anything she wants. She could live a carefree and happy life as a rich young lady. What about me? I'm either dependent on others, wandering around, or I might die somewhere without anyone knowing. Are there any other choices besides these? At least I can't think of any right now. Unknowingly, it became evening. Yun Yao led me to the room arranged for me, saying someone would call me for dinner later. I acknowledged her, and then Yun Yao left.