Tang Yuehua Falls, Dugu Yan's "Lie"

Lu Yan had not gone to Moonlight Pavilion for seven days. Even during lessons, Xiao Yan had seemed somewhat estranged.

She had come to see what had happened.

Instead, she saw Xiao Yan embracing an exquisitely beautiful woman.

Was it because of them?

Because he had more important people now, Xiao Yan had become estranged from her and no longer needed his "Aunt Yue"?

The thought was like a poisoned thorn, stabbing Tang Yuehua's heart and bringing a fine, piercing pain.

Could it be... that she was about to lose someone else who could enter her heart?

No, that would not do.

A near-panicked emotion seized her.

Tang Yuehua could no longer maintain her usual elegance and composure. She quickened her pace and almost rushed over in a loss of composure.

"Xiao Yan."

Hearing her voice, Lu Yan halted as he turned back, a fleeting, satisfied curve appearing on his lips.

Lu Yan turned around with a smile. Just as he was about to step forward, he stopped in place and merely called out properly,

"Aunt Yue, why are you here?"

That restrained, distant "Aunt Yue" was like a basin of cold water poured over Tang Yuehua's heart.

Should she not have come?

"Why haven't you come to Moonlight Pavilion these past few days?" Tang Yuehua forced a smile. "Could it be that, with a beauty by your side, you've already forgotten Aunt Yue?"

She took the initiative to bring up what she had just seen, her gaze fixed tightly on Lu Yan.

"Of course not." As if stung, Lu Yan loudly refuted her in agitation. "Aunt Yue is the person who has treated me best since I came to Heaven Dou City.

I might forget anyone, but I would never forget Aunt Yue."

"Then why haven't you come to visit Aunt Yue?" Tang Yuehua no longer cared about the Dream at this moment. She only stared into his eyes, wanting to see into his heart.

"Do you know that Aunt Yue hasn't slept well at all these past few days?"

Having navigated the world of power and influence for so long, she had long cultivated a discerning eye for people.

At this moment, she only wanted to know the truth.

"Regret" and "heartache" appeared on Lu Yan's face at the right moment. He grabbed Tang Yuehua's slightly cool hand and spoke urgently,

"Aunt Yue, come inside quickly. Xiao Yan will use Dream Entry for you right away."

The warmth at her fingertips made her heart tremble, and she let him lead her into the shop.

"Aunt Yue, lie down. I'll light the Calming Incense first."

Lu Yan released her hand and was about to leave, but Tang Yuehua grabbed it again.

"Xiao Yan, tell Aunt Yue," Tang Yuehua said seriously.

"Why exactly haven't you been coming lately?"

Lu Yan lowered his eyes. After a moment of silence, he slowly said in a muffled voice, "Aunt Yue, from now on... I won't be attending music and etiquette lessons anymore.

It's too much trouble for you."

"Look me in the eyes." Tang Yuehua's tone grew heavier. "Do you truly not want to attend anymore? Or... did someone say something to you?"

She had to know what had made this Youth, who had once depended on her, build a wall around his heart against her.

Lu Yan raised his head, his gaze stubborn. "Aunt Yue, you don't need to pity me.

You clearly don't like teaching me, yet you have to pretend to be patient while tutoring me and helping me... I don't want to put you in a difficult position."

Pity? Didn't like? Pretend?

Those words exploded in Tang Yuehua's mind like thunder.

Tang Yuehua's hand slipped down weakly. Struck by Lightning, she stood Frozen in Place.

When had she ever thought that?

Even if she had initially valued his talent, later on... could it be...

In a flash, Tang Yuehua recalled how abnormal she had been lately.

Ever since that absurd Dream, her thoughts had been unsettled, and she had not known how to face him.

Though she tried her best to maintain herself during every lesson, she could not help but show a trace of deliberate estrangement and panic. At times, she had even needed the Noble Ring to steady her mind...

So... it was her!!!

Overwhelming regret instantly drowned her—because of her own turmoil, she had pushed him away with her own hands and even made him mistake it for pity.

"Xiao Yan, you've misunderstood." Tang Yuehua anxiously pulled him into her arms, pressing him tightly to her heart, wanting him to hear how frantically it pounded because of him.

"Aunt Yue has never thought that, never believed you were pitiful.

You are a true genius, the 'Dream Master' who swept through the Soul Fighting Arena.

Who would dare think you pitiful? They would only look up to you and admire you."

Her voice was slightly Choked Up as she desperately tried to soothe the hurt she had caused.

"Really?" The Youth's voice was muffled against her chest, carrying a trace of uncertain vulnerability.

"Really, absolutely true." Tang Yuehua held him tighter, as if she wanted to knead him into her bones and blood. "In Aunt Yue's heart, you are the greatest, the very best."

Lu Yan gently rubbed against her in her embrace like a young beast seeking comfort, murmuring softly, "Thank you, Aunt Yue."

Tang Yuehua clearly felt the sensation from the person in her arms, as well as the damp warmth of the Youth's breath against her lapel, yet she had no intention of letting go.

After several months together, Lu Yan had long since become part of her life.

Especially over the past decade or so, she had been alone in Heaven Dou City. No one had ever entered her heart.

Nor had she anyone with whom she could speak sincerely.

She was too lonely.

Lu Yan's appearance had filled that emptiness.

She could not let him leave.

With the misunderstanding cleared up, the atmosphere finally eased.

Only then did Tang Yuehua recall the scene at the entrance earlier and ask seemingly casually, "Those two young ladies just now were...?"

"They were originally my customers." Lu Yan raised his head from her embrace, his eyes already clear again. "Now, they're very good friends."

Tang Yuehua said approvingly, "Xiao Yan, you really should make more friends.

But you must also keep your eyes open. People in this world have Complicated Minds; not all of them are good people."

"Mm, Xiao Yan will remember."

"Aunt Yue, lie down." Lu Yan turned around and lit the Calming Incense. Wisps of green smoke rose, and he looked back with a smile.

"Xiao Yan will make sure you get a good night's sleep."

Tang Yuehua's gaze followed his busy figure, her heart filled with immense security and warmth.

This was nice.

She truly needed someone around whom she could completely lower her guard.

This time, Lu Yan did not recreate the seductive scene from that day in the Dream.

What he wove was a long, warm everyday life.

There was not only teaching and companionship at Moonlight Pavilion, but also the bustling excitement of touring Heaven Dou City hand in hand.

There were even... familiar sights of the mountains of Clear Sky Sect, which she occasionally missed in the depths of her heart.

When she awoke from the Dream.

Tang Yuehua lazily stretched, her face carrying long-lost, heartfelt satisfaction and a rosy flush.

She had slept exceptionally sweetly and peacefully.

There were none of those embarrassing scenes, only the warmth of steady companionship.

That was more like it.

Last time... had indeed only been an accident.

"Xiao Yan," Tang Yuehua said as she sat up, her tone returning to its usual gentleness but carrying unquestionable firmness, "remember to come to Moonlight Pavilion for class tomorrow. Don't make Aunt Yue come personally to 'invite' you again, understand?"

Lu Yan nodded obediently.

Since his goal had already been achieved, naturally, he would not.

Elsewhere.

Dugu Yan had finally met her grandpa, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo.

More than a month had passed since they had last met.

Overwhelmed by longing, Dugu Yan threw herself into her grandpa's arms just as she had when she was little.

"Grandpa, Yanyan missed you so much."

"Ah, Grandpa's good Yanyan, Grandpa missed you too." Dugu Bo gently patted his granddaughter's back, his eyes full of affection.

He also wanted to stay by his only granddaughter's side, but he could not.

The poison in his body was growing increasingly severe. Without the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy of the Medicine Garden suppressing it, even the slightest carelessness could cause it to flare up.

To stay alive.

He could only leave his granddaughter in Heaven Dou City and visit her once every so often.

"Grandpa, I want to bring someone to your Medicine Garden."

At the mention of the Medicine Garden, Dugu Bo's aura instantly became sharp, his eyes as keen as an eagle's. "Who?"

That Medicine Garden was the foundation he relied on to suppress his poison and survive. It was a forbidden place where he Absolutely Not allow outsiders to set foot.

"One of my friends." Dugu Yan shook her grandpa's arm. "He needs a very special herb for cultivation. Just let him go once, okay?"

"Yanyan." Dugu Bo's voice sank, carrying unquestionable resolve. "Grandpa can agree to any other request you make.

But not the Medicine Garden."

Dugu Yan pouted. She had not expected her grandpa to refuse so decisively.

Her eyes rolled, and a plan came to mind. Two rosy patches appeared on her cheeks, and her voice lowered with a hint of shyness.

"He... he's your future Grandson-in-law... Isn't that okay?"

"Mm?!"

Dugu Bo's eyes abruptly widened, and even his green beard stood on end.

They had not met for only a month, yet his tender little cabbage had been rooted up by some wild boar from who knew where.

"Yanyan." Dugu Bo's voice suddenly rose, carrying a terrifying pressure. "Say that again. Who is he?"

Startled by him, Dugu Yan turned her head away. Her earlobes were so red they seemed ready to drip blood, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet exceptionally clear.

"I already said... he's your Grandson-in-law... I-I like him."