Untying the Knot, Loving Those Who Love You

"What did you say?"

Qian Renxue was stunned!

She had thought her little brother would comfort her. Who would have expected...

This heartless little brat had actually called her stupid!

In an instant, Qian Renxue's temper flared.

She was truly heartbroken!

Just as Qian Renxue's anger surged, about to snap the string called "reason," a voice spoke. "Sister, I don't think you need to torment yourself."

The voice rang out like a bucket of cold water thrown over her.

Qian Renxue seemed to be forcibly stunned. She stared blankly at Ouyang Ling for several seconds, which made him secretly sigh in relief.

That had been far too dangerous!

Just now, he had thought he was about to die!

Perhaps it was an illusion, but her fury had nearly become tangible. He could even vaguely see a demon appearing behind Qian Renxue.

Fortunately, he had spoken quickly enough and caught her in time.

Qian Renxue had also recovered by then and asked,

"What did you just say?"

"I said you don't need to torment yourself." Ouyang Ling repeated himself, his expression serious.

Before Qian Renxue could question him again, he continued, "Sister, so what if that Pope doesn't acknowledge you? From childhood until now, have you ever done anything to wrong her? No. But what about her? Not only does she hate you, she never even raised you. She merely gave birth to you."

Giving her a moment to think, he continued, "Perhaps she has her own difficulties. Perhaps her hatred came from the mistakes of the previous generation. But in the end, you did nothing wrong. If she wants to hate you, then let her hate you. That is the Pope's own right."

"As for you, Sister..."

At that, Ouyang Ling paused.

Yet that pause made Qian Renxue increasingly anxious. She stared fixedly at Ouyang Ling.

"As for me? Hurry up and say it!"

"You might find it hard to accept."

Ouyang Ling did not know what Qian Renxue truly thought, so he could only give her a warning first.

"It's fine, just say it! Your sister can take it!"

You're the one who told me to say it.

Taking a deep breath, Ouyang Ling's expression turned solemn.

"Sister, just act as though you never had this mother!"

Honestly, that was exactly what Ouyang Ling thought.

As for Bibi Dong sacrificing herself to save Qian Renxue near the end...

Sorry, but such matters were difficult to explain clearly. Perhaps she had suddenly found her conscience, or perhaps her maternal love had erupted...

But in Bibi Dong's heart, her hatred for Qian Renxue definitely accounted for ninety percent. As for that final ten percent, perhaps it was because of blood ties or conscience... In any case, it was impossible to say.

But was that ten percent a lot?

It truly was not.

Moreover, during Qian Renxue's childhood, the emotional harm Bibi Dong inflicted upon her was absolutely no less severe than taking her life once.

Do not assume that a mother will necessarily love her child!

In Ouyang Ling's previous life, there had been quite a few similar cases.

So, his advice was to treat Bibi Dong as nothing more than her biological mother. More radically, to act as though she had never existed at all.

For example, what he had just said was the radical approach. It also left Qian Renxue room to negotiate with herself in her heart.

"Act as though I never had this mother?"

Qian Renxue was dumbfounded, but she quickly came to her senses.

She had truly been too disappointed, so outwardly, she had already begun calling that person her sister.

But to make a complete break within her heart... conflict instantly welled up inside Qian Renxue.

It was not reluctance. It was obsession.

In the end,

she turned a pleading gaze toward Ouyang Ling.

Ouyang Ling: "..."

Why was she looking at him again?

After a brief silence, he said, "Sister, it won't be so bad even without a mother. Look at me. I don't even know who my parents are. But do I dwell on it? I'm still living just fine."

Before the sentimental Qian Renxue could show him a sympathetic look, Ouyang Ling abruptly changed direction.

"Though I don't have a mother, I still have people who love me. The people in the village, for instance, and you too, Sister. So you are not alone. Your grandfather loves you, your god-grandfathers love you, and I love you too."

"Since that is the case, when you feel hurt because your mother hates you, why not think more about the people who love you? Give your love to those who love you. As for that Pope mother of yours..."

Ouyang Ling's pupils reflected Qian Renxue's eyes as he spoke his final words. "I once heard something that I think makes a lot of sense. A parent who gives birth but does not raise a child can be repaid with a severed finger; one who does not give birth but raises the child can never be repaid through a hundred lifetimes."

"People who love me..."

"A parent who gives birth but does not raise a child can be repaid with a severed finger..."

At that moment, Qian Renxue kept repeating those two phrases, looking almost possessed. Those words became a seed that rapidly took root and sprouted in her heart, ready to break through the soil...

Ouyang Ling simply watched without stopping her.

As she repeated the words faster and faster, her voice becoming clearer and clearer, light returned to Qian Renxue's dim eyes, as though they had regained their radiance.

"That's right!"

Qian Renxue abruptly stood up. After taking several steps forward, she returned to the bedside and looked at Ouyang Ling.

"Little Ling, you're right! I don't care about her anymore!" At that moment, it was as though she had torn away the shackles around her heart.

"Since she hates me, then let her hate me! I have Grandfather, my other god-grandfathers, and you, Little Ling. As for that woman... Heh—" A cold smile curled on her lips. "I will take control of the Heaven Dou Empire, but not so she can think highly of me or so I can help her strengthen Spirit Hall. I will do it because the world will be ruled by me!"

It really worked!

Ouyang Ling was amazed and surprised at the same time.

Was his ability to talk people around really this powerful?

Originally, he had only intended to get things started, then let Qian Renxue take time to weigh things for herself before ultimately making a decision. Who would have thought it would be settled just like that?

That had been far too fast!

It seemed Sister Xue'er had truly reached the end of her patience. Still, no matter what, untying this knot in her heart was a good thing. Why torment herself over it?

Later on, at most, there would be a fight!

"Sister Xue'er, do you feel much better now?" Seeing that Qian Renxue had vented enough, Ouyang Ling spoke at the right moment.

"Much better indeed."

At that moment, the look in her eyes as she gazed at Ouyang Ling was exceptionally gentle. Yet in the next second, her mind cleared.

Wait, what had she just done?

It seemed she had been lectured by her own little brother.

Come to think of it, were children this age all so capable? Could they all teach adults a lesson?

Qian Renxue, who considered herself an adult: "..."

No!

Her little brother had to be the only exception.

She shook her head, tossing those stray thoughts aside. Then she changed the subject. "By the way, Little Ling, remember to change how you address me when we're outside. Call me 'Brother Xue,' not 'Sister Xue'er.'"

Ouyang Ling: "..."

Why had she suddenly brought that up?

Although he found it strange, he did not ask further.

"No problem."

For the rest of the time, Qian Renxue did not send Ouyang Ling away. Perhaps because they had gone through a round of confession and consolation, Ouyang Ling felt that their relationship had become more dependable than before.

As for why he thought so...

"Sister Xue'er, who are you writing to?" Ouyang Ling peeked around at the private letter, though he did not overdo it. Not only did Qian Renxue not stop him, she openly showed him the letter.

"My grandfather and god-grandfathers." Qian Renxue put down word after word. The content was lengthy, warm, and somewhat mushy, unlike her usual style.

"Little Ling, you were right. Perhaps I should have paid more attention long ago to those who already loved me. But I seem to have forgotten them. Wasn't that terribly wrong of me?"

Ouyang Ling simply said,

"It's not too late now."

Qian Renxue smiled brilliantly. "You're right."

That smile instantly left Ouyang Ling staring in a daze. So beautiful, so gentle, so... It seemed Sister Xue'er now gave people a sense of comfort from the inside out.

Thinking of that, the corners of his lips rose slightly.

This was pretty good, wasn't it?

As the words appeared upon the paper, every one of them was filled with emotion. Qian Renxue sealed the letter, put Xue Qinghe's human-skin mask back on, and walked boldly out the door, raising the letter in her hand.

"Someone come."

Ouyang Ling, standing behind her, only saw a shadow flash past before a Soul Master appeared in front of Qian Renxue.

After taking the letter, he heard Qian Renxue say, "Deliver this letter to the Grand Enshrined One personally."

"Yes, Young Master."

The shadow flashed and vanished from sight again.

"Has he left?"

"He has."

Qian Renxue entered the room and closed the door again.

"Little Ling, are you going back?"

Upon hearing that, Ouyang Ling asked, "Do you have work to do?"

Qian Renxue nodded slightly. "After Xue Qinghe was named Crown Prince, there were many affairs to handle every day."

Mentioning it gave her a headache.

"Honestly, I barely have any time to cultivate."

Ouyang Ling shook his head. "That hardly seems worth it."

"Isn't that the truth?"

Qian Renxue forced herself to perk up. "But in order to control the Heaven Dou Empire, this is something I must do. Unfortunately..." Recalling the empire's current state and all those nobles...

No! The more she thought about it, the more her head hurt!

"There are too many troubling matters."

In front of Ouyang Ling, Qian Renxue complained freely.

Yet upon hearing that, Ouyang Ling stroked his chin.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke when Qian Renxue noticed his silence and turned to look at him.

"Perhaps I can offer you some advice."

Qian Renxue immediately found that absurd.

"Huh? You?"