What Does It Matter?

This was Ah Yin's first time visiting the capital of the empire where Dugu Chen had been born. Along the way, she had been deeply astonished by much of what she saw.

She had also seen many things she had never encountered before.

Dugu Chen was very familiar with Heaven Dou City, introducing her to many of its core factions and important locations.

Ah Yin held Dugu Chen's hand, her face brimming with joy, every bit the young girl in the throes of love.

After strolling through Heaven Dou City, Dugu Chen led Ah Yin straight home.

As a renowned Title Douluo family in Heaven Dou City, the Dugu Household could hardly be shabby.

The Dugu Residence alone occupied a thousand qing of land in the incredibly expensive Heaven Dou City, its grounds astonishingly vast.

Strength brought not only reputation and glory, but also wealth and status.

When Dugu Chen brought Ah Yin to stand before the entrance to his home, surprise immediately appeared on her face.

She glanced back at Dugu Chen, disbelief in her eyes. "Xiao Chen, this is your home?"

A faint smile appeared on Dugu Chen's face. "What? Couldn't you tell from the plaque above?"

As Dugu Chen pointed upward, a black-and-gold plaque could be seen hanging at the center of the gates, bearing three vigorous characters: "Dugu Residence!"

A hint of coy reproach flashed through Ah Yin's eyes. "But you never told me your home was this big."

"I thought..."

Ah Yin suddenly paused, a blush spreading across her cheeks.

"Come on, go in and meet my family with me. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone's and Father's expressions."

"If he finds out I have such a beautiful girlfriend, he'll probably start shouting that smoke is rising from the ancestral graves!"

Dugu Chen reached out and lightly scraped her delicate nose, teasing her.

"You're always talking nonsense..."

Ah Yin's face reddened as she gave a soft snort, but the joy in her smile simply could not be concealed.

The two walked hand in hand toward the residence, sweet smiles on their faces.

Inside the main hall of the Dugu Residence.

Dugu Bo sat facing another young man.

The young man wore a gentle smile as he picked up a celadon teapot from the table, poured a cup of tea, and placed it before Dugu Bo.

As the tea flowed into the cup, a faint, elegant fragrance drifted out with the steam, instantly filling the entire hall.

"Father, have some tea!"

Dugu Xin smiled at Dugu Bo and said lightly.

Dugu Bo's nose twitched gently, and he immediately recognized the origins of the spirit tea.

He looked at Dugu Xin across from him with some surprise.

"This spirit tea... wasn't it newly produced at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"

Dugu Xin nodded with a smile, his eyes narrowing into slits. "I knew I couldn't hide it from you, Father. This is indeed this year's new tea."

"Not long ago, I had someone pick it from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. This first pot was specially brought to honor you."

"You're thoughtful!"

A smile surfaced in Dugu Bo's eyes. He reached out, picked up the teacup, and took a small sip.

The warm tea slowly slid down his throat, carrying the fresh elegance of early spring. Its lingering fragrance filled his mouth, leaving him with an endless aftertaste.

"Fine tea. You're still the filial one, boy."

Dugu Bo laughed heartily, but soon seemed to recall something, and anger immediately appeared on his face.

"I wonder where that brat is fooling around now. It's been more than half a year, and he hasn't come home even once."

"I'd say he doesn't consider this place his home at all. He's really infuriating me."

"When he comes back, just see how I deal with him!"

Dugu Bo blew his beard and glared, his voice utterly merciless.

Dugu Xin gave an awkward smile. He knew his father's temper better than anyone. Though he looked furious, his bark was worse than his bite.

In truth, he was eagerly hoping his little brother would return...

"Father, you know Xiao Chen's current strength. Among the younger generation, few people can match him."

"Don't worry so much. Have some tea and calm down. When my little brother wants to come back, he naturally will!"

Dugu Xin laughed awkwardly as he prepared to refill Dugu Bo's cup.

"Big Brother understands me best. Father, can't you at least say a few good things about me?"

At that moment, a bright voice tinged with grievance sounded from outside the hall, instantly drawing the gazes of both Dugu Bo and Dugu Xin.

The next moment, as the voice fell, Dugu Chen and Ah Yin gracefully leaped into the hall from afar.

A brilliant smile immediately appeared on Dugu Chen's face as he laughed aloud.

"Father, Big Brother, I'm back!"

"You brat, Little Brother!"

Delight immediately appeared in Dugu Bo's and Dugu Xin's eyes, but when they saw Ah Yin beside him, both their gazes froze.

Only then did they realize that Dugu Chen had not returned alone this time. He had even brought back a beautiful woman who seemed to have stepped out of a painting.

Dugu Bo's pupils suddenly contracted, his gaze filled with shock and disbelief...

Dugu Chen noticed his gaze as well. Smiling, he wrapped an arm around Ah Yin and met Dugu Bo's eyes with a meaningful look.

Ah Yin's pretty face was somewhat flushed, her eyes lowered slightly as she occasionally looked up to examine Dugu Bo and Dugu Xin.

Her fingers awkwardly played with the strands of hair before her forehead, while her heartbeat suddenly accelerated.

So this is Xiao Chen's father and elder brother?

Dugu Bo seemed to understand the meaning behind Dugu Chen's gaze and raised an eyebrow slightly.

His eyes swept over Dugu Chen and Ah Yin before finally settling on the faint shyness in Ah Yin's eyes. His expression nearly froze completely.

"Cough, cough..."

Dugu Xin raised a hand and coughed lightly into it, breaking the somewhat awkward atmosphere in the hall.

He smiled and nodded at Ah Yin. Then, his gaze fell upon Dugu Chen as he said with a faint smile.

"Little Brother, you returned today with a beauty at your side. Won't you introduce her to Father and me?"

Dugu Chen grinned and pulled Ah Yin closer into his embrace, speaking gently.

"Father, Big Brother, this is Miss Ah Yin. She's my girlfriend, and she's also your future daughter-in-law and younger sister-in-law!"

Dugu Bo's mouth twitched for a moment. He raised a hand to support his head, temporarily at a complete loss for words...

Meanwhile, Dugu Xin's face bloomed with delight, and admiration appeared in his eyes as he looked at Dugu Chen.

Good lad. He went out without a word and came back with such a beautiful younger sister-in-law. Not bad at all...

"Xiao Chen, you... come outside with me!"

Supporting his head, Dugu Bo rose and walked to Dugu Chen's side, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him outside.

As Ah Yin watched Dugu Chen leave, panic immediately surfaced on her face. She was about to reach out and grab him, but quickly withdrew her hand.

"Sister Ah Yin, sit down first. I'll be right back!"

A trace of apology appeared on Dugu Chen's face. Then, half-willing and half-reluctant, he followed Dugu Bo out of the hall.

After leaving the hall, Dugu Bo brought Dugu Chen into an empty room.

After sealing off the room from outside sounds, Dugu Bo pulled Dugu Chen over to sit at the table.

After gathering his thoughts for a moment, he finally asked.

"Xiao Chen, how did you meet that woman? You... do you know... her true identity is..."

Dugu Bo hesitated, his voice seeming to catch in his throat like a thorn that could neither be swallowed nor pulled out.

Dugu Chen nodded slightly, calmly meeting his gaze. "I know, but what does it matter?"

"I like her. I love her. That is enough!"

Dugu Bo nearly fainted from anger on the spot. You unfilial brat, you're going to anger me to death!