That day, the young Ji Huang made his customary visit to his mother's residence.
In truth, "customary" meant only once every month or so. Sometimes, when Ji Huang went into secluded cultivation or Yun Si traveled, the interval stretched even longer.
That was how things had always been between him and his mother, Yun Si. She did not cling to him, and he did not need someone by his side at every moment.
When he was little, his mother would settle him on her lap, casually ruffle his head, and tease and play with him. But as he grew older and no longer needed anyone else's help with anything, Yun Si returned to her original self.
Aloof, noble, and disinclined to interfere too much in anyone's life.
Ji Huang was quite satisfied with this. He did not need a mother who fussed over his every concern. Only the Great Dao was eternal. Family affection, friendship, and even love and desire were merely embellishments along the long Dao Path.
If they were there, they were there; if not, so be it. In this respect, mother and son were remarkably alike.
So when Ji Huang stepped into his mother's courtyard and saw that scene with his own eyes, he stopped dead in his tracks.
Flowers carpeted the courtyard. Beneath the magnolia tree, Yun Si sat beside a stone table. The usually cold, haughty Goddess raised a hand and lightly flicked the forehead of the young man crouching beside her, a rarely seen warmth and gentleness rippling through her expression.
Ji Huang fell silent. His golden pupils widened slightly, and he took another look, making certain his eyes had not deceived him.
Was that actually kindness and gentleness? From my mother??!
Ji Huang suddenly felt that the sun must have risen in the