Shenhe's little gesture did not escape Mingjun's eyes. Having been through it himself, Mingjun immediately realized that the young man beside his niece was someone special and began sizing Yucheng up.
It was the particular look an elder gave someone of the younger generation!
Under Mingjun's scrutiny, Yucheng felt an unprecedented pressure. The man was clearly just an ordinary person, while he had once faced the might of Rex Lapis in his divine attire head-on, yet the pressure this old gentleman exerted seemed even greater than Rex Lapis's.
As though she had noticed Yucheng's predicament, Shenhe stepped forward, and that single step drew Mingjun's gaze back to her.
"One year, when I came back, I heard the story of a white-haired fairy from a passing merchant. I never imagined it was you. Your father and I were the closest of friends. Back then, I had a chance to stop him from performing the ritual, but I was softhearted and let him do as he pleased, ultimately leading to a terrible mistake.
"Every year, I bring some flowers back. I've always felt I owed you all an apology."
Shenhe shook her head. "Why apologize? Even if you had stopped him then, he would surely have found a way through other means. For the person he loved, he would stop at nothing."
"Then... do you still hate him?"
"I don't know. When I bring up the past now, rather than saying I hate him or don't hate him, it would be more accurate to say I feel nothing. I was actually still very sad the last time I came here, but for some reason, I don't feel that way this time."
"Hehe, it's hard not to dwell on things when you're alone. But didn't you come with friends this time? And you