He Yuzhu returns in Siheyuan

Chapter 791 The Little Handsome Guy's Honest Introduction

How could Xiao Shuai dare utter a single dissent? The oppressive aura emanating from the man before him, Lord Long Si, almost suffocated him—it was the innate, boundless power of the dragon race, carrying the chilling and majestic presence of the deep sea, something a lowly demon like himself could never withstand. He knew very well that this master was a man of his word, and if he angered him with his meager cultivation, the other could obliterate him with a mere flick of his finger, leaving him no chance of reincarnation.

Xiao Shuai quickly bowed and replied, bending over like a shrimp: "You're right, sir! I'm willing to lead the way. I know He Yuzhu's place very well, I can find it right away!" His voice trembled as he spoke, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, causing even the fox tail behind him to tuck itself in unconsciously.

Long Si simply nodded noncommittally, remaining silent. He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the northern horizon, where the clouds churned, as somber as if stained with ink. A complex mix of emotions surged deep within his eyes—anger, disappointment, and an unmistakable resolve. Finding that rebellious son was the most pressing matter. For years, the Flood Dragon Clan had been criticized and ostracized by the Three Realms for his trespassing in the human realm and his unauthorized instigation of conflict. They were accused of condoning their clansmen's disruption of order, suffering endless condemnation and exclusion. This time, he was determined to bring him back to the Dragon Palace and settle this score before the entire clan, so that the Three Realms could see that the Flood Dragon Clan had always upheld the Heavenly Rules and was not to be trifled with.

The autumn wind swirled the withered leaves on the ground, making a soft rustling sound as they passed by their feet, as if foreshadowing something. A heavy, oppressive atmosphere hung in the air, making one's chest feel heavy. Xiao Shuai shrank back, burying his head even lower, his mind filled with only one thought: he just hoped this storm would pass quickly so he could quietly lead the way and save his own life. As for the feud between He Yuzhu and Lord Long Si, he didn't want to get involved in a single word.

At this moment, Long Si finally withdrew his gaze and glanced at him indifferently: "Alright, lead the way. If this matter is handled smoothly, you will be rewarded handsomely."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shuai's eyes lit up, and his fear subsided considerably. He quickly replied, "Yes, sir! This way, please!" In truth, he knew that he was merely a guide. Once they arrived, it would be Lord Long Si negotiating with He Yuzhu. Success or failure would have little to do with him. As long as he could obtain benefits and save his own life, everything would be fine.

Meanwhile, He Yuzhu and Ma Xiuxiu were about to board a northbound train. The scenery outside the window rushed past, the fields and villages like an overturned palette, spreading a warm yellow hue across their field of vision. Leaning against the window, He Yuzhu recalled his conversation with Lao Si not long ago—Lao Si had said that those who were following him had left, and they had been staking out near his residence for the past few days, but hadn't seen a single suspicious figure.

"It seems we've let our guard down for now," He Yuzhu said to Ma Xiuxiu beside him, picking up the enamel mug on the table, taking a sip of hot water.

Ma Xiuxiu was looking down at her needlework when she heard this. She looked up and smiled, "It's good that it's gone. At least I can walk steadily for a while now."

He Yuzhu gently shook his head: "They might not have really let them go; they might have changed their methods." He knew those people wouldn't give up easily, and the fact that they had stopped tracking him now seemed rather strange. But regardless, at least he could finally breathe a sigh of relief; at least he wouldn't have to be constantly on guard against eyes in the shadows anymore. He looked at Ma Xiuxiu, his tone more relaxed: "Let's not think about these things now. When we get home, I'll let you try my mother's cooking; her braised pork is absolutely amazing."

A smile spread across Ma Xiuxiu's face as she nodded, her needle and thread moving even faster across the fabric. The train clattered forward, carrying the couple's expectations and the unknown uncertainties ahead, heading towards home.

He Yuzhu looked at the several blue cloth bundles that Ma Xiuxiu was carrying. They were bulging and the corners were stretched taut. They were heavy in his hands. He couldn't help but laugh and tease her: "Did you empty the department store this time? You must be exhausted from buying so much stuff." He reached out to take them from her.

Ma Xiuxiu shifted slightly to the side, moving her bundle onto a bench at the station. She wiped the thin layer of sweat from her brow with her fingertips, a gentle smile playing on her lips, even the fine lines around her eyes radiating warmth. "It's not easy to get out here," she said, "the children are looking forward to it at home, so naturally I need to buy them a lot of things." She turned up the top corner of the bundle, revealing bright floral fabric inside. "Look how beautifully this peony is embroidered; it'll be perfect for making a little jacket for the girl. And this bag of candied fruit—it's the plum flavor that Niu Niu next door loves; she talked about it several times when she came to our house last time." She pursed her lips, her tone tinged with preciousness. "Who knows when we'll be able to get away for a while? I'm stocking up now, so I won't have to regret it later."

He Yuzhu listened, a warm feeling washing over him, as if a gentle breeze had warmed his heart. He reached out and smoothed her wind-blown bangs, his fingertips brushing against the soft, warm strands of hair at her temples. "Xiuxiu," he said, "I plan to delegate more of the shop's affairs to Ma Hua and Jianshe. I'll try to spend more time with you in the future. Haven't you always wanted to visit West Lake? When things are a bit less busy, we'll take the kids there, wherever we want to go." He knew that over the years, his life in the underworld had made him many enemies, and he was constantly facing both overt and covert troubles. He never knew when he might run into a difficult opponent. While things were still relatively peaceful, he wanted to spend more time with his family, lest he regret it later.

Ma Xiuxiu's eyes lit up instantly, like two stars falling from the sky. A smile spread across her face, and even her voice became lighter: "Really?" She was genuinely happy to be able to follow He Yuzhu around every day these days. He had been frequently out lately, returning only in the dead of night, sometimes with injuries. Although he hadn't said anything explicitly, she could see the seriousness in his expression and knew he must have encountered something difficult. She just hadn't dared to ask too much—afraid of upsetting him.

She wanted to ask him if he was tired or had been wronged, but she swallowed the words back. She was just an ordinary woman, she didn't understand those violent matters, and asking wouldn't help; it would only distract him.

Looking at He Yuzhu's slightly tanned face, Ma Xiuxiu said softly, "Actually, I don't want to travel around. The kang (heated brick bed) at home is the warmest place. As long as we can stay together, take care of the children, and keep that little shop, working at sunrise and resting at sunset, that's better than anything else."

He Yuzhu smiled and reached out to hold her hand. Her palms had thin calluses, from years of housework, but they were very warm. "Okay, I'll do whatever you say." He squeezed her fingertips. "From now on, I'll stay home with you and the kids, and cook braised pork for you, a different dish every day."