Huang Rong from The Return of the Condor Heroes: Guo'er, calm down.

Just as dawn was breaking, before the rooster in the inn had crowed a few times, Huang Rong woke up.

I slept terribly. My dream was filled with all sorts of chaotic images. One moment it was the suffocating embrace in the cabin, the next it was the big hand that held me tightly last night, and then in the blink of an eye, Yang Guo's wicked face transformed into Brother Jing, who was seriously questioning her about why she had cheated on him.

Huang Rong sat up, feeling dizzy and lightheaded. She glanced at Guo Fu, who was still fast asleep, and then looked out the window.

The outside was quiet.

She touched her face; it was burning hot.

"Huang Rong, what's wrong with you?" she cursed herself inwardly. "That's Guo'er, your junior. How could you..."

The feeling of being cared for and pampered these past few days allowed this woman, who had been a gang leader and wife for over a decade, to finally taste a sweetness she hadn't experienced in a long time.

But this sweetness hides poison.

She was Guo Jing's wife and the leader of the Beggars' Sect.

This absolutely cannot continue.

This idea must be abandoned.

Huang Rong took a deep breath, her eyes gradually turning cold. She straightened her clothes, resuming her usual dignified and unapproachable demeanor.

Push the door open and go out.

Yang Guo was already up. On the table was a steaming bowl of white porridge and several small dishes of delicate side dishes. He was holding a rag and carefully wiping the stool that Huang Rong would be sitting on later.

Hearing the noise, Yang Guo turned around, his face bearing his signature bright smile.

"Aunt Guo, you're up so early? The porridge is freshly cooked, just right, and good for your stomach."

As he spoke, he ladled out a bowl and handed it over with both hands.

Yesterday, Huang Rong would have smiled and accepted the bowl of porridge, praising him a couple of times. But today, she merely glanced at it indifferently and didn't take it.

"Just leave it there."

His voice was cold and aloof, conveying a sense of detachment that kept people at arm's length.

Yang Guo paused for a moment, then naturally put the bowl down: "Yes, it's a bit hot. Let it cool down before drinking."

"Guo'er," Huang Rong walked to the window, her back to him, "from now on, let the waiter do these kinds of rough work. You are someone who is going to practice martial arts, so don't waste your energy on these trivial matters."

Yang Guo's eyes flickered, and he glanced at Huang Rong's face.

There were dark circles under his eyes, which clearly indicated that he hadn't slept well all night.

Her eyes darted away, avoiding his gaze.

Is this a sign of drawing a clear line?

Yang Guo understood perfectly well what was going on.

The "concubine" drama of a few days ago, coupled with the intimate moments of the past few days, has cracked Madam Guo's defenses.

She's trying to salvage the situation now, nipping the spark in the bud before it even ignites.

"Yes, Guo'er understands."

Yang Guo showed no dissatisfaction, obediently putting down the wooden basin and even taking two steps back to increase the distance between them.

This "sensible" behavior only made Huang Rong feel uneasy.

Breakfast was a dull affair.

Guo Fu was oblivious to the awkward atmosphere and continued chattering about the secret room.

Huang Rong kept her head down and drank her porridge, only occasionally responding with a sound.

Yang Guo remained silent, eating only the pickled vegetables in front of him, and never offering Huang Rong another bite of food.

We set off after the meal.

Yang Guo continued to sit on the carriage shaft and drive the carriage.

This time, however, he didn't keep turning around to ask, "Are you tired?" or "Are you thirsty?"

Inside the carriage, Huang Rong leaned against the cushions, holding a book in her hand, but her mind was not on the book at all.

The boy's silhouette outside could be seen from time to time through the gaps in the swaying carriage curtain.

It's too quiet.

The silence made her uneasy.

"Mother, what's wrong?" Guo Fu came closer, holding a candied fruit she had bought last night. "You've had a long face since this morning."

Huang Rong came to her senses and looked at her daughter's beautiful face.

An idea began to grow wildly in her mind.

Only in this way can you sever your own desires.

Only in this way can I be worthy of my brother Jing.

"Fu'er." Huang Rong put down the letter, reached out and smoothed her daughter's hair, "What do you think of... your Brother Yang?"

Guo Fu blushed, her eyes darting around: "What do you mean, how... well, it's just like that. Although I used to find it annoying, it's not so bothersome these past few days."

"If I were to be betroth you to him, would you be willing?"

"mother!"

Guo Fu exclaimed in surprise, almost dropping the candied fruit in her hand.

She blushed deeply and turned away, saying, "What did you say! Who...who's going to marry him!"

He said no, but he couldn't suppress the urge to smile.

Looking at her daughter's lovestruck expression, Huang Rong felt a mix of emotions.

She took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind, and lifted the carriage curtain.

"Guo'er".

The carriage slowly came to a stop.

Yang Guo turned around, his expression respectful: "What are your instructions, Aunt Guo?"

Huang Rong didn't dare look him in the eye, her gaze fixed on the roadside weeds: "Guo'er, you're not young anymore. You'll be twenty-one after the New Year, right?"

"Twenty," Yang Guo corrected.

"That's twenty-one years old by the traditional Chinese age reckoning." Huang Rong nodded. "A man should marry when he comes of age. Your parents passed away early, and your Uncle Guo and I have always treated you like our own son. We should also worry about your marriage."

Guo Fu, who was standing to the side, suddenly raised her head, her face instantly turning red. She wanted to say something, but swallowed it back, only staring at Yang Guo with her big eyes blinking.

Yang Guo sneered inwardly.

That's a ruthless move.

Using your daughter as a shield? Fine, since you want to play this game, I'll play along.

"It's entirely up to Aunt Guo to decide," Yang Guo said meekly.

Huang Rong was surprised that he agreed so readily.

She had expected Yang Guo to decline, or even... to glance at her with a hint of reluctance. But he agreed without the slightest hesitation.

Could it be that I've misunderstood something these past few days?

Huang Rong felt as if she had been pricked by a needle, her heart aching and sore.

She steadied herself and continued, "I see that you and Fu'er are about the same age and childhood sweethearts. I've noticed you two get along quite well on the journey. Once we return to Xiangyang, I'll discuss it with your Uncle Guo about betrothing Fu'er to you. What do you say?"

Guo Fu was so embarrassed that she buried her head in her knees, and her ears turned red.

"It's entirely up to Aunt Guo to decide."

Yang Guo smiled, his eyes clear and open: "Sister Fu is naturally beautiful, and she is the apple of Uncle Guo and Aunt Guo's eye. My status is lowly, so to be able to marry Sister Fu is a blessing I've accumulated over many lifetimes. I'm overjoyed, how could I possibly have any objections?"

Huang Rong was stunned.

You just agreed like that?

She felt as if a lump of cotton was stuck in her chest, making her feel suffocated.

"If that's the case... then that's good."

Huang Rong lowered the carriage curtain, blocking out the sunlight and also Yang Guo's face that was making her feel uneasy.

She leaned back on the cushion and closed her eyes.

This is exactly the result she wanted.

Why does my heart ache so much?

……

Along the way, the wind direction completely changed.

"Fu-mei, the road is bumpy, so hold on tight."

"Fu-mei, are you thirsty? There's a river ahead, I'll go get you some water."

"Fu-mei, look at those clouds over there. Doesn't it look like the cricket you won that day?"

Yang Guo's words were enough to charm anyone to death. Coupled with his deliberately displayed gentleness and thoughtfulness, he had Guo Fu completely bewitched in no time.

The two chatted and laughed, with Yang Guo giving pointers on the state of the country, which Guo Fu admired greatly.

Huang Rong was left standing to the side.

She didn't turn a single page of the military treatise in her hand all afternoon.

All I could hear were the two of them laughing and talking.

"Brother Yang, you're amazing! You know everything!"

"That's right. From now on, if you follow Brother Yang, I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury."

"Then you're only allowed to be nice to me from now on!"

"Of course, you're my future daughter-in-law."

Hearing the word "wife" made Huang Rong's temples throb.

She opened her eyes and gave the two of them a cold look: "What's all the noise about? Don't people want to rest?"

The carriage fell silent instantly.

Guo Fu stuck out her tongue and dared not utter a sound.

Yang Guo looked apologetic: "I'm sorry, Aunt Guo. Fu Mei and I were chatting so enthusiastically that we forgot you were still resting. Let's keep our voices down."

He lowered his voice and said, "Shh, let's talk quietly."

Guo Fu also moved from inside the carriage to the outside.

The two moved even closer together.

They sat head to head, whispering to each other.

Seeing this scene, Huang Rong felt an inexplicable anger rising to her head.

She was the one who proposed the marriage, and she was the one who wanted to bring them together, but now that she sees the two of them so close, why does she feel so unhappy?

That bittersweet sense of loss, mixed with a hint of inexplicable jealousy, made her feel terrible.

As evening fell, the carriage stopped at the foot of a mountain.

"Let's camp here tonight," Yang Guo said, jumping off the carriage. "There are no inns ahead."

He quickly started a fire and laid out a felt mat.

"Fu-mei, come and sit down." Yang Guo patted the spot next to him that was covered with a thick fox fur coat. "It's warm here."

That was specially laid out for Guo Fu.

As for Huang Rong, he simply laid out an ordinary blanket on the opposite side.

"Aunt Guo, please sit here," Yang Guo pointed to the opposite side, "stay away from the fire so you don't get smoked."

Huang Rong's face darkened further as she looked at the two seats with such drastically different treatment.

That fox fur coat was always laid out for her.

The best spots used to be reserved for her.

In just half a day, the world has changed.

She didn't say anything, and silently walked over and sat down.

Yang Guo baked a few steamed buns and heated up some dried meat.

"Here you go, Fu-mei." Yang Guo handed Guo Fu a golden-brown, crispy steamed bun filled with dried meat. "Be careful, it's hot."

Guo Fu took it and smiled sweetly, "Thank you, Brother Yang."

Yang Guo took another steamed bun and casually handed it to Huang Rong, saying, "Aunt Guo, here you go."

It's cold.

There was no meat inside.

Huang Rong looked at the steamed bun in her hand, then at the "perfect couple" opposite her.

"I'm not hungry."

She put the steamed bun aside.

"Oh, then save it for tomorrow." Yang Guo didn't try to dissuade him, took it back, and took a bite himself. "It's delicious."

Huang Rong was so angry that her stomach hurt.

That brat, he definitely did it on purpose!

She wanted to get up and walk around to get some fresh air.

I had just stood up when my foot slipped.

"oops!"

Normally, Yang Guo would have already rushed over to help him up.

This time, however, Yang Guo only glanced up, chewing on a steamed bun, and mumbled, "Aunt Guo, be careful, this mountain path is slippery."

He didn't even move his butt.

Huang Rong steadied herself and looked at Yang Guo's nonchalant appearance, her heart sinking.