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

The candles inside had long since gone out, leaving only a few faint, pale lights filtering through the window paper.

Huang Rong's words carried a hint of determination.

If it were a virtuous person, they would probably have already retreated in shame, or wept bitterly to express their heartfelt feelings.

Unfortunately, Yang Guo was by her side at that moment.

Yang Guo didn't speak, but only chuckled softly. That laughter carried a sinister, chilling quality in the quiet night.

"Rong'er, you have a sharp tongue, that's the most formidable thing you can do." Yang Guo's fingers slid down her cheek, stopping at her lips, gently caressing them. "Back on Peach Blossom Island, your quick wit could make Eunuch Ke feel utterly ashamed. And now, you're just as merciless with me."

Huang Rong turned her head away, avoiding his fingers, her body trembling slightly: "I'm doing this for your own good. Before you get too deeply involved..."

"It's too late."

Yang Guo leaned down and breathed into her ear, "You didn't say that last time. What did you call me then? Good brother? Or nemesis?"

The color that had just faded from Huang Rong's face instantly returned, and she was filled with shame and indignation: "You...you shut up! It was just a moment of confusion..."

"Once might be a moment of folly, but what if it happens again?"

Before he could finish speaking, Yang Guo kissed him again.

"Ugh...no..." Huang Rong pressed her hands against his chest, desperately pushing him away.

She was really scared.

……

The distant sound of the clapper at the fourth watch of the night could be heard.

By the dim light, Yang Guo gazed greedily at that face.

"I'll let you off this time."

Yang Guo gently kissed her forehead, then quickly got up and dressed.

Although he indulged in pleasure, his mind remained clear. If he waited until broad daylight to go out and was caught by Guo Fu, Huang Rong would probably never be able to face anyone again.

He tidied his clothes and carefully tucked the blanket around Huang Rong.

Push the door open, slip away, and close the door.

The movements were fluid and seamless, without making a sound.

Back in the next room.

Guo Fu was still fast asleep, sprawled out on her back, completely out of sorts. The blanket had been kicked to one side, revealing a section of her pale, white leg.

Yang Guo shook his head, walked over and covered her with the blanket, then casually pressed a pressure point on the side of her neck to release the restriction.

After doing all this, he went back to his room and crawled into bed.

……

Three poles in the sun.

The inn lobby was already bustling with activity.

Yang Guo sat by the window, a bowl of plain noodles in front of him, and was eating with great relish.

Footsteps came from the stairwell.

Guo Fu rubbed her neck as she got downstairs, looking grumpy from just waking up: "Are the pillows in this inn made of stone? My neck is killing me, it feels like I've been hit on the head with a club."

Yang Guo swallowed the noodles in his mouth, looked up and laughed, "Miss, that's because you slept in such a bad position that you got a stiff neck, right? I heard you snoring so loudly last night."

"You're talking nonsense!" Guo Fu blushed and glared at him. "I never snore when I sleep! You must have misheard!"

She sat down angrily and picked up her chopsticks to poke at the steamed bun in front of her.

"Where's Mother?" Guo Fu looked around. "Why hasn't she come down yet? Mother is usually the first one up."

"He's probably tired," Yang Guo said casually. "The journey these past few days has been tiring; he deserves to sleep more."

Just then, footsteps sounded again on the stairs.

The footsteps were very light and slow.

Yang Guo and Guo Fu looked up at the same time.

Huang Rong slowly walked down.

Today she wore a simple, moon-white long dress, the neckline buttoned up tightly, covering her chin. Her hair was neatly combed, and although she wore no makeup, her face had an unusual rosy glow.

She looked somewhat haggard, and the dark circles under her eyes were even more pronounced than yesterday.

"Mom!" Guo Fu waved, "Here! The noodles are all soggy."

Huang Rong's body stiffened slightly.

She held onto the stair railing, took a deep breath to calm herself, and slowly walked over.

She walked to the table, but didn't dare look at Yang Guo. She just lowered her head and sat down.

"Mother, what's wrong?" Guo Fu, usually oblivious, noticed something was amiss. "Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?"

As she spoke, she reached out to touch Huang Rong's forehead.

Huang Rong recoiled as if burned, saying, "No...it's nothing. It's just that the room is too stuffy and hot."

The movement was a bit too big, which aggravated the sore spots on my body.

"Hiss..." Huang Rong frowned and couldn't help but gasp, her hand instinctively supporting her lower back.

"Mom, does your back hurt?" Guo Fu asked, even more puzzled. "Would you like Brother Yang to massage it for you?"

Upon hearing the word "press," Huang Rong's hand trembled, and the chopsticks in her hand fell to the table with a "clatter."

She hurriedly picked up her chopsticks and glared at Guo Fu: "Eat your food! Stop talking nonsense!"

This glare, however, had little deterrent effect; instead, it seemed rather blustering.

Guo Fu pouted, feeling wronged: "You're mean to me even when I'm concerned? Brother Yang's massage is really nice..."

The fire spread to Yang Guo.

Yang Guo was drinking tea when he heard this. He put down his teacup and gave Huang Rong a meaningful look.

Huang Rong almost jumped up.

That bastard!

He actually dared to...

She raised her head and glared fiercely at Yang Guo.

Yang Guo winked at her, a wicked smile playing on his lips that made her grit her teeth in hatred.

Huang Rong understood immediately.

My brain almost exploded.

She lowered her head and stared intently at the white porridge in the bowl, as if there were flowers in it.

"Eat," she forced out through gritted teeth, "and then we'll continue our journey."

This breakfast was extremely bizarre.

Guo Fu looked at her mother, then at Yang Guo, and felt an inexplicable strangeness between the two.

Mother is always dignified and elegant, eating slowly and speaking softly. But today, she kept her head down, only drinking porridge and not even taking a bite of the vegetables. Moreover, her face was as red as a monkey's bottom, and she kept getting distracted.

Brother Yang, on the other hand, had a great appetite. He ate three large bowls of noodles and kept smiling, his eyes always drifting towards his mother.

That look in his eyes...

"Brother Yang," Guo Fu couldn't help but put down her chopsticks, "Have you done something wrong?"

"puff--"

Huang Rong, who was drinking porridge, choked and coughed violently.

"Cough cough cough..."

Yang Guo quickly stood up, walked behind Huang Rong, and patted her back, saying, "Drink slowly, no one will take it from you."

His palm was placed on Huang Rong's back.

"I...I'm fine..." Huang Rong pushed his hand away, took out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, and said, "Fu'er, don't talk nonsense. What wrong thing could your Brother Yang do?"

"Then why does he keep staring at you?" Guo Fu asked bluntly, "It gives me goosebumps."

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Huang Rong's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously looked at Yang Guo.

Yang Guo, however, remained unfazed and said with a grin, "Because Aunt Guo is beautiful. We're about to go up Zhongnan Mountain, and it'll be full of smelly Taoist priests. Where will we find such a divine figure to look at? Shouldn't I take a good look and savor it later?"

That's half true and half false; it's just a glib, smooth-talking remark.

Normally, Huang Rong would definitely reprimand him for being frivolous.

But at this moment, as she listened, she only felt her face flush and her heart race.

"You're such a chatterbox!" Guo Fu rolled her eyes. "Of course my mother is beautiful, do you need to tell me? But don't even think about it, my mother is my father's."

"Yes, yes, yes, they are your father's." Yang Guo sat back down and gave Huang Rong a meaningful look. "But, these eyes are on my own body. I can look at whoever I want, and Uncle Guo can't stop me."

Huang Rong couldn't listen to it anymore.

If she kept talking like that, her heart would jump out of her chest.

I'm full.

Huang Rong put down her chopsticks and stood up.

The movement was too hasty and aggravated the sore spot, causing her to frown slightly and sway.

"Mother!" Guo Fu went to help her up.

Yang Guo was a step faster than her and firmly supported Huang Rong's arm.

"careful."

Huang Rong looked up and met those deep, dark eyes.

The concern in his voice seemed genuine, but the possessiveness hidden beneath it made her heart pound.

"I don't need your help."

Huang Rong pulled her arm away, forcing herself to maintain her pride, and straightened her back.

"Fu'er, go settle the bill. Guo'er, prepare the carriage."

She reverted to her commanding demeanor as a gang leader, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her inner turmoil.

"Go up the mountain immediately."

She had to escape.

Escape this place that makes her lose control, escape this man who makes her lose control.

Once you get to Zhongnan Mountain and hand him over to the Quanzhen Sect, all of this... will be over.

She turned and walked away, her back still graceful, but revealing a sense of panicked escape.

Yang Guo watched her retreating figure, a playful smile curving his lips.

"Alright, get the car ready!"

Yang Guo whistled and walked out with light steps.

Guo Fu, holding the money pouch, stood there scratching her head.

"Strange...why does it feel like Mother is avoiding Brother Yang?"

She muttered something, shook her head, and turned to find the shopkeeper to settle her bill.