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

The mountain wind swept through the stone steps, carrying with it a mournful sound.

The clouds and mist gradually dissipated, revealing a flat stone platform halfway up the mountain. Yin Zhiping and Guo Fu had been waiting for a long time. Yin Zhiping, dressed in a Taoist robe, stood under a pine tree with his hands behind his back, looking somewhat otherworldly.

Guo Fu, however, was restless and was kicking the pebbles on the ground with her toes, her lips pouting so much they could hang an oil bottle.

Hearing footsteps, Guo Fu suddenly looked up.

Seeing that only Yang Guo and his mother came down, her eyes lit up and she ran over in a few steps.

"Brother Yang! Mother!"

Guo Fu completely ignored Huang Rong, grabbed Yang Guo's sleeve, looked up at him with eyes full of reluctance: "Are you really going to stay in this shabby place as a Taoist priest? I saw those young Taoist priests earlier, they were all like wooden blocks, they couldn't even speak properly. Won't you suffocate here?"

Yang Guo looked down at the exquisitely beautiful little girl.

If it were before, he would have found this young lady charming and spoiled. But now, having just tasted that ripe peach, she seemed rather unripe and bland.

But he didn't show it on his face. He just casually rubbed Guo Fu's head, messing up her neatly combed hair.

"Young Miss, this is Uncle Guo's arrangement," Yang Guo said with a smile. "Besides, there's nothing wrong with the Quanzhen Sect; it's peaceful."

"Quiet my foot!" Guo Fu slapped his hand away, but instead of letting go of his sleeve, she gripped it even tighter. "I heard it all. Those Taoist priests were muttering while sweeping, saying that they don't even allow meat on this mountain. You're so greedy, how can you stand it?"

As she spoke, her eyes reddened.

"What if you get thin from hunger? How about... how about you come back to Xiangyang with me? I'll beg Father. He loves me the most, he'll definitely agree."

A young girl's feelings are always so direct and passionate.

Although she was usually bossy, her dependence on him was undeniable at this moment of parting.

Before Yang Guo could speak, a cold gaze fell on their clasped hands.

Huang Rong stood behind, watching her daughter's little hand tightly gripping Yang Guo's sleeve, her body almost pressed against him.

An unnamed anger suddenly surged up.

Last night, she held these sleeves in her hands, and this chest was pressed against hers. How could it be that only a few hours later, it's someone else?

Even if this person is her own daughter, it's not allowed.

Huang Rong took a deep breath, her hands clenching tightly in her sleeves, but she maintained the demeanor of a strict mother, coldly saying, "Fu'er! What kind of behavior is this, pulling and tugging in public? Let go!"

This rebuke was several degrees harsher than usual.

Guo Fu was startled, her body trembled, and she subconsciously let go of his hand.

She looked at her mother with a wronged expression: "Mom, why are you so fierce? Brother Yang is leaving, can't I even say a few words to him?"

"Just talk, why are you touching me?" Huang Rong said coldly, her gaze sweeping over Yang Guo's crumpled sleeve. She felt even more annoyed. "You're a grown woman now; you should know the proper boundaries between men and women. If word gets out, where will the Guo family's reputation be?"

Guo Fu pouted, tears welling up in her eyes, but dared not argue.

She felt that her mother was acting particularly strange today.

In the past, when she and Brother Yang played around, her mother would always watch with a smile, sometimes even saying, "Childhood sweethearts." Why is she acting like she's about to explode today?

Yang Guo stood aside, looking at Huang Rong's icy face, but his heart was filled with joy.

This isn't about following the rules; it's like the vinegar jar has been overturned.

He didn't expose her, but winked at Guo Fu and said with a smile, "Sister Fu, Aunt is right. The Quanzhen Sect has strict rules. My master's eyes almost popped out of their sockets just now. If you keep pulling me, I'm afraid I'll be punished to copy scriptures tonight."

Guo Fu turned around and glanced at Yin Zhiping.

Sure enough, Yin Zhiping was frowning as he looked over, his expression quite displeased.

"Hmph, you stinky Taoist priest." Guo Fu muttered under her breath, reluctantly taking half a step back to create some distance.

Seeing this, Huang Rong's expression softened somewhat.

But the regret in my heart grew wildly like weeds.

In order to sever ties, they said they would give Guo Fu to Yang Guo in marriage.

But now...

The thought that Yang Guo might call Guo Fu "wife" in the future and treat her the way he treated her last night made Huang Rong feel a tightness in her chest.

No.

Absolutely not.

This marriage proposal has to be called off.

"Master Yin," Huang Rong turned around, not wanting to watch the two exchanging glances any longer, and said to Yin Zhiping, who had been standing there like a wooden stake, "It's getting late, we should go down the mountain. Guo'er is naughty, we'll have to trouble you to take care of him in the future."

Yin Zhiping stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Madam Guo, you are too kind. This humble Taoist will certainly do his utmost."

He glanced at Yang Guo, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

Although this kid seemed glib and smooth-talking, he dared not neglect his duties since his master had personally given him the instructions.

"Yang Guo, why don't you come over and bid farewell to your Aunt Guo?" Yin Zhiping said in a deep voice.

Yang Guo put away his playful smile.

He straightened his clothes and walked up to Huang Rong.

Just three steps away.

This distance was just right, allowing me to see every subtle expression on her face.

Huang Rong dared not look him in the eye.

She feared that her innermost feelings might overflow in front of everyone. She turned to the side, looking at the sea of ​​clouds below the mountain, the wind ruffling her hair.

"Aunt Guo," Yang Guo said, his voice steady, "Take care on your journey."

Huang Rong nodded, her throat tightening slightly: "Yes. You too... take care."

Those two simple words seemed to have exhausted all her strength.

Guo Fu wiped away her tears, saying, "Brother Yang, you must write to me when you have time! If you've been bullied, tell me, and I'll bring the Beggars' Sect brothers to avenge you!"

"Okay," Yang Guo replied with a smile.

The carriage was parked next to the stone platform.

The coachman had already harnessed the horses and was waiting for the distinguished guest to board.

Huang Rong did not linger any longer; she was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would be unable to resist taking him away.

She turned and got into the carriage.

The moment the carriage curtain was drawn, it blocked out the view from the outside world, and also blocked out the boy who was causing her so much distress.

The carriage was somewhat dimly lit.

Huang Rong leaned against the soft cushion, closed her eyes, and gently placed her palm on her lower abdomen.

"Mother, aren't you sad?" Guo Fu climbed into the carriage and sat down next to her, still sobbing. "Brother Yang is all alone, so pitiful."

Huang Rong didn't open her eyes, but simply said, "He chose his own path. Everyone has their own destiny."

"drive!"

The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage slowly started moving.

The wheels rolled over the stone pavement, making a rumbling sound.

Just then.

A loud shout suddenly came from outside the car.

"Aunt Guo!"

It was Yang Guo's voice.

It pierced through the carriage curtains, through the sound of the wind, and crashed straight into Huang Rong's heart.

"We'll meet again, won't we?"

The voice carried the boy's persistence and a profound meaning that only the two of them could understand.

The carriage suddenly stopped.

Huang Rong trembled and suddenly opened her eyes.

goodbye?

If we meet again, what will it be like?

Reason told her that it was best not to see each other again. To forget each other completely was the best ending for both of them.

But a crazy voice inside me screamed: See you! I must see you!

Guo Fu lifted the carriage curtain, poked her head out, and called out, "Of course we'll meet! Brother Yang, wait for me, I'll come see you during the New Year!"

She turned to look at her mother: "Mom, say something too."

Huang Rong looked at the swaying carriage curtain.

In that instant, she seemed to see that little beggar from eighteen years ago.

That Huang Rong, who dared to love and hate, and was fearless of heaven and earth.

Huang Rong, who dared to defy the entire world for her beloved Jing-gege.

Huang Rong suddenly laughed.

That smile was like ice and snow melting away, and a hundred flowers blooming.

She reached out and pushed Guo Fu away, then leaned out of the car window herself.

The wind blew her long hair.

Yang Guo stood on the stone steps, gazing intently in this direction.

Eyes facing each other.

Separated by a gradually widening distance.

Huang Rong didn't speak, but looked at the boy with a bright smile on her lips.

That smile carried a hint of slyness, a touch of allure, and a youthful liveliness.

"you guess?"

The crisp sound, carried by the mountain breeze, drifted into Yang Guo's ears.

Yang Guo was stunned.

That look, that smile, clearly said: Wait for me.

Yang Guo felt his blood boiling. He stood there, watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance and at the end of the mountain road, his smile growing wider and wider until it finally turned into a loud laugh.

"Hahahahaha!"

Laughter echoed through the empty valley, startling a few birds into flight.

Yin Zhiping frowned as he looked at his erratic new apprentice and shook his head: "This is inexplicable."

Yang Guo lowered his head and looked at the small porcelain bottle in his hand.

Jiuhua Jade Dew Pills.

It was something she kept close to her body, still carrying her body heat and that faint fragrance.

Yang Guo gently stroked the porcelain bottle with his thumb, silently reciting a phrase in his heart.

Rong'er, I won't guess.

I will come to find you.

Even if it means tearing a hole in the sky, I will get you back.

……

Inside the carriage.

Guo Fu stared blankly at her mother.

She had never seen her mother with that expression before.

That smile... it was so beautiful, so beautiful that it felt like a stranger to her.

"mother……"

Guo Fu swallowed.

Were you... laughing just now?

Huang Rong had already leaned back on the cushion.

The smile on his face had faded, but the glint in his eyes couldn't be hidden.

"What? Can't Mother laugh?"

Huang Rong glanced at her daughter sideways, her tone light and cheerful.

"no……"

Guo Fu scratched her head.

"I just feel...it's so strange."

"The way you were acting just now was completely unlike your usual self."

"Like what?"

"Like...like a little girl."

Guo Fu thought for a long time before coming up with this adjective.

"And the tone you used when you said 'guess' to Brother Yang just now..."

Guo Fu mimicked Huang Rong's tone of voice.

"So cute."

"Snapped!"

Huang Rong raised her hand and gently tapped Guo Fu on the forehead.

"How dare you talk about your mother like that!"

Although it was a reprimand, there was not a trace of anger in his tone.

Guo Fu covered her forehead and chuckled foolishly.

That's just how it is.

"But Mother looks so beautiful when she smiles. Much more beautiful than when she's stern and scolding people."

Huang Rong turned her head and looked at the scenery rushing past the window.

Does it look good?

She raised her hand and touched her cheek.

It's a little hot.

That was the long-lost restlessness of youth.

My heart is beating very fast.