Chapter 90 (2/2): What Is a Dao Companion

“Somewhat—” Su Liumeng fell into thought, as if recalling some painful memories.

Unlike Sixinyan’s nanny, Su Liumeng was personally taught the rules by the Grand Elder.

Su Liumeng forcing the marriage with a girl against everyone’s taboo was already outside the rules.

Therefore, the Grand Elder was even more strict.

The Grand Elder’s exact words:

A beautiful promise—if you’re going to marry this girl, you cannot disgrace her before or after the wedding.

Otherwise, the Grand Elder who arranged this would lose all face.

The thing the Grand Elder emphasized most was that after marriage, there must be no wavering.

Young people can’t control their hearts and often look greedily at others while holding what’s already theirs.

It’s a common problem.

In short, do not betray the young lady.

The Grand Elder always repeated this.

The Grand Elder didn’t care about any of the lesser names or juniors.

But Su Liumeng, as the chosen successor and future heir of the Thirteenth Ancestor, must have flawless words and actions.

If she dared to betray her lover now, wouldn’t she neglect the entire responsibility of the Su family in the future?

Scenes like surgery paused or rushing to the airport to pick up an old flame—just thinking about it made the Grand Elder’s head nearly explode.

Responsibility.

These two heavy words reveal a person’s true nature in small ways.

So, the Grand Elder was always watching her.

Moreover, Su Liumeng was the rebellious standard among the younger generation.

Countless peers were watching to see if this was just a sudden impulse or a truly lasting bond.

Su Liumeng wanted to witness their bond through heaven and earth and become a rare Dao Companion with her beloved.

In recent days, this had spread throughout the Su family.

Many heads of families were waiting to see the show.

Marriage is easy; becoming Dao Companions is hard.

Legend says only those with fate spanning three lifetimes can pass the harsh trials set by the Heavenly Dao.

Under the witness of the Heavens and Earth, and the blessings of endless rules, they become Dao Companions who live and die together, sharing honor and disgrace.

The words Dao Companion imply: first there is Dao, then companion.

Dao means the Heavenly Dao’s recognition, shared ideals, life and death together.

Companion is a partner beyond master-disciple or close friends — a deeper bond.

Behind these two words lies far more than just a romantic relationship.

As for whether Su Liumeng could pass the trials, many were skeptical.

Some even secretly mocked the young people, saying they were overconfident.

To gain Heavenly Dao’s approval, one must pass its trials; few can succeed.

Even if one is outstanding with infinite confidence, passing isn’t guaranteed.

Because

This is not a trial for one person.

It’s a trial for two.

No matter how excellent you are, can you guarantee your partner will also pass?

Clearly not.

Sixinyan’s weak cultivation was looked down upon by everyone.

With the dark energy concealed by Sizhizhuo, others only saw that the girl was still in the second stage, barely adult, without even reaching the breakthrough realm.

Within the Su family, she would be despised even as a servant.

To say she was weak as a kitten wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Listening to Su Liumeng’s explanation, I blinked but didn’t immediately answer.

“I’m confident.” Su Liumeng said firmly.

“We will definitely succeed.”

She went on, “I read in ancient texts that the trials set by the Heavenly Dao test whether two people are truly fated.

Those with only fleeting ties fail immediately at the first test.

Later tests examine whether they have true hearts, the determination to live and die together, and whether they will never part in this life.”

Heavenly Dao?

I tilted my head and still didn’t answer directly.

Before answering, I always thought carefully about whether I could fulfill what I said.

I didn’t know if the Heavenly Dao Su Liumeng mentioned was the same as the one Sizhizhuo had once glanced at me with.

Those two eyes were not mere description, but literal eyes.

According to Sizhizhuo, I was only noticed by the Heavenly Dao twice: at birth and when signing a contract with her.

Such attention was a rare blessing, marking one as favored by fate.

A future smooth and safe.

“I…” I stretched out the tone, heart pressure rising sharply.

“Will do my best.” I tilted my head again.

I seemed to lack confidence in myself.

Seeing Su Liumeng’s certainty, I almost believed I was as extraordinary a genius as she was.

This lack of confidence came from being weak enough to be bullied by anyone.

The cruel reality told me I was just a rank one or two novice.

I hoped for success even more than Su Liumeng.

Who wouldn’t want to become a Dao Companion with their beloved?

The key is knowing one’s limits.

Without any foundation, pretending to be strong is just humiliation.

So my big beautiful eyes blinked, my tone a little unsure but still determined.

“In any case, I will try my best.”

Su Liumeng fell silent.

“It’s okay.”

“I believe in you.”

“Uh…”

I was speechless.

After a while, I suddenly broke into a big, silly smile.

“Heh heh heh, I believe in myself too.”

“Anyway, if I didn’t believe, our fate would end here.”

Everyone has their passionate moments.

Faced with the biggest event in life, reason briefly disappears, replaced by boiling passion that drowns out all analysis.

Why think so much?

I believe in Su Liumeng.

I believe our love is unbreakable.

Knowing these two things is enough.

As for everything else, leave it to fate.

Su Liumeng didn’t plan to leave yet, so I pulled her to sit on the bed.

“Do you think like me? Believe in our love, so you want to… just gamble everything?”

Su Liumeng paused, a little confused. “Gamble what? I never thought about gambling.”

“I really have confidence in you and myself. I never thought we’d fail.”

“……”

Now I was sure Su Liumeng loved me even more than I loved her.

What a deep love it must be to trust each other unconditionally like that.

Suddenly, Su Liumeng grabbed my hand and spoke seriously.

The deeper meaning behind her words didn’t immediately register with me.

“Baby, you must never forget.”

“Fate begins in the heart, fate never fades.”

“Dao is born of Heaven, and Dao is also between you and me.”

“There are myriad paths of Dao, and love is one of them.”

“Xinxin, you and I have known each other since childhood.

From then, the Dao was born.

In countless days and nights, in our laughter and quarrels, every bit of it has become Dao.”

“You may not believe in yourself, but you must believe in what we’ve experienced together.”

“That is the source of our future success.”

“The cultivation of the Dao of Love has been ongoing.”

“When you fully comprehend this, you will know what a Dao Companion is.”

“Why is it so hard to become Dao Companions? Why are they so rare? Why must the Heavenly Dao personally witness it? These three questions are all answered here.”

“Because love is also Dao.”

“A hundred years of cultivation to cross the same boat, a thousand years to share the same pillow.

Love is born from fate; as long as the heart is there, fate remains.

I have you in my heart; fate never fades.”

“The Heavenly Dao’s recognition begins by testing the depth of love.

Two people who truly love each other, even if they don’t understand this, are still walking the Dao of Love and won’t fail the first test.

Similarly, passing the trials means our love is a rare true love worthy of the Dao of Emotion.

Among countless people, who can face their other half without a shred of selfishness or impure thoughts?

Who can become Dao Companions blessed by the Heavenly Dao, envied by all?”

Su Liumeng gently took my small hand and placed it over her heart.

She looked at me seriously and asked, “Baby, can you hear it? Every beat of my heart is because of you.

Without you in my heart, you would already be my belief, the source of my countless blood pulses.”

My eyes twinkled blankly.

Why did she suddenly sound so poetic?

Was she saying I was her heart?

Su Liumeng looked at me.

“And how do you see me?”

On the eve of our marriage, her serious words echoed in my mind.

She didn’t immediately get an answer.

I loved Su Liumeng — that was beyond doubt.

But I always knew I didn’t love her as deeply as she loved me.

I was afraid my answer wouldn’t be as eternal as hers.

I was afraid my love wouldn’t meet the Heavenly Dao’s standards.

How could I tell her an uncertain truth?

“Baby, I have to go now.”

“The Grand Elder warned me strictly not to look for you these days.”

“The reason I came today is first because I miss you, and second to tell you this.”

“Relax these days; don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Let things flow naturally.”

“Don’t worry about my face or others’ eyes.

Even if we can’t become Dao Companions now, it won’t affect the wedding.

You will still be my one and only true love for life.”

Su Liumeng’s figure disappeared by the window.

I bit my still swollen lips, my gaze growing complicated.

After a long moment, I clenched my small fists, as if making a decision, and whispered, almost as if speaking to myself.

“Su Liumeng, I won’t let you fail.”

“Not because of you —”

“But because I don’t want to fail.”