What does it feel like to have someone listen to the sound of your breathing while you sleep for a long time?
If it were before, Ling Xiaoyou probably would not have been able to answer, but she felt that from today onward, she could.
All she could say was, it was so shameful!
Every time she thought about how someone had been listening and feeling her breathe while she slept, a massive sense of shame would wash over her.
Especially after waking up and seeing that the call duration on her mobile phone screen had lasted for over 8 hours, she felt even more ashamed!
Thus, after waking up, Ling Xiaoyou immediately picked up her mobile phone.
Looking at the display that showed the call was still ongoing, her face flushed red.
Not daring to say anything more to Bai Shuanglian, she hung up the call immediately.
Following that, as if she were dazed by the situation, she stared blankly for a long time before completely wrapping her small head in the quilt, letting out a faint, shy whimper like a mosquito’s buzz: “Uuu~”
***
On the other side, it was already afternoon.
The gradually setting sun illuminated a figure in the sky, making Bai Shuanglian’s beautiful smile appear even more radiant and holy.
However, beneath this holy smile, what Bai Shuanglian was thinking about was not quite so holy.
‘A phone call really isn’t realistic enough. If I could actually sleep by Xiaoyou’s side, listening to her light breathing and those occasional cute little snores, it would probably feel even better.’
At this thought, Bai Shuanglian could not help but chuckle and shake her head.
However, if that truly happened and Xiaoyou found out, she would likely be so embarrassed that she wouldn’t be able to speak, just like now.
‘Having a bedfellow listen to your breathing while you sleep… for a little spirit’s heart, that would definitely be too stimulating and shameful.’
‘Xiaoyou is still too easily embarrassed,’ Bai Shuanglian mused.
But after thinking about it carefully, she said, “But Xiaoyou like this is also very cute!”
She put her mobile phone back into her Space Ring and then focused her gaze forward, continuing her journey.
The speed of Bai Shuanglian’s flying sword was not slower than a typical airplane, so after traveling for so long, she was already close to the clan’s location.
After proceeding for a while longer, as the sunlight gradually took on a hint of orange-yellow, Bai Shuanglian finally saw a mountain range that was incredibly familiar to her.
The mountain range rolled on continuously, looking like a winding dragon sleeping there, guarding the family that had sacrificed so much for the peace of the Human World.
This was the Bai Family Residence, where Bai Shuanglian had grown up since she was a child.
The flying sword continued deep into the mountain range.
When Bai Shuanglian felt as if she had passed through a thin membrane, the mountains that originally appeared natural and primitive quietly changed.
The forests in the mountains transformed into ancient and elegant large courtyards.
Faint clouds and mist spread through the mountain forests, bringing a touch of immortal aura to the ancient buildings.
Time seemed to have frozen here.
No matter how much the current era changed, it could not affect the peace and harmony of this place.
It still maintained an antique appearance.
But Bai Shuanglian, who had grown up here, knew clearly that although it looked like something out of a history book, the clan had long since connected to the internet, and all the necessary appliances were available.
It only looked ancient; in reality, it was not much different from a modern residence.
Of course, even if it was completely modernized, many places in the clan still maintained old customs.
Bai Shuanglian did not intend to fly directly back into the clan.
Instead, after passing through that membrane, she descended from the sky, intending to walk the rest of the way.
Looking at the lush forests and the natural scenery around her, Bai Shuanglian felt only a deep sense of familiarity.
After all, she had grown up here.
Despite the familiarity, however, Bai Shuanglian did not feel the apprehension of returning home that was often described in anime or novels.
Perhaps it was because she only had plain and repetitive memories of this place.
Passing through the woods, Bai Shuanglian arrived in front of the ancient buildings.
She glanced at the stairs leading upward and walked up without hesitation.
When she arrived at the Spirit Gate, the clan guards stationed there were stunned.
Bai Shuanglian did not say anything to the dazed guards.
She simply nodded and gave a polite greeting before heading straight into the courtyard.
Once the guards finally realized who had returned, they hastily took out their communication Jade Talismans to convey the message to everyone in the clan:
“Miss Lian has returned to the clan.”
***
“Hei! Ha! Hei! Ha!”
On the clan square, many young children were practicing Martial Techniques, exercising their bodies, and letting out occasional “hei ha” sounds.
In the poetic lotus pond garden, dragonflies danced among the lotus leaves and flowers.
From time to time, ripples could be seen in the pond, and upon closer inspection, large fish could be seen swimming.
Wisps of blue smoke rose from the direction of the kitchen.
It was evening now, and the clan’s head chef was likely pondering what kind of meal to prepare for tonight.
Bai Shuanglian strolled through the clan, looking at the familiar sights around her.
She felt that everything was the same as always, without any change at all.
After politely greeting a younger female cousin who had become excited upon seeing her, Bai Shuanglian was about to return home when she suddenly seemed to sense something.
She paused and looked to the side.
There stood a refined man with a gentle temperament.
Upon seeing Bai Shuanglian’s gaze, the refined man’s eyes lit up.
With a movement that completely contradicted his scholarly aura, he lunged toward Bai Shuanglian for a bear hug, saying, “Xiao Lian, you’re finally back!”
However, Bai Shuanglian simply frowned slightly and sighed.
She skillfully dodged the refined man’s bear hug.
Looking at the refined man who almost stumbled and fell, she said, “Father, I’m back.”
“Ah, haha…”
Father Bai scratched his head.
He seemed to be long accustomed to this situation.
He just laughed awkwardly and said, “It’s good that you’re back. It’s good that you’re back.”
Then, he looked at Bai Shuanglian, seemingly wanting to say something more.
But the 1,000 celebratory words he had once thought of for his daughter’s return seemed to be stuck, unable to come out.
For a long time, he could only laugh awkwardly in silence, unable to say anything.
Bai Shuanglian did not seem surprised by this.
She simply looked at her father calmly.
Suddenly, a young yet calm female voice drifted over, breaking Father Bai’s awkwardness.
“Shuanglian is back? Come, let Great-Aunt take a good look at you!”