57: Zhao Qingge suffers from insomnia

That night, thunder and lightning raged, with bolts of electricity illuminating the sky.

Jiangcheng, which had been dry for many days, was suddenly hit by a torrential downpour.

The rumbling thunder was deafening.

Zhao Qingge lay in bed, feeling a sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Years ago, her sister brought Zhao Li to her.

Before she passed away, she clutched Zhao Qingge's hand and repeatedly urged, "Lier is stubborn and clumsy with words; in the future, she will need your care."

At that time, Lier was only five or six years old, wearing a faded plain dress, standing in the corner of the sickroom, radiating despair.

The sudden death of her parents.

Her nine-star talent reduced to a mere trifle.

Almost overnight, the five or six-year-old girl transformed from a universally admired genius into an object of discussion and pity.

From then on, she encased herself in a hard shell, avoiding intimacy with others, like a plum blossom standing alone in the harsh winter, cold and unyielding.

It wasn't until Zhao Qingge first heard Lu Ming's name from her lips.

Initially, Zhao Qingge was scrutinizing; this young man came from a humble background, had mediocre talent, and had two wives.

But after spending more time with him, she gradually discovered that Lu Ming was an undiscovered treasure!

This young man handled affairs with shrewdness, possessed extraordinary intelligence, and his growth rate could be described as that of an unparalleled prodigy without exaggeration; crucially, he genuinely cherished his two wives, and that tenderness wasn't feigned.

Moreover, when Zhao Li spoke of him, her eyes held a different kind of joy.

How could someone as astute as Zhao Qingge not understand?

But she also knew that Zhao Li was a difficult person, and after learning that Lu Ming had a family, she would surely only hide her feelings.

Therefore, all of this could only be handled by her, the aunt.

"Sister, rest assured, that child Lu Ming is excellent..."

"Excellent my foot! You scoundrel!"

One moment Zhao Qingge was lamenting, the next she suddenly sat up in bed, her peach blossom eyes filled with exasperation: "That mischievous brat, couldn't he wait until I wasn't home? Lier, too, really, doesn't know how to restrain herself."

Although the sound of rain outside was largely drowned out by the thunder, as a grand expert in the Dao Enlightenment realm, her perception was astonishing, and she couldn't help but hear it.

She had intended to endure it, but who knew that young man Lu Ming would be so inconsiderate.

She abruptly threw off the covers, got out of bed, and walked barefoot on the cold floor to the window, slamming it shut.

The torrential rain was pounding against the glass, splashing countless droplets, and a distant lightning bolt tore through the night sky, instantly illuminating her flushed earlobes.

"This is absolutely outrageous!" Zhao Qingge bit her lip and muttered, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the edge of the curtain, "Do they think I'm dead? Couldn't they just hold back..."

An hour later, the torrential rain finally ceased.

Just as Zhao Qingge was preparing for a good night's sleep.

The sound of thunder came from outside again.

However, this time the sound was a bit distant; it should be downstairs.

Zhao Qingge's head, which had just touched the pillow, instantly lifted, her peach blossom eyes narrowed; at this moment, she was truly exasperated: "You wretched brat, is this endless?!"

...Another hour later.

Xu Youyou leaned in Lu Ming's arms, her voice a little languid, her fingertips gently poking Lu Ming's arm, her eyes still clouded with moisture.

"Husband, hurry back and check on Sister Li."

Xu Lulu also snuggled into his chest, her long hair disheveled against her cheek, softly echoing: "Exactly, exactly, Husband, today is your wedding day with Sister Li, how can you be so reckless? Hurry back, hurry back."

Lu Ming lowered his head and stroked their sweaty foreheads, chuckling softly: "Don't worry, Sister Li called me down."

Despite his words, Xu Youyou and Xu Lulu, after a moment of tenderness, still pushed him up.

As experienced individuals, they understood better what Zhao Li needed.

As Lu Ming reached the staircase, he bumped into Zhao Qingge, who was rubbing her sleepy eyes as she emerged.

Seeing Lu Ming come out of the downstairs guest room, her eyelids twitched, and her freshly awakened languor was instantly replaced by annoyance.

"You brat!" She leaned against the stair railing with her arms crossed, her peach blossom eyes glaring at him, her tone a little gritted, "Are you trying to tear down my house?!"

Lu Ming wasn't annoyed by her words, he just chuckled and scratched his head: "Aunt, did I wake you up?"

"What do you think?" Zhao Qingge shuffled half a step forward, the hem of her nightgown sweeping across the cold steps, "The whole building, you're the busiest, running up and down non-stop, why don't you just put them all in one room!"

These words made Lu Ming's mouth twitch slightly: "I want to, but wouldn't that be a bit too fast?"

"Hmph! You really dare to think! Move aside, I want some water."

Lu Ming wisely moved aside, clearing the staircase for Zhao Qingge.

She clattered down the stairs in her slippers, her nightgown sash loosely tied, and when she reached the water dispenser in the living room, she didn't forget to glare at him: "What are you looking at? Hurry back and comfort Lier."

Lu Ming was momentarily stunned by her words, then chuckled softly and turned to walk upstairs to the second floor.

Just as he stepped onto the second stair, he heard a "gulps" sound of drinking water from behind him, suggesting that Zhao Qingge was quite thirsty.

As for why she was dehydrated, we dare not say, and even more, dare not ask.

The second-floor hallway was quiet, with only a warm light peeking from under Zhao Li's door.

He gently pushed open the door and saw her sitting on the bed, meditating and cultivating.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Lu Ming embraced her from behind.

Hearing Lu Ming's voice, Zhao Li opened her eyes, her slightly swollen eyes filled with shock and confusion.

Just now, she suddenly felt a warm current appear in her Dantian.

She instinctively circulated her breathing technique and discovered that wherever the warm current passed, the meridians, which were originally covered in spiderweb-like cracks, actually began to heal!

Moreover, her talent... seemed to have strengthened a little.

Although it was only a trace, very subtle.

But Zhao Li knew this was definitely not her imagination, because she had been looking forward to this day for over a decade!

And that mysterious warm current... seemed to have been brought by this man in front of her.

No, she had to verify it again!

"Lu Ming!" Zhao Li's voice was still a little hoarse, her tone trembling, "Pummel me!"

"?"

But before Lu Ming could react, he was blocked by Zhao Li... "Mmm... The rain has finally stopped!"

Zhao Qingge replenished her water and, looking at the gradually clearing night sky outside the window, couldn't help but stretch.

The rain had been peculiar in its onset and sudden in its cessation, almost as if it were specifically designed to create opportunities for certain people.

She let out a soft snort, and the image of that mischievous Lu Ming's grinning face involuntarily appeared in her mind, a hint of annoyance in her eyes.

"That hateful brat!"

She muttered softly, then turned and walked towards the second floor.

As she passed Zhao Li's room, a familiar aura suddenly spread out.

Zhao Qingge's footsteps paused, her expression changing: "It's the aura of Lier's talent!"

She abruptly pushed open the door.

"Bang!"

The door was instinctively slammed shut again by Zhao Qingge, making the door frame tremble slightly.

She leaned against the cold door panel, her heart pounding "thump-thump," her face burning hot.

"Lier is truly too much! How could she bully Lu Ming like that! That was clearly walking..."

...