44: Childhood sweethearts, reveal their true feelings

“Come! Quickly, come in and talk!”

The two elders quickly welcomed their son into the courtyard and began to ask him with concern.

“Yuan’er, are you doing well in the Sect? Are you hungry or cold?”

Lin Mother was the first to speak.

“Wife, what kind of question is that? Cloud Ripple Sect is a powerful Sect with a long Legacy, how could it let its Disciples go hungry or cold?”

Lin Father glared at his wife, then turned and said, “Yuan’er, how do your Sect teachers treat you? How are your Senior Brothers? They haven’t bullied you, have they?”

Lin Yuan smiled and said, “The teachers treat me very well and have given me a lot of help.”

Afterward, he recounted his experiences of the past three years, only concealing the parts about Dual Cultivation and Ao Ling霜.

“What! You said you won first place in the Outer Sect Competition?”

Upon hearing that their son had won the top spot in the competition, the couple’s eyes nearly popped out in surprise.

“Yes, I was lucky enough to win the championship thanks to my own talent.”

“Amazing! Truly amazing! There must have been a lot of Outer Sect Disciples, right?”

“Yes, over ten thousand people participated in the competition.”

“Over ten thousand…”

The couple exchanged glances, unable to express their emotions in words.

“Hahahahaha! Good! Yuan’er achieving this result, my life, Lin Rong, has no regrets!”

“As expected of my Yuan’er, becoming first as soon as he joined the Sect. You are your mother’s pride!”

Amidst their astonishment, they reacted, their faces breaking into brilliant smiles, praising him repeatedly.

“Father and Mother are overpraising me. First place in the Outer Sect is nothing in Cloud Ripple Sect; the true powerhouses are all in the Inner Sect.”

“It’s alright, Father believes that with your talent, you will definitely be able to enter the Inner Sect.”

“That’s right, Mother also believes you can enter the Inner Sect and achieve greater accomplishments.”

The three of them chatted for a long time in the courtyard, the smiles never leaving their faces.

“Oh, it’s already noon. Yuan’er must be hungry. Mother will go cook for you.”

Lin Mother looked up at the sun, then hurried into the kitchen.

Soon, a table of dishes was ready, and the three of them gathered around the table to eat.

Lin Yuan had taken a Fasting Pill earlier, so he didn’t actually need to eat today, but since he was with his family, he certainly didn’t mind spending this mealtime with them.

“Knock, knock.”

While they were eating, the courtyard gate was suddenly knocked, and a clear female voice simultaneously called out: “Uncle Rong, Ling’er has brought you wine.”

Hearing this, the three turned to look, only to see a young girl in a simple cloth dress pushing open the courtyard gate, holding a wine skin in her hand, her eyes meeting theirs.

“Ah! Are you Senior Brother Lin Yuan?”

Discovering that there was one more person in the courtyard than usual, she was slightly stunned, but quickly recognized his identity.

Lin Yuan also recognized her, blurting out, “Are you Ling’er?”

He still remembered that many years ago, when he was first adopted by his parents, he had met her.

From then on, they often played together, and the relationship between them could be described as childhood sweethearts, inseparable.

Later, when he joined Cloud Ripple Sect, he never saw her again.

He had been sad for a period because of this, always thinking of his childhood playmate from time to time.

When he returned home to visit relatives today, besides seeing his parents, he also planned to find her to reminisce, but he didn't expect her to come to his door before he even set off.

“Senior Brother Lin Yuan! It really is you!”

Ye Ling’er quickly rushed forward with small steps, throwing herself into his arms, her emotions extremely agitated.

Lin Yuan gently patted her narrow back and softly said, “It’s me. Ling’er has grown up so much, I almost didn’t recognize you.”

In three years, Ye Ling’er had transformed from a girl into a graceful young woman, not only growing much taller but also gaining considerable fullness in her chest.

“Senior Brother Lin Yuan, you’ve also become more handsome than before.”

Separating from his embrace, Ye Ling’er’s eyes were filled with joy and longing, gazing eagerly at his face.

“How have you been at home these past three years? Your parents haven’t beaten or scolded you, have they?”

“Of course I’ve been good, Father and Mother dote on me. How about you, Senior Brother Lin Yuan? How’s life in the Sect?”

“It’s not bad either, but without you by my side, I always feel like something is missing.”

“Senior Brother Lin Yuan, do you mean… you’ve been thinking about me all these three years?”

Ye Ling’er’s pretty face flushed, and she asked cautiously.

Lin Yuan said frankly, “Yes, we’ve known each other since childhood, with so many years of affection, how could I not miss you?”

Upon learning of his affection, Ye Ling’er’s heart pounded wildly, and she lowered her gaze shyly, saying, “Ling’er also misses Senior Brother very much.”

“How much do you miss me?”

“All day and all night!”

“Hahahahaha!”

Lin Father suddenly laughed, “Since your feelings are so deep, then Yuan’er should go to the Ye family early to propose marriage, and choose a day to hold your wedding, so as to fulfill the wishes of us two elders.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Ling’er was extremely happy, but then she thought of the young man’s identity and couldn’t help but feel inferior, saying, “Uncle Lin is joking. Senior Brother Lin Yuan is a highly skilled Disciple of Cloud Ripple Sect, while I am just a lowly commoner. How could I be worthy of Senior Brother?”

Three years ago, during the Cloud Ripple Sect assessment, she was not chosen by the Sect. From then on, she understood that she and he were not from the same world.

Even so, she couldn’t forget him, finding it difficult to sleep every night, constantly recalling their past memories.

Today, seeing her beloved return suddenly, she could no longer suppress her inner emotions, casting aside the difference in their statuses and directly expressing her feelings.

Now, when Lin Father mentioned this matter, she recognized reality again, and her face fell into dejection.

Lin Mother widened her eyes: “Silly Ling’er, what are you saying? So what if he’s a highly skilled Disciple of Cloud Ripple Sect? Doesn’t he still have to marry and have children? Your feelings for each other are so good, what reason does he have not to marry you?”

Lin Father also said, “That’s right, have you forgotten when you played house as children? You even played husband and wife together. Yuan’er, you must not let Ling’er down no matter what.”

Recalling the absurd things from childhood, Ye Ling’er’s face turned crimson, and she lowered her head deeply, not daring to lift it.

Lin Yuan chuckled, “Of course I remember. Back then, Ling’er said she would be my wife when she grew up and serve me forever. Does that promise still count?”

Hearing this, Ye Ling’er bit her lip and said, “Of course it counts, I just worry that Senior Brother might not think highly of Ling’er.”

Lin Yuan stroked her head: “Ling’er is so pretty and charming, I wish I could pamper you in my hands, so how could I not think highly of you?”

“Senior Brother Lin Yuan…”

Ye Ling’er looked up and asked with anticipation, “Then are you willing to marry Ling’er?”

“I am willing, but…”

Lin Yuan paused, and said apologetically, “I already have a few confidantes in the Sect. Can Ling’er accept them?”

For a moment, Ye Ling’er’s expression subtly changed. Although she knew that given his excellence, he would certainly have many female acquaintances, hearing it directly from the person she loved still made her feel a sense of loss.