On the western side of Dali, there is a picturesque grassland, home to many Miao people. These individuals make their living by herding sheep.
The Miao people are known for their hearty personalities and warm hospitality. They reside in large tents scattered across the landscape. The most famous offerings from the Miao are their sheep's milk and roasted whole lamb.
Coincidentally, this day marks the monthly gathering of the Miao people. During this event, they gather around a bonfire to sing songs while enjoying the delicious roasted lamb.
Le Yao Yao and her companions arrived just in time for the festivities. Before she had crossed over to this world, Le Yao Yao was merely a high school senior who had never traveled far from home. Since coming to the Heavenly Origin Dynasty, she had lived in the royal palace and later moved to the Great Xia Imperial Palace. Although her needs were met, she had never experienced such freedom and joy as she did now.
As they stood on the vast grassland, surrounded by lush green fields, rolling mountains, and a sky as blue as a mirror, breathing in the fragrant scent of fresh grass, it felt as if all her worries could simply vanish.
In that moment, Le Yao Yao pushed aside thoughts of the man who would soon leave and focused on cherishing this last day together, creating beautiful memories.
At that moment, Le Yao Yao held Leng Yixuan's small hand as they stood on the vibrant grassland.
“Daddy, this place is really beautiful!”
Leng Yixuan exclaimed in delight as she took in the expansive green fields. Her excitement peaked when she spotted a flock of fluffy white sheep, causing her to jump with joy.
"Oh my! Daddy, there are so many sheep over there, they're so cute!"
Being a child, she naturally loved to interact with small animals.
Especially since Leng Yixuan had eaten a lot of lamb since she was little, but she had never seen a living white sheep. Now that she finally saw them, she was overjoyed.
Seeing Leng Yixuan's excited expression, Le Yao Yao couldn't help but smile and said cheerfully, "Yes, these sheep are really cute!"
"Then, Daddy, can Xuan play with these sheep?"
As she spoke, Leng Yixuan raised her face full of anticipation and looked at Le Yao Yao.
Le Yao Yao felt a bit troubled upon seeing her. After all, they were in someone else's territory.
Just as Le Yao Yao hesitated in her heart, a clear and sweet voice suddenly rang out.
"Hehe, if the little brother likes sheep, then of course you can play with them."
As the sweet voice echoed, Le Yao Yao and the others were momentarily stunned before turning to look at the source of the sound.
They saw a girl standing not far from them, around thirteen or fourteen years old.
The girl wore an embroidered pleated skirt with a dark base and subtle patterns. The skirt was adorned with colorful embroidery that was simply stunning.
Her long black hair was elegantly tied up high, and on her head was a beautifully crafted silver flower crown shaped like butterflies, accentuating her delicate little face even more.
Although this girl wasn't exceptionally beautiful, her snow-like skin and fresh appearance made her quite charming.
As Le Yao Yao was observing the little girl, she was also sizing up the three of them. Eventually, her gaze landed on Le Yao Yao's face. Upon noticing the attention directed at her, a hint of shyness crossed the girl's eyes, and she quickly lowered her head, blushing.
Seeing that the little girl was shy because of his gaze made Le Yao Yao smile slightly and ask, "Little girl, are all these sheep yours?"
"Yes, they are," the girl replied softly, nodding her head.
Upon hearing Le Yao Yao's words, the girl's face lit up with joy. It seemed that having so many sheep was something quite impressive in her eyes.
This made the girl feel even happier and a bit proud. After all, in their Miao culture, the number of sheep one owned was a matter of pride.
Seeing Leng Yixuan's innocent and unabashedly admiring gaze, the little girl suddenly put her finger to her mouth and let out a sharp whistle.
With that clear whistle, a little lamb that had been standing not far away immediately came running over to her side.
It seemed that this little lamb had been well-trained by the girl; it was very obedient and affectionate. Upon hearing its owner's call, it rushed over and began nudging its nose and forehead against the girl's palm.
The girl giggled as the lamb playfully interacted with her.
Leng Yixuan's eyes brightened at the sight. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, how cute! This little lamb is so white and adorable!"
"Hehe, little brother, do you want to pet this little lamb?"
"I want to."
Upon hearing the little girl's words, Leng Yixuan replied honestly.
At this, the little girl took Leng Yixuan's small hand and placed it on the Little Lamb.
As she touched the soft, fluffy fur, Leng Yixuan felt a surge of curiosity and joy.
Her laughter, like silver bells, rang out continuously.
Later, while playing with the little girl, Le Yao Yao learned from her that her name was Seiya and that she had an older sister.
Her parents were alive, and the flock of sheep belonged to their family.
Now, she was here tending to the sheep.
When Seiya found out that Le Yao Yao and her friends had come to enjoy the scenery, she warmly invited them to join the evening gathering.
This was a monthly event held by their Miao community, where all relatives and friends would come together to strengthen their bonds. These gatherings often attracted many visitors as well.
Naturally, Le Yao Yao was delighted by Seiya's invitation.
After all, they had intended to experience Miao customs today. So, Le Yao Yao repeatedly expressed her gratitude to Seiya.
Seiya simply smiled shyly in response, her bashful demeanor making Le Yao Yao chuckle.
Who would have thought that dressing as a boy would bring unexpected attention!
Fortunately, they were only staying here for a day; otherwise, it would be troublesome if this little girl became too attached.
As Le Yao Yao pondered this, Seiya led her to her home.
The Miao are a hospitable people.
After a brief introduction from Seiya, her grandfather and Grandma warmly presented some goat milk and unique snacks from the Miao culture to welcome Le Yao Yao and her companions.
Seiya was especially enthusiastic, acting as a guide for Le Yao Yao and the others as they strolled across the vast, emerald-green grassland.
Listening to her clear and sweet explanations while gazing at the blue sky, fluffy white clouds, and the distant mountains standing tall, it all felt dreamlike under the enchanting sunlight, vibrant and lush.
The expansive green grassland seemed endless in spring, with tall, tender grass flourishing everywhere.
It was adorned with colorful little flowers that danced in the breeze, resembling waves in a verdant ocean...
As they admired the beautiful scenery, they noticed Leng Yixuan joyfully weaving through the flock of sheep. The small figure, white and delicate, could easily be mistaken for a cute little lamb if one wasn't paying close attention!
Seeing this, Le Yao Yao couldn't help but sigh with heartfelt admiration.
"It wouldn't be bad if we could live here as a family in the future!"
"Brother Le, do you really think so?"
Upon hearing Le Yao Yao's words, Seiya was momentarily taken aback, then lowered her head shyly, asking with affectionate curiosity.
In her heart, she thought that if Brother Le truly liked this place and decided to stay, then perhaps he would be with her...
At this thought, Seiya felt a surge of happiness, as if she had been filled with honey.
However, when her gaze fell on the Little One playing with the sheep not far away, her big eyes sparkled for a moment. Then she seemed to remember something and asked,
"Brother Le, may I ask where your wife is? Why didn't she come along this time?"
Although she had feelings for the man before her, the Miao people traditionally adhered to a monogamous system.
If the man in front of her already had a wife, then no matter how much she liked him, she would have to painfully let go of that feeling.
As Seiya thought this, her bright eyes were fixed intently on Le Yao Yao's face, her heart filled with unease.
Le Yao Yao, upon hearing Seiya's words, was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
After all, she was a woman; how could she possibly have a Wife!?
So, for a moment, Le Yao Yao remained silent.
However, this silence took on another meaning in Seiya's eyes.
Could it be that Brother Le's wife had already...
Thinking of this, Seiya looked at Le Yao Yao with a hint of pity in her gaze.
Yet, there was also a flicker of secret delight.
If Brother Le was single now, she wouldn't mind him having a son. Moreover, Xuaner was so charming that she couldn't help but like him even more!
The more she thought about it, the further Seiya's mind wandered...
In truth, she was overthinking things. But Le Yao Yao had no idea what the young girl was thinking and could only remain silent.
Meanwhile, Leng Junyu, standing beside Le Yao Yao, felt a slight stir in his heart upon hearing her words.
A family living here!?
Yes, indeed. In this beautiful place, it truly seemed perfect for a family to live.
Having a few children, raising a large flock of sheep, accompanied by a lovely partner, living a life free from scheming and full of simplicity...
In truth, love does not require grand gestures; it is enough to have a steady stream of affection...
As this thought crossed his mind, Leng Junyu envisioned a scene before him: his beautiful wife, every day preparing ginger soup for him, taking care of their children, while he returned from tending the sheep, kissing his lovely wife and then helping the children with their homework and martial arts training...
As time passed, their children grew up one by one, marrying and starting families of their own, while he remained by the side of his beloved wife.
Hand in hand, growing old together...
With this thought, a smile tugged at the corners of Leng Junyu's mouth, and the eyes beneath his black veil sparkled with longing. However...
Longing is beautiful, but reality can be cruel...
Such things were only for him to ponder.
With this realization, Leng Junyu could only sigh inwardly, a shadow of melancholy crossing his gaze.
...
At noon, Seiya took Le Yao Yao and the others to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the vast grassland, sharing many stories about the Miao people.
Le Yao Yao learned that the Miao were famous not only for their goat milk and roasted whole lambs but also for the mysterious and incredible Gu Technique.
Upon hearing this, Le Yao Yao immediately became curious about the Gu Technique like everyone else.
However, these matters were known only to the Miao people and were not to be shared. Seeing this, Le Yao Yao refrained from asking too many questions; after all, they had their privacy.
Despite her curiosity, Le Yao Yao's respect for their boundaries only increased Seiya's fondness for this handsome young man.
After all, she had reached marriageable age. The Miao people traditionally married young; some were even married by ten years old. Now that she was thirteen, it was time for her to find a suitable partner.
Otherwise, her father and Grandma would always worry about her marriage. Not to mention that her older sister was already fifteen and still single!
Seiya thought to herself as she helped her father, Grandma, with the task of slaughtering a sheep.
She had eaten lamb before, but she had never witnessed the act of slaughtering one. Fearing that Leng Yixuan might be too distressed to bear it, she decided to take Xuan for a walk outside, with the man naturally following behind her.
After wandering around the vast grasslands all day and admiring the landscapes she had never seen before, they were now accompanied by a beautiful evening. The Evening Breeze blew gently, and in the distance, a large bonfire began to rise. There, people were bustling about, gathering a number of Miao People and curious tourists who had come to enjoy roasted meat, drink rich milk wine, and dance the unique dances of the Miao culture. Just watching it filled her heart with joy.
Looking back at the man who followed her closely, she noticed he spoke little, yet she was always aware of his presence and had grown accustomed to it.
Whenever she turned around, he was always like a shadow trailing behind her, something she had long since gotten used to.
Habit can be a terrifying thing; once you become accustomed to something, losing it can leave you feeling profoundly empty.
"Dugu Brother, are you really going to leave?"
The Evening Breeze gently blew, causing Le Yao Yao's garments to flutter. Dressed in a snow-white Long Robe, she appeared somewhat ethereal, resembling an otherworldly being untouched by mortal affairs.
Upon hearing Le Yao Yao's words, the usually silent man paused briefly before softly responding with a gentle "Mm."
"Hehe, it seems Dugu Brother truly intends not to stay. I won’t force you; however, may I ask if you would dance with me just this once?"
At this point, Le Yao Yao playfully winked at him.
Her Beautiful Eyes sparkled brilliantly, clear and distinct; it seemed as if they gathered the Radiance of Heaven and Earth within them—so beautiful that one could hardly resist having their soul captivated by her charm.
Seeing this, the man couldn't help but smile lightly and nodded in agreement.
In Miao culture, both men and women could dance together freely.
At that moment, Le Yao Yao and her companions were not far from the large bonfire.
Here, they could hear the peculiar yet enchanting melody, with the bonfire glowing in the distance, while the moonlight illuminated their surroundings.
Le Yao Yao followed the man, learning the dance of the Miao People, jumping and laughing together.
Seeing this, Leng Yixuan found it amusing and couldn't help but join in, dancing along with the three of them...
In that moment, everyone let go of their worries, laughing and shouting, filled with joy...
It wasn't until Seiya arrived to announce that everything was ready that Le Yao Yao and the others stopped. They moved over to indulge in the Miao People's unique roasted lamb, sheep's milk, and large bowls of drinks.
As they watched the young women and men dressed in beautiful clothes adorned with silver jewelry, their vibrant faces dancing to the captivating yet delightful rhythm, it felt like a celebration.
That night, Le Yao Yao drank too much...
Because she hadn't felt this happy in a long time. So she ended up consuming quite a bit of alcohol.
Sitting beside her, Leng Junyu frowned at the sight and reached out to take Le Yao Yao's cup, saying, "Don't drink anymore. If you keep going, you'll get drunk."
"Hehe, Dugu Brother, today I'm just so happy! Really happy!"
With that, Le Yao Yao finished off the drink in her cup.
Some of it spilled from the corner of her mouth and trickled down her rosy cheeks. Under the flickering red glow of the bonfire, it sparkled slightly, making her look stunningly beautiful and somewhat enchanting, causing anyone who saw her to feel their heart race.
However, Le Yao Yao was unaware of how captivating she appeared at that moment; she simply continued to drink cup after cup.
Seeing this, Leng Junyu struggled to suppress his own feelings. With a firm grip, he snatched the cup from Le Yao Yao's hand and hoarsely said, "Stop drinking."
"But what if I want to drink?"
For some reason, upon hearing the hoarse voice of the man beside her, Le Yao Yao felt a sense of dependence on him. It was as if she wanted to hold him tightly, nestle in his strong and broad embrace, and act adorably in his arms.
This feeling was so familiar, like...
"Yu..."
Le Yao Yao murmured softly. Although her voice was very low, it still clearly reached Leng Junyu's ears.
At her words, Leng Junyu's body stiffened, and his heart tightened involuntarily.
Was she thinking of him!?
Le Yao Yao...
His Le Yao Yao...
With this thought, a mix of sorrow and longing filled Leng Junyu's heart.
In the end, he downed the entire cup of wine he had in hand.
Seeing this, Le Yao Yao pouted in protest, both shy and dissatisfied.
"Dugu Brother, that was my wine! Why did you drink it all?"
Watching Le Yao Yao's adorable yet stubborn expression, Leng Junyu felt a flicker of heat in his eyes hidden beneath the black veil. His Adam's apple bobbed as he struggled to suppress the rising heat within him. Finally, he set down the wine cup and pulled the already tipsy Le Yao Yao up gently.
"You've had enough to drink. Let's go for a walk outside to clear your head."
Le Yao Yao initially resisted because she still wanted to drink more. However, when she looked at the large hand that firmly held her wrist, she obediently nodded.
Seeing this, Leng Junyu couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He then exchanged a few words with Seiya and the others, asking them to take care of Xuan before he took Le Yao Yao by the hand and headed towards the hillside.
Once the loud laughter and music behind them gradually faded away, Le Yao Yao and the others found themselves on a slope.
From this slope, they could see a rushing stream below.
Standing on the hillside, one could hear the water flowing with a gurgling sound.
Under the bright moonlight, the cool silvery glow softly illuminated everything, accompanied by a gentle breeze that brought a refreshing chill, dispersing some of the alcohol scent lingering on Le Yao Yao.
At least now, Le Yao Yao could stand upright without relying on anyone else.
As she looked at the man beside her, the evening breeze blew gently, causing his clothes to flutter and making the black hat atop his head sway lightly in the wind.
In that moment, Le Yao Yao felt a sudden urge; if she were to lift his black veil now, she would be able to see his face.
The thought grew stronger in her mind, and her hands began to move restlessly.
After all, during these days spent with this man, she had transitioned from initial disappointment—thinking he was Yu—to gradually beginning to doubt that assumption.
After all, there couldn’t be two people so similar in this world.
Perhaps he had not noticed, but she had.
Yu liked to eat dumplings with chili but never added vinegar.
And this man before her was just the same.
Last time at the inn when they ordered dumplings, the waiter brought vinegar, but he specifically asked for chili instead.
Yu also disliked chopped green onions.
Last time, the waiter accidentally added scallions to his noodle soup, and he sent it back.
Moreover, whenever Yu was deep in thought, he had a habit of rubbing his index finger.
The man before her did the same...
These similarities had long planted a seed of doubt in Le Yao Yao's mind.
However, what puzzled Le Yao Yao the most was that if he truly was Yu, why wouldn't he acknowledge her? Did he have some unspeakable secret?
Even if he had something difficult to share, why wouldn't he tell her?
She could bear all his pain; she didn't want him to suffer alone with his burdens.
The more she thought about it, the more conflicted and tangled her feelings became.
Her hands, hidden beneath her sleeves, opened and closed repeatedly as she watched the black fabric fluttering in the wind, restless and eager...
If only she could lift it, she would uncover the truth she sought...
A voice echoed in Le Yao Yao's heart, urging her on.
Just then, as she took a deep breath and prepared to muster her courage to lift the black veil, the man beside her suddenly spoke.
"Let's... part ways here."
"What!?"
Le Yao Yao, lost in her own thoughts, was struck dumb by his unexpected words. It felt as if lightning had struck her, leaving her momentarily stunned.
Her beautiful eyes widened in shock, and her small mouth fell slightly open as she stared at the lanky man beside her, unable to process what he had just said.
"Separate!?"
"Right here!?"
"Yes, Brother Le, all good things must come to an end. Let us part ways here!"
The man spoke again, and as soon as he finished, he turned away with grace, not looking back, and walked straight ahead.
His demeanor was reminiscent of Xu Zhimo waving goodbye without taking a single cloud with him.
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