Chapter 258 - 257: The Vinegar Jar is Overturned

Chapter 258: Chapter 257: The Vinegar Jar is Overturned

The long-separated couple spoke as if no one else existed. They had just mentioned the crowd of onlookers, but in their joy, they had completely forgotten again.

Huo Xingchen saw them growing more and more cheerful, their conversation turning heartfelt. He had no choice but to clear his throat. "Mom, Dad, let’s save the rest for when we’re home."

Gu Qingyin snapped back to reality, quickly straightening up. She tried to act nonchalant, but her crimson face betrayed her true feelings.

Yun Jing was as calm as ever. When he looked up again, he finally got a clear view of the group: four adults and a paper figure. He only recognized Gu Ziqian and "himself."

The moment the two Yun Jings locked eyes, the air fell strangely silent.

The two were identical, with similar auras, both possessing the calm dominance of men in power. However, one wore a black Tang suit while the other wore a business suit and shirt, creating a subtle difference in impression.

"How should I address you?" Yun Jing asked first.

Master Huo replied impassively, "Master Huo."

Yun Jing’s expression was peculiar. ’I’m the Ghost King... I can’t believe my counterpart in this world is a Heavenly Master.’

He nodded, deciding to hide his identity for the time being. With an equally impassive expression, he said, "Thank you for your help, Master Huo."

Master Huo was dismissive. "I didn’t do it for you."

Yun Jing narrowed his eyes. He could tell the man’s words held a deeper meaning, and he was sure it was nothing good.

Qing Yin sensed the tense atmosphere and quickly cut in, "It wasn’t just Master Huo! Senior Dongfang and his apprentice, Qiu Yan, helped a great deal, and so did Senior Gu!"

Yun Jing took the opportunity to look at the others, offering them a polite smile and his thanks.

The others had been silently observing him as well. Admittedly, while the two Yun Jings looked identical, they were still easy to tell apart.

While Master Huo was also cold, he had the distinct air of a righteous, reclusive master. Yun Jing was different. His dominance was tinged with a hint of evil energy, and his entire being radiated an aura that warned others not to trifle with him.

After a brief round of introductions, the group concealed the traces of the Array and headed back the way they came.

On the way back, Yun Jing held Qing Yin’s hand tightly, as if afraid she would disappear again.

Qing Yin, however, was worried about her son. With his short legs, the forest path was difficult for him, and she wanted to carry him.

But Yun Jing couldn’t bear to let his wife get tired. So, despite his inner reluctance, he carried Xingchen in one arm the entire way.

Seen from behind, the family of three was the very picture of harmony, radiating an aura of happiness wherever they went.

Zhang Qiuyan felt a pang of envy and couldn’t help but sigh, "They’re so wonderful together." After saying so, she glanced back over her shoulder.

Master Huo, who had been scouting ahead, had tactfully fallen to the back of the group. His expression was placid, and at first glance, he seemed no different than before. A closer look, however, revealed his unfocused eyes; he was clearly lost in thought.

Zhang Qiuyan blinked in confusion. ’Could it be? Is Master Huo envious of their loving relationship? Has he... developed feelings for someone?’

’Hmm... I used to think Xingchen was Master Huo’s son, so I gave up on the crush I’ve had for years. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, does that mean I can start pursuing him again?’

At the thought, a faint blush crept onto Zhang Qiuyan’s cheeks. ’I’ll have to come up with a good plan when we get back.’

The journey back was much smoother than the trip in. The Ghost King was nowhere to be seen when they passed through his territory; it was as if he didn’t exist.

Only after they had crossed the boundary did the Ghost King materialize, staring in shock and uncertainty at the man ahead—the one carrying a child in one arm and holding his wife’s hand with the other.

’That aura from before... The implications are terrifying.’

It wasn’t just the Ghost King. Gu Ziqian also cast a suspicious glance at Yun Jing. ’Was that fleeting aura just my imagination?’

The rest of the journey was uneventful. After leaving Ai Lao Mountain, they rested in the city for a day before flying home. Once they left the airport, the group went their separate ways.

Dongfang Lingjun took Zhang Qiuyan back to his estate, wanting to strike while the iron was hot and reinforce what his apprentice had just learned.

Gu Ziqian had nothing pressing to attend to, but he had no reason to stay either. He said his goodbyes and headed back to his mountain, casually inviting them to visit whenever they were free.

Master Huo had to return to the Huo Family. A clan that large couldn’t function without its leader’s direction, and many matters were waiting for his final decision.

"You are all welcome back at the Huo Family any time." Before leaving, Master Huo didn’t forget to invite Qing Yin and Xingchen. As for a certain man... he was completely ignored.

Yun Jing didn’t mind in the slightest. ’I saw through him long ago,’ he thought. ’He wants to steal my wife. It was impossible before I arrived, and it’s even more impossible now that I’m here.’

Before Qing Yin could say a word, Yun Jing replied, "We’ve troubled you enough for now, Master Huo. We will be sure to find a suitable day to pay a formal visit and express our gratitude."

Spoken like a true businessman, well-versed in the art of language. With a single sentence, he had clearly established the formal distance between them.

Master Huo’s gaze turned cold. He shot Yun Jing a look, said nothing, then simply nodded to Qing Yin and left.

Yun Jing let out a derisive scoff, then took Qing Yin’s hand, scooped up Xingchen, and turned to leave.

Qing Yin looked exasperated. "What was that for? He just helped us out in a huge way."

Yun Jing shot her a displeased glance. "Don’t tell me you can’t see how he feels about you."

Qing Yin looked a little awkward. "He hasn’t said anything outright, so isn’t it better to just pretend I don’t know? We won’t be seeing him often anyway. It’ll fade with time. There’s no need to make things awkward."

Yun Jing was still not happy. ’I know my own kind too well.’

’Our identities may be different, but our personalities are pretty much the same. When it comes to people or things I—or he—like, I don’t give up easily.’

’But now that I’m here, no one is taking her from me. Not even another version of myself.’

They took a taxi back to Qing Yin’s apartment complex. As the family of three stepped out of the elevator, they were stunned by the sight that greeted them in the lobby.

Over a dozen bouquets of all kinds were piled together, instantly transforming the elevator lobby into a makeshift flower shop. Some had clearly been delivered a while ago and were starting to wilt, while others, still glistening with water droplets, had obviously just arrived.

Qing Yin was completely baffled. ’What is all this?’

Xingchen sucked in a sharp breath and cautiously peeked at his father’s expression.

Sure enough, while Yun Jing’s expression remained impassive, a cold glint had appeared in his eyes. ’Looks like there’s more than one person trying to steal her from me.’

He strode over and plucked a small card from one of the bouquets. The calligraphy had a certain flair, but the message itself was pathetic.

—"Please forgive me. Give me one more chance."

It was signed: *Your loving Jingchuan*.

The cold light in Yun Jing’s eyes intensified. "And who the hell is this Jingchuan?"

"Zhou Jingchuan?" Qing Yin’s brow furrowed in annoyance. "Why won’t he give up? He’s so shameless."

Qing Yin’s attitude improved Yun Jing’s mood slightly. He lowered his gaze to Xingchen. "Explain."

With a serious expression, Xingchen methodically and objectively explained the situation with Zhou Jingchuan in his high, childish voice. He emphasized the man’s entanglement with the body’s original owner and made sure to highlight that his mom had drawn a clear line with him the moment she arrived!

Qing Yin silently gave him a thumbs-up.

Yun Jing’s expression cleared, his mood shifting from stormy to sunny. Tossing the card aside, he said coldly, "Have the housekeeper clear away this trash."