Chapter 232

The moonlight was as cool as water.

Yun Jiao had just sent off the old man who wandered out like a lost soul, then bent down to pick up the scattered planning papers from the floor. She had planned to continue writing her ten-year development plan, but for the first time ever, her pen stayed motionless over the page.

For the first time in her life, she was stuck. Her mind was a mess, unable to focus on what to write. Subconsciously, she lifted her gaze toward the top of the nearby tower, her brows furrowing slightly.

The Patriarch had been serious—she could tell.

She might not have experience in romance, but she could still tell whether someone’s feelings were sincere or not.

Although the Patriarch’s way of confessing was… a bit unconventional. When it came to liking someone, he was far too straightforward, even excessively honest. But he truly wasn’t joking. He simply believed that liking her was a perfectly natural thing, something that didn’t need to be hidden or avoided—so he spoke righteously, confidently. And he even wanted to skip the “pursuing” phase entirely, jumping straight into the “in-love” stage.

Yun Jiao herself had no particular objections to the idea of having a boyfriend, but she also had no interest in it. For someone whose logic always outweighed emotion, romance wasn’t something she considered necessary. Besides, with the Xuanmen Sect going through turbulent times, all she wanted was to focus on her career, not be distracted.

Indeed, her Patriarch had good looks, a perfect figure, great strength, and—well—he was adorably foolish too. By all accounts, he was the ideal man. Yet precisely because of that, she couldn’t shake off a strange sense of guilt, as if she were taking advantage of him. Something between them just didn’t feel quite right.

By looks alone, the Patriarch was the kind of man that could make anyone want to pounce in seconds—but she had never thought of him that way.

At first, she saw him as an elder. Later, she saw him as a child.

Never—not once—had she imagined having any sort of relationship beyond that of “ancestor and disciple,” or maybe even “mother and son.” So when he confessed, she had been truly shocked.

Can you imagine it? She had always thought he was gay—only to find out he was bi—and now he wanted to date her!

So she had refused him cleanly, explaining logically and factually that the two of them were impossible.

And then… the Patriarch shut himself off completely.

He hadn’t stepped out of the tower for seven whole days. Yun Jiao, on the other hand, found herself strangely irritable—the first time in her life she couldn’t calm down. The ten-year plan that was supposed to be finished in three days still wasn’t done after seven.

Glancing once more at the silent tower top, she finally sighed deeply, set down her pen, and turned toward the stairs. Fine—maybe she could set aside “the stars and the sea” for now and study something else. Who knows, maybe she could handle both at once?

Yun Jiao rarely went up to the tower. Usually, she had the old man summon the Patriarch when needed. As for meals or snacks—those never required summoning. But today felt different. The air seemed heavier, gloomier than usual.

Maybe it was her imagination, but she could almost sense a desolate atmosphere inside. She climbed the stairs, and as soon as she reached the top, she saw him—standing with his back to her.

The once upright and imposing figure now seemed weighed down, his head drooping slightly as he faced the wall. The air around him radiated pure despair, like a cartoon figure squatting in a corner drawing circles of resentment.

“Patriarch,” she called softly.

The figure stiffened, but didn’t turn around. Instead, he seemed to wilt even more. Though white spiritual energy faintly surrounded him, the whole scene somehow looked bleak and grey.

“You haven’t eaten for seven days,” she said as she approached, stopping two steps away. “Aren’t you hungry?”

He still didn’t answer. Still stared at the wall, motionless.

“The old man saved you some food. Why don’t you go down and eat a bit?” Yun Jiao softened her tone, coaxing gently.

No reaction. It was as if the once food-possessive Patriarch had never existed.

“How about this—I’ll cook for you again. You can have anything you want.”

His hand, hanging at his side, suddenly clenched. After a long pause, a low, hoarse voice came out, heavy with grievance: “There’s no need anymore…”

“…” Yun Jiao froze. For some reason, her chest ached slightly, a dull prick of pain. She sighed. “It’s been seven days already. You’re still upset?”

Was heartbreak really this hard to recover from?

His head dropped even lower, his voice deep and heavy. “I won’t be happy again.”

“Don’t be so pessimistic.” Yun Jiao instinctively tried to comfort him. “You’ll definitely meet someone you like more in the future—or maybe… another man?”

“No!”

That reply came sharp and fast, full of certainty—and just a hint of anger.

Yun Jiao was startled by his sudden tone. Looking at him—clearly upset, but with even more sorrow emanating from him—her heart softened. She asked gently, “Are you really that sad?”

His head hung so low it nearly touched the wall. He didn’t speak for a while. Just when she thought he wouldn’t respond, a deep voice, trembling slightly, finally came out.

“You said… you don’t like me.”

He couldn’t understand it. She cooked so many meals for him, praised him so many times for being the best—so why didn’t she like him?!

Yun Jiao suddenly felt like a scumbag boyfriend. She took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. Then, as if she’d given up her last bit of resistance, she stepped forward and said, “How about… I say yes, and we give it a try?”

The figure in front of her froze. Then, in an instant, he spun around and grabbed her arm tightly. “Really?!” His breath caught, eyes fixed straight on hers. “You really… want to like me?”

“Just trying,” Yun Jiao said, wincing slightly from his grip. She was about to pull away, but seeing the fragile look in his eyes, she stopped. She explained seriously, “I’m not sure if I’ll really fall for you. Let’s just give each other a chance—try dating, okay?”

He stared into her eyes, as if confirming something deep within. After a long moment, his tense shoulders relaxed. Then, suddenly, he smiled—a bright, breathtaking smile.

“Okay!”

In that instant, Yun Jiao felt as if a thousand flowers had bloomed before her eyes, all things awakening at once. It was a beauty beyond description—so stunning it took her breath away.

Thump!

Her heart felt like it had been struck hard. It started pounding uncontrollably, drowning out every other sound. The world around her faded, leaving only the sight of the man before her, smiling at her with pure joy.

For a moment, it felt like her “stars and sea” were drifting farther away—and all she could hear was the racing beat of her heart.

Night Yuan stepped forward naturally, instinctively wrapping her tightly in his arms. The cold emptiness that had haunted him these past days was finally filled.

Then, shameless as ever, he leaned closer and said righteously, “A little sweetness first.”

Before she could react, he lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.

The man, lost in beauty, was instantly awakened—by pain.

Her hand flew up on reflex.

Smack!

A sharp crack echoed through the entire tower—followed by the faint sound of something snapping.

Yun Jiao: “…”

Ye Yuan: “…”

So sweet—

It was sickeningly sweet.

(End of Chapter)