Early the next morning, Su Yi and Qi Yuan arrived at the gate of the mansion.
As they gazed at the familiar courtyard gate before them, they felt an unprecedented pressure.
Normally, they would have simply knocked and entered boldly, but today they hesitated for a long time, unable to raise their hands.
Before coming, their families had repeatedly warned them not to make any impolite moves.
This made Su Yi and Qi Yuan feel even more anxious.
After a moment of hesitation, Qi Yuan and Su Yi exchanged glances, nodded, and walked to the door together.
Just as they were about to raise their hands to knock, the courtyard gate slowly swung open.
Cai Se stood at the entrance, gesturing in an inviting manner. "Miss Qi and Miss Su, my Young Master is already waiting for you in the main hall."
"Th-thank you..."
Qi Yuan and Su Yi nodded politely at Cai Se and then slowly entered the hall.
The hall was spacious and bright, clean and tidy. Compared to before, many items were missing, as if it had been specially cleaned and tidied.
Ning Yechen and Luo Ruying sat in the hall, playfully entertaining Luo Hongye in their arms, while Yue Qingyou stood respectfully behind them.
Seeing Su Yi and Qi Yuan arrive, Ning Yechen and Luo Ruying smiled warmly and greeted them:
"Miss Qi, Miss Su."
"Sister Luo... Brother Ning... Senior Ning!" Su Yi and Qi Yuan replied with a respectful bow.
Out of habit, Qi Yuan almost called Ning Yechen by his usual nickname, but remembering her family's instructions on the way, she quickly corrected herself.
Luo Hongye, nestled in Luo Ruying's arms, chirped sweetly:
"Sister Qi, Sister Su~"
"Little Ye Ye~"
Qi Yuan and Su Yi waved at Luo Hongye with smiles.
Ning Yechen's face lit up with a warm, refined smile as he said casually, "Miss Qi and Miss Su, you can still call me Brother Ning, just like before. There's no need to be so formal."
"Really? Is that allowed?"Qi Yuan asked, her eyes shining with anticipation. "Can I still call you Brother Ning?"
Ning Yechen nodded gently. "Treat me as the same ordinary person you've always known."
"Yes! Brother Ning!" Qi Yuan nodded vigorously, her face beaming.
The memory of the numerous instructions she'd received before coming here weighed heavily on her mind. As soon as she entered the courtyard, her behavior became stiff and awkward, making her feel utterly uncomfortable.
When she heard Ning Yechen suggest she relax and act as she normally would, her tense body eased, and a wave of relief washed over her.
"I told you, Brother Ning is so gentle and considerate—he's not scary at all!"
"But everyone in the city seems to fear you so much..."
"They all say your Demon Clan loves to eat people and is utterly brutal!"
"That's utter nonsense!"
Now relaxed, Qi Yuan regained her usual casual demeanor. Hearing the recent rumors circulating in the city, she clenched her delicate fists and spoke indignantly.
She wasn't unaware of the tales about the Demon Clan, but she trusted her own eyes more. Ning Yechen had helped her family many times and protected Southern Li City—he was nothing like the terrifying figure in the rumors.
Ning Yechen remained indifferent to the city's gossip. Instead, his eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke with deliberate ambiguity:
"Actually, they're not entirely wrong. My Demon Clan does have a tradition of eating people..."
"Eh...! R-really?" Qi Yuan exclaimed in shock.
Realizing she had spoken rudely, she quickly covered her mouth.
"Yes, but it's an ancient tradition, at least a thousand years old."
"And not all Demons are into that sort of thing."
Seeing that Qi Yuan was startled, Ning Yechen continued to explain with a smile.
Hearing this, Qi Yuan gently patted her chest and relaxed. *That scared me to death...*
"Then, Brother Ning... what about you?" Qi Yuan couldn't help but crane her neck curiously. *Someone as kind and considerate as Brother Ning couldn't possibly be into that, right...?*
Ning Yechen turned his gaze to Luo Ruying beside him, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Me? I might 'eat people' too~"
"But only specific people~"
Luo Ruying met Ning Yechen's gaze, her expression momentarily frozen. She couldn't quite grasp his meaning. *Why is he smiling and staring at me like that when he says this...? So suspicious...! Could 'eating people'... refer to me...?*
Realizing what he meant, Luo Ruying's face flushed, and she shot him a playfully indignant glare. *You rascal...! You're not being serious!*
Qi Yuan, meanwhile, looked utterly terrified. *So even Brother Ning eats people?!*
Su Yi, standing beside Qi Yuan, seemed to understand something, and her face involuntarily flushed red.
"I heard you came to see me these past few days. Was there something you needed?" Ning Yechen asked, turning his gaze back to the two women.
Only then did Qi Yuan and Su Yi remember their purpose. They bowed deeply in gratitude.
"We represent the people of Southern Li City, and we've come to express our sincere gratitude to you, Brother Ning and the others."
"Without you, Southern Li City might have vanished long ago."
"Hmph... there's no need for formalities," Ning Yechen said, waving his hand. "I saved Southern Li City simply because I didn't want to lose a place to remember in the future."
This place held memories of his life with Luo Ruying and their child, and the child seemed to love it here. He couldn't bear to let it disappear.
Despite his dismissive words, Qi Yuan and Su Yi still smiled gratefully.
Su Yi, sensing something, spoke up. "Senior Ning, are you... planning to leave?"
Ever since they entered the courtyard, she had vaguely felt as if they were preparing to move, clearing everything out until the space felt empty and tidy.
"Well, it's time to prepare to leave."
Ning Yechen nodded.
Hearing that Ning Yechen's family was preparing to depart, Qi Yuan's eyes immediately welled up with tears, and her face showed her reluctance to part.
"Brother Ning, Sister Luo, are you really leaving so soon?"
"Will you come back in the future?"
"Yes, we will."
"If the opportunity arises, I'll bring the children back to visit."
Luo Ruying smiled gently and nodded.
"Sister Luo, if you come back, you must come visit me!" Qi Yuan said, wiping away tears and sobbing.
She was truly heartbroken by the Ning family's impending departure.
Not only had Ning Yechen helped her family, but she also held deep admiration for Luo Ruying and a particular fondness for Luo Hongye.
Yet she knew that Ning Yechen's family wouldn't remain in Southern Li City...
"Little Ye Ye~"
Qi Yuan knelt before Luo Hongye, about to reach out and give her adorable, chubby cheeks one last pat. But then she paused, remembering something, and looked up at Yue Qingyou beside her.
Only then did she understand why Yue Qingyou always looked like she wanted to kill her every time she touched Luo Hongye's cheeks...
This was the little princess of the Demon Realm...
Yue Qingyou continued to gaze at Qi Yuan with her usual icy demeanor, but then averted her gaze, seemingly tacitly approving of Qi Yuan's impudent behavior.
Qi Yuan was overjoyed and repeatedly rubbed Luo Hongye's adorable cheeks.
*How will I live if I can't do this anymore?*
"Mmm mmm mmm... Big Sister Qi, Big Sister Su, Little Ye Ye will come back to visit you all~" Luo Hongye said in a sweet, muffled voice to Qi Yuan and Su Yi as her cheeks were being rubbed.
Qi Yuan and Su Yi were deeply moved, and their faces lit up with warm smiles.
"Yes! We'll wait for Little Ye Ye to come back~!"
-----------------------
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