The closer he drew to the Scorching Basin, the more he missed Gu Yuena.
After rus.h.i.+ng into the basin, he rushed toward the small courtyard that he"d rented based on his memory. Just as he was about to reach the courtyard, a streak of green light suddenly flashed toward him.
A faint smile appeared on his face as he reached out before plucking the oncoming Demonic Greenbird directly out of mid-air.
The Demonic Greenbird chirped with displeasure, but was completely ignored by Tang Wulin.
He had been willing to leave Gu Yuena here on her own in large part due to this Demonic Greenbird. This Demonic Greenbird possessed combat prowess that definitely exceeded that of the average Soul Emperor, and he may not even be a match for it without donning his suit of battle armor. With it protecting Gu Yuena, she would naturally be very safe.
Gu Yuena was standing at the entrance of the courtyard in a set of cloth garments, and she was staring eagerly off into the distance. As soon as she caught sight of Tang Wulin, she rushed out of the courtyard before diving into his arms like a dependant little bird.
"Father, Father, I missed you so much!" Gu Yuena held Tang Wulin in a tight embrace.
Tang Wulin was also holding her tightly in his arms, and as he inhaled her familiar scent, all of his weariness and exhaustion instantly vanished.
Tang Wulin had also missed her greatly. He heaved an internal sigh of relief at the fact that she still hadn"t recovered her memories, but at the same time, he was struck by a pang of guilt.
He really wished that she could constantly stay by his side like this, but without her memories, she was incomplete. However, she would most likely leave him as soon as she recovered her memories.
Even back when Tang Wulin had Shrek Academy as a powerful backer, Gu Yuena had still left him without any hesitation. Now that he had lost this powerful backer and was in a very perilous position, she would most likely be worried that she"d bring harm to him.
He stroked her smooth long hair and basked her in her scent as he gradually cast aside all of the thoughts that were cluttering his mind. Regardless of what happened in the future, he was holding her in his arms in the present, and that was all that mattered.
He planted a gentle kiss on her temple before releasing her and laying his hands on her shoulders.
Gu Yuena looked up at him, and her complexion was very rosy and healthy, but it was quite clear from the look in her eyes that she"d missed him very much.
He couldn"t help but plant another kiss on her forehead before asking in a gentle voice. "Have you been well during these past two months?"
Gu Yuena pouted, and grumbled, "How could I have been well when you haven"t visited me at all?"
Tang Wulin chuckled, "Be a good girl now; I"ll make sure to come back more often. If you ever feel lonely, you can take a walk in the basin. The law and order in this place is pretty good, but when you go out, you have to wear a mask and a hooded item of clothing. You"re too beautiful, and that might attract trouble for you."
"Alright, I will," Gu Yuena replied with an obedient smile.
"Father, I want to eat roast meat." Her eyes were filled with yearning.
"Sure!" Tang Wulin agreed to her request without any hesitation.
They visited the rotisserie where they"d dined together in the past before ordering some roast meat.
The owner of the rotisserie still had a clear recollection of Tang Wulin"s enormous appet.i.te, and he smiled at the sight of the exquisitely beautiful Gu Yuena, who had just removed her mask. "It"s been a long time since you two last came here; why are you eating so little today?"
Tang Wulin smiled, and replied, "My appet.i.te has decreased."
He was telling the truth; his appet.i.te had decreased significantly ever since he attained his dragon core.
The owner left, and Tang Wulin turned to Gu Yuena with a curious expression. "Have you not visited this place ever since we came here last time?"
Gu Yuena nodded, and replied, "You weren"t with me, so I didn"t come here."
"Then what have you been eating during these past two months?" Tang Wulin asked.
Gu Yuena replied, "I just bought some random things to eat, and sometimes, I would go out for walks and play with Little Green."
The Demonic Greenbird landed on her shoulder and nodded emphatically as if to back up her words.
The roast meat was crispy on the outside, yet succulent and juicy on the inside, making for an extremely delicious combination. Even though Tang Wulin didn"t need to eat that much food nowadays, he still couldn"t help but eat a little extra to satisfy his cravings.
"Where else do you want to go? I"ll go with you," Tang Wulin asked.
However, Gu Yuena shook her head before latching onto his hand as she replied, "Let"s go home, Father."
Go home.
For some reason, tears welled up in his eyes as soon as he heard those two words, despite how strong he normally was.
Go home.
It had been a very long time since he"d heard the word "home". It was already close to 10 years since his parents had disappeared, and they hadn"t even sent him a single message during that time. He had no idea where they were, and aside from his parents, Na"er was his only close relative.
However, Gu Yue seemed to have fused together with Na"er and adopted her appearance. There were countless questions that he wanted to ask her, but she wouldn"t be able to provide any answers before she recovered her memories. He was really afraid that it would be bad news, and he had already deduced that Gu Yue"s departure most likely had something to do with Na"er.
Go home. It was such a simple sentiment, yet it instantly melted his heart.
He wanted so badly to have a home! It didn"t have to be big or lavish; he just wanted to have his family with him. He wanted to be with his father, mother, and little sister, just like back in his childhood days, and now, there was also her.
He held tightly onto Gu Yuena"s hand as if he were afraid that she"d suddenly disappear, and the two of them returned to their home in the Scorching Basin.
The small room was spotlessly clean, and Gu Yuena pressed Tang Wulin down onto a chair before taking a seat on his leg. She then wound her arms around his neck with a wide smile on her face while leaning her entire body into his arms.
Her silver hair gently ma.s.saged Tang Wulin"s cheeks, and she was filled with intimacy and dependence toward him.
She didn"t say anything else, and her breathing gradually became slow and even.
Tang Wulin"s heart was filled with gentle pa.s.sion, and he carefully scooped up her slender body in his arms before laying her down onto the bed and draping the blanket over her body. He then lay down beside her without taking off any of his clothes, and he gently stroked her cheek before closing his eyes. After a while, he also gradually fell asleep.
After an indeterminate period of time, two drops of tears silently flowed down her cheeks as she slowly opened her eyes.
Her eyes were no longer as clear and pure as those of a child. Instead, they resembled a pair of deep glacial ponds. Her lips were tightly pursed as she looked at him, and she gently raised a hand before also placing her palm on his cheek.
She draped the blanket over his body, then snuggled up into his arms. She then placed his hand onto her own cheek again and completely immersed herself in his warm embrace. She wiped away the tears on her face against his body, then closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
The next day, Tang Wulin woke up early in the morning and bought Gu Yuena some breakfast. What followed was a joyful day of sightseeing.
The Scorching Basin was quite a large place, and there were many noteworthy locations that deserved a visit. The two of them visited a few tourist locations and enjoyed some delicious foods.
He didn"t hold onto his Golden Dragon Spear during this day as he wanted to completely immerse himself in her company.
Joyful times always pa.s.sed by very quickly, and night soon arrived. Tang Wulin latched onto Gu Yuena"s hand as they stood in the courtyard and gazed up at the stars in the sky.
"I have to go, Gu Yue," Tang Wulin said in a gentle voice.
"Don"t go." Gu Yuena immediately threw her arms around his waist.
A wry smile appeared on Tang Wulin"s face. "I don"t want to leave, either, but I have to. I"ll make sure to come back and visit you soon, alright? I"ll wait for you to fall asleep before I leave."
Gu Yuena didn"t say anything, but tears had welled up in her eyes.
Tang Wulin was also extremely reluctant to part with her. This was the happiest and most relaxed day that he"d spent ever since he met Gu Yue. They were like a true couple as they explored the Scorching Basin. If he could live every day like this, then he wouldn"t swap this life even for a G.o.dly berth.
"Let"s go back to the room. I"ll leave after you fall asleep." Tang Wulin held Gu Yuena gently in his arms.
"No, I want to watch you leave." A stubborn look appeared on Gu Yuena"s face.
Tang Wulin faltered slightly as he looked down into her tear-filled eyes. He didn"t want to part with her, either.
"I"ll stay with you for a while longer, then."
Time pa.s.sed by very quickly as they sat in the yard, leaning against one another while looking up at the stars in the sky. After an indeterminate period of time, Gu Yuena still fell asleep with her head resting on Tang Wulin"s shoulder.
Tang Wulin carefully carried her back into the room before gently tapping the Demonic Greenbird"s head. "Make sure to protect her."
The Demonic Greenbird blinked its red eyes in response.
He leaned down and hesitated momentarily before planting a gentle kiss on her lips. He draped the blanket over her body, yet just as he made his way to the door, he couldn"t help but turn around and return to her side before planting another kiss on her lips.
"I"m going now."