If his mother’s death was an unresolved knot in Ye Lingyuan’s heart, then this ray of light was his salvation as he teetered on the brink of a dark abyss.
If there was a way in this world to redeem a desperate love, then that way was undoubtedly to love again.
Zi Lingling's murmuring voice gave Ye Lingyuan hope and also brought warmth to his vengeful heart.
The dark energy that enveloped Ye Lingyuan's soul rapidly receded.
At the same time, the dark energy swirling around his body also quickly dissipated.
Ye Lingyuan slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Zi Lingling's worried gaze.
"I'm fine now!"
Ye Lingyuan tugged at the corners of his stiffening mouth.
"Mhm!"
Zi Lingling let out a sigh of relief and nodded.
"You were worried about this king?"
Ye Lingyuan looked at Zi Lingling intently, his voice filled with joy.
His slightly curved lips, his smiling eyes, made Zi Lingling momentarily stunned.
A seducer!
A captivating seducer!
A soul-stirring seducer!
Zi Lingling's heart pounded, and the tips of her ears felt a little warm.
Strange!
Have I truly fallen for him?
Zi Lingling asked herself.
"You were worried about this king!"
This time, Ye Lingyuan spoke with certainty, not a question.
Zi Lingling snapped back to attention. "Um… um, I was just curious, yes, curious."
"Curious about what?"
Ye Lingyuan's eyes twinkled with amusement.
His Ling'er was becoming more and more interesting.
"Curious… curious… curious about what you experienced in your dream."
Zi Lingling avoided Ye Lingyuan's gaze,
as if her hidden thoughts had been seen through.
"When we get out, this king will tell you everything. After all, we are husband and wife; we should be honest with each other, shouldn't we?"
Ye Lingyuan nodded. He didn't expose her but went along with her words.
Of course, he wouldn't be conventional.
Who asked Zi Lingling to be so adorable now? He couldn't help but tease her a little.
"Oh, oh, oh!"
Zi Lingling nodded flusteredly, but she soon realized something was amiss.
Then, a certain someone became agitated.
"Ye Lingyuan, what nonsense are you spouting? Who is your wife?"
Her lack of conviction perfectly explained what it meant to protest too much.
"Didn't you say it yourself?"
Ye Lingyuan looked at her mournfully and said pitifully.
Zi Lingling froze and asked blankly, "I said it? When did I say that?"
Ye Lingyuan smirked charmingly. "Fuyuan Town, don't you remember?"
Zi Lingling shook her head and said, "I don't remember."
Ye Lingyuan gave her a strange look and said, "What is the meaning of this? Are we not welcome to dine here, my wife and I?"
Of course, he was imitating Zi Lingling's expression and tone from back then.
Zi Lingling's expression stiffened.
She had only said that to make things convenient at the time.
How could she have imagined that Ye Lingyuan would use it to corner her?
Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly defended herself, "That was for convenience!"
Her demeanor perfectly illustrated that explaining was concealing, and concealing was the truth.
Ye Lingyuan smiled faintly and said, "So Ling'er speaks without thinking!"
Zi Lingling nodded, her face red, and said, "You…" It's good that you know!
"But this king took it seriously, what should I do?"
Ye Lingyuan's words directly choked the unsaid four words in Zi Lingling's throat.
His slightly roguish smile and mournful expression made Zi Lingling instantly feel like a scummy woman.
At this moment, Ye Lingyuan was like a pure young boy, while Zi Lingling was like a bad woman who had deceived his feelings.
Zi Lingling was speechless.
What to do?
Strange!
Didn't she only consider Ye Lingyuan as "one of her own"? Why did she care so much about Ye Lingyuan's mournful gaze?
"You… you don't take it seriously. After three months, you'll understand. I… I am truly not the one for you."
As Zi Lingling spoke these words, a trace of bitterness inexplicably welled up in her heart.
Ye Lingyuan's face turned cold.
How could he not take it seriously?
Three months was merely a buffer period he had given Zi Lingling.
After all, they had known each other for too short a time. Forcing Zi Lingling to accept his feelings so abruptly, he feared it would startle her.
Therefore, he had proposed the three-month agreement.
"You are not the one for this king? Then who do you want to be the one for?"
A dangerous glint flashed in Ye Lingyuan's eyes.
Zi Lingling felt a pang of guilt.
She truly couldn't figure out her feelings for Ye Lingyuan right now.
Even though she was decisive and cunning in her dealings, in matters of the heart, calling her an idiot would not be an exaggeration.
"No… no one…"
Ye Lingyuan's expression softened slightly. "It's best if that's the case. If you dare to be someone else's, this king will tie you to the bridal sedan of the Underworld King's manor!"
"Why are you so domineering?"
Zi Lingling said angrily.
But why did she feel a hint of sweetness in her heart?
Ye Lingyuan was pleased by her reaction, and the corners of his lips curved into a faint smile.
"This king is only domineering towards you!"
"You!"
Zi Lingling gritted her teeth.
But why was that sweet feeling spreading?
Ye Lingyuan smiled.
He loved seeing Zi Lingling agitated.
"In this lifetime, you'll never escape this king's side!"
Ye Lingyuan didn't forget to add fuel to the fire.
He understood Zi Lingling too well.
Theoretically, they were the same kind of people. Because they both liked to swim against the current.
But while swimming against the current, the impression would also be deeper.
"Ye, Ling, Yuan! What do you take me for!"
Zi Lingling was so angry that her nostrils were practically steaming.
She was a person, not an object, and she didn't like being confined.
"Silly girl, of course, this king takes you as this king's princess!"
The curve of Ye Lingyuan's lips widened, and his voice was tinged with indulgence.
"Ah!"
Zi Lingling was caught off guard by the overwhelming affection.
The anger in her heart quickly dissipated, vanishing without a trace.
"Do you two want to challenge the next level?"
The Spirit of the Altar, having been fed a mouthful of public display of affection, interrupted their intimacy with displeasure.
"Don't blame this spirit for reminding you, you only have two and a half days left!"
Ye Lingyuan's icy gaze fell on a certain spot where the Spirit of the Altar was hiding.
Zi Lingling, however, clutched at this like a life-saving straw and hastily said, "Tell us, what is the eighth trial?"
The Spirit of the Altar shivered and couldn't help but blame itself.
How could it have forgotten that this man was a ruthless character?
Recalling the previous "One Qi Whip" and "One Qi Shield," its attitude immediately softened.
"The eighth trial is called 'Origin.' Are you ready?"
Origin?
What sort of thing? Oh no, what does it mean?
Zi Lingling was stunned for a moment and asked, "What does it mean?"
The Spirit of the Altar glanced at Ye Lingyuan and said helplessly, "I don't know. You will have to explore it yourselves!"