The Qin Family estate was truly massive.

Under Qin Qiu's guidance, Chen Yang had been winding his way through it for ten minutes and still hadn't reached his destination. Beyond its sheer size, luxury and meticulous detail were evident everywhere. Even Chen Yang couldn't help but be inwardly amazed.

As he ventured deeper, the noise from the square completely vanished, replaced by an encompassing silence. Several Qin Family disciples eyed him with suspicion, their gazes fixed on the phone in his hand. Chen Yang paid them no heed, acting as if he hadn't seen them at all.

After walking another few dozen meters, a group of young men guarding a courtyard strode directly toward Chen Yang to stop him. "This is a forbidden area of the Qin Family. You can't just wander around here. Go back to the front square."

To them, an unfamiliar face was naturally a guest for the birthday banquet. It was normal for guests to be curious and look around, but some places were off-limits to strangers. This place, for example.

"I'm here to find someone," Chen Yang said with a polite smile.

"There's no one here for you to find. Leave at once!" Their tone turned hostile.

Chen Yang's smile never faded. With a casual wave of his right hand, he sent the men flying into a nearby flowerbed. Seeing his wife was his top priority. How could a few minions stand in his way?

Chen Yang dusted off his sleeves and strode toward the courtyard ahead.

"Chen Yang, you need to be careful when you get there. There are guards outside," Qin Qiu whispered a warning over the phone.

"I've already knocked them out."

Qin Qiu: "..."

CREAK.

While Qin Qiu was still reeling, the courtyard door was pushed open. The face she had been thinking of day and night crashed into view.

"Honey," Chen Yang called out softly.

Qin Qiu dropped her phone and rushed forward, throwing herself into Chen Yang's arms and clinging to him tightly. Chen Yang held her just as close. In that moment, silence was more eloquent than words.

Then, Qin Qiu burrowed back into his embrace. "Chen Yang, I really want to go out for a walk."

"The Lingjin River must be gorgeous after the snow."

Qin Qiu nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly what I was thinking."

"Hold on tight," Chen Yang said with a smile.

"Huh?!"

Qin Qiu was clearly startled, but she instinctively tightened her arms around him.

BOOM!

With an explosive push from his feet, Chen Yang shot into the air. He used the walls and rooftops for leverage, launching himself like an arrow from a bow as he vaulted toward the outside of the Qin Family estate.

Qin Qiu's face went pale with fright. She wanted to scream but didn't dare, squeezing her eyes shut and burying her head deep in Chen Yang's chest.

"Honey, open your eyes," Chen Yang called out.

Qin Qiu shook her head frantically.

"We're already out."

"Huh?!"

Only then did Qin Qiu open her eyes. Indeed, they were already outside the Qin Family estate. Holding hands, they hailed a taxi and headed straight for the banks of the Lingjin River.

"You... you're just incredible," Qin Qiu said in the taxi, her heart still racing.

Chen Yang leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Of course!"

Qin Qiu: "..."

「On the Banks of the Lingjin River」

The riverbank was teeming with visitors. Snowflakes, like cotton fluff, blanketed the branches, creating a picturesque scene. Naturally, street vendors had spotted the business opportunity and set up their stalls early along the bank.

Qin Qiu held a cotton candy in one hand and a grilled skewer in the other. She felt a little shy under the gazes of passersby, but ultimately, she couldn't resist the temptation of the delicious food and began to take small bites. Beside her, Chen Yang held up his phone, the shutter clicking away as he captured every moment.

Years from now, looking back at these photos would surely bring back the most beautiful memories.

"Here, have some." Qin Qiu had only eaten half of her cotton candy and skewer. Seeing the longing look on her face, it was clear she hadn't stopped because she was full, but because she had saved the rest for Chen Yang.

"You can have it. I'll buy more later," Chen Yang said with a smile.

Qin Qiu crinkled her little nose. "Then I won't be polite!"

As Qin Qiu happily dug in, Chen Yang pressed the shutter again.

Snowflakes danced in the air, and a misty haze shrouded the river's surface. A small wooden boat drifted in the middle of the river. A fisherman in a straw raincoat and conical hat poled the boat along, while at his feet, cormorants would occasionally dive into the water, only to resurface moments later with fish in their beaks. The scene was the spitting image of a traditional ink wash painting. Everyone watched in silence, as if afraid to disturb the tranquil beauty.

Chen Yang and Qin Qiu leaned against the railing. Chen Yang held up his phone and grinned. "Come on, say 'cheese'!"

"Can't you ever be serious?" Qin Qiu laughed, playfully swatting him.

Chen Yang pressed the record button, capturing every detail of the moment, not missing a single frame.

Hand in hand, the two strolled along the riverbank, at times bursting into laughter, at others lowering their heads to whisper to each other.

> *The wind by the river blows through my hair,*

> *Holding your hand, I feel an inexplicable surge of emotion...*

> *I wish I could keep holding your hand and never let go,*

> *Can love stay this pure forever, without any sorrow?*

No matter what the future holds, I want to hold your hand like this forever and never let go. To take your hand and grow old with you.

「The Qin Royal Family Estate」

The vast square was already packed to the brim with a teeming crowd. The entrance of a white-haired old man sent a wave of excitement through the venue. He wore a white robe, and despite being over sixty, his back wasn't the slightest bit hunched. Instead, it was as straight as a javelin. His eyes were especially startling—bright as stars, they made one's heart pound, making it difficult to meet his gaze.

"Protector Qi Yin, I've long admired your reputation!"

"Tsk, tsk. To think the Martial Association would send one of the Four Great Protectors, Qi Yin himself. It just shows how highly they regard the Qin Clan."

"I heard that Protector Qi Yin has already reached the twelfth level and is just a step away from the thirteenth level, Thousand-Faced Yama."

"..."

The crowd was filled with sycophants eager to curry favor, while those who knew they weren't qualified to approach could only sigh and gossip amongst themselves.

"Not bad, not bad. He's a big fish," Yang Hu murmured, glancing at the adulated Qi Yin. A faint smile touched his lips.

"Kid, what are you mumbling about?" a middle-aged man next to Yang Hu admonished with a frown. "Show some respect. They say Protector Qi Yin is here in Qiyun Road to prepare for the establishment of a Martial Association branch. If you want to join, you should go up, offer him a toast, and get your face known."

Yang Hu smiled but said nothing.

This old geezer better watch himself. Otherwise, when the Boss gets back, he might just cut him down on the spot.

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