Four

Childhood sweethearts part ways here

The tigress suddenly spoke: "Go to the Heavenly Gate Sect"

The old tigress took out a considerable amount of silver coins from the counter and placed them into a small pouch. Then, she retrieved several worn letters that had been rummaged through and handed them to Xiao Ziyu, advising, "These are letters left by your father. Take them and see if they are of any use. Cultivating your spirit is not easy, so do not go missing. If you truly cannot succeed, then accept your fate and come back. I still have a position for you here as a servant, so you won't starve. If others scold you, just think of me; their words cannot be as harsh as mine. Do not get too agitated, or you will only make a fool of yourself..."

Xiao Ziyu remained unmoved: "Aunt, I am going to leave Xiao Family Village now. Please tell me about my father's situation." Having followed the tigress for so many years, he believed that the tigress must know something.

It turns out that Xiao Yunfan's affection for Yue Niang's boyish charm was merely that of a good brother and playmate; his true affection lies with girls like Ye Zitong, who are gentle, kind, and soft-spoken. The more she is compared to Ye Zitong, the more inferior Yue Niang feels, and the more inferior she feels, the more she hates, a hatred that runs deep, a hatred that shatters her heart

Xiao Ziyu sincerely said: "I know that you do not like me in your heart, yet you have still not abandoned me. Over the years, if it were not for Aunt's care, both openly and secretly, I would have long since perished. Although I do not appreciate Aunt scolding me, I recognize the kindness shown to me, so I want to express my gratitude to you before I leave."

The tigress fell silent for a moment before saying: "Is this all there is to it?"

Xiao Yunfan was preoccupied with thoughts of spiritual cultivation and did not think much about it. Moreover, he always felt that his relationship with the carefree and boyish Yue Niang was merely one of brotherly friendship. Being compelled by their parents' wishes to marry, he could not fathom the depth of the other’s feelings. Thus, he happily replied: "Alright, I will come back! I will also write letters."

Xiao Ziyu looked at her with some surprise

The Moon Maiden asked Xiao Yunfan: "If you do not go for spiritual cultivation, if there is no Ye Zitong, and you remain in this small village forever, would you marry me according to your mother's wishes?"

The Moon Maiden received a promise, and was overjoyed.

He bowed twice to the dazed old tigress and turned to leave

The tigress was somewhat vigilant: "Don't think that just because you act soft, I will go easy on you. Take care of you? Bah! I brought you here specifically to vent my hatred for your father! You speak sweetly, but deep down, you must be wishing for my death, right?"

Is that so? Xiao Ziyu, realizing that he could not obtain an answer, finally gave up. Before leaving, he bent down and deeply bowed, saying, "Aunt, I am leaving now, and it may be difficult for me to return. Thank you for your care over the years. Please take good care of yourself in the future, and do not drink too much, as it is not good for your health."

This farewell may mean it will be many years before I can return

Xiao Yunfan is handsome, intelligent, and capable, making him the ideal husband that every girl in the village desires. Since childhood, Yue Niang has harbored deep feelings for him. Upon receiving this news, she was overjoyed and felt so happy that she was embarrassed to meet Xiao Yunfan for several days.

Yue Niang did not believe it at all; she thought that Xiao Yunfan liked her, and that what he said was merely an excuse. He was afraid that she would not be able to become a spiritual practitioner, afraid that she might die, which was why he dared not agree to her. She also wanted to go to spiritual practice with Xiao Yunfan, so she went to Qi City to take the exam together, but unfortunately, her talent was not enough to impress the members of the Spiritual Practitioners Association

No, more importantly," Xiao Ziyu thought for a moment, her face slightly flushed, and still said loudly, "I like spiritual cultivation! I am my father's son! I want to be a spiritual master just like my father!"

A prolonged silence

Xiao Ziyu! Have you finally grown some skills? Just as despicable as your father! Just as shameless as your mother! Cultivation, cultivation! Has your brain grown on your backside? Do you still want to live? I absolutely forbid you from going to that kind of hellish place! As expected, the tigress mother gave him no room for explanation, cursing him fiercely, each word filled with fiery malice. "Your body is thinner than my rolling pin, and your brain isn't smart either! In the village, so many children are smarter, more clever, and stronger than you, yet they don't think about cultivation. What right do you, a useless person, have to cultivate? What's so good about cultivation? Fighting? Showing off? Or are you going to follow in your father's footsteps, chasing after wild women, completely disregarding your parents' orders and matchmaking? No wonder you are the spawn of a bastard!"

However, she could not bring herself to kill Xiao Yunfan back then, and today she cannot kill Xiao Ziyu either

The story of childhood sweethearts is always romantic and warm

The moon goddess's premonition was not wrong; eight years later, Ye Zitong severed ties with her family and married Xiao Yunfan.

The tigress's eyes were red-rimmed as she gritted her teeth and said: "Xiao Family Village has nothing good; they have all deceived you. Your father was a very good man, but he was just a bit unfortunate. He did not wrong me; I just hate him. I hate that he left me to pursue spiritual cultivation, I hate that he married Ye Zitong, I hate that he did not listen to his mother and marry me. I also hate myself for being foolish. Ever since the news of your father's disappearance came, I have hated him even more. What is so good about spiritual cultivation? Is it worth sacrificing one's life for? I dislike you because I hate your father, because I hate that you carry Ye Zitong's blood. But I cannot ignore you, because you are his only bloodline, so I cannot bear to watch you follow in your father's old path."

No matter how much suffering he endures, the heart of the youth remains untainted; he keeps all the little bits of goodness in his heart

Xiao Ziyu suddenly spoke: "Aunt, what kind of person is my father?"

Xiao Ziyu answered loudly: "Yes!"

The practitioner has departed, and it is unknown in what year they will return, nor is it known how life and death will unfold

The tigress took a deep breath, organized her emotions, and said: "The letter your father sent me mentioned that he joined the Heavenly Gate Sect. When he returned to his hometown with Ye Zitong to pay respects to his ancestors, he was wearing the blue robe of the Heavenly Gate Sect, just like those disciples of the Heavenly Gate Sect who passed by our teahouse a few days ago. There should be information about your father in the Heavenly Gate Sect."

Get lost! The tigress, seeing that he was impervious to reason, was both angry and annoyed, and had no intention of saying much to him. "You might as well die outside like your father! I would finally have some peace! Get out, get out, get out! The sooner you die, the sooner you can be reborn! Your father is a liar! Do you want to know about your father? Ha! I won't tell you a single word!"

Xiao Ziyu stubbornly said: "Only by engaging in spiritual cultivation can I truly know where my parents have gone and what they have done"

Xiao Yunfan greatly admired Yue Niang, considering her a brave and righteous companion. Yue Niang also enjoyed sticking close to Xiao Yunfan, listening to him talk about dreams and tell stories. The two children would playfully chase chickens and beat dogs, facing punishment and scolding together, inseparable. After a while, both of their mothers felt that the two children were a match made in heaven, and thus they discussed the idea of an engagement.

After getting married, Xiao Yunfan took Ye Ziting back to Xiao Family Village to pay respects to his parents. At this time, although Xiao Yunfan's attire was simple, he appeared even more handsome, full of vigor and talent, exuding a different aura from that of a rural child. It was then that he realized that Yue Niang had not married at all, but many opportunities had been missed, and it was too late. Yue Niang harbored a nearly hysterical hatred for Ye Ziting. If Ye Ziting were just an ordinary girl, it would be one thing, but this girl from a noble background, he now realized that Yue Niang had not married, yet many things had been missed, and it was too late. Yue Niang almost hysterically loathed Ye Ziting; if Ye Ziting were merely an ordinary girl, it would be acceptable, but this girl of noble birth was more beautiful, more intelligent, stronger, more capable, and more graceful than her. Standing before her gentle smile, Yue Niang felt as insignificant as dust, remaining in place, only worthy of gazing up at this pair of ethereal beings.

The young man, seemingly impervious to reason, is determined to pursue spiritual cultivation, his resolve unwavering, just like that person from years ago.

Recalling the past, the tigress's anger flared up again as she shouted hysterically: "He is a scoundrel! A despicable person! A liar! A rogue!"

However, the mistake has already been made. Without Xiao Yunfan, Yue Niang will never marry in her lifetime. She wishes to eternally curse that detestable couple.

At that time, the "mother tiger" was not yet called that; she was just a lively and cheerful young girl, whom everyone called Yue Niang. Yue Niang was not as fat and ugly as the mother tiger, but rather had a round face and a tall, slender figure. Although her temper was a bit fiery, she was upright and reasonable, often speaking out for those in the village who were bullied, which led to her parents scolding her.

Xiao Ziyu's frail body stands firm amidst her tempest, gritting her teeth and enduring the storm

The moon goddess vowed to wait for him

The love between childhood sweethearts has thus come to an untimely end

Yue Niang waited alone in the rural village, where communication was difficult. She insisted on writing about the village's interesting events to Xiao Yunfan, and occasionally received replies from him. The letters were filled with various anecdotes from the spiritual cultivation sect, but gradually, a girl named Ye Zitong began to appear in the correspondence. Initially, Xiao Yunfan described her as coming from a prestigious family in spiritual cultivation, accustomed to a life of luxury, wearing exquisite purple silk worth a fortune, and drinking flower wine valued at a hundred taels of silver. He had a poor impression of her, believing she was oblivious to the hardships of the common people and relied on money to pave her way. However, he later mentioned that she was humble and eager to learn, lacking the airs of a wealthy young lady, and was particularly lovely, intelligent, and just. Yue Niang had an ominous premonition, but she was reluctant to believe it, after all, such a young lady would never marry a poor boy

The depth of love is matched by the depth of hatred, and love and hate never fade away

Xiao Yunfan said: "Perhaps, but there are no 'ifs' in this world; I would not stay in a small village"

Xiao Ziyu was taken aback for a moment, then bowed deeply once more, expressing her gratitude joyfully: "Thank you, Aunt."

The moon goddess left in tears

After the sadness, she forced a smile and said to Xiao Yunfan with anticipation: "I will wait for your return, and you must write to me often"

The tigress was nearly driven to madness; in her eyes, this fourteen-year-old child was as detestable as his father. She even contemplated using the rolling pin in her hand to strike him fiercely on the head and body, just as she had done in the past, intending to beat him to death.

The tigress stood up and slowly walked towards the counter: "If your father were still alive, tell him that Yue Niang still hates him"

After scolding for about half an hour, the fierce mother tiger was hoarse from yelling, causing no one within a ten-mile radius to dare approach. Seeing that Xiao Ziyu showed no sign of response, she finally stopped to catch her breath.

Xiao Ziyu said: "But I still want to go."

"Good." Xiao Ziyu suddenly felt a bit of moisture at the corner of her eye

However, before they had the chance to become engaged, Xiaojia Village was attacked by demons, resulting in the death of Xiaoyunfan's parents. After completing the mourning period, Xiaoyunfan decisively chose to become a spiritual practitioner

Xiao Ziyu stopped in his tracks and turned around. He saw that the tigress seemed to have aged considerably, with many marks of time etched on her face, each one a testament to hardship. Yet, there was still a unique radiance on her face. She sat down in a daze, gazing at the distant hills, reminiscing about the past, filled with sweetness, pain, and sorrow: "Your father was just like you, particularly fond of listening to stories and dreaming. In his dreams, he was a great hero, a chivalrous knight, a sorcerer, and so on. My mother and your grandmother were close friends, and he and I were childhood sweethearts. I had a fiery personality, acted boldly like a man, and often caused mischief. He would take me to climb trees, collect bird eggs, and catch fish in the river. Those days were particularly joyful, just like a dream..."

Xiao Yunfan told Yue Niang not to wait any longer, as he regarded her merely as a younger sister and a good friend, without any romantic feelings.

The misunderstanding was clarified, and Xiao Yunfan felt an overwhelming sense of guilt towards his childhood best friend. He could not bear to face the resentful gaze of Yue Niang. After paying respects to his parents, he hardly lingered in the village and left with his wife.

The only person she can compare to Ye Zitong is that she loves Xiao Yunfan even more

"Wait!" The fierce woman suddenly called out to him, hesitated for a long time, and finally sighed before speaking, "Your kind nature is just like your father's, but you don't resemble him at all. Your father was much more handsome than you when he was young. You don't look much like your mother either, that vixen... No, your mother has an oval face and big eyes, she is much prettier than you. By the way, you take after your grandmother, especially those eyes. Back in the day, your grandmother was also a delicate and tall beauty. If it weren't for the family's misfortunes, she wouldn't have married your grandfather."

But Xiao Yunfan does not love her

The tigress inquired: "Why?!"

It is easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to send charcoal in the snow