Chapter 138: Costs and Rewards

After my grandfather was laid to rest, the old lady seemingly returned to Tianjin, and the group led by A also departed from Fudigou. It felt as though all connection between Mr. Liu, Tang Renjie, and us had suddenly been severed. Fudigou sank into an unprecedented tranquility, yet a foreboding premonition lingered in my heart. Until those people obtained the secrets of the Ghost Path, this was merely a pause, by no means an end.

My older brother stayed at the house for two days before moving back to his detached courtyard in Sanlitun; he was, after all, a man who preferred solitude. Once things had settled down, Han Xue had several times seemed on the verge of speaking to me, only to stop herself. I knew what she wanted—she wanted me to meet her family—but I always feigned ignorance. It wasn't that I didn't want to go; it was simply that I didn't feel ready. When Fatty found out, he berated me, calling me unmanly.

"You don't know anything," I said. "First, this matter isn't over. Those people will definitely make their next move. Second, even if Xue'er is here volunteering, you can tell she comes from a well-off family. With my current situation, even if Han Xue doesn't care, could her parents bear to see their daughter follow me?"

"Little Ye, you're just a loser who can't stand on the grand stage. That’s all nonsense," Fatty replied. "Think about it: does it matter to you whether this is over or not? You’re clearly a key link in this affair, but—and I don't mean to insult you—your brother is there to handle it, and if push comes to shove, you’ve got me. Until the light you extinguished is relit, this has nothing to do with you. And second, do you think you’re still just a minor village official in Fudigou? You are the grandson of Ye Jiangnan of the Ghost Path, the son of the 'Military King' Ye Tianhua, the younger brother of the corpse-gatherer Sun Zhongmou, and your grandmother is the 'Old Buddha' of Tianjin. Your maternal grandfather is the head of that national organization, the Sixth Master. Which one of these identities isn't earth-shattering? Tang Renjie became the richest man in Luoyang just by latching onto Mr. Liu. If you utilized your network properly, what couldn't you have? Even if these people ignore you, you have one more identity—the most awesome and pride-worthy one. Do you know what it is?"

"What is it?" I asked. I was actually getting quite stirred up by Fatty’s words. When you stop to think about it, my family network was truly formidable!

"It's that you are the brother of me, Fatty," he declared, crossing his arms.

"Pfft!" I burst into laughter. I had to admit, hearing Fatty say that was both comforting and moving. To have a friend in this world with whom you share a bond of absolute trust is a truly precious thing.

"So, you're saying I should go meet them?" I asked.

"Why wouldn't you? With your pathetic self, the fact that a girl like Han Xue likes you is a blessing you must have cultivated in your last life. Most importantly, she values you for who you are. Do you know what it means for a girl to take you to meet her family? It means she recognizes you as her future husband. You’re stalling—does that make you a man?" Fatty rolled his eyes at me.

I nodded; I understood that logic. These past few days, I hadn't known how to face Han Xue because of this very issue. After Fatty’s encouragement, my mind was made up. Still, I teased him: "Fatty, why are you so passionate about me doing this? Did you once let a girl down yourself?"

I meant it as a joke, but to my surprise, Fatty’s expression dimmed. "Back when I was thin, I was quite the handsome fellow. Being fat really ruins everything!"

My curiosity was piqued. I was most curious about what kind of woman Fatty could have loved. In my eyes, he was a wild, untamed horse; what kind of heroine would look at him? "Tell me about it, Fatty," I urged.

"I was too obsessed with Taoism back then and missed my chance with her. Sigh, enough, talking about it brings tears to my eyes. By the time I realized what I wanted, she had already retreated into a monastic life. So, Ye, let me tell you: the most important thing is to cherish the person right in front of you. Especially those who are good to you. No one owes anyone anything in this life; never take their kindness for granted."

"Such painful enlightenment," I sang, mocking him. Fatty’s face darkened, and he kicked me in the backside. "Sing and I'll kick your grandfather's ghost!"

Fatty hadn't been staying at the village committee office lately; he said he wanted to study my grandfather’s legendary life, so he moved into my grandfather’s room. After we finished dinner that evening, I took the initiative to tell Han Xue that I would go back with her to visit her family. The sheer joy that lit up her face made me want to slap myself. *Ye Jihuan, Ye Jihuan,* I thought, *a girl treats you this well, and you had the nerve to stall for two days? Fatty was right; you're a piece of work.*

"When are we going?" Han Xue asked, blinking at me.

"You arrange the time," I said.

"Tomorrow is Sunday, and I haven't been back in a long time anyway. Let's go tomorrow; I'll call my mom and tell her," she smiled. When she smiled, her eyes crinkled into crescents, looking incredibly bright and beautiful.

"Tomorrow? So soon?" I exclaimed.

"Do you have other things to do?" she asked tentatively.

Seeing her considerate face, my heart ached. I walked over and hugged her. "What could be more important than you? I was thinking we should leave tonight! I can't wait until tomorrow!"

As I said those words, I felt a sudden sense of liberation.

They say that if you put in the effort, you will be rewarded. Because I hadn't been sleeping well lately, I had been turning in early. After I showered and got into bed, Han Xue went to wash up as well. When she returned, I was already drifting off. In my hazy state, she lifted the blanket and slipped in, keeping her distance. I was used to holding her while I slept, so I instinctively reached for her, but she pulled away further. Thinking she was teasing me, I grabbed her and pulled her into my arms.

The next moment, I froze.

My hands met skin that was smooth, delicate, and soft—a sensation beyond compare. My mind cleared instantly, and I could hardly believe what I was feeling. To be sure, I traced my hand from her back down to her hips, finding only the obstruction of a thin strip of fabric; everything else was bare.

Han Xue was trembling in my arms.

"Xue'er, am I dreaming?" I whispered.

"Yes. Just pretend it's a dream," she murmured.

We had shared a bed for so long, and she always wore a nightgown. Whenever my hands grew restless, she would pinch me. I had never expected her to be so proactive.

"What should I do?" I swallowed hard.

She buried her head deeper into my chest and said in a voice almost too faint to hear, "I'm already like this... what else do you want?"

I pulled her tightly into my arms, kissing her ear, and whispered, "Why are you being so good to me today?"

Perhaps the sensation of my lips on her ear tickled her; she shuddered and looked up, her face flushed with a charming pink hue. She reached out, cupped my face, and said with tender affection, "I feel like you've been too tired, and I wanted to make you happy."

She loosened her arms from her chest, and even in the dim light, I could see the snow-white expanse of her skin. Hearing her moving words, I could no longer restrain myself; I leaned in and kissed her lips.

She struggled only slightly, but as I pressed closer, she abandoned all resistance.

It was a feeling I had never known before.

I began to lose myself, forgetting where I was. My entire mind was filled only with the woman I loved deeply. We entwined, taking from each other until, in the end, I even forgot who I was.

"No, not yet," Han Xue suddenly gasped, clamping her legs together.

Her clarity snapped me back to reality. I realized my hands had already pushed aside the last of her garments—all while I had been lost in the haze.

"I want to," I said, my desire fully in control, staring at her.

"Wait until we've been to my family's house. It's too early for this, okay?" She looked at me with pleading, heart-melting eyes.

Looking at her, my mind gradually cleared. In truth, I had already received more than I could have asked for today, and I was deeply satisfied. I kissed her forehead gently. "I was too impatient. We'll save the final step for when I've officially made you my wife."

We held each other for a while before Han Xue shifted. "I need to go change."

"What's wrong?" I asked, stunned.

Han Xue turned bright red and swatted me.

"What is it?" I asked again.

She pinched me, glaring. "It's all soaked!"