Yang Yunhai fell silent.
Last time he hadn't gone because he was still at the academy—that could be excused. But this time, they were all in Heaven Dou City. If he refused again, it would really seem like he was snubbing them.
In the original story, Dugu Bo dared to openly talk about marrying off his granddaughter to Tang San because he knew Tang San's true identity. Even if he drugged Tang San and forced the matter, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wouldn't dare touch him. But he, Yang Yunhai, was just an ordinary civilian spirit master, with no family background behind him. Still, Dugu Bo wasn't reckless. At least not while Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng hadn't officially broken up—he wouldn't act rashly.
Thinking of this, Yang Yunhai gave a slight nod and smiled. "Yan Yan, then I'll accept the invitation."
Dugu Yan's smile bloomed. "You should. Without your help, my illness might never have been cured in this lifetime."
After she spoke, she turned toward Yu Tianheng. "Tianheng, are you coming with us?"
"I'd better not." Yu Tianheng quickly waved his hands.
He already knew from Dugu Yan's earlier words that Dugu Bo wasn't very fond of him right now. Going would only invite trouble.
"Alright then." Dugu Yan nodded faintly, but a trace of disappointment flickered in her eyes.
Not because he refused, but because of his attitude—the way he immediately chose to retreat.
If he didn't even dare to show his face, how could he prove himself in front of her grandfather? She'd wanted to bring Yu Tianheng along precisely to ease tensions. With Yang Yunhai, her savior, present, her grandfather wouldn't lose his temper openly.
That would have been Yu Tianheng's chance.
At the dinner table, all he had to do was offer tea, sincerely thank Yang Yunhai, and show respect toward her grandfather by extension. That would have proven he considered himself not just her boyfriend, but someone aiming to be her future husband. It would have shown that he understood relationships, that he could extend goodwill toward her benefactor, and that he valued her.
It would have given her grandfather a reason to soften his view of him.
That was why she had twice invited Yang Yunhai as a guest in Yu Tianheng's presence.
Including that time she returned to the academy early and hurried with Yu Tianheng to the training grounds at dawn. When Yang Yunhai arrived, she immediately bowed in gratitude, making the gesture formal and grand. Of course, part of it was genuine thanks, but it was also to hint to Yu Tianheng how heavily her grandfather valued Yang Yunhai, and how much she owed him. It was a signal for Yu Tianheng to be prepared and behave properly afterward.
Even just now, when she'd said that without Yang Yunhai she might never have recovered, that too had been part of it.
But she hadn't explained any of this to Yu Tianheng beforehand. She wanted to see if he could figure it out himself, if he could change. Just as her grandfather had said, she needed to reassess him from a different angle, to see if he was truly someone she could entrust her future to.
And now… she could only feel disappointed.
Still, she quickly collected herself, turned to Yang Yunhai and Zhu Zhuqing, and smiled.
"Xiao Hai, Zhuqing, then we'll meet tomorrow morning."
"Alright." Yang Yunhai smiled and nodded. At his side, Zhu Zhuqing also nodded gently with a small smile.
Only then did Dugu Yan glance at Ye Lingling. With a slap on her thighs, she stood up and nodded. "Lingling, let's head back to our room."
"Mm." Ye Lingling stood gracefully.
Dugu Yan had insisted they share a room, saying she didn't feel at ease letting her stay alone. But with a woman's intuition, Lingling could tell Dugu Yan was deliberately keeping distance from Yu Tianheng. As a friend, she didn't comment. Companionship was the greatest support she could offer.
"I'll head back too." Yu Tianheng stood and followed after them.
"Zhuqing, let's go." Yang Yunhai pulled Zhu Zhuqing's hand gently, rising and strolling slowly toward their room.
As he walked, his gaze lingered on Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng ahead. He recalled the faint shift in Dugu Yan's expression when Yu Tianheng had refused her invitation. She had hidden it well, but with his strong spiritual sense and close distance, he had clearly felt the disappointment.
It was obvious—Dugu Yan truly had wanted Yu Tianheng to come.
'Why did she want him to come so badly?' Yang Yunhai thought from her perspective.
A moment later, he couldn't help curling his lip. 'No wonder—she really is Dugu Bo's granddaughter.'
'But honestly, with such subtle hints, did she ever stop to consider if Yu Tianheng could even get them?'
'Then again, Yu Tianheng really is Yu Xiaogang's nephew. Faced with matters of the heart, his first instinct is always to escape. The first time, he wrote home to let his elders decide instead of going himself. The second time, he outright retreated, unwilling to face Dugu Bo. He never once thought about the root of the matter—why Dugu Yan was even asking him.'
'Unfortunately, Dugu Yan isn't Bibi Dong or Liu Erlong. This time, Yu Tianheng might really be doomed.'
Casting a sidelong glance at Zhu Zhuqing, Yang Yunhai smiled faintly and entered his room.
Later, both washed up and lay down on the bed. Of course, Yiner was there too, hugging his arm.
"Yunhai, are Sister Yan and Captain Tianheng having problems?" Zhu Zhuqing asked after some idle chatter.
A woman's intuition had told her there was something wrong between the two.
"It's more than just a quarrel." Yang Yunhai shook his head. Lowering his voice, he added, "I haven't told you before, but this goes back to when I suggested using a soul bone to purge Sister Yan's poison."
"She wasn't suffering from some lingering illness. She was poisoned—and it could have killed her at any time."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened in shock, her expression turning solemn as she listened closely.
Yiner, on the other hand, tilted her head, curious as ever.
"…And that's why Sister Yan invited us, and also invited Tianheng. If my guess is right, it wasn't just to thank me."
Yang Yunhai continued, softly recounting his reasoning step by step.
He did not mention Dugu Bo's hidden intentions toward him—he had no proof, and saying it would sound arrogant.
Hearing it all, Zhu Zhuqing's heart welled with warmth. She edged closer, pressing lightly against him. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Yiner, then thought: 'Even with those little accidents, my man is decisive, responsible, and truly a man.'
Compared to Yu Tianheng or Dai Mubai, the difference was stark.
'Yun is the best!' Yiner thought, not really understanding but still convinced that her Yun was amazing.
Then Zhu Zhuqing suddenly frowned slightly, raising her head with worry. "Yunhai, today you beat Tianheng in front of everyone, and with everything else before… do you think they might…"
"Don't worry. We still have Grandpa Dugu. He's a man who knows debts and favors. I saved his life, he won't just stand by." Yang Yunhai smiled.
'So even helping Sister Yan was part of his plan…' Zhu Zhuqing thought. She suddenly realized how much Yang Yunhai had quietly done—for her, for them. From devising training methods, to drawing close to Dugu Yan, to reaching Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, every step was perilous.
Becoming a Titled Douluo meant not just strength, but shrewdness. Getting close to someone like that was like dancing on a blade's edge.
No wonder Yunhai trained so relentlessly. Like her, he was desperate to grow stronger—to protect himself, and to protect her.
Her eyes stung with tears, moved beyond words.
"Alright, Zhuqing, don't think too much. Get some rest—we need to be up early tomorrow." His arm tightened gently around her waist, his voice low.
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded softly.
(End of Chapter)
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