Don't farm, cultivate immortality!

That evening, Miss Huai'an finally came out of her room and brought the food to the table.

"I'm leaving tomorrow," Yan Huai'an said.

The mother asked, "Will Miss Yan come back?"

Yan Huai'an shook his head, remained silent for a moment, then met Zhuang Xing's gaze and added a sentence.

"I won't be coming anytime soon."

I won't be coming again anytime soon, which means I'll come back when I have time. As expected, Miss Huai'an still can't bear to part with me.

In fact, Zhuang Xing was also a little reluctant to see her leave. After all, apart from his mother, Miss Huai'an was the person he had spent the most time with.

But some things cannot be forced; everyone's path is different.

I just don't know when I'll be able to see her again after she leaves.

Who knows, in two or three months, you might suddenly see her face standing by the crib; who knows, when you meet her again, she might not even recognize you.

In this world where you can't make phone calls, once you part ways, it's hard to get back in touch.

Like Zhuang Xing's father, whom he had never met, before winter, his father still corresponded with his mother and occasionally sent money back to supplement the family income. But after winter, there was no news of his father for three whole months.

If even the closest of couples can be like this, then Miss Huai'an's departure is likely to be fraught with uncertainty, and who knows when they will meet again.

What else can we do?

He couldn't possibly cry and insist on keeping Miss Huai'an here the moment she stepped out.

To be honest, he felt that if he started to act cute, Miss Huai'an might really not leave.

Although he had a slight urge to do so, after much thought, he decided not to interfere with Miss Huai'an's ideas.

He hadn't forgotten that Miss Huai'an had chased the tiger spirit all the way to the village in order to kill it.

Why did she kill that tiger spirit?

Is it for the money?

To gain the approval of others?

Or was it because the tiger demon possessed something that could aid her cultivation?

Zhuang Xing didn't know why she became a demon exorcist. Although they had spent two months together, he knew nothing about Yan Huai'an's past.

The only thing that can be figured out is that she held onto the sword with unwavering determination.

Regardless of whether it's windy or snowing, she would practice her sword in the courtyard.

A demon hunter who wants to retire and live a secluded life in the countryside probably wouldn't practice swordsmanship so frequently.

At this point, Zhuang Xing realized that he had only grasped a tiny, insignificant part of what Yan Huai'an was all about.

There are still so many mysteries he hasn't figured out.

He hoped that he would have the opportunity to hear Miss Huai'an tell him the story in person someday. It was a strange feeling; even though they hadn't separated yet, he was already looking forward to their reunion.

But... she's leaving tomorrow, so is this Miss Huai'an's last night sleeping in this house?

Despite having decided not to act coquettishly, Zhuang Xing suddenly felt a strong urge to hug her.

Yes, this is a genuine expression of feeling, not just being coquettish.

Having convinced himself of this, Zhuang Xing cried out and reached out to Yan Huai'an, naturally ending up in her arms.

Miss Huai'an did not let him go until night.

Mother didn't say much and let Zhuang Xing and Yan Huai sleep peacefully for one night.

Zhuang Xing slept very peacefully, perhaps too peacefully, because when he opened his eyes in the morning, the familiar figure was no longer by the bedside.

He was a little disappointed. It seemed that he had overestimated himself. Even his attempts to be charming had failed to keep the person from leaving.

Although she didn't leave the person behind, Miss Huai'an left other things in his crib.

He later realized how precious and important it was, something that almost changed the entire trajectory of his life.

Chapter 21 Amulet and Father

Miss Huai'an has indeed left, and with one less person, the room feels empty.

Sometimes when Zhuang Xing got up in the morning, he would habitually get up and look into the courtyard, but he would never see that graceful figure practicing swordsmanship again.

At times like these, he would always hold onto the things Miss Huai'an left behind and stare blankly for a while.

What is Miss Huai'an doing now?

Are they eating? Or practicing swordsmanship?

Or perhaps it went elsewhere to hunt down evil demons?

Zhuang Xing lay in the crib, holding the object in his hand, the image of Miss Huai'an wielding a sword appearing before his eyes.

He carefully examined the metal object in his hand. His mother said it was a talisman given to him by Miss Yan.

This thing looks like it was made of bronze; it has a dark green sheen when the sunlight reflects off it.

This strip-shaped object is about the length of Zhuang Xing's palm, less than ten centimeters. Its surface is covered with intricately carved patterns, like the veins of a leaf, spreading out across its columnar surface. These complex and mysterious patterns intertwine at the top and bottom, creating a figurative graphic.

At the top is a blooming lotus flower, and at the bottom are lotus seeds formed after the petals have withered. They are like two images reflected in a mirror, with their roots intertwined and growing in opposite directions.

This is truly an amazing carving technique. If it were in modern times, it would probably be collected in a museum and become one of its most prized possessions.

Yesterday afternoon, Mother tied it with a red string and hung it around Zhuangxing's neck.

Zhuang Xing believed that this must be a very effective talisman, perhaps able to ward off evil spirits and other evil influences in the house.

No matter what he did, he always carried this amulet with him.

Whether eating or sleeping, he always wore the amulet, even when taking a bath. It gave him a sense of security, as if Miss Huai'an was protecting him. That must be the meaning of the amulet.

However, Miss Huai'an eventually left.

The house became much quieter. The village chief and the old hunter stopped visiting. He returned to the days when he and his mother depended on each other for survival.

About a month after Miss Huai'an left, Zhuang Xing met his father on this day.

When he woke up, he saw a strange face close to his bedside.

The two of them stared at each other, one looking at the other.

Zhuang Xing believed this was his father because his mother was holding the hand of this strange man.

The man looked like he had just come home and hadn't had time to tidy himself up. He was wearing dirty, plain clothes and carrying a bundle on his back, looking travel-worn.

He was a head taller than his mother and looked quite young, at most in his early twenties.

"Come, husband, hold the baby too," the mother said softly.

"Oh...oh!" The man finally realized what was happening, his throat bobbed, and he slowly reached out his hand toward Zhuang Xing.

He looked even more frightened than Zhuang Xing, his outstretched hand trembling slightly.

After he stretched out his hand, he suddenly pulled it back.

He looked around at the newly built wooden house, his hands unconsciously wiping his clothes.

"I...I'd better wash my hands first." The father scratched his head and ran to the kitchen.

At the crucial moment, you actually backed down. What does that mean? Do you feel too dirty to hold such a cute baby?

It wasn't quite what Zhuang Xing had imagined. He had thought his father would be a tougher man, since he hadn't been home for six months and had even been working outside while his wife was giving birth in order to earn money.

To be honest, Zhuang Xing didn't have a good impression of his father before.

He was even prepared for the possibility that his father would have an affair, abandon his wife and children, and never come back.

However, when they actually met, Zhuang Xing's first impression of his father was quite good.

He said he was going to wash his hands, but in reality, he washed his entire body and even changed into clean clothes.

His hair was still wet, and even with the water on, you could see his chapped lips. He probably worked outdoors in the wind and sun a lot, because his skin looked quite dry, and his arms were very muscular.

Despite not seeing each other for six months, his mother didn't seem distant at all. After she brought him a towel, he sat obediently on the stool and let her dry his hair.

Between the couple, Zhuang Xing sensed a very long-standing tacit understanding; they cooperated with each other, something that could not be cultivated overnight.

It seems that the two of them lived like this even before Zhuang Xing was born.

After tidying up, the father came to the crib again.

The father took a deep breath. He seemed very solemn, as if he wasn't holding a baby in a crib, but rather a Dragon Ball that could grant a wish once all seven were collected. He was about to make a wish, hopefully not something like growing five centimeters taller.

Seeing his father looking so serious, Zhuang Xing couldn't help but want to tease him.

Let's play a little prank.

When his father picked up Zhuang Xing, Zhuang Xing suddenly burst into tears.

As expected, the father immediately became flustered.

"Xiao...Xiao He, you do it." The father said hurriedly, and was about to hand Zhuang Xing to the mother.

The mother had no choice but to take over the business.

Once in his mother's arms, Zhuang Xing stopped crying.

Mother sat down and gently rocked Zhuangxing in her arms.

The father stood there, somewhat at a loss. He didn't know whether to stand or sit. His gaze remained fixed on Zhuang Xing's face, and he sighed.

He looks really pitiful...

Forget it, let's stop teasing him.

He didn't abandon his mother on purpose; he was sending money home.

Zhuang Xing remembered that he had given him a small blanket. That warm little blanket accompanied Zhuang Xing for a long time, but later the tiger spirit tore the blanket to pieces. Even now, Zhuang Xing still misses it. He has never found such a comfortable little blanket again.

The stove and rocking chair were bought with money sent back by my father. Thanks to him, we were able to enjoy a peaceful and tranquil time in early winter.

The sachet he sent back was still hanging from her mother's waist.

Although it was their first meeting, Zhuang Xing had already felt love from his father.

Love is something that needs to be nurtured by each other.