Immortals Step into Heaven

Ergou said this with a hint of worry and reluctance in his eyes, "Brother Xiaoyuan, when you come back this time, you must have a good talk with Ling'er. No matter what you think, don't let her wait like this anymore. It's too painful."

Zheng Yuan's steps suddenly stopped, the smile on his face froze instantly. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes: shock, guilt, and even more heartache for Ling'er. He pursed his lips tightly, and after a long silence, he slowly spoke. "I... I didn't know Ling'er had been waiting for me. I was working hard outside, living a muddled life, and I actually ignored her deep affection."

Ergou looked at Zheng Yuan, sighed softly, and said, "Brother Xiaoyuan, don't blame yourself too much. Ling'er has set her heart on you, and we all saw it. Now that you're back, you have to think carefully about how to make Ling'er a better person. She hasn't had an easy time these past few years. She's always thinking of you, and she often stares blankly in the fields you used to go to when you were little."

Zheng Yuan took a deep breath and his eyes became firm. Ergou, don't worry, I will talk to Ling'er and give her an explanation.

Ergou patted Zheng Yuan on the shoulder and said, "Okay, Brother Yuan, I feel relieved with what you said. Ling'er is a good girl. You must not hurt her heart again."

Zheng Yuan and Ergou chatted along the way and soon passed by Zhao Linger's home. Zheng Yuan's eyes fell on the familiar door, and memories of the past flooded into his heart like a tide. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes: longing, uneasiness, and more importantly, the anticipation of a long-awaited reunion.

Ergou looked up at Zheng Yuan and saw him standing at the door in a daze, so he said softly, "Brother Yuan, don't you want to go in and take a look?" Ergou's voice was very soft, as if he was afraid of disturbing the tranquility, and as if he was carefully reminding Zheng Yuan.

Zheng Yuan regained his composure, feeling a little hesitant. He wondered if Zhao Linger was still the same behind the door, nor did he know what kind of shock his sudden return would bring to her. But his longing ultimately prevailed, and he slowly raised his hand and knocked on the door.

Zhao Linger was sitting by the window, holding a book in her hands, her mind wandering. Suddenly, she heard a knock on the door. She was startled and asked softly, "Who is it? Who's knocking on the door?"

Zheng Yuan took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound steady. "Ling'er, it's me! Brother Xiao Yuan is back!" There was a subtle tremor in his voice, a trace of nervousness and excitement at the upcoming meeting.

Zhao Linger's heart trembled at the sound of Zheng Yuan's voice, and the book in her hands dropped to the ground with a thud. She stood up suddenly, her eyes instantly filled with tears of surprise and excitement. In that moment, time seemed to freeze, and countless past memories of her time with Zheng Yuan flashed through her mind, filling her heart with indescribable joy and emotion.

Zhao Linger rushed to the door, her hands trembling slightly with excitement as she pulled the bolt. The door creaked open, and sunlight streamed onto Zheng Yuan's face, outlining his slightly weathered yet still familiar features.

Zhao Ling'er's eyes welled up, and her voice choked with emotion. "Brother Xiaoyuan, it's really you. You're finally back." Zheng Yuan looked at Ling'er, who had become even more graceful. He was overwhelmed with emotion and didn't know where to begin. He just raised his lips slightly, revealing that long-lost gentle smile. "Ling'er, I'm back. How have you been these years?"

Ergou stood quietly by, watching Zheng Yuan and Zhao Linger, the long-lost couple, reunited, his heart filled with joy. That joy was like the warm sunshine on a spring day, slowly spreading in his heart, and before he knew it, a sincere smile appeared on his face. He walked up, gently patted Zheng Yuan on the shoulder, and said, "Brother Yuan, I see you two have a lot to talk about. I have some urgent things to deal with, so I'll go back first. Don't forget, I'll bring Daxiong and the others to your house for a drink tonight. We brothers must get together and celebrate your return."

Then, Zhao Linger, with uncontrollable excitement and joy, tightly grasped Zheng Yuan's hand and entered the house. The moment they crossed the threshold, Zheng Yuan noticed that nothing inside had changed. The familiar tables, chairs, and benches were neatly arranged, and the air was filled with the faint scent of incense that lingered in his memory. It was as if time had quietly stopped in this small space, stubbornly clinging to the past. Zheng Yuan's gaze slowly scanned the surroundings, inch by inch, and everywhere he looked was filled with memories. The happy times he had spent with Zhao Linger played out in his mind frame by frame, like a beautiful yet unattainable dream.

Zheng Yuan tilted his head slightly, a look of concern and confusion in his eyes, and asked softly, "Ling'er! Uncle and aunt, aren't you home?" His voice was very soft, as if he was afraid to break the quiet atmosphere in the room.

Zhao Linger sighed slightly, looked up at Zheng Yuan, a subtle hint of dejection flashing across her eyes. She replied softly, "Brother Yuan, my father and mother went out to plow the fields this morning. You know, they're always worried about those few acres of land at home, and they have to go and take care of them every day."

At this point, Ling'er paused, as if mustering up a great deal of courage, and then asked, "By the way, Brother Xiaoyuan, are you going out again after you come back this time?" Her eyes were fixed on Zheng Yuan's face, filled with expectation, worry, and a hint of fear of rejection. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the corners of her clothes, waiting for Zheng Yuan's answer, as if the answer depended on all her future joys and sorrows.

Zheng Yuan raised the corners of his mouth slightly, his smile as warm as the spring sun, and whispered that he would stay home for a while this time and would not leave for a short time. His eyes fell gently on Zhao Linger, as if he wanted to convey to her all the thoughts and concerns he had for her over the years.

When Ling'er heard this, her heart was instantly filled with joy, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, creating ripples. Her eyes sparkled, and a beautiful smile curved the corners of her mouth. With a hint of disbelief and anticipation, she smiled and said, "Really?"

Zheng Yuan felt softer in his heart when he saw Ling'er like this. He smiled and nodded, answering affirmatively: Really, Ling'er.

Ling'er looked at Zheng Yuan with curiosity and couldn't help asking: Brother Yuan, what have you been doing outside all these years?

Zheng Yuan paused slightly, a complex look flashed in his eyes, as if he was recalling the experiences of those years. After a long time, he slowly spoke, his voice a little ethereal: Ah... This can only mean that I am a cultivator.