Immortals Step into Heaven

Zheng Yuan came back to his senses from his deep thoughts. Looking at Ling'er's forced smile, his heart was filled with guilt and pity. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner turmoil, and nodded slightly in response. "Okay, Ling'er, let's go home."

The two of them remained silent the entire way, their former laughter and joy seemingly extinguished by the sudden topic of immortal cultivation. Zheng Yuan's steps were heavy, each one akin to treading on his troubled heart. He stole a sidelong glance at Ling'er, only to see her staring straight ahead, a hint of undisguised desolation still in her eyes.

As Zheng Yuan neared his home, he heard the familiar sound of hammers striking pig iron. The rhythmic "ding-dong-dong" sound struck his heartstrings. His pace quickened involuntarily, his eyes filled with eager anticipation. He gazed at the open gate, almost catching sight of the blazing fire within and his father's swift, wielding hammer.

Zheng Yuan grew up surrounded by the sound of ironwork. For him, the sound symbolized home and a constant companion in his childhood. After school, he would rush home to sit by the forge, watching his father hammer hardened pieces of raw iron into exquisite tools. The sparks that flew by resembled dazzling fireworks in his eyes.

At this moment, as he stepped into the courtyard, the sound of the hammer grew louder. His father, shirtless, muscles bulged with each swing of the hammer, sweat streaming down his bronzed skin, reflecting the glow of the fire. Zheng Yuan's eyes moistened slightly. This familiar scene brought back a strong sense of belonging after so long a wandering. He whispered, "Dad, I'm back." His father paused with the hammer in his hand, turned around, and a simple, joyful smile appeared on his face.

My father put down the hammer, wiped the sweat off his face with the towel on his shoulder, and said with a simple smile, "Yuan'er, you're finally back."

Zheng Yuan walked up quickly, took the towel from his father's hand, helped his father wipe the sweat, and said, Dad, don't work too hard at this blacksmithing work. You are old and it's time to take a break.

His father patted Zheng Yuan's hand gently, smiled, and shook his head. "I've been doing this my whole life, how can I just stop? How are you doing out there?"

Zheng Yuan touched his head and smiled, "Not bad." There was a hint of humility and shyness on his face, but a hint of pride could not be concealed in his eyes.

Zheng Chunnian was very pleased to see Zheng Yuan's appearance, his eyes full of love. He then looked at Zhao Linger and said, "Linger is here too, come in and sit down. Don't just stand there like an idiot, take Linger in and sit down. Look how dirty I am, let me clean it up first!" As he spoke, Zheng Chunnian looked down at his clothes, which were covered with iron filings and dust. He rubbed his rough hands on the clothes, a hint of embarrassment on his face, and turned and strode into the house. His feet were like the wind, and his clothes fluttered slightly behind him.

Zhao Linger smiled sweetly and said, "Thank you, Uncle Zheng." She looked at Zheng Yuan playfully, blinked, and whispered, "Brother Zheng Yuan, let's go in." After that, she gently pulled Zheng Yuan's sleeve, a playful smile hanging on the corner of her mouth, that smile was as bright and charming as a flower blooming in spring.

Night fell over the courtyard. Ergou was the first to enter, followed by Xiaolin. Xiaolin held a small child, about three years old, in each hand. The child's eyes were large and round, like two crystal black gems, staring at Zheng Yuan without blinking, eyes full of curiosity and innocence.

Zheng Yuan's gaze fell on them, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He noticed that Xiaolin had become more and more beautiful, her former immaturity fading, now possessing a more gentle and charming charm. Daxiong followed behind, his figure noticeably thinner than before, but his sturdy arms and steady gait made him look like a genuine, sturdy farmer, exuding a simple and resolute demeanor.

Zheng Yuan's face was filled with a warm smile, and he quickly invited Ergou and his wife and Daxiong to take a seat. His eyes fell on the chubby little boy next to Ergou, and he said to Ergou with a smile, "Ergou, this is your little boy. He's so cute. What's his name?"

Xiaolin smiled gently and replied softly, "Brother Xiaoyuan, the kid's nickname is Niu'er, and his full name is Zhao Niu."

Zheng Yuan looked at Ergou with a smile and said jokingly, "Ergou, you are so lucky. Niu'er looks smart and will definitely have a great future."

Ergou grinned, his face full of happiness and innocent smile: "Thank you, Brother Xiaoyuan, for your good words. This child is very naughty now. He rummages through the boxes and cabinets at home every day."

Xiaolin patted Ergou's arm gently and said angrily, "You always say he's naughty, but Niu'er is lively and active, and his mind works quickly."

Big Bear laughed at the side and said, "No matter what, we've watched this child grow up, so he can't be wrong.

Zhao Linger poked her with her hand, and Zheng Yuan said, "You were so busy chatting that you haven't given Niu'er the gift for his full moon yet!"

Zheng Yuan smiled awkwardly, with a hint of regret for his negligence in that smile, and then quickly took out a jade pendant infused with his magic power from his arms.

He walked gently to the cow's side, squatted down, gently hung the jade pendant around the cow's neck, and whispered: "Niu'er, this is a gift for you. I hope it can protect you and grow up safely." Niu'er touched the jade pendant with his little hands curiously, his big eyes full of novelty and joy. From time to time, he looked up at Zheng Yuan, babbling as if to express his gratitude.

Seeing this, Ergou's face flashed with surprise and uneasiness, and he quickly said: "Brother Xiaoyuan, this jade pendant is too valuable, we can't accept it. Niu'er is just a little kid, how can he deserve such a precious item." As he said that, Ergou was about to reach out to untie the jade pendant from Niu'er's neck. Xiaolin also echoed: "Brother Xiaoyuan, we appreciate your kindness, but this really makes us feel uneasy, you should take it back.

Zheng Yuan waved his hand, a relaxed smile on his face, and said, "It's okay, this jade pendant is not worth much money, people outside just buy one. Don't be polite with me, just consider it a gift from me to Niu'er, hoping that he can grow up without any illness or disaster." Although Zheng Yuan said it lightly, Erniu and his wife still felt that this gift was too expensive.

Zhao Linger watched this scene from the side, a faint smile on her lips. She walked lightly to Zheng Yuan's side and whispered, "Brother Xiaoyuan is so sincere. Brother Ergou and Sister Xiaolin, please don't refuse." This jade pendant is beautiful and may not be a rare item in Brother Xiaoyuan's eyes, but the blessing it contains is priceless. Her voice was clear and pleasant, like a spring flowing through everyone's hearts, adding a gentle atmosphere to this little interlude.

Big Bear also echoed in a muffled voice, "Er Gou, since it's a gift from Brother Xiao Yuan, no matter how valuable it is, it's a token of his love, so just accept it. If you refuse again, you'll be refusing Brother Xiao Yuan's kindness."