The King of Xiuxianjuan returns to modern times and becomes a landlord

As the New Year's bells fade, the joyful greetings of friends and family fade into the air. In the blink of an eye, we welcome another Lantern Festival filled with joy and laughter. On this special day, the streets and alleys are festooned with colorful lights. Lanterns of all shapes and sizes sway gracefully in the night sky, their light illuminating a festive and peaceful atmosphere. Faces beam with festive joy, and laughter echoes in the air, filling it with a sweet scent that makes one lose themselves in this warm and festive atmosphere. Children hold colorful lanterns, their faces beaming with innocent smiles. Elderly people gather in groups, reminiscing about past events and sharing good wishes for the future. The entire city is immersed in joy and peace, as if all worries and sorrows have been dispelled by the festive joy.

"Don't you want to go out and have some fun during the Lantern Festival?" He Qingming asked, looking at Ying Ni, who was resting with her eyes closed. His voice was gentle, yet tinged with anticipation, breaking the brief silence between them. A subtle glint flickered in his eyes, as if he was anticipating a response from Ying Ni, hoping she would accept his invitation and share the joy of the festival.

Ying Ni glanced at He Qingming, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes. "What are you planning?" Her voice was low, with a subtle chill, as if she wasn't impressed by He Qingming's proposal, but rather wary. Her brows furrowed slightly, as if she was pondering He Qingming's true intentions. Her heart was filled with doubt and uneasiness, wondering what was hidden behind He Qingming's proposal.

"Didn't I owe you a promise? I broke it last Lantern Festival." He Qingming's tone was tinged with apology, recalling their promise that year. He and Ying Ni were supposed to enjoy the lantern festival together, guess lantern riddles, and enjoy the joy of the festival. However, due to the lack of the law of cause and effect, he was forced to enter the mortal world to attain enlightenment, leaving Ying Ni to wait alone. This filled him with guilt. His eyes revealed a deep regret and resignation, as if silently confessing the unfulfilled promise. He hoped Ying Ni would understand his difficulties and that he could make amends for his past mistakes.

Ying Ni's mind raced, and she quickly moved in front of He Qingming. Before he could react, her right hand had already grasped his neck. "You made me wait all night, and finally, I heard from others that you had entered the mortal realm. I've become a laughing stock in the entire Three Realms." Her voice was filled with anger and grievance, as if she wanted to pour out all the years of waiting and pain, to make He Qingming feel everything she had endured. Her gaze was like a knife, as if it wanted to pierce He Qingming's heart, to make him feel the pain and disappointment she felt.

He Qingming didn't resist. To be more precise, he wasn't on guard against Ying Ni. He knew Ying Ni had endured countless rumors and gossip during that time, and he felt her pain and disappointment. His eyes revealed a deep regret and helplessness, as if silently recounting the unfulfilled promise he had made that year. He hoped Ying Ni would understand his difficulties and make amends for his past mistakes. His voice was low and full of emotion, and every word seemed to express his guilt and regret to Ying Ni.

A flicker of determination flashed across He Qingming's eyes. He suddenly reached out and, with a firm and swift movement, slowly pulled away Ying Huan's hand that was tightly gripping her neck. Ying Huan was momentarily stunned. Her eyes, once filled with fury, hadn't yet regained their sharpness, seemingly still immersed in a certain kind of anger. The moment He Qingming pulled her hand away, her heart seemed to waver, and a flicker of confusion flashed across her eyes, unsure whether she should continue to be angry.

In that moment of daze, He Qingming seized the opportunity. With swift and powerful force, he pulled her entire body into his broad embrace. Ying Ni's cheek instantly pressed against a warm, broad chest. She instinctively wanted to struggle, but found her strength drained from her at that moment, unable to move. She could only let herself be held tightly. Her heartbeat accelerated at this moment, and her heart was filled with complex emotions. She didn't know whether to accept He Qingming's embrace or continue to resist.

Unwilling to give up, she raised her hands vigorously, trying to break free from this suffocating embrace. However, He Qingming's hands were like iron clamps, holding her tightly, not allowing her to escape at all. A trace of anxiety and helplessness flashed in Ying Li's eyes. She knew that she was powerless at this moment. She could only struggle in He Qingming's arms, but she couldn't change anything. Her heart was full of contradictions. She didn't know whether she should accept He Qingming's embrace or continue to resist. Her heartbeat accelerated at this moment, and her heart was filled with complicated emotions. She didn't know whether she should accept He Qingming's embrace or continue to resist. She felt a deep sense of powerlessness, as if she was swept away by the torrent of fate, unable to be independent, and could only go with the flow.

In desperation, she quietly reached behind He Qingming, her slender fingers precisely grasping the soft flesh at his waist and twisting it hard. He Qingming's usually calm face twisted in an instant, his brow furrowed, and an indescribable pain curled up at the corner of his mouth, as if silently protesting Ying Ni's sudden attack. His expression shifted from calm to pain, but quickly returned to composure, as if to tell Ying Ni that no matter how she struggled, she couldn't truly hurt him.

Unable to bear it any longer, he quickly let go of Ying Huan and took a step back. His hands unconsciously touched the soft flesh of his waist, a wry smile on his face. Ying Huan seized the opportunity to break free from his embrace, standing still, and looking at the man she loved and hated with a complicated gaze. Her heart was filled with contradictions. She was grateful for his forgiveness, but also angry at his dominance. The complex intertwined emotions left her at a loss for words. She felt a deep confusion, unsure how to face this man who was both familiar and unfamiliar.

Ying Ni's face wore a look of defiance, her gaze sharp and direct as a knife as a dagger as she stared at He Qingming. The atmosphere grew tense, as if even time had slowed down. Ying Ni's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a crisp "ding ding" sound. She looked down at her phone, and the invitation messages from Bai Fan and Di Xin popped up on the screen.