Chapter 6735
Regret Only Comes After Losing It
Qin Fang felt a sudden dizziness, as if the whole world had turned upside down in an instant.
His legs felt as if all the strength had been drained from them; they were so weak that he was swaying precariously.
He had to hold tightly to the exquisitely carved sandalwood round table beside him, his fingers turning white from the force, before he could barely steady himself.
With a crisp clang, the precious blue-and-white porcelain cup slipped from his hand, crashed heavily to the ground, and shattered instantly.
The crisp sound, like a heavy hammer, struck his heart hard.
Tea gushed from the broken porcelain cup, staining the exquisite Persian carpet with a large, dark mark, resembling a grotesque painting.
He stared blankly at the mess of broken pieces on the ground, his eyes empty and lost.
The scene of my first meeting with the boy yesterday involuntarily came back to my mind.
The boy was wearing a faded, coarse cloth shirt with several patches at the hem, making it look old and shabby.
He carried a worn-out cloth bag on his back. The bag looked like it had been used for a long time, and the color was faded and the edges were frayed.
The boy was unremarkable in appearance, with a touch of immaturity and naivety on his face, but his eyes revealed a stubbornness and determination.
At that time, Qin Fang looked at the young man and secretly looked down on him, thinking that he was just an ignorant brat who dared to dream of making a name for himself in the martial world. It was simply a pipe dream.
He didn't even glance at the boy before hastily dismissing him.
But now, I realize how short-sighted and foolish I was.
Beneath that seemingly ordinary appearance, the young man may be hiding astonishing talent and potential.
Thinking of this, Qin Fang felt a strong sense of shock and regret. Fine beads of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead, sliding down his cheeks and dripping onto his clothes.
Qin Lingling stood frozen in place, as if she had been placed under a spell, completely motionless.
Her carefully styled hairpin had come loose at some point, and a strand of her dark hair fell beside her pale, snow-white cheek, adding to her pitiful appearance.
Her lips were bitten until they turned white, and her nails dug deep into her palms, yet she felt no pain at all.
The image of himself mocking the young man in Qinrenxuan a few days ago kept flashing through his mind.
At that time, she was high and mighty, thinking herself to be of noble status, and looked down on the boy in tattered clothes.
She mocked him with sharp and sarcastic words, feeling smug as she watched his embarrassed state.
But now, the person he once regarded as an insignificant nobody and looked down upon is now like a towering mountain standing in front of him.
He seemed to exude an invisible majesty and aura, making her look up to him and no longer able to harbor any contempt for him.
Her heart was filled with complex emotions: shock at the boy's amazing skills; regret for her past blindness in missing the opportunity to befriend such a master; and an indescribable sense of resentment, unwilling to accept that her pride and sense of superiority had been so easily shattered.
Her eyes were glistening with tears, but she stubbornly held them back, standing there blankly as if she had lost her soul.
……
As dusk fell, the vibrant colors of the sunset faded, leaving only a faint afterglow that draped everything in a soft veil.
Xiao Chen dragged his slightly tired but excited body back to the cozy villa.
As soon as he entered the house, a rich aroma of food wafted over him, instantly dispelling the slight chill he felt.
He followed the aroma and saw Yun Yuyan wearing a light blue floral apron, busy in the kitchen.
Her movements were light and graceful, like a butterfly fluttering among flowers, every motion full of rhythm and beauty. Yun Yuyan skillfully stirred the dishes in the wok, the spatula in her hands like a magical wand, skillfully blending the various ingredients together.
She tilted her head slightly, her hair swaying gently with the movement, like willow branches swaying in a breeze.
Occasionally, the ends of her hair would brush against the rim of a nearby porcelain bowl, splashing up a few glistening water droplets.
Under the light, the water droplets shimmered with iridescent colors, like twinkling stars.
"Wash your hands and eat! I made your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs today. If you dare say they're not good, you'll have to wash the dishes tonight!"
Yun Yuyan called out without turning her head, her voice clear and melodious, like a babbling brook in the mountains, with a touch of playfulness.
That voice was full of the warmth and intimacy of home.
Xiao Chen's gaze was instantly drawn to the tempting sweet and sour pork ribs on the table.
The ribs were fried until golden and crispy, coated with a bright red sweet and sour sauce, glistening enticingly under the light, as if beckoning to him.
His throat moved involuntarily, and his stomach rumbled with hunger, his mouth watering.
He secretly reached out a hand, wanting to steal a piece.
Just as his fingers were about to touch the ribs, Yun Yuyan, as if she had eyes in the back of her head, quickly tapped the back of his hand with a spatula.
"You little glutton, I caught you stealing food!"
Yun Yuyan pretended to be angry, widening her eyes and putting her hands on her hips, looking like a little tiger baring its teeth and claws.
But the faint smile at the corner of her mouth, like the warm and gentle sunshine in spring, revealed her inner concern.
"Tell me, where did you go all day? I couldn't get through to you on the phone, and I was worried about you all day."
Yun Yuyan said reproachfully, but her eyes were full of worry.
Xiao Chen chuckled and withdrew his hand, scratching his head like a child who had done something wrong.
"I closed a big deal and made a lot of money!"
He deliberately lowered his voice and said mysteriously.
"Oh? How much?"
Yun Yuyan asked curiously, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Probably... one hundred million!"
Xiao Chen deliberately dragged out his words, a smug smile spreading across his face.
"Once I get the money, I'll take you to eat all the world's delicacies and stay in the most luxurious hotels! I'll let you experience the treatment of a princess!"
Yun Yuyan rolled her eyes in annoyance, a perfectly timed roll that conveyed a hint of reproach and disdain.
She turned and walked towards the kitchen, steadily lifting the pot of steaming soup with both hands. The rising steam blurred her face.
She walked briskly to the dining table, gently placed the soup down, and the porcelain spoon clinked softly in the pot, making a crisp and melodious sound, like a cheerful melody.
"You're just bragging! Look at yourself, dressed in rags, you don't even have a penny to your name, let alone a hundred million! Who would believe that?"
Yun Yuyan stood with her hands on her hips, a slight smile playing on her lips, her eyes filled with concern. She simply enjoyed teasing Xiao Chen and seeing his anxious and annoyed expression. (End of Chapter)