I Didn't Run Away! A Dream of Three Years, A Life of Withering and Flourishing Medita

"An explanation? Now you know how to explain? Too late!"

Although Li Hanyi said that, her body was limp, and she let Su Changqing hold her.

Su Changqing didn't waste any words, ignoring the gossipy eyes around him that seemed like searchlights, and waved his hand.

"Bang!"

A gentle yet irresistible gust of wind rose from the ground, putting the broken door, which Li Hanyi had kicked in half, back on and closing it tightly.

They even thoughtfully installed a soundproof barrier.

Outside.

"Hey! Don't close the door! It's really exciting!"

"Yeah! Did they explain it or not? I've already got my sunflower seeds ready!"

"Come on, everyone, they're just having a private chat behind closed doors. What are you single people doing here?"

Sikong Changfeng stood amidst the ruins, staring at the tightly closed door, a look of melancholy on his face: "Is this all? Who will compensate me for my city gate? What a tragedy!"

……

inside the house.

Isolated from the noise of the outside world, the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat subtle.

Su Changqing placed Xiao Nuomi on a chair to the side, took out a plate of exquisite pastries to coax her to eat, and then turned to look at Li Hanyi, who was still standing there, holding her sword with an icy expression.

"Go ahead and give me a plausible reason."

Li Hanyi said coldly, "If you dare to lie to me, you know the consequences."

Although her tone was fierce, she kept secretly observing Su Changqing out of the corner of her eye.

Three years have passed, and this man seems even more...unfathomable than before.

Su Changqing sighed, his usual playful demeanor vanished, and his expression became unusually serious.

"Hanyi, do you believe in cultivating immortality?"

"Cultivating immortality?"

Li Hanyi frowned. "You mean Zhao Yuzhen's kind of Taoist magic? Or those mystical tricks from Qingcheng Mountain?"

"No, it's higher than that."

Su Changqing shook his head and pointed to his brow.

"I didn't leave on purpose that night three years ago. It was at dawn that I suddenly sensed a glimpse of the laws of heaven and earth."

"At that moment, my soul was forcibly pulled into a void, and my body fell into a state of suspended animation. It was what Buddhists call 'the meditative state of withering and flourishing,' and what Taoists call 'the spiritual journey through the void.'"

"In that space, there is no concept of time. It felt as if a century had passed for me, but in the outside world, it was just a blink of an eye."

Su Changqing gave a wry smile, his eyes filled with utmost sincerity:

"When I finally broke through the barrier and woke up, it was three years later. The first thing I did after crawling out of that hidden cave was to go back to Cangshan to find you."

"But... Cangshan Villa is empty now. I've asked everyone around here, and they all say you've disappeared. Nobody knows where you went."

At this point, Su Changqing lowered his head in self-reproach.

"I thought... you hid away because you hated me. I've stayed in Snowmoon City for the past three years running this tavern, just to wait for you. I know you are the second city lord of Snowmoon City, and as long as you are alive, you will return one day."

As Li Hanyi listened, her brows gradually relaxed.

This reason sounds absurd and bizarre, even a bit like a made-up story.

If it were anyone else, even Sikong Changfeng, she would have slashed them with her sword without hesitation—you're kidding me.

Can you really go into seclusion for three years?

He faked his death?

but.

Hearing these words from Su Changqing, she inexplicably believed them to a great extent.

There is no other reason.

The scene of Su Changqing pinching "Iron Horse and Ice River" between two fingers was still replaying in her mind.

That effortless ease, that absolute control over power, is something that ordinary martial arts masters could never achieve.

Even Baili Dongjun, who was in a state of spiritual wandering, could not do such a thing with such ease, let alone without any fluctuation of internal energy.

and……

Li Hanyi subconsciously sensed Su Changqing's presence.

Three years ago, although Su Changqing was also very strong, at least she could see through some of his abilities.

But now, Su Changqing standing in front of her is like a vast ocean, unfathomable.

Her divine sense reached out, but was instantly swallowed up by that vast, ocean-like aura, not even causing a ripple.

This level of skill... even the legendary immortals couldn't achieve this, right?

"real?"

Li Hanyi bit her lip, the icy resolve in her eyes beginning to melt. "You... really did suffer a qi deviation during your cultivation..."

"Absolutely true."

Su Changqing raised three fingers.

"If I utter even the slightest lie, may I, Su Changqing, be struck by lightning and never again be punished..."

"Shut up!"

Li Hanyi suddenly reached out and covered his mouth, glaring at him fiercely.

"Who told you to make such a solemn oath? What will happen to Nuonuo if you get struck by lightning and die? Will I be a widow?"

Su Changqing blinked, feeling the cool, soft little hand on his lips, and his heart warmed.

This woman is indeed all bark and no bite.

"So...you forgive me?"

Su Changqing asked cautiously.

Li Hanyi withdrew her hand as if she had been electrocuted, a blush spreading across her cheeks.

She turned her back, deliberately put on a stern face, and resumed her haughty demeanor.

"Hmph, dream on!"

Li Hanyi snorted coldly.

"Who said I forgave you? We'll settle this score later! I'm staying only for Nuonuo! You've seen how much Nuonuo likes you, I can't let the child be fatherless, can I?"

"Yes, yes, yes! For the children!"

Su Changqing nodded vigorously, "That's absolutely necessary! My wife is very understanding!"

"Don't call me 'wife'!"

Li Hanyi stomped her foot in embarrassment and annoyance.

"Okay, my dear mother."

"you……!"

Watching the two bicker like children, Xiao Nuomi, who was sitting to the side munching on pastries, didn't quite understand, but she knew that her father and mother were no longer arguing, and she happily wiggled her little legs.

"Mommy, this cake is delicious! I want more!"

Little Nuomi held up an empty plate, a little crumb still stuck to the corner of her mouth, and called out in her childish voice.

This shout completely shattered the subtle, ambiguous atmosphere between the two.

Su Changqing and Li Hanyi turned their heads at the same time to look at the cute little foodie.

"Oh dear, that's osmanthus cake. Eating too much of it will cause indigestion."

Although Li Hanyi complained, she still went over and gently wiped the crumbs from her daughter's mouth.

Looking at this scene, Su Changqing felt only a sense of peace and tranquility.

Is this the path he seeks?

Perhaps compared to breaking through the void and ascending to immortality, this kind of life with a wife, children, and a warm bed is the true "Great Way".

Just then.

"Gurgle—"

An extremely discordant sound came from Little Glutinous Rice's belly.

The little one patted his round little belly, stuck out his tongue a little shyly, and said, "Daddy, Nuonuo is hungry..."

Over the past three years, although Li Hanyi has doted on her daughter, she is, after all, a straight woman obsessed with swordsmanship, and her cooking skills are practically nonexistent.

The mother and daughter usually eat at roadside stalls or eat dry food. Little Nuomi is at the age where she is growing and has been craving it for a long time.

Hearing his daughter say she was hungry, Su Changqing could no longer sit still.

This is a great opportunity for him to impress his daughter!

We must seize this opportunity!

"Hungry? That's Daddy's fault; he forgot to prepare lunch for our little princess!"

Su Changqing immediately stood up, full of energy.

At this moment, even if the King of Heaven himself came, he couldn't stop him from cooking for his daughter!

Little Nuomi's stomach suddenly growled.

Su Changqing immediately rolled up his sleeves: "Are you hungry? Daddy will cook for you! I'll show you what true culinary delights are!"