Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 43 The Return Journey and the Jade Pendant

Chen Anran crossed his arms and looked at Wei Qingyi, who froze instantly, with a "let's see how you make this up" smile on his face.

Wei Qingyi's cheeks flushed red at a visible speed, her eyes darting around, she dared not look at Chen Anran and Lin Xiaoman.

She opened her mouth as if to argue, but in the end she just stomped her foot and turned to walk out of the alley with a hint of embarrassment and annoyance.

"Let's go! Xiaoman is injured, let's go back first!"

Chen Anran watched her almost fleeing figure and couldn't help but laugh out loud, without giving her any further pursuit. He helped the weak Lin Xiaoman up and followed her.

"Sister Wei, she..." Lin Xiaoman asked in a low voice, somewhat uneasy.

"It's nothing," Chen Anran said with a smile. "My second senior sister is shy, she's just embarrassed."

Despite saying that, Chen Anran had already made up his mind that he would take advantage of Wei Qingyi for the rest of his life.

Back at the hermitage, Chen Anran used rice porridge imbued with spiritual energy and gentle herbs to stabilize Lin Xiaoman's injuries and temporarily suppress the surging Yin energy within her body.

Wei Qingyi kept her head down the whole time, busy with other things, but she didn't dare to look Chen Anran in the eye. Whenever Chen Anran tried to bring up the topic, she would immediately give him a warning look or simply make an excuse to slip away.

In the days that followed, Lin Xiaoman, who needed care and "supervision," joined the family. Wei Qingyi, in the final sprint of her exam preparation, also gained a companion who could talk to her and help with chores.

Lin Xiaoman seemed genuinely determined to change her ways, cooperating fully and working diligently. However, when she looked at Chen Anran, she always carried a hint of awe and gratitude.

Time flies by in a mix of busyness and tranquility, and before we know it, it's time for the adult college entrance examination.

Wei Qingyi entered the examination hall with everyone's blessings. After two days of exams, although she looked slightly tired, her eyes were bright, indicating that she had done well.

The wait for the results wasn't long. When the results were announced and Wei Qingyi successfully passed the qualifying score with excellent results, cheers erupted in the dormitory.

"I knew you could do it, Second Senior Sister!" Chen Anran was even happier than if she had succeeded herself.

Lin Xiaoman was genuinely happy for Wei Qingyi: "Sister Wei, you're amazing!"

A truly relieved and relaxed smile finally appeared on Wei Qingyi's face. All the stress and hard work she had endured during this period had paid off at this moment.

"Let's go! Tonight it's my treat to celebrate Second Senior Sister's success in the imperial examination!" Chen Anran waved his hand and made the decision.

That evening, the three of them celebrated at a well-known restaurant in Guangzhou.

The atmosphere at the dinner was lively, and even the introverted Lin Xiaoman became much more talkative. Chen Anran teased Wei Qingyi several times about the "broken home," but Wei Qingyi cleverly deflected her with wine or food.

"Even food can't shut you up!" Wei Qingyi glared at him reproachfully, her cheeks flushed slightly from the alcohol, adding to her allure.

"Also, let me make this clear: if either of you dares to bring this up again when we get back to the Cloud Hidden Sect, I'll be furious!"

Chen Anran raised his hands in surrender, while Lin Xiaoman repeatedly said that she would not.

After the celebration, the return date was put on the agenda.

Chen Anran bought three plane tickets back to the provincial capital in advance. At Yunyin Stone Art, he temporarily hired an honest and reliable master craftsman introduced by Fatty Li to help with the shop and daily maintenance, and instructed him to contact him by phone at any time if there were any problems.

Before leaving, Chen Anran called Zhao Qiming and Huiming respectively to say goodbye.

Zhao Qiming expressed his anticipation for future cooperation, while Huiming once again wished them a safe journey and subtly reminded them not to forget to guide and restrain Lin Xiaoman.

The flight departed that evening as well.

Inside the waiting room of Guangzhou International Airport, three people sat in seats near the boarding gate.

Wei Qingyi looked out the window at the planes taking off and landing on the tarmac, her expression somewhat dazed.

In a short period of time, her life seemed to have undergone a violent upheaval, pulled back from the depths of despair, and now, as she was about to return to that peaceful mountain gate, she was filled with countless emotions.

Lin Xiaoman appeared somewhat reserved and uneasy. She sat down carefully next to Wei Qingyi, placing her hands neatly on her knees.

Chen Anran looked at them, smiled, and tried to lighten the mood: "Second Senior Sister, when we go back this time, Eldest Senior Sister and Third Senior Sister will definitely be very surprised to see that we not only found you, but also brought back a new member."

Wei Qingyi withdrew her gaze, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Little Deer is sure to start yelling again." She turned to Lin Xiaoman, her tone gentle. "Xiaoman, don't be nervous. Life on the mountain may be a bit tough, but my senior and junior sisters are all very easy to get along with."

Lin Xiaoman nodded quickly, her voice weak: "Yes, thank you, Sister Wei, and thank you, Brother Chen, for taking me in."

"It's not a matter of taking you in," Chen Anran waved his hand, "just don't use those evil spells again."

Lin Xiaoman repeatedly said that she didn't know how.

Chen Anran glanced at Lin Xiaoman. He thought to himself that he would take her back and observe her temperament for a while. If her temperament was indeed good, he would train her to become the future "boss lady" of Yunyin Stone Art.

During their conversation, Wei Qingyi subconsciously raised her hand to tidy up the stray hairs by her ear. A thin red string slipped out from around her neck, with a jade pendant of warm texture and bluish-green color tied to it. The jade pendant had an ancient shape, resembling a coiled auspicious beast. The carving was slightly naive, yet it possessed an ancient charm, swaying gently with her movements.

Lin Xiaoman's gaze inadvertently swept over the jade pendant, and she paused slightly, unable to resist asking softly, "Sister Wei, why haven't I seen you wear this jade pendant before?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Qingyi looked down at the jade pendant on her chest.

"This," Wei Qingyi said uncertainly, "I've worn it since I can remember. My master, the old woman who adopted me, said that when she found me, this jade was already hanging around my neck. It might be... left by my biological parents." She shook her head, revealing a faint, wistful smile. "I don't know its exact origin. I kept it in a box before, and now that I'm going back, I'm wearing it."

Chen Anran also noticed the jade pendant. He had seen it countless times before, so he didn't pay it any mind and looked away.

Just then, an announcement came over the loudspeaker, informing them that preparations for boarding their flight were beginning.

Chen Anran stood up: "It's still early, I'll go buy you some water to drink on the way."

"Thank you for your trouble, junior brother." Wei Qingyi nodded.

Chen Anran left his seat and headed towards the convenience store in the waiting room. He had just grabbed a few bottles of mineral water from the freezer when he heard a slightly surprised and familiar voice behind him:

"Oh my! Mr. Chen?! What a coincidence!"

Chen Anran turned around and saw Fatty Li, dressed in a brand-new suit and carrying a huge suitcase, waving excitedly at him.