8 Return

Far away from Jiang Hao's position, he instantly saw the struggling figure of Chang Xiuying. He immediately ran with all his strength to receive this long-awaited niece, leaving Irene who is beside him.

Irene bit her lower lip as she looked at the receding figure of Jiang Hao. "Is this what jealousy feel like?"

Chang Xiuying got alerted by the shadow that captured her and locked her into its embrace. "Welcome back, Ying Er!"

"Uncle Jiang?!"

Jiang Hao squeezed her tight. "You really made this one worry! Have you eaten yet? Let's go and have a sumptuous meal together."

"Big sister Jiang and Aunt Irene will be also there?" Chang Xiuying gave a delighted expression.

"About that... of course, they will be." Jiang Hao forced a smile. He still hasn't done anything regarding about Chang Xiuying and Jiang Li's case. Approaching and talking to Jiang Li as if he never knew anything. Furthermore, there are several villagers that came occasionally to look for their little goddess. Jiang Hao can only give an excuse that Chang Xiuying fell sick and cannot be visited. Whereas, one is afraid that she will pass the disease and is worried about all the villagers.

...

"Dear husband, you should not leave your wife behind!" Irene pushed the branch that is blocking her path as she puffed her rosy cheeks.

"Auntie Irene!" Chang Xiuying struggled in Jiang Hao's embrace. Jiang Hao smiled and released the little child in his arms. Looking at the two, they seemed like a mother and child reuniting for a long time of no contact with each other.

Irene showered kisses to Chang Xiuying as she giggled. However, Chang Xiuying's eyes were not even the least bit happy. She hides it deeply in her giggles as Jiang Hao and Irene didn't notice this.

"Now, now, where have you been, Ah Ying?" Irene looked worriedly at Chang Xiuying.

"You see, a cute little white bunny invited me to their home. It was fun! I made friends with a beast!" Chang Xiuying raised her small hands and hoorayed. Jiang Hao's eyes widen as he heard her words. Now he knew why she disappeared that day and also why she survived the massacre a month ago.

"Really? Would you introduce them to Auntie Irene?"

"Introduce? That's a no-no. Little bunny didn't like strangers except for Ying Er! Ying Er is very happy! Un!" Chang Xiuying shook her head. Her back arched and almost fell out of Irene's arms. Gladly, Jiang Hao caught Chang Xiuying. However, his hand made contact with Irene's arms that are wrapped around Chang Xiuying's small body.

Irene felt the electricity and the part where Jiang Hao touched her is getting hotter. Her eyes formed a swirling motion as she steamed up and her face is like a tomato. Chang Xiuying looked at the corner of her eyes and smiled inwardly.

"Ying Er, you have to calm down. The time is getting late, we should go home now. Where would you like to sleep in, my place or your Auntie Irene's place?" Oblivious to Irene's reaction, he asked without removing his hand in Irene's hand. Clearly, Irene can't handle it anymore and ran with Chang Xiuying in her arms.

"Eh? Ying Er still hasn't chosen yet! Why are you running away with her?!" Jiang Hao strides after Irene but he didn't use even a bit of his Life Energy and is only using his physical ability.

"Don't chase me!"

"You ran though?!"

"Stupid husbaaaaand!" Irene increased her speed until she is no longer in Jiang Hao's sight.

Jiang Hao stopped in his track and cupped his chin. "My wife is always like this? Why didn't I notice such unusual behavior? Or is this a result of a change of her body... perhaps... she's pregnant?" He shook his head and smacks his forehead. "Ahaha...ha... there is nothing wrong in her. It was me who was something wrong going on. What am I thinking?! Wait, or is it because she's a woman?"

Jiang Hao decided to just follow the essence that is left by Irene when she ran away from him.

Irene stopped at the edge of the forest far away from the intended location as she caught her breath. Chang Xiuying gently tapped Irene's back. "Auntie Irene, why do you run away from Uncle Jiang?"

"This... children should not be implicated! How about this, we both will sleep in your home with Big sister Jiang, hmm?" Irene anxiously looked at the path she just took. She only realized that she has gone too far away from her living quarters, the South Garden Pagoda.

"Un! Ying Er is very happy!" Chang Xiuying's childish voice rang like a sweet melody to Irene.

Irene's heart quickly melted as she excitedly walks towards Jiang Li's house. "If that is so, let's go!"

"Let's go!" Chang Xiuying imitated Irene and giggled.

When Irene is walking while holding Chang Xiuying in her arms; Chang Xiuying's mouth raised into a grin as a glint flashes in her eyes.

...

Jiang Hao arrived at the edge of the village and the direction where the essence of Irene was heading in a familiar direction. His eyes grew livid as he caught sight of his brother's previous house that is now being occupied by Jiang Li and Chang Xiuying. He cursed inwardly as the image of Irene excitedly entered the house with a happy Chang Xiuying.

Jiang Hao clicked his tongue with irritation. "I should've told Irene with Ying Er's matter! No matter, I don't want to reveal it in the first place. Why would I bother... oh right... she's my wife."

He sighed as he erased his aura to approach sneakily towards Jiang Li's house. Jiang Hao peered into the window; he saw the flexed expression of Jiang Li as she saw Chang Xiuying came back safely. He heightened all of his hearing to hear their conversation inside.

"Oh. Xiuying, you're back! Do you know how worried I am when you just disappear like that?! Seriously, this kid! I just took my eyes off of you and you were instantly gone! You really made this one so worried that I can't sleep for days!"

"What is big sis Jiang saying? Ying Er just obey-"

"Ah Xiuying, ah, I am really glad that you're back. It has put my heart at ease. Come; come to big sister's arms!" Jiang Li smiled and spreads her arms wide. Chang Xiuying confusingly looks at her as she trotted over to Jiang Li.

"Big sis Jiang, Ying Er found the flower that you want me to pick for you!" Chang Xiuying talked fast and clear words with her small voice. Irene glanced at Jiang Li as she heard the child's words.

"What flower? I do not know what you are talking about. Maybe you have explored far wide that you encountered beautiful flowers and wanted to give them to me. My little sister is really generous! You are thinking of your big sister even while lost. Big sis is extremely happy." Jiang Li said in a gentle and calming voice.

"Ah Ying, what is this flower that you speak of?" Irene interrupted.

"Ying Er picked two beautiful flowers. One has seven different color petals while the other has much more to them! I picked the many petals for Auntie Irene!" Chang Xiuying joyously searched through her storage bag. But after a while of searching, she found nothing inside and looked at the both of them with a dejected expression.

"Ah Ying... perhaps this is what you were talking about?" Irene held the ten-colored flower that she retrieved from her storage bag.

Chang Xiuying's eyes sparkled and nodded. "How come Auntie Irene have it? Big sis Jiang, have you gotten the seven-colored flower?"

"This... this flower is already on my bedside table upon waking up." Irene's eyes showed confusion as she talks hesitantly. Thinking about how did it end up in her room while the person who picked it up is unaware of the missing flowers.

"I have gotten none. Xiuying, that flower must be a gift from Uncle Jiang to Aunt Irene. Do not take credit of Uncle Jiang's hard work. That flower is guarded by a 10,000-year-old Phyton, it is strange that you were able to pick it up and came back unscathed." Jiang Li looked at Irene at the corner of her eyes.

She smiled and continued with an affectionate gaze towards Irene, "This is great news, Aunt Irene. Uncle Jiang is starting to give you gifts. My uncle must be opening up his heart to you."

Irene jolted, looked outside while blushing until she's beet red. Indeed, a child won't be able to pick up such a tight guarded flower. She pictured the time when Jiang Hao visited her that day and obtained a priceless treasure from him. However, upon turning her head, she saw the object of her affection peering into the window as his emerald eyes flashes with red.

Irene's expression turn solemn as she instantly turned her head to avoid Jiang Hao's melting stare.