Peach Blossom Dual Cultivation

“Several renowned doctors have been consulted, but there’s been no improvement. Otherwise, why would your father send me to find you? It’s an ailment of the heart. I estimate your mother’s condition will only improve once she sees you!”

After a pause, Elder Zhao continued, “From how you spoke earlier, it sounds like someone from the Shangguan family has contacted you?”

He was puzzled. If the Shangguan family knew Zhao Xiaorou was in Long City, why hadn’t they taken her back?

“That’s right. The Wang brothers came to see me,” Zhao Xiaorou replied.

“They didn’t drag you back?”

Elder Zhao was surprised, and then his tone softened.

“You always say the Shangguan family are like bandits, but see, they didn’t force you. They behaved quite gentlemanly.”

He was another spokesperson for the Zhao family, subtly persuading Zhao Xiaorou to marry into the Shangguan family. However, rather than lecturing her, he tried to influence her by pointing out small details, hoping to make her believe the Shangguan family wasn’t as bad as she thought. But his words backfired, as the Wang brothers had been driven away by Zhou Lang, returning empty-handed.

“Elder Zhao, let’s not talk about this. I need to go back and see my mother immediately,” Zhao Xiaorou said, feeling a headache whenever these topics were raised.

“Alright, we’ll leave at once,” Elder Zhao replied, a fleeting smile crossing his face.

“I’ll go with you, Xiaorou,” Zhou Lang said after noticing Elder Zhao’s expression.

Elder Zhao was at the early stage of grandmaster-level, and Zhou Lang faintly sensed that Zhao Xiaorou’s father might not be an ordinary high-ranking official. Otherwise, how could their family have a grandmaster-level expert?

Moreover, Elder Zhao’s claim about Zhao Xiaorou’s mother being ill might be a ruse. But since Zhao Xiaorou wouldn’t feel at ease without returning, Zhou Lang didn’t point it out. He had already seen that she was distressed about her mother’s illness.

“Brother Lang, thank you,” Zhao Xiaorou nodded in agreement. She now relied heavily on Zhou Lang, and it was best if he accompanied her. If she returned alone and the Shangguan family found out, it would be difficult to escape.

“And who are you?”

Elder Zhao asked coldly, clearly displeased after noticing the closeness between Zhao Xiaorou and this seemingly ordinary young man.

“His name is Zhou Lang, and he’s my boyfriend,” Zhao Xiaorou replied. Some things couldn’t be hidden, and the Shangguan family likely already knew through the Wang brothers. She no longer felt the need to conceal it.

“Xiaorou, how can he compare to Shangguan Yu? The Shangguan family is right there, and I thought you’d chosen a worthy suitor. Yet, after all this time, you’ve picked a flickering oil lamp!”

Elder Zhao remarked after sizing up Zhou Lang, showing no respect.

Throughout his conversation with Zhao Xiaorou, Elder Zhao treated Zhou Lang as if he were invisible. Since Zhou Lang concealed his cultivation and Elder Zhao wasn’t a cultivator himself, he assumed Zhou Lang was just an ordinary young man.

“Elder Zhao, are you also here to persuade me? You watched me grow up, so you should know my personality. Once I’ve made a decision, there’s no changing it. In my eyes, Shangguan Yu can’t even compare to a fraction of Brother Lang,” Zhao Xiaorou said.

“You don’t know Zhou Lang, so please don’t insult him.”

“Fine, let’s not discuss this any further. Let’s go,” Elder Zhao hesitated for a moment before dropping the subject. However, his opinion hadn’t changed. Earlier, he had said that Zhao Xiaorou had chosen a flickering oil lamp, and Zhou Lang hadn’t even gotten angry. To him, a man like Zhou Lang wasn’t even a man—just a freeloader looking to latch onto Zhao Xiaorou’s wealth.

In Elder Zhao’s view, Zhou Lang was destined for a tragic end. He had no chance of competing with Shangguan Yu, the heir of the powerful Shangguan family.

Without even dropping off their shopping, Zhou Lang and Zhao Xiaorou got into Elder Zhao’s car and sped toward the provincial capital.

Since Elder Zhao hadn’t brought anyone else, he acted as the driver himself. For a grandmaster-level expert to serve as Zhao Xiaorou’s chauffeur, the Zhao family was not simple. Zhou Lang, however, didn’t bother asking Zhao Xiaorou about it. They would soon reach her home, and all would become clear.

“Zhou Lang, what do you do?”

Elder Zhao asked as he drove, his tone slightly calmer now. He figured that if Zhao Xiaorou liked Zhou Lang, this young man must have some redeeming qualities.

However, there was still a hint of disdain in his voice. In Dianxi Province, the Shangguan family had deep roots. Among the younger generation, it was hard to find anyone who could match Shangguan Yu, whether in martial ability or wealth.

“I’m a student at Dianxi University. I’ll be starting my senior year this fall,” Zhou Lang replied honestly.

“Elder Zhao, there’s no need to test me. I’m an orphan with no background, just a few middle-class relatives.”

“Are you aware of Xiaorou’s situation with the Shangguan family?”

Elder Zhao asked, momentarily taken aback by Zhou Lang’s straightforwardness.

“Of course I know,” Zhou Lang answered.

“And you still dare to stay by her side? Aren’t you afraid of dying?”

Elder Zhao asked.

“Love is free. I’m not married, and neither is Xiaorou. Why can’t we be together? No matter how powerful the Shangguan family is, they can’t control our private lives, can they? Besides, I’m not necessarily afraid of them,” Zhou Lang said calmly, smiling.

“You… you… truly, the ignorant fear nothing!”

Elder Zhao was genuinely infuriated this time, his white beard bristling as he huffed. With the Zhao family’s power and influence, even they feared the Shangguan family. Yet here was an insignificant college student claiming not to fear them. It was laughable.

“The hallmark of youth is fearlessness. Elder Zhao, you’re a grandmaster-level expert, yet your mindset hasn’t broken free of worldly constraints,” Zhou Lang laughed.

“Anyone can boast. I only hope you stay away from Xiaorou to avoid a miserable end. But since you don’t appreciate my advice, I won’t say any more. Just don’t blame me if you suffer later on,” Elder Zhao sighed, adopting a benevolent, almost pitying tone, as if Zhou Lang’s fate was already sealed.

“Elder Zhao, in this lifetime, I will marry no one but Zhou Lang,” Zhao Xiaorou declared.

Elder Zhao said no more, but he still couldn’t understand what qualities Zhou Lang possessed that made Zhao Xiaorou so utterly devoted. After all, Zhao Xiaorou was a pampered daughter of a wealthy family, and Zhou Lang was just a poor student. Their statuses were worlds apart.

Despite his age, Elder Zhao was very much in tune with the times. His driving skills were exceptional, and what was supposed to be a two-hour drive from Feiyun City to the provincial capital took him just an hour and a half.

The car stopped in front of an independent villa on the outskirts of the provincial capital. The gate was a modern electronic one, guarded by security. However, above the gate hung an old-fashioned plaque with two grand characters: Zhao Residence.

“Brother Lang, this is my home,” Zhao Xiaorou said.

After the car passed through the gate and came to a stop, Zhao Xiaorou got out, grabbed Zhou Lang’s hand, and led him toward the villa.

“Xiaorou, you finally decided to return,” a dignified, sturdy middle-aged man strode forward to greet them.

“Zhao Cang? Is that Zhao Cang, the provincial governor?”

Zhou Lang thought. The man looked familiar, as he had frequently seen him on television.