Chapter 406 - 247: Matchmaking (Part 2)

Chapter 406: Chapter 247: Matchmaking (Part 2)

This whole affair had an anticlimactic ending, and Fang Yue couldn’t shake the feeling that something about it didn’t add up.

But before he could think it through, Hui Hengwu cut off his train of thought.

"This is an order from the Director, and the decision of the Observatory. You have no choice." Hui Hengwu looked at Fang Yue, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Fang Yue knew he truly had no way out this time. He could only nod and assent, "Yes, I understand."

Although he felt resentful and confused, Fang Yue knew he wasn’t yet in a position to question the Observatory’s decisions.

He could only accept the arrangement and go take up his post in Gongzhou Prefecture.

"Alright, you may go and prepare. Remember, this matter ends here. Don’t cause any more trouble," Hui Hengwu instructed.

Fang Yue acknowledged the order and then left the room.

He knew he had just narrowly escaped with his life. At the same time, however, he understood that he had been dragged into a massive vortex.

What secrets and powers were hidden behind this vortex, he did not yet know. But he knew he had to be cautious and deliberate with every step he took from now on.

Otherwise, he would likely become another victim consumed by it.

After leaving Hui Hengwu’s room, Fang Yue’s heart remained heavy. He felt as though he’d been drawn into a massive conspiracy, one he knew nothing about.

’I’m still too weak!’

Fang Yue couldn’t help but sigh. It was one thing to be outmaneuvered, but to then send him to Gongzhou Prefecture? He refused to believe there wasn’t something fishy going on.

However, he currently had no right to choose. When faced with the Observatory, he could only accept.

Fang Yue took a deep breath, trying to calm the unease and doubt in his heart.

He knew the only thing he could do now was to increase his strength as quickly as possible, so he could better face the challenges and crises to come.

He was keenly aware that in this massive vortex, he was like a lone boat that could be swallowed by a tidal wave at any moment.

He had to stay vigilant, calm, and clear-headed at all times.

’Whatever. I haven’t been home in months. I’ll go home first, then use these three months to find the other two types of Exotic Primordial Qi and advance my cultivation again.’

With his mind made up, Fang Yue immediately left Yujing City and headed for the nearby Wutu City.

’Exotic Primordial Qi, Exotic Primordial Qi...’

Fang Yue repeated the words in his mind, knowing they were the key to his future cultivation. ’I’ve already obtained the Metal and Wood types of Exotic Primordial Qi. Now I just need to find Water and Fire.’

Fang Yue knew that finding Exotic Primordial Qi was no easy task. It required fateful opportunities, luck, and strength—not one could be missing.

However, he wasn’t discouraged. He believed that as long as he put in the effort, he would surely find the remaining types of Exotic Primordial Qi.

Before long, Fang Yue was home.

Fang Yue took a deep breath and pushed open the door to his home.

"Zhi’Er! My dear Zhi’Er, you’re back!"

Seeing Fang Yue, Ms. Chen rushed to greet him in delight. She took his hands and looked him up and down, her eyes filled with concern and joy.

"Mother, I’m back." A warmth spread through Fang Yue’s chest as he looked at his mother.

"It’s good you’re back. It’s good you’re back."

Ms. Chen nodded repeatedly, her face beaming with a happy smile. "You haven’t eaten, have you? I’ll go make you something. Look at you, you must not have been eating properly. You’ve gotten so thin."

Fang Yue smiled and followed his mother inside.

As he sat at the familiar dinner table watching Ms. Chen’s busy figure, Fang Yue’s heart filled with peace and tranquility. The warmth of home could always make him forget the turmoil and exhaustion of the outside world.

A short while later, Ms. Chen brought a lavish spread to the table. Though it was all simple, home-cooked food, to Fang Yue, it was more delicious than any exotic delicacy.

"Zhi’Er, eat more. Look how thin you are." Ms. Chen kept putting food on Fang Yue’s plate, her face full of doting affection.

Fang Yue smiled, nodded, and ate with gusto.

He knew this was his mother’s love, the taste of home.

After dinner, Fang Yue chatted with Ms. Chen for a while, telling her about his experiences and the things he’d seen at the Observatory.

Of course, he didn’t mention any of the dangers or conflicts, picking out only the interesting stories to tell.

Ms. Chen listened with great interest, letting out occasional gasps of surprise and laughter.

Her eyes, as she looked at Fang Yue, were filled with pride and esteem, as if to say, ’Look, that’s my son.’

Night fell. Lying in his own bed and gazing at the bright moonlight outside his window, Fang Yue’s heart was at peace.

He knew that no matter how chaotic the outside world became, this place would always be his safe harbor.

In the days that followed, Fang Yue lived a peaceful and fulfilling life.

He took time every day to chat and walk with Ms. Chen, enjoying this rare time with his mother.

At the same time, he didn’t forget his mission and responsibilities.

In his spare time, he would enter his secret chamber alone to cultivate and improve his strength, preparing for the challenges ahead.

And so, the days passed peacefully, one by one.

Fang Yue’s strength improved steadily, and he felt himself getting closer to his goal of finding the remaining Exotic Primordial Qi.

But just as he was about to say goodbye to his family and set out, Ms. Chen came to him first. "Zhi’Er, the other day, your Mrs. Zhang from next door told me that there’s a very nice young lady from the Wen Family. Why don’t you find some time to meet her?"

Hearing his mother’s words, Fang Yue didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He hadn’t expected that just as he was about to leave to search for Exotic Primordial Qi, his mother would try to drag him to a matchmaking session.

However, Fang Yue also understood his mother’s worries and hopes. He knew that at his age, getting married and having children was the path most people took.

Besides, he could understand his mother’s concern and expectations for him.

’Perhaps all parents in the world are like this.’

So, instead of directly refusing his mother’s proposal, Fang Yue smiled and said, "Mother, I’ll just go meet her, but I can’t guarantee anything will come of it."

A flash of pleasant surprise appeared in Ms. Chen’s eyes when she heard Fang Yue’s words.

She knew Fang Yue had always been an independent child who had his own opinions and had never caused her much worry growing up.

This time, though he hadn’t agreed outright, he hadn’t refused either, which was enough to make Ms. Chen feel gratified.

"Yes, yes, yes, just go and meet her. Whether it works out or not is up to fate." Ms. Chen nodded again and again, her smile growing even brighter.

Seeing his mother so happy, Fang Yue couldn’t help but feel a wave of warmth in his heart.

He knew that his mother was getting older, and her greatest wish was to see him get married, establish himself, and live a stable life.

Although Fang Yue didn’t want to be tied down by marriage so soon, he didn’t want to disappoint his mother either.

So he decided to go and meet the young lady, at least to give his mother some peace of mind.

However, he didn’t give the matter too much thought, treating it as just another social obligation.

~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, at the Wen Family Villa, not far from the Fang Family’s home...

"Tomorrow, I’ll have Mrs. Zhang take you to meet someone. You should go see him and find out if he’s suitable. You’re not getting any younger; you can’t stay single forever."

In the Wen Family Villa, Widow Yu—Wen Lan’s aunt—was having a conversation with Wen Lan that was remarkably similar to the one at the Fang Family’s home.

Hearing her aunt’s words, a trace of exasperation flashed across Wen Lan’s face.

She knew she had reached a marriageable age, and her aunt’s worries and hopes were understandable.

However, she didn’t want to just find a random person and get married.

She hoped to find someone she truly liked to spend the rest of her life with.

So, she said softly, "Aunt, I understand what you mean. But I don’t want to just get married for the sake of it. I want to find someone I like."

When Widow Yu heard Wen Lan’s words, she didn’t get angry or scold her, but simply let out a soft sigh.

She knew that Wen Lan was a girl with her own mind, clever and intelligent since childhood, and very opinionated.

She also knew there was no point in forcing Wen Lan to do something she didn’t want to do.

Not to mention, Wen Lan already looked down on Fang Yue, that mud-caked peasant from the lower class.

But, no matter what, Fang Yue was now an extremely suitable candidate for a marriage alliance.