Chapter 771: I’ve Kept You Waiting

Ye Qianning pushed Xiang Minghou’s hand away and looked up, her expression solemn. "Dad, I’ve been looking for a chance to formally pay my respects to all my fathers these past few days. Since it’s Master’s birthday and you’re all here, I would like to do it now."

"There’s... no need for that." Xiang Minghou was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Dad, this formality can’t be skipped."

"The girl is very thoughtful. All of you, please sit." Elder Chen’s voice softened, a mix of heartache and gratification in his tone.

Xiang Minghou hesitated for a moment before taking his seat. Qian Fanji and the others slowly sat down as well.

Ye Qianning clasped her hands together and kowtowed to the men before her. This was a daughter’s rite of respect for her fathers. For ten years, she had seen everything each of them had done for her.

They were working, step by step, to make all her dreams come true.

Zhan Chi sat down, feeling a little tense.

Gu Shuo sat with his hands on his thighs, unconsciously clutching the fabric of his clothing.

Qian Fanji was no longer composed. His fingers trembled slightly, his emotions finally breaking through his control.

Elder Chen’s eyes reddened once more. He didn’t know why, but the sight brought an unstoppable sting to his nose.

"Dad, Mr. Zhan, Mr. Qian, Mr. Gu, I have made you all wait for so many years. Your daughter has returned." Ye Qianning’s voice was a solemn, joyous, and excited mix of many emotions.

Her steady words struck them right in the heart, and for a moment, none of them could speak.

Tears welled in their eyes.

A lump formed in Xiang Minghou’s throat, which felt painfully dry and hoarse. A mist veiled his eyes.

Gu Shuo seemed to feel it the most. With his eyes downcast, his shoulders began to shake. He couldn’t hold back any longer as tears fell onto his clothing.

Even with his immense self-control, Qian Fanji could not endure this moment. He took a deep breath and glanced upward, blinking rapidly, but a tear still escaped and traced a path from the corner of his eye.

"Little girl..." Zhan Chi murmured, tears streaming down his face.

Ten years of heartache...

Ten years of waiting...

Ten years... In this one moment, it had all been worth it.

—

The night passed without sleep. In the blink of an eye, it was the next day.

Elder Chen’s birthday banquet in Dayu City the day before had shocked everyone. The Crown Prince of Xi Yan, a Prince of Beili, and many other prominent families had all come to celebrate with him.

From yesterday to today, not a single person in all of Dayu City was unaware of Elder Chen and his disciple. And the rumors were only growing wilder.

They said Elder Chen’s disciple, Ye Qianning, possessed a peerless beauty that outshone all others, a face unmatched in the four kingdoms.

The gossip also claimed that Old Prince Feng had been so enraged he’d coughed up blood. Word was he had to be treated at a physician’s clinic for a long time before regaining consciousness.

The whole city was abuzz with this talk. Those who had missed the spectacle yesterday were kicking themselves, dying to see what this woman, rumored to be the most beautiful under heaven, actually looked like.

So, early this morning, a large crowd had gathered around the Immortal Sea Building, all eager to see for themselves just how devastatingly beautiful Elder Chen’s disciple truly was.

Ye Qianning hadn’t slept well either. Her fathers had cried for half the night, and she had spent a long time talking with her master about her time on the island. It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that she finally returned to her room to rest.

Sleep had not come easily that night.

After freshening up, she opened her door and saw her father and Mr. Qian walking toward her.

Xiang Minghou had dark skin, but it was still possible to see the redness and swelling around his eyes.

Qian Fanji, however, was another story. His skin was very fair, and his eyes were swollen like walnuts. It was the first time Ye Qianning had seen him looking almost unrecognizable.

"Dad, Mr. Qian, you’re up so early? Why didn’t you sleep a little longer?"

"It’s not that early. My girl, you..."

Xiang Minghou looked at his daughter’s face and trailed off, seeming hesitant to continue.

"What is it?"

"Where’s that human-skin mask of yours?" Qian Fanji asked.

"I’m not going to wear it anymore. Everyone at the banquet saw my face yesterday, so there’s no need to hide it now."

"You... should probably still wear it."