novelraw Chapter 30 : Let Us Wait for the Future
Chapter 30 : Let Us Wait for the Future
Chapter 30: Let Us Wait for the Future
Just as the hour of Si arrived—
“Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh…”
From above the cliff, bursts of air-splitting sounds suddenly rang out.
The next moment, three figures leapt down from the cliff, stepping through the air as they descended directly into the valley.
Li Yunqing slightly raised her head and saw her father and elder brother, following behind Jiang Family’s head, Jiang Hong, arriving in the valley.
There were no outsiders, nor could there be any outsiders.
“Little sister, are you alright?”
From afar, she heard her elder brother Li Shuo’s voice, filled with anxiety and a trace of restrained anger.
The dignified Jiang Family, after a mere invitation, had kept his sister away for seven whole days.
Even if she had agreed to the Jiang Family young master’s proposal, such disregard for her reputation—how could it not anger him?
It was only because the Jiang Family was powerful that, as her elder brother, he dared to be angry but not to speak.
“Big brother, I’m fine!”
Li Yunqing quickly stepped forward, standing beside Li Shuo as she spoke softly.
At this moment, she could fully feel her brother’s concern and the deep care he held.
It was only restrained due to the Jiang Family’s power.
Her gaze turned to her father, who seemed hesitant to speak, and she said softly, “Father, I am well.”
Li Yansong nodded slightly. Seeing that Li Yunqing was unharmed, he seemed to relax and said, “It’s good that you’re fine.”
Li Yunqing nodded gently, a warm smile on her face that revealed none of her inner thoughts. She then gave a slight bow toward Jiang Hong. “Greetings, Family Head Jiang.”
Sensing the tone of Li Yansong and Li Shuo, and hearing Li Yunqing’s polite yet distant words, Jiang Hong spoke in explanation:
“The God-Worship Sect has been far too rampant. Their target was Miss Yunqing.”
Looking at Li Yunqing’s increasingly stunning appearance, even Jiang Hong was momentarily stunned.
After only a few days, her beauty had grown even more striking, her figure even more alluring.
Her temperament had also become more tranquil and aloof, like an immortal.
With such beauty, it would be difficult to find a second in all of Qingzhou. No wonder his son had been unwilling to return home, choosing instead to stay here with her.
Yet he still spoke calmly, “These past few days, the Jiang Family, the Zhou Family, the Qin Family, and even the Demon Suppression Division have all been clearing out the God-Worship Sect.”
“The city has been in chaos. For the sake of your safety, we arrived late.”
If not for the alliance between their families, and not for his son’s affection, with his status, he would never have bothered explaining.
Li Yunqing glanced at Jiang Yu, her expression still calm, and said, “Many thanks to Family Head Jiang for your care. Yunqing is deeply grateful.”
She naturally understood that when Jiang Yu had left the valley earlier, he must have gone to inform the Jiang Family.
Only, what should have been something worthy of her gratitude now stirred no emotion within her.
Seemingly sensing the coldness in her tone, Jiang Hong frowned slightly and glanced at Jiang Yu, feeling somewhat displeased.
In an uninhabited valley, spending seven days together—yet not only had he failed to win the lady’s heart, it seemed to have backfired instead.
“Junior Sister Yunqing, I…” Jiang Yu had just begun to speak when Li Yunqing interrupted him.
“Yunqing thanks Senior Brother Jiang for his care.”
After speaking, she continued, “Having been away from home for several days, I miss it dearly. Family Head Jiang, Senior Brother Jiang, Yunqing takes her leave.”
After giving a slight bow, Li Yunqing gently tugged at Li Shuo’s sleeve.
Seeing this, Li Shuo said no more. He directly led Li Yunqing out of the valley, wrapping an arm around her waist and leaping upward, ascending the cliff in a single bound.
“Family Head Jiang, farewell!”
Watching the siblings depart, Li Yansong cupped his hands briefly, unwilling to say more as he turned and left.
This matter had been handled far too inappropriately.
Even if it had been for his daughter’s safety, they should not have left the two alone in the valley.
At the very least, a few servants should have been sent.
In the current situation, if even a hint of rumor spread—that his daughter had stayed alone with a man in a valley for seven days—
How would she live in the future?
If worse rumors spread, even the Li Family would be affected.
Sensing the distance in Li Yansong’s tone, Jiang Hong opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
The Jiang Family was a great clan in Qingzhou City. Even if the Li Family harbored anger, they did not dare express it. With his status, he had no need to explain further.
In just a short moment, only Jiang Yu and Jiang Hong remained in the valley.
“Father, I was only afraid that those lunatics from the God-Worship Sect would harm Yunqing.”
“I just wanted to protect her.”
Jiang Yu’s expression was anxious. Only now did he realize that the earlier feeling had not been an illusion.
He wanted to explain, yet did not know where to begin.
He truly had wanted to protect Li Yunqing, unwilling for her to face those mad followers of the God-Worship Sect.
At the same time, he did have a bit of selfish intent—to grow closer to her through this opportunity.
From beginning to end, no matter how tempted he had been, he had still adhered to propriety, never crossing the line.
But now he realized that everything had turned out completely different from what he had expected.
“It's fine. Everyone makes mistakes.”
Jiang Hong patted Jiang Yu’s shoulder and comforted him. “Once you’re married, it will be fine.”
Yet deep down, he understood that there was a kind of person in this world—gentle and polite, able to converse and laugh with anyone.
They appeared mild, but their inner convictions were not easily changed.
Clearly, Li Yunqing was such a person—soft on the outside, firm within. Once she decided something, it was difficult to alter.
He did not blame his son for this matter.
The mere identity of being the Direct Heir of the Jiang Family was enough to drive countless people in Qingzhou into a frenzy.
His son’s preferences were what mattered. Otherwise, how could he have looked favorably upon a small family like the Li Family?
If things had already been settled between them—if affection had blossomed—then none of this would have been a problem.
The Jiang Family had already made a marriage proposal. Once things were finalized, they could simply advance the wedding date and bring Li Yunqing into the family in grand fashion.
That would naturally silence countless tongues and make many in Qingzhou envious.
But now, things had developed unexpectedly.
He did not expect Jiang Yu and Li Yunqing to be deeply in love, but at least they could treat each other with mutual respect.
There was still a long future ahead. After marriage, with children, things would eventually change.
This was not such a serious matter.
“Let’s go. We’ll return first.”
Jiang Hong said, “We can think of ways to make it up to her later.”
Jiang Yu nodded, but Li Yunqing’s figure in the valley lingered in his mind.
He felt that this matter was becoming increasingly complicated.
Thinking of her gentle beauty, Jiang Yu suddenly said, “Father, I want to formally propose first and settle the engagement.”
The sense of distance Li Yunqing had shown made him feel as though he could not grasp her.
Anxiety rose in his heart—he wanted to do something, anything, to hold onto her.
Jiang Hong thought for a moment, then nodded. “Very well. Choose an auspicious day to deliver the betrothal gifts and finalize the marriage.”
Once the engagement was settled, he did not believe the Li Family would dare refuse his will.
If they did, even without him saying anything, the Li Family would not be able to survive in Qingzhou.
People strive upward like water flows downward.
There were far too many who wanted to climb higher.
Once there were benefits and backing, not only the Jiang Family—even the Qin Family, the city lord’s family—would face challengers.
Inside the carriage.
Looking at Li Yunqing, who remained calm as ever, as if without any emotion—
Li Yansong sighed. “Yunqing, you have been wronged.”
Beside him, Li Shuo clenched his fists tightly, remaining silent.
From the very beginning, they had seen that Li Yunqing was unwilling.
But the Jiang Family was practically the sky of Qingzhou—few could rival them. What right did the Li Family have to refuse?
Hearing this, Li Yunqing’s gaze swept over her father and brother, and a smile slowly appeared on her face.
“As a member of the family, I also bear responsibility.”
“I cannot rely on Father and Big Brother to shield me from the storm for my entire life.”
“Please be at ease. I do not feel wronged.”
“Let us wait for the future!”