Chapter 281 - 280: Good News

Chapter 281: Chapter 280: Good News

Niu Niu’s gaze flickered. She tilted her head and asked, "Are you talking to me? Why are you apologizing?"

At this, Liu Chuanjia’s eyes were not just red; their rims glistened with tears. "I should have come back for you sooner. If I had come back for you then, you would probably be married with children by now."

And not like this—forever a child who could never grow up.

"Do you really feel sorry for me?" Niu Niu’s question was sharp, her eyes fixed on the man before her. "Or is it just your own conscience bothering you?"

Liu Chuanjia was at a loss for words.

’The truth is, after so many years, if someone hadn’t suddenly come looking for him, he would have rarely thought of them anymore.’

But when he first heard something had happened in the village, he had broken down and cried, feeling he had let his parents and Niu Niu down.

His guilt was real, but so was the way he eventually forgot.

’People have to look forward, after all. You can’t always live in the past.’

Seeing that he didn’t respond, Niu Niu suddenly curled her lip into a smile and turned to leave. There was no need to continue the conversation.

There was nothing left for them to say to each other.

Village Chief Liu and Aunt Liu exchanged a glance and sighed. When they looked at Liu Chuanjia again, their expressions were not as warm as before.

"Go back," Village Chief Liu said softly, his eyes downcast. "Go back and live your life. We’re content just to have seen you one more time."

Liu Chuanjia was stunned. ’Dad?’ He had gone through so much trouble to make this trip, and they were telling him to go back as soon as he arrived?

"This place is cursed. It’s not suitable for ordinary people. Go back, be good now." Aunt Liu smiled at him. "Truthfully, after all these years, your dad and I weren’t especially worried about you. We knew back then that you were doing well, so we figured you’d be fine later on, too."

"You’ve been smart since you were a boy; Mom isn’t worried." Aunt Liu glanced upstairs with a pained expression. "It was Niu Niu who wanted to see you all again. Now that she has, her lingering attachment will be gone."

Aunt Liu waved her hand. "Go on."

Liu Chuanjia didn’t know how he ended up outside the house. He only looked back when he reached the village entrance, taking another look at the village where he had grown up.

Huo Zhao Hua was the one to drive him back. As he was about to leave, Liu Chuanjia was still thinking about how to say goodbye to Huo Yunjing and the others, only to realize they weren’t staying to see him off—they were leaving too.

"But isn’t this place still unresolved?" Huo Xingchen asked, very confused. "Are we just going to leave it like this?"

Gu Qingyin shook her head. "This was never our place to handle. Let’s just let it be sealed the way it was originally."

"What if something happens in the future?" Huo Xingchen’s little brow furrowed tightly as he asked with great concern, "What if some evil Heavenly Master sets their sights on this place?"

"Don’t worry your little head about it." Gu Qingyin patted his head. "Someone from the Heavenly Master Association will keep an eye on it."

Huo Xingchen looked back at the village and was surprised to see Niu Niu’s silhouette. He hesitated for a moment, then ran over and left all the food, drinks, and toys from his storage bag.

Then he ran back without a word, took Gu Qingyin’s hand, and only then did he turn his head to wave at Niu Niu.

He didn’t say goodbye. They would probably never see each other again.

On the way back, Huo Xingchen couldn’t help but ask, "In our world, is there a village like this one?"

Gu Qingyin shook her head. "I’ve never heard of one. Although this is a parallel world, even the smallest difference can lead to a different path. Many things here are different from our world."

Huo Xingchen was a little disappointed. He had quite liked that little girl. What a shame...

Failing to resolve the Ghost Land meant they didn’t get another chance to enter the Book Collection Pavilion.

Gu Qingyin rested at home for two days, then went to the Book Collection Pavilion again. This time, she timed her visits carefully, staying for just one morning or one afternoon.

Soon, all her opportunities were used up, but she still had no leads on how to adapt the Space-Time Array.

Just as Gu Qingyin and Huo Yunjing were discussing going to another Ghost Land, Dongfang Lingjun called.

Gu Qingyin’s hands were shaking with excitement as she answered the phone. "Senior Dongfang, is there good news?"

On the other end of the line, Dongfang Lingjun laughed before he even spoke, which only made Gu Qingyin more excited. Then, he said calmly, "That’s right! Do you have time now? Come to the manor."

Gu Qingyin shot to her feet. "We’ll be right there!"

As soon as she said it, she grabbed Huo Yunjing and started for the door. She was almost there when she remembered she had forgotten someone. Turning around, she saw Huo Xingchen sitting on the carpet, holding a Lego, and staring at her with a gloomy gaze.

Gu Qingyin paused for a moment, then pretended nothing was wrong and opened her arms to him. "Come on, sweetie! We’re going to Grandpa Dongfang’s house. There’s been a breakthrough with the Array!"

Huo Xingchen’s heart leaped. Forgetting all about his little tantrum, he scrambled up from the floor and ran over.

Seeing this, the paper effigy was about to follow, but a childish voice called out, "Paper Effigy, you watch the house! And help me finish my Legos while you’re at it!"

The paper effigy froze, watched the family of three leave, and then quietly sat back down in its original spot to continue building with the blocks.

「Meanwhile」

Huo Yunjing drove, reaching Dongfang Manor at top speed. Unsurprisingly, Master Huo and Zhang Qiuyan were also there.

The group exchanged greetings, and then Dongfang Lingjun eagerly led them into the study, taking out the latest Array Map that he and his daughter had drawn together.

"Yaoyao and I tried many times. This is the one that came closest to success." Dongfang Lingjun’s eyes were full of pride. "According to Yaoyao’s calculations, if this Array is successfully constructed, its consumption will also be the lowest."

’I’ve read so many Array Books lately, after all. Even if it was just cramming, I’ve managed to grasp a little bit. Reading an Array Map should be no problem... right?’

’What does this mean?’

Gu Qingyin’s brow furrowed. She subconsciously looked at Huo Yunjing, who understood immediately. He moved closer and began to explain in a low voice.

After listening for a moment, Gu Qingyin had an epiphany, but then couldn’t help feeling puzzled. "When did you study Arrays?"

’I’d heard he built the Space-Time Array with his master, and I just assumed he only played a supporting role. Looks like I was wrong.’

Huo Yunjing chuckled lightly. "Probably in a past life."

The mention of a past life instantly made Gu Qingyin think of the female ghost who had been trapped by an Array for over two hundred years. ’That’s right,’ she thought. ’If his skill hadn’t been sufficient, the Array would have dispersed long ago.’

With the Array Map in hand, the next step was naturally to find a suitable place to try and build it. If they succeeded, Gu Qingyin and her family could go straight home.

After much deliberation, the group decided to set up the Array on Ai Lao Mountain.

They didn’t leave in a hurry. The next morning, Gu Qingyin took Huo Xingchen to visit Sheng Wan. Zhou Lang was still not there.

The mother and son had lunch at the Sheng residence, only mentioning their long trip as they were about to leave.

"Are you leaving for a long time?" Sheng Wan frowned. "Are you moving abroad?"

Gu Qingyin smiled. "Something like that. I’ll write to you."

A sense of unease suddenly rose in Sheng Wan’s heart. ’Phones and video calls are so convenient these days, so why would she write letters?’ But for some reason, she didn’t dare to ask. She just nodded. "Come back and visit when you have time."

Leaving the Sheng residence, they happened to run into Zhou Jingchuan, who had come home temporarily to pick something up.

Zhou Jingchuan looked at Gu Qingyin, feeling dazed for a moment. ’It feels like I haven’t seen her in a long time,’ he thought, ’and she’s changed even more.’

Zhou Jingchuan knew she didn’t like him, so he didn’t press the issue by trying to talk to her. He just silently watched her back as she walked away.

The moment she was completely out of sight, Zhou Jingchuan was suddenly overcome with panic. He had a feeling... that he would probably never see her again.