279. I Don't Remember You

"Brother Holy Son! Have a drink, won't you?"

Qian Renjue was carrying Ning Rongrong out while she, holding a wine glass, persistently pestered him.

Liu Erlong's graceful figure seemed somewhat gloomy.

She slowly stepped onto the stairs, her head lowered, brows furrowed.

A shimmer of gold passed by her.

Ling Yuan, dressed in armor, glanced at Liu Erlong as they brushed past each other.

Their figures crossed paths, moving in opposite directions.

Ning Rongrong’s incessant chatter made Liu Erlong pause briefly in her steps.

Her eyes flickered.

Wasn't that the child who had fallen earlier?

Liu Erlong turned her head curiously, looking behind her, her gaze sweeping over Ling Yuan.

A touch of gold caught her eye.

Her dark pupils suddenly trembled.

Gold—blinding gold!

Under the scorching sunlight.

Liu Erlong felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her body froze, trembling uncontrollably.

She stood there, dazed, as if rooted in place like a withered tree.

Her eyes quickly reddened, brimming with tears.

In the haze, all she could see was that person surrounded by golden hue.

That retreating figure overlapped with the one she had longed for day and night in her memories.

Liu Erlong couldn’t help but shed tears.

Her trembling lips parted.

"Ah Jue, it's Ah Jue!"

"I found you, I finally found you!"

Liu Erlong sobbed, frantically rushing forward without thinking.

"Ah Jue..."

She hurried down the stairs, forgetting her footing.

Suddenly, she stumbled, her figure quickly descending.

"Brother Holy Son! Just have a little sip!"

Ning Rongrong held the half-empty glass of wine, her bright eyes gleaming mischievously.

She lightly poked Qian Renjue's cheek with her finger.

"Rongrong is still just a child, you know~"

"You don't want me to drink it all myself, right?"

"Where did you even learn these strange things?"

Qian Renjue looked at her strangely, surprised that she was already playing such tricks at her young age.

"Is it really strange? Rongrong doesn't feel that way at all."

Ning Rongrong blinked her eyes innocently.

Wrinkling her small nose, she leaned against Qian Renjue's face, lightly sniffing the faint fragrance.

"Fine, I'll help you finish it."

Qian Renjue smiled helplessly and nodded in agreement.

"Yay!"

"Once Brother Holy Son finishes, Rongrong will take you to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."

Ning Rongrong lifted the wine glass, just about to bring it to Qian Renjue's lips.

Suddenly—thud!

Before she could finish her sentence, there was a dull thud behind them.

"Ah...!"

Followed by a brief groan of pain that quickly dissipated, replaced by frantic, excited cries.

That chilling voice grew closer to Qian Renjue's ears.

"Ah Jue!"

"Hmm?"

Qian Renjue furrowed his brows, dragging Ning Rongrong's small body along.

He turned around to see—

A curvaceous figure approaching rapidly.

Tears flowed down her elegant face, and her eyes, filled with heartache, were fixed on him.

Dust clung to the black dress that wrapped her voluptuous form.

It seemed to have been picked up from the stairs.

Her right foot was already sprained, yet it didn't slow her down at all.

She was quickly closing in on Qian Renjue.

"How dare you!"

Ling Yuan frowned and gave a low shout.

She stepped in front of Qian Renjue, her aura as a Titled Douluo sweeping over the area.

Liu Erlong felt a gust of wind hit her.

Her hurried steps faltered, stumbling back several steps.

She looked at Ling Yuan, her eyes filled with shock.

"Ah Jue..."

Liu Erlong clenched her fists but did not attack. Instead, she stared at Qian Renjue with a tearful voice.

She gazed at the boy she had longed for day and night.

Though there were subtle differences from the one in her dreams—he was younger—

Liu Erlong would never mistake him!

She had grown up with Qian Renjue! Every moment, every conversation was etched clearly in her mind!

"Brother Holy Son, is that lady calling you?"

Ning Rongrong asked curiously as she looked at Liu Erlong. Of course, she recognized this beautiful woman as the one she had bumped into earlier.

"It seems like it."

Qian Renjue hesitantly nodded.

Liu Erlong stared at Qian Renjue, a sense of unease rising in her heart.

Why did he seem not to recognize her?

"Your Highness, do you know her?"

Ling Yuan turned her head and asked, equally curious.

Qian Renjue gently shook his head. He had no recollection of her.

"How could that be?!"

Liu Erlong's eyes lost their focus, her face turning pale as she struggled to believe what she was hearing.

How could he not remember her?!

Liu Erlong shook her head in confusion.

She had searched for so long!

Qian Renjue looked at the woman in front of him, frowning as he turned to leave.

"Ling Yuan, let's go."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Ling Yuan cast a warning glance at Liu Erlong.

Then she turned to follow.

But Qian Renjue’s steps suddenly slowed, as if he had forgotten something.

"Ah Jue, don't go!"

Liu Erlong rushed forward.

She had finally found him; how could she let Qian Renjue disappear from her sight again?

"I know, you're still angry with me, right?!"

"I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong!"

Liu Erlong's voice, filled with sobs, was laced with grief, despair, and deep sorrow.

"Please... don't leave."

"......"

Under Ning Rongrong’s watchful gaze, Qian Renjue’s furrowed brow suddenly relaxed.

A hint of understanding flickered in his eyes.

He had indeed forgotten something from the dream.

"Brother Holy Son?"

Qian Renjue halted.

Ling Yuan frowned, her expression turning icy as she spun around.

"Annoying!"

She raised her hand, ready to strike Liu Erlong.

Smack!

"Your Highness?"

Ling Yuan was surprised as Qian Renjue grabbed her wrist mid-air.

Qian Renjue said nothing, simply staring at Liu Erlong.

"Ah Jue!"

Liu Erlong’s tearful, dark eyes suddenly lit up with a glimmer of hope.

Qian Renjue asked curiously:

"What's your surname?"

"I... my surname is Liu. Liu Erlong, Liu Erlong!"

Liu Erlong froze for a moment, then quickly replied.

"Liu Erlong?!"

Upon hearing the name "Liu," Qian Renjue could immediately confirm the woman's identity.

A deep look of shock flashed in his eyes.

The one chosen by the Dream Of Yellow Millet... how could it be her?!

Qian Renjue furrowed his brow once again.

He wanted to say something but had no idea where to begin.

Liu Erlong’s eyes filled with hope.

Ah Jue seemed to remember her!

"I'm sorry."

Qian Renjue suddenly spoke.

Both Ning Rongrong and Ling Yuan were stunned.

But Liu Erlong’s heart ached deeply. She wished with all her might that Qian Renjue would stop speaking.

"I don’t remember you right now."

Qian Renjue calmly said, gazing at her pale face, a strange feeling of compassion stirring in his heart.

It was a strange feeling without a clear cause.

Thinking of Liu Erlong’s position, Qian Renjue spoke seriously, reminding her:

"Liu Erlong, I don’t know what happened between us."

"But I hope you remember this."

"Never oppose the Spirit Hall again. This is my warning to you."

As his words fell, Liu Erlong suddenly remembered something.

Her beautiful face turned deathly pale.

The words Qian Renjue spoke before his death echoed in her mind like a great bell.

"Liu Erlong, let me warn you one more time. After you return."

"Do not oppose the Spirit Hall. If you cannot even abide by this simple rule, you will die for real!"

"Killed by me. And I won’t hesitate at all!"

"......"

"When you return, I will no longer remember you!"