Chapter 1997 - 1993: Acceptance
Ye Fan had been waiting for Tantai Wanrong’s recognition of him for a long time, and now that he finally heard her say it, he was actually quite pleased within.
Facing such a mature and charming woman, especially one whom he had always respected and loved, Ye Fan didn’t quite know how to face Tantai Wanrong. He always felt that there was something missing between them, something like a tacit understanding, but he couldn’t quite explain what it was.
"Aunt Rong, you are the best woman I’ve ever met." Ye Fan said with a very emotional tone, "I’ve never denied my admiration and affection for you, nor have I denied wanting to make you my own woman, but in front of you, I’ve always felt a bit inferior, thinking I’m not worthy of you."
Tantai Wanrong looked at Ye Fan, unsure if this counted as Ye Fan’s response to her. She shook her head and said, "Ye Fan, don’t say that. It’s me who thinks I’m not worthy of you. You’re so outstanding, the best man I’ve ever seen. Most importantly, you’re younger than me, and I’ve always felt there’s a distance between us. I didn’t dare to imagine being with you, but now that the Heavenly Tribulation is about to happen, I don’t want any regrets. I want to share my most genuine thoughts with you."
Ye Fan looked at Tantai Wanrong, unable to fully describe his current emotions, but they were extremely complicated, so complicated that Ye Fan couldn’t quite articulate a certain feeling of gain and loss. Perhaps it was because Tantai Wanrong chose this peculiar time to confess, causing him to feel he had gained but hadn’t truly acquired anything, which was what made him most frustrated. The Heavenly Tribulation became the biggest barrier between him and Tantai Wanrong, and he felt as though their relationship began and might end with this confession. He couldn’t fathom why he had such thoughts.
For a moment, Ye Fan didn’t respond to Tantai Wanrong, which confused her. She asked, "Ye Fan, what do you really think about me? I need to hear your most accurate answer."
"Aunt Rong, I just shared all my thoughts with you earlier. I truly admire you, even consider making you my woman, but are you... sure about this choice? The Heavenly Tribulation is only a day away, and within this day, I don’t know what I might encounter, not to mention having time to accompany you. Perhaps I’ll have to leave in the next moment, which I feel is quite unfair to you, as if I’m not fulfilling my responsibility as a husband, and this worries me." Ye Fan spoke with a sense of responsibility.
Tantai Wanrong chuckled and said, "If that’s your concern, then you needn’t worry at all. Ye Fan, I understand your thoughts perfectly. The biggest barrier between us isn’t whether we admire each other or not. You have long known my feelings for you, but it’s just that we’re missing the conditions to be together, which has led us to this situation of being fated but lacking destiny. However, rest assured, my feelings for you are firm. Even if my life were reduced to just one second, I would want to see our relationship through to the end."
Ye Fan looked at Tantai Wanrong, feeling genuinely pleased, as Tantai Wanrong chose to accept him at this time, which was precious to him. If Tantai Wanrong had chosen to avoid, their relationship might have been postponed until after the Heavenly Tribulation, which was not the outcome Ye Fan wished to see. He was uncertain whether he could accomplish certain things before the Tribulation, and his sense of guilt towards Tantai Wanrong hindered him from pursuing her directly. Now that Tantai Wanrong herself broke the silence, all problems seemed to resolve themselves.
"Aunt Rong." Ye Fan said, moving forward to face Tantai Wanrong directly. He then lowered his head and kissed Tantai Wanrong’s lips, immersing them both in this moment, which could be described as their most serene time. This feeling made Ye Fan reluctant to end it, although he knew he couldn’t do anything more here, even if both were ready. With Zhao Tianya, Qin Mengyao, and Yang Xiaoting nearby, he had to think twice about his actions.
As this moment continued, a voice suddenly interrupted, "So, are you two officially in a relationship now?"
The voice came from Zhao Tianya, who couldn’t help but step forward to interrupt as she witnessed Ye Fan and Tantai Wanrong kissing. She knew it was driven by unwillingness and jealousy. Though outwardly rejecting Ye Fan, inwardly she still cared deeply for him.
Qin Mengyao and Yang Xiaoting had been secretly watching. Though they couldn’t hear Tantai Wanrong and Ye Fan’s conversation, they clearly saw what was happening. Seeing Ye Fan and Tantai Wanrong kiss, they understood what was occurring.
Qin Mengyao anxiously exclaimed, "Sister Ya, how could you do that? Aren’t you ruining Aunt and Brother Fan’s moment?"
"And you’re speaking as if you haven’t thought about it. By saying that, you’re also ruining their moment? By saying that, you’re indirectly admitting that you’ve been secretly watching all along!" Zhao Tianya retorted to Qin Mengyao, causing Qin Mengyao to bow her head in embarrassment, not daring to look at Ye Fan and Tantai Wanrong.
Tantai Wanrong seemed unfazed, saying, "Since you already know, there’s no need to hide anything. What I’ve been wanting to do today is to confess to Little Fan... to Ye Fan. From now on, I cannot act as a senior in front of Ye Fan; I am just an ordinary woman beside him, no different from Yaoyao and Xiaoxiao."
"How can there be no difference? There must be a difference. Can you be like Yaoyao and Xiaoxiao towards Ye Fan... Oh! I feel embarrassed to say it. Your niece has always been quite the vixen, youthful and charming, knowing how to please Ye Fan. When you grow older and lose your looks, you surely won’t be able to compete for his favor with these young girls." Zhao Tianya said.
Qin Mengyao stuck out her tongue and laughed, "That’s not possible. Aunt has already cultivated like an Immortal, and she can remain youthful forever, so how could she grow old and lose her looks? Sister Ya, you should worry about yourself. You don’t usually like to cultivate, and years from now, your appearance might age."