Chapter Thirty-Two: The Tender Years of Youth

The warmth and coldness of human relationships, the fickleness of the world.
From childhood, she had followed her master in training, learning countless principles. Yet only when experienced firsthand did she truly feel them, gaining a deeper understanding.
The head of the manor personally coming to propose marriage—what an honor that was!
Ye Qian herself felt nothing special, but her father and mother were beaming with joy all day, their status rising, their demeanor proud and arrogant.
When Ye Yun’s family came to propose, Ye Qian was not at home, but training with Elder Ye Min.
Upon her return, her parents told her what had transpired. Her delicate, beautiful face turned suddenly pale.
“Father, Mother, how could you do this?” she said angrily.
“What? Qian’er, you haven’t fallen for that worthless brat, have you? We’re doing this for your own good. You could become the head lady of the manor, respected and honored, bringing glory to our lineage!” Ye Cai frowned and rebuked her.
“Even if you’re thinking of me, you shouldn’t speak so harshly.”
“Harsh? Nonsense, everything I said is true. Ye Yun’s family is ignorant; they’re toads coveting swan meat!” Ye Qian’s mother, Wang Ping, added.
“You…” Ye Qian was so furious she could not speak, and ran out immediately.
“Qian’er, where are you going?” Ye Cai and Wang Ping called after her.
“I’m going to explain things to Ye Yun!” Without looking back, Ye Qian left the house, heading straight for Ye Yun’s home.
“Could it be this child truly has feelings for that Ye Yun boy?” Ye Cai’s frown deepened.
“Hmph, even if she does, it’s impossible. This concerns the honor and future of our family!” Wang Ping stood up. “Husband, send someone to the main house and tell Ye Peng about this matter.”
Ye Cai’s eyes lit up at her words. “You’re right. With Ye Peng’s pride, if he hears of this, he won’t let that Ye Yun boy off!”
As he spoke, Ye Cai quickly summoned a servant to go to the main manor.
…
“Foundation establishment is the key to cultivation. Its purpose is to solidify the groundwork laid during the Qi refining stage, just as the foundation is crucial for a towering building.”
In the courtyard, the heavy snow had almost stopped, with only a few flakes drifting down. Ye Yun walked in the snow, contemplating the intricacies of foundation establishment.
He was broad-minded, and though the proposal had angered him, he blamed no one, only lamented the fickle nature of people and the coldness of the world. Perhaps, from beginning to end, he and Ye Qian were never meant to be.

From childhood until now, this was his first awakening of affection—a sudden blossoming of youthful feelings, ending as abruptly as it began.
After setting aside matters of the heart, he focused on breaking through the foundation establishment stage.
“Ye Yun!…”
Just then, a familiar voice suddenly called out. Ye Yun looked toward the sound and saw Ye Qian in a fiery red dress, rushing toward him.
In this snowy season, that familiar red dress should have stirred tender feelings, a touching scene. But Ye Yun’s heart was as cold as winter.
Ye Qian stopped before him. Their gazes met. In the past, they always had much to say, but this time, silence reigned; neither knew what to say.
After a long pause, Ye Qian broke the silence, speaking softly, “I heard you came to my house to propose?”
“Yes, I did,” Ye Yun nodded, saying nothing more.
He knew Ye Qian was probably here to explain, but it no longer mattered. If only he had been rejected and humiliated, he could bear it, but his parents had been dragged into it—that, he could not tolerate.
Ye Qian opened her mouth, wanting to explain, yet unsure how to begin. Ye Yun gave her a faint smile. “Since you’re here, let’s sit together.”
“Bring out the table and chairs.”
Servants from the manor quickly brought out a wooden table and two chairs.
Snow still drifted down. Ye Yun gestured for her to sit and took the seat himself.
“It’s so cold outside. Why not talk indoors?” Ye Qian frowned, confused by his actions.
“As cultivators, we transcend the mundane. With inner energy, mere winter chills are nothing to fear,” Ye Yun smiled, waving his hand. Soon, a servant brought a wine pot and two cups.
He had never drunk wine himself, but often saw his master drink. After the proposal, his father had drunk much as well.
Books say wine can dispel sorrow; they also say its heat can drive away the cold.
Seeing Ye Yun like this made Ye Qian feel uncomfortable. She said no more, sitting opposite him.
“Will you drink?” Ye Yun filled his own cup and asked casually.
Ye Qian shook her head. “Why must you do this?”
Draining the wine in one gulp, Ye Yun felt the burning in his throat and smiled calmly. “How should I act, then?”

“My parents may have been excessive, but they meant well for me. I hope you don’t mind,” Ye Qian said after a moment’s thought.
“Perhaps?” Ye Yun suddenly laughed, finishing his second cup. “Is it for your sake that they trample on another’s dignity? They were so cruel, and you say ‘perhaps’? They are your parents, but mine are parents too, are they not?”
“You…” Ye Qian was stunned by his words and frowned. “I came to explain, not to argue.”
“You call this an explanation?” Ye Yun shook his head, as if he had heard the most ridiculous joke.
Seeing his attitude, Ye Qian understood that this matter had become a knot between them.
The atmosphere grew silent again. Ye Qian frowned in contemplation, while Ye Yun kept drinking.
When the wine pot was empty, the snow had stopped. A cold wind lifted a strand of Ye Yun’s hair. He suddenly stood up. “The snow has stopped. You should go back.”
The snow had stopped, and so had their innocent affection.
“Ye Yun, do you really like me?” Ye Qian suddenly asked.
Ye Yun’s gaze flickered at her blunt question, tasting the bitterness and helplessness described in books.
“He has no right to like you!”
At that moment, a cold voice sounded. Turning toward the source, they saw a figure leap over the wall. Clad in white robes blending with the snow, wearing a jade crown, cloud-stepping boots, and a golden silk sash, his bearing noble—it was Ye Peng.
“Ye Yun, you certainly have nerve!”
Ye Peng’s presence was overwhelming, his voice harsh from the start.
He remembered the boy from the mountain near Fan Village who dared defy him—none other than this low-born youth.
“This is my home. You barge in here—are you looking for trouble?”
After the proposal, his parents had suffered humiliation, and his tender feelings ended before they even began. Ye Yun’s anger smoldered. Now, with Ye Peng confronting him, he showed no courtesy.

ps: Many have experienced their first love; some carefree men perhaps have never known the bittersweetness of youthful affection. At those tender ages, reckless and ignorant of mutual understanding, first love is always fragile.
These words are merely a remembrance. Some readers may find the plot dull, but I write it to make Ye Yun’s growth more complete. Though he is a character in a book, he feels more like a living, breathing person!