Leaving the Fenglaixiang Jewelry Emporium, after turning down one street, He Yiming offered a sincere apology: "Lixun, I truly intended to pick out some jewelry for you, but running into that incident meant we left empty-handed. I promise to make it up to you next time."

Yuan Lixun offered a gentle smile, pointing to the scroll within the package He Yiming held. "But didn't we get this? How can you say we got nothing at all."

He Yiming's eyebrows lifted slightly, and he cracked a smile, feeling a warmth spread through his heart.

Yuan Lixun's smile suddenly faded, and a trace of hesitation flickered across her face.

He Yiming quickly inquired, "What is it?"

Of course, he didn't believe she was upset about not getting a gift, but such a shift in expression did cause him a measure of worry.

Inexplicably, every movement, every glance from Yuan Lixun now tugged at some string within his heart.

Although their initial encounter was not of He Yiming's choosing, at his age, being a young man who had interacted with few people outside of his cultivation, the first woman to consistently remain by his side was indeed the easiest one to fall for.

Yuan Lixun parted her bright red lips slightly and whispered, "Young Master, I just saw someone I know."

"Someone you know? You have acquaintances here?" He Yiming asked in surprise.

"Yes. You might not know this person, but I certainly won't forget him," Yuan Lixun murmured faintly.

He Yiming’s gaze sharpened slightly. He detected a subtle thread of terror in her tone and softly asked, "Who is it?"

"Young Master, do you still remember the Fan family of Jinlin?"

"Of course, I remember," He Yiming gave a wry smile. "I doubt I'll ever forget them in this lifetime."

It was precisely because of the conflict with the Fan family of Jinlin that He Yiming had fought against a Xiantian-level expert for the very first time. Without that moment of enlightenment, without that battle, he might not have ultimately prevailed when facing Cheng Fu this time.

"The current head of the Fan family, Fan Shuhe, has two sons: one is Fan Haori, and the other is Fan Haoyue," Yuan Lixun stated solemnly. "The person I just encountered was Fan Haoyue."

A face flashed instantly in He Yiming's mind—the arrogant young master from the entourage he had passed when returning home from the Fire Crow Kingdom, traversing Jinlin. That young noble had arrogantly attempted to seize his mount, the Red Silk Horse. Back then, He Yiming was in good spirits and simply couldn't be bothered to argue, so he administered a light punishment before riding away.

It was only later that he learned this person was the second young master returning home, and it was from him that he had acquired sufficient essence steel magnetite to reforge his great broadsword.

These memories flashed through his mind like lightning. The figure, once faded to near obscurity, gradually sharpened into clarity.

"Lixun, how do you know him?"

Yuan Lixun's face flushed slightly. "This person once came to my home. After seeing me, he sent someone to propose marriage to my father. But my father flatly refused." As she spoke, she lightly patted her chest, as if still shaken.

He Yiming's eyes briefly swept across her chest. Yuan Lixun was not old, only about his age; a sixteen-year-old girl who had developed early, her chest showing a slight rise of two small 'doves.' Even through her clothes, it was distinctly different from a man's.

As his gaze passed, he couldn't help but linger a moment longer.

Yuan Lixun, with the sharp intuition of a woman, instantly noticed this. Her face flushed crimson, and she let out a soft little hiss. Then, she startled internally—how could she make such a gesture?

She looked up, watching him anxiously, only to see He Yiming’s face etched with embarrassment. That sincere smile flowed