Chapter 378 - Chilling Frost Spreads on the Calm Lake at Night
Chapter 378: Chilling Frost Spreads on the Calm Lake at Night
Translator: Noodletown Translated Editor: Noodletown Translated
The sun was shining gaily while the fragrance of flowers filled the area.
They were all seated on the picnic blanket, and Hao Zhonghua took out the piping hot dishes from sealed lunch boxes one by one.
The picnic atmosphere was so refreshing that it set everyone’s mind at ease.
As Hao Zhonghua opened the vacuum flask, he couldn’t help but praise, “This fish soup smells amazing!”
The aroma of the white, murky, and thick soup was incredibly satisfying to everyone’s sense of smell.
“Yujia woke up early this morning and made it herself.” Grandma pointed out in joy.
Xie Yujia blushed and responded by sticking her tongue shyly for a brief second.
“What’s so special about fish soup? I know how to make it as well…” Zhao Yanzi murmured.
However, since her stomach was growling for food, she did not reject her share of the fish soup when Hao Zhonghua got her a bowl.
Having a picnic while immersed in nature was an entirely different feeling than dining at home; the easiness that one felt from being able to eat while sitting on grasses and enjoy the clouds in the sky was definitely impossible to obtain from eating at home.
Occasionally, Zhao Guang and Zhao Hongyu would take Zhao Yanzi on adventures in the wild as well. However, they had never taken her out for a picnic because they felt like a three-person picnic was underwhelming in comparison to a larger picnic.
Since Zhao Yanzi acquired a handy weapon by chance today, she was thrilled and overjoyed. Drenched in the sunlight in the valley, the bright smile on her face became even more dazzling.
In the backdrop of the green scenery, Zhao Yanzi’s smile seemed as sweet as cake. The scene looked as fascinating as a TV commercial in slow motion.
While eating, Hao Ren couldn’t stop but stare at Zhao Yanzi and become lost in a stupor of admiration. Noticing that, a meaningful smile appeared on Yue Yang’s face.
Indeed, Zhao Yanzi looked exceptionally stunning today. If Zhao Yanzi weren’t already her future daughter-in-law, Yue Yang would want to make Zhao Yanzi her daughter instead.
“Yujia, thanks for your hard work today. Have some more fish.” Hao Zhonghua scooped up a huge chunk of fish meat and placed it into Xie Yujia’s bowl.
His obvious kind gesture indicated that he thought highly of Xie Yujia.
“Thanks, Uncle!” Xie Yujia was surprised and overwhelmed by the unexpected gesture and quickly held up her bowl to receive the treat.
Prompted by the exchange, Hao Ren turned to look at Xie Yujia. He found that Xie Yujia, who was also bathing in the sun, was just as stunning. Her gentleness and serenity were very different from Zhao Yanzi’s liveliness.
“Auntie, have some corn juice!” Zhao Yanzi picked up a jar and offered Yue Yang a full glass.
“Zi, you’re such a sweet girl!” Yue Yang grinned as she became delighted.
“Hao Ren, what would you like to drink?” Xie Yujia asked Hao Ren abruptly.
Zhao Yanzi instantly turned her head and locked her eyes on Xie Yujia.
“Have some apple juice.” Xie Yujia calmly picked up the juice jar and poured some for Hao Ren.
Hiss… The friction between the two auras begun sparkling around Hao Ren.
Both Xie Yujia and Zhao Yanzi were desperately releasing their own auras, and a subtle fight between the Foundation Building Realm cultivator and the Qi Refinement Realm cultivator commenced.
Since it was lunchtime, some young people were here to hike. As if they saw two blinding lights in the corners of their eyes, they turned their heads toward the direction of where Hao Ren was seated, and Zhao Yanzi and Xie Yujia instantly drew their attention.
While Zhao Yanzi was radiant, Xie Yujia seemed tranquil. Yet, their auras were both unique since they were cultivators. In the eyes of mortals, they were like goddesses!
“Gongzi!”
At this moment, two crisp and clear voices resonated in the area at once.
Those who were being stunned by Zhao Yanzi and Xie Yujia turned their heads toward the source of the voices.
The Lu sisters, each wearing a fruity colored cardigan over a floral-patterned jumper, sped toward Hao Ren while holding hands.
They were both wearing beach sun hats and pink satchels. When they sprinted through the wildflowers, they were so light and graceful that it seemed like they were about to take off from the ground.
Nascent Soul Realm!
Their auras were majestic, and their beauties were glaring!
Zhao Yanzi and Xie Yujia who were secretly competing against each other had now instantly been cast into the shade!
Those people nearby were overwhelmed by the beauty before them as they all were absentmindedly gaping at Lu Linlin and Lu Lili.
“Gongzi…” Lu Linlin and Lu Lili rushed to Hao Ren’s sides. One on the left, and the other on the right, they both gently put their arms around Hao Ren’s arms.
Pffftt… The scene caused the young men in the area to become so jealous that they almost vomited blood out of their mouths.
“Linlin, Lili, how come you are here, too?” Grandma asked as she was pleasantly surprised by the Lu sisters’ appearance.
“The weather is so nice that we decided to come here for a hike as well. It is nice that we ran into Grandma and Gongzi!” Lu Linlin replied with the sweetest smile possible.
Maintaining their synchronized movements, they each had a hand around Hao Ren’s arm and used the other hand to tidy their hat, proving that they were indeed here for an outing.
Seeing how the Lu sisters were putting their arms around Hao Ren’s arms intimately, Yue Yang couldn’t help but slowly let out a sigh.
However, Grandma didn’t mind it one bit. She took out two pairs of chopsticks and said, “What a coincidence! Come sit down and eat with us!”
“Thanks, Grandma!” Lu Linlin and Lu Lili did not object. They grabbed the chopsticks as they quietly let go of Hao Ren’s arms, and they began tasting the dishes displayed on the picnic blanket with smiles on their faces.
On that note, Xie Yujia and Zhao Yanzi looked at each other briefly before immediately turning their heads away. Obviously, the presence of the Lu sisters destroyed their willingness to fight.
After all, the Qi Refinement Realm and Foundation Establishment Realm were not even comparable to the powerful Nascent Soul Realm!
“Grandma, there was a citywide siren last night for hurricane warning; it was so frightening,” the Lu sisters said to Grandma after they sat down.
“Haha, at least you were in the city. We were by the ocean when that happened, and that was certainly something else,” Grandma replied while laughing.
Lu Linlin and Lu Lili nodded their heads at Grandma’s remark, and their adorable looks made Grandma’s smile even brighter.
“This morning, the streets were full of fishes and shrimps, all washed up from the ocean by the hurricanes,” Lu Lili said with a pout as she bit her chopsticks.
“According to the news, it was fortunate that the alarm went off at midnight. Even the crazy winds caused by the hurricanes didn’t cause any casualties!” Lu Linlin added.
Since the alarm and the siren were results of an urgent phone call made by Yue Yang, Yue Yang was pleased to hear what the Lu sisters said, and she became more friendly and positive toward the sisters.
“Weather forecast in the East Ocean City is based on all-day observations. Also, the detection system used by the city is the most advanced in the world,” Yue Yang explained to the Lu sisters blissfully.
Lu Linlin and Lu Lili responded with charming smiles. “Ah right! Auntie is in charge of work relating to weather forecasting in East Ocean City!”
Having no resistance to the Lu sisters’ charm, Yue Yang couldn’t help but let out cheerful laughter.
With Lu Linlin and Lu Lili continually chiming in, the atmosphere of the picnic became even more lively.
Initially, Zhen Congming tried to stay cool by putting on a poker face. Yet, since it was his first time having a picnic in the wild, he became elated as well as it went on.
After all, Zhen Congming who successfully transformed into a human was merely a child.
On the other hand, Little White could hardly stay still. In the middle of its meal, it crawled onto the meadow and began rolling around. It first circled Hao Ren and Grandma meaninglessly, and it then suddenly took dozens of strides forward, jumping at the butterflies that were lingering on the flowers close by.
Since Little White was so full of energy and really cute, the other young girls who were also having picnics on the site couldn’t help but wave it over.
Feeling no shame, Little White answered their calls immediately and ran over. While sticking out its tongue, it jumped into the arms of those girls and began eating the ham sausages in their hands.
“Little White!” Hao Ren shouted as he pretended to be mad.
Abruptly, Little White jumped up and quickly returned to Hao Ren’s side.
“Damn you, Little White! All you know is to hang out with other girls, humph!” Zhao Yanzi hugged onto Little White firmly with one arm while locking onto its neck with the other, leaving it no way to escape again.
“Ruff! Ruff!”
Little White struggled desperately in Zhao Yanzi’s arms.
Suddenly, Hao Ren felt a chill in his neck.
Somehow, he felt like Zhao Yanzi’s words were not intended for Little White but for him…
After the picnic, Zhao Yanzi went flying kites in the company of Yue Yang, and Hao Ren went to fish by the small river with Hao Zhonghua.
Hao Zhonghua and Yue Yang had long buried themselves in their researches and had been negligent in their communications with their son. Today was an excellent opportunity for them to strengthen their family bond.
In the shade of a willow tree, Hao Zhonghua and Hao Ren were seated side by side after throwing out their fishing lines hooked with baits.
The sun was shining on the river, and the water reflected specks of silver sparkles.
“Ren, really, what are you thinking?” Hao Zhonghua asked as he looked at Hao Ren intently.
Hao Ren looked at him.
Hao Zhonghua turned his body around, trying to signal his point, so Hao Ren followed him and turned around as well.
Not far from them, Yue Yang was leading Zhao Yanzi as they flew a kite. Because of the perfect wind in the valley, Zhao Yanzi’s kite was flying higher and higher. Thus, Zhao Yanzi seemed more and more excited as she yanked the kite string while laughing out loud.
In another direction, right next to the car, Xie Yujia had put away the picnic blanket and was now leaning against a big tree and chatting with Grandma.
On the other hand, Lu Linlin and Lu Lili were strolling through a small path between the flowers. Suddenly, they seemed to have touched a sensitive topic. Lu Linlin began running away swiftly, and Lu Lili chased after her with a blushed face.
“What do you think of this?” Hao Zhonghua repeated his question.
With a spectacular jump, Little White caught the frisbee that Zhen Congming threw out with its mouth.
Lu Lili had now caught up to Lu Linlin, and they both fell onto the ground where there were a ton of flowers as they continued to tease each other.
Right next to the car, Xie Yujia suddenly burst out laughing as she talked to Grandma.
Looking up at the flying kite in the sky, Zhao Yanzi put her white hand on top of her forehead to shelter her face from the sun, and she squinted her eyes slightly.
Hao Ren slowly pulled back his glances.
“Chilling frost spreads on the calm lake at night. Looking at the hair, sighing at the shortness of life. As I look at the moon, it shines on me with the moonlight. Envious of the loving couples instead of immortals.” 1
“Envious of the loving couples instead of immortals…” Hao Zhonghua recited the line quietly.
“Gongzi!”
Lu Linlin and Lu Lili raced over. “Gongzi, you’re fishing!?”
In the warm weather, both of their faces had turned bright red as they ran to Hao Ren.
“Yep.” Hao Ren nodded.
“We will watch Gongzi fish then!” Again, one on the left and the other on the right, Lu Linlin and Lu Lili seated themselves right next to Hao Ren.
With their mouths pouted, they looked just like two small fishes.
With the sisters’ presence, Hao Zhonghua could not continue with the subject. He gave a half smile and left Hao Ren a meaningful remark. “If you can’t find peace and calmness in your heart, you won’t be able to catch a single fish.”
Glop… Hao Ren suddenly pulled up his fishing rod abruptly.
While flopping, a silver carp weighing more than two pounds was dragged out of the river and landed onto the grass behind Hao Ren.