Chapter 223 Farewell (1/2)

The hot pot meal was a delight for both host and guests.

The spicy aroma travels from the tip of your tongue all the way to your stomach, making your blood boil and even your bones feel comfortable.

Yu Hao ate until his belly was round and full, then slumped in his chair without any regard for appearances and let out a solid burp.

As expected, hot pot is the perfect winter meal, and it has to be lamb hot pot!

Yu Hang, who was standing next to him, didn't say much, but his shoulders, which had been tense all the way, relaxed, and his cold and hard aura softened.

He looked at Yan Yu with a solemn expression that only soldiers could understand.

"Xiao Yan, sister-in-law, thank you for your hospitality."

He stood up, his back straight as a javelin.

"It's getting late, we should head back."

Yu Hao, who was slumped in the chair, suddenly stiffened upon hearing his brother's words and quickly jumped up from the chair.

He stood up, looked at Yan Yu in front of him, scratched his head, and seemed a little lost.

With his eyes filled with the sadness of parting, Yu Hao hesitated for a while before saying, "Brother Yu, sister-in-law, I... I'm going to the army with my brother tomorrow to join the army."

His voice was muffled, and by the end, his nose was starting to sting.

"I'll come to see you again when I have time to visit my family. You two have to take good care of yourselves!"

After saying that, he sniffed hard, forcefully suppressing the sour feeling that was rising in his throat.

He was afraid that if he stayed even a second longer, his worthless tears would actually fall, which would be too embarrassing.

Yan Yu remained silent.

He simply raised his hand and gave Yu Hao's shoulder a firm squeeze.

The force was immense, almost sinking into his bones, yet it delivered a silent power directly into Yu Hao's body.

Yu Hao grinned, forcing a twisted smile, and nodded vigorously, swallowing all his churning emotions along with the mouthful of mutton soup into his scalding stomach.

Seeing his forced composure, Ruan Tang felt a pang of tenderness in her heart.

She pulled a small white porcelain bottle from her pocket and, taking advantage of the moment Yu Hang turned around, quickly stepped forward and shoved it into Yu Hao's cold palm.

"Take it."

"This life-saving medicine is a family heirloom; don't tell anyone. Once you're in the army, do a good job."

The bottle contained a slice of the Rejuvenating Pill, which could pull a person back from the clutches of death as long as they had a breath left.

The cool porcelain bottle pressed against his burning palm, and Yu Hao shuddered.

A surge of heat burst forth from my palm, burning all the way down my arm to my heart.

"Thank you, sister-in-law!"

The two brothers put on thick coats, and Yu Hang nodded to Yan Yu and Ruan Tang again before leading Yu Hao out of the courtyard without looking back.

Yan Yu held Ruan Tang's hand and stood at the door.

The wind and snow instantly swallowed their figures.

The courtyard suddenly became eerily quiet, with only the wind swirling snowflakes, pattering softly against the door.

Yan Yu closed the courtyard gate and turned back.

The room was still filled with the warmth and aroma of the hot pot. He said nothing and began to silently clear the dishes from the table.

Ruan Tang stood behind him, watching his tall figure bustling about in the dimly lit room.

Those broad shoulders seemed capable of keeping all the wind and snow out.

She suddenly spoke, her voice soft, like a feather falling on the snow.

"Brother, are you...going home to see your family?"

He stopped clearing the dishes.

He put down what he was holding and walked step by step to her, his tall shadow completely enveloping her.

He reached out, his calloused fingertips rubbing her cheek hard, his voice low and hoarse, as if squeezed from the deepest part of his chest.

"I said that."

"My family consists only of you."

Ruan Tang's heart trembled violently.

She nodded, then tiptoed and kissed his cool, thin lips.