Adhere to the gentleman's principles

Chapter 209 Lost My Heart

It was late at night, and Zhao Junning sat alone in front of the window, anxiously waiting for Li Ziyan to return. Time passed by, but there was no sign of him. The sky outside the window gradually darkened, with dark clouds and occasional thunder.

Finally, unable to bear the worry in her heart, Zhao Junning decided to go look for Li Ziyan herself. She hurriedly picked up an umbrella and a cloak, and went out with a lantern. When she stepped onto the street, big raindrops began to pour down.

Not long after walking, Zhao Junning saw a familiar figure walking slowly in front of her. When she got closer, it was indeed Li Ziyan! She hurriedly went to meet him and called softly, "Ziyan."

Li Ziyan was soaked and exhausted. He looked up and saw a beautiful woman in a pink waisted dress with wide sleeves and a pink cape, as beautiful as a flower blooming in the rain.

Li Ziyan asked in surprise: "Why are you here? It's raining so hard outside, you should stay at home." Zhao Junning smiled and shook his head, handed him the umbrella, carefully helped him put on the cloak, and gently wiped the rain off his face.

"It's late at night and my lover hasn't returned yet. I'm very worried. I guess he has lost his way in the dark night." Zhao Junning said gently.

Li Ziyan stared at Zhao Junning, his heart filled with emotion. This woman seemed to always be able to see through his inner thoughts. Whenever he felt confused or lost, she would always appear beside him like a beacon, guiding him on the way forward.

Zhao Junning took the lantern, took Li Ziyan's hand, and said softly, "Ziyan, let's go home." The two walked side by side. Although the rain was getting heavier, their steps seemed particularly firm. In this stormy night, Zhao Junning and Li Ziyan relied on each other and kept each other warm.

After returning home, Zhao Junning patted Li Ziyan's shoulder gently and said softly: "Ziyan, you must be tired after traveling all the way. Go take a shower and wash up first." When Li Ziyan came back from taking a shower, the two sat on the edge of the bed together.

Li Ziyan stared at Zhao Junning silently, frowning, as if he was worried about something. Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Junning, why are you always so sad? Is there something bothering you?"

Zhao Junning smiled slightly and asked him in return: "Then my dear, why are you so sad?" Li Ziyan was silent for a moment, took a deep breath, and told him the truth about Xiao Xuanjing entrusting him to try the case of Shen Congwen.

Zhao Junning couldn't help but sigh after hearing this, and looked at Li Ziyan with concern in her eyes. She asked softly, "My dear, do you think that your hesitation at that moment was wrong?" There was a hint of doubt and thought in her words.

Li Ziyan said slowly: "Jun Ning! Back then, when I was only four years old, my uncle who was guarding the border came home to visit and brought me a rare item - Nine Linked Rings. This thing is really interesting, I just can't let it go, and often take it out to play with Wen He. At that time, Congwen was still in Pingliang.

However, one day, when I was happily fiddling with the Nine Rings in Jiuxiao Pavilion, a child suddenly rushed in and snatched the treasure from my hands without saying a word.

Of course I was not willing to be outdone, so I immediately stepped forward to take back what belonged to me, but the guy was tall and strong, and much stronger than me, so I was no match for him. Not only that, I was beaten up in the end, and the poor Nine-Ring Chain was mercilessly thrown into the stinking manure pit by him. "

At this point, Li Ziyan paused, a trace of pain flashed in his eyes. Then, he continued: "After Congwen knew about this, he angrily went to find that bad boy to settle the score, and vented my anger for me.

Later, when we were six years old, we started to go to school together. Liang Wuxie was always against me, causing trouble for me every other day, and we would fight at any time. I remember one time... "One time, Liang Wuxie went even further and tore Li Ziyan's books to pieces.

The teacher in the school was naturally furious when he saw this, and he scolded Li Ziyan. But Li Ziyan was young and rebellious, so how could he bear such humiliation? In anger, he simply skipped class and ran away.

After Shen Congwen and Xu Wenhe found out, they first beat up Liang Wuxie. Then when they went to Li's house to look for Li Ziyan, they learned that Li Ziyan had not returned home. After two days of searching, they found out that Li Ziyan was tied up in the woods outside the city. They almost sent Li Ziyan there.

Li Ziyan took a deep breath, "The three of us returned to Yangzhou together. Because of the incident with Pingliang, I didn't study hard in Yangzhou School, and everyone in Yangzhou accused me of being a playboy. Congwen and I were so close, but I was shaken just because I heard that he was going to be promoted."

Li Ziyan looked up at Zhao Junning and found that she looked pale and seemed to be in a bad mood. He asked with concern: "Did what I said just now make you sad? It's okay, Junning, I have made up my mind. Even if I don't become an official, I will never give up my literary career."

Zhao Junning shook her head slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of contemplation. "I just remembered a story." She said softly.

Li Ziyan curiously asked: "What story?"

"It's a legend about the Investiture of the Gods. It is said that before the Investiture of the Gods, Yang Jian, Nezha the Third Prince, Lei Zhenzi and others were all top masters who fought against the Shang Dynasty. They could box tigers and step on dragons. Each of them had extraordinary abilities, and they all got good positions after the Investiture of the Gods." Zhao Junning narrated slowly.

Li Ziyan nodded, showing his understanding. "That sounds great! They have obtained the divine status, which is also a reward for their hard work."

However, Zhao Junning's tone became heavy. "Yes, but later the Heavenly Palace welcomed a man named the Great Sage Equaling Heaven. He was fearless and even ignored the Heavenly Palace. He fought a fierce battle with Nezha and finally defeated him. He also defeated the Heavenly King of the Pagoda, showing unparalleled strength. In the three hundred rounds of battle with Yang Jian, he was finally suppressed by the Buddha under the Five Finger Mountain."

Li Ziyan listened quietly, feeling deeply moved. He realized that this story seemed to contain some deep meaning.

Sun Wukong was born without a father or mother, but although he was a bit willful, he was also a very affectionate person. In the end, after going through hardships, he obtained the true scriptures and became a Buddha. Isn't this a happy ending for everyone? Li Ziyan said.

However, Zhao Junning has a different view: "Even if it is good, what can it do? As a divine fetus born and raised by nature, it still fell into the world of mortals.

Even though he has a strong character and pride, he is inevitably tainted by the world and loses his true self. "These words echoed in Li Ziyan's mind like a revelation, making him suddenly realize. In an instant, he pulled Zhao Junning into his arms without hesitation and kissed her passionately.

When the two parted lips, Li Ziyan revealed a genuine smile, a joy that came from the bottom of his heart, "That's right! Even though they have great abilities and magical powers, in the end they all became running dogs of the Heavenly Court or Buddhas in the Western Paradise, and lost their original intentions."

He hugged Zhao Junning tightly and said gratefully: "Junning, thank you, thank you very much." At this moment, Li Ziyan couldn't help but feel emotional. If he really had a wavering heart and tried Congwen, wouldn't it be true that Congwen was the murderer? The truth has not been found out yet. Shen Congwen must have been framed because of him. If he really tried Shen Congwen and got a high position, he would lose himself and let others manipulate him. In this way, what is the difference between him and Yu Si, Du Lin and Chen Gao?