Chapter 67: Ye Xuemei Is Captured Again

A gentle, persistent drizzle blanketed the ancient city, its chill seeping into the bones of those who braved it. Yet the weather could not deter the eager travelers, each drawn by the allure of the old city's authentic architecture. Under the misty rain, the centuries-old buildings seemed to possess a dreamy, ethereal beauty.

Xiao Yu steered his car along the winding streets of the historic district. Their first destination was the famed city wall, a landmark known far and wide. After nearly half an hour, they finally arrived at their goal.

The heavens refused to cooperate; the weather was harsh, but it was the peak of the tourist season. When the two reached the ancient wall, they found it thronged with people.

Xiao Yu managed to secure a parking spot after much effort. Once he had parked, the two stepped out, one after the other. In front of them stood the imposing city wall, its magnificence enhanced by the fine rain, which lent it a weighty, solemn air.

Xiao Yu opened his umbrella and, with his other hand, gently took Ye Shihan’s hand, his voice soft and tender, “Let’s go.”

With that, they walked toward the ticket booth. After purchasing two tickets, they entered and began their ascent of the wall.

The pair, handsome and beautiful, drew the attention of nearby tourists as they climbed the stairs. Xiao Yu and Ye Shihan paid no mind to the admiring glances, proceeding straight up to the top.

On the wall, traces of sword and blade could still be seen, silent witnesses to the passage of countless years. One could only wonder if the builders ever imagined that, after such an expanse of time, this ancient wall would still stand, its stories passed down through generations.

The steps were slippery, so Xiao Yu slowed his pace to care for Ye Shihan. What should have been a brief climb took them more than ten minutes before they reached the top.

Standing atop the wall, they gazed out. Beyond its boundaries stretched a lush forest, its greenery thick and vibrant. Many tourists used the beautiful scenery as a backdrop for photos, while others played and laughed.

Though the landscape was stunning, few truly came for its beauty alone.

Hand in hand, Xiao Yu and Ye Shihan walked forward. Ye Shihan began to recount the history of the wall, speaking animatedly. Xiao Yu listened, surprised—though they had attended the same school and were of the same age, he had never realized Ye Shihan had such knowledge of history.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?” Ye Shihan noticed his gaze and pouted.

“No, you’re absolutely right. I’m just surprised; I didn’t know you had such expertise in ancient history,” Xiao Yu replied with a gentle smile.

“That’s right. My grades may not have matched yours, but I was still top of the class,” Ye Shihan laughed.

Soon, they reached the summit of the wall. Xiao Yu stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the landscape. From here, not only could he take in the distant vistas, but also the sights within the old city itself.

Lost in thought, Xiao Yu felt as though he had been transported to a battlefield of ages past. A different aura began to emanate from him, one rarely seen. Ye Shihan was captivated, mesmerized by the change.

In that moment, Xiao Yu seemed to her like a great general of antiquity, single-handedly defending the gates, gazing down upon the world with unyielding resolve.

“The bearing of a divine king—young man, you are truly extraordinary.”

A voice, rich with laughter, suddenly broke the spell and pulled Xiao Yu back to reality. He turned slowly to see, a few meters behind, an old man in a gray robe, leaning on a cane, a basket slung over his back, smiling warmly at him.

Ordinary eyes would see nothing remarkable in this elder, but Xiao Yu was no ordinary man. At first glance, he sensed a faint but distinct aura emanating from the old man. Though his attire was simple, he exuded the air of someone seasoned by travels and hidden mastery.

“Do you have advice for me, sir?” Xiao Yu asked calmly.

“You overthink, young man. I merely felt the noble bearing within you and couldn’t help but express my admiration,” the old man replied, stroking his beard and smiling.

With that, he turned and slowly descended the wall.

“Fifteen or twenty, I seized the steppe horse on foot; I shot down the white-browed tiger of Zhongshan, never fearing the yellow-bearded sons of Ye. I fought three thousand miles, with a single sword stood against a hundred thousand men.”

Dressed in ancient garb, the old man walked down the slippery steps, reciting lines from “The Song of the Old General,” whether reflecting on others or himself, no one could say.

Watching the figure fade into the curtain of rain, Xiao Yu softly recited the next verse: “Han soldiers charged like thunderbolts; the barbarian cavalry scattered in fear of caltrops.”

After finishing, Xiao Yu quickly told Ye Shihan to wait, then hurried in pursuit of the old man. But when he reached the stairs, the elder had vanished.

An old man, bent with age and leaning on a cane, disappearing so swiftly from the wall—Xiao Yu was now certain that the elder was a reclusive master wandering among ordinary folk.

“What’s wrong?”

Ye Shihan, seeing Xiao Yu standing there in a daze, quickly came to his side, puzzled by his distant gaze.

“Nothing. Let’s go, the rain is about to get heavier,” Xiao Yu said with a gentle smile.

Ye Shihan nodded, and together they descended the wall, hand in hand. Afterward, they wandered through the ancient city, lingering at the stalls around the wall, buying a few inexpensive souvenirs.

Just as their spirits were high, Ye Shihan’s phone rang with a clear, crisp tone. She took it from her pocket, glanced at the caller ID, and seeing it was her sister Ye Xuemei, answered directly.

“Xuemei, what’s the matter?” Ye Shihan asked softly.

A deep, magnetic male voice replied, not her sister’s, making Ye Shihan uneasy. “So you’re Ye Shihan of the Ye family. Tell Xiao Yu by your side to take the call!”

Confused, Ye Shihan pressed, “Who are you?”

“You clearly didn’t understand me. Who I am is irrelevant, but I think you should recognize this voice.”

The man fell silent, and then Ye Xuemei’s frightened voice burst from the phone, “Sister, brother-in-law, help me!”