Bai Qingyue returned from the tournament and came in search of his wife, only to be met with the sight of Li Meirong standing stiffly with her hands outstretched. A troubled expression darkened her face.

He dismounted the crane, and hastily stepped towards Li Meirong, his usual calm had been replaced by a deep sense of unease. Grasping her small hands and cradling them gently; his hands were so much larger than hers and they completely engulfed her palms.

"Wife, is there something troubling you? Are you unwell?" Bai Qingyue asked, his sonorous voice filled with anxiety.

After what felt like forever, Li Meirong focused her gaze on Bai Qingyue. Her cheeks warmed at the sight of him standing so close to her.

"I'm perfectly fine," Li Meirong stammered, "and you're way too close." She turned her face away to avoid his molten stare.

When Bai Qingyue realized she had not shown any sign of pain or discomfort, he released a breath he was not even aware of holding.

Li Meirong squeezed her hands out of his grasp and rested them on his chest instead, attempting to push him away, but he remained as solid and unmoving as a mountain.

After several unsuccessful attempts, she let out an exasperated huff.

Bai Qingyue's cold yet charming eyes filled with tenderness. He restrained the urge to chuckle at his wife's adorable antics. 'This silly girl is so small and frail, yet still attempts to push me away…'

At first, Bai Qingyue had been gripped by the terrible fear that the Immortal Sage had done something to Li Meirong, perhaps acting on the orders of Hong Meigui… his mother.

The Immortal Sage and the Matron of the Huli Jing had been seen traveling together when they escaped the Heavenly Realm. As such, it would not be unimaginable for the Sage to act upon Hong Meigui's orders, even if he had originally claimed neutrality.

Just before Bai Qingyue had descended to the island, he had detected the presence of the Sage, but the crafty fish had been quick on his feet and had managed to escape right before his arrival.

Luckily for the continuing life of the Immortal Sage, Bai Qingyue concluded that his little wife had not been harmed in any way. If she had been, the Sovereign Lord would have reluctantly foregone the promise made to his father about capturing the Sage, and would have served a plate of seafood to his wife instead.

Bai Qingyue observed Li Meirong, his long lashes shading his golden eyes like a pair of intricate fans. She was wearing a thin white dress with long sleeves, a blue sash wrapped around her waist. Her skin held a healthy glow beneath the sunlight. With her lack of accessories, Li Meirong's appearance held a simple elegance.

"Wife, I have returned," he announced with a small smile, after looking her up and down. He bent down to gently kiss the top of her head.

Li Meirong glanced up at him and let out a short teasing laugh. "Isn't it a little too late to say that now?"

"Does it matter? I wish to say it all the same," Bai Qingyue declared as he lightly pinched the tip of Li Meirong's small nose. "You have a lot of nerve to laugh at your husband. You are the only one to possess such privilege."

Li Meirong raised her arm to lightly smack his hand away from her nose. "We haven't yet… oh, never mind. Welcome back, Zhu Qingyue."

Bai Qingyue froze momentarily, then slowly leaned forward to stare at her attentively. "I wish to hear this every day."

"Hear what?" Li Meirong squinted at him in confusion.

"Your laughter. Your words, greeting me as I return home." Bai Qingyue answered, wrapping Li Meirong in a tight embrace.

Li Meirong's face flushed, and she looked up at him incredulously. "This is now your home?"

"My home is wherever you are."