Ye Wenyu, however, had no intention of elaborating and simply said, "Young Aunt, just let me go. I want to go. Can you please stop asking?"
Suddenly, it dawned on Ye Jiu, "Ye Wenyu, don't tell me that ever since you started practicing martial arts with Ada, you've been harboring the idea of joining the army?"
Ye Wenyu lowered his head in silence.
An alarm went off in Ye Jiu's mind—the kid had been entertaining thoughts of enlisting since last year.
For nearly a whole year, it was no wonder he had been so persistent with his martial arts training, unaffected by wind or rain, never slacking even when no one was watching.
But he was so young, how could he have such thoughts, and how could he have concealed them so well for so long that no one in the family noticed his intentions?
"Yes, I wanted to go last year, but I didn't know if the frontier border needed more people, which caused the delay. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩
Later, when the news that the frontier border was recruiting reached us, many families with not enough to eat sent members to join the army.
This year, I had planned to leave with others after the New Year celebration, but I was afraid Mother would give birth to another daughter, and it would end up like with Qingzhi.
Now that everything's turned out fine, Mother gave birth to another son, so I don't have to worry anymore." Anyway, he felt like someone who could well be spared.
Seizing the opportunity, Ye Wenyu poured his heart out all at once.
Knowing that Ye Wenyu was obstinate at the moment, Ye Jiu felt helpless but tried to persuade him patiently, "Wenyu, I understand that a man's ambition reaches beyond the borders, and I know you want to make a name for yourself and excel, but you're still young. In a couple more years, the family will definitely not stop you from doing what you wish to do."
Impatience was already appearing on Ye Wenyu's face, "Young Aunt, go back with Ye Hei, please stop worrying about me, will you?"
This was the first time Ye Wenyu had shown impatience toward Ye Jiu, which hurt her feelings.
"Fine, I'll leave you be. Go ahead, go now and throw your life away!
Don't think just because you've learned a bit of martial arts that you're invincible and ignorant of the world's dangers. With your little skill, you wouldn't even withstand a single kick on the battlefield.
Do you think the battlefield is a playground? It's a place where lives are at stake. Once you are really on the battlefield, it will be too late to regret when you want to escape, and you won't be able to..."
Ye Jiu thought that by stating the dangers so starkly, Ye Wenyu would reconsider.
The world was far from as simple as he imagined or had experienced, and even Ye Jiu herself couldn't claim to handle it with ease, let alone a young man who had never traveled far from home.
To Ye Jiu, Ye Wenyu's behavior was merely him being rash and impulsive.
But unexpectedly, Ye Wenyu didn't show the slightest hesitation. When Ye Jiu told him to go, he really mounted the horse and left without looking back.
Ye Jiu was dumbfounded, "Ye Wenyu, you're actually leaving... Ye Wenyu..."
Watching the galloping horse pass before her, a twinge of regret flashed through Ye Jiu's heart.
"Ye Wenyu, did you really just leave your young aunt behind?"
By her side, Ye Hei transformed into a human form, "Master, this kid is too heartless. I'll go catch him and bring him back."
Without waiting for Ye Jiu's consent, Ye Hei ran off quickly, his form flashing like lightning, fast enough that Ye Jiu only caught a glimpse of his silhouette.
Ye Jiu stamped her foot in frustration on the spot, thinking to herself that Ye Hei was supposed to be more reliable than Ye Bai, which was utter nonsense.
Even if he was going to chase someone, he should have taken her along!
Looking around the desolate wilderness, not even a ghost shadow was in sight.
Resigned, Ye Jiu could only take out a simple stool from her space, then sat down to wait.