Chapter 1143: Chapter 88: Memory Revival
The young man’s face showed a hint of embarrassment as he defended himself, "I was just passing by, Yue Yue, don’t you recognize me? I’m your brother Ballon! When we were kids, we used to play together all the time. My dad is Ballon."
Xuan Yue suddenly realized, "Oh, so you are brother Ballon, you’ve grown so tall. I remember when I was young, I used to bully you a lot. You even let me ride on your back." As she spoke of their childhood, a faint smile appeared on Xuan Yue’s pure face, full of Sacred Aura.
Ballon looked at Xuan Yue’s smile, which seemed to thaw the spring frost, and he was somewhat infatuated. Her stunning beauty and pure, elegant aura deeply touched his heart. He was two years older than Xuan Yue and, because of the relationship between Xuan Ye and Ballon, he naturally became Xuan Yue’s playmate. From a young age, Ballon had adored his sister-like angel and had always silently stayed by her side. No matter what pranks Xuan Yue played on him, he would willingly accept them. Every time he saw Xuan Yue’s innocent smile, Ballon found himself deeply enchanted. Although years had passed and Ballon had grown up, having passed the Judge of Light’s examination at a young age, he could never forget Xuan Yue, whom he had grown up with. Perhaps inheriting his father’s traits, Ballon was extremely devoted to Xuan Yue. By his teens, he had already decided that he would marry no one but Xuan Yue in his lifetime.
The reason he encountered Xuan Yue here was no coincidence. Ever since he knew Xuan Yue was back, he had been lingering around the Temple of Light where Xuan Yue practiced, for over a year. This was the first time he had seen her and hurriedly came up to talk. When he first understood matters of love years ago, he had shared his feelings with his father Ballon, who was overjoyed. Having endured great pain to win over his wife, and now his son was in love with his best friend’s daughter—mischievous as Xuan Yue was, Ballon was fond of her, and the two families were a good match. He naturally thought Xuan Ye would agree to this marriage. He did not want his son to suffer as he had, so he actively proposed the marriage to Xuan Ye. Initially, Xuan Ye seemed willing, but over the last two years, he had been evasive, which annoyed Ballon. He sensed that Xuan Ye’s refusal was related to the few months Xuan Yue left the church. Thus, gathering his resources, he learned from the Silver Armored Judges who followed Xuan Ye about everything during the months Xuan Yue had disappeared, only to discover his son had a rival in love, which made him anxious. After Xuan Yue returned to the church, she kept a low profile, rarely leaving the Temple of Light. Wanting his son to be happy, Ballon told Ballon to be bold, meticulous, and thick-skinned if he wanted to win the girl’s heart, as only firm conviction would win his belle. Thus, he asked Ballon to wait outside the Temple of Light and seize the opportunity to get close to Xuan Yue.
"Yes! Yue Yue, it’s been several years since we’ve seen each other. I’ve been practicing these past years and had less time to spend together. How have you been during these years?" Faced with his beloved, Ballon couldn’t help feeling a bit awkward.
Xuan Yue smiled and said, "I’m very well! Big brother Ballon, you’ve become a Judge of Light, that’s really not easy!"
Ballon blurted out, "I only practiced hard so I could have the strength to protect you!" After saying this, his handsome face turned red.
Hearing Ballon’s words, Xuan Yue looked at him in surprise, her heart stirred, and the calm waters of her heart seemed to ripple slightly as if touched by Ballon.
Seeing that Xuan Yue did not speak, Ballon thought she was moved by his words and felt joyful. He took a few steps forward, walked up to Xuan Yue, and looking at her whose height was close to his nose, smelling the faint fragrance coming from her, he said intoxicatingly, "Yue Yue, if you’re willing, big brother can still carry you on his back like when we were kids."
Xuan Yue’s face flushed, and being as clever as she was, how could she not understand Ballon’s implications? She was well aware of Ballon’s affection for her from a young age, but in her heart, Ballon had always been a big brother who would take care of and protect her. Xuan Yue lowered her head and gently shook it, saying, "Big brother, we’ve both grown up, and the playful times of childhood are no longer possible."
Ballon said, "Yes, we’ve both grown up, and everything is different. Yue Yue, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time. Actually, I..." His face turned red, and he mustered his courage intending to speak his heart, but Xuan Yue interrupted him. She seemed to be avoiding the topic, "Big brother, I need to go back to practice, and you should be busy too." With that, she turned to return to the Temple of Light.
Having waited for more than a year, even if Ballon was patient, he had run out of it. Finally seizing the opportunity, he was unwilling to give up and impulsively grabbed Xuan Yue’s small hand, "Yue Yue, I won’t take up too much of your time, just let me finish speaking, okay?"
Xuan Yue turned around, gently withdrew her hand, knowing that Ballon could be considered her elder brother, and that some things she must face, she nodded and said, "Alright, big brother, go ahead and speak."
