Late-Come Madness Faced with the old lady's emotional outburst, Lu Yun instantly felt overwhelmed—how could a young boy like himself possibly understand such profound matters? But drawing on Mrs. Liu’s earlier experience, Lu Yun wiped away two or three tears and gently comforted her: “Teacher, don’t be distressed. Let go of the past—we have to carry on living, don’t we? If we dwell too long in sorrow, it will surely harm our health.” “What about the future?” the old lady suddenly lifted her head, eyes fixed firmly on Lu Yun. “Even you are afraid of me—the White Tiger star! Lu Yun, tell me: what shall I do now? After all, you’re right—through all these years, I’ve managed to endure. So why should I worry about tomorrow?” Lu Yun fell silent. He never truly understood women’s inner lives; had it not been for his cousin's persistent gentle encouragement, he might still be a pure-hearted, well-behaved young man of simple virtues. How unpredictable life can be! After thinking hard, Lu Yun managed to squeeze out those few words and sighed softly—almost inaudibly—and gently patted the shoulders of the old lady, whose body trembled from her sobs. “Teacher, please try to look at the brighter side. Perhaps one day you’ll meet your life partner. So take care of yourself—not only for your own sake, but also for that person who will soon come into your life.” The old lady shook her head: “If I were to remarry, wouldn’t I have had to wait until now? I am the White Tiger star—the one destined to bring misfortune. Even if someone wanted to marry me, I’d be too afraid to say yes!” Lu Yun felt deeply frustrated. Now that she knew about her identity as a White Tiger star, she was making this very issue into a deliberate obstacle—wasn’t that just plain setting him up? Such thoughts were not unusual in rural communities where traditional beliefs ran deep. The old lady had grown up in the city and still believed herself to be an ill-fated figure—unlucky, unseemly. *Chime-chime!* The first class bell rang. Wiping her tears, the old lady turned to Lu Yun: “Now then, off you go for your lesson—I’ll prepare my lessons too.” Lu Yun gazed at the old lady’s delicate, tear-streaked face—so tenderly pitiable—and felt deep remorse. After all, it had been *he* who first kindled her emotions and then extinguished them so harshly. Could it be that the White Tiger star truly lived up to the legend? If so, hadn’t his very actions just amounted to a union—with no final breakthrough, yet still…? “Lu Yun, why aren’t you moving? Your class starts soon!” “I can’t go now,” Lu Yun said, without hesitation. “I’m skipping this lesson—to stay and be with you.” By sheer instinct, he had decided to remain—though it meant no physical connection, at least he could sit beside her, talk, listen, and ease the fragile heart that had long been worn thin by sorrow. The old lady stared at him in silence for a long while—finally nodding, as if silently accepting his request. Pulling out her textbook, she scanned the content of today’s lesson—the very material she’d taught for so many years—now utterly familiar to her memory. Yet with every page turned, she found it hard to focus. The emotions in her heart still lingered, and the moment she had shared with Lu Yun only intensified them. She flipped a few pages, then gently set the book down on the table, both hands twisting through her dark hair, before burying her face once more. A woman’s beauty is often fleeting—but she hadn’t even been given an opportunity to truly live! After that warm, intimate moment, Lu Yun felt no hesitation in embracing the old lady, gently reassuring her—though now, there was no desire sparking between them as there had been before. She allowed herself to be held, yet her heart’s sorrows only deepened. The quiet sobs reached Lu Yun’s ears. Then, suddenly, he lifted her chin with one hand and pressed a passionate kiss upon her lips—soft, then growing into something deeper. At first, the old lady struggled slightly—but soon she gave in entirely. Lu Yun’s breath grew heavy; his passion rekindled and surged once more. With rapid, fervent kisses and hands that danced over her body, he seemed transformed—no longer just a student, but an unstoppable wild creature, determined to overwhelm every barrier standing between them. The old lady stood bewildered by the sudden shift in him, though she longed to resist. Yet even as she tried, her limbs grew weak, and all she could manage was murmuring: “Lu Yun… are you not afraid I’ll harm you?” “No…” Lu Yun answered, nearly shouting now, his hands gripping tightly and tearing open the short blouse the old lady had just put on—revealing a broad expanse of white skin across her chest. “Ow…” the old lady murmured in mild pain. “A woman dies beneath a peony blossom and still lives as a spirit—lamenting beauty, renowned forever.” Die now! Die now! Let her die—fully, completely! Lu Yun paid no attention to the old lady’s cries; he only continued advancing, his hands moving with unwavering force. The embroidered crane quilt, the pale purple dress, and the white trousers—all became obstacles in his path. Gods and deities, if they stood in the way—they would be swept aside! With near-brutal energy, he tore through all layers of clothing she wore—his own garments soon discarded as well. His eyes burned with intensity as he gazed upon her now bare form. And below, Lu Yun himself could no longer restrain his rising passion—he fixed one eye on the fullness of her chest, the deep spring nestled there, waiting only for a command to charge forward. A surge of warmth flowed through him—his voice rose in a deep roar—and with that, he seized both of her slender, smooth legs and propelled them into action. *Pfft!* Lu Yun and his little sister finally met—the two now embracing each other as if long-separated siblings: the elder, strong and commanding; the younger, graceful and delicate—her voice echoing softly beneath the gentle sound of flowing water. The old lady’s heart stirred with emotion under Lu Yun’s passionate advances, her face furrowed with both joy and aching pain. “Count… count it all…” she murmured. “No,” Lu Yun answered, eyes alight with determination. “This is only the beginning—more storms are coming.” With that, he directed his young companion to press deeper, to advance relentlessly. For an instant, two people separated by over twenty years in age now entwined in passionate intensity—frenzied and alive. The chairs, desks, the cold, dusty floor, and even the broken bed frame—all became their battlefield of wild, unyielding passion. The Rural Gown of the Village, Chapter 028 Chapter 028: Late-Come Madness – Updated!