My Substitute CEO Bride
Chapter 1613

This ending was quite satisfying. Regardless of Johnathan's rights or wrongs, at least he did not betray Lydia's deep affection.

"What happened after that? You two would've become an enviable immortal couple. Why didn't you stay together until the end?" Melody asked curiously.

A hint of awkwardness flashed in Lydia's eyes. "We secluded ourselves in the mountains. He taught me cultivation, and I slowly fell in love with him. But he always treated me like a daughter or a junior.

"One day, I drugged him with a powerful potion with aphrodisiac properties that he had created. He said he developed it for dealing with powerful Tribulation Realm cultivators!"

Gwendolyn looked incredulous. "Grandma, were you really that bold?"

Lydia did not know whether to laugh or cry. "After he woke up, he ran away. He didn't return until I was pregnant. Once our child was born, he resumed his role as a doctor while I took care of the family. But fate is unpredictable. At the age of 16, our child died from drowning."

Nash sighed inwardly. Lydia was his master's wife. The old man was a scoundrel, seeing as he was heartless enough to abandon his woman.

Lydia continued telling her and Johnathan's story. They were deeply saddened for a long time after they lost their child. Lydia knew in her heart that Johnathan had only returned because of their child, and since the child was gone, he would leave her again. What Johnathan felt for her was only a sense of duty. He did not even touch her in the 16 years they were together. There was no romantic affection at all.

He was a good father but not a good husband. Taking advantage of Johnathan's heartbreak and turmoil, Lydia drugged him again.

Nash, Gwendolyn, and Melody were speechless at that development.

Lydia's face turned slightly red. "The second time, I had twins!"

Again, the three were speechless.

"He stayed with me for over 170 years. I witnessed him overcome four heavenly tribulations. It was then I realized we weren't meant to be together forever. After sending off our grandchildren, we formally parted ways." Lydia's gaze was complex, a mix of satisfaction and regret.

Hearing this, Melody suddenly glanced at Nash. Nash's cultivation seemed to be progressing rapidly too. She wondered if she and Nash were also not meant to be together forever. Would he eventually leave her too? Instead of feeling disheartened, Melody resolved to work harder on her cultivation.

Lydia sipped her tea and looked at Nash with a faint smile. "If it were you, would you choose to pursue the endless path of immortality or stay with your true love?"

"Only children would choose one or the other. I want both!" Nash replied without hesitation.

His answer stunned Lydia, but then she shook her head and smiled wryly. "Greedy ambitions know no bounds."

Nash took a sip of his water, his deep eyes filled with determination.

...

After their meal, Lydia took Gwendolyn back to the forbidden area to cultivate in seclusion while Nash and Melody strolled around the sect grounds. The disciples avoided them like mice avoiding cats. Melody pinched Nash's arm. "This is all your fault. Now I'll definitely be isolated!"

Nash wrapped an arm around Melody's waist and smiled lightly. "You still have Gwendolyn and the sect master. You don't need many friends. They just have to be sincere."

She pouted but could not refute his words. She reluctantly nodded while holding his arm.

Nash suddenly asked, "Where do you stay at night?"

She looked at him warily. "What do you want?"

Yawning, he replied, "I'm a bit tired. I want to take a nap before heading back."

Melody led Nash to her quarters. The room was quaint with a two-meter-wide bed, pink mosquito netting, and colorful quilts.

Nash flicked his fingers, fishing out two spiritual stones inscribed with soundproofing runes. Then, he picked Melody up and carried her to the bed.

"Don't be reckless! Many of the seniors and juniors cultivate in their rooms during the day. They'll hear us!" Melody also wanted to do it, but the circumstances did not allow it. "Don't worry, they won't hear a thing!"