"Holy crap! Goddess Yuanyuan! What did you even do back then?"
The audience gasped at the diary entry before them, their eyes darting to Ying Yuanyuan.
Ying Yuanyuan’s face tightened. She pretended not to notice and kept reading.
Host Bingbing caught on quickly, signaling someone to flip the page.
The diary moved to a new entry.
[I invited the mute boy inside. I reached for the light switch, but he stopped me. Studying the little guy, I lit a candle instead. This time, he didn’t object. The flame flickered softly on the wooden table.]
[We sat together, silently watching the candle’s glow. Neither spoke nor glanced at the other. The room’s atmosphere grew tense. A sudden gust snuffed out the candle, plunging us into darkness. Only then did we stir.]
[By unspoken agreement, we both moved to the bed’s edge. We did nothing—just lay there quietly, staring at the wooden roof beams and tiles. Both of us were nervous. Pattering softly, rain began to fall outside.]
[The summer downpour roared fiercely, washing away the awkwardness. Slowly, we relaxed. Still silent, we lay watching the dark, rainy night. Dawn neared before the mute boy finally rose and left.]
[I pretended to sleep, not moving a muscle.]
"Nothing happened? This diary owner’s way too straight-laced!"
"Holy crap! He let a feast slip right past his lips! This guy’s too much of a saint—I’m seriously impressed!"
The audience burst into shocked murmurs.
Ying Yuanyuan froze for a second, whispering, "What a blockhead! Was he waiting for the girl to make the first move? Ah! Xiyun, what are you doing!"
Before she could finish, Liu Xiyun pinched her arm secretly. Ying Yuanyuan shot her a resentful glare.
Liu Xiyun ignored it, eyes fixed on the public screen, heart heavy with regret.
Back then, she’d hoped Qin Ling would ask to leave with her. After a whole night together, his voice never came.
Helplessly, she’d slipped away alone.
Still, she’d left him a jade pendant and a letter, hoping he’d seek her out later.
Five years had passed, and he never came....
Liu Xiyun’s chest ached.
Did he think himself unworthy? Was that why he never visited Jianghai City?
No!
He’d come to Jianghai City—his martial arts diary proved it! He was here... yet still hadn’t sought her out.
Of course.... he must look down on her....
Liu Xiyun’s expression dimmed. Ying Yuanyuan noticed but stayed silent.
As the diary flipped again, something new appeared on screen. Ying Yuanyuan blurted, "Xiyun, look! What’s that?!"
The public projection showed fresh diary entries—and a folded letter beside them.
Liu Xiyun’s eyes softened with nostalgia.
That was her letter.
[The mute boy left a jade pendant and a letter. I opened it. Her address, her name—Liu Xiyun—and an invitation to find her in Jianghai City if I ever needed help.]
[Only then did I realize: all those days, I’d never even asked her name.]
[I messed up. Last night, she’d clearly wanted me to return to Jianghai with her. But even if I’d known, I couldn’t have left yet.]
[I tucked the letter into this diary. The pendant? I’ll keep it. Might sell it if I’m ever broke.]
"What?! That little girl’s name is what?!"
"Liu Xiyun?! This can’t be—"
"Is it Goddess Xiyun? Was Goddess Yuanyuan telling the truth all along?!"
The venue erupted—louder than when they’d teased Ying Yuanyuan earlier.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Goddess Xiyun’s a national Martial Arts Genius Ranking prodigy! At eighteen, she’s peak late-stage Profound Rank, nearly stepping into Earth Rank! How could she be tied to some country bumpkin?!"
"This is fake! A hillbilly could never match Goddess Xiyun!"
"Goddess Yuanyuan! Did you rig this? That little girl must be you, right?"
"Me? Like hell!" Ying Yuanyuan snapped back, grinning at the stunned crowd. "I told you! That girl’s Xiyun—you just wouldn’t believe me! Pay up! Sing ‘I Surrender’ now!"
The audience, guests, and even Host Bingbing stared in disbelief.
Then—a stunning figure rose from the guest seats and strode toward the stage.
The entire venue held its breath.
Shock!
"It can’t be!"
