"Hehe… Zhaoxue isn’t just beautiful—she’s gentle *and* an amazing cook too…"
Watching Hua Zhaoxue dash toward the kitchen, Nie Wangqing, left momentarily aside, cleared his throat awkwardly to explain to Tian You. His heart felt tangled. From Zhaoxue’s earlier tone, he’d clearly become… "incidental."
"Mm, I’m really looking forward to it," Tian You replied with a light smile—neither distant nor overly familiar.
"Big Brother! Big Brother! Are you from the heavens? Why are you so handsome? Are people up there just as pretty as you!?" The moment Sister Zhaoxue disappeared, the children swarmed Tian You, eyes sparkling, chirping excitedly about where he came from.
Tian You offered his usual faint smile and calmly shared his amnesia. The kids stared, utterly mesmerized.
Nie Wangqing’s heart gave a faint flutter at that smile—but questions swirled. He wasn’t a master reader of people, yet his instincts were sharp. Something felt… off about this ethereally beautiful youth. Especially how he’d looked at Hua Zhaoxue—and at *him*.
Setting himself aside: Nie Wangqing knew Zhaoxue’s grace was undeniable. She might not rival Phoenixdance City’s top Faithweavers, but any man—even the most reserved—would show *some* flicker of reaction. Not Tian You. His violet eyes stayed clear as flowing water, utterly undisturbed.
And Nie himself? Just a plain farmer in rough-spun clothes. Yet this breathtaking youth shook his hand without a single trace of hesitation or disdain.
If Tian You’s eyes had shown even a hint of distaste, Nie would’ve found it normal. But no. Those exquisite violet eyes held only pure, innocent clarity.
And the way he spoke to the children? Not a shred of pretense.
*This isn’t normal…*
Nie Wangqing thought: Even with amnesia, old habits linger. Someone with even *half* Tian You’s aura would be a noble scion from a legendary house. No matter how disciplined, they’d still leak *some* emotion…
But Tian You showed none.
As if… certain feelings were locked away.
"Hm? Brother Nie? Something wrong?"
Noticing Nie’s silence, Tian You turned. His violet eyes remained calm as still water—yet anyone who met them would lose themselves for a heartbeat.
…Indeed. Pure curiosity.
"Hehe, nothing, nothing! Just spaced out thinking. Hehe, my bad, my bad~"
Tian You fell silent a moment. His slender, jade-like hand instinctively stroked the head of the little girl nearest him. Her cheeks flushed crimson. Shyly, she ducked her head, her tiny frame trembling slightly from the sweet surprise.
Seeing her bashful reaction, Nie Wangqing’s gaze softened. He let go of his suspicions and sighed gently, "These kids… truly pitiful. Without Zhaoxue taking them in, who knows where they’d be. Sigh… It’s a shame a girl like her has to stay at a place like the Flower Pavilion…"
"Flower Pavilion?" Tian You asked, confusion flickering in his voice.
Nie’s expression tightened. He rushed to explain—afraid of misunderstanding—but Tian You’s otherworldly presence left him flustered, words tangled on his tongue.
Before he could speak, the little girl whose head Tian You had touched grabbed his slender fingers and chirped brightly, "Yes! Sister Zhaoxue is the *best*! Pretty, kind, *and* she cooks for us! The other sisters at the Flower Pavilion? They’re mean! They yell at us, send people to chase us away—so scary!"
Her words sparked instant agreement. The children crowded Tian You, pouring out their hearts. Too young to grasp what the Flower Pavilion truly was, to them, Zhaoxue’s kindness was their proudest treasure.
Just then, Hua Zhaoxue’s soft, warm voice floated from the courtyard kitchen:
"Brother Nie! Could you bring the big round table from the woodshed? More guests today—we’ll eat outside!"
"Got it!" Nie hurried off and returned moments later hauling the table.
Hua Zhaoxue followed, carrying a plate of delicately stir-fried dishes. The savory aroma reached them even from afar. Smudges from the hearth dusted her cheeks—but on her radiant face, they only added rustic charm.
The children sprang into action: fetching chairs, setting bowls and chopsticks, serving rice. Their movements were practiced, seamless.
Soon, the round table bloomed with dishes.
"Wow! Meat today?! Sister Zhaoxue doesn’t *eat* meat!" a boy cheered.
"Don’t… don’t say that…"
Hua Zhaoxue’s face flushed. Her eyes darted to Tian You’s gentle smile. She usually ate only vegetables—but while he was unconscious, she’d worried plain food wouldn’t suit him, so she’d bought meat "just in case." Seeing no reaction in his deep violet eyes, relief washed over her… followed by a faint, fleeting shadow of disappointment.
