“What’s wrong, Sister Zhaoxue? Why so distracted the moment you got back?” The children noticed Hua Zhaoxue’s hands pausing mid-wash, their wide eyes brimming with concern.
“Ah~ I know! You’re thinking about Brother Tian You, right!?” The little girl clapped her tiny hands, lashes curving into a smile as pure as a budding flower. “Sister Zhaoxue, you can’t be like this~ Brother Tian You only went to buy a wooden bed! How long has he been gone that you’re already missing him~?”
Hua Zhaoxue’s cheeks flushed pink at the innocent remark. She shot the girl a light glare, but the rosy tint softened it into something tenderly coquettish.
After returning from Flower Pavilion, she’d realized the courtyard still lacked a bed. Yet news of her recent rift with Li Bai had likely swept through all of Huanan. Though a Dance Weaver now, she remained a woman of delicate pride—appearing with Tian You in the market at this moment would’ve been too awkward.
So she’d handed him some silver coins and let him choose the bed himself.
Calming her breath, Hua Zhaoxue gazed at the sky—clouds cleanly split in two. A rare solemnity flickered in her eyes.
Though the Qi Energy type differed, she’d still sensed its trace.
Soaring on Qi Energy… This cultivator’s power vastly surpassed her own. If they ever met, she’d have almost no chance to resist…
*Please let it just be a senior passing through Huanan…*
She murmured this to herself, feeling the faint Qi ripples in the air. She placed the washed greens on the cutting board—but her delicate fingers trembled slightly under quiet unease.
“Look! It’s Brother Tian You—he’s back!”
At the children’s joyful shouts, Hua Zhaoxue suppressed her anxiety and turned. Against the sunset-lit slope, a youth of breathtaking grace walked slowly toward the courtyard beside a burly man hauling a wooden bed. Tian You’s expression remained serene as still water—a sharp contrast to the man’s beaming face.
Her heart fluttered wildly. The faint worry melted into shyness. After that tender confession at Flower Pavilion, just seeing his calm face made her emotions spiral…
“Hey, Zhaoxue—not to scold you, but even with Tian You’s changed looks, you sent him alone to the market? Let me tell you~ If I hadn’t recognized his aura, he might still be swarmed by village girls!” Nie Wangqing set the bed down gently, tone half-teasing, half-chiding.
Tian You had removed his mask. A day’s rest had returned healthy color to his cheeks. Hua Zhaoxue’s pulse skipped—flustered, she forgot to answer Nie Wangqing.
Nie Wangqing glanced at her bowed, blushing face, then at Tian You—calm amid the children’s chatter. He sighed almost imperceptibly. His voice shifted back to that playful lilt: “Alright, Zhaoxue. Tian You and I walked all afternoon—we’re starving~ As host, shouldn’t you show some hospitality?”
The children chimed in with giggles.
Seeing the faint fatigue on Tian You’s face, Hua Zhaoxue’s heart ached. Ignoring Nie Wangqing’s teasing look, she hurried to the kitchen.
Soon, a feast as lavish as yesterday’s filled the wooden table. Nie Wangqing chuckled, hand instinctively reaching for Tian You’s shoulder—then froze at his serene gaze and sheepishly pulled back.
Tian You found it faintly amusing. Grateful for the help, he said softly, “Senior Nie, you’ve gone to great trouble today.”
“Oh, nothing! Just a small favor…” Nie Wangqing scratched his head, flustered. Spotting the food, he quickly slid a stool under Tian You. “Ahem—Tian You, you must be tired. Eat first. We’ll talk while we eat.”
A hint of reproach flickered in Tian You’s eyes. He turned to Hua Zhaoxue, still shyly looking down. “Thank you, Sister Zhaoxue. Then I won’t stand on ceremony.” Unnoticing her dazed expression, he joined the children’s eager meal.
Nie Wangqing caught that reproach. Having journeyed with Hua Zhaoxue to Huanan, he knew formalities weren’t needed—but unsure how to explain, he simply sat beside Tian You and ate as if nothing happened.
Watching Tian You eat with quiet relish, Hua Zhaoxue’s heart softened. A gentle smile touched her lips as she gazed at him… slowly losing herself.
Nie Wangqing saw it all. Wanting to give them space, he ate quickly. Once the children finished, he led the reluctant little ones away.
Twilight deepened. Moonlight pierced the heavens, casting a hazy silver glow over the quiet courtyard.
Alone now, Hua Zhaoxue’s gaze turned distant. She remembered her tender confession that morning at Flower Pavilion—how, for him, she’d defied decorum, severed ties with Li Bai… Leaving Huanan, the home of her years, held no regret. Instead, a faint, hopeful longing stirred for a life beyond—just the two of them. (Flustered as she was, she’d quite forgotten Nie Wangqing.)
Gathering her courage, she stepped lightly forward, meeting the gaze of the youth whose presence could stir the mortal world. Voice barely a whisper:
“Tian You… would you… walk with me… up the mountain…?”
