After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 39

Among Shi Yuan’s friends, most were outgoing and cheerful, with the exception of Xuan Huai. Even those who were previously unacquainted quickly became familiar with one another. After paying their respects to Shang Ji, they approached to ask for Ji Xunyue’s name. Among them were several who were over three or four thousand years old and knew of her history with Shi Yuan. Seeing their various winks and awkward expressions as they tried to hide their discomfort, Ji Xunyue found herself completely unsurprised.

There were also younger guests who did not know the context and curiously asked how Shi Yuan happened to know the Demon Lord, only to have their mouths promptly covered by their companions. She knew they bore no ill will but did not know how to respond, stating simply that they were friends.

The area around Xuan Huai was also quite lively. Having taken first place in the competition just a few days prior, he naturally drew significant attention. Several guests had brought their own disciples, and during their exchanges, they allowed the disciples to spar and test their skills against one another. This gave Yu Zaiye an opportunity to interact with his peers, and the barriers between strangers dissolved through these interactions.

As the number of guests increased, the atmosphere grew more festive. Although today was Shi Yuan’s birthday, the gathering did not carry the weight of a formal celebration. It was more a chance for everyone to congregate, enjoy wine, and share heartfelt conversations.

Shang Ji finished the last drop of wine from his flask, took a light sip, and smiled. “That lad Shi Yuan truly has a way with people.”

Ji Xunyue smiled faintly and offered a word of agreement. Seeing Shi Yuan surrounded by so many excellent friends, she was genuinely happy for him. Everything was as he had said that day at Mirage Abyss. He wanted her to see that he was doing well and to let everyone know they had reconciled. All that remained was for him to no longer be trapped by love. She sincerely hoped he could soon let go.

Once everyone had arrived, Ji Xunyue did a quick scan and saw there were about twenty people in total. Shi Yuan led the group to the stream at the back of the mountain. The area had already been prepared. Although night had fallen, the mountains were as bright as day.

Shang Ji offered continuous praise, clearly satisfied. “Winding streams and floating cups; it is simply marvelous.”

The guests sat in small groups along the banks. Tea, fine wine, vegetables, fruits, and snacks were all provided. For this gathering, eating was perhaps the least important activity. To appreciate the scenery together and talk of everything under the sun was a night to be remembered.

Ji Xunyue and Shang Ji sat at the end of the line, rarely joining the others’ conversations. She had no intention of drinking and poured herself a cup of tea. Brushing against the evening breeze, she felt quite at ease.

After finishing a cup, Shang Ji spoke leisurely. “Demon Lord, there is a matter I hope you can help me with.”

“Lord Shang Ji, you overstate the matter. Please, just call me by my name.”

Shang Ji laughed heartily. “Then do not be so formal with me either. This old man may be getting on in years, but I do not want to be called something so ancient. Just like Xiao Chan, you may call me Uncle Shang.”

Ji Xunyue smiled and changed her form of address. “What is it you need me to do, Uncle?”

“My greatest wish now is to see the younger generation find fulfillment and happiness. Yan Chen is a child I watched grow up. His appearance and character are excellent in every way. I hope you can put in a good word for him in front of Xiao Chan.”

After saying this, Shang Ji poured himself another cup, raised it in a gesture of intent, and said slyly, “If the two of them can make it, you may take your pick of any of the fine wines I have in my collection.”

Ji Xunyue returned the gesture politely and laughed softly. “That condition is truly tempting. Lord Yan Chen is a talented young man. A-Chan knows this well without me saying it. However, the most important thing is that it must suit her heart. If he wants to move her, he will have to prepare a few more tricks.”

While playing chess could foster feelings, she feared it more often simply sparked a competitive spirit.

“That silly boy. I shall give him some pointers when I return,” Shang Ji said brightly, catching her hint. He then adopted a sentimental expression. “I wonder if, after all these years, Xiao Chan has let go of Qiu Wu. The two of them were such a pity.”

Lord Qiu Wu was Yu Qianchan’s deceased lover. Ji Xunyue knew only his name and had never learned their history.

Shang Ji asked, “It seems you do not know their story?”

“A-Chan and I rarely discuss the past.”

For many, the Great War four thousand years ago was a chasm that separated the carefree nature of their early lives from everything that followed.

Shang Ji nodded understandingly. “Back then, Xiao Chan and Qiu Wu fell in love at first sight during a spring feast. It caught everyone by surprise. Later, seeing their deep affection, the Divine Sovereign granted them a marriage decree.”

He did not continue, but Ji Xunyue understood. Had the war not happened, Yu Qianchan and Qiu Wu would have been married.

“Deep affection is indeed hard to forget,” Shang Ji lamented. He then felt his words were inappropriate. “This old man has drunk too much. My words are becoming clumsy.”

Ji Xunyue shook her head, not taking it to heart.

Shang Ji seemed truly intoxicated, his gaze drifting. “Seeing you always reminds me of your mother. When she stood at the pinnacle of the Demon Realm, we all thought the world would finally be at peace. She was a good person. It is a pity. Now that you have inherited her legacy, I only hope the four realms can remain this way for a long time. If the Divine Sovereign wishes to seclude himself, it is a tacit understanding that the throne will pass to Xiao Chan. With you as her closest friend, I am at peace leaving the world to you both.”

His sincere lament moved Ji Xunyue deeply. Indeed, people from all four realms were present at this gathering today. She smiled. “I understand. I share your wish for peace across the four seas.”

Shang Ji smiled approvingly, but then changed the subject. “Xunyue, are you well-acquainted with Immortal Xuan Huai?”

“Pardon?”

“He has looked over here many times tonight. Surely he is not looking at an old man like me?”

Ji Xunyue froze and could not help but look toward Xuan Huai. He sat on the other side of the stream, diagonally opposite her, some distance away. He kept his eyes lowered, appearing to listen to the person beside him talking animatedly. Suddenly, as if sensing something, he looked over.

When she met his gaze, the surrounding noise seemed to vanish. Yet, from his calm expression, she could not tell what he was thinking.

Ji Xunyue withdrew her gaze and said tonelessly, “You must be joking. I have only met him once. Perhaps he is merely curious about me, or perhaps about you.”

Perhaps because they saw that Shi Yuan had not yet approached her to speak, the others tacitly refrained from disturbing her. Ji Xunyue did not have to socialize and felt quite relaxed. Occasionally, when her eyes met Shi Yuan’s, they simply exchanged smiles. She had been worried about this in the afternoon, but it seemed she had been troubling herself over nothing.

It was not until late into the night that the guests reluctantly began to walk down the mountain. Returning to the reception hall, there was another round of lingering farewells.

Seeing Shi Yuan look toward her with an expression that suggested he wanted to say something, Ji Xunyue knew he had words for her. She nodded in acknowledgment and stayed in the courtyard to wait for the crowd to disperse.

Shang Ji’s alcohol tolerance was surprisingly high. Although he had been drinking from start to finish, his mind remained clear. Before leaving, he even invited her to visit him when she had time.

Once the others were sent off, Shi Yuan walked over. Their eyes met, and a moment of silence followed.

Shi Yuan spoke softly, “Shall we talk while we walk?”

Ji Xunyue nodded and followed him along a small forest path. Having the scenery as a companion helped ease some of the awkwardness.

“How did you find tonight?”

“It has not been this lively in a long time. Now that it has suddenly become quiet, I feel a bit unadjusted.” She actually liked crowds and excitement. It was just that for various reasons today, she could not participate fully.

Shi Yuan said gently, “If you like it, I can call everyone together for a gathering every now and then.”

Ji Xunyue smiled and was about to decline his kindness when he continued. “Perhaps you would feel more at ease coming in your identity as Ye Jinyue.”

Ji Xunyue’s footsteps halted. She stood frozen in place. Her surprise now was no less than when she first learned they had been engaged. “You recognized me?”

Shi Yuan also seemed momentarily stunned, then said slowly, “I was only speculating. I did not expect you to admit it so readily.”

“When did you start suspecting me?”

Shi Yuan thought back and shook his head. “I cannot say for sure. I just felt that Ye Jinyue was very similar to you at times, and this strange thought gradually took root. Seeing you reach the Second Realm in a month and take first place in both competitions only strengthened my suspicion. Tonight, almost confirmed my theory. Even if the Princess called you for questioning, it would not justify not coming over for the entire night. I was afraid to confirm it, fearing I would lose the chance to interact normally with you as Ye Jinyue. However, if I did not ask, I would always be overthinking.”

Ji Xunyue was speechless. After a moment of silence, she said, “I am sorry.”

“You should be sorry. I have once again been led in circles by you,” Shi Yuan said with a bitter laugh. “Criticizing you to your face and even asking you for advice; I have truly lost all face.”

He asked, “So why did you pretend to be a mortal to come to the Immortal Realm and even take Xuan Huai as your master? Was it because of what I did before?”

“It was not!” Ji Xunyue’s face grew hot as she denied it decisively. However, on second thought, she added, “Alright, I admit it. It is as you thought.”

After all, she had proactively asked to be Xuan Huai’s disciple. There was simply no other reason to explain her behavior.

“You see, I am narrow-minded and hold a grudge. To get revenge, I even ran here to become the enemy’s disciple. Now that you know, I have no face left to see anyone,” she said honestly, laughing at herself in the process.

If they had told each other their true thoughts, perhaps there would not have been so many misunderstandings back then. Seeing her willing to disclose her feelings, Shi Yuan was overwhelmed with emotion.

“I thought your personality had changed, but seeing you now, you are still you. You hold a grudge longer than anyone and strike harder than anyone. It is a good thing you found out the truth in time, otherwise Xuan Huai would have been in trouble.”

Ji Xunyue shook her head slowly. “He… actually, after seeing Xuan Huai, I felt he was different from the enemy I had imagined.”

It was also quite strange. Shi Yuan had provoked her for so many years without a reaction, yet through a coincidence of misunderstanding Xuan Huai, she had angrily rushed to the Immortal Realm for revenge.

Shi Yuan smiled. “Yes, I told you from the start. He looks cold, but he is actually a very kind person.”

As her thoughts drifted, scenes of her first meeting with Shi Yuan flashed through her mind, along with their conversation while walking together that day. Today she was walking with Shi Yuan again, but her identity was no longer the same. She felt as if a lifetime had passed. She also realized that when discussing shared memories, their interaction was no longer as stiff as before. She could answer Shi Yuan’s questions naturally.

At this moment, she felt she was Ye Jinyue.

Without realizing who took the first step, the two continued forward. Shi Yuan seemed much more at ease. “Since we have both done foolish things, let us call it even. Do not worry; I will keep your secret.”

Having one more person know her identity was a risk, but Ji Xunyue felt her choice was correct. Although she did not yet know if interacting with Shi Yuan after tonight would be awkward, reality always told her to just let things take their natural course. He would never make things difficult for her.

Ji Xunyue said softly, “Thank you, Shi Yuan.”

This was not just a response to his promise of secrecy, but also a thank you for his companionship back then. She once thought she had walked out of her predicament on her own, but now she knew there was another person’s effort involved.

Sensing the change in her emotions, Shi Yuan thought for a moment and said solemnly, “I want to take back what I said to you last time. Regarding what happened back then, you did nothing wrong. It was I who wanted to be with you. I knew you did not love me, so separating was perfectly normal. You helped me a lot and owe me nothing, so you need not feel any debt toward me.”

Ji Xunyue froze, looking at his serious expression under the moonlight, momentarily lost for words.

Shi Yuan continued, “I also no longer care whether you remember the past. The things from before seem to have no meaning for us anymore because we have started over. The name Shi Yuan and this person are no longer just a blurred past to you.”

For him, that was enough.

After a lap, the two returned to the sect entrance for their final farewell. Ji Xunyue looked at the mottled plaque and asked curiously, “Speaking of which, I still do not know the name of your immortal sect.”

“Actually, I do not know either. I will consider it when I get a disciple,” Shi Yuan laughed. “Returning this late, what will you do if Xuan Huai asks?”

She thought for a moment. “I will say that after returning from Taiwei Isle, I came to see you and just happened to catch the end of the gathering.”

Shi Yuan nodded. “If there is anything you need help with, you can find me.”

After receiving Ji Xunyue’s affirmative response, he suddenly did not know what to say. He had said many words to comfort her, but he was actually counseling himself. Now she remained silent, seemingly waiting for him to end the night’s meeting.

Then they should say goodbye properly.

Shi Yuan hesitated for a moment and asked carefully, “Can I hug you? Just as a final farewell to the past.”

From now on, they could only be friends.

“Master?”

Just as they arrived at the Yunxing Sect, Yu Zaiye noticed Xuan Huai seemed to have the intention of turning back and called out in confusion.

“I forgot to tell Shi Yuan something. You go back and rest first,” Xuan Huai said calmly, his face devoid of expression.

“Alright,” Yu Zaiye nodded hesitantly and watched him leave.

Stepping back into the territory of Guiyuan Isle, Xuan Huai could not describe his current mood, nor did he know why he wanted to go back for one more look. When Shi Yuan made the invitation, he had guessed that Ji Xunyue would also participate. By tomorrow, the news of the two of them reconciling would spread. However, he could only be as he was before—as he was tonight, always watching in silence.

Xuan Huai walked slowly for a distance, only to see Shi Yuan and Ji Xunyue standing before the sect entrance. He was smiling, and she was too. Then, Shi Yuan said something. Although she was startled, she walked toward him and was held in his arms.

Xuan Huai watched from afar, gradually falling into an indescribable desolation.

Was he destined to have no status or name for his entire life? Was he to watch them be close while pretending as if nothing was wrong?

He could not do it. He had tried, but he could not do it.