After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 41

By the time Ji Xunyue woke up, it was nearly noon. The bright sunlight flooded the room, making everything look warm and brilliant.

She sat up and stared blankly at the empty room. The conversations she had with Xuan Huai the previous night flashed through her mind sentence by sentence, feeling as surreal as a dream. She raised her hand and realized she was still wearing her disciple robes, yet she had absolutely no memory of how she had returned to her room.

After a moment of daze, she got out of bed to wash up. Seeing her true face reflected in the mirror finally gave her a sense of reality. She and Xuan Huai had confessed their feelings to each other. In the mirror, her eyes were filled with a shy light, and a faint blush bloomed on her cheeks.

After finishing her morning preparations, Ji Xunyue left the house and walked toward the Star-Fall Platform. At this hour, Xuan Huai should be guiding Yu Zaiye’s cultivation, shouldn’t he? However, at the very next corner, she ran into her junior brother.

“Senior Sister.”

“Is the morning cultivation over?”

“Yes,” Yu Zaiye replied. As if sensing what she wanted to ask, he continued, “Half an hour ago, Princess Yu Qianchan sent someone over to summon Master.”

She assumed her friend needed Xuan Huai’s help with alchemy again. Ji Xunyue nodded, but a question suddenly occurred to her: Did her friend know about her past with Xuan Huai all along? Is that why she had stayed silent while supporting her journey to the Immortal Realm?

Yu Zaiye asked, “You must be hungry, Senior Sister. I will go prepare lunch.”

“No need,” Ji Xunyue said quickly, feeling truly embarrassed to trouble him further. “I have already achieved Inedia. You have worked hard all morning, so go and rest.”

After seeing her junior brother off, Ji Xunyue found herself with nothing to do. She returned to her room and sat by the window, staring at the scenery outside in a daze. The last time she had sat like this, she had just learned that Xuan Huai loved a mortal woman.

Just like the last time, a moment later, he appeared in her field of vision. The difference was that this time, her eyes lit up, and she quickly rose to go out and greet him. Standing before him, however, she found herself at a loss for words. She saw Xuan Huai looking at her with a tender smile, making no effort to hide his affection.

Ji Xunyue looked away and whispered, “Why are you only just returning?”

She froze; why did those words sound like she was acting spoiled?

Xuan Huai gave a soft laugh. “I am sorry. I was delayed in the God Realm.”

She suddenly felt that she should suggest Yu Qianchan train more alchemists. Sensing a mysterious surge of possessiveness in her heart, Ji Xunyue gave a light cough to hide her embarrassment. Then, she said with feigned righteousness, “I am hungry.”

She decided to make the most of him before his next seclusion.

Xuan Huai suggested, “As compensation, how about I take you to the mortal realm for a meal?”

Ji Xunyue was pleasantly surprised. “Of course!”

How had she not thought of that? Now that she did not have to worry about her identity being exposed, she could come and go more freely. Xuan Huai did not move; instead, he extended his hand toward her. Ji Xunyue turned her face away, placing her hand in his with a look of feigned reluctance. But the moment he gripped her hand firmly, the joy in her heart was so full it threatened to overflow.

In the mortal realm, they chose a restaurant called Qiansheng Tower. Outside the tower lay the famous Yan Lake. The early summer weather was perfect; stalls lined the long bridge over the water, tourists moved in a steady stream, and painted pleasure boats drifted slowly across the lake.

They chose a private room on the second floor and sat by the window. The beautiful scenery of the lake was fully visible, making one feel refreshed and happy. Aside from her last experience during the trial, Ji Xunyue could not remember how many years it had been since she last visited the mortal realm.

She understood that there were still many things between them that needed to be discussed. Since the food had not yet been served, it was the perfect time for a chat.

“Master.”

She called him by that title subconsciously; she was simply too used to saying it. Xuan Huai looked at her earnestly, his eyes full of smiles.

“How do you want me to call you?” she pondered. “Huai Lin, Xuan Huai, or Master?”

All of them seemed to roll off the tongue quite easily. The smile in his eyes deepened. “Any of them is fine.”

In truth, she felt the same. Come to think of it, the name Ye Jinyue shared a special fate with him. Ji Xunyue realized that whenever she spoke to him, she could not hide her smile at all.

“Oh,” she elongated her tone, asking mischievously, “is ‘Little Fox’ also acceptable?”

Xuan Huai’s long eyelashes trembled, and a blush crept onto his ears. “If you wish to call me that, of course you may.”

Ji Xunyue propped up her chin and looked at his reaction with a beaming smile. “Actually, one of the things you said yesterday was incorrect.”

He was stunned again, feeling a bit uneasy as he recalled his self-analysis from the night before. “Which sentence?”

“I did not forget our encounter six thousand years ago, but I did not know that fox was you.”

Therefore, the little white fox she met in the illusion was likely a deliberate arrangement by Sang Wo. That fellow had lived for far too long and was bored enough to create so much extra business for himself.

“It would have been better if you hadn’t mentioned it. Now that I know it was you, I remember how cold and indifferent you were to me back then.” She feigned a complaint but was more curious. “How did you know it was me? Was my appearance as a child very similar to how I look now?”

She was only about seven or eight years old in human terms back then, and he was only a few hundred years older than her. It seemed his personality had been that cold even then.

Xuan Huai shifted his gaze slightly. “I was worried about your safety, so I turned back and followed you. I saw the people from the Demon Realm come to take you home.”

Ji Xunyue froze, not expecting such a sequel. She could not help but sigh. “But in the end, you still fell into my hands.”

Their fate always found a way to survive against all odds. Xuan Huai gave a soft, almost imperceptible acknowledgment, his gaze filled with tenderness.

Just then, the food was served. Ji Xunyue looked at the delicate dishes and felt her appetite surge. After the waiter left, she picked up a piece of osmanthus cake. It was soft, fragrant, and sweet.

After a moment of thought, she spoke. “Do you mind that I have absolutely no memory of our time in the mortal realm?”

“You were injured; it is better not to think about it.” Xuan Huai shook his head. He paused, then asked tentatively, “How were you injured back then?”

Ji Xunyue gave a bitter laugh. “I actually… do not remember. I only remember that when I woke up from my injury, A-Yin was already…”

Xuan Huai lowered his eyes, feeling a mix of relief and melancholy. It was a good thing she did not know. Back then, she had been gravely injured, and he had sliced open his own body to give her his demon core to save her. If she knew, she would be overwhelmed with guilt. He would keep this secret forever, wishing only for her to no longer be troubled by the past. This included the death of Ji Linyin.

On the other side, Ji Xunyue was also lost in her own memories. “I always thought my headaches were because of that injury. But looking at these recent incidents, it seems they only happen when I try to probe my past memories and touch the seal within. I sealed my memories of Shi Yuan, but I do not even have any memory of meeting you in the Demon Realm. I truly do not know why.”

Her tone dropped. “Xuan Huai, I have truly forgotten so much, yet no one ever told me. I have lived like this in a daze for over three thousand years. And the events of the mortal realm… why did I forget those as well?”

“Perhaps your soul returned to its original body, causing you to forget the past. Or perhaps it was due to the injury, resulting in some memory loss,” Xuan Huai comforted her. “But none of that matters anymore.”

“I have considered breaking the seal, but I cannot be certain of the consequences.” Ji Xunyue sighed, pouring out her worries. Then, she said sincerely, “This time, I will not forget again.”

Xuan Huai looked at her fixedly. “Good.”

Even if she did forget, he would surely find her again. Ji Xunyue returned his look with a smile and tasted several more dishes, her mood brightening once more.

Looking at the scenery outside the window, she remarked casually, “So you knew from the beginning why I came to be your disciple?”

“Not exactly. I only learned what Shi Yuan had done after I asked him. Only then did I understand why you were so persistent in becoming my disciple.”

Ji Xunyue had intended to ask why he didn’t clarify things, but she soon understood. Had he clarified, she would have certainly found out about Shi Yuan, yet she was the one who had chosen to forget in the first place. Thus, both Xuan Huai and Shi Yuan chose silence, leaving the decision in her hands.

She sighed softly. “So you thought I came here for Shi Yuan?”

At the mention of that name, Xuan Huai gave an uneasy response. Shi Yuan remained a topic they could not easily bypass.

“Yes and no.” Ji Xunyue turned to look at him. “It was because of Qingli.”

“Xia Qingli?”

“You must have guessed why I never asked about Shi Yuan. Firstly, it was not a major issue, and secondly, it would have easily damaged the harmony between our two realms. But that time, when the Soul-Seeking Grass did not arrive, I thought you wanted to harm Qingli. I was so angry that I… came up with a foolish plan.”

Looking back, that blockhead Huo Chengfeng had probably remembered something incorrectly and relayed the wrong message, which only added fuel to the fire. Ji Xunyue said seriously, “So, I came to the Immortal Realm for you as well.”

Xuan Huai smiled faintly, easily mollified by her words.

“Actually, I had no intention of taking a disciple initially. It was the Princess who told me, and I rushed over in haste.”

Ji Xunyue’s eyes widened. Yu Qianchan really did know everything, yet she had kept it from her all this time. On second thought, her friend had likely stayed silent for her own good. No wonder Yu Qianchan had agreed to her seemingly rigorous yet highly illogical plan; it was to allow her to investigate the truth personally, using the Five Devouring Array to entice her to stay.

By a stroke of luck, she had met Zhong Ling, and Xuan Huai had participated in the Induction Ceremony because of her, taking her junior sister as a disciple. A single misunderstanding had triggered so many sequels.

Ji Xunyue pressed her hand to her forehead and sighed. “So you just watched me play the part of a mortal in front of you for all that time.”

Xuan Huai shook his head with a smile. “A-Yue, you were not a very good actress. You skipped classes to laze around, loved joining in on any excitement, and your cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds. You faced everyone with a completely fearless attitude. Did that truly seem like a mortal who had just arrived?”

Ji Xunyue gave a light cough to cover her embarrassment. “Alright, alright, say no more. This is too humiliating.”

Xuan Huai did not press further, though the mirth in his eyes only grew brighter.

He took a sip of tea before speaking again. “A-Yue, now it is my turn to ask. How did you know the name Huai Lin?”

“After meeting you, I felt that those things didn’t seem like something you would do. I used the blooming of the Mirage Abyss flowers as an excuse to confirm it.”

Xuan Huai was stunned. So that day, she had been despondent because she feared getting a result she didn’t want. She hadn’t wanted him to leave; the person she wanted to call out to… was him.

Ji Xunyue did not notice his expression. She lowered her eyes and struggled to speak the rest. “I showed Mo Ze your appearance. He recognized you and told me that you had someone you loved. So I… went to ask Xi Lin, and only then did I find out that the person you loved was also named Ye Jinyue.”

Xuan Huai calculated the timing and understood the reason for her sudden change in behavior a few days ago. It wasn’t because of Shi Yuan; it was because of him.

He couldn’t help but let out a short laugh. “So you misunderstood me, thinking I loved someone else who just happened to share your name?”

No wonder she said it was too late. It was indeed late; his silence had caused her so much grief for so many days. She had already revealed her heart within the illusion, yet he had remained entirely oblivious.

Xuan Huai asked tentatively, “Then when did you… start to like me?”

Ji Xunyue jumped, blurting out, “I’m not telling you!”

“Fine, I won’t ask.” Xuan Huai smiled, pushing several dishes toward her. “If we keep talking, the food will get cold.”

After finishing their meal, the two left the restaurant and took a leisurely stroll along the banks of Yan Lake. Ji Xunyue lingered in front of the accessory stalls, showing great interest in the delicate trinkets.

Xuan Huai watched her from the side. Recalling the birthday gift she gave Shi Yuan yesterday, he couldn’t help but speak. “A-Yue.”

Ji Xunyue looked toward him, waiting for him to continue.

“Give me a gift.”

Ji Xunyue was startled, then realized what he was thinking. She teased him intentionally. “But is today your birthday?”

“It is not.” His gaze was tender, his voice soft. “So, are you going to refuse me?”

He was asking, but he knew she wouldn’t refuse.

Ji Xunyue laughed. “Of course I won’t refuse. I didn’t bring any money, so I am only responsible for picking it out. I have nothing to lose.”

With that, she turned her gaze to the stall, looking back and forth before finally selecting a sword tassel.

“Is this one good?” She placed the tassel into his hand. “Though I truly don’t know what you like.”

“As long as it is from your heart, anything is good.”

“Then, for the return gift…”

Ji Xunyue took a step closer to him, tilting her head slightly and asking him with a smile. As expected, she saw the man before her catch his breath, and a flush instantly burned across his face.

She stepped back two paces, looking satisfied. “Let’s just say you owe me for now.”

Xuan Huai stood dazed, offering a helpless smile at her teasing. “Alright.”

After paying, they continued their walk. Ji Xunyue felt a sudden whim and pulled Xuan Huai to rent a boat to row upon the lake. The boatman sat at the other end, rowing in silence, while Xuan Huai remained somewhat quiet at her side.

Ji Xunyue stole a glance at him, seeing him stroking the sword tassel with an unreadable expression.

She steeled herself. “Ahem. If there is anything else you want to know, just ask. I promise to tell you everything. But only for today.”

Xuan Huai gazed at the shimmering lake but hesitated to speak for a long time. Even though he had heard her admit it last night, he still wanted to confirm it once more.

He asked slowly, “You truly do not like Shi Yuan? You never liked him, even a little bit?”

Ji Xunyue countered, “Actually, I am very curious. Where exactly did I act like I liked him?”

Xuan Huai said in a muffled voice, “The first time you met him, you took the initiative to see him off.”

“That was because I wanted to take the opportunity to ask about your business.”

“The first time we practiced, why did you choose him?”

“Because your cultivation is higher than his, and I was afraid you would notice my flaws.” Ji Xunyue added, “I also thought it was more reliable for you to teach Zhong Ling.”

Xuan Huai froze. A smile surfaced in his eyes, yet he remained persistent. “Then why did you always talk to him so much?”

He truly… found it hard not to mind.

Ji Xunyue looked at him with a strange expression. “You never spoke, and Junior Sister was shy. Who else was I supposed to talk to besides Shi Yuan?”

“…” Xuan Huai fell silent. “Do you find me very dull then?”

“Not at all.” Ji Xunyue’s eyes curved into crescent moons. “Look at you now; where is that man of few words? Before, you were clearly just being petty and didn’t want to talk to me.”

Xuan Huai’s thoughts were laid bare. His Adam’s apple bobbed as the final question circled in his mind.

“Then yesterday, why did he…” Facing her puzzled gaze, he closed his eyes and said with a hint of bitterness, “…hug you.”

Without bothering to ask how he knew, Ji Xunyue paused. “That was…”

She sighed, searching for the right words. “Consider it… a final farewell.”

Xuan Huai made no sound; he simply looked at her face. The lake breeze blew through her long, loose hair. The shimmering light of the water complemented the radiance in her eyes. He knew her heart and would no longer doubt her. He was simply unable to erase the endless, secret possessiveness deep in his soul.

Sensing his inner unease, she slowly leaned in. Her breathing was light, as if she didn’t want to disturb the silence of the moment.

In the next instant, Ji Xunyue tilted her head and kissed him softly. Their breathing intermingled, their gazes entangled. She cupped his face, pressing a series of gentle, lingering kisses upon him.

Just as he was about to lose himself, she paused for a moment, only to lead him deeper into the depths.

“This is the return gift I wanted.”

By the time they returned to the Yunxing Sect, the journey had been filled with laughter and lighthearted talk. However, once she realized that they had been together for only half a day and were already facing a temporary separation, Ji Xunyue felt downcast.

“So, are you going back into seclusion?” she asked.

Xuan Huai gave a soft acknowledgment and paused intentionally before asking, “Would you be willing to accompany me?”

Joy flared in Ji Xunyue’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by hesitation. “But what about Junior Brother?”

Yu Zaiye’s cultivation had not yet reached the threshold for learning alchemy, but she could not simply leave him behind. If the Fenglan Sect came looking for trouble again, she needed to be there to protect him.

“We could ask Shi,” Xuan Huai started to say, but he abruptly cut himself off.

Ji Xunyue also fell into silence. She had not yet considered how to tell Shi Yuan about her relationship with Xuan Huai. No matter whether the timing was early or late, it would likely be difficult for Shi Yuan to accept. Furthermore, he had confided so many of his private feelings to Xuan Huai, yet Xuan Huai had kept the truth from him all this time.

“I forgot to tell you,” Ji Xunyue said softly. “Shi Yuan already knows that Ye Jinyue is me. He asked me for confirmation yesterday. I did not want to lie to him, so I told him.”

The two entered the sect in silence. As they neared the main hall, they ran right into Yu Zaiye, who was heading toward the Star-Fall Platform. Shi Yuan was standing right behind him.

Ji Xunyue was stunned by the coincidence. How could they have run into them so perfectly?

Yu Zaiye greeted Xuan Huai and her in turn, then remained quiet. Shi Yuan’s gaze flickered back and forth between the two of them. “Did you two go out at noon?”

Unsure of when Shi Yuan had arrived or how long he had been waiting, Ji Xunyue found herself in a predicament. Even if she wanted to hide the truth, she feared her excuses would be full of holes.

Xuan Huai spoke up for her. “The Princess gave me an alchemy task this morning. I intended to take this opportunity to teach Jinyue the craft, so I just took her to the herb gardens for a tour.”

Shi Yuan nodded, though he looked only half-convinced. He turned to Ji Xunyue. “Alchemy is no simple task, Jinyue. You must not be careless.”

Ji Xunyue gave a forced smile. As expected, Shi Yuan remembered she knew nothing of alchemy. It was why he had once mockingly gifted her a discarded furnace.

Perhaps sharing the same memory, Shi Yuan’s eyes curved slightly, though he did not let much of a smile show. He sensed something was wrong. “Xuan Huai, how many days will you be in seclusion?”

“Nine days,” Xuan Huai replied.

“Then what about Zaiye? You cannot just leave him out here all alone.”

“I was hoping to ask you to look after him and guide his cultivation.”

“That is a grand idea!” Shi Yuan’s face brightened with joy. He turned to Yu Zaiye. “What does my nephew think?”

Yu Zaiye nodded. “Then I shall trouble my Uncle Master.”

“It is no trouble! Over these next few days, I shall show you which of us is the better teacher, Xuan Huai or me.” Shi Yuan rubbed his hands together, looking eager for a competition. He added in a low voice, “You have no idea. When your Eldest Senior Sister first started practicing, she could not find her way at all. She was not nearly as good as her junior sister. Who would have thought?”

“Ahem.” Ji Xunyue knew he was teasing her and gave a sharp cough to signal him to stop.

It truly was a mistake to let him know her identity. However, since she was currently acting as Ye Jinyue, she could only endure his ridicule.

“Wait for me to make a few preparations,” Xuan Huai said to her. “You may go back to your room and rest for a while.”

Ji Xunyue nodded. “Alright.”

After saying their farewells, they headed in different directions. Shi Yuan draped an arm over Yu Zaiye’s shoulder. “Come, your Uncle shall teach you some new moves.”

However, he noticed Yu Zaiye staring thoughtfully at the retreating figures of the other two. Shi Yuan’s gaze darkened. “What is it?” he asked, puzzled.

“It seemed that Master and Senior Sister had a falling out a few days ago.”

“Is that so?” Shi Yuan thought about it. “That would have been during the competition. Have they reconciled now?”

Yu Zaiye let out a rare sigh. “Does Uncle Master wish to know the answer?”

Shi Yuan was confused. “Is there something that cannot be said?”

“They are together.”

Shi Yuan stood still, not knowing what expression to make. He saw Yu Zaiye looking at him earnestly. “I respect you deeply, Uncle, and I hope you can soon let go of the past. That is why I am being blunt. I hope you do not take offense.”

Shi Yuan remained silent for a long time before he finally processed the information. He asked, “You know your Senior Sister’s identity?”

Yu Zaiye nodded. “I do.”

Shi Yuan smacked his forehead and let out a short laugh. Ji Xunyue probably never guessed that showing her face at the birthday banquet would lead to both of them uncovering her identity at the same time. Perhaps afraid to dwell on the meaning of being together, he intentionally ignored that part and asked curiously, “How did you recognize her?”

“Intuition and deduction,” Yu Zaiye answered.

Yu Zaiye recalled the first time he met Ji Xunyue. He had been drawn to her sharp, aggressive style. Even if cultivation could progress by leaps and bounds, martial techniques were not mastered overnight. After joining the sect, he saw his Senior Sister’s laziness and his Master’s indulgence. His Senior Sister never seemed to need guidance; she always understood everything intuitively.

Furthermore, his Master’s level of concern for her clearly exceeded that of a normal teacher and disciple. Whether in daily life or during practice, his Master’s gaze always followed her.

The most critical clue was the banquet last night. Her absence made no sense, yet his Master and Uncle were not worried, which was logically inconsistent. Not to mention the emotions that flickered across their faces when they saw the Demon Lord. Although she tried her best to pretend, she had left too many openings.

Shi Yuan listened to Yu Zaiye’s explanation and was stunned. After a while, he said slowly, “I feel now that the most formidable person in the Yunxing Sect is actually you.”

Yu Zaiye shook his head. “I have no intention of prying into Senior Sister’s privacy, nor should I have spoken out. But Master and Senior Sister have been kind to me. As an observer, I wanted to use my position to do something for them.”

Shi Yuan froze, understanding his meaning. Yu Zaiye did not want the three of them to be caught in a cycle of secrecy and suspicion because of their feelings. It was better for him to pull back the curtain.

Shi Yuan truly could not say how he would have felt hearing this from Xuan Huai or Ji Xunyue, but hearing it from Yu Zaiye allowed him to remain much calmer. He let out a long sigh. “You say they are together?”

Yu Zaiye went silent for a moment. He had not mentioned the most important thing, which was the final piece of the puzzle that confirmed his Senior Sister’s identity. He was not actually clever enough to link the Senior Sister and the Demon Lord together based solely on those clues.

It was just that last night, worried that his Senior Sister had not returned, he had checked her courtyard. And there, he saw his Master and Senior Sister together.

Being unversed in romantic affairs, Yu Zaiye looked slightly uncomfortable. “Yes. I suppose I witnessed it.”

Shi Yuan closed his eyes, adjusting his emotions. He had never imagined such an ending. This was the epitome of a plan backfiring. It was he who had used Xuan Huai’s name to lure Ji Xunyue here, creating the opportunity for them to be together day and night.

He could only swallow this bitter fruit. He had offered his heart sincerely, and it was impossible not to feel sad, but he had decided to let go. If she could find the person she truly loved, he should offer his blessings.

Shi Yuan turned his head to hide his emotions, speaking calmly. “Since you know her identity, you should inform her. It will help her be more mindful of her actions.”

Yu Zaiye nodded. “Alright. And about this matter?”

“Tell her that too. Tell her I hope she will be forever happy.” Shi Yuan gazed at the rolling sea of clouds in the distance, his eyes reflecting neither joy nor sorrow, only an endless solitude. “It is better for everyone if we speak plainly.”

On one side was his friend; on the other was the woman he loved. He did not want to lose his friend, and he wanted the woman he loved to be happy. His choice had long been destined.

After hearing her junior brother relay the message, Ji Xunyue rubbed her brow, filled with worry. She had intended to tell Shi Yuan, but she had not expected it to happen so quickly, especially on the day after his birthday.

Her sense of guilt grew. Facing her junior brother, she sighed repeatedly. “Fine, it is good that you know. I am sorry for making you look after me for so long.”

Yu Zaiye shook his head. “Senior Sister must have her reasons. Do not worry. I will keep your secret. I only hope you can guide my cultivation more in the future.”

“Naturally.”

Once her junior brother left, Ji Xunyue gave a bitter laugh. Now it was her turn to pass the news to Xuan Huai.

Ji Xunyue sat to one side in the alchemy room, watching Xuan Huai organize the fresh herbs sent from the God Realm while she recounted what had just happened. Xuan Huai’s movements halted. He looked at her with a stunned expression. “Shi Yuan knows?”

Ji Xunyue nodded and sighed. “I never expected it would be our junior brother who spoke the truth for us.”

She looked out the window. The afternoon sun was at its peak, dispersing the worries in her heart. She had met many people who treated her with sincerity, knowing her worries and solving her difficulties. The only way she could respond was with sincerity of her own.

She gave a relieved smile. “In this way, perhaps it is the end of the past and a new beginning.”

Xuan Huai watched her intently, a slight smile playing on his lips. He felt the same relief.

“Still, was my acting truly that bad?” Ji Xunyue grumbled. “Even Junior Sister saw that I was hiding my strength.”

Xuan Huai chuckled and continued his work. “It is indeed a bit difficult not to suspect you.”

Ji Xunyue curled her lip and stood up in dissatisfaction. She walked over to his side and picked up an herb to examine it. “Night Erosion Grass for healing wounds? Did Yu Hanshu find A-Chan and convince her?”

“It seems everyone in our sect is quite clever.”

Ji Xunyue’s face stiffened for a moment, then she laughed. “Fine. This time, I shall let her see just how effective the medicine I refine can be.”

As they spoke, Xuan Huai had already sorted out the high-quality parts and placed them in clean water to soak. With the preparation finished, he wiped his hands and looked up with a smile. “Then if the God Realm holds me responsible, I must ask you to come and rescue me.”

Ji Xunyue looked at him curiously. “How do you know I will not be able to refine it well?”

“I heard it from Shi Yuan.”

“I will definitely succeed this time. If I do not, it is because you are a poor teacher!”

Xuan Huai’s smile deepened. “Failing to teach a disciple is indeed the master’s fault.”

It was a childish bicker. Yet his lack of coldness made her heart flutter. Ji Xunyue knew she could not out-argue him, but she knew how to throw him off balance.

“Xuan Huai.”

“Yes?”

“You look so good when you smile. Can you smile for me more often?”

As expected, Xuan Huai’s smile froze, and a blush rapidly burned across his ears and face. The culprit, however, had already looked away, leisurely examining the equipment in the alchemy room.

After a moment, Ji Xunyue heard Xuan Huai’s whispered affirmation from behind her. She did not respond, but her heart was singing with joy.