CHAPTER 25

— Pay for the Clothes —

"Cough, cough... I... cough..." Tong Tong's face flushed red, though not entirely from choking—mostly from the embarrassment of making a fool of herself in front of this woman.

She couldn't understand why, even though she had often lost her composure in front of others before, she had never felt as ashamed and embarrassed as she did now—so much so that she wished she could find a hole to bury herself in.

Could this feeling... mean she had taken a liking to her?

Startled by her own thoughts, Tong Tong coughed violently, as if trying to expel her lungs along with the cough.

Suddenly, a cool, jade-like hand rested on her back. A refreshing energy flowed from the palm, soothing her meridians and organs, bringing instant relief. The familiar scent of pine in the air calmed her nerves, and her earlier embarrassment faded. Yet, her face still burned hot, the blush refusing to fade—instead, it seemed to grow even more intense.

Fortunately, Su Yan, seeing that she had stopped coughing, withdrew his hand and calmly returned to his seat, showing no intention of initiating conversation.

"I'm Tong Tong, a new disciple from Qiuye Peak. Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you." Clearing her throat, Tong Tong put on her professional workplace smile and extended her hand toward the veiled woman.

—After all, she had been through workplace training, basic social etiquette was something she knew!

Tong Tong thought proudly, forgetting that handshakes weren't common in this world.

The woman looked at her in surprise, then, after a moment's thought, extended her own hand in return—her fingers were slender and fair, like tapered scallions, truly the hands of a beauty. Compared to Tong Tong's "paws," accustomed to holding pens and doing chores with their slight calluses, she couldn't help but feel inferior.

The moment their hands touched, Tong Tong finally understood what it meant to have "skin like creamy jade and hands like soft sprouts." If she hadn't silently repeated to herself a hundred times, "I'm a woman, she's a woman, we're all women," she might have held onto that delicate, fair hand, stroking it repeatedly to satisfy her curiosity while asking for beauty secrets.

"So it's Little Sister Tong. I've heard much about you." Meng Qianyao withdrew her hand and nodded, though a flicker of complexity passed through her eyes.

—So this was the rumored Seventh Disciple of Chonghua?

She didn't seem as stunningly beautiful as people claimed, nor did she appear to possess extraordinary talent. In fact, she seemed quite ordinary—but sometimes, being too ordinary was itself extraordinary, wasn't it?

Since the two women in white had entered the room, the atmosphere among the four hadn't been particularly warm. Su Yan was his usual self, He Gu had spent years as a secluded recluse on Lichen Peak, indifferent to worldly affairs. Ding Ding was new, and Tong Tong was even more so. After exchanging customary greetings, they fell silent.

Yet the two women didn't seem bothered, especially Meng Qianyao. Her eyes curved into crescents, and beneath her veil, her lips seemed to lift into a gentle smile, as if she were long accustomed to Su Yan's indifference and willingly offered her proud warmth.

"Brother Su, are you here for the Chaohua Market? Have you found any treasures that caught your eye?" Her gaze flickered briefly over the creature Cookie before returning intently to Su Yan, who was silently sipping tea, as if her eyes could only hold this figure in dark robes.

"Hmm." Su Yan responded casually, his long, fan-like eyelashes fluttering slightly, his demeanor elegant and refined, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, stirring ripples. Tong Tong, who had been pretending to eat pastries while eavesdropping, quickly averted her gaze, took a large gulp of tea, and tried to calm her suddenly racing heart—Goodness, that look again!

Su Yan's vague response left Meng Qianyao's prepared follow-up words stuck in her throat. Even the treasure she had readied to win a smile had no chance to be presented. Despite having mentally prepared herself, she still paled, her heart aching.

—The Nichang Valley only accepted women, renowned for their beauty and refined elegance.

As one of the outstanding talents among the younger generation, she was always the center of attention wherever she went. Yet, she had repeatedly hit a wall with Su Yan.

Decades ago, she had been utterly defeated by Su Yan in a sparring match, and since then, her heart had been completely captivated, much to the sorrow of many talented youths.

Whether she approached openly or hinted subtly, all she received were lukewarm rejections. Fortunately, Miss Qianyao was a resilient soul, persisting to this day, still hoping to soften that unyielding, stone-like heart with her tender affection.

Unfortunately, the object of her admiration was Su Yan, who disguised herself as a man and had an unusual way of thinking. This pure and beautiful crush had no chance of blossoming into an open romance.

"Ah, this plate of Purple Water-Caltrop Glutinous Cakes is absolutely delicious! Miss Meng, would you like some?" Tong Tong, noticing the gloom in her eyes, was immediately overwhelmed with sympathy. Reluctantly, she offered a plate of pastries, giving Meng Qianyao a way to save face.

"Thank you for your kindness, Little Sister Tong, but Qianyao doesn't care for sweets..." Meng Qianyao smiled gratefully, though her expression remained complicated. Behind her, another woman in white, who had been pretending to be invisible all along, quietly tugged at her sleeve.

Taking a deep breath, Meng Qianyao was about to bid farewell when Cookie, who had been lying quietly, suddenly let out a low growl. With a burst of speed, it leaped onto Tong Tong's shoulder and opened its mouth wide toward the plate of Purple Water-Caltrop Glutinous Cakes.

Startled by the sudden attack, Tong Tong's hand trembled, and the entire plate of pastries spilled right in front of Meng Qianyao.

It all happened in the blink of an eye—no one had time to react. By the time Meng Qianyao gasped in shock, her chest was already smeared with sticky, reddish-purple crumbs, starkly contrasting against her pristine white robe.

"Gasp—" Ding Ding sucked in a sharp breath and immediately looked at Meng Qianyao's expression. But as his gaze moved up, he froze in shock at the hand that suddenly appeared on the beauty's chest.

Tong Tong dropped the plate in her hand, staring in horror at the stain on Meng Qianyao's chest. Without thinking, she extended her "wicked claws," placing them directly on the spot—wiping, rubbing, kneading, and scrubbing. Feeling the delicate skin beneath her hand tremble slightly, she even gave it a couple of light pats. The muffled sounds made Ding Ding cover his eyes with his palm, unable to bear watching.

"Sorry, sorry, let me wipe it for you..." Unaware of her impropriety, Tong Tong continued her actions on the other's chest—poor Miss Qianyao, with her impeccable upbringing, was already flustered beyond words. Tears welled in her eyes, her delicate lips trembled, and even through the thin veil, one could see her face flushed crimson with embarrassment.

"Slap—" Tong Tong's hand was abruptly swatted away. Confused and slightly annoyed, she looked up and met a pair of beautiful eyes blazing with fury. Even through the veil, her indignation was palpable. It was Qiu Si, who had accompanied Meng Qianyao. "How dare you act so recklessly! How could you insult a disciple of the Nichang Valley so casually?"

"I... I didn't mean to..." Tong Tong clutched her hand, defending herself with a pitiful expression. Glancing at Meng Qianyao, who was trembling with shame and anger, her voice trailed off.

—'Oh no, another impulsive mistake!'

She was anxiously wondering how to make amends when Su Yan's cold voice cut through, "Enough."

All three in the standoff turned to look, including Cookie, who was perched on Tong Tong's shoulder, completely unaware of any wrongdoing.

Meng Qianyao clutched the collar of her robe, biting her lip, her limpid eyes shimmering like autumn waters—truly a sight that stirred pity in anyone who saw her.

Su Yan frowned slightly, glancing at her before turning to Tong Tong—or rather, the Cookie on her shoulder—and speaking sternly, "Apologize."

"I'm sorry..." Tong Tong pouted, her voice barely a whisper, fighting back the sour ache in her heart. She already felt guilty toward Meng Qianyao, but Su Yan's icy reprimand made her feel especially low.

Su Yan's brow furrowed even tighter. She fixed her gaze on Tong Tong, who was hanging her head, then shifted her attention to the little creature on her shoulder, her tone growing even more severe. "Cookie."

"Huh?" 'Wasn't she talking to me?' Tong Tong paused, looking up curiously just in time to catch the faint, helpless curve of Su Yan's lips—so fleeting she almost thought it was her imagination.

—'So... she was asking Cookie to apologize? Was I mistaken...?'

"Awoo~" The little creature whimpered, reluctantly wagging its tail under his imposing presence and lowering its head in a gesture of surrender.

Seeing it comply, Su Yan let out a cold snort, stood up, and walked over to Meng Qianyao's side. She retrieved a set of flamboyant rose-red brocade robes from her storage pouch and handed them over. Her beautiful eyes were half-lidded, concealing her emotions, but her voice was calm and gentle. "To make up for it."

Meng Qianyao took the robes with both hands, her fingers brushing—intentionally or not—against Su Yan's cool, jade-like skin. Her cheeks flushed crimson, but she felt only shyness, not anger. "Thank you... Brother Su."

Su Yan nodded to her, then glanced at Tong Tong, who was tugging at the hem of her robe, looking sullen, as well as the two others sitting at the table watching the scene unfold. With an expressionless face, she said, "Let's go."

Leading the way, she pushed open the door of the private room and left first, with Jiya, who looked thoroughly bored, in tow.

"Um... I really am sorry!" Tong Tong quickly followed, waving at Meng Qianyao before scurrying away with small, hurried steps.

"Farewell." He Gu offered an elegant bow.

"Nice robes!" Ding Ding stared meaningfully at the tightly clutched garment in Meng Qianyao's hands, grinning mischievously. When Qiu Si shot him an angry glare, he shrugged and hurried out, politely closing the door behind him like a gentleman.

"Senior Sister..." Qiu Si looked worriedly at Meng Qianyao, whose heart was racing and face flushed, fearing that her anger might harm her health.

"Junior Sister, this is the first time Brother Su has ever given me something..." Meng Qianyao, shedding her usual aloof and elegant immortal demeanor in front of outsiders, cradled the garish rose-red brocade robes with a dreamy smile. Even the earlier incident of Tong Tong's "salty pig hand" groping her chest was completely forgotten.

—If Jiya had seen this scene, it would have rolled its golden eyes and sneered, "Stupid humans!"

After walking a good distance, Tong Tong finally caught up with Su Yan, who appeared to be moving at a leisurely pace but was actually striding with the grace of a dragon and the power of a tiger.

Jiya had already been returned to the spirit beast pouch, leaving Su Yan walking alone. Her elegant back exuded an indescribable sense of loneliness, tugging at one's heartstrings.

Dressed in a low-key black robe, her aura cool and detached, her posture as straight as bamboo, and her features as exquisite as a painting, she drew the gazes of everyone on the street—men and women, young and old—whether openly or covertly. Yet, she paid them no mind, continuing to stroll as if taking a leisurely walk in a garden.

"Um, senior brother, the clothes you just compensated Miss Meng with... they look a bit familiar, don't they?" Tong Tong tugged on Cookie's long tail, unsure how to bring it up—Su Yan's face was perfectly calm, so why did she feel like he was a little displeased?

—'Could it be because I touched his girl?!'

Startled, Tong Tong looked down at her own two hands: 'Oh no, I forgot which one I used to touch her! Which one should I chop off?'

The left hand?

—'No, I'm used to using my left hand to scratch itches!'

The right hand?

—'Even worse, I need this hand to hold chopsticks!'

What to do, what to do... She hadn't realized—or perhaps had overlooked—the faint trace of bitterness hidden beneath the panic of having her hand chopped off. It was just like when she had stammered, wanting to confirm their relationship with Su Yan, yet subconsciously asked another unrelated question—such a clumsy evasion, such a humble hope.

"It is indeed yours," Su Yan said, walking ahead with her hands clasped behind her back, not turning to look at her, yet naturally slowing her pace as if waiting for her to catch up. "Didn't you throw it to me because you thought it was ugly?"

Tong Tong felt as if the cotton clogging her heart had been punched apart, her gloom vanishing in an instant.

Thinking back carefully, she couldn't help but break into a smile. "Oh, right!"

—Ding Ding had picked out several new outfits for her at the tailor shop. One of them she had found too gaudy and had tossed to Su Yan, telling her to give it to someone in need... It seemed this was the one!

"Hehe..." Scratching her head and smiling sheepishly, Tong Tong stole a glance at Su Yan's flawless, jade-like profile. Her heart itched with curiosity, and she scratched Cookie's neck fur before mustering the courage to ask, "Um, Senior Sister... what's your relationship with Meng Qianyao?"

Judging by the situation, it seems like that girl has a crush on you! Should I give things a little push, help them along, and maybe earn some good karma or something?

Tong Tong shook her head, shaking off that strange feeling, and decided it was better not to meddle.

"You're asking about Meng Qianyao?" Su Yan stopped walking. As Tong Tong watched nervously, he curled the corner of his mouth—it was a smile, but a chilling one, far more terrifying than when he wasn't smiling—the kind people often call a cold smirk. "Hah, a defeated opponent, not worth mentioning."

With a cold snort, she lifted her chin, strode forward with measured steps, and continued on her way, carefree and at ease.

"..." Tong Tong stared blankly at his tall, straight back, which clearly carried a hint of pride. The corner of her mouth twitched uncontrollably—at that moment, she felt a strong urge to stand up for Sister Qianyao.

'Su Yan, you icy, expressionless blockhead! Are you a narcissus or something? That girl has a crush on you, admires you, you know! What's with the disdain? You jerk!'

—Tong Tong refused to admit that, deep down, while she felt a sense of relief, an even more indescribable sorrow had also surfaced.

BACK | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT