Wenren Pingxin's body subtly trembled, her charming eyes gazing at Su Bei, who smiled back at her.
This time, she said nothing, merely nodding, her eyes growing even more tender.
Perhaps she would see the day she was sheltered under his wings.
"Take care of yourself."
Just as Su Bei had anticipated, the Sacred Land elder's announcement confirmed that the Star Moon Sect had secured advancement.
But the cost was huge. After a round of battles, only three were eligible to compete in the next round.
Yu Hongxiu was all smiles. Regardless, the Star Moon Sect had at least progressed to the top five. Although this ranking wasn't precise, in the eyes of the world, it was truly deserving of the name.
The first day of the finals ended. Su Bei followed the Sword Sect Disciples back to their station, casting several glances at Dan Wulan along the way.
But as he approached her, his mouth opened slightly, then closed again. Some words were indeed hard to say... Could he directly ask her:
"After... that night, did you drop that hairpin?"
"Did you leave through the window or the door?"
"Why did I see a hairpin that was the matching pair to that gold-plated phoenix feather one?"
...
...
Watching Su Bei hesitate, Dan Wulan's cool eyes simply gazed at him. Finally, as if unable to bear his staring any longer, her dark brows arched slightly in question,
"Senior Brother, is there something you want to say?"
Su Bei found himself speechless.
Wu City at night was adorned with colorful lanterns, shining brighter than before and illuminating the long, bustling streets as if it were daylight.
The nearby Sacred Sanctuary was particularly stunning, decorated like a magnificent celestial palace. Its resplendence overshadowed the stars above, causing them to dim in comparison.
Perhaps due to the Star Moon Sect's great victory, shops lining both sides of the street, including Wan Qingzhai, were loudly calling out to customers, everyone's face beaming with joy.
The entire Wu City was no less lively than a grand festival market.
A cool evening breeze drifted from the riverbank, washing over the land like water and ruffling Su Bei's long hair. Su Bei looked at Dan Wulan before him, clenched his jaw, and finally spoke,
"Junior Sister,"
"Hm?"
"Do you like the hairpin your Senior Brother gave you?"
This question was a test. Even if she sensed something amiss, he could backtrack, claim he misspoke, and say he meant the hair comb he had given her. After all, isn't it perfectly normal for a man to not distinguish between a hairpin and a hair comb?
Dan Wulan paused. A faint blush crept up her ears, and she nodded.
Su Bei's mind went blank for a moment. Seemingly still a bit unwilling to accept it, he asked again,
"It's just that the gold-plated phoenix feather hairpin is only one piece... it's supposed to be a pair."
He stared intently at her, clinging to a sliver of hope. He had never been so nervous.
"It doesn't matter."
"I like it very much."
Dan Wulan, however, was unaware of the turmoil in Su Bei's mind. Her eyelashes fluttered, her white hair shimmering with a crimson hue in the lantern light.
BOOM—
Su Bei felt as if his mind had exploded. He gazed at the breathtaking beauty before him. The night wind swept her white hair across his face, and he could feel the cool strands brushing against his skin.
That gold-plated hairpin... it really wasn't hers.
It was Mo Li's.
He never believed in coincidences. What was harder to accept was... perhaps, just perhaps, his disciple had accidentally dropped it on his bed.
But Su Bei knew all too well how unlikely that was.
Su Bei once again recalled the sensual scene from his dream, deeply etched in his mind! He asked himself: If that person hadn't been Dan Wulan, if he had opened his eyes that night and seen Mo Li instead, what kind of scene would have unfolded?
Would he have treated that awkward, intimidating disciple the same way he treated Dan Wulan?
How would the world see him?
As a degenerate? Scum? Unworthy of living?
But... if that person really wasn't Dan Wulan, would he still treat this cool-mannered woman before him as he did now?
What choice was he supposed to make?
The shyness around Dan Wulan's ears faded. Her cool eyes gazed at Su Bei, at his conflicted expression. Seeming to sense something, she took a gentle breath, as if having made an important decision, then extended her delicate hand to grasp his.
Feeling the soft, cool touch in his palm, Su Bei looked up, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief as he stared at her.
She had almost never been so proactive with him.
—Except for that kiss on the Unrepentant Cliff.
In her eyes, Su Bei saw his own reflection. The bright moon hung high, accompanied by a scattering of dim stars, all mirrored on the clear, rippling surface of Wu City's waters.
Numerous small boats were moored along the shore, waiting until they were filled with passengers before unfastening their ropes to set sail. The bustling crowds were noisy and chaotic. Flickering lights danced on the water's surface, each point of light a reflection of a lantern from the shore.