"Then I won't drink it."
She compromised like this, but the young man was still unhappy. He was like a mischievous child who would never grow up, grumbling, "It's so delicious, why wouldn't you drink it?"
Her tone became helpless, "Isn't it you who doesn't want me to drink it?"
The young man was indignant and displeased, raising his chin maliciously, but his eyes were bright. "It was me who told you not to drink it, but if you say a few nice words, maybe I'll be happy and let you drink it."
This put her in a difficult position. She thought for a long time, and under the young man's seemingly arrogant yet expectant gaze, she softly spoke a kind word.
"...A Lian is the best."
In her opinion, this was already the best compliment.
The young man appeared reluctant, but the tips of his ears had already turned bright red. Yet, he still put on a proud and haughty facade, feigning disdain and condescension. "What kind of nice words are these? Forget it, forget it, I'll reluctantly agree to let you drink."
Tender leaves were fresh green, and falling blossoms brought forth a dignified green rain. The sun was bright and radiant, casting warm golden rays on people, bringing comfort.
The scene had not changed, yet everything was different.
Shen Yue drank half the pot. The wine was strong and potent, and her throat felt as if it were burning, her heart also feeling scorched.
Xin Xi had a better tolerance for alcohol than Shen Yue. She looked at the white-robed immortal rubbing his brow bone and smiled, "Senior Brother, your tolerance for alcohol is still so poor."
Xuan Cheng also saw Shen Yue's jade-white ear tips flushed red, her lips, as tender and beautiful as crab apples, still dewy with wine. Her eyes were covered by a white cloth, appearing both drunk and sober.
This wine was nothing to Xuan Cheng; it was like drinking water. "Senior Brother, you truly are worse every year."
Xuan Cheng no longer addressed her as Sect Leader, and his demeanor became increasingly affectionate.
Xin Xi finished her pot and, feeling slightly tipsy, took her leave.
Xuan Cheng looked at Shen Yue, who had a blank expression and red ear tips, and a sudden urge to tease her arose. "Are you drunk?"
Shen Yue shook her head. "No, this is nothing."
She could drink another pot!
It seemed she was indeed drunk.
Xuan Cheng chuckled lowly, tapping the white-robed immortal's ear, which was marked with a faint pinkish-red line from his jade fan. "Then do you still know who I am?"
"Xuan... Cheng."
She spoke each word deliberately, her clear, cold tone seeming to carry a hint of lingering tenderness.
Xuan Cheng rubbed his tingling ears and helped the quiet, well-behaved Shen Yue up. "Come, I'll take you back to Xin Qing Hall."
"No."
Her eyes were pure and cold, clear as flowing water. She pursed her very red lips, exhibiting a rare stubbornness.
Xuan Cheng found Shen Yue like this quite amusing. Thus, for the first time, he didn't simply leave her to fend for herself but patiently asked, "Why?"
Her voice was light and faint, "I... am superfluous."
This was Xi Yu when she was drunk. No matter what she was asked, she would answer obediently, unlike her usual taciturn and cold demeanor when sober, like a block of ice.
In the past, Xuan Cheng's favorite thing was to get Xi Yu drunk, then extract information from her, uncovering all of Xi Yu's secrets in a most unconscionable way.
Upon hearing this reason, Xuan Cheng was amused. "Why are you superfluous? Then this is your territory."
Shen Yue lowered her head, appearing unenthusiastic, even a little melancholic. "You wouldn't understand."
Her brow bone was noble, like distant mountains and still water, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, yet seemingly stirred by a hidden undercurrent.
The more Shen Yue was like this, the more curious Xuan Cheng became, feeling as if feathers were lightly tickling his heart, creating an itch.
However, Shen Yue said no more. Her eyes were covered by the white cloth, and Xuan Cheng didn't know if she had fallen asleep.
But Xuan Cheng was soon drawn to the white cloth again. After all, he had never seen Shen Yue's eyes.
Since she was very young, Shen Yue's eyes had been covered by a soft white cloth, never removed.
With no one around, Xuan Cheng thought for a moment. He still couldn't suppress his curiosity and gently untied the white cloth.
Shen Yue was asleep, her eyes closed. This was to be expected, yet he still felt a sense of disappointment.
Xuan Cheng grew bolder. He stretched his neck closer to look.
Her long, thick eyelashes were like butterfly wings, seemingly able to stir the heartstrings.
Xuan Cheng dared not look for too long and quietly retied the white cloth.
He bent down and gently picked her up, trying his best to make the movements as minimal as possible.
Shen Yue's excessive thinness made Xuan Cheng frown.
Why was Shen Yue still so light after all these centuries? It was as if a slight gust of wind could blow her away.
Moreover, Shen Yue's body temperature was very low. Xuan Cheng felt as if he were holding a piece of jade emitting cold air.
Xuan Cheng was so familiar with the layout of Xin Qing Hall that he could navigate it with his eyes closed.
He had intended to carry Shen Yue to the sleeping quarters but encountered a man with a sinister and cold demeanor in the long corridor.
After a century of seclusion, Xuan Cheng was unaware that Shen Yue had already taken a disciple.
However, this man's appearance was somewhat familiar.
He bore a striking resemblance to Bi Lian, about forty percent similar!
The most similar feature was his eyes.
Dark, gloomy, and somber.
He possessed a sharpness and coldness that Bi Lian lacked, a sharp ruthlessness that could silently wound people.
Rong Hua's gaze drifted downwards, settling on the white-robed immortal in Xuan Cheng's arms.
A flicker of dark malice crossed his eyes. Rong Hua said in a flat, indifferent tone, "Give me Master."
Xuan Cheng's brows furrowed even tighter. He hadn't expected Shen Yue to have taken such a disciple, and the person's malevolent aura was too strong. Frankly, Xuan Cheng hadn't liked this boy at first glance.
Therefore, Xuan Cheng, who was usually talkative, said nothing. He simply walked past him and entered the sleeping quarters.
After he had settled Shen Yue, he went out and encountered Rong Hua, who was still standing in the same spot.
Xuan Cheng unfurled his jade fan, fanning himself with elegant grace, and said casually, "You are Xi Yu's disciple?"
His question was as if he already knew the answer. His gaze was as critical as if he were appraising merchandise.
Rong Hua looked back with a blank expression.
Xuan Cheng closed his fan, feigning sudden realization. "Oh, how could I forget that Xi Yu is blind."
With this ambiguous remark, Xuan Cheng left.
His words were too direct, clearly implying that Shen Yue had taken him on as a disciple because she was blind, and that he had received an immense stroke of luck to become Shen Yue's disciple.
In reality, this was indeed the case.
Everyone believed he was unworthy of being Immortal Venerable Xi Yu's disciple.
He stood there for who knew how long, until his legs had gone numb, before he slowly walked into the sleeping quarters.
The white-robed immortal was already leaning against a soft couch, the white cloth carelessly discarded on the floor. Her eyes were gently closed, her snow-white robes like frost and snow, her long hair cascading over her body. She propped her head with her fingers against her forehead, her knuckles like jade.