Chang Sheng's hand paused in mid-air. He had already knelt halfway. Seeing Shen Yue's strong rejection, the warmth that had filled his eyes turned to a deep sadness.
His breath hitched. Even the calmest, coldest heart would churn with turbulent waves at this moment.
Shen Yue... was avoiding him?
"Yue..."
Chang Sheng wanted to say more, but Shen Yue, fearing he would utter more strange words, scrambled up from the ground and ran out unsteadily, her steps disordered.
She was just leaving like this? Chang Sheng didn't understand. He felt Shen Yue was different towards him too, but why was she avoiding him? And why wouldn't she let him touch her?
Chang Sheng's gaze was stunned, his face pale. A colossal wave immediately surged in his eyes.
—
Shen Yue returned to her room and locked herself inside.
After all, with the original host's simple personality, she would have to ponder for a long time. But no matter how long she pondered, she probably wouldn't figure it out. She was single-minded; it would be strange if she did.
So now, Shen Yue calmly watched melodramatic television dramas with the system.
Shen Yue had a low tear threshold, and the system's was even lower. The two sobbed together, making it difficult to determine who was more distraught.
A pure white pigeon flew in and landed on Shen Yue's shoulder. Feeling the weight on her shoulder, she turned her head and met the pigeon's pea-sized eyes.
One person and one pigeon, staring at each other.
After a moment, she remembered this was a messenger pigeon from Qingyun Sect.
She untied the message strip bound to the pigeon's leg.
The paper turned to powder, and then Elder Ye's voice came through.
—Return immediately.
Only two simple words, which inexplicably gave her a bad premonition.
Shen Yue hurriedly got out of bed. As soon as she opened the door, she heard a childish "Ouch."
The next second, a soft body fell onto her legs. Seeing this, Yao'er, emboldened, tightly hugged Shen Yue's legs.
"Immortal, you finally opened the door."
Her aggrieved tone made it seem as if Shen Yue had done something terribly wrong, but the truth was she had merely locked herself in her room for half a day.
Not even a full day had passed.
Shen Yue bent down and stroked the child's head, saying softly, "Take me to find Chang Sheng."
Yao'er vaguely knew that the immortal and Chang Sheng seemed to have argued. He had just seen Chang Sheng secretly standing outside the window, peeking inside.
He didn't know what had happened and hesitated, afraid to go in.
Yao'er took Shen Yue's finger and, with childlike enthusiasm, wiggled it. "Okay, okay!"
They didn't walk for long before Yao'er led her to Chang Sheng.
Chang Sheng was holding a small potted plant. In the pot was a tender young grass, its leaves very green, exuding vitality.
When he saw Shen Yue walking towards him, his face lit up with joy. He walked quickly to Shen Yue without any pretense and held up the small potted plant to her as if trying to please her. Just as he was about to speak, Shen Yue spoke first, bidding farewell.
"I am leaving."
A gentle breeze blew, ruffling her hair. Pale pink petals drifted onto Shen Yue's white clothes, adding a touch of color.
She was the same as when she had arrived—quietly aloof, alone, her snow-white robes clean and pure, her eyes clear, devoid of any superfluous emotion.
But Chang Sheng was no longer the Chang Sheng he had been at the beginning.
Yao'er was the first to protest. He tightly held Shen Yue's fingers, tears instantly streaming down his face, his voice a sweet, choked sob.
"No! Don't go, Immortal, don't go. I don't want you to go..."
The child was extremely aggrieved at this moment. His face was pale, his large eyes fixed on Shen Yue. Tears continuously streamed from his reddened eyes, and an endless fear and panic filled his still bright gaze.
He didn't understand. Everything had been fine before; why was she suddenly leaving?
The news came a little abruptly, causing Chang Sheng to pause for a moment. He blankly held the small potted plant and then asked softly, "You don't want the resurrection medicine anymore?"
He felt he had nothing else to bind Shen Yue with besides this.
Shen Yue was like the spring breeze, arriving quietly and departing just as silently.
And he could not hold onto the wind, only wishing she would stay a little longer, much longer...
Shen Yue fell silent. Of course, she wanted the resurrection medicine. But lingering here was not an option. Moreover, Elder Ye would not have called her back to the sect without reason; something important must have happened for him to summon her.
Shen Yue lowered her head and thought for a moment, then said earnestly, "I do. Will you give it to me?"
"As long as you don't leave, Immortal, I'll give you whatever you want," Yao'er said, his voice choked as he pursed his lips. He tightened his small grip on Shen Yue's hand and whispered, "Don't go. I'll give you the resurrection medicine."
Chang Sheng stood alone, holding the potted plant, saying nothing.
His throat felt dry to the point of stinging. He thought he should try to persuade her to stay, but his throat felt as if it were blocked, and he couldn't utter a single word.
Nor could he do anything unreasonable.
After all, Shen Yue had never made any promises to him from the beginning, so what right did he have to ask her to stay?
Shen Yue had no luggage here, nor anything to pack. She had arrived alone and desolate, and now she was leaving alone, empty-handed.
Chang Sheng was too silent. Shen Yue thought he would say something, but he said nothing at all.
Regardless, Shen Yue had troubled them for so long here, and it was time to say a proper goodbye.
However, Chang Sheng remained silent, showing no reaction. Hearing her words, he lowered his eyes and gave a noncommittal "En," that revealed no emotion, "Travel safely."
Shen Yue was slightly taken aback and nervously fiddled with her fingers, "I'm really leaving now."
Chang Sheng still showed no significant reaction. He stared at the potted plant in his arms, this time not even bothering to reply.
Shen Yue hesitated, wanting to speak but ultimately saying with some embarrassment, "Could I trouble you one last time to escort me out of Fengyan Valley?"
Entering Fengyan Valley was easy, but leaving was difficult. Shen Yue was now a common blind person, like walking in the dark through a forest. She might not be able to get out even after a month.
Chang Sheng remained silent this time. Just as Shen Yue was about to inquire again, Chang Sheng finally let out a muffled "En" from his throat.
Yao'er was a child who loved to cry and laugh. When he was happy, he was like a flower, and when he cried, it was even more intense.
Shen Yue's sleeve was soaked by his tears. She had no doubt that if Yao'er continued to cry like this, her sleeve could be wrung out to produce water.
Yao'er hugged Shen Yue's leg, refusing to let go, clinging to her as if determined to die.