Chapter Ninety-Eight: A Walk With You
Lin Huanhuan almost said “How could that be—” out of instinct. Fortunately, she reacted in time and shut her mouth, narrowly avoiding a slip of the tongue.
‘Close call, I almost got trapped. At that time, who knows what Ye Jinxiu would have done with that? I can’t let her scheme succeed.’
Lin Huanhuan said indifferently, “Why would we end up like that? There is no relationship between us now. It’s like assuming an egg will be crushed when the egg doesn’t even exist. How can it be crushed?”
“Fine, it’s okay if you don’t want to admit it. As long as I understand the true meaning.”
Ye Jinxiu put her hands behind her back and sighed softly. ‘Her reactions are quick. I almost tricked it out of her. Had I known, I would have laid the groundwork for longer.’
Lin Huanhuan no longer wanted to waste words with her. She was afraid of being moved by her again and accidentally saying something hidden in her heart, which would be a total disaster.
“You should be fine now, right? If you’re better, I’m leaving. I still have to go back and cultivate. I don’t have time to play house with you here.”
Lin Huanhuan put her hands in her pockets and spoke with a casual expression.
“No rush. Why not take a walk around the area with me? Treat it as clearing your head, having a cup of tea, and relaxing your mind.”
Ye Jinxiu smiled softly and extended an invitation.
‘She dares to invite me for a stroll? Isn’t she afraid I’ll drug her and throw her onto a bed? How bold.’
Lin Huanhuan muttered under her breath, but after a moment of thought, she still agreed. “Fine, I’ll walk with you. I have been cultivating intensely lately, and I am a bit tired.”
“I’m not doing this because I want to keep you company. I’m just afraid you’ll do something stupid and commit suicide somewhere, which would implicate me. That’s the only reason I’m watching you. Don’t overthink it.”
“Mhm, I definitely won’t.”
Ye Jinxiu smiled while Lin Huanhuan feigned indifference, and they walked together.
They walked along the small paths of the sect, through the noise of the martial arts arena, and past the quiet lecture stage. Falling leaves drifted, swirling away the unpleasantness. Butterflies and moths danced lightly, leaving behind unforgettable memories.
The Lingyun Sect was massive. They wandered for a long time, yet they still hadn’t finished seeing all the sights of the outer sect.
Finally, they arrived at the edge of Mirror Lake.
Looking down from above, it looked like a giant mirror resting quietly, gathering all the flowing clouds and rosy sunset glow into its surface. The blue sky, white clouds, and the Inquiry Pavilion seemed to be split into two sides, like a beautiful scroll slowly unfolding, magnificent and enchanting.
“It’s so beautiful.”
Ye Jinxiu sighed as she looked at her own reflection in Mirror Lake. Lin Huanhuan nodded in agreement.
Ye Jinxiu stroked her chin and playfully poked at Lin Huanhuan. Her reflection in the water performed the same action, and because of the ripples, it produced a strange distortion that made her smile.
Lin Huanhuan frowned and quickly pushed away Ye Jinxiu, who was still poking her. “What are you doing? Are you a child? Why are you being so childish?”
“It’s quite fun. It feels like two of me are touching you. It’s magical.”
Ye Jinxiu continued to marvel, changing her angle to keep poking her.
“Magical my foot. That’s just a reflection in the lake. Don’t you even have that much common sense?”
Ye Jinxiu didn’t speak, only smiling as she repeated the action. Lin Huanhuan finally couldn’t take it anymore and imitated her, poking Ye Jinxiu back several times.
They played and laughed by the lakeshore like this, and the distance between them narrowed significantly without them even realizing it.
After wandering the sect for half the day and playing around for so long, they finally felt tired and decided to rest in the Inquiry Pavilion for a while.
As they reached the pavilion, Lin Huanhuan discovered that a young couple was actually on a date inside. They were leaning against each other, not only hugging but also kissing.
Ye Jinxiu’s eyes lit up as she unlocked some new knowledge, planning to find an opportunity to practice it later.
The moment their eyes met, Ye Jinxiu clearly saw the shock in the young couple’s eyes.
Lin Huanhuan smiled awkwardly but didn’t feel shy. She greeted them, “Hello. We shouldn’t be disturbing you, right? We just came to sit for a bit. You can just ignore us.”
Lin Huanhuan’s intentions were good, but for some reason, she scared them half to death. They jumped apart instantly.
They began to run away frantically, shouting, “Why did they follow us here? We specifically looked for such a secret spot! Run, run! Don’t get caught!”
What Lin Huanhuan found most incredible was that the couple actually ran in two different directions, perfectly illustrating the saying that ‘husband and wife are birds of the same forest, but they fly their separate ways when disaster strikes.’
Lin Huanhuan scratched her head, looking speechless. “What secret spot? Followed here? Were they having an affair?”
“If so, they are too unprofessional. Doesn’t the Inquiry Pavilion frequently have couples visiting? Idiots. Both of them look unreliable.”
“They look unprofessional, but are you professional, Huanhuan?”
Ye Jinxiu sat down and asked with a smile, “Huanhuan, you’ve never been in a relationship, have you? Why do you act so experienced? Could it be that you’re just bluffing?”
“Me? Who are you calling a bluff?”
Lin Huanhuan raised an eyebrow and laughed arrogantly. “I’ve had at least 800 or 1,000 relationships. I’m incredibly experienced, fundamentally different from a little virgin like you. You actually dare to doubt me? How insolent!”
— This was a lie.
In reality, how could Lin Huanhuan, who had been single since birth in both her previous and current lives, have ever been in a relationship? She had plenty of internal dramas with herself, but her experience came entirely from her imagination. Even so, she refused to lose face. Such a question was basically asking if she was capable. Even if she had to put on a brave face, she had to claim to be experienced!
Ye Jinxiu nodded, not questioning her. She knew for certain that Lin Huanhuan was lying; it was too obvious.
‘I should take note of this. I can use it to tease her later; the effect will definitely be good. For now, let’s set it aside. There’s still something important to ask.’
Lin Huanhuan rested her chin on her hand, her gaze scanning the peach forest on the opposite bank of Mirror Lake. The corners of her lips curled up slightly at the sight of the peaceful and serene scene.
After taking in the view for a bit longer, Lin Huanhuan retracted her gaze and said, “I see that you’re fine now. In that case, I’ll be going.”
“Wait, don’t be in such a hurry. There’s still something.”
Ye Jinxiu quickly called out to Lin Huanhuan, who had already stood up. Lin Huanhuan paused, looking confused.
Ye Jinxiu hesitated for a moment before speaking words that were startling. “I mainly wanted to ask, Huanhuan, why exactly did you get close to me in the beginning, and why did you take the initiative to distance yourself from me later?”
“Were you threatened? Or is there some hidden reason I don’t know? Can you tell me?”
Upon hearing this, Lin Huanhuan’s pupils shrank to the size of needles, and her heart shook violently.
‘How could this be? How does she know all this?!’Lin Huanhuan almost said “How could that be—” out of instinct. Fortunately, she reacted in time and shut her mouth, narrowly avoiding a slip of the tongue.
‘Close call, I almost got trapped. At that time, who knows what Ye Jinxiu would have done with that? I can’t let her scheme succeed.’
Lin Huanhuan said indifferently, “Why would we end up like that? There is no relationship between us now. It’s like assuming an egg will be crushed when the egg doesn’t even exist. How can it be crushed?”
“Fine, it’s okay if you don’t want to admit it. As long as I understand the true meaning.”
Ye Jinxiu put her hands behind her back and sighed softly. ‘Her reactions are quick. I almost tricked it out of her. Had I known, I would have laid the groundwork for longer.’
Lin Huanhuan no longer wanted to waste words with her. She was afraid of being moved by her again and accidentally saying something hidden in her heart, which would be a total disaster.
“You should be fine now, right? If you’re better, I’m leaving. I still have to go back and cultivate. I don’t have time to play house with you here.”
Lin Huanhuan put her hands in her pockets and spoke with a casual expression.
“No rush. Why not take a walk around the area with me? Treat it as clearing your head, having a cup of tea, and relaxing your mind.”
Ye Jinxiu smiled softly and extended an invitation.
‘She dares to invite me for a stroll? Isn’t she afraid I’ll drug her and throw her onto a bed? How bold.’
Lin Huanhuan muttered under her breath, but after a moment of thought, she still agreed. “Fine, I’ll walk with you. I have been cultivating intensely lately, and I am a bit tired.”
“I’m not doing this because I want to keep you company. I’m just afraid you’ll do something stupid and commit suicide somewhere, which would implicate me. That’s the only reason I’m watching you. Don’t overthink it.”
“Mhm, I definitely won’t.”
Ye Jinxiu smiled while Lin Huanhuan feigned indifference, and they walked together.
They walked along the small paths of the sect, through the noise of the martial arts arena, and past the quiet lecture stage. Falling leaves drifted, swirling away the unpleasantness. Butterflies and moths danced lightly, leaving behind unforgettable memories.
The Lingyun Sect was massive. They wandered for a long time, yet they still hadn’t finished seeing all the sights of the outer sect.
Finally, they arrived at the edge of Mirror Lake.
Looking down from above, it looked like a giant mirror resting quietly, gathering all the flowing clouds and rosy sunset glow into its surface. The blue sky, white clouds, and the Inquiry Pavilion seemed to be split into two sides, like a beautiful scroll slowly unfolding, magnificent and enchanting.
“It’s so beautiful.”
Ye Jinxiu sighed as she looked at her own reflection in Mirror Lake. Lin Huanhuan nodded in agreement.
Ye Jinxiu stroked her chin and playfully poked at Lin Huanhuan. Her reflection in the water performed the same action, and because of the ripples, it produced a strange distortion that made her smile.
Lin Huanhuan frowned and quickly pushed away Ye Jinxiu, who was still poking her. “What are you doing? Are you a child? Why are you being so childish?”
“It’s quite fun. It feels like two of me are touching you. It’s magical.”
Ye Jinxiu continued to marvel, changing her angle to keep poking her.
“Magical my foot. That’s just a reflection in the lake. Don’t you even have that much common sense?”
Ye Jinxiu didn’t speak, only smiling as she repeated the action. Lin Huanhuan finally couldn’t take it anymore and imitated her, poking Ye Jinxiu back several times.
They played and laughed by the lakeshore like this, and the distance between them narrowed significantly without them even realizing it.
After wandering the sect for half the day and playing around for so long, they finally felt tired and decided to rest in the Inquiry Pavilion for a while.
As they reached the pavilion, Lin Huanhuan discovered that a young couple was actually on a date inside. They were leaning against each other, not only hugging but also kissing.
Ye Jinxiu’s eyes lit up as she unlocked some new knowledge, planning to find an opportunity to practice it later.
The moment their eyes met, Ye Jinxiu clearly saw the shock in the young couple’s eyes.
Lin Huanhuan smiled awkwardly but didn’t feel shy. She greeted them, “Hello. We shouldn’t be disturbing you, right? We just came to sit for a bit. You can just ignore us.”
Lin Huanhuan’s intentions were good, but for some reason, she scared them half to death. They jumped apart instantly.
They began to run away frantically, shouting, “Why did they follow us here? We specifically looked for such a secret spot! Run, run! Don’t get caught!”
What Lin Huanhuan found most incredible was that the couple actually ran in two different directions, perfectly illustrating the saying that ‘husband and wife are birds of the same forest, but they fly their separate ways when disaster strikes.’
Lin Huanhuan scratched her head, looking speechless. “What secret spot? Followed here? Were they having an affair?”
“If so, they are too unprofessional. Doesn’t the Inquiry Pavilion frequently have couples visiting? Idiots. Both of them look unreliable.”
“They look unprofessional, but are you professional, Huanhuan?”
Ye Jinxiu sat down and asked with a smile, “Huanhuan, you’ve never been in a relationship, have you? Why do you act so experienced? Could it be that you’re just bluffing?”
“Me? Who are you calling a bluff?”
Lin Huanhuan raised an eyebrow and laughed arrogantly. “I’ve had at least 800 or 1,000 relationships. I’m incredibly experienced, fundamentally different from a little virgin like you. You actually dare to doubt me? How insolent!”
— This was a lie.
In reality, how could Lin Huanhuan, who had been single since birth in both her previous and current lives, have ever been in a relationship? She had plenty of internal dramas with herself, but her experience came entirely from her imagination. Even so, she refused to lose face. Such a question was basically asking if she was capable. Even if she had to put on a brave face, she had to claim to be experienced!
Ye Jinxiu nodded, not questioning her. She knew for certain that Lin Huanhuan was lying; it was too obvious.
‘I should take note of this. I can use it to tease her later; the effect will definitely be good. For now, let’s set it aside. There’s still something important to ask.’
Lin Huanhuan rested her chin on her hand, her gaze scanning the peach forest on the opposite bank of Mirror Lake. The corners of her lips curled up slightly at the sight of the peaceful and serene scene.
After taking in the view for a bit longer, Lin Huanhuan retracted her gaze and said, “I see that you’re fine now. In that case, I’ll be going.”
“Wait, don’t be in such a hurry. There’s still something.”
Ye Jinxiu quickly called out to Lin Huanhuan, who had already stood up. Lin Huanhuan paused, looking confused.
Ye Jinxiu hesitated for a moment before speaking words that were startling. “I mainly wanted to ask, Huanhuan, why exactly did you get close to me in the beginning, and why did you take the initiative to distance yourself from me later?”
“Were you threatened? Or is there some hidden reason I don’t know? Can you tell me?”
Upon hearing this, Lin Huanhuan’s pupils shrank to the size of needles, and her heart shook violently.
‘How could this be? How does she know all this?!’