It was a beautiful morning—well, not so beautiful in Chu Ruo’s opinion, considering she was being hauled out of bed by her ear. She wiped a smudge of drool from the corner of her mouth with her sleeve. "What are you doing? Stop it... I only just fell asleep..."
"Just a moment?" Nan Muxue’s voice was a mix of mockery and exasperation. "Your 'moment' has lasted until the sun is high in the sky. You certainly took your time."
*What? The sun is high?* Heavens, she had slept that long? It felt like she’d only just closed her eyes. But since she was currently "blind," she couldn't verify a thing. Frustrated, she yanked off the white silk scarf covering her eyes.
Nan Muxue asked softly, "Why take it off?"
"Doesn't matter if I wear it or not. I can't see either way." Chu Ruo stretched, letting out a long yawn. "Why’d you wake me up?"
*Thud.* She was shoved right off the bed and onto the floor. Apparently, that was a question she shouldn't have asked. Just as she was about to snap back, the woman on the bed spoke coldly.
"What did you promise your Master?"
Chu Ruo slapped her forehead. Right, it was the Little Viper’s birthday today. "You didn't have to rush me like this. We aren't eating until tonight, anyway. Let’s go wander the streets first, and I’ll get to work when we get back."
A cold snort escaped Nan Muxue’s nose. "For a blind person, does cooking not take extra time?"
*You...! I’m working my tail off here, planning to cook for you while blind for your rare birthday, and you’re mocking me?* She was unhappy—deeply unhappy. But then she thought about how Nan Muxue’s birthdays for the past twenty years probably hadn't been much fun. *Fine, I’ll let it slide. I’ll respect my elders—no, wait, I’ll cherish my beloved.*
"I still have to go buy you a gift," Chu Ruo grumbled. Just making a meal felt a bit lacking in sincerity. She wanted to find something nice for her on the streets.
"No need." Nan Muxue had already stepped off the bed. She helped Chu Ruo up and began dressing her. "I don't feel like going out today. We’ll stay here."
"Does your stomach still hurt?" Chu Ruo asked with concern, assuming Nan Muxue was still feeling the effects of her "monthly visitor."
Nan Muxue grew embarrassed again, a flush spreading instantly from her cheeks to her ears. "It’s... it’s fine."
"If you’re uncomfortable, go back to bed and lie down." Without giving her a choice, Chu Ruo pushed her back toward the bed. "You rest well. I’m going to go make something for you to eat."
"Can you really manage on your own?" Nan Muxue asked, her voice skeptical.
"Hey, don't underestimate me! There," Chu Ruo pulled the covers over her. "Rest. I’ll have the waiter help me. It’ll be fine, don't worry."
***
In the kitchen...
Chu Ruo stood before the stove with her hands on her hips, sighing inwardly. *Fine, my foot.* She’d only said that to comfort the Little Viper. Cooking was a whole different beast; she’d managed to scald her hand just making ginger sugar water, which was basically just throwing things into boiling water. Making a full spread while blind was a nightmare. She didn't want to leave it to someone else, though. It was a birthday, after all; a handmade meal carried more heart. She decided to have the waiter guide her verbally while she did the work.
"Hey, waiter? Come here. Help me pass the ingredients. Give me the shrimp."
"Clumsy. Is this how you intended to make me 'not worry'?"
*Wait... the Little Viper?* Chu Ruo froze, stunned. The voice was right at her ear. "What are you standing there for?"
"You... weren't you resting? What are you doing here?"
"If I didn't come to watch you, how would I know if you were cheating by letting others do the work? Besides, I have to see if the food is clean, otherwise, how could I swallow it?"
*Talking like a normal human would probably kill you, wouldn't it, you Little Viper?* "Where’s the waiter?"
"Sent away, obviously. What were you asking for just now?"
"Oh, the shrimp. The ingredients were prepared yesterday, everything’s ready." Chu Ruo fumbled her way toward the stove. "Give me the shrimp. You wash the rice."
Chu Ruo was certain she heard a very faint, confused "Huh?" For a long while, there was no sound of rice being washed. She chuckled inwardly and followed the sound of Nan Muxue’s breathing. "I’ll do it. You’re the great Young Palace Mistress; how could you know how to cook?"
Having her secret exposed, Nan Muxue turned her head away. "Why waste time learning such meaningless trifles?"
"Meaningless? You still eat, don't you? Fine, fine. You just be my assistant today. You’re usually the one teaching me things; today, I’ll show you my culinary prowess."
"Mere parlor tricks."
***
"Done!" Chu Ruo clapped her hands. "Even though I can't see, our teamwork was pretty seamless. This spread shouldn't taste too bad, right?"
Nan Muxue looked at the four or five dishes they had prepared together. The presentation was passable, though the taste remained to be seen. Looking at the kitchen, however... "chaotic" didn't even begin to describe it. Chu Ruo was already loading the dishes onto a tray, ready to leave. "Let’s go."
Nan Muxue took the tray from her. "I’ll carry it."
Chu Ruo was about to playfully ask if she was worried about her "blind" disciple, but Nan Muxue beat her to it: "You can't see. If you trip and drop them, all this food goes to waste."
Chu Ruo nearly coughed up blood. *So in your heart, I’m not even worth a few dishes? What kind of person are you?*
"Is it dark yet?" Even though she couldn't see, they had spent so long in the kitchen—one blind and one who couldn't cook—that the sun had surely set.
"It’s pitch black."
"Perfect!" Chu Ruo rubbed her hands excitedly. "Let’s not go back to the room."
Nan Muxue was puzzled. "Then where?"
"The roof! Take me up there—the roof of our room. Yesterday, I had the waiter set up two low stools and a small square table. It’s a full moon tonight, big and bright. The view must be amazing. We’ll eat up there."
"Boring." Despite the dismissive word, Nan Muxue immediately swept Chu Ruo up and flew onto the roof, landing steadily.
"How is it? Is it pretty? I can't see, but sitting here with the breeze... it’s not too cold or too hot. We’re near the bamboo groves and mountains, so the scenery should be lovely."
Nan Muxue looked up. Just as Chu Ruo said, the moonlight was intoxicating tonight, bathing the surroundings in a misty, tranquil silver. They were surrounded by forests and mountains. She had never tried dining and enjoying the view under such circumstances—especially not with such a beautiful moon. But all of this was because of the person beside her. She turned to look at the girl, who was smiling brightly despite her "blindness." For the first time, someone had remembered her birthday and celebrated it.
"Here," Chu Ruo fumbled to pour a cup of wine and handed it over. "It’s your birthday. Have a drink. I’ll start... *cough, cough, cough!* So sharp... *cough*..."
"Slow down..." Nan Muxue immediately stood to pat her back. "You drank too fast."
Chu Ruo didn't like alcohol to begin with, and ancient white liquor was particularly spicy and potent. She patted her chest and waved her hand to show she was fine. "I’m okay. You drink, too."
"You aren't a drinker," Nan Muxue said, taking the cup and draining it in one go. "Why force yourself?"
"Because it’s your birthday." Chu Ruo fumbled with the bowls until she found the right one. "Try these braised noodles with shrimp and beans. You have to eat noodles on your birthday—longevity noodles. I know you don't like meat, so I didn't put any in. Just some large shrimp. Eat up."
Nan Muxue used her chopsticks to lift a few strands of noodles. She was never one for gluttony, but tonight, this bowl of noodles tasted incredibly delicious.
"Is it good?"
Nan Muxue wanted to just say "Mm," but then she thought about how the girl would probably pout and complain if she didn't give a proper compliment. A smile touched her lips. "It’s good."
"That’s all that matters. I’m starving after working all afternoon." She reached for the chopsticks. "I’ll have some too."
Before she could touch anything, the chopsticks were taken. "Open your mouth."
*If someone wants to feed me, why refuse?* Chu Ruo didn't decline, obediently letting Nan Muxue feed her.
After a few rounds of wine and most of the food was gone, Chu Ruo spoke with a hint of tipsy whimsy. "When will the bright moon appear? With wine in hand, I ask the blue sky..."
Nan Muxue’s body jolted slightly. She was genuinely surprised. "You? Since when did you have the poetic grace for such verses?"
"High places are too cold to bear; dancing with my clear shadow, it feels unlike the mortal world..."
If this person hadn't been by her side every moment, Nan Muxue would have doubted if this was the same Chu Ruo she knew. These lines were masterpieces, rare in this world. She murmured, "What has come over you today?" The sentiment in the poem resonated with her. *High places are too cold to bear.* She stood at the pinnacle of Baihua Palace, looking down on everyone, yet she felt only a profound chill.
"It’s nothing." Chu Ruo had only had two sips, but the scene reminded her of Su Shi’s *Prelude to Water Melody*. She wasn't actually drunk. "I didn't write it. I just thought it fit the mood, so I recited a few lines. But if you like it, Master, I can write out two volumes of poetry for you when we get back." *Hehe, I don't have the talent, but I didn't lie and say I wrote it, right?* Copying down the ancient poems she’d memorized was the only use they had now. Seeing Nan Muxue’s reaction, she clearly liked this literary stuff. There wasn't much in Baihua Palace that made her happy; this was just to coax a smile out of her.
"Even now," Nan Muxue said, assuming Chu Ruo was being her usual flippant self—after all, if she didn't write them, how could she just produce volumes of poetry? Yet she was still stunned by those two lines. "Chu Ruo, I still don't truly understand you."
Chu Ruo didn't catch any other emotion in those words except for one: loneliness. She crawled forward slowly until she was right in front of Nan Muxue. She took Nan Muxue’s hand and pressed it against her own face. "I’m right here in front of you."
Nan Muxue gripped her hand back, staring at her in silence. Finally, she leaned forward and embraced the person who had quietly occupied her heart. "Ruo'er."
"Ruo'er is here." Chu Ruo knew how much emotion was packed into that call—sighs, longing, and even a trace of resentment. Not resentment toward Chu Ruo, but toward the twenty years of hardship Nan Muxue had endured, a life that would likely continue the same way. She patted her back comfortingly. "It’s okay. You were alone for the first twenty years, but I’ll be by your side from now on."
A long time passed before a single syllable came from her ear. "Mm."
Sensing that Nan Muxue’s mood had softened, Chu Ruo asked lightheartedly, "Is Master happy today?"
Nan Muxue paused, her eyes darting elsewhere. "It was... acceptable."
"I said I’d buy you a gift, but you wouldn't go out today. Sigh..."
"Clearly, you just didn't have the heart for it. If you truly intended to give me a gift, you would have found a way even if I locked you in your room. It’s obvious you never meant to. To think you always talk about how well I treat you, how I feed and clothe you... yet you’re this insincere. Even the meal was mostly my own work." She suddenly laughed playfully and reached out to tug on Chu Ruo’s ponytail. "Heartless girl."
"Don't pull my cowlick! I’m already not that smart," Chu Ruo grumbled, fixing her hair. Then she countered, "Why are you being so unreasonable? Who was the one who said they didn't want to go? And, *ahem*, I must correct you." She fumbled in her robes and pulled something out. "Who said I didn't have a gift?"
She handed over several sheets of paper. The black ink and red seals were so unexpected that Nan Muxue forgot to ask what a "cowlick" was. "What is this?"
"The property deed, the land deed, and the transfer documents." Chu Ruo leaned into her ear, whispering with a mysterious grin. "From now on, you’re the proprietress of this place."
Nan Muxue was stunned. If Chu Ruo could see, she would have seen the utter bewilderment on her face. "When did you buy..." They had only arrived last night. How could she have moved so fast? Yet, a strange feeling stirred in her heart. This "gift" wasn't about what it was, but...
"Last night. Didn't expect that, did you? While I was 'making sugar water,' I did quite a lot. I wanted to prepare a gift for you anyway, and I happened to hear the manager say he was old and wanted to take his family back to his hometown, so he was looking to sell the shop. I bought it. I mean, it was your money, but it’s the thought that counts! And no one knows about this. It’s not a Baihua Palace property; it belongs to you alone. Here, keep the contracts safe. From now on, this is yours."
It was an overwhelming feeling—to have something that belonged entirely to her. As Chu Ruo said, everything else belonged to Baihua Palace. Her mother had told her that everything she had, including herself, belonged to the Palace. Finally, there was something that was hers, and it was a gift. While her mind was racing, Chu Ruo continued.
"In the future, whenever you’re in a bad mood or just want to get away for some air, you can come here. The distance from the Palace is just right. I’m thinking of hiring two more chefs and teaching them some dishes they don't have here. Maybe teach them about buffets or fast food. This is a busy thoroughfare; business will be great. We’ll be counting money until our hands cramp! Just remember to give me a cut. Also, I think you could develop this place into an intelligence hub to gather information."
She had been so thoughtful. It wasn't just a small inn; it had a purpose. "Then we would need the right person to run it."
"Hehe, Master, what do you think of your disci—"
A finger hooked under her chin. "What did Ruo'er say?"
Chu Ruo swallowed hard. The subtext was: *Are you touched?* No, she didn't dare move. She’d just been joking about volunteering. If it had worked, being a head chef here for life would have been great. "Uh, I was going to say, I have a candidate in mind. You might be able to use her."
"She still needs to be observed for a while."
Chu Ruo’s jaw practically hit the roof. "You know who I’m talking about?"
"Who else would you suggest besides Cai Feng? Surely not Xiao Guo'er?"
*Definitely not.* With Xiao Guo'er’s brain and big-mouth personality, she wasn't cut out for this. (Meanwhile, Xiao Guo'er: *Achoo! Achoo! Why am I sneezing again? Do I have a fever?*) "I just think she’s decent. Besides, after what she did, even if she’s released, it’s not good for her to stay in the Palace. The other disciples gossip, and it’s embarrassing for her. It’s better to put her here."
"It’s feasible. I’ve seen her sincere repentance lately, but it’s too early. We’ll see in two months. If she’s truly reformed, we’ll do as you say."
"By the way, didn't I hear when we first arrived that the election for the Martial Arts Alliance Leader was coming up? It’s been half a year; why hasn't there been any news?"
"More and more sect leaders have been going missing lately. The sects are in disarray. The specific timing is still being debated, so it’s been temporarily shelved. Why?" She pinched Chu Ruo’s chin, refusing to let go. "Is your playful heart acting up again?"
"As if my playful heart ever settled down," Chu Ruo said, embracing her usual shamelessness. "Speaking of which..."
"Speaking of which?"
"Answer me first. Are you actually happy today?"
The tone was serious this time. Nan Muxue stopped teasing and gave her the rare truth. "Mm."
"Then... can Master give me the antidote now?"
Nan Muxue was surprised. *Did she figure it out?* Her face remained impassive. "What antidote? The Hundred Flowers Hex antidote..."
"Cut it out. My eyes." Chu Ruo sat shoulder-to-shoulder with her. "Master used some trick to make me temporarily blind, didn't you?"
"And your reasoning? Why are you so certain I tampered with them?"
"Was the food today good?"
With that one sentence, Nan Muxue understood. "Even if the porridge and tea yesterday were my pranks, what do your eyes have to do with me?"
"I was convinced at first. But once I tasted my own cooking, I knew my sense of taste wasn't broken. And how could you have 'coincidentally' appeared at my door yesterday morning? Thinking back on your reaction, it was too different from before—too abnormal. You’re not very honorable, you know? Giving me the Hundred Flowers Hex was one thing, but making me blind? You’re far too wicked."
"Didn't you enjoy playing blind? I simply fulfilled your wish. What’s wrong with that?"
*Yikes, that tone.* Chu Ruo realized things were taking a turn for the worse. Even though they were on the roof, she’d rather fall off right now. She’d exposed the truth, the game was over, and that meant the Little Viper was about to blow her top. She turned to bolt. "Uh, I’ll just—"
Her waist tightened. She was held in a death grip. "What’s the rush, Ruo'er? Since you think I’m in the wrong, why leave so quickly?"
She was almost in tears. "That... I was just joking. Joking!"
"A joke?" Chu Ruo felt the hand on her waist slowly loosen. "Since you like to play, I’ll let you play to your heart’s content tonight."
Before she could ask why—"Aaah!" That cursed Little Viper actually pushed her off! The freefall was terrifying. Even though she was 100% sure Nan Muxue would catch her, she couldn't see, and the building was a decent height. That sensation of falling was horrifying. She screamed shamelessly, "Help... me...!"
Sure enough, just before she hit the ground, Nan Muxue caught her firmly. *Phew.* Before she could even catch her breath... *Whoosh!* She was flown back up to the roof. Chu Ruo had a very bad feeling. *You aren't planning to do this all night, are you?* "Master, I was wrong!" she wailed, tears and snot flowing. "I don't want the antidote anymore! Let me go!"
"How could I?" Nan Muxue’s smile was eerie. "Ruo'er likes to play; I must accompany you."
"Aaah!" *Damn it, pushed again! Heavens, what did I do to deserve meeting such a Little Viper? Waaaah, please just strike me dead and take me away! I beg you!*
Caught again. Flown up again. "Stop!" Chu Ruo was dizzy and disoriented after two rounds. This was no less terrifying than a drop tower at an amusement park. The worst part was the descent—you never knew when you’d hit the ground or when she’d catch you. That heart-stopping sensation was far too intense. "Master, I was wrong. I beg you. I truly know my mistake now."
"What mistake could Ruo'er have made? On the contrary, it was I who blinded you and teased you. It was my fault."
"No, it has nothing to do with Master! It’s... Aaah! Someone help! Help! Waaaah, I don't want to play anymore! Waaaah!"
Fall, catch, fly back up. This time, Chu Ruo dropped to her knees and hugged Nan Muxue’s leg, refusing to let go for dear life. Nan Muxue pulled, but she didn't want to use enough force to actually hurt her. She could only bark, "Let go!"
"I’m not letting go even if you kill me! It’s too scary! Waaaah!" Chu Ruo clung to her leg like a burr. "I beg you, I really was wrong. Let’s sit down and talk. If you do that again, I’m going to throw up dinner."
"What was your mistake?"
Nan Muxue stood tall, looking down on her with ultimate coldness. Chu Ruo hurriedly wiped her face. "I shouldn't have deceived Master. My eyes were already better, but I kept pretending to be blind. But Master, I really was wrong. Please forgive me. I’ll never do it again. Never!"
"Let go of me. Let go." After a few more struggles with no result, Nan Muxue looked at the sky and sighed in frustration. She really had the urge to just slap her. "Crying like a child... what a sight. Let go."
"I won't let go unless you promise not to push me off again."
"You dare threaten me?"
"I don't dare! It’s a plea! My dear Master, your Ruo'er begs you. For the sake of the birthday celebration today, don't push me again. I was wrong. I’m sorry."
Finally, her tone softened. "Let go first."
"I’m letting go, then. We have a deal!" Chu Ruo let go and immediately scrambled back several paces.
"Then stay there. I’m going down."
"Wait, wait!" She tried to scramble back. "What about me if you leave?"
"Find your own way."
"You!"
"I promised not to push you. Do you have a problem now?"
Chu Ruo finally managed to grope her way back to Nan Muxue’s side. She tried to grab her hand; the first attempt was brushed off, but Chu Ruo could tell there was no real force behind it. She boldly tried again, and this time, Nan Muxue didn't pull away. "Sit down. Sit with me for a bit."
"Weren't you desperate to get away just now?"
Chu Ruo felt her sit down and draped an arm over her shoulder. Fortunately, Nan Muxue didn't push her away, though she spat out three cold words: "Speak your mind."
"How did you know I was faking?" It certainly wasn't from the beginning, or the Little Viper would have blinded her for real long ago.
"Aren't you supposed to be clever? You left so many openings and didn't even realize it?"
Chu Ruo scratched her head awkwardly. Nan Muxue continued, "The morning before last, when I asked you to cook, you agreed without a second thought. Knowing I was watching you, I already suspected. Then, as if to prove my theory, you immediately started slipping up. If you were truly blind, how could you have seen... Yan'er’s white jade hairpin? That hairpin is high quality but very simple in style. Could you have identified it just by touch?"
*So it was my big mouth that day.* "Who would have thought you two would swap accessories? I thought you stole—"
"Hmm?"
"Nothing. Go on, I’m listening."
Nan Muxue rolled her eyes. "Then I deliberately suggested writing a scroll as a gift for Flying Eagle Fort. I asked for your opinion. Given your personality, if you couldn't see, you should have said, 'I can't see what you wrote.' Why would you say it was 'not bad'?"
Chu Ruo argued, "Couldn't I just be flattering you?"
Nan Muxue shook her head. "That isn't something you would say."
"You—"
"Do you know how angry I was that day?" Nan Muxue was telling the truth. When she realized the truth, her hands had shaken with rage. She had been so worried, so tense, truly believing Chu Ruo’s eyes weren't healing. She had been sick with anxiety yet forced herself to act cheerful to coax her. And in the end, it was all a lie. Thinking of this, her hands clenched, and a chill radiated from her.
"I’m sorry." Chu Ruo felt the change in her, so this time, her apology was sincere and subdued. She took Nan Muxue’s hands in hers. "It was my fault. I’m sorry."
"If you’re going to lie, have the skill to keep it up forever. Instead, you had to make a fool of yourself right in front of me." For some reason, as soon as she looked at that face, Nan Muxue’s resentment and anger vanished. If anyone else in Baihua Palace had dared to deceive her like this—even one of the four Protectors—they would have met a miserable end. She reached out and pinched Chu Ruo’s pretty face. "Why lie to me?"
"I didn't lie from the start. At first, I really couldn't see. But then it started to recover bit by bit. At first, it was just light and shadows, then by the fourth or fifth day, I could see clearly. But you’d told me before that if I didn't get better, you’d take me to find Hu Yi, so I..."
"So you wanted to keep deceiving me, wait until we got down the mountain and you’d had your fun, then make up some excuse about your eyes suddenly recovering?"
"Hehe..." *Since you know everything, what can I say?* She could only give a dry laugh.
Nan Muxue looked at her with disdain. "Pathetic. So timid. If you wanted to play, why not just tell me? Doing all this useless work... you even played blind for days. Did you enjoy it that much?"
"Actually, it was okay. You and Yan'er would take turns visiting me and feeding me. Thinking about it, it was quite... Ow, ow, ow!" She was pinched hard on the waist, nearly bringing tears to her eyes. "What was that for?"
"I almost forgot," Nan Muxue’s face turned red. "Those days when I was bathing... you... you... you saw everything!"
*So that’s what this is about.* "Hiss... No, I didn't. My vision was very blurry then. How could I see clearly?"
Nan Muxue’s hands returned to her face, pulling her cheeks like dough. "Tell the truth."
"A little. Just a little. It was very blurry, just a general outline..."
"Shut up!"
Her mouth was pinched too. *Waaaah, what kind of woman is this? So ruthless.* "You were the one who told me to tell the truth... I was wrong."
"A small punishment to serve as a warning." Nan Muxue finally let go. "In the future, if you want to do something, just say it. When have I ever not indulged you? Listen well: if there is a next time, I’ll cripple you!"
"I remember!" Chu Ruo nodded like a chicken pecking at grain. "Alright, it’s your birthday. Be happy."
"What, am I not happy now?"
"You are. But if my eyes could see..."
"It’s late. Let’s go down."
"Wait, let’s sit a bit longer. The moon is so beautiful."
Nan Muxue scoffed. "You can't even see it."
*That stung.* "When did you poison me?"
"Guess for yourself."
Chu Ruo thought back. "That bowl of sweet soup? Yan'er?! You two teamed up to prank me?"
"So what if we did? Who told you to lie to her, too?"
Her rising indignation vanished instantly. "Great. She must be furious now."
"She is. That’s why she told me to punish you thoroughly."
"I’ve already been punished enough by you," Chu Ruo said miserably. "You two are no fun, bullying me together."
"You deserve it." Seeing her defeated look, Nan Muxue actually felt better. "You brought it on yourself."
"Then, since I worked so hard to cook for you today, is there a reward?"
"There was going to be. Unfortunately, not anymore."
*Damn it, then why tell me? Now I’m curious.* "What was it supposed to be?"
"What?" Nan Muxue lowered her head, her smile fading. She took Chu Ruo’s hand and slowly guided it to the mask covering half her face. With their hands joined, she lifted the mask. She placed Chu Ruo’s hand against her flawless skin. "This." She had intended to tell her everything today, but Chu Ruo’s deliberate deception had made her want to tease her a few more times first.
"Master," Chu Ruo whispered. Her hand, under Nan Muxue’s guidance, moved with extreme care. "All these years, alone in Baihua Palace... you must have been very lonely."
Nan Muxue hadn't expected that question. She froze, then smiled faintly, speaking the truth of her heart. "Since you came, I haven't been lonely."
Hearing this, Chu Ruo couldn't hold back. She leaned in tentatively and kissed that face. It was so gentle. The cool lips pressed against her cheek made Nan Muxue feel as if she were burning. She hooked her arms around Chu Ruo’s neck and joked, "It’s ugly here. There are scars. It’s hideous. Do you not find it repulsive?"
"I’m a gluttonous waste, yet you picked me up and didn't find me repulsive." Chu Ruo shook her head and replied earnestly, "No matter what this face looks like, I will never find you repulsive. Nan Muxue,"—this was the first time Chu Ruo had called her by her name so seriously, and Nan Muxue didn't stop her—"listen well. I will stay by your side. No matter who you are or what you look like, as long as you are Nan Muxue, I will stay with you for a lifetime."
Nan Muxue said no more. She took the initiative to press her lips against Chu Ruo’s, letting the girl kiss her. "Chu Ruo, remember your words today." *If you ever break them, I will make you wish you were dead.*
***
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 36 | A Birthday Under the Moon | Novela.app | Novela.app
