Chapter 44 044 Lu Yuanyuan should stay by his side like this...

Lu Yuanyuan was startled, then belatedly realized that she had bitten the other person's finger. She raised her sleeve and wiped her lower lip: "I'll eat it myself. It wouldn't be good if I bit you again later."

The next second, her wrist was gripped again. Her vision was blurry, but she heard Yin Xiaozhu chuckle softly and say calmly, "It's alright, I don't blame you."

Lu Yuanyuan: "..." Thank you for being so generous.

In the end, she ate lunch sitting on his lap. After finishing her meal, she took the opportunity to wriggle out of his arms and said she needed to take a bath.

There was a spring in the secluded cave, and Lu Yuanyuan, being a clean person, naturally took a bath during the past two months. However, the mountain water was too cold; even in the height of summer in July, it was still icy cold, nowhere near as comfortable as a hot bath.

Yin Xiaozhu paused for a moment: "I'll take you there. After you've bathed, you should rest for a bit."

Fortunately, although Yin Xiaozhu is clingy, she hasn't reached the point where she even interferes with bath time.

The stone bathroom was kept out of direct sunlight, and the soft, hazy glow of the pearl nightlights illuminated the space. Lu Yuanyuan removed the blindfold from her eyes and waited for the other person to close the door and leave before taking off her clothes and immersing herself in the hot water.

A misty haze hung in the air, and warm water washed over her shoulders. Lu Yuanyuan sank into the water and let out a comfortable sigh. Turning her head, she saw a plate of snacks on a slightly elevated stone platform by the pool. A small mountain of sesame-filled sesame balls had been placed there by Yin Xiaozhu before she left.

Lu Yuanyuan parted the water, swam over, wiped her hands with a nearby cloth, and picked up a sesame ball. She put it in her mouth, chewing until one cheek bulged, the rich sesame flavor melting on her tongue.

Yin Xiaozhu wasn't a picky eater and didn't have any particular food preferences. However, it seemed that starting a year or two ago, the snacks she received from the other party had all changed to sweet and crispy ones—that was her taste.

After finishing a plate of snacks, and with her fingertips wrinkled from being soaked in water, Lu Yuanyuan got up, wrapped herself in a large towel, dried herself off, changed into soft nightgown, and returned to her bedroom, where she lay down on the couch.

The hard, cold rocks in the cave are nothing compared to a soft, cozy bed.

Lu Yuanyuan lay there for a while, then changed her position, lying on her back on the bed, her palm touching her belly, and through the warm skin, she could feel her golden core: "System, please bring up the second half of 'The Three Arts of Charm' for me."

System: "No problem."

The second half of "The Three Arts of Charm" also records cultivation methods, which she has read many times. Before, she could only read about it but not practice it, but now that she has the Golden Core, the conditions for cultivation are ready.

Over the past three years, she had considered many times whether or not to learn this skill. Now she had come to a decision—as the saying goes, having more skills is never a bad thing; having an extra skill might be a lifesaver in a critical moment. She might not need it, but if the day ever came that she had to use it, she couldn't be without it.

Lu Yuanyuan clasped her hands together on her abdomen, calmed herself down, and began to circulate her spiritual energy in the usual way.

Before I knew it, I had fallen into meditation, and my appearance was as if I were asleep.

At that moment, she had no idea that the decision she made in secret today would trigger a violent chain reaction in the future.

.

When I woke up, it was already dusk.

Having things to do in a little while, Lu Yuanyuan got up, washed her face, and put on her clothes. Pushing open the door, she saw that the room next door was already lit. Lu Yuanyuan went outside and saw that Yin Xiaozhu seemed to have already bathed. She had changed into a worn, slightly faded, moon-white dress, and her raven-black hair fell to one shoulder, tied back with a ribbon. She was sitting in front of a candlelight, fiddling with a small toy in her hand.

It was the little orange lamp that Lu Yuanyuan had given her more than two years ago. She didn't know how she had preserved it, but occasionally she would take it out to play with it.

A beautiful woman under the lamp is a feast for the eyes.

"You're awake? Perfect timing, dinner's almost ready. I've had the kitchen make your favorite..." Yin Xiaozhu said, then suddenly noticed something and her gaze shifted to Lu Yuanyuan. Lu Yuanyuan's outfit clearly indicated she was about to go out.

"I'm not eating. I made plans with Zhou Que and the others to have dinner together tonight to celebrate my successful Core Formation." Lu Yuanyuan shook her head vigorously and whispered, "Yuanjun, I told you this two months ago."

Upon hearing this, Yin Xiaozhu frowned, displeasure rising in her eyes. She put down the small lantern in her hand and walked over: "You just came out of seclusion, don't go. It's better to stay and rest more."

Lu Yuanyuan shook her head again and took a step back to avoid the other person's hand that was touching her hair: "I took a nap this afternoon and I'm not tired at all. Besides, I made an appointment with them a long time ago. They must have prepared food and drinks. I'm the host, and I can't break my promise at the last minute."

Yin Xiaozhu's hand froze in mid-air before slowly retracting: "Where are you going to eat?"

Lu Yuanyuan twisted her fingers behind her back: "It's inside the sect."

Yin Xiaozhu still seemed quite unhappy, hesitating to speak, but seeing her earnest and innocent face, he ultimately did not try to stop her anymore, only asking her to return before midnight.

Lu Yuanyuan nodded in agreement and took the opportunity to run away.

On a summer evening, the sky takes on varying shades of golden-bronze.

Lu Yuanyuan stopped after walking quite a distance, scratched her hair, and sighed.

At these times, she felt that Yin Xiaozhu was interfering too much in some matters, and that her meddling went beyond the boundaries of friendship, which annoyed her.

However, when she thought about how the other party's status within the sect was indeed higher than hers, she could understand it.

Perhaps the other person was just unconsciously adopting the role of a senior sister when managing her.

.

As agreed, they were to dine tonight at a pavilion in the woods on the mountain where the outer disciples of Mount Shu reside. Upon arriving at the agreed location, a table full of delicious food was already prepared, and everyone was there: Zhou Que, Cen Fei, and Fu Xinguang. These were among the few friends Lu Yuanyuan had gotten along well with over the years.

Among them, Cen Fei was the first to see her, beaming with joy: "Yuanyuan is here, over here."

Lu Yuanyuan happily went to greet them, exclaiming dramatically as she sniffed the air, "So much delicious food!"

Zhou Que chuckled and said, "That's right, we've been preparing since the moment we set off, so hurry up and thank us!"

After chatting and laughing for a while, the group took their seats around the round table. Lu Yuanyuan sat to Zhou Que's left, Fu Xinguang to her right, and Cen Fei opposite her.

For tonight, Fu Xinguang made a special trip to Chunshan City to buy several jars of plum wine to add to the festivities.

Shushan does not prohibit its disciples from drinking in moderation; it is perfectly acceptable for them to have a few drinks at regular gatherings. Only if drinking interferes with important matters, or if fighting breaks out outside the sword-testing arena, will they be subject to severe punishment.

The four of them ate and drank heartily. Fu Xinguang looked at Lu Yuanyuan and said seriously, "Yuanyuan, you have finally formed your golden core. You were so proactive in completing the missions before. You should have a high chance of being selected as a personal disciple at the end of the year."

The plum wine was perfectly balanced between sweet and sour. Lu Yuanyuan took a few more sips, her cheeks flushed, and she smiled, "If only it were like that. Thank you for your kind words."

Fu Xinguang stared at her blankly, his cheeks suddenly flushing red. Fortunately, his skin was dark, and it was getting dark, so others couldn't see him very clearly.

Only Cen Fei, sitting opposite, blinked and revealed a knowing look.

By the end, the cups and goblets were scattered everywhere. Lu Yuanyuan, in her joy, had drunk to her heart's content, and now, with the effects kicking in, she was dozing off on the cold stone table.

Helpless, Zhou Que poked Lu Yuanyuan's face, but there was no response, so he decided to send Lu Yuanyuan back.

But at that moment, Cen Fei stopped her and gestured with his lips.

Zhou Que was taken aback and turned to look. She saw Fu Xinguang blushing, bending over, and saying softly, "Yuanyuan, don't sleep on the table. I'll take you back to Danqing Peak."

"Hmm..." Lu Yuanyuan felt someone fiddling with her. She slightly opened her eyelids and saw a familiar face, so she obediently stood up. She stood up too quickly and swayed, so she put her arm around Fu Xinguang's shoulder.

Fu Xinguang's ears turned as red as his face from her breath. Just as he was about to pick her up, he suddenly noticed someone watching them from a distance.

The three of them looked up together and were all stunned.

From the darkness beneath the trees, a figure emerged step by step from the woods outside the pavilion.

Three years have passed since we last met. The boy from back then has shed his youthful naiveté and grown into a young man. Tall and handsome, with a refined and elegant appearance.

Duan Lansheng's status within the sect is now vastly different from what it used to be. As a direct disciple, even outsiders address him as "Daojun" upon meeting him. Last month, the sect assigned Duan Lansheng some tasks, and he was expected to return in three or four days. Unexpectedly, he returned early, and judging from his travel-worn appearance, it seems he came directly here without resting after returning to the sect.

It's unclear how long he stood there, but his expression was cold and somewhat unpleasant. Especially when he saw Lu Yuanyuan's arm draped around Fu Xinguang's neck, he pursed his lips, a chilling look settling between his brows.

Cen Fei blinked. If they didn't all know that Duan Lansheng and Lu Yuanyuan were just friends, judging from his expression, they would have thought he had caught his wife cheating on him.

However, when he reached them, he seemed to have regained control of himself, his tone as cold and concise as ever: "I'll take her home."

It appears to be a sentence structure for discussion, but it doesn't sound like a discussion.

The group was stunned and could only watch helplessly as Duan Lansheng grabbed the person.

Seeing the person who had just been leaning on Fu Xinguang return to his arms, Duan Lansheng's inexplicable anger instantly dissipated.

Lu Yuanyuan should stay by his side like this.

Lu Yuanyuan was completely unaware of all of this.

On the way back along the mountain path, the cicadas chirped all night, and a breeze brushed against her face. Lu Yuanyuan became a little more awake, but her vision was still a bit blurry. She felt herself leaning on someone's shoulder, and the other person was carrying her on their back, walking very steadily.

Right, she remembered, Fu Xinguang had told her he would take her home. Lu Yuanyuan tightened her arms around his neck, feeling that the effects of the alcohol had subsided by half, and she wasn't so dizzy anymore, so she didn't need him to carry her. She slowly turned her head, and when she spoke, her voice was muffled and heavy, her breath brushing against his neck at close range. Her voice was tinged with intoxication, with a rare hoarseness and softness: "Senior Brother Fu..." I don't need you to carry me anymore.

Before she could finish her sentence, Lu Yuanyuan felt the person carrying her suddenly stop.