Eleven-year-old Bai Ying developed an interest in weapon crafting for the first time. Without a word, Yan Chiling took her to "borrow" materials, which naturally enraged his senior brother. He remembered Bai Ying hiding behind him, secretly laughing, and the mischievous glint in her eyes. Even when he was chased all over the mountain, as long as he turned around and saw her smiling face, he felt it was all worth it.

The most painful memory remained from when he was twelve. The sudden appearance of the demonic beast, the instant Bai Ying pushed him away without hesitation, and the gruesome wound on her arm. Blood stained her white sleeves, and it also stained his eyes. "It's all my fault...it's all my fault for not being strong enough..." He knelt outside the medicine hall, his fists pounding the stone slabs, feeling no pain even as his flesh was mangled. From that day on, he cultivated like a madman. Every night, every moment of pain, as long as he remembered Bai Ying's pale smile, he could continue to persevere.

On a spring day when he was fourteen, peach blossoms fell in profusion beneath the trees. He was teaching Bai Ying how to set up an array, and the girl's earnest profile was breathtakingly beautiful in the dappled light. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dancing on her long eyelashes, and he was so engrossed that he didn't even notice when the branch in his hand fell to the ground. "Fourth Senior Brother?" Bai Ying turned her head, her clear eyes filled with doubt, "Did I set up this array correctly?" He hurriedly looked away, but couldn't hide the flush on his ears.

These memories were so vivid, so real, that Yan Chiling almost suffocated. He clutched his head in anguish, his nails digging deep into his scalp. "Impossible...this can't be..." His voice was fragmented, as if it came from a very distant place. His memories were filled only with disgust and hatred for Bai Ying, so why were these warm images now surfacing?

Thunder rumbled outside the window, and torrential rain poured down. Yan Chiling huddled on the ground, tears mingling with the rain, soaking her clothes.

In reality, Yan Chiling shook his head, his voice fragmented. His memories were clearly only of disgust and hatred towards Bai Ying, how could he have such a beautiful past?