(A parallel world independent yuri short story, proceed with caution, no main story has no romantic pairing)

"Why did she come back?"

"And he's carrying a pair of strange long planks on his back. Can't he even afford a magical artifact? How pathetic."

Shi Zixue walked steadily forward with a calm expression, unmoved by the various mocking glances cast at her.

Until someone touched the wooden plank she was carrying on her back.

A flash of blue sword light appeared, and the beautiful longsword was sheathed. Shi Zixue continued forward, wiping the bloodstains on her face with her slender fingers.

She touched the long wooden plank behind her with affection. This was the first gift Tu Longjian had given her, an item called a ski.

Before the offender could react, he collapsed, and the surrounding crowd's gaze turned to fear, scattering like birds and beasts.

Glug.

Her stomach suddenly growled, and Ling Shuang Ao Xue's figure froze.

Although Shi Zixue has already entered the Nascent Soul Realm, the shadow of hunger and thirst in her early years still lingers, causing her to suffer from a chronic condition of frequent hunger in her abdomen.

She stood blankly in front of a tavern, a hint of longing in her eyes, but having forgotten to bring her spirit stones, she could only stand there helplessly, blinking her indifferent eyes.

"Zixue."

A familiar call snapped her back to reality. Shi Zixue turned her head and looked up, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Tu Longjian walked towards her, took her hand, and led her into the tavern.

Shi Zixue followed the tightly clasped hands and looked up, staring intently at Tu Longjian's smiling face, no longer hearing what she was saying.

Shi Zixue felt that her smile was more dazzling than the sun in the sky, filling her damp heart completely. The cold looks and bullying from the Northern Clan instantly melted away, leaving only the name that she kept chewing on in her heart.

"What are you daydreaming about? I ordered your favorite chicken leg." Tu Longjian looked at her amusedly, and tried to let go, but found that Shi Zixue was holding her tightly.

Shi Zixue looked at her intently, and a smile suddenly appeared on her cold and beautiful face, like a jade flower blooming on a branch, stunning the world.

Her slender fingers gripped Tu Longjian's hand tightly, becoming slightly damp with sweat from their prolonged close contact. She spoke, word by word:

"I will face Him with you."

Could you stay with me forever...?

The window rattled, and outside, heavy snowflakes fluttered down, taking on a purplish hue under the bright sunlight. A few snowflakes drifted in from outside the window and landed in the clasped hands of the two, melting softly in the warmth.

Not long after, it got dark and the windows and coffin were tightly closed.

Outside the window, the cold air was biting, but inside it was warm and cozy.

The woman's silhouette was blurry and swaying. One of the silhouettes turned its head to the side, and the other silhouette slid down from the window.

The Crimson Snow Sword lay quietly on the table, the first time its owner, who was always inseparable from his sword, had placed it far away.

On the bed, Shi Zixue's cool eyes were filled with desire. A bead of sweat slid from her forehead down her delicate cheek, onto her smooth shoulder, down her collarbone, and finally stopped at a certain spot.

Her pupils reflected only one person; her heart and eyes were filled with her.

"Tu Longjian." Shi Zixue stubbornly called out her full name, as if that would keep her here. Her eyes widened as she stared at her blankly, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Tu Longjian smiled gently, reached out and brushed aside her sweat-dampened hair to wipe away her tears.

"Don't come with me to my death. Heaven's will is not so easy to deal with."

Shi Zixue's throat was dry, and she said in a measured tone, "If you die, I will also..."

Before he could finish speaking, his words were cut off by the scalding heat.

"I will come back alive."