That year seems like just yesterday.
After a long silence, Li Xingyi seemed to admit defeat and spoke first, "Senior brother, you should rest early."
After saying that, he turned around and walked forward. At this moment, Li Xingyi heard a very small sound. He pulled his foot back and stood still with his feet together, just for that one sound, a sound that was filled with expectation and courage.
"Xingyi, do you like me?"
Li Xingyi's eyes widened slightly as scenes from their first encounter to the present flashed through his mind. To be honest, he didn't dislike Gongsun Dou; on the contrary, he was somewhat looking forward to seeing him. Why was that?
Even Li Xingyi himself didn't understand, but the heart doesn't lie. At this moment, her heart was pounding nervously, and this unusual feeling was only directed at him.
Li Xingyi lowered his eyes and thought for a long time before finally stepping forward and saying, "I don't dislike it."
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Dou relaxed a bit and smiled as he watched her retreating figure.
At least I don't dislike it.
A few days later, the elder selection competition was held, and everyone in the sect except Gongsun Dou participated.
When it was Mu Ming's turn, he excitedly put one hand on his hip and touched his nose with the other, saying, "My luck is unbelievable! I've only been here a short time and I'm already participating in the elder selection competition. Watch how I become famous overnight, hahaha!"
He immediately went on stage after saying that.
After a long while, only four people remained to win. According to the ranking, the first was Li You, the second was Qing Yi, the third was Hong Xing, and the fourth was Mu Ming.
After the announcement, Mu Ming jumped up and down on the stage with joy, exclaiming, "Wow! I actually ranked fourth! I'm a genius!"
Li Xingyi and Gongsun Dou looked at Mu Ming with puzzled expressions.
How could this be? Isn't the Frostfrost Sect's martial arts based on being as cold as ice? How could she...?
Li Xingyi thought of another possibility: either Mu Ming was outwardly lively but inwardly cold; or there was something about the Frost Cold Sect that he didn't know.
Li Xingyi said calmly, "In that case, the four elders will make the decision."
Every day after that, Li Xingyi dealt with the affairs of the sect. Time passed quietly by Li Xingyi, but the only constant was the unwavering Gongsun Dou by his side.
On the 21st day of the sixth month of the eleventh year of Dewei, when Gongsun Dou got up early, a large group of people were waiting for him outside the door with gifts. Gongsun Dou was startled and then remembered that it was his birthday.
After receiving the gift, Gongsun Dou waited quietly for a long time, but the person he missed still didn't come. Gongsun Dou said with some disappointment, "Hongxing, has she forgotten?"
Hongxing was a little confused, scratched his head and said, "Huh? Who forgot?"
That night, Gongsun Dou could no longer sit still and quickly went to Lulin Palace. As soon as he entered, he saw Li Xingyi concentrating on handling affairs.
Li Xingyi looked down at his book, ignoring him, and said, "What..."
Before he could even utter the word "matter," his hands were gripped tightly by Gongsun Dou, who rushed forward.
"Thud!" The book in my hand fell onto the table.
Seeing this, Li Xingyi calmly raised his head and looked at Gongsun Dou. He saw that Gongsun Dou's eyes were full of resentment and grievance. Li Xingyi looked at him quietly, his eyes calm and undisturbed.
Looking at Li Xingyi like this, Gongsun Dou unconsciously tightened his grip on her hands. Li Xingyi seemed to feel no pain and calmly asked, "Senior Brother Gongsun, is something the matter?"
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Dou loosened his grip slightly, inwardly mocking himself.
Yes, she is Li Xingyi, how could she possibly remember?
He smiled wryly and said, "The sect leader is very busy; I overstepped my bounds."
Li Xingyi slowly withdrew his hands, looked at him for a long time, and felt that Gongsun Dou in front of him was too pitiful. He said, "Happy birthday, senior brother. As for the gift, I wonder what kind of gift you would like?"
Gongsun Dou felt a little better after hearing this. He didn't say anything, but just stared at Li Xingyi quietly. All he ever wanted was the person in front of him.
Seeing this, Li Xingyi said calmly, "If you haven't thought it through, you can come back when you have."
Gongsun Dou was a little anxious and blurted out, "Dance..."
Upon hearing this, the air seemed to freeze, and Li Xingyi stared at him silently.
Gongsun Dou immediately explained, "No, it's not about dancing, it's about watching you dance, no, oh dear!"
Li Xingyi remained silent, looked at him and thought for a while, then said, "Senior brother's hobby is quite good, but since it's a gift that senior brother wants, I will naturally agree."
Gongsun Dou paused for a moment after hearing this, then said, "Star Shift..."
Li Xingyi stood up and said, "Let's go."
Gongsun Dou followed her to the backyard of Lulin Palace. The courtyard was extremely spacious, with a disc in the center and diameters on both sides. Water surrounded the disc, and trees grew against the wall. The moon was the backdrop, and the water reflected the moon, making for a beautiful scene.
Li Xingyi had Gongsun Dou sit on the diameter side, while he himself walked towards the disc.
Her dance was like flowing water, her figure graceful and beautiful, like a fairy in a painting. The moonlight shone on her, making her seem to glow, making her exceptionally beautiful. Every movement of her dance and every ring of the bells drew Gongsun Dou into the scene, his heart fluttering with every sound.
Gongsun Dou looked at Li Xingyi's figure, face, and lips, and unconsciously swallowed. When he realized what was happening, he blushed with embarrassment.
Just then, Li Xingyi finished her dance and looked at Gongsun Dou, asking, "Senior Brother, are you satisfied?"
Gongsun Dou covered his mouth, his face flushed, and said softly, "Satisfied."
After hearing this, Li Xingyi said calmly, "In that case, Senior Brother should return."
Gongsun Dou quickly stood up and replied, "Okay, I'll go back first."
Li Xingyi watched his retreating figure and his bright red ears without saying a word. After the figure disappeared, Li Xingyi turned and walked into the house.
Senior brother, this dance... is for you.
After returning to his room, Gongsun Dou immediately took a bath. He put his hands on the edge of the tub and breathed a sigh of relief. Recalling the dance he had just performed, he said helplessly, "I'm afraid I'll never forget it for the rest of my life."
In July, Li Xingyi celebrated his birthday simply, having turned fifteen.
That day, Li Xingyi was training other disciples with Gongsun Dou when a disciple suddenly ran over and said, "Something terrible has happened, Sect Leader! Elder Li You has encountered trouble outside and we can't find him!"
Li Xingyi calmly asked, "Where did you last disappear to?"
"cliff."
After Li Xingyi and his group arrived at the cliff, they searched for a long time but couldn't find a single person. Gongsun Dou arranged for people to search again. Li Xingyi quietly looked at the misty cliff and suddenly jumped off.
"Oh no! The sect leader has fallen!" Qingyi cried out anxiously.
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Dou also wanted to jump down, but Hongxing and the others stopped him, saying, "No! Senior Brother, don't be impulsive!"
"Senior Brother! Calm down!"
Helpless, Gongsun Dou could only shout towards the cliff: "Xingyi! Li Xingyi!"
Li Xingyi was using her sword to push herself down the cliff edge. The surroundings were shrouded in mist. After a long while, she saw a cave. Inside, it was pitch black, and she couldn't see anything at all. Li Xingyi calmly took out a tinderbox from her bosom and gently blew on it.
Although the firelight was not large, it was still enough to see some things. Li Xingyi slowly walked forward and heard the sound of a sword being drawn ahead. Li Xingyi said calmly, "Elder Li You, please don't accidentally hurt anyone."
Upon hearing this, Li You sheathed her sword and immediately ran towards Li Xingyi. Just as she was about to embrace Li Xingyi, Li Xingyi immediately used his other hand, which was holding a sword, to brace the hilt against Li You and said, "That's fine."
Li You paused for a moment, then crossed her arms and laughed, "Sect Leader, how did you find this place?"
Li Xingyi said calmly, "Easy."
Li You tilted her head and smiled, "Then does the sect leader know how to get back?"
Li Xingyi turned to look at the cave entrance and said, "Go down from here, then find a way back."
Li You clapped and laughed, "Sect Leader is truly clever."
Li Xingyi glanced at him and said, "Elder Li You is quite capable, being trapped here."
Li You looked at her with a smile and said, "Because... I'm waiting for you."
Li Xingyi looked at him and said, "It seems that the elder is indeed shrewd and calculating, he even expected me to come."
Li You smiled and said, "Then... Sect Leader, would you consider me?"
Li Xingyi asked, "What are you considering?"
Li You smiled and said, "Does the sect leader really not know?"
Li Xingyi looked at him quietly, and Li You continued, "Of course you'd consider marrying me."
Li Xingyi looked at him and said, "If the elder is still not awake, he might as well sleep a little longer."
Li You shook her head and said, "The sect leader is becoming increasingly difficult to fool."
Li Xingyi turned and walked towards the cave entrance, saying, "If the elder wants to chat, perhaps he could find someone else."
Then he jumped down again. Seeing this, Li You immediately ran towards the cave entrance and said, "Wait for me!"
Gongsun Dou waited for a long time but didn't see Li Xingyi come up. He wanted to rush down again, but Hongxing immediately hugged him and cried, "Young Master, you can't go down! How am I supposed to explain this?"
Gongsun Dou was getting agitated and said, "Let me go! I'm going to hit you in a minute!"
Hongxing shook his head and said, "No way! You can hit me or scold me all you want! I'm not letting go!"
Gongsun Dou was helpless. After a long while, he asked, "Hongxing, can you let go?"
Hongxing insisted, "No!"
Gongsun Dou sighed and said, "I need to use the restroom."
Hongxing thought for a moment and said, "Really?"
Gongsun Dou said, "It's true."
Seeing this, Hongxing let go of his hand. After Gongsun Dou finished using the restroom, Gongsun Dou immediately said, "Everyone! Come with me to the bottom of the cliff to find someone!"
Hongxing was shocked. "Huh?! How do we get down?!"
Helpless, Qingyi grabbed Hongxing's ear and followed Gongsun Dou down the mountain.
"So stupid!" Qingyi complained.
Hongxing said, "No, I just didn't realize it yet, you don't have to say that about me, do you?"
Qingyi didn't say anything, she just kept pulling on his ear, and Hongxing cried out, "Ouch, ouch, ouch!"
After a long time, Li Xingyi and his companions finally reached the bottom of the cliff. The scenery was quite nice, with a river and flowers. Upon seeing this, Li You picked a flower and handed it to Li Xingyi, saying with a smile, "A beautiful flower is a perfect match for a beautiful woman."
Li Xingyi glanced at him, took the flower, placed it on his head, and deliberately said, "It suits you perfectly."
The pairing of a delicate flower with a man is clearly a form of mockery.
This scene was witnessed by Gongsun Dou and the others who had just arrived. Li Xingyi had his back to Gongsun Dou and the others, so Li You saw them first. Li You smiled and deliberately said to Li Xingyi, "I accept the sect leader's kindness."
Li Xingyi looked at him and said calmly, "Elder, you have a refined taste."
This was clearly a sarcastic remark.
Li You didn't care at all and said with a smile, "I look forward to the day you marry me."
Li Xingyi frowned slightly and changed the subject, saying, "It's time to go back."
Li You smiled and said, "Alright, I'll go back and heal my injuries first."
He then walked past her. Li Xingyi turned around in confusion and saw Gongsun Dou and the others.
In that instant, Li Xingyi felt a little flustered. He saw Gongsun Dou walk over with an icy demeanor, his usual smile completely gone.
Gongsun Dou walked up to her, grabbed her upper arm suddenly, and said coldly, "Li Xingyi, what do you mean? Tell me what you mean?!"
Li Xingyi didn't understand what he meant and asked, "What do you mean?"
Gongsun Dou sneered and said, "Li Xingyi! Is your heart made of iron?! Or is it only iron towards me?!"
Li Xingyi still didn't understand, and could only look at him quietly. Gongsun Dou said, "Do you hate me that much?! Then why didn't you tell me?! Didn't you tell me that you already have someone else in your heart?!"
Li Xingyi was completely baffled and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Dou sneered, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Why won't you care about me even a little bit? Even just a little bit?!"
Finally, he broke down and said, "...I wish...I had never met you."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi felt as if her heart had been gripped with pain. Her face was no longer calm. Li Xingyi reached out to wipe away Gongsun Dou's tears, but Gongsun Dou immediately slapped her hand away with the back of his hand and ran away.
Only Li Xingyi, with tears streaming down his face, was left behind. Looking at his retreating figure, Li Xingyi felt a deep pain in his heart, and his hand, suspended in mid-air, was no longer being caught.
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