Melting Snow Melts the Heart
The next day, the two did not linger and left the place.
They traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently, completing dungeons, and exploring various places. The following winter, they arrived in Xuzhou, where salt snow was falling from the night sky.
After You Youju got up, Zhu Xun woke up but didn't get up. You Youju got up, put on his cloak, lit the clay stove to warm the tea, and opened the window. He clearly saw that You Youju's eyes softened a little:
"I wonder if the snow fell in the courtyard this morning, or if the flowers in the forest bloomed last night."
Zhu Xun's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. It was as if he had been waiting for this touch of tenderness for far too long.
He sometimes thought that Youyouju was like a snowflake, pure white and fragile, seemingly soft but actually cold.
He dared not hold it, dared not hold it, and even less wanted it to teeter on the ground; he wanted to blow on it carefully from below, not daring to use force, for fear that it would fall apart.
They wanted him to gather in the sky, but they were also afraid that if he flew too high, they wouldn't be able to see him, and no one would catch him when he fell.
I'm afraid, afraid he's too far away. I'm afraid, afraid he'll disappear.
I'm scared, so scared.
She was constantly on edge, her heart pounding, only wishing to see him relaxed and at ease, always looking at her.
It turns out that wanting only for one person to be happy is so difficult.
Uncle, how can I, your disciple, possibly repay your kindness and become your support, even if I am reduced to ashes?
Zhu Xun opened his eyes; You Youju was no longer in the room. He hurriedly got out of bed, without even putting on his shoes. The clay stove was still boiling tea, and a note was left on the table:
"Get up and drink water, then I'll buy steamed buns." The steamed buns in the picture are drawn.
Zhu Xun smiled without her lips twitching again; perhaps this was happiness. Yao Guang's fur, carrying a chill, gently brushed against Zhu Xun. A few wisps of breeze drifted in from outside the window, carrying the scent of osmanthus and the aroma of brewing tea. Nothing could separate them now.
"The prices in Xuzhou are really not cheap." You Youju glanced at the steaming buns and quickened her pace.
"Ouch!" Someone bumped into him head-on.
You Youju didn't even look up, and simply said, "Sorry."
"Um?"
You Youju stopped in her tracks, slapped her forehead, and exclaimed, "This is ancient times..."
He turned around and said, "Excuse me, are you alright, brother? If you're alright, I'll be going now."
"Hey! Daoist Master! What a coincidence!"
You Youju then looked at the person. He had a pair of upturned willow-leaf eyes, like autumn waves, a straight nose, and a smile on his lips. Even in the dead of winter, he was still waving a gold-edged sandalwood fan, showing off his luxury. He wore a fox fur cloak embroidered with delicate pink lotus flowers, and his long hair was tied up with a golden crown, making him look dashing and neat.
Who else could this flamboyant and extravagant man be but Song Song?
You Youju felt her face twitch, then took two steps back and turned to leave: "You've mistaken me for someone else."
Song Song pulled him aside: "Hey~ Daoist, please wait. Daoist, you are so elegant and dignified, even with a veil, you are unforgettable. Since we last parted, I have been thinking of you day and night! Why haven't you come to see me?"
You Youju suppressed the urge to hit someone: "Young master, please forgive me, but I really don't like male homosexuality."
Song Song's face twitched: "I meant exchanging spells and improving together! What were you thinking!"
"Hehe, I knew I hadn't mistaken you for someone else."
You Youju walked forward with her head down, while Song Song followed chattering, "Daojun, don't go any further! I still have to meet a friend, why don't we go together?! My friend is a good person too..."
You Youju suddenly stopped: "Young master, take care. We'll meet again in the martial world if fate allows."
Song Song sighed, "We really can't keep him waiting any longer. We will definitely meet again, Dao Lord!"
You Youju breathed a sigh of relief and hurried back to the inn while the buns were still warm.
"Uncle, why are you so late?" Zhu Xun had been waiting in the room for quite a while.
You Youju placed the steamed buns on the table, washed her hands, and the water had cooled down.
"Just ran into a troublesome guy, nothing serious."
Is there any special plot in Xuzhou? The novel doesn't focus on what happened after Zhu Xun became a demon.
Could it be... Cen Chaolan beside Song Song?!
He didn't react for a moment when the cloak in his hand fell to the ground.
"uncle?"
You Youju hung her cloak on the screen and rubbed her sunspots.
"Seeking Bamboo".
If it really is Cen Chaolan, then Zhu Xun's face will have to look different.
You Youju pinched Zhu Xun's cheek with a mischievous grin: "For safety's sake, our handsome young man needs to change his face."
You Youju thought for a moment and used magic to change Zhu Xun's appearance to be more plain, the kind of face that would be hard to recognize in a crowd. But appearances are easy to change, but bone structure is hard to change. Even with a different face, his deep features still exuded an indescribable handsomeness.
You Youju looked him up and down, clicking his tongue repeatedly: "Tsk tsk tsk, no wonder they say true beauty lies in the bone structure, not just the skin. Good lad, only 16 and already so handsome..."
Zhu Xun blushed under the gaze, turned her head away and rubbed her new face: "'Handsome'?" Zhu Xun was already used to You Youju often saying things that didn't quite express her meaning.
You Youju withdrew her hand and winked at Zhu Xun: "This 'shuai' is a combination of the characters for handsome, dashing, and debonair!"
Zhu Xun ran to the mirror and carefully rubbed her unfamiliar face: "Why doesn't Uncle, who is so 'handsome,' change his appearance?"
You Youju cleared her throat: "Your uncle wears a veil every day when he goes out, of course there's no need. Besides, your uncle's handsome appearance can't be hidden."
Of course I have such a good face, it's all for the purpose of taking off my veil and giving them a big surprise! It's a blessing for everyone!
Zhu Xun nodded, his eyes crinkling with laughter as he looked at You Youju's pheasant-like appearance: "Uncle is right."
Even Yao Guang, who had been sleeping, let out a howl, which startled You Youju so much that she had to cast a silencing spell on him again.
However, I can't stay in Xuzhou for long; it seems I need to think about where to go next. But before that, let's find a shopkeeper and warm a pot of "Shattered Jade Waves" to steal a half-day of leisure!
Put on your hat and open the door!
"Daojun!!"
You Youju felt her limbs stiffen and freeze! It was like a bolt from the blue!
Surely it can't be that much of a coincidence, haha?
He turned his head stiffly, and Song Song was waving his hands vigorously in front of him: "What a coincidence! Daojun actually stayed in the room next to ours."
"Haha, what a coincidence." If you hadn't told me, I would have thought you were a stalker, hehe.
"Uncle, what's wrong?" Zhu Xun came out of the house, looking at Song Song with displeasure.
Seeing that the newcomer also possessed an extraordinary air, Song Song cupped his hands in greeting: "I am Song Song, Song Zitang, a friend of this Daoist Master. And you are?"
When did we become friends?!
Zhu Xun looked Song Song up and down and concluded: a pretty but useless woman who was having an affair with her uncle.
"How come I've never heard of my uncle having a pine nut candy friend?"
Song Song, however, was quite oblivious: "Hahaha, some people call me that too. Daojun and Your Excellency can also call me Song Song."
Zhu Xun smiled, and You Youju, knowing the child was about to unleash her sharp tongue again, quickly interjected, "Haha, what a coincidence! We should certainly treat the young master, but we're new here ourselves, so I'll definitely make up for it when we return to the capital. I have something to attend to..."
"Hey, hey, hey! Daoist, you're too kind. We know Xuzhou very well! As the saying goes, it's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. Since we have such a deep connection, let me be the host! Look, the private room downstairs is the one we've reserved. Please don't be shy, I've been wanting to chat with you more for a while now!"
Such hospitality is hard to refuse, and Youyou Ju and Zhuxun were dragged into the private room by Song Song.
"Huai Jing! I have finally invited Dao Jun here."
A young man in blue sat at the table, his back broad and his posture upright. Hearing the voice, he stood up and turned around. When You Youju saw his face, her breath caught in her throat for a moment.
Her long, black hair cascaded down her shoulders, curling like seaweed, bright and lustrous. She tied it up halfway with a polished bamboo branch, a few wisps of hair falling across her forehead and around her eyes, giving her a carefree air. Unlike Song Song, who was flamboyant and glamorous, she wore a simple indigo-blue gauze dress with gold-threaded bamboo ink paintings that were both elegant and luxurious. Upon closer inspection, however, the bamboo branch in her hair was not a bamboo branch, but the finest jade.
Unlike the traditional handsome man with skin as white as jade, his skin was a mature honey color. His eyebrows were not thick and bushy but slightly thin and arched. His phoenix eyes were upturned and bright, like twinkling stars. His nose was pointed and upturned but not lacking in strength and heroism. His bones were as sharp as if carved by a knife, exuding an aggressive beauty that made people unable to look away and unable to breathe.
The young man was very polite: "I've heard so much about you. Please, gentlemen, take a seat."
Even after Youyou sat down, he was still unable to come back to his senses for a long time. What made him even more immersed was the sense of familiarity with him that was even stronger than with Ayi!
Zhu Xun squeezed You Youju's hand under the table: "Uncle? What's wrong?"
You Youju snapped out of his daze and realized that the three of them were looking at him. He quickly smiled and said, "My apologies, my apologies. You two young friends are so elegant that I was momentarily distracted. Please forgive me."
Zhu Xun gave a soft hum and pouted in dissatisfaction.
Song Song picked up his wine glass: "Hahaha! You Daojun is still too polite. I wonder when you will reveal your true face so that we can both see it for ourselves!? I'll toast You Daojun first!"
The young man also raised his wine cup: "My surname is Cen, and you two gentlemen may call me by my courtesy name Huaijing."
One of Cen Chaolan's brothers?
Zhu Xun smiled on the surface, but in his heart he really wanted to throw the wine in this man's face—what a lecherous hypocrite!
You Youju chuckled, "My apologies, my apologies!" Then she calmly removed her veil and placed it aside.
"Ah..." Song Song swallowed the mouthful of wine forcefully.
Even Huai Jing, who appeared dignified and composed, stared wide-eyed in astonishment.
“My name is You Youju, and this is my nephew, Zhuxun.”
Zhu Xun picked up his wine glass and looked at You Youju. You Youju nodded and smiled at him: "It's okay, drink up."
Zhu Xun's knuckles were white as he gripped the wine cup, and he gritted his teeth as he reminded, "You two?"
Song Song patted his face: "A fiery mark between your brows, Brother You... no wonder you cover your face, you'd get pelted with fruit if you did that on the street!"
He poked at the mirror in his pocket, but his eyes didn't leave it: "I only thought that you and I were among the most handsome men in the world. Brother You is truly astonishing!"
You Youju was secretly pleased, but said modestly, "I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it."
“Brother You, have we met before?” Huai Jing asked.
Zhu Xun crushed the wine glass without batting an eye, his smile vanishing. Song Song coughed twice and muttered, "You rascal! That's so clumsy."
You Youju narrowed her eyes. Did he also feel a sense of familiarity?
No.
Huai Jing quickly raised his wine cup to apologize: "Brother, please don't be offended. I just felt an instant connection with you." After saying that, he drank the wine in his cup.
"To be so dissolute on our first meeting, Brother Cen, I'm afraid you've lost your manners," Zhu Xun couldn't hold back any longer.
Huai Jing smiled and said, "Hey? Are you afraid of being too senior? I wonder how old Brother Zhuxun is? If you don't mind, I'd like to call you brother."
"I can't accept that." Zhu Xun wouldn't even give him a second glance; this guy was truly shameless.
You Youju patted Zhu Xun and smiled helplessly. Zhu Xun immediately stopped talking and sat closer to You Youju.
"Bang bang bang!" A rapid knocking sounded on the door.
Song Song: "You have no manners! I'm having a drink right now, what's the matter!?"
Man: "Sir, something's up!"
Song Song smiled apologetically at them, and You Youju nodded.
"Enter."
The man whispered something in Song Song's ear, and Song Song's eyes lit up, unable to contain her excited smile.
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