“Miss, could you help me with something?”
Zanxing scrutinized the young man. He was also dressed in festive attire, with his robe embroidered in large red and green patterns. His smile seemed sincere. She hesitated for a moment before asking, “What is it?”
The young man coughed lightly and took a silk flower from his pocket, placing it in Zanxing’s hand.
Zanxing was taken aback.
What? Was she involved in this kind of thing too?
She was contemplating how to politely decline his invitation when the young man continued, “Miss, could you help me give this silk flower to the girl over there?”
He smiled and looked towards Meng Ying.
Zanxing was speechless.
Alright, it seemed she wasn’t involved in this after all.
She clenched her palm, holding the silk flower tightly, and nodded to him, “Of course.”
The young man beamed, his eyes shining brighter, and thanked her profusely before walking away. Zanxing examined the silk flower in her hand. The handkerchief used to wrap the flower was made of fine silk, smooth to the touch, with a faint, pleasant fragrance. She held the silk flower and walked over to Meng Ying.
Zanxing didn’t realize that her every move was being watched.
Men Dong had just finished observing the entire conversation between Zanxing and the handsome young man. He remarked to Gu Baiying, “I didn’t expect to find someone in this desolate place who isn’t swayed by beauty and has such peculiar taste. But, Senior Uncle, if Yang Zanxing accepted the young man’s love and they dual cultivated tonight, what if someone stole the Qinchong seeds?” The next moment, he saw Zanxing walking over to Meng Ying with the silk flower and handing it to her.
Men Dong fell silent.
After a moment, he muttered, “This is an insult, isn’t it? It has to be an insult!”
Gu Baiying also stared in disbelief, “Did that scoundrel really use Yang Zanxing as a messenger?”
“Unbelievable,” Men Dong added fuel to the fire, “If he wasn’t interested, fine, but why humiliate her like this? Look at Yang Zanxing’s expression…”
Not far away, Zanxing was smiling as she talked to Meng Ying, showing no signs of distress.
“…She must be forcing a smile,” Men Dong sighed. “It’s so pitiful. She’s the top student in our Taiyan Sect academy, yet she’s despised like this. Her beloved Senior Brother Mu is now always clinging to Senior Sister Meng, and others treat her as a messenger. Yang Zanxing will surely cry secretly at night. Who knows, in her despair, she might even consider throwing herself into a river…”
Hearing this, Gu Baiying’s handsome face darkened with anger, “Who does he think he is, to dare insult a disciple of the Taiyan Sect like this?”
Men Dong, equally indignant, said, “It’s outrageous! He deserves a beating!”
Zanxing, who was talking to Meng Ying, suddenly felt eyes on her. When she turned, she saw Men Dong and Gu Baiying looking at her with strange expressions, especially Gu Baiying, whose gaze was complicated—part pity, part frustration.
Puzzled, she returned to the bonfire. Mimi was rolling in the sandpit. Zanxing asked Gu Baiying, “Senior Uncle, do you have something to say to me?”
Gu Baiying’s eyes fell on her hand, where she had injured her palm while retrieving the puppet left by Fairy Qinghua in the secret realm of Li’er Country. He had helped bandage her hand. Now, the bandage was dirty.
He looked up at Zanxing again. Her clear eyes held a hint of confusion, and the black scar on her face was faintly visible in the firelight.
Gu Baiying withdrew his gaze and stood up abruptly, walking past Zanxing towards the crowd. “I’m going over there.”
Watching his figure disappear, Zanxing asked Men Dong, “Junior Brother, what’s wrong with Senior Uncle?”
Men Dong didn’t answer her question but sighed deeply, “Men… they’re so shallow.”
Zanxing was baffled, “What?”
On the other side, outside the dancing crowd, Gu Baiying stood quietly.
The young man’s appearance and demeanor were exceptionally striking. Among the crowd, dressed in extravagant robes, his beauty stood out even more. His pearly white robe, amidst the colorful surroundings, did not appear plain but rather added a touch of refreshing elegance. He held his silver spear, scrutinizing the dancing crowd with a critical eye.
A handsome young man always attracts attention. Before long, a pile of silk flowers had been thrown in front and behind him, but he remained unmoved. His clear eyes reflected the distant bonfire, exuding a warm glow yet maintaining a distant aloofness.
After a while, Gu Baiying’s gaze finally settled on someone.
It was a young man with a beautiful tan complexion, thick eyebrows, and striking features. He seemed quite popular in Wufan City, with his belt adorned with silk flowers given by various girls. His smile was radiant, and his singing voice was captivating.
Gu Baiying watched coldly for a while. When the young man took a break to fetch some wine, Gu Baiying walked over.
“Hey,” he called out.
The young man turned around, momentarily stunned before recognizing him. “You’re… Douniang’s guest?”
Wufan City was small, and its young residents often knew each other. Moreover, Gu Baiying and his group looked different, and Douniang had likely explained their presence.
Gu Baiying raised an eyebrow, pointing his spear towards the woman sitting by the bonfire. “Go invite her to dance.”
The young man was puzzled. “Why should I invite her to dance?”
Gu Baiying snorted and reached for his Qiankun Bag. “Invite her to dance, and I’ll give you…” His hand suddenly froze.
The young man watched curiously.
Gu Baiying’s expression darkened as he realized that ever since they entered Wufan City, everyone’s Qiankun Bags had been sealed.
The young man waited, but seeing no further action, he put down his wine bowl and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to dancing.”
As he turned to leave, Gu Baiying grabbed his arm. “Stop!” The young man turned back, looking at Gu Baiying with some helplessness. “Douniang’s guest, what exactly do you want?”
Gu Baiying was frustrated. He had spent considerable time selecting someone who was at least decent-looking and couldn’t give up halfway.
“I said,” he lifted his chin, “go invite that person to dance.”
“Why should I invite her to dance?” The young man was confused. “If you like her, why don’t you invite her yourself?”
Gu Baiying, enraged, retorted, “Who said I like her?”
The young man looked at him, perplexed. “You’re really strange.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Anyway, I’m not going.”
The young man’s path was abruptly blocked by Gu Baiying’s spear. Acting like a petulant child, Gu Baiying declared, “Whether you want to or not, you’re going!”