Because of Xia Wanning's words, Mo Bai was suddenly a bit overwhelmed. He also stopped searching for Zhao Shuning, for he didn't know how to face her if he found her.
To escape from this annoyance and calm himself down, Mo Bai returned to the Misty Mountain. He then found the previous cave and stayed there for a long time.
During this period, in the cave on the Qingyun Peak, Zhao Shuning's injuries recovered quite well.
Every day, Yan Ruyu had only two major things to do. One was to observe the celestial phenomena and check the trend of the star - disk formation. The other was to accompany Zhao Shuning. Their days were very peaceful.
If it weren't for Zhao Shuning's injury this time, she wouldn't have known that being alone with her master could be such a happy time.
In a blink of an eye, Zhao Shuning was almost eighteen.
On this day, Yan Ruyu was chatting with her and said casually, "You'll be eighteen, Ning'er. Is there anything you want?"
Zhao Shuning shook her head. Her eyes were clouded with a grayish tinge. She looked dejected.
"Master, I don't celebrate my birthday anymore."
"Because of Zhao Huai?"
Zhao Shuning nodded.
"Actually, I didn't deliberately think about this matter before. But it's like a curse. Whenever this time comes, I always can't help but think of him."
"I understand."
"Master, after tomorrow, I'm going down the mountain. I'm going back to the Eastern Ze Wilderness."
"About Xia Wanning?"
"I'll find out the truth. Master, don't forget what you promised me."
"Don't worry."
Zhao Shuning casually took Yan Ruyu's hand. The days with Yan Ruyu were the most ordinary yet the happiest for her.
"Master, do you like me?"
"Why do you suddenly say such things?"
"I always feel that the days now pass so fast and seem so unreal. I'm so afraid it's just a dream. Master, don't laugh at me. I know it sounds so affected when I say these words. I can't even bear to listen to myself. But I can't help it. I've held these words in for a long time and have wanted to tell you for ages."
Yan Ruyu smiled faintly. He gently stroked Zhao Shuning's face with his five fingers.
"No. I think you're very cute like this."
"Master, do you think I'm dreaming? Otherwise, how could I have you, who is so lofty? Before, I even thought it was a luxury to look at you one more time. But I never thought that now I can hold your hand and lean on your chest. This feeling is so unreal. I'm really afraid that one day, if you don't want me anymore, I'll be heart - broken."
"I won't abandon you."
Yan Ruyu gently tapped Zhao Shuning's nose and continued, "Ning'er, do you know why I always said you were still young before?"
"?"
"Because I was also waiting for you to grow up."
"Master."
"Alright, stop being naughty. Be careful of your wound."
Zhao Shuning, rarely acting like a coquettish little woman, said, "Then, Master, tell me when you started to like me?"
When was it?
Actually, even Yan Ruyu didn't know when he fell in love with Zhao Shuning.
Maybe it was the first time he met her. She was in ragged clothes, bare - footed, standing in the snow, looking at him fearfully.
Or maybe it was when she crisply handed him the dried grapes and said that he had to be responsible for her after eating the purple balls?
Or perhaps it was when he taught her the mental method and passed on the divine beast to her, and her delighted eyes were shining with surprise?
When exactly was it? Yan Ruyu didn't know.
He only knew that when she was Ye Ling, his heart had begun to be gradually opened by her cheerfulness.
She was brave, kind, and generous, doing things without asking for anything in return.
When tempering her body, Yan Ruyu put her in the giant valley, letting her wander among various monsters.
One month later, Yan Ruyu went to pick her up. She was covered in blood and her face was full of wounds. But when she still smiled at him while standing in the pool of blood, Yan Ruyu's love for Zhao Shuning wasn't formed overnight. It was through countless trials in the long years. And in a certain moment, when Yan Ruyu noticed it, Ye Ling had already taken root in his heart.
"Master, why aren't you saying anything?"
Yan Ruyu smiled faintly. "Say what?"
Zhao Shuning turned around sulkily.
"Nothing."
Zhao Shuning got up and wandered around the cave. Looking at the natural decorations in the cave, she casually asked, "Master, how long have you lived in this Qingyun Peak?"
"I don't remember."
"Why did you choose this place back then?"
"The terrain here is high. I can overlook all sentient beings. The celestial phenomena are also extremely clear. More importantly, it's quiet here and no one will disturb me."
"Aren't Mu Wan and Ting Bai often with you?"
Yan Ruyu shook his head.
"Mu Wan and Ting Bai usually pick spiritual herbs at the foot of the mountain. If there are no guests on the Qingyun Peak, they generally won't come up."
"Oh, no wonder. Then why aren't they here now?"
"Does Ning'er think she is a guest?"
Zhao Shuning blushed and quickly turned her head.
Her master's few words always easily stirred up ripples in her calm heart.
"Ning'er, when did you say you were leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
"I'll see you off."
"No need, Master. This time when I go back, I'll go through the South Pass. Xing Chen went there before. I haven't seen him for a long time."
"Okay."
Yan Ruyu nodded.
Their way of getting along was very simple and ordinary, but it was very comfortable.
You can do whatever you want. I won't keep you by my side because of my own selfish desires.
They respected each other.
Zhao Shuning was leaving. When she was about to go, she looked at Yan Ruyu longingly.
When Yan Ruyu didn't respond, she stepped forward and gave him a bear hug, then said, "Master, wait for me to come back. After I've handled all the matters, I'll come back to marry you."
"Hmm?"
A meaningful smile appeared on Yan Ruyu's face. It seemed that because of Zhao Shuning's words, his mood became much brighter.
"No, no. I'll come back to marry you. Okay?"
"Okay."
Zhao Shuning hugged Yan Ruyu's waist tightly. Just as Yan Ruyu was about to reach out and hug her, she let go.
"Master, see you later."
Yan Ruyu retracted his hand.
"Okay."
Zhao Shuning leaped and disappeared from Yan Ruyu's sight.
Looking at the direction where Zhao Shuning disappeared, Yan Ruyu let out a long sigh of relief.
Fortunately, this girl left. Otherwise, even with his good self - control, he couldn't bear this girl constantly throwing herself into his arms during these two months.
Without Zhao Shuning's consent, Yan Ruyu wouldn't touch her.
When Zhao Shuning went down the mountain, she was still reflecting on herself.
Was she not charming enough, not coquettish enough, or not soft and waxy enough in these two months?
Otherwise, with such a good opportunity, wearing only a few thin clothes and walking around in front of her master all day long, why was he so calm and showed no reaction at all?
Was it because her master had too much self - control?
Or was it that she simply had no charm?