The sudden accusation threw the waiter into a panic. He had indeed diverted someone else's dishes to Ji Changfeng's table first—a common practice, as people often catered to those who seemed important. But he hadn't expected to be called out so openly.
In an instant, every eye in the inn turned toward the scene.
"Huh?" Zhang Xiaofan, hearing the green-clad girl's question, glanced at the clear-stewed dream fish on their table, momentarily stunned.
Qi Hao quietly set down his chopsticks, waiting to see how the waiter would handle it. Such preferential treatment was nothing new to him; he'd seen it countless times. If the waiter couldn't resolve this, Qi Hao figured he'd step in.
Lu Xueqi glanced at the green-clad girl, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
Ji Changfeng remained unfazed, calmly eating the stewed fish. He had clearly anticipated the green-clad girl's outburst.
Bi Yao, huh?
His gaze lingered briefly on the green-clad girl before shifting to the woman veiled in black. As expected, we've run into them.
The waiter forced a strained smile at Bi Yao. "Esteemed guest, your dishes will be ready soon. I'll fetch them now…"
He turned to hurry toward the kitchen.
"Hold it!" Bi Yao wasn't letting him off so easily. Her lively eyes flashed with irritation. "So you're saying their dishes were originally ours, is that it?" She pointed at Ji Changfeng's table.
"This…" The waiter faltered, unsure how to explain.
Qi Hao frowned, about to stand and defuse the situation, when Ji Changfeng let out a soft cough.
"Ahem."
"Senior Brother Qi, let's eat."
With that, a surge of sword intent erupted from Ji Changfeng.
Whoosh!
The sword intent brushed past Bi Yao before pressing relentlessly toward the veiled woman in black. Ji Changfeng knew who truly called the shots in that group—the veiled woman, Zhuque, one of the four holy envoys of the Ghost King Sect.
Boom!
Bi Yao felt a breeze sweep over her. Though the sword intent wasn't fully directed at her, her face paled. The aura of the Upper Purity realm, even in its faintest trace, was beyond her ability to withstand.
"Yao'er, come back," the veiled woman said calmly, her expression unchanged.
Bi Yao huffed, shooting an annoyed glance at Ji Changfeng's group before returning to her table.
The waiter seized the chance to scamper to the kitchen, realizing none of these people were to be trifled with.
"Junior Brother Ji…" Qi Hao looked at Ji Changfeng, puzzled, as if asking why he'd stopped him from intervening.
"Senior Brother Qi, let's eat," Ji Changfeng said evenly. "These people aren't simple."
Qi Hao's eyes narrowed. He discreetly glanced at Bi Yao's group, then sat back down to eat in silence.
Lu Xueqi's curiosity stirred. Not simple? In what way? She wanted to ask Ji Changfeng but held back with so many people around.
The four ate their meal quietly as the sky darkened.
"Let's rest here tonight and head to Kongsang Mountain tomorrow morning," Ji Changfeng said.
"Agreed," Qi Hao and the others nodded.
They each retired to their rooms.
At night, the chirping of cicadas filled the air. Ji Changfeng couldn't sleep and had no interest in cultivating. So, he strolled to the room next door.
"Senior Sister Lu, are you asleep?" He knocked lightly.
Can't sleep at night? Then I'll chat with Senior Sister!
Click.
The door opened quickly. Lu Xueqi stood there in a flowing white gown, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She tilted her head, her expression questioning—What's up?
Ji Changfeng leaned against the doorframe, grinning at the slightly dazed Senior Sister. "Senior Sister Lu, can you sleep? How about we chat?"
Lu Xueqi pursed her lips, nodding faintly. "Alright."
Before she could react, Ji Changfeng stepped into her room.
"???" Lu Xueqi blinked, confused.
She stared at him, her calm eyes like still water.
"What's wrong, Senior Sister Lu?" Ji Changfeng glanced at her, puzzled, then closed the door behind her. "Come on, let's talk."
With that, he took her hand and led her toward the table.
Lu Xueqi, still dazed, let him guide her, a trace of bewilderment in her clear eyes. This… this is my room, isn't it?
At the table, they sat down. Ji Changfeng still held her hand, showing no intention of letting go. Lu Xueqi, snapping out of her daze, gently pulled her hand free and lowered her gaze, too shy to meet his eyes.
Xueqi's reactions are just too adorable. Her emotions were subtle, but when she blushed, felt shy, or got upset, they came alive vividly.
"Senior Sister Lu, don't you have anything you want to say to me?" Ji Changfeng propped his chin on one hand, his eyes fixed on the aloof girl before him.
Lu Xueqi looked puzzled. After a moment's thought, she asked softly, "Why… do you call me Senior Sister?"
Her eyes met his, a spark of genuine curiosity in them, as if this question truly mattered. After all, she had lost to him in the Seven Peaks Tournament. Per their bet, shouldn't she be the one calling him Senior Brother?
Ji Changfeng smiled lightly. "You entered the sect before me, so it's only right I call you Senior Sister."
"But…" Lu Xueqi lowered her head. "Four years ago, I lost our bet. You shouldn't call me Senior Sister."
Ji Changfeng raised an eyebrow. "Not Senior Sister? Then what should I call you? Junior Sister? Or…" He paused, his voice softening. "Xueqi?"
The word Xueqi hung in the air, and the room fell silent.
Lu Xueqi's cheeks flushed pink. She glanced away, murmuring, "Call me whatever you want."
"Really?" Ji Changfeng's eyes lit up. "Then… I'll call you Xueqi?"
"Mhm." The aloof girl nodded slightly, her long lashes trembling. Her hands fidgeted on her knees, her blushing cheeks betraying her emotions.
In that moment, her flush was more eloquent than any words.
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