Clap, clap, clap—
Crisp applause echoed from the quiet room.
Xu Zhimo was very pleased, his smile as dazzling as the sun.
"Good, that's the kind of spirit we need. If you were this brave in front of Qing Xuan, winning her over would be just around the corner."
"Shhh, Shhh, Shhh, Senior Brother, can't you be a little quieter?"
"Also... how can you talk like that? You make Senior Sister sound like an object..."
Yun Ming exhaled, his eyes a little resentful, though he had also speculated about Senior Sister's fate if he hadn't existed.
But he hadn't expected Ye Qingxuan to actually have such intentions.
He originally thought only he knew, but he didn't expect Senior Brother to be aware too. However, this was normal, after all, he was Senior Brother.
He had joined the sect much earlier than him.
When Senior Sister Qing Xuan arrived, Master must have told him something.
He glanced outside the door; no one should be eavesdropping.
If there were, it would be the two Apprentice in the courtyard next door, and it wouldn't matter if they heard.
After thinking for a moment, he asked.
"What if I tell you? It won't change anything."
"Then you are wrong."
"Let me ask you again, if you had first established a relationship with Hongdou, would Qing Xuan, such a proud person, still be willing to stay by your side?"
Yun Ming frowned, deep in thought, but in the end, he reluctantly admitted.
"No."
"Very good, Junior Brother is reasonable!"
Xu Zhimo slammed the table, then stood up and paced back and forth in the living room, stopping for a long while before saying.
"So, Junior Brother, if you want to enjoy the blessings of having multiple women, you can't progress too quickly with Hongdou, understand?"
"Are you asking me to string Hongdou along? I won't, and I can't do that."
"Wrong, wrong, wrong..."
"Junior Brother, this is your innate talent, obtuse angle strength! I, your Senior Brother, will help you."
"Remember what we said today."
After Xu Zhimo finished speaking, he smiled faintly and didn't linger, leaving Yun Ming alone in the room to ponder.
After a long while, he finally reacted.
"No, how does this scoundrel know what I want to do?"
Little Martial Uncle was one thing, he was a demigod.
Was Xu Zhimo also a worm in his stomach? They couldn't possibly be in cahoots, could they?
Yun Ming was utterly bewildered and gave up.
He then walked back into the room, picking up three exquisitely packaged bags. Those were new clothes for his two Apprentice and Ling'er.
His eyes returned to normal.
Senior Sister probably needs some time alone... Honestly, Yun Ming wasn't sure what kind of feelings he held for Senior Sister, whether it was more a dependence on family, or a stronger admiration for a woman.
Anyway, although he said he wasn't a child anymore.
But in fact, a young man is a young man. Losing a little face doesn't matter. Tonight, no matter what, he wouldn't let Ye Qingxuan harbor any lingering resentment.
Senior Brother was right, at worst, he could just play dumb.
Even if he said he admired Senior Sister, even if he confessed, what then? Given Senior Sister's personality, she would probably soften towards him.
But then he would have to consider Hongdou.
Saying he was still young, asking him to think about it again... Senior Sister was always so gentle to him, it truly made him, a transmigrator with corrupted morals, feel ashamed... On the other side, in Ke Ke's dormitory, the three little ones had just finished helping to paste the couplets in their assigned area.
They were red and very festive.
Just then, Ye Qingxuan arrived, and Ke Ke pouted, complaining.
"Senior Sister is being lazy, how come you're so late this year? Where's Junior Brother Yun Ming? Why isn't he here..."
"Where's Master? Hehe, Ling'er and I cut out a little bird for him~"
Yi Xuan and Ling'er took out the paper birds they had cut, as if seeking praise, and ran to the door, peeking out but not seeing Yun Ming's trace.
Yi Jiang also went out in surprise, blinking her eyes and returning to look at Senior Sister, waiting for an answer.
Ye Qingxuan had just opened her mouth, but then closed it again.
Ke Ke was very sensitive and immediately smiled, explaining for her.
"Oh, Junior Brother must be putting on airs, hehe. If he doesn't bring a gift later, he'll be in for it."
"Mm, he... he'll be here soon."
Did she explain? Yes.
But the three little ones didn't think much of it. It was normal to be a little late because of something, but laziness was unforgivable.
Ke Ke was the first to attack Senior Sister.
She directly pounced into the woman's arms, burying her head, but it was like Lin Daiyu pulling up a willow tree.
The loli Senior Sister, though small in stature, possessed incredible strength.
She carried Senior Sister into the house, bringing a few little ones along for a playful tease, their cold little hands reaching under her clothes to tickle her.
Ye Qingxuan was ticklish and giggled incessantly.
Even her mood lightened considerably. She had been led astray by Senior Brother just now. Even without Yun'er... she still had so many Junior Brothers and Sisters, and Master. Shouldn't she take care of Master in his old age?
Master already had enough rebellious Apprentice.
She should just be one of the few obedient Apprentice.
Family revenge must be sought.
But she wouldn't foolishly seek death. When her cultivation was more profound, she would investigate the events of that year.
Assassinating them one by one might not be impossible.
What if Junior Brother liked her? Although there was a suspicion of self-praise.
But a fair maiden is what a gentleman seeks.
She and Junior Brother were not biological siblings after all, and a young man's admiration was very normal, wasn't it?
If there were no Hongdou, she might have just gone along with him, but as a Senior Sister, she shouldn't compete with a junior for her own Junior Brother.
This wasn't good... They couldn't have two women serving one man, could they?
Not to mention what others would think, Master would be furious. No... Ye Qingxuan, what are you thinking!?
She shook her head, stopping that thought.
She decided to just humor Yun'er for now.
When he was older and more sensible... and saw more girls, he would know how good Hongdou was, and by then, that girl would probably have blossomed too... After the two had tried it.
Yun'er might not think of her anymore... Then she could laugh at how ignorant he was when he was little.
Moreover, if Yun'er's wife was Hongdou, she would definitely understand her and Yun'er's sibling affection. Talking and having some physical contact in daily life.
Hongdou would surely understand... Ye Qingxuan clenched her fists, her fingertips unconsciously digging into her palms. Just then, Ke Ke suddenly performed a 'Mount Tai pressing down' move, lying on top of her, hugging her neck as if to flirt.
The girl whispered in her ear.
"Did Junior Brother make you angry? I'll teach him a lesson later."
"It's nothing, I just encountered some trouble with my recent cultivation."
"Senior Sister is really good at lying..."
"Shhh, Ke Ke, the children are still here."
...
Yun Ming had just entered the noisy room and happened to see this enchanting scene, Senior Sister's skirt casually lifted at one corner.
A glimpse of spring... He pretended not to see, coughing twice lightly.
"Brother~"
"Master (Senior Brother)~"
Yun Ming put down the three handbags, gave the three little ones a look, "Open them and see. You all go play for a while, I need to talk to your Senior Sister."
Ling'er smiled sweetly, took the hands of her two Junior Sisters, and quickly leaned over, peeking, "Hehe, it's the new clothes Brother bought for us~"
Yi Xuan dazedly stroked the expensive, soft fabric.
White tights, exquisitely embroidered dresses and decorations... it seemed to exist only in those luxurious shops she had secretly glimpsed before. She foolishly looked up at Yun Ming, as if wanting to say something.
For me?
That look seemed to convey such a question.
Although Yun Ming was a little concerned about Senior Sister on the bed, he wasn't in a hurry at this moment, and smiled helplessly.
Compared to the little white-haired one, his figure was tall, blocking all the light from the doorway, as if he himself had become the light... Master is very handsome.
Yi Xuan's mind inexplicably thought this. What was she trying to say just now? She wanted to say something, right? She forgot.
He reached out his hand, which was not rough.
Yi Xuan didn't move, letting the large hand, which loved her little face, knead it freely, listening to him softly say.
"Why are you standing there dumbfounded? These are your New Year's gifts. Go try them on next door."
"Oh..."
Yi Xuan still stood there, smiling foolishly.
"Little silly girl, even if you keep looking, Master's face won't grow flowers~"
"Sister, I'm going to be jealous now~"
Yi Jiang and Ling'er pulled the foolishly smiling little white-haired one away. Today wasn't their main event here, so they couldn't get in the way of the protagonists... Yi Jiang didn't think too much about it.
It was just that she had also keenly noticed that as soon as Senior Brother entered, his gaze had flickered towards Senior Sister. Senior Sister's gaze towards Senior Brother today seemed a bit off, as if she was reluctant to interact.
Senior Sister Ke Ke, on the other hand, was glaring.
The situation was very clear. No wonder Ling'er had quietly pulled her aside earlier and said they should slip away.
She really couldn't imagine... Senior Sister Qing Xuan, such a gentle person.
How could Senior Brother make her angry? Even for Senior Brother, such things are not allowed. Go apologize quickly.
Soon.
As the three little ones left, the room fell silent.
Yun Ming walked to the bedside and lifted Ke Ke with one hand. The girl was hugging Senior Sister, as if to monopolize her, and said grumpily.
"Ke Ke, how old are you?"
"Call me Senior Sister!"
Ke Ke puffed out her chest, hands on her hips, looking very much like a Senior Sister, but her fierce little baby face was not at all convincing.
The swaying waves also made Yun Ming's eye twitch.
"Call me Second Senior Brother!"
"Hmph~"
She turned her head away indignantly. Some people were just a little taller than her, weren't they? When she was younger, she used to follow him around obediently, calling him Senior Sister...
Yun Ming put her down.
At this moment, Ye Qingxuan had already tidied her clothes and softly called out, "Junior Brother..."
Her words were a bit too few.
Ke Ke pouted. She guessed that no one on this mountain except Yun Ming could make Senior Sister struggle, hesitate, and feel so uncomfortable.
Catching Yun Ming off guard, she pushed him hard with one palm.
His kidney: Oh no, it's coming for me.
She followed the three little ones out, slamming the door shut, while Yun Ming, caught off guard, slipped, his mind reeling.
He didn't notice Senior Sister Ke Ke's attack.
He accidentally got pushed into Ye Qingxuan's arms, even pressing the woman onto the bed. This time, he didn't rush to get up; instead, he looked deeply at her.
His eyes were full of concern.
"Senior Sister, are you alright? Did Senior Brother make you angry? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No, it was just a disagreement, an argument... Besides, Xu... how could Senior Brother hurt me?"
"Did he tell you anything?"
"Yun'er, why don't you get up first?"
Ye Qingxuan's pretty face was slightly flushed. Normally, she wouldn't mind, and would even tease Junior Brother in return.
But now was different.
She inexplicably felt that in Junior Brother's ink-black eyes, there seemed to be something that wanted to swallow her whole.
The young man's warm breath brushed against the fair, delicate skin of her neck, a little ticklish, like a finger caressing her.
It felt strange.
Yun Ming didn't hesitate, he sat up straight and reached out to touch the woman's forehead, his eyes sincere.
"Senior Sister is not feeling well, why is your face so red?"
"I..."
Ye Qingxuan didn't even have time to answer before his palm touched her forehead, and spiritual energy intruded without any room for discussion.
Yun Ming didn't know medicine.
But through spiritual energy, he could at least detect the patient's physical condition, regulate their breath, and heal injuries.
Of course, how could he not know the reason for Senior Sister's abnormality? Yet he still pretended to be serious.
He had no other virtues, but once he decided on something, he would immediately plan and execute it, just as he decided to save Yun Kui Mountain... and as he was doing now.
He promised to always be with her, so he naturally had to keep his word. You say you won't agree? Did I allow you not to agree!?
Before, you teased me, played with me... was it fun?
Senior Sister, that was because I didn't want to bother with you.
It's different now. If Senior Sister does the first day of the month, I will naturally do the fifteenth!
"I'm fine, I was just bothered by Ke Ke and the others."
"Is that so... I'm a little envious of those little ones and Senior Sister Ke Ke~"
He muttered softly.
But being so close, there was no such thing as 'softly', and Ye Qingxuan naturally heard his disrespectful words.
However, she was unusually quiet today, so she pretended not to notice.
She gently pushed Yun Ming's hand away, creating some distance, and Yun Ming immediately asked, puzzled.
"Why do I feel like Senior Sister is avoiding me today?"
"Did Senior Brother tell you something?"
He followed, narrowing his eyes slightly, and re-gripped Senior Sister's hand, tightly, like it was made of iron, impossible to escape.
His gaze showed a searching intent.
It was as if a secret was about to be discovered, and he was preparing to silence anyone who knew.
Ye Qingxuan's heart skipped a beat. Wasn't this 'no silver three hundred taels here'? She was confessing without being asked, wasn't she? She increasingly felt that what Xu Zhimo said might all be true. Junior Brother's feelings for her... if she admitted it now.
Would Junior Brother stop pretending then?
No, she had to stabilize him first.
Ye Qingxuan didn't answer. Facing the somewhat aggressive Junior Brother, she also put on her Senior Sister's demeanor, gently tapping Yun Ming on the forehead.
"What else can he do besides saying annoying things?"
"And you, you take advantage of Senior Sister as soon as you arrive. Do you think I don't know you could have dodged Ke Ke's push? You're asking for a beating!"
The woman's moth-like brows furrowed, and her phoenix eyes widened.
At this, Yun Ming truly breathed a sigh of relief, still looking at Senior Sister with the same pure, gentle smile as before.
But this state only lasted for a moment.
Immediately after, he covered his head and said pitifully.
"Senior Sister, you hit me... there's no love left. I'm no longer your most beloved Junior Brother."
...
Ye Qingxuan covered her face, unable to watch. He really didn't learn anything good, only picking up all of Senior Brother's rogue tricks.
However, she also breathed a sigh of relief.
At least, Junior Brother wouldn't pounce on her onto the bed right now. If it came to that point.
She was afraid she would make a mistake... "Stop fooling around, what did Xu Zhimo go to your place for?"
"To heal... Seeing him beaten up like that, I immediately guessed it was your doing. After healing him, I gave him another good beating."
"He even tried to argue, so I just sent him away."
Yun Ming secretly observed Senior Sister's expression. Seeing her gradually lower her guard, he finally relaxed.
Not revealing everything was for the best.
Just let Senior Sister have a false sense of control. She was so gentle, how could he bear to break it?
Although he didn't want to admit it, he really had to thank Senior Brother for the assist. Otherwise, Senior Sister might never have known his feelings in this lifetime.
After all, he was a coward... It had nothing to do with Hongdou, even if he wasn't fickle.
He was also afraid that if Senior Sister found out, she would distance herself from him, and he would rather hide it forever.
But it didn't seem to be the case now.
Senior Sister didn't seem to mind. What did 'not mind' mean?
Yun Ming couldn't help but reach for the hand on the bedside.
He stealthily moved it right under her nose, not stopping even if he was discovered, like a little mouse observing her reaction.
Finally, under Ye Qingxuan's roll of eyes, he succeeded.
Her hand was very soft, Senior Sister was quite supple, but without excess flesh that would make it look bloated.
Her fingers were like spring onions.
Smooth and fair, making one reluctant to let go.
"Yun'er, what do you want to do now?"
"I want to hold your hand..."