It wasn’t just Mi Lu; even HuLü Yan believed that the woman was his mother, the once eldest lady of the HuLü family, HuLü Wan.

But she wasn’t.

That woman’s name was Wen Liuliu. She was the only daughter of an ordinary merchant family in Echeng County. Before becoming HuLü Wan’s study companion, her life had absolutely no connection to the HuLü family.

Wen Liuliu…

So, she was Wen Liuliu.

She wasn’t his mother at all; she wasn’t HuLü Wan.

But why did she take him, this unwanted child? Why did she insist he call her “mother”? Why would she rather go to a brothel, degrading herself, just to support him?

Why, why, why…?

Countless “whys” filled HuLü Yan’s mind, swirling around, until his head throbbed painfully, and cold sweat formed on his forehead, eventually dripping down.

In just a split second, cold sweat drenched his face and clothes.

“Wen Liuliu…” he spat out the woman’s name through clenched teeth, his gaze shifting from HuLü Wan’s face to Wen Liuliu’s. After a long, lingering moment, he suddenly laughed, “So your name is Wen Liuliu.”

Sensing things going south, Mi Lu quickly grabbed HuLü Yan’s hand, noticing with alarm how frighteningly cold his skin was.

Meanwhile, the vision before them continued to shift over time.

HuLü Wan pulled out a new set of clothes for Wen Liuliu to change into. The color was similar to her own clothes—both in shades of pink.

When Wen Liuliu changed, her cheeks flushed deeper, clearly embarrassed, not knowing where to place her hands.

HuLü Wan casually lounged at the table, holding a cup of tea, skimming off the tea foam with the lid while glancing at Wen Liuliu. Her eyes flashed with admiration. “You’re beautiful.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Liuliu became even more bashful.

But HuLü Wan just laughed heartily, finding Wen Liuliu’s reaction particularly amusing. Setting her teacup on the table, she swaggered over like a street rascal, lightly lifting Wen Liuliu’s chin with her finger and raising an eyebrow. “Do you know why I picked you?”

Wen Liuliu stared blankly at HuLü Wan, who was slightly taller than her, her face red as she shook her head.

“Because you’re beautiful,” HuLü Wan said, smiling. “Out of dozens of girls, you’re the best-looking. The moment I saw you, I decided to pick you. I didn’t care about your qualifications. At least you’d be a beauty by my side to brighten up the place.”

Saying that, HuLü Wan let go of her.

Wen Liuliu, stunned, finally came to her senses, stammering, “M-Miss, you’re giving me way too much credit. I-I’m just an ordinary girl. I’m afraid I’ll sully your eyes.”

HuLü Wan burst out laughing, “If you can sully my eyes, then there wouldn’t be a single clean person in the whole world!”

Wen Liuliu blushed, “Miss, please don’t tease me.”

“Alright, alright, let’s drop it.” HuLü Wan straightened her expression, pulling Wen Liuliu to sit down at the table. “Following me, there aren’t too many rules, as long as you don’t get into dirty business like killing or arson. But let me tell you about some rules of the Xing Tian Sect.”

The Xing Tian Sect was one of the four sects and two factions, with a long history and numerous disciples, so it had many complicated rules.

HuLü Wan rambled on for a while, explaining the major rules before asking Wen Liuliu, “Did you understand everything?”

Wen Liuliu looked dazed. After hesitating for a moment, she cautiously shook her head. “There were a few parts I didn’t quite get…”

“No rush,” HuLü Wan smiled. “It’s not easy to understand just from hearing it. In a few days, when we reach Xing Tian Sect, I’ll explain it again to you.”

Wen Liuliu obediently nodded, “Okay.”

A few days later, Wen Liuliu followed HuLü Wan to the Xing Tian Sect.

If HuLü Wan’s beauty was that of a bold, spirited young woman, coming and going like a gust of wind that stirred one’s heart, then Wen Liuliu’s beauty was gentle, poised, and charming. Her radiant features hinted at future breathtaking allure, with a smile captivating enough to make people take second glances.

When Wen Liuliu arrived at Xing Tian Sect, she quickly overshadowed even the eldest Miss HuLü Wan, becoming the most noticed figure in the sect.

Many young men eagerly tried to get information about Wen Liuliu through HuLü Wan, but HuLü Wan chased every single one of them away.

Instead of Wen Liuliu accompanying HuLü Wan to learn and cultivate, it seemed like HuLü Wan spent more time protecting the gentle, delicate Wen Liuliu.

Over time, however, Wen Liuliu, with HuLü Wan’s help, successfully drew spiritual energy into her body and began her cultivation journey.

On her first visit home, Wen Liuliu, now sixteen or seventeen, had fully grown into a graceful young lady. Her features had matured, and her once slightly chubby figure had slimmed. She truly became the stunning beauty HuLü Wan once predicted, with looks that could captivate a kingdom.

Zhai Feng was momentarily dazed until Wen Liuliu playfully punched his shoulder, snapping him back to reality.

Realizing his wandering thoughts, his face reddened, and his eyes became evasive.

Wen Liuliu, oblivious, happily shared her cultivation insights with Zhai Feng.

Years later, they flew a kite they had made themselves once again.

Only this time, Zhai Feng was no longer the clumsy little boy, nor was Wen Liuliu the little girl who’d cry at the smallest setback.

Zhai Feng ran with the kite, letting it soar high in the spring breeze, but his focus wasn’t on the kite—it was on Wen Liuliu, who was joyfully chasing after it.

Wen Liuliu looked up, bathed in sunlight.

The bright sunshine lit her face and figure, causing Zhai Feng to lose his focus once again.

Eventually, the kite fell.

Wen Liuliu volunteered to retrieve it, and when she returned, she saw Zhai Feng standing there, as if he wanted to say something but held back.

“Liuliu…” Zhai Feng hesitantly began, “I have something I want to tell you.”

Wen Liuliu’s dark eyes blinked curiously, “Go on.”

“I…” Zhai Feng struggled, “I…”

Sensing what Zhai Feng wanted to say, Wen Liuliu’s eyes held a glimmer of anticipation. She let the kite fall at her feet, staring at Zhai Feng intently.

But, with his face flushed all the way to his neck, Zhai Feng didn’t have the courage to say what he’d been preparing for so long. He shook his head, stepping back. “Nothing.”

Wen Liuliu was silent for a while before softly responding, “Okay.”

Then, using her toe, she nudged the kite, creating a tear in it.

Staring at the tear, Wen Liuliu suddenly felt a sting in her eyes, but she blinked, forcing it away.

Zhai Feng, his gaze on the ground, hadn’t noticed any of this.

After a moment of awkward silence, Wen Liuliu spoke up, “It’s getting late. Since you have nothing to say, let’s head back.”

With that, Wen Liuliu picked up the broken kite, took the spool of kite string from Zhai Feng’s hands, and started walking away.

Zhai Feng watched as her figure gradually receded. After a brief inner struggle, he called out, “Next time we meet, I’ll have something for you.”

Wen Liuliu paused.

Putting his hands around his mouth, Zhai Feng shouted, “Alright, Liuliu?”

Wen Liuliu turned back with a smile and nodded, “Alright.”

Since Wen Liuliu had joined HuLü Wan, her trips home became rare, not because HuLü Wan forbade it, but because Xing Tian Sect had many rules and strict guards; even HuLü Wan seldom returned home.

Only when HuLü Wan returned could Wen Liuliu visit her family.

Wen Liuliu thought it would be at least two or three years before seeing Zhai Feng again, but in early autumn, she accompanied HuLü Wan to Mount Kunlun for training and unexpectedly met Zhai Feng and his junior, Qiu Bei.

The four of them teamed up, facing trials together.

One night, Wen Liuliu quietly left camp to meet Zhai Feng, who had been waiting for her at a distance.

Over the past few months, Zhai Feng’s courage had grown. He presented Wen Liuliu with a golden hairpin, a gift from his mother.

“My mother told me that if I ever met a girl I liked, I should give her this hairpin. It was passed down from my grandmother to my mother, and now—” He paused, seeing Wen Liuliu didn’t refuse, and continued, “I want to give it to you.”

Wen Liuliu examined the hairpin with interest, then carefully placed it in her hair.

“How does it look?” she asked, shaking her head with a smile.

Zhai Feng froze for a moment, then smiled, “Beautiful.”

And just like that, their lifelong bond was set.

The next day, Wen Liuliu wanted to share the happy news with HuLü Wan, but before she could, HuLü Wan suddenly dashed to a tree and began retching.

Qiu Bei, who knew a little medicine, took her pulse and said she was over two months pregnant. After traveling extensively, she was weak and at risk of miscarriage, so it was best to return home for rest.

HuLü Wan, both surprised and delighted, immediately used a voice-transmission talisman to inform her beloved Lin Song, still at Xing Tian Sect.

She instructed Lin Song to wait for her at Fairy Valley while she and Wen Liuliu returned home.

However, on their arrival, they were met not by Lin Song, the father of her child, but by HuLü Wan’s furious parents, her brother HuLü Xing, and several stern-faced members of the HuLü family.

Apparently, someone had informed HuLü Wan’s parents about her relationship with Lin Song, and catching him lurking outside the house only confirmed their suspicions.

“You ungrateful child! I sent you to Xing Tian Sect to cultivate, but instead, you tied yourself to some wild boy!” HuLü Wan’s father slapped her across the face, furiously. “You’ve brought shame to the HuLü family!”

Thrown to the ground, HuLü Wan tasted blood in her mouth. She turned her head, stubbornly meeting her father’s gaze. “The marriage arrangement between the HuLü and Wen Ren families was your wishful thinking. It has nothing to do with me!”

Author’s Note:

Next chapter, writing this plot. Interested friends, hit that favorite button~