Looking at these two stacks of extremely short underwear, Han Qi wondered if she was testing him.

But he quickly dismissed this notion.

The owner of Tian Kuang probably wouldn’t be so calculating.

Even if it was a test, it didn’t matter. Han Qi stared at the two ducks without blinking, continuously emptying his consciousness, extracting this body’s instincts, and infinitely amplifying them.

Finally, he chose the stack on the right.

To avoid saying too much and making mistakes, he accepted the gift: “It does feel familiar. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, young lady.”

Xiang Haikui sighed in relief: “That’s good.”

As a fellow townsman, she was happy to be of help, and a long-standing mystery was finally solved—it was Psyduck.

When Han Qi gradually calmed down, he became curious about something: “Young lady.”

“Hmm.”

“These two patterns, though both ducks, are quite different, even though their colors aren’t the same. Why couldn’t you tell them apart?”

Han Qi had read in her letters about how Jing Ran was brought here.

“Well…” Xiang Haikui let out a dry laugh, “Let’s not talk about that, haha.”

“If convenient, please enlighten me.”

It wasn’t that Xiang Haikui wanted to be vulgar, but seeing his suspicious look that seemed to ask, “Is there something wrong with your eyesight?” she had no choice but to explain reluctantly: “Senior Brother, we were ordinary people back then, without divine sense. When I grabbed your leg, I could only look up from below, and my line of sight was vertical…”

The duck pattern was printed on the front. In that urgent situation, in her panic, she only saw the yellow duck feet.

As for what was above the duck feet, because the duck’s ankle area protruded, in that one second, she truly couldn’t notice.

Donald Duck and Psyduck were just her guesses; it might have been some other duck. But when she later asked Senior Brother about it, he didn’t correct her, so it seemed it was one of those two.

Why would a flat pattern protrude?

Han Qi thought about it from her perspective and understood.

Han Qi: Why did I have to ask…

Ignoring the death stare from behind, he took a deep breath, picked up his teacup, and slowly began to drink tea again.

The air fell into stagnation.

He had nothing to say to her.

And everything she needed to say had already been said in her letters.

“What a beautiful boat.” It wasn’t that Xiang Haikui was making small talk; a giant lotus boat was slowly sailing into her field of vision on the lake.

This lotus boat was shaped like a water lily, with a golden platform at the center where dozens of people, both men and women, were seated.

The boat had barriers, so she couldn’t see the cultivators’ levels, but they were a group of rich second-generation nobles having a gathering.

She spotted two familiar faces among them. One she had seen at the courier station who was staying there.

The other she almost mistook for Lu Xiqiao.

He wore a dark red robe, his hair bound with a jade crown, exuding nobility with a hint of reserve. His mannerisms revealed a temperament vastly different from Lu Xiqiao’s—he must be Lu Xiqiao’s twin elder brother, Lu Xigu.

He was the one who had come to Yin Sha to pick up Lu Xiqiao earlier, but at that time, Xiang Haikui had been in seclusion recovering from injuries and hadn’t met him.

At this distance, she could see the lotus boat, and naturally, those on the boat could see her too.

Lu Xigu looked her way and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Out of politeness, Xiang Haikui nodded back but immediately turned her face away.

“Young lady, the eldest Young Master Lu wants to invite us aboard,” Han Qi frowned slightly.

“Does Senior Brother want to go?” Xiang Haikui asked.

Han Qi didn’t want to go, but he was about to be turned into a porcupine by Yin Changli’s eye-arrows.

After being enemies for so many years, this “love rival” sentiment was truly hard for him to accept.

“I was injured before, and my master asked the Lu family for help in finding some medicinal ingredients. I owe the eldest Young Master Lu a favor.”

“Oh.” Xiang Haikui stood up, picking up her sword case strap. “Then Senior Brother should go. I won’t join you; I don’t know them.”

Except for Lu Xiqiao, Xiang Haikui had no good feelings toward anyone from the Lu family.

After all, they had bribed Dao Chen to go to Yin Sha and release the Shen Yao, intending to create trouble for her father.

The Lu family controlled three-tenths of the resources in the entire Central Continent and had always made their fortune this way—dark hearts and ruthless hands were their family tradition.

Lu Xigu had thoroughly inherited this tradition and developed it further.

He didn’t have the smooth-talking merchant personality; on the contrary, he spoke little and rarely appeared in public.

With first-class business acumen, he excelled at profiting from “war.”

Except for a few powerful families with strong foundations, anyone who tried to compete with him in business generally ended up with their families ruined and people scattered.

This wasn’t slander that Xiang Haikui had heard secondhand.

It all came directly from Lu Xiqiao.

Moreover, from the Lu family, Xiang Haikui learned for the first time that even in this immortal cultivation world, there was still karmic retribution.

The Lu family’s retribution fell upon their offspring. They had plenty of money, but few descendants, and those they had tended to die young.

So when a Lu family child was born, the family would invite fortune-telling masters to test the child’s fate.

Lu Xigu had a strong eight characters, so he received focused nurturing.

Lu Xiqiao was the opposite, requiring focused protection.

When he was one or two years old, he almost had his soul seized by a mysterious spirit.

Fortunately, though the Lu family was ruthless toward enemies, they were extremely attentive to their children. The family ancestor intervened in time to protect Lu Xiqiao and killed the possessor in his sea of consciousness.

Lu Xiqiao was injured as a result, remaining unconscious for several months. When he awoke, his once-clever mind no longer functioned properly.

The Lu family protected him even more strictly after that, like Rapunzel, building a tower filled with arrays for him to live in.

Lu Xiqiao was very troubled by this. At his age, he was treated like a giant baby, with a group of guards following him in and out of the Sword Dao Academy.

Let alone going out for experiences, even for collective activities at the Sword Dao Academy, as long as they required leaving Jin Ling, the Lu family would ask for leave on his behalf.

Being seventh rank was quite impressive, but except for that one time when he secretly went to Yin Sha alone, he had never left the royal capital, making him the laughingstock of the entire royal capital’s noble circle.

That’s why he always dreamed of accomplishing something significant.

When Lu Xiqiao complained to her, Xiang Haikui didn’t take his side.

The Lu family had reason to be cautious because, in the dream, Lu Xiqiao had indeed died in the previous sandstorm.

The boss had changed her fate, and she had inadvertently changed Lu Xiqiao’s fate as well.

…

Xiang Haikui skimmed over the water like a dragonfly, reaching the shore and landing not far from Yin Changli.

“How did you know I was here? That big-mouthed Lu Xiqiao.” She had seen Yin Changli while on the boat.

It was Tian Kuang who had alerted her, suddenly jumping out of its case. With one sweep of her eyes, she had spotted him on the shore.

“Where’s Little Bai?”

“He went to the night market up ahead with Lu Xiqiao. They’re trying their luck to see if there are any treasures that Tian Bao might like.”

“Let’s go browse the night market too.”

The spirit pearl in Xiang Haikui’s storage ring was already dying of thirst. Shopping and eating meat both made her happy.

After walking some distance, she noticed Yin Changli hadn’t followed.

She stopped and turned back: “Senior?”

He was still standing under the tree, perhaps his waist aching from standing too long, supporting himself with one hand against the trunk.

The tree was hung with many safety amulets, some adorned with small golden bells that rang when the wind blew past.

Besides the safety amulets, there were also wishing ribbons tied to the tree, hanging down like willow branches, brushing against him.

“Senior?” Xiang Haikui called out again, but he still didn’t respond. She walked back to stand beside him, following his gaze into the distance. Apart from a few flower boats, there was only the moon’s reflection. “What are you looking at?”

Yin Changli finally spoke: “How could you do this to me?”

Xiang Haikui:?

What had she done?

Yin Changli’s throat rumbled, and he couldn’t help but say: “If you want to give gifts to the man you love, I can’t stop you, but…”

Xiang Haikui corrected: “This isn’t a gift.” Who gives underwear as a gift? It was only because there was no alternative. “This is more like medical rehabilitation equipment.”

Yin Changli forcefully pushed aside a ribbon that had floated before his eyes, his voice tinged with complaint: “Whatever it is, if you want to give something, use your things, not mine.”

Xiang Haikui frowned: “I made them all with my own hands. What does it have to do with you?”

Yin Changli questioned: “Oh, didn’t you borrow the needle from Little Bai?”

Xiang Haikui thought back: “Yes.”

“The needle was mine.”

“Are you really that petty?”

“I’ve always been petty. You can use my things freely, but you can’t give them to others.” After speaking, his lips pressed tightly together, and the hand supporting the tree trunk began to scratch at the bark until his finger joints turned white.

Xiang Haikui: …

She wanted to record this and play it back for him once his memory returned. Whenever he tried to act cool, she’d bring it out to slap his face.

“Alright, I understand.” Xiang Haikui smiled apologetically, admitting her mistake. “Let’s go.”

She rolled her eyes after turning around.

Suddenly, her sleeve was tugged.

Yin Changli carefully probed from behind: “It’s been ten years. Is your senior brother still in your heart?”

Xiang Haikui turned her head, meeting his somewhat evasive gaze: “I’m not sure if he’s still in my heart, but you aren’t.”

All along, her attitude had been very firm.

No matter how considerate the puppy-like boss was, it couldn’t change the fact that he was currently ill.

Like the moon’s reflection on the lake, no matter how beautiful it appeared, it was just an illusion.

When that bastard boss woke up, at the first light of dawn, the moon’s shadow would disappear.

Yin Changli’s face instantly paled. He lowered his long lashes, concealing the hurt in his eyes: “How can you be so sure that my feelings for you are just imprinting?”

“It’s a fact,” Xiang Haikui spread her hands.

“But I felt your kindness and gentleness from your hair,” his hand still clutched her sleeve. “Just like when people spend time together, one gradually becomes attracted to certain qualities in the other. I merely shortened this time, which makes it seem like love at first sight.”

Xiang Haikui smacked her lips.

She had heard these words so many times that she could recite them.

After a moment of silence, she said, “But the qualities you discovered were filtered through your lens and have nothing to do with who I am. If you hadn’t forcibly changed fate, and the person who saved you was Xiang Tianqing, you would have fallen in love with her at first sight just the same.”

“I wouldn’t have.” Yin Changli shook his head. “I’ve thought about this. Based on what I know of Xiang Tianqing, if fate hadn’t been changed, my feelings for her would have been just imprinting.”

“You’re different, not the same,” he emphasized seriously.

The more serious he became, the more Xiang Haikui wanted to laugh.

Suddenly, her pupils contracted sharply. She grabbed his wrist and pulled him behind her.

At the same time, Tian Kuang unsheathed from her back. With two fingers together, she slashed a diagonal line in front of her.

The sword energy only cut through the air with a hissing sound.

“What’s wrong?”

“There was a black shadow behind you just now.” Xiang Haikui wondered if she might have been seeing things.

Even a Shen Yao that could blend with light would cause some flow of energy when merging, but this black shadow had disappeared without a trace, vanishing in an instant.

She glanced at the wishing tree. “It was probably shadows from the tree and reflections from the water.”

She put Tian Kuang away: “Let’s go.”

“Mm.” Yin Changli agreed immediately.

Previously full of grievances, after being protected by her, he was now like a child who had received candy.

The two walked along the shore toward the night market. They hadn’t gone far when the lotus boat appeared in their vision again.

This time, it was Lu Xiqiao waving: “Sister Kui! Come up and join us!”

Beside him was Bai Xingxian, also waving at them.

Xiang Haikui was puzzled. They weren’t on the boat earlier, so how had they boarded from the night market in such a short time?

She sent a message to them: “Little Bai, why aren’t you looking for treasures at the night market? What are you doing on their boat?”

Bai Xingxian: “Little Lu was originally taking me around the night market when my Tian Bao suddenly reacted, pointing toward this lotus boat. When Little Lu saw it, he said This boat belongs to his family. His brother is entertaining guests today—all honored guests who, like you, have come to Jin Ling for the birthday celebration.”

Tian Bao had insisted on coming, and when Bai Xingxian refused, his two front teeth kept growing longer until he almost looked like an elephant.

Xiang Haikui saw a wound on his lower lip—quite a fashionable lip-biting look.

“But coming aboard is useless anyway.” Bai Xingxian seemed a bit dejected. “The treasure that Tian Bao wants is being used as a prize for their competition. I definitely won’t be able to get it.”

Glancing furtively at Yin Changli, Bai Xingxian felt a pang in his heart. “In the past, there was no treasure that Uncle couldn’t win for me. Whenever Little Bai looked at something twice, Uncle would help me get it.”

He didn’t want the treasure for himself; he was heartbroken for his uncle.

“What’s wrong?” Yin Changli noticed his expression didn’t seem right.

Xiang Haikui explained the situation to him.

He then asked: “Is it a literary or martial contest?”

“Probably literary. Who would have a martial contest on a lotus boat on Lotus Lake?” Xiang Haikui furrowed her brows. “What, do you want to try?”

Trying would be fine.

As long as it didn’t involve thinking, whether poetry, music, calligraphy, or painting, the boss could crush them by instinct alone.

“But Senior, you’re too conspicuous…”

Yin Changli pulled his hood lower, covering half his face: “How about this?”

“Good.”

When they boarded the lotus boat together, everyone’s divine sense fell upon them.

They had long been curious about this second young lady from Yin Sha City.

As the host, Lu Xigu stood up: “Second Young Lady Xiang.” Then he looked at Yin Changli, “Young Master Bai.”

Xiang Haikui cupped her hands: “Eldest Young Master Lu.”

After the formalities, Lu Xigu had servants guide them to their seats.

Coincidentally, they were next to Han Qi.

Yin Changli moved quickly, sitting down before Xiang Haikui, right next to Han Qi, separating him from Xiang Haikui.

Han Qi continued drinking his tea, pretending not to feel his hostility.

Xiang Haikui didn’t notice these things. When they had entered the lotus boat, Tian Kuang had suddenly shown signs of unease.

Before she could identify the cause, it had calmed down again.

Moreover, everyone on the boat began introducing themselves one by one, and considering her father’s status, she had to exchange pleasantries with each of them.

The pleasantries were easy enough; she just had to say “I’ve long heard of your reputation” after they announced their lengthy titles.

A maidservant came to attend to them, but Yin Changli waved her away.

He poured tea for Xiang Haikui, even testing the water temperature with the back of his hand.

Then he began peeling oranges and shelling melon seeds, behaving like a perfect “supportive partner.”

Han Qi watched from the side, his eyeballs frozen for a long while, his hand trembling several times, nearly spilling the water from his teacup.

He couldn’t bear it any longer and sent a message: “You! How can you, a dignified… how can you do these things?”

Yin Changli’s hand paused. He turned his head, looking at him with unfriendly eyes: “You’re being rather domineering. Just because you don’t like someone, you won’t allow others to like them?”

Han Qi couldn’t accept this at all: “No… You shouldn’t be doing these things…”

Yin Changli picked up a crab leg and carefully peeled it: “What do you mean I can’t do this? Can you do it better than I?”

He displayed the crab leg. “Look, I can peel the entire shell cleanly without damaging even a bit of the meat inside. Little Kui often praises me, saying no one can match this skill.”

Han Qi looked and was slightly surprised—such a thin crab leg peeled open without any damage to the meat.

Yin Changli: “Can you do it?”

“What’s so difficult about that?” Han Qi also broke off a crab leg, squeezed it, and it shattered, with the meat inside slightly damaged.

He cleaned all the crabs on his plate, but no matter how careful he was, there was still some damage.

Yin Changli gave him a bland look, his eyes saying, “You can’t do it.”

Han Qi’s face darkened, and he instructed the maidservant: “Bring me another plate of crabs. No, make it two plates.”