Gu Baiying was stunned for a moment, then said inexplicably: “Nonsense, do you like them?”

“If you encountered Mo Sha, would you directly capture and kill them?” Zanxing turned her head and stared into his eyes.

There was no usual teasing on her face. She had put away her smile, and only then did Gu Baiying realize she was asking him very seriously.

So he answered more seriously than ever before: “Of course.”

Of course.

He didn’t say why, nor did he hesitate, as if this were something that required no consideration. The young man’s eyes were beautiful and clear, his gaze frank and open, bright and unguarded.

Indeed, if his father, Gu Caiyu, hadn’t sacrificed his life to balance against Gui Diao Tang, why would he have needed to pay with his life? Qinghua Xianzi’s later fall was also related to the demon clan. He became an orphan because of the demon clan—could he be expected to like them? That would be asking too much.

“Yang Zanxing…” Gu Baiying was somewhat suspicious.

Zanxing suddenly laughed, her voice returning to its usual lightness: “That’s good, then. Now that the demon clan might make a comeback, I was worried you wouldn’t be able to handle encountering them. But seeing your firm resolve now, I estimate you’ll be able to guard our sect well. That puts my mind at ease.”

“Hey,” Gu Baiying dissatisfiedly pinched her face: “You’re worried about me? You’d be better off worrying about yourself first. With your little bit of cultivation, don’t wet yourself from fear when you encounter Mo Sha.”

This was an unconscious action. By the time he came to his senses, his hand was already pinching Zanxing’s cheek. The woman’s skin was soft, warm to the touch, and that black scar had a slight protrusion, making his fingertips suddenly burn hot.

Their eyes met, and the young man was suddenly at a loss for words, his whole body frozen.

Zanxing looked at him, seeming momentarily unsure how to react as well.

On the persimmon tree, summer cicadas chirped a few times, adding some charm to the mountain night. A girl’s cheerful voice came: “Miss, Miss, look at the double-sided embroidery I just learned—it’s perfect for making Mimi a cloak—”

Hong Su’s voice stopped abruptly when she saw Gu Baiying: “Young Master Gu?”

“Young Master?” Zanxing snapped back to attention. She was stunned for a moment and asked: “Why do you call him Young Master?”

Hong Su quickly covered her mouth, first glanced at Gu Baiying, then said carefully: “When Uncle Niu came here last time, that’s how he addressed him.”

Zanxing coughed lightly: “Don’t call him that randomly in the future. If outsiders heard it, big trouble would arise.” Heaven has mercy, there was nothing improper between her and Gu Baiying. People who didn’t know would think she had done something to Gu Baiying.

Hong Su was displeased upon hearing this and righteously retorted: “Uncle Niu and I have always called him that, and we haven’t seen Young Master Gu get angry. Why should Miss care?”

Zanxing looked at Gu Baiying and asked incredulously: “You’re not angry?”

A trace of embarrassment quickly flashed through the young man’s eyes, then he said angrily: “Your maid—do you expect me to discipline her? What’s the use of my being angry?”

Zanxing hurriedly said: “Yes, yes, yes, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let Hong Su talk nonsense everywhere.” She glared at Hong Su: “Hong Su, hurry back inside.”

The little girl’s mouth turned down, her face full of grievance: “Miss, don’t be angry with Hong Su. When I called Young Master Gu before, Young Master Gu didn’t say anything. I thought Young Master Gu was very happy to be our Yang family’s son-in-law. I didn’t expect Young Master Gu to be unwilling in his heart. Sigh, Miss has been pampered by the family since childhood, never lifted a finger to do work, but after coming to Gufeng Mountain, no one cares for her, no one takes care of her, and even forgets her birthday. Finally finding a suitable son-in-law, but the son-in-law isn’t willing…” Hong Su became more and more sad as she spoke: “Won’t our Miss have to live alone and miserable for life?”

Zanxing listened with confusion in her heart. How did this lead to her living alone and miserable for life? Also, how could this little girl’s tears come so readily, catching people off guard?

Gu Baiying looked up at Zanxing: “Your birthday?”

Zanxing: “Ah?”

“Nine Heaven Summit” never wrote about the birthday of such a minor supporting character as ‘Miss Yang.’ Even if it had, with so many words, how could she possibly remember?

Hong Su thoughtfully provided a hint: “Miss’s birthday is the first day of next month.”

“The first day of the sixth month?” Gu Baiying’s expression shifted: “That’s not far off.”

Previously in Yue City, Miss’s birthday was very lively. Just the banquet tables alone numbered eight, and the congratulatory gifts from relatives and friends couldn’t fit in the house.” Hong Su’s words were of questionable truth: “This year in the sect, I wonder if she’ll receive even one birthday gift. Definitely not, since Miss has forgotten her birthday.”

Zanxing watched with amazement. Hong Su was wasted not being an opera performer—this was a master among masters.

Gu Baiying, a young and spirited youth, obviously couldn’t handle Hong Su’s hints. After a pause, he stood up and said: “Forget it, it’s getting late. Yang Zanxing, rest early. I’m going back.”

He hurriedly left the courtyard of Xiaoyao Hall. Hong Su brought her mouth close to Zanxing’s ear and whispered: “Miss, I guarantee he’s gone to prepare a birthday gift for you.”

Zanxing looked at her: “You practically wrote ‘come give me gifts’ on your face. How could he not give?”

“That’s also for Miss’s sake.” Hong Su earnestly grasped Zanxing’s hand: “Today, I went to Miss Liu’s place to investigate. Young Master Mu and Miss Liu have already made things clear—his sweetheart is Immortal Meng. Compared to Immortal Meng, Miss, your chances aren’t great. Since we can’t win Young Master Mu, let’s settle for second best and first catch Young Master Gu. We’ll make do for now and switch to someone better later.”

Zanxing inexplicably thought of Gu Baiying’s words: “This stick barely matches your status as a personal disciple. When there’s something better in the future, it won’t be too late to replace it.”

She wondered what Gu Baiying would think knowing he had become that “second choice.”

She stood up from the threshold, patted Hong Su’s shoulder, and walked into the house, murmuring to herself: “Later, later—but first there has to be a later.”

Making do while looking for better—don’t let her fall before even finding that better option.

…

As soon as Gu Baiying returned to Xiaoyao Hall, he heard Mendong holding forth to Mu Cengxiao inside: “Very good, you’re doing very well. Memorize these little poems by heart. When chatting with Senior Sister Meng in the future, recite one or two lines from time to time, and she’ll look at you with new eyes.”

Gu Baiying couldn’t help pressing his forehead.

Yueguang Daoren was usually busy teaching disciples. Mendong was naturally blessed with immortal spiritual apertures and had a special constitution, so he didn’t need to cultivate diligently. Having nothing to do all day, he loitered in Xiaoyao Hall from morning to night. When Mu Cengxiao looked for someone, he didn’t need to go to Yueguang Daoren’s hall—he could come directly to Xiaoyao Hall.

Gu Baiying walked in from outside, put down his Embroidered Bone Spear, crossed his arms, and leaned against a pillar to coldly observe these two juniors’ earnest discussion.

Mu Cengxiao was very humble: “But currently, Senior Sister doesn’t treat me any differently…”

“You haven’t shown Senior Sister Meng anything special either. You need to let her feel that in your heart, she’s different from others, unique, the most important person in your heart.” Mendong tugged at his pink hair ribbon, speaking with authority.

Mu Cengxiao’s face reddened: “How should I show that?”

“There are many ways.” Mendong picked up tea and took a sip, moistening his throat before continuing: “Bringing her an umbrella when it rains, reminding her to drink hot water during her monthly cycle, sharing good poetry with her… these are the details women want.”

“But… Senior Sister Meng doesn’t seem like someone who would care about these things.” Mu Cengxiao hesitated somewhat.

“Wrong, that’s what you think.” Mendong said, “Listen to me. In a few days, go pick out a gift for her. Otherwise, what’s the difference between you two and ordinary fellow disciples? Cultivating together, progressing together—keep going like that and you’ll become brothers.”

Gu Baiying raised his eyebrows slightly.

“Then… I wonder what Senior Sister Meng likes?” Mu Cengxiao hesitated for a moment: “I originally wanted to give her a sword, but top-grade spirit artifacts are rare. I’m afraid anything I find won’t compare to her own Moon Soul. Those pills and spiritual herbs—Senior Sister Meng has seen plenty, so I can’t present them.”

“Giving spirit artifacts—you thought of that. With your approach, you’d better give up on Senior Sister Meng early. You really can’t teach a block of wood. Let me tell you…”

Gu Baiying’s ears quietly perked up. The next moment, Mendong discovered him behind the pillar and said, strangely, “Master Uncle, when did you return?”

“…”

Gu Baiying walked out with a cold expression: “Just now.” After a pause, he spoke again: “What were you just talking about?”

“About how Senior Brother Mu wanted to give Senior Sister Meng spirit artifacts, pills, and spiritual herbs,” Mendong sighed, “If I were Senior Sister Meng, I’d be furious.”

Gu Baiying’s expression shifted slightly: “Then what should he give?”

“Rouge, jewelry, little lanterns!” Mendong said without hesitation, “There’s nothing good on our mountain, but women’s trinkets are plentiful down the mountain. From jewelry and gold and silver to rouge and face powder, plus things like sugar figurines, lanterns, sachets, and flowers—forget the senior sisters, even I’m tempted to look at them. The senior sisters see things related to cultivation every day in the sect. If you’re going to give something, at least give something different.”

“Jewelry and gold and silver?”

“Huajin Tower has them.” Mendong was very knowledgeable about these things: “Shopkeeper Jin herself is so beautiful—the jewelry in her building is quite good.”

“But things at Huajin Tower are expensive, right?” Mu Cengxiao hesitated somewhat. Although he had now become Xuan Lingzi’s disciple, he could use medicines and spiritual herbs in the sect, but he couldn’t take them down the mountain to sell. And Taiyan Sect couldn’t compare to Yinfeng Sect with its mines—the spirit stones distributed to disciples each month were just decent. Meng Ying had never lacked anything since childhood. Buying jewelry of ordinary quality would be inappropriate.

“Then just buy some rouge, face powder, and little trinkets.” Mendong sighed: “You’re so stupid, I don’t know what Yang Zanxing and Liu Yunxin see in you. Right, Master Uncle… Master Uncle?” Mendong wanted to seek Gu Baiying’s opinion, but when he turned around, he saw Gu Baiying had already walked into the house on his own.

“Even Master Uncle couldn’t bear to listen anymore.” He sighed deeply and patted Mu Cengxiao’s shoulder: “Think it over carefully.”

Mu Cengxiao nodded confusedly: “…Oh.”