Looking at Cheng Jian’s proud expression, Qin Yu gritted her teeth in frustration.
What was going on here? Could it be that a single mistake of hers had brought their paths intersecting once again? As soon as the disciple selection ended, unable to care about anything else, Qin Yu anxiously barged straight into Yu Qingya’s room.
Just as she returned to her quarters, Yu Qingya saw Qin Yu’s figure. Understanding the situation instantly, she furrowed her brows slightly before finally speaking first: “You are in such a rush to find me. Surely it is not on account of that Cheng Jian, is it?”
Qin Yu felt a jolt in her heart. Could Yu Qingya have already sensed something? However, driven by the trust she held for the other woman, she ultimately nodded.
So it really is because of that man, Yu Qingya thought to herself.
Yet, going to such painstaking lengths, willing to unleash her ultimate killer move just to keep someone out of the sect, what kind of commotion was this? “If you are here to ask for him back, you can save your breath.”
There was a hint of irritation in Yu Qingya’s voice. Having sensed Cheng Jian’s malicious intent, she had wanted to keep the person right under her nose, only to realize that this person might not even appreciate the gesture.
Seeing Yu Qingya’s furrowed brow, Qin Yu could no longer hold back and hurried to explain, “Older Sister, I do not want him. It is just that keeping a person like that around might spell disaster.”
These words genuinely shocked Yu Qingya. Bringing Cheng Jian into the Lotus Pavilion stemmed mostly from the belief that Qin Yu was too innocent and vulnerable to being secretly harmed, but who could have expected that Qin Yu shared the exact same apprehension?
“What do you mean?”
Yu Qingya was already quite pleased that Qin Yu could perceive the danger Cheng Jian posed.
“Older Sister, do you remember the dream I told you about? In the dream, someone used a soul jade to harm you. Actually, what I did not say was that it harmed the Ancient Tree Sect as well. Therefore, for your sake and the sake of my family, I cannot afford to take this risk.”
“However, keeping him around anywhere will ultimately remain a hidden hazard.”
Qin Yu knew that if she could not provide a solid reason, the other woman certainly would not believe her.
“For my sake?”
Yu Qingya softly repeated those words, looking at Qin Yu with a slightly dazed gaze.
For some reason, Qin Yu found herself flustered by that stare. The other’s eyes seemed like a bottomless black hole, eager to pull her deep inside.
Realizing that her words sounded somewhat ambiguous, and knowing just how cold and detached Yu Qingya’s temperament was, Qin Yu cleared her throat and said solemnly, “Well, after all, Qingya Sister has been guiding my cultivation all this time. A person must know how to show gratitude for kindness, right?”
Watching Qin Yu laugh carelessly, Yu Qingya found it hard to describe the feeling blooming in her heart.
It left her feeling somewhat bewildered, tinged with a faint sense of disappointment.
“Mm. Once the sect assembly concludes and we return to the Ancient Tree Sect, you must not neglect your training.”
A faint reluctance lingered in Yu Qingya’s heart. Perhaps it was simply because, throughout her past years, very few people had ever cared for her while looking past her icy exterior that pushed everyone a thousand miles away.
Qin Yu nodded. Suddenly remembering something else, she eagerly pulled an item out like a treasure presentation and handed it straight to Yu Qingya.
“Qingya Sister, thank you for your guidance during this time. As the head disciple of the Lotus Pavilion, you must have seen countless rare heavenly treasures far surpassing anything I own. I do not have anything impressive to give you, so I can only handmake this for you. I hope you will not mind it.”
Yu Qingya accepted it from Qin Yu’s hands. It was a sword tassel that looked somewhat crooked and clumsily made, making it clear that the maker was not very skilled.
“What is this? Though it looks a bit rough around the edges, it certainly has a unique charm of its own.”
Yu Qingya could not help letting out a soft chuckle.
“Sister, you smiled.”
Qin Yu stared blankly at Yu Qingya, suddenly understanding why ancient emperors would commit all sorts of absurd deeds just to win a beauty’s smile.
Hearing this, Yu Qingya quickly reined in her smile and cast a sidelong glance at Qin Yu. “You have not told me what this is yet.”
Knowing when to quit while she was ahead, Qin Yu hurriedly replied, “This is a little fish! I will not be able to see Qingya Sister soon, so I hope that whenever Sister sees this tassel, you will think of me.”
After saying that, Qin Yu could not help feeling a wave of shyness.
After all, she had not even known what she was doing at the time, as she had simply woven a tassel based on the homophone of her own name. By the time she realized it, it was already too late to redo it.
“Xiao You, little fish. Not bad at all, you are quite resourceful with your hands.”
Yu Qingya rubbed the sword tassel with her slender, porcelain-white fingers, lost in thought.
Watching Yu Qingya’s movements, Qin Yu could not help feeling as though an electric current had just coursed through her body.
That action of Yu Qingya’s felt almost as if she were gently stroking her spine.
After a moment, Yu Qingya regained her composure. Seemingly remembering something, she handed an item over to Qin Yu as well.
When Qin Yu took it and looked closely, it turned out to be a jade pendant.
Once she clearly saw the intricate engravings and patterns on it, she was left in a state of utter shock.
“This, this is…” Qin Yu never imagined that Yu Qingya would give her such an item.
“This jade pendant was given to me by Master, intended for the future sect leader. Perhaps fearing my usual carelessness, she happened to make two of them. To see this pendant is to see the sect leader herself.”
Seeing Qin Yu’s stunned expression, Yu Qingya offered an explanation.
“Sister, I understand all of that, but why would you give me something so important?”
Qin Yu asked herself: she had just arrived in this realm, and her interactions with Yu Qingya were not even that extensive.
Moreover, if someone were petty, they would consider themselves lucky if they did not hold a grudge after being defeated in public by an ordinary newcomer, let alone take the time to guide her cultivation every single day.
And now, handing over an item of such monumental importance meant what, exactly?
“Did you not also personally make and gift me a sword tassel?” Yu Qingya looked at Qin Yu with a hint of perplexity.
“That is different…” Qin Yu did not know how to explain this matter to Yu Qingya, yet it felt impossible to articulate.
“You gave me an important gift, and I am giving you an important gift in return. Is that not how it should be? If you ever wish to see me in the future, just bring this jade pendant to the Lotus Pavilion, and you can see me anytime. It will save a lot of trouble, too.”
Seeing Qin Yu still looking at her anxiously, Yu Qingya offered this reassurance in hopes of putting the other’s mind at ease.
“Sister, what are we to each other now?”
For some reason, those words slipped past Qin Yu’s lips. Everything happening right now seemed to transcend her understanding.
After all, according to the book, this jade pendant was supposed to belong to the male protagonist later on. How had it ended up in her hands instead?
Had she unknowingly altered the course of destiny in some way?
Seeing Qin Yu looking so tense, Yu Qingya smiled. “We are friends. The best of friends.”
In Yu Qingya’s understanding, perhaps only friends could spend time together so comfortably, and feel a lingering reluctance when facing a parting.
A trace of disappointment washed over Qin Yu’s heart, but she quickly forced a bright smile onto her face. “Right, friends. We are the best of friends.”