“Stop talking nonsense!” Shiyue exclaimed, her cheeks flushed as she struggled to maintain her composure.
“Uhh… why does your voice sound so familiar?”
“Ah! I remember now! Your voice sounds just like my fiancée’s!”
“I-I am your fiancée,” Shiyue stammered, her face growing even redder.
“What?! Y-You’re Shiyue?”
Yanzhou stared at her in disbelief. Then, as if he had just discovered a priceless treasure, his eyes lit up.
“You’re absolutely beautiful! Why would you hide such a gorgeous face behind that veil? Isn’t that a terrible waste?”
“You—”
“Ah, I understand now!” Yanzhou interrupted, nodding as though he had reached a profound realization. “You must only show your face to the man you love. And since I’m your fiancé, naturally, I’m the exception!”
“Ugh, that’s not—”
“Shiyue, you don’t have to be embarrassed anymore. I understand!” He placed a hand over his chest, looking unusually sincere. “Don’t worry. I won’t tease you anymore. Shiyue, I promise I’ll never flirt with another woman again, and I’ll devote myself to martial training from now on!”
For some reason, Shiyue’s heart began to race when she heard those words.
She had heard countless stories about Shen Yanzhou flirting with other women. Normally, she paid little attention to such rumors, preferring to concentrate on her martial training instead. After all, she had always known what sort of person her fiancé was.
Yet hearing him make that promise directly to her felt strangely different.
A quiet happiness welled up inside her chest, accompanied by a warmth she couldn't quite explain.
She lowered her head, her fingers nervously gripping the edge of her robe.
“R-Really?” she asked softly.
“Of course!”
Yanzhou nodded vigorously.
“If I’m lying, may I be struck by lightning!”
BOOOOM!
A deafening clap of thunder suddenly echoed across Qinghe Prefecture.
Dark clouds had gathered overhead, and the rumble rolling across the sky heralded an approaching storm.
Yanzhou froze.
Damn it! Why did I have to say that?!
BOOOOM!
Another rumble of thunder shook the sky.
Yanzhou swallowed nervously.
Ugh! Damn you, heavens! What have I ever done to deserve this?!
He had only been trying to impress his fiancée. Who could have predicted that the heavens would respond so promptly?
Meanwhile, Shiyue glanced toward the darkening sky. Realizing that rain would soon begin to fall, she rose from her seat and reached for her veil.
“Since you've already woken up, I should return home,” she said, carefully putting it back on. “The rain will arrive soon.”
She adjusted the veil over her nose and mouth before turning to face him.
“Remember your promise. You must train seriously from now on. If you go back on your word…”
She paused and glanced meaningfully at the sky.
“Be careful of the lightning.”
Yanzhou stared at her in disbelief.
“Shiyue! Are you cursing your own husband?!”
“We aren't married yet!”
“Ah, that's right.”
Yanzhou scratched his head awkwardly, then quickly straightened his expression.
“Fine! I'll train seriously. I promise!”
He paused, however, before adding with a mischievous grin, “But I have one small request.”
Shiyue regarded him warily.
“What is it?”
“When we're alone together, like we are now, you have to take off your veil. How about it?”
“Y-You…”
Shiyue's face heated up beneath the thin fabric.
She had expected him to make another outrageous request, yet for some reason, the thought of letting him see her face didn't bother her as much as she had anticipated.
In fact, despite her embarrassment, there was a part of her that rather liked showing him her appearance.
She lowered her eyes, hesitating for a moment.
“Hmm… all right.”
Yanzhou's eyes immediately brightened.
Excellent! My fiancée is finally showing signs of progress!
Before he could celebrate aloud, however, Shiyue reached into her belongings and took out a book.
“This is a manual about Seed Opening,” she explained, placing it beside him. “The Seed Opening ceremony will take place in three days. You should read it carefully and make sure you understand the fundamentals before then.”
Yanzhou glanced at the book.
It carried a faint, pleasant fragrance that reminded him of her.
Even her book smells wonderful. As expected of my fiancée!
Shiyue, unaware of his thoughts, continued speaking.
“Seed Opening is an important step in a cultivator's life. You shouldn't approach it carelessly. Make sure you study the contents properly.”
She straightened her clothes and prepared to leave.
“I'm going now. Remember both of your promises.”
Her voice was still gentle, though a little shy.
With that, she hurried toward the door before Yanzhou could tease her any further.
Even with her veil covering her face, the warmth in her cheeks had yet to fade.
As she walked away, her heart continued beating a little faster than usual.
Behind her, Shen Yanzhou watched her retreating figure with a satisfied smile.
Then he turned his attention to the book lying beside him.
His smile gradually widened.
“Three days, huh…”
He leaned back against the bed, looking at the ceiling.
“Looks like my days of enjoying a carefree life are officially over.”
He paused.
“Still, if training means I get to spend more time with a beautiful fiancée like Shiyue…”
A shameless grin spread across his face.
“Perhaps cultivation won't be so terrible after all!”