Chapter 288 - 0187 This is also the nature of men (two in one)

The rain was falling from the sky, and Liu Qingluo walked through the water with an umbrella, a faint layer of watery light covering her eyes. She couldn’t help but look up at the sky, where the heavy clouds were clearly dark, yet gave off an untainted feeling—almost... a sanctified darkness.

Dark yet sacred, just like Ms. Yun—that was what Liu Qingluo inexplicably thought.

And then she wondered why she was afraid before.

Being liked by the Young Master, shouldn’t it be a good thing?

If she didn’t want the Young Master to notice her, then why did she give him a jug of Daughter Red Wine to taste?

"I wanted to be praised..." Liu Qingluo sighed softly, suddenly pausing in her steps. She lowered her head, her fingers covering her lower abdomen.

That feeling... had returned.

This automatic cultivation talent... she still needed some time to adjust to it.

"Gu, what are you..."

When Liu Qingluo returned to the tree she was at earlier, she saw Gu Qiancheng looking a bit disheveled, her clothes messy and the Little Bell in a different spot compared to when Liu Qingluo had left.

"I’m... I’m fine, the sisters called me over for a bit." Gu Qiancheng thought to herself that she had just been dragged away by a bunch of old women for questioning, but she kept her words tight, not revealing Liu Qingluo’s Immortal Talent.

However, she couldn’t hide how she knew Yun Qian, Liu Qingluo’s background, and Yun Qian’s fondness for drinking.

Gu Qiancheng patted the mud off Liu Qingluo’s body: "But look at you, Sister, how did you end up like this?"

"I accidentally stepped on something and fell." Liu Qingluo confessed truthfully.

"Sister, you’re already in the Open Source Realm, how could you fall..." Gu Qiancheng shook her head: "It’s good to have a teacher, no need to rush now."

Gu Qiancheng chuckled, completely unconcerned about the mud on Liu Qingluo, and hugged her affectionately, speaking softly: "Sister Liu, what did Ms. Yun call you over for?"

She had no jealousy, only a faint admiration.

"Nothing much, just asked me about some wine matters." Liu Qingluo said.

"Is that so?" Gu Qiancheng was a little disappointed at this, and didn’t pursue it further.

"...Are you fine with just knowing this?" Liu Qingluo asked in surprise. She thought Gu Qiancheng’s obsession with Yun Qian would have her probing endlessly.

"With your personality, Sister Liu, there’s not much else you both could talk about." Gu Qiancheng said, "I guessed you wouldn’t talk for long."

Liu Qingluo: "..."

She was looked down upon by a young girl.

Yet she had no grounds to refute. Faced with Yun Qian, she always found herself on the passive end.

As they spoke, Liu Qingluo suddenly stiffened, her gaze focusing on a distant umbrella headed toward a pavilion amidst the rain.

"..."

All her fears, her unease about the future, her apprehension of Muyu Peak—all vanished in that moment, leaving only a slight upturn at the corners of her lips, with the gleam in her eyes seemingly affecting those around her.

Gu Qiancheng was momentarily stunned by Liu Qingluo’s sudden smile but quickly regained her senses.

In this world, the only person who could make Liu Qingluo show such an expression... was just one person.

Gu Qiancheng looked at Xu Chang’an, who was walking towards Yun Qian with an umbrella, blinked, and muttered to herself: "He really does have a good appearance, no wonder the sisters all favor him..."

"Yes, Young Master Xu is naturally..." Liu Qingluo began to agree instinctively, but when she saw the gentle look Xu Chang’an cast towards the pavilion, she immediately caught herself and wondered aloud: "What is the Young Master up to? Why leave Ms. Yun here alone?"

"I heard from the senior sisters that he’s gone to the Dining Hall, for ingredients..." Gu Qiancheng glanced at Xu Chang’an’s waist, snorted, "Probably put it in a Storage Pouch. Judging by the style, which senior sister’s item did he borrow this time?"

"Buying ingredients... to prepare dinner, I suppose." Liu Qingluo nodded, then glanced curiously at Gu Qiancheng.

She saw Gu Qiancheng couldn’t help but swallow.

"I must admit, the things he makes... are really delicious." Gu Qiancheng bit her lip, realizing she was indeed hungry after being fussed over by the senior sisters.

Listening to her, Liu Qingluo realized something and asked, "Have you tasted the Young Master’s cooking?"

"Once." Just thinking about Xu Chang’an going back to cook for Yun Qian, where she’d not only enjoy delicious food but also Yun Qian’s company, made Gu Qiancheng’s jealousy almost overflow.

For a moment, Gu Qiancheng didn’t know whether she was more envious of the tasty food or having Miss Yun’s company.

Ah.

If only she were Sister Yun’s daughter, she’d have delicious food and Mother.

With these two things, an unknown father... is a fair trade.

——

Liu Qingluo looked at Xu Chang’an’s figure in the distance, sighing lightly, unsure of what she felt inside.

She... had never tasted the Young Master’s cooking, while Gu Qiancheng had.

Even she wasn’t as fortunate as a child.

"Let’s go." Gu Qiancheng, feeling hungry, didn’t want to look any longer.

Liu Qingluo responded, leading the way with her umbrella.

——

"...?"

Xu Chang’an suddenly sensed something and immediately looked over.

He didn’t see Liu Qingluo, but he did see Gu Qiancheng beside her. The girl was just about to turn with a small red umbrella, and he caught a glimpse of her face.

"Gu Qiancheng?" Xu Chang’an blinked.

He had a vivid impression of this little girl who claimed to have fallen in love at first sight with Miss Yun, and related to Steward Zhu.