Good temperament, not prone to anger.
And already married, so thereās no need to worry about any scandalous emotions.
Mind you, someone like Qinling, who is both good-looking and prefers girls, would feel uncomfortable whether alone with a man or a woman.
Yet in Qinlingās mind, heās the "harmless" type, so even if they were sitting across from each other drinking tea, thereās absolutely no worry about any romantic feelings, nor jealousy from anyone he likes.
No wonder... she always says sheās not like a man.
"Uncle, Iām ultimately still your junior." Xu Changāan hinted for her to behave a bit more, not to lose face.
"Iāll add money."
"...?"
Then, Xu Changāan saw Qinling reach for another crystal-clear Spirit Stone on the table, saying to him, "Extend the conversation for another quarter of an hour."
Xu Changāan was speechless, pocketed the Spirit Stone, and entered work mode.
Essentially, listening to Qinlingās complaints for Spirit Stones is no different from drinking tea, listening to music, and playing chess for contribution points with the seniors at Muyu Peakāhe feels justified.
"Youāre really not holding back." Qinling discontentedly said.
"This doesnāt even compare to the value of the bag of Qi Replenishing Pills you once gifted, what should I be cautious about." Xu Changāan stated calmly.
Like said before, supporting a family, one shouldnāt falter.
Most importantly, Qinling is not an outsider.
He wouldnāt just accept Spirit Stones from anyone.
"So if I help you, run around for money and paperwork, shouldnāt you also give me some Spirit Stones?" Qinling stared at him.
Xu Changāan calmly pressed his hand against his waist and said, "You are a senior."
Qinling: "..."
Rarely at a loss for words, she had nothing to say.
"I am a senior, I should." Qinling placed Li Hua on her shoulder and continued, "I once said you were like a mirror... turns out I was very right."
Qinling thought, she seemed to always be "bullying" Xu Changāan, but actually... she was just a bit unwilling.
Yes, unwilling.
To this day, Qinling doesnāt understand why she isnāt usually talkative, always hiding things inside.
Yet upon seeing Xu Changāan... she became like an innocent girl, saying things she shouldnāt, even embarrassing things to him. As if... she did not want, nor could, deceive him.
She hadnāt met Xu Changāan many times, yet somehow revealed all her embarrassing secrets.
As if looking into a mirror, every flaw was clearly exposed.
"You are a frightening child." Qinling seriously said.
Xu Changāan couldnāt respond to this, only waiting quietly for her to continue.
Qinling pondered for a moment before saying, "Actually, itās more than just a mirror, youāre also water... You have a Water Attribute talent, Iām starting to understand a bit."
"What do you understand?" Xu Changāan thought he didnāt understand at all.
Thereās nothing on earth that canāt be washed clean with water, including a personās facade.
"Nothing." Qinling brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, contemplating before asking, "Has anyone ever said you were like a mirror?"
"Senior Wen seems to have mentioned it." Xu Changāan nodded.
"Senior... Wen?" Qinling paused, then her expression turned odd, as she said, "Are you speaking of the Senior Sister Wen from Muyu Peak, Wen Li?"
Qinling unintentionally encountered her once before, the sight of Wen Li with a cloud cape and a white umbrella adorned with pear blossoms was quite astonishing.
The prideful aura she carried reminded Qinling of the former Zhu Tongjun.
"Whatās wrong?" Xu Changāan watched her, wondering if thereās another Senior Wen on Muyu Peak.
"Nothing, nothing." Qinling softly said, "Iāve heard from the girls that sheās changed a lot lately, showing interest in rankings, going out..."
Sheās even started wearing skirts.
Her hair has also grown longer than before.
No wonder...
Back then, it had intrigued her how Xu Changāan managed to even invite Wen Li to be Yun Qianās Guide, knowing even she couldnāt pose as a senior in front of Wen Liāthe girl was dazzlingly formidable, unlike Xu Changāan the "little miser".
Now... it makes a bit more sense.
"Uncle, are you alright?" Xu Changāan didnāt understand Qinlingās strange gaze.
"I said itās fine." Qinling stood up, slightly bent, patting Xu Changāanās shoulder and smilingly said, "As for others, itās different, but you, this youngster... I feel reassured."
If itās Xu Changāan, Qinling believes thereās no need for any reminder, he would certainly handle things well.
Besides, Miss Yun already mentioned it, no jealousy.
"Whatās that saying..." Qinling mentioned under Xu Changāanās questioning gaze, "As long as youāre having fun."
Hearing familiar words from Qinling, Xu Changāan paused before saying, "Did Miss Yun tell you that?"
"When I brought you the Fire Stone." Qinling pointed to the writing on the wall she imitated: "Thatās something I saw during the visit, liked it so much that I copied it down later."
"Alright." Xu Changāan shook his head, his curiosity has always been mild.
Actually, Xu Changāan isnāt dull, just self-aware. Plus, considering Senior Wen is extremely outstanding, and... even Wen Li hasnāt sorted out her feelings toward Xu Changāan, naturally he wouldnāt know.
He actually shares a resemblance to Sikong Jing, as a Sword Cultivator... when he looks at Wen Li, he only sees a mountain to aspire to, rarely... or just not as a girl.
At this moment, Qinling realized she might be overthinkingāafter all, itās that pear blossom.
Perhaps, Wen Li is interested in Yun Qian.
"What was I saying earlier." Qinling blinked, "Oh, does the raccoon demon raised at Muyu Peak have a name? I need a reference."
"Yes." Xu Changāan said, "I gave it a name."
"You donāt raise it, but you gave it a name." Qinling glanced at him.
"Senior Sister thought it was quite nice." Xu Changāan replied.
"Senior Sister?" Qinlingās eyes narrowed.
"Usually, the creature only visits me occasionally, most of its time is spent at Senior Sisterās courtyard. Since she didnāt mind, the name was set." Xu Changāan explained.
"You mentioned Senior Sister, youāre not talking about Miss Wen again, are you?" Qinling suddenly realized.
"Yes."
"Never mind." Qinling rubbed her brow.
"Uncle, the Senior Sister should also be your junior, why do you keep referring to her as Miss Wen."
"Junior? Iām certainly not qualified to be her elder, thatās Wen Li... Wen Li, that pear blossom..."
Qinling looked at Xu Changāan with a puzzled expression before saying, "I didnāt expect she would also like raccoons... was it because of that you started talking to her? I might have overthought it earlier."
Indeed, she had used a biased perspective, not everything in the world is about romantic feelings between men and women.
"So what name did you give Li Hua that Miss Wen also accepted?" Qinling suddenly became interested, evidently thinking that a name approved by such a high-ranking flower must be worth referencing.
"Xiaohua." Xu Changāan said as a matter of course.
Qinling looked at him with rightful pride amid a little confusion, a question mark floated above her head.
"...?"
"Say it again." Qinling said, "I didnāt catch it."
"Xiaohua." Xu Changāan repeated.
Hmm.
"Youāre not good at naming, are you?" Qinling pointed at his face with her fair fingers.
Listen.
Xiaohua?
Anyone with some ability wouldnāt use such a common name. Qinling felt even she, not being great at understanding style, was better than him.
"I... indeed am not." Xu Changāan shook his head, thinking if he had that ability, he wouldnāt have hesitated over whether his surname should be Xu or Gu for so long.
"Miss Wen thinks this name is nice?" Qinling asked.
"Senior Sister said itās very nice." Xu Changāan recalled the past and nodded. Actually, he was a bit surprised himself, not knowing why "Xiaohua" sounded nice, but Wen Li really liked it, and since Li Hua usually lived with her, the name was confirmed.
Wen Li really liked it.
After all, for a pear blossom.
Itās truly a good name.
āā
North Garden.
Yun Qian held a pen with her beautiful hands, slowly drifting it across the paper, leaving behind a name.
Wen Li.
"Like him, or not like him?"
Fingers tapped on the name, pondering something.