In this world, there are strange things like this where the spectators see clearly.
The affection in Xu Changāanās eyes doesnāt distinguish between Yin and Yang. He only knows that Zhu Pingniangās feelings for Li Zhibai are akin to his own for Miss Yun.
That confirms itās love.
Yet Zhu Pingniang hasnāt figured out her feelings towards Li Zhibai and even considered abandoning their affection... Xu Changāan finds it quite intriguing.
Both ladies have been kind to him, and their friendship is already strong. If he could do something for them, as a junior, itās undoubtedly his duty.
"Kid."
Zhu Pingniang swallowed. Unusually, she asked cautiously, "Are you okay?"
"Me? Iām fine."
Xu Changāan looked at Zhu Pingniang strangely, sensing something amiss with his sister, but still shook his head: "Where were we just now?"
"...About Ah Baiās matter, perhaps it was finished."
Zhu Pingniang said.
She didnāt know why Xu Changāan suddenly behaved oddly, as if he had become a different person. The gleam in his eyes made her uneasy... but Zhu Pingniang was a smart person.
She wasnāt interested in Xu Changāanās thoughts and didnāt want to know what he was thinking.
She remembered that Xu Changāan was very avoidant about Li Zhibaiās matters.
From the moment they met to the end of the recent conversation, whenever she mentioned Li Zhibai, Xu Changāan would act like he didnāt want to hear it, so apprehensive that he wanted to find a crevice to hide in.
Thus, Zhu Pingniang knew Xu Changāan wanted nothing to do with her and Ah Baiās issues.
So, this topic created a good opportunity to end the conversation with Xu Changāan.
"Sir?"
What dumbfounded Zhu Pingniang was that this time, Xu Changāan was not the least bit evasive. Not only did he not end the topic, he inexplicably nodded, curiously asking:
"What happened next?"
"...?"
"..."
The two stared at each other for a while, until Zhu Pingniang wiped her eyes, and Xu Changāan frowned: "Ms. Zhu?"
"Ah... itās nothing."
Zhu Pingniang saw the worried look in Xu Changāanās eyes and suddenly began doubting herself.
Could it be she was getting old?
Was he unafraid of this topic?
Did she see it wrong previously?
Forget it, if he wants to know, sheāll tell him. Itās nothing shameful, anyway.
"Changāan, you must be curious why I, doing well in the Immortal Sect, would come to stay at the Flower Moon Building in Beisang City, right?" Zhu Pingniang asked.
"Not really curious. You must have your reasons."
"Donāt sweet talk, but indeed... guarding the Array Hub is part of it. Actually, itās because I wanted to leave." Zhu Pingniang shook her head: "I wanted to leave because... I dared not stay at Muyu Peak anymore."
Perhaps it was being unsure how to face a dear friend, thinking of coming down to do some good to please her, only to find that once in the Flower Moon Building, she no longer wanted to leave.
"As a junior, I donāt quite understand these matters, but... the teacher does worry about you." Xu Changāan said.
As Xu Changāanās words fell, Zhu Pingniang was suddenly stunned.
She instinctively raised her head, meeting Xu Changāanās eyes, clearly seeing serious emotions in them.
"Ah Bai... Ah Bai worries about me?" Zhu Pingniang stood up in disbelief: "Donāt lie to your sister."
Why worry when thereās no danger?
Given Li Zhibaiās nature... when she returned injured from the Demon Sect years ago, Li Zhibai just scolded a bit, took the Daoist Canon, and made her a medicine pot for months.
Worry was never an emotion sheād seen in Li Zhibaiās eyes.
"Yes." Xu Changāan didnāt hesitate at all.
Li Zhibai is certainly worried.
Upon learning of Zhu Pingniangās current situation and comparing to the Ming Immortal fairy in the painting, Xu Changāan clearly remembered the teacher sighing a few times and ultimately sighing helplessly.
Li Zhibai self-muttered a phrase at that time.
[Alas, her age is still young, even though sheās traversed through the Charm Techniqueās world Refining Heart, there is still a considerable distance from the Qiankun Realm...]
At that moment, Xu Changāan was only surprised that Li Zhibai said Zhu Pingniang was still young, and marveled at her cultivation.
But now, after understanding some of their relationship, when Xu Changāan recalls, he can feel a thick sense of worry and affection in Li Zhibaiās tone.
That was plainly the helplessness of an elder sister towards a younger sister messing about in the Lower Realm.
Even knowing Zhu Pingniang couldnāt be hurt, still worried.
"Donāt lie to me, she being away from me for these years is a good thing, as I wouldnāt trouble her." Zhu Pingniang completely didnāt believe, shook her head vigorously, her ribbon loosening much.
"If Ah Bai were worried about me, it wouldnāt be that she till this day doesnāt know what Iām doing at Flower Moon Building, or how Iām like..."
Itās all Xu Changāan told, that Li Zhibai knows.
The letter only recently came, mostly discussing Xu Changāan and Muyu Peak matters, with not a word of personal care.
How can she believe.
"I wouldnāt know, but you must know your teacherās nature better than I." Xu Changāan smiled: "The teacher is always like that."
For example, Xu Changāan remembers when he was not well, upon meeting Li Zhibai, she threw him an elixir to eat.
Without a word of explanation or care.
What use is the elixir, only after eating did he know.
But that was her care.
Thinking of this, Xu Changāan sighed softly.
Right.
This clearly the taciturn, aloof woman is his teacher; how is it she becomes a completely different person when encountering Miss Yun?
Up till now, Xu Changāan still canāt understand why Li Zhibai, wearing a little dress, holding a tea party with Miss Yun was...
Why is that!
This world, indeed, is very strange.
āā
Listening to Xu Changāanās words, Zhu Pingniang was silent for a long time and then nodded: "Youāre right, sheās always like that. Actually... Ah Bai completely not questioning my affairs in the brothel, Iāve given Ah Bai reasons."
If Li Zhibai discovers the big changes over the years, sheād wonder if Zhu Pingniang had found a future path through Refining Heart.
Tong Jun is the Fairy name.
Li Zhibai would think, if she discarded Zhu Tongjunās name, it means letting go of the past?
Hence, to avoid disturbing my Refining Heart, Li Zhibai didnāt ask or come to see me.
That was once Zhu Pingniangās reason for Li Zhibai not seeing her, words comforting herself.
Zhu Pingniang could only come up with such reasons for Li Zhibai, not to think she was living comfortably without this mischievous spirit.
Yes, in fact, Li Zhibai was just as Zhu Pingniang thought she was giving reasons, she was thinking like that.
But Zhu Pingniang didnāt know, and she shook her head.
"Ah Bai, she surely is thinking about her formulas again."
Zhu Pingniang stared at Xu Changāan: "When Ah Bai talked about me with you, what else did she say?"
Xu Changāan: "..."
The spy work, is it starting then?
"Nothing is bad to say, your teacherās words are never afraid of outsiders knowing, besides, I donāt count as an outsider."
Zhu Pingniang worried Xu Changāan wouldnāt dare speak, her tone became much anxious.
"Sister, donāt rush." Xu Changāan helplessly.
He knows nothing needs hiding, but... are these words really okay to say?
Zhu Pingniang realized something, widened her eyes: "One sentence after another, I wonāt count you as rude."
"Thatās what you said."
Xu Changāan nodded, then spoke: "The teacher called you... trouble."
Xu Changāan initially thought Zhu Pingniang would be upset, but to his surprise, hearing this, she rather sighed in relief.
She clasped her hands together with a snap, then flopped onto the table like a salted fish.
"Humph, I said that Ah Bai thinks Iām trouble, because... sheās a quiet nature, whereas I cling to her, making her run around."
Zhu Pingniang rested her chin on her palm: "Then? What else did she say?"
"Um, your teacher also said you are rather young."
Zhu Pingniang: "..."
āā
The woman looked down at her chest.
Who was she calling a child?
Does Ah Bai also think sheās flat-chested?