"In that case, Ah Li, since youâre here today, donât be in a hurry to leave. As it happens... there should be a girl at tonightâs all-night banquet that might pique your interest," Zhu Pingniang clapped her hands.
"Me?" Wen Li was a bit puzzled.
Something sheâs interested in?
Is it about Junior Brother and Junior Sister Yun?
"Half-demon, itâs the half-demon." Zhu Pingniang winked. "Iâve got a rather attractive half-demon under my wing whoâs going to perform a dance soon. You canât miss it."
Upon hearing this, Wen Li felt a bit helpless.
A half-demon dance, whatâs so special about that, just because she herself used to be a half-demon?
Wen Li had no interest in this so-called half-demon dance. Not to mention she herself was well-versed in the Six Arts for Women... even if she wasnât, is it really that interesting to watch a girl from a brothel twist her body?
Sheâd rather go back up the mountain to watch Xiaohua twist around.
Moreover...
Wen Li was a bit worried whether the Thunder Tribulation she invoked earlier would affect Xiaohua. If it frightened that little girl, Junior Brother would surely be worried when he found her wilting later.
Zhu Pingniang looked at Wen Liâs indifferent expression and was somewhat exasperated, "You may now look like a girl, but you still lack that Exquisite Heart. As a woman, thereâs much cultivation you still need ... indeed."
"...?"
Wen Li blinked, only to hear Zhu Pingniang laugh and say, "Todayâs half-demon dance, Changâan and Yun Qian will also be watching... Ah Li, you do want to know... what their attitudes toward half-demons are, donât you."
Hearing Zhu Pingniangâs words, Wen Li froze.
Junior Brotherâs attitude towards... half-demons?
She looked at Zhu Pingniang.
"Interested, arenât you?" Zhu Pingniang had a triumphant look as if she had hit the mark, and she clapped her hands. "Changâan saying he doesnât care about half-demons is nothing, no matter how nicely he puts it, nothing beats seeing it with his own eyes. If he can truly enjoy the dance quietly... then it really means he doesnât care about the half-demon identity."
Zhu Pingniang paused, looking at Wen Li with a hint of meaning, "If thatâs the case, you would be very happy, wouldnât you."
"Mmm." Wen Li didnât hide anything and nodded straightforwardly.
Even though sheâs no longer a half-demon, she still wants to know... her Junior Brotherâs attitude toward half-demons.
Itâs only human nature.
So Wen Li agreed to attend the banquet today.
"Letâs go..." Zhu Pingniang stretched lazily, suddenly looking towards the door with a hint of confusion.
"Click-clack, click-clack, click-clack..."
It was the crisp sound of heeled shoes striking the deck of the boat.
Someone was coming.
"Whoâs here now?" Zhu Pingniang was somewhat displeased. She had given specific instructions that when she was talking with Wen Li, no girls were allowed to follow, no matter the circumstances they should first find LuâEr.
After all, what she and Wen Li were talking about was quite private, yet surprisingly some girl didnât listen.
Indicating Wen Li to wait a moment, Zhu Pingniang opened the door before the footsteps reached it.
"Who is..."
Zhu Pingniang opened the door and stopped mid-sentence.
"?" A strange feeling came over Wen Li as she curiously looked over.
Whoâs here?
But she didnât see anyone come in; instead... Zhu Pingniang suddenly "bang" closed the door, shutting the visitor out.
"???" Wen Li became even more puzzled.
What was the Senior Master doing?
Before she could ask, she saw Zhu Pingniangâs body stiffen as she turned around, leaning against the door, and stuttered, "A-Ah Li... am I dreaming?"
"Dreaming..." Wen Li couldnât understand.
As a cultivator, perhaps itâs been many years since sheâs dreamt, but to hear such words from Zhu Pingniangâs mouth was unexpected.
If it were any other Junior Sister saying such things, she would have to firmly correct them... as a cultivator, having a steadfast heart is extremely important, how could one speak of fantastical dreams just because reality doesnât align with oneâs mindscape.
Focusing a bit more, Wen Li looked at Zhu Pingniangâs uncontrollably trembling fingers and realized that this Senior Master was indeed in a panic.
What could cause this Senior Master to be this frantic?
As the Senior Master of Mu Yu Peak, she had heard rumors about affairs between Celestial Bright Peakâs Steward and the Senior Master.
Had Junior Master Qin arrived?
Clearly not.
If Qinling had arrived, Zhu Pingniang would have run, not be so nervous that her hands were shaking.
"D-Did I see wrong?" Zhu Pingniangâs breath was chaotic as she leaned against the wooden door, as if she could feel the slightly exasperated breaths from the person outside.
Did she see Ah Bai?
It had to be Ah Bai.
But the question was, why was Ah Bai dressed so beautifully?
Just now, hearing those crisp high heels, she couldnât in any way have guessed it was Li Zhibai outside the door.
Even with just a fleeting glimpse, she deeply imprinted the style of the clothes and skirt in her mind: a red dress, tightly wrapped, elegant and beautiful without any sensuality. From Zhu Pingniangâs perspective, the visitorâs features were exquisitely fine, with long, slightly curled eyelashes shadowing a pair of bright and gentle eyes.
And for some unknown reason, the moment Zhu Pingniang saw those eyes, she felt a hint of anger and embarrassment within them, causing her in her panic to shut the door, keeping Li Zhibai outside.
ââ
Outside the door, Li Zhibai pressed his fingers against her brow, helplessly.
Whatâs this girl playing at?
She made sure her steps were clear; it should have been obvious. Could it be that not seeing each other for a while, even my footsteps were unrecognizable to her?