“Senior brother, the Miss Qin you ntioned earlier, are you referring to Qin Qingwan?”
Zhu Cici looked seriously at Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng, her expression tinged with a trace of nervousness.
It was as if she were worried that her long-separated lover had found soone new during her absence.
“Well…” Yu Wenxi glanced at Miao Feng.
Miao Feng nodded calmly. “Indeed, it’s Miss Qin. The very sa Miss Qin from the Tianxuan Sect. She also went to the Baiwa Secret Realm. The few of us collaborated inside the realm and helped each other to escape. However, it was mostly thanks to Brother Xu.”
Zhu Cici pressed her lips lightly. “Are their relationship still close?”
“Hmm.” Miao Feng carefully chose his words. “From what we observed, their relationship does seem close. But that’s only natural—they grew up together, after all. It’s just the kind of bond between childhood friends.”
“I see…” Zhu Cici said slowly, her expression visibly relaxing.
Yu Wenxi glanced at Miao Feng, thinking, You talk about Brother Xu and Miss Qin’s relationship as if they’re just ordinary friends. But where do they look like just ordinary friends? Have you ever seen ‘ordinary friends’ willing to stand by soone’s side and face death together?
Miao Feng returned Yu Wenxi’s gaze, his expression saying, What else could I say?
Besides, Miao Feng didn’t think he was entirely wrong. From his perspective, Brother Xu and Miss Qin did look like just friends. Whether they were more than that, how would he know?
“Mr. Xu has helped our academy greatly. Haven’t the two senior brothers invited him to our academy for a drink?” Zhu Cici asked with a smile.
Yu Wenxi replied, “Of course, we have. But Brother Xu said he wanted to continue traveling the world. He promised that if he passed by White Deer Academy and had the ti, he would visit. After all, our academy is quite far from the Wu Kingdom.”
“Indeed,” Miao Feng added. “Brother Xu plans to return to the capital next year to participate in the selection for the Rootless Secret Realm. He likely won’t have much free ti.”
Both Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng knew exactly what Zhu Cici was hinting at.
She wanted to ask, When will Xu Ming co to the academy?
But how could they say, Brother Xu plans to visit the Tianxuan Sect and the Wanjian Sect, but he probably won’t co to White Deer Academy? That wouldn’t do.
“That makes sense. The Rootless Secret Realm will be opening for the last ti. There are many opportunities within it—it’s not to be missed,” Zhu Cici said with a nod of understanding.
Even so, a trace of disappointnt flickered in her eyes.
“Could I trouble the two senior brothers to describe what Mr. Xu looks like now?” Zhu Cici collected herself and smiled.
“It’s been years since I last saw him. Mr. Xu once gifted a poem, and I ought to return the favor. But I fear that when we et again, I won’t recognize him, which would be most impolite.”
“Of course,” Yu Wenxi replied after so thought. He then began to describe seriously, “Brother Xu is tall and lean, five inches taller than , dressed in a blue robe…”
Yu Wenxi carefully recounted Xu Ming’s appearance, and Zhu Cici listened intently, not missing a single word.
After an incense stick’s ti, Zhu Cici rose and bowed. “I won’t trouble the two senior brothers any further. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng quickly stood and returned the bow. “Many thanks.”
Zhu Cici turned and left the courtyard.
As they watched her elegant figure retreat, both Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng breathed a sigh of relief.
Brother Xu… this is as much as we can help you.
Back in her room, Zhu Cici took out her brush, ink, and a blank scroll. She closed her eyes and carefully recalled Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng’s detailed description of Xu Ming.
After a long ti, she finally picked up the brush, rolled up her sleeves, and, with her imagination, began to paint stroke by stroke the image of Xu Ming in her heart.
An hour later, Zhu Cici set down her brush.
On the scroll before the young lady, a man dressed in a blue robe stood atop a mountain, gazing skyward. His elegance and carefree deanor were vividly captured.
As she gazed at the painting, the girl’s eyes shimred softly. She murmured as if speaking to herself, “Is this how you look, the way I imagine you?”
“Cici, Cici!”
Just as Zhu Cici was lost in thought, staring at the painting, a familiar voice called out from the courtyard.
Before she could hide the scroll, Xia Wei pushed the door open and walked right in.
“You little rascal, don’t you know how to knock?” Zhu Cici quickly turned around and stepped forward to block the painting behind her, shielding it from Xia Wei’s view.
“What are you talking about? I’ve never knocked when entering your room before!” Xia Wei said cheerfully. “I’ve got good news for you!”
Zhu Cici asked, “What’s the good news?”
“Well…” Xia Wei’s gaze drifted to the scroll behind Zhu Cici. “Cici, what’s that on your desk?”
“Nothing much, just a casual landscape painting to pass the ti,” Zhu Cici replied, her cheeks slightly flushed. She grabbed Xia Wei by the arm and said, “Co on, let’s talk in the courtyard. It’s a bit stuffy in here during sumr.”
“No, no! Sothing’s off with you. Let see what you’ve painted!” Xia Wei made a move toward the painting.
“There’s really nothing to see!”
Wherever Xia Wei’s eyes darted, Zhu Cici blocked her view.
“If there’s nothing, then why are you acting so guilty? Tell , are you painting so sort of… romantic art?” Xia Wei asked teasingly.
“How could I—hey! Xia Wei, stop right there!”
Taking advantage of Zhu Cici’s brief distraction, Xia Wei slipped past her and stood before the scroll.
On the scroll was the image of a handso man.
“Hmph, and you said you weren’t daydreaming,” Xia Wei said with a mischievous smile. “Who’s this dashing man you’ve painted?”
Zhu Cici turned her head away. “I’m not telling you.”
Raising her chin, Xia Wei smirked. “Even if you don’t tell , I can guess. You’re so devoted—it must be Xu Ming, isn’t it?”
Caught red-handed, Zhu Cici’s cheeks flushed red.
“But wait,” Xia Wei said, suddenly puzzled. “Cici, have you even seen what your childhood sweetheart looks like as an adult?”
“No, I haven’t,” Zhu Cici admitted, her cheeks reddening further. “The two Senior Brothers Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng have seen him. I painted this based on their description and my own imagination.”
“You little drear… Just how much did you embellish him? This looks better than Young Master Xu of Wei Kingdom, who’s supposedly the most handso man in the world! Can Xu Ming really look as good as this?” Xia Wei said, exasperated.
“For others, I don’t know,” Zhu Cici replied, her eyes curving into a smile.
“But in my heart, this is how he looks.”
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