“Then what exactly is our relationship?”
Xu Xuenuo looked at Xu Ming, her calm eyes waiting for his answer.
Silence fell between them.
Xu Ming t Xu Xuenuo’s gaze.
He understood that the reason she asked this question was mainly to determine her own “position”—what she truly was to him.
A person without roots often struggles to feel secure.
And right now, Xu Xuenuo was facing precisely this issue.
Since childhood, she had been “disliked” by her mother for not being born a boy. Later, she severed ties with the Xu family, becoming like a drifting cotton wisp in the air, unsure of who she truly was—like a kite, uncertain when its string might snap or where the wind might carry it.
Perhaps, deep in her heart, she had always lacked a sense of security.
But fortunately, there were still a few strings tethering this kite.
These strings were her bloodline, Xu Ming, and Qin Qingwan.
Especially Xu Ming.
Xu Ming was one of Xu Xuenuo’s only two friends, soone who had been with her since birth—her family.
But now, there was a fifty percent chance that she might not actually belong to the Xu family, aning the string of bloodline could be cut.
And if she was of Xu blood, then that would an Xu Ming was not—making them unrelated by blood.
So then, what exactly was she and Xu Ming to each other?
“Whatever you think we are, that’s what we are,” Xu Ming said with a smile.
Xu Xuenuo lowered her head slightly.
Looking at the complex emotions on the girl’s face, Xu Ming continued, “If you want to be my sister, then you are my sister. Who says siblings must be bound by blood? There are countless sworn brothers in this world who would die for each other, and plenty of blood brothers who turn against one another. So, does blood really matter?
If you don’t want to be my sister, then we are simply friends. Our bond is sothing we built together—no one else has a say in it.
So, Xuenuo, it’s entirely up to you.
But no matter what, Qingwan and I will never change our stance toward you. If one day, while moving forward, you feel lost and unsure of where you ca from—know that we will always be by your side.”
Hearing these words, Xu Xuenuo clenched the fabric of her clothes tightly, her eyes wavering, even brimming with a thin mist of tears.
“Hmph, you make it sound so nice,” she scoffed, turning away so Xu Ming wouldn’t see her losing composure. “You’ve never once called ‘sister’ since we were little.”
Xu Ming: “…”
“Well, how about I call you that now?” Xu Ming chuckled.
“No need.”
Xu Xuenuo discreetly wiped the corners of her eyes, then started walking back the way she ca. “I’m leaving. If you get the chance, co visit the Wanjian Sect. It will benefit your cultivation.” ℝἈℕ𝘖ᛒƐṨ
“Wait, take this.”
Xu Ming retrieved a small box from his storage pouch and tossed it to her.
Xu Xuenuo caught it effortlessly and examined it with her back still facing him. “What is this?”
Watching her figure, Xu Ming explained, “Just a little sothing. I originally planned to give it to you and Qingwan when we t—a small gift. Open it and you’ll see. It’s nothing valuable.”
Xu Xuenuo lifted the lid.
Inside was a Deer God hairpin.
The material was decent, as Xu Ming had said—not overly precious. The carving wasn’t the finest craftsmanship, but it was evident that a great deal of care had gone into it.
“Did you make this?” she asked.
“Yeah, I did. But it’s not that great-looking.”
“It’s pretty ugly.” Xu Xuenuo nodded, giving him no face at all.
“…”
Xu Ming thought to himself—his “sister” really didn’t know how to comfort people.
“Even if it looks bad, you could at least pretend otherwise.”
“But… I suppose it’s barely passable.”
Xu Xuenuo spoke again, putting the hairpin away as she walked further and further away.
Her voice drifted back to him from the distance—”Thank you.”
Her figure gradually disappeared from Xu Ming’s sight.
“Still the sa as when we were kids—sharp tongue, soft heart, and just a little tsundere.”
Watching the direction where she vanished, Xu Ming couldn’t help but smile.
“But… that’s not a bad thing.”
—
“Little Martial Aunt is back!”
On a boulder halfway up Guest Peak, a female disciple suddenly stood up, speaking excitedly.
At her words, everyone turned their heads.
“She’s back.”
The elder leading the group looked at Xu Xuenuo and smiled.
Xu Xuenuo held her sword and gave a respectful salute.
“Apologies for keeping Elder and all my senior and junior brothers waiting.”
“It wasn’t a long wait.”
The elder nodded.
“Had a good talk?”
“It’s done.”
“Then let’s set off.”
The elder led the way forward, with the disciples following behind.
Everyone could tell that there seed to be so kind of conflict between this pair of siblings.
It was obvious that their conversation hadn’t been about sword techniques but rather sothing personal.
Yet no one asked.
They all pretended not to notice.
Still, as they walked, the disciples of the Wanjian Sect couldn’t help but glance at Xu Xuenuo from ti to ti.
It wasn’t because of her striking beauty.
Rather, it was the aura around her—her sword energy and sword intent seed calr, clearer, as if a pure, crisp spring had erged from the snow-covered mountains.
Refreshing.
“Senior Brother Xiao, look, look!”
A female disciple nudged the man beside her with her elbow, whispering excitedly.
“What is it?”
Senior Brother Xiao was puzzled.
“Look at Little Martial Aunt.”
She tugged at his sleeve.
Xiao Shixiong glanced over.
And the mont he did, he thought he might be seeing things.
He rubbed his eyes and looked again.
This ti, he no longer thought he was mistaken.
He wondered if he was dreaming.
The sun was high at midday.
On the path down the mountain, a girl walked with her head slightly lowered.
No one knew what she was thinking about—
But she smiled.
A soft, faint smile, like an iceberg slowly lting under the warmth of the sun.
Reviews
All reviews (0)