Nightfall at Taixuan Mountain, stars shimmered across the pristine dark sky, while the courtyard of the wooden pavilion glowed brightly as day.
"Ji Lin, put this here and that over there! Lixue, retrieve the watermelon from the well and slice it for plating. You blockhead, don't just stand there like a wooden pole—quickly fetch the plates and utensils!"
"Yes ma'am!"
In the garden, the Book of Fuxi floated before the dining table, issuing commands to several individuals who promptly complied, busily arranging dinner with organized efficiency.
Nearby, several Heroic Spirits, along with Fuxi and Nuwa, sat quietly enjoying pre-meal snacks leisurely.
"Crunch!"
Elysia munched on sunflower seeds, her bright eyes blinking as she asked, "It's been ages since our last team-building event. Although Kevin didn't organize this one, I still can't help but ask—is the main dish going to be noodles again?"
Her question was met with silence from everyone present.
Amidst the awkward atmosphere, Kevin turned expressionlessly towards Elysia and replied, "What's wrong with having noodles?"
"Sigh... Nothing, if you're involved."
Elysia continued cracking seeds, letting out a resigned sigh. Whenever Kevin orchestrated a team-building activity, the theme invariably revolved around noodles, unchanged even after fifty thousand years. Even the stubborn fairy maiden felt too weary today to protest further.
The dinner turned out far better than Elysia had anticipated.
Instead of plain bowls of egg noodles, there were numerous steaming dishes and sweet slices of watermelon on the table.
With both food and guests settled, Fu Hua, as the hostess, smiled warmly at everyone.
"I prepared these based purely on instinctive impressions; I'm not sure how well they'll turn out. Please bear with me if it's not up to expectations. Let's dig in!"
After observing proper etiquette, the dinner officially began.
The atmosphere was relaxed, leading to various conversations flowing naturally over the meal. Even Cheng Lixue, initially feeling reserved due to her junior status, quickly joined in, engaging in lively discussions with everyone at the table.
At one point, Elysia raised her chopsticks and flashed Fu Hua a sly grin, saying:
"Speaking of which, I heard Zeke didn't show up all day today. Did you two have a falling out, dear Hua?"
"No, we didn't!" Fu Hua instantly straightened her posture, earnestly refuting the suggestion.
Then, biting down on her chopsticks, she hesitated for a moment before continuing:
"My husband holds great power and responsibilities, undoubtedly facing many important tasks. Naturally, he can't spend every day with me. I believe he must be working tirelessly for our world. So please, don't tease him like that, Elder Elysia." Fu Hua smiled gently, her eyes filled with tender affection, radiating captivating warmth and love.
Silence fell upon everyone present.
At this moment, most people present raised their eyebrows.
Even Kevin, typically slow on the uptake, could tell that Zeke had recently slowed down his pace and wasn't particularly busy with work. Considering his introverted nature and social connections, if he wasn't with Fu Hua, it meant he must be spending time with one of the other three girls.
"Slurp!"
Kevin expressionlessly slurped his noodles, contemplating whether to reveal the truth to Fu Hua.
Then Su gently tugged at his clothing.
Kevin looked over.
Su smiled slightly and shook her head.
"...Slurp!"
Kevin remained silent and continued eating his noodles. Though not fully understanding, he knew listening to Su's advice couldn't steer him wrong in such matters.
"Cough!"
Elysia cleared her throat, masking her sympathy—and perhaps more so, her curiosity for some entertainment—with a casual smile as she asked:
"It sounds like you two have a great relationship! So, how does falling in love feel? Could you share your experience with me, lonely yet adorable Hua?"
Elysia clasped her hands together, tilting her head charmingly.
Unconsciously biting her chopsticks, Fu Hua lowered her head, her fair and rounded earlobes instantly flushing red.
"E-Elder Elysia, please stop teasing me! How am I supposed to talk about something like this...?"
"We're best friends here, with no outsiders around. What's there to be uncomfortable about? Come on, share your feelings; we can even serve as your emotional advisory group!"
"I-I..."
"Alright, alright, then let's not make you say it openly. Just whisper it to me, okay? Please, Ellie is genuinely curious!" Elysia employed her irresistible charm tactic.
The effect was outstanding.
Fu Hua's eyes widened into circles, extreme shyness rendering her incapable of coherent thought.
"Snap!"
Beside them, Cheng Lixue inadvertently crushed her chopsticks.
Everyone at the table turned their gazes towards her. Taking a deep breath, Cheng Lixue suppressed her irritation, speaking in her gentle, mature tone:
"Lady Elysia, please don't pressure our master further. Let's finish eating quickly; Master still needs ample rest, isn't that right?"
Most people noticed Cheng Lixue's unsettled mood.
Elysia's eyes flickered with slight disappointment but acquiesced nonetheless, saying, "Alright then, we can discuss this another time!"
Swiftly changing the topic, and with everyone else's cooperation, Ellie managed to warm up the dinner atmosphere once more.
After the meal, the Heroic Spirits rose to bid their farewells.
As Fu Hua saw off her old friends, she was about to roll up her sleeves and start clearing dishes when Cheng Lixue, understandingly, approached to assist.
However, Fuxi intercepted Cheng Lixue, while Nuwa gently held onto Fu Hua's arm, stopping them both.
Fu Hua blinked, puzzled, and smiled, asking, "Fuxi, Nuwa, haven't you had enough to eat yet?"
Nuwa grinned energetically, her scarlet eyes brimming with vitality as she replied, "Oh no, it's not that! What we mean is, after all your hard work today, you and little Lixue should take some time to relax. Leave the cleanup to us!"
"Ah, Nuwa's right," Fu Hua agreed with a smile, blinking in confusion. "Go ahead and rest; she'll take care of washing the dishes."
Fuxi gently pointed at Nuwa's beaming face with her pale fingers.
Nuwa's grin faltered as she protested, "Huh? Wait, weren't we doing this together?"
"Nuwa can handle it. I'll cheer you on from the side." Fuxi blinked her clear, azure eyes, speaking lazily yet matter-of-factly—despite being the elder twin, traditionally meant to look after her younger sister.
Pouting briefly, Nuwa eventually nodded helplessly and nudged Fu Hua away, saying, "Go on, leave it to me!"
"Eh?" Fu Hua hesitated, rubbing her head, and exchanged glances with Cheng Lixue, who was also being ushered aside.
Though they didn't fully understand, Nuwa had already skillfully begun clearing the table, assisted by the Book of Fuxi and Ji Lin nearby. Realizing their help wasn't needed, Fu Hua obediently stepped back, followed closely by Cheng Lixue.
At the pavilion, Cheng Lixue took the initiative to pour tea for Fu Hua as they sat down.
"Master, please enjoy your tea."
"Oh, thank you," Fu Hua smiled.
As they sat across from each other enjoying tea, Fu Hua savored the refreshing evening breeze, while Cheng Lixue clutched her teacup tightly, occasionally casting hesitant glances at Fu Hua.
After a moment, Fu Hua chuckled softly, feeling somewhat helpless. "Is there something you want to tell me, Lixue?"
"Master, I..." Cheng Lixue hesitated, clear uncertainty etched on her lovely face.
Fu Hua responded with a gentle smile, "Even though I may not remember much, we are master and disciple, sharing a bond akin to mother and daughter. You can share any concerns with me. Don't burden yourself alone; it would worry me, Lixue."
"Master, please forgive Lixue's impertinence."
"Hmm? Is it something important? It's alright, go ahead and speak your mind. I'm here to listen attentively."
"Master, Lixue believes... Sir Zeke is not a suitable match!" Cheng Lixue solemnly voiced her concern that had been troubling her for several days.
Fu Hua froze instantly. The same words were spoken by her 'other self' within the mental domain. Though she didn't fully understand, she knew Cheng Lixue undoubtedly cared for her. So, Fu Hua looked intently at Cheng Lixue, awaiting her explanation.
Setting down her teacup, Cheng Lixue hesitated briefly before gently taking Fu Hua's hand to ease her own nervousness and unease. She then solemnly said:
"I know Sir Zeke has achieved great deeds, making him truly remarkable and worthy of loyalty. However, he carries too many romantic entanglements. Master, you have steadfastly guarded Shenzhou alone for millennia, enduring countless hardships and loneliness. What you deserve...should not be a fragmented love. Lixue does not deny Sir Zeke's excellence, but I believe my master deserves a deeper, more complete affection."
Cheng Lixue gazed directly into Fu Hua's gentle and serene gray eyes, as if witnessing the endless wounds within her master's heart.
Master, oh Master, revered like a father figure.
To Cheng Lixue, Fu Hua held an incredibly high stature, even surpassing that of her own biological parents. She harbored boundless admiration and deep respect for Fu Hua, along with an infinite sense of empathy. Consequently, any imperfection in this romantic bond appeared greatly magnified in her eyes.
"How can such an incomplete love be worthy of my exceptional master?" Cheng Lixue thought resolutely. "No one should demean her like this, not even him!"
Under Cheng Lixue's unwavering and deeply affectionate gaze, Fu Hua felt her heart soften immensely. Undoubtedly moved, she also experienced a hint of awkwardness.
It was difficult to describe, but the intensity of her disciple's stare made Fu Hua feel somewhat overwhelmed by warmth within her chest.
Fu Hua tried to gently pull her hand from Cheng Lixue's grasp but found it unyielding. Eventually, she closed her eyes with a sigh and asked,
"If I were to say that this is indeed my choice, what would you do?"
"...Lixue doesn't know," Cheng Lixue replied softly, her gaze downcast and expression somber.
Fu Hua remained speechless as well. If her memories were intact, she could express her thoughts and decisions clearly. However, with her amnesia, she genuinely didn't know how to respond to her disciple's heartfelt concern. Lixue's worry stemmed from genuine care, and Fu Hua did not wish to hurt her intentions.
The master-disciple pair remained silent for a long while until Cheng Lixue gently released Fu Hua's hand with a soft smile.
"Lixue is merely expressing her thoughts; I don't mean to force anything upon you, Master," she said quietly. "I would never harbor such intentions. So please, just listen without taking it too seriously. Regardless of what happens, Lixue will always support you, Master!"
"Alright, I understand. Thank you, Lixue." With a warm smile, Fu Hua tenderly embraced her disciple.
She felt Lixue's heartfelt sincerity—no master could overlook such genuine devotion from their beloved disciple. Yet even as Fu Hua stroked Lixue's hair, questioning herself inwardly, she found no trace of regret.
It seemed that she had already made an unwavering choice long ago.
With this thought, Fu Hua let out a complex sigh, blending into the evening breeze.