"Sister Zhuqing…"
Li Zhexian didn't see Zhu Zhuqing, so he looked at Ning Rongrong with a confused expression.
Ning Rongrong bit lightly at her lip and whispered:
"Zhuqing didn't come. It's just me."
"Oh." Li Zhexian answered. He still stood in the middle of the courtyard entrance, showing no intention of inviting Ning Rongrong inside.
Ning Rongrong forced a smile onto her pretty face. "Brother Zhe... Zhexian, aren't you going to invite me in to sit?"
"Just say what you need to say here." Li Zhexian's tone was flat and unmoved.
This time, Ning Rongrong had come alone, just like the time they met during her night stroll in Heaven Dou City.
On his face there was neither dislike—
Nor the complex emotions of one facing an old acquaintance.
He was so stingy that he didn't even give her a single extra expression.
Cold and detached—
As if facing a stranger.
Ning Rongrong's slender hands clenched tightly, and her pretty face lost its color little by little.
Li Zhexian's indifference—
worse than coldness, worse than harsh words.
If he resented her, even hated her,
would that not at least mean he still thought of her?
A raw, nameless unwillingness surged up from the depths of Ning Rongrong's chest.
Why?
Why must I always recall that stubborn back of yours, Li Zhexian?
Why is it you can be so utterly unbothered?
Pretending!
That look of utter indifference!
You must be pretending!
"Brother Zhexian, I know you still resent me. Resent me for leaving you behind two years ago…"
Ning Rongrong lowered her head, sorrow dimming her eyes.
Yet when she lifted them again, that sorrow was laced with a faint joy, and even a trace of pride.
"But, Brother Zhexian..."
"Whether you believe me or not."
"Seeing your talent return and how formidable you are now..."
"Rongrong truly is happy for you."
Li Zhexian held his arms, leaning against the door frame. After listening, he only lifted his eyelids.
"Are you done talking?"
"Alright, got it." He nodded.
With a slight push of his shoulder, he stood up straight and reached to close the door.
"Wait!" Ning Rongrong hurriedly pressed her hand against the door.
"Is there something else?" Li Zhexian's sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed.
He hadn't finished picking plums.
And there was still the drinking session later.
If he was late,
those bastards would drown him with at least two jars of fiery liquor.
Seeing the obvious impatience on Li Zhexian's face, Ning Rongrong felt wronged, and a wave of anger she couldn't suppress also surged up.
When had she, Ning Rongrong, ever lowered herself so?
In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, at Shrek Academy—where was there ever anyone who did not indulge her?
She had already come this far—what more did he want of her?
"I—"
As the words began, Ning Rongrong was surprised to find that Li Zhexian, who had just been so indifferent, suddenly looked flustered.
A hint of joy appeared in her heart.
I knew it! Brother Zhexian, you were pretending after all!
But just then, Li Zhexian exclaimed an "Ah!" turned back into the courtyard—
And with a swing, shut the gate behind him.
Ning Rongrong froze.
Yet she still gently pushed open the gate, stepping inside with care.
However, the scene before her made her so confused she got angry.
Li Zhexian was waving his sleeve, shooing away a few birds that were pecking at the plums on the table.
"Shoo! Shoo!"
Ning Rongrong's chest rose and fell furiously.
So—his emotions toward a few thieving birds
were richer than anything he'd shown her.
Li Zhexian chased the birds away. He turned around and saw Ning Rongrong standing in the courtyard. His brows furrowed even more.
"How did you get in?"
"I..." Ning Rongrong was speechless for a moment.
If this were two years ago, she would have already thrown a tantrum like a young miss.
But now, facing a Li Zhexian who was like a completely different person, she felt apprehensive inside.
She could only suppress the resentment in her heart.
"Brother Zhexian, this place you live in… is quite elegant and refined."
Li Zhexian said nothing.
The air immediately fell into silence. He simply leaned back into his chair, utterly at ease.
Ning Rongrong stood stiff, awkward and helpless.
He neither offered her a seat, nor poured her tea.
Her eyes landed on a few plums on the table.
They were nothing rare—so she thought to take one, if only to ease the awkwardness.
Although she was spoiled, her noble family's upbringing was still there.
. She naturally knew it was improper to take something without the owner's permission.
But deep down—
perhaps she did not see Li Zhexian as someone requiring such courtesy.
Just as her fingers were about to touch one—
a breeze swept across.
Startled, Ning Rongrong looked up.
The glossy plums she had been reaching for
were already drawn into Li Zhexian's hand by force.
"Brother Zhexian, you..."
At this, Ning Rongrong's forced smile completely couldn't hold on anymore.
Li Zhexian calmly put those few plums into his Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse. He pursed his lips toward another pile of plums on the table.
"If you want some, take those."
Ning Rongrong's heart eased slightly. With a bit of resentment, she grabbed a fruit and took a fierce bite.
In an instant—
A piercing sourness exploded across her tongue.
Saliva gushed uncontrollably.
Her features twisted together.
Even though she knew this expression was extremely ungraceful, she simply couldn't control it.
She suddenly shivered. The accumulated grievances she had been holding since reuniting with Li Zhexian all exploded at this moment.
"Li Zhexian!"
"You… you're too much!" Her voice broke, edged with tears.
Li Zhexian's expression did not change.
"You were the one who insisted on eating it."
"That's not what I meant!"
Her fists clenched, her face red—whether from anger or sourness, she could not tell.
"I came today to truly apologize to you!"
"I know, two years ago…"
"I… I shouldn't have—"
"Stop." Li Zhexian cut her off.
He had no intention of wasting time with Ning Rongrong anymore. The time was almost here. He didn't want to be forced to drink.
"Ning Rongrong…"
After being apart for two years, this was the first time Li Zhexian had said her name to her face.
Ning Rongrong's delicate body trembled slightly. Hearing her name spoken from Li Zhexian's mouth made a strange feeling appear in her heart.
However, Li Zhexian's next words were like a bone-chilling wind, freezing her inch by inch.
"These words, I once spoke to Sect Master Ning Fengzhi."
"Today, I'll say them to you—a second time, and the last."
"Your choice back then was understandable. There's no need to apologize."
"But..." Li Zhexian's tone of speech paused. His eyes, as calm as a deep pool, looked at Ning Rongrong. The feeling of distance spread out like a substance.
"From my standpoint, there's also really no need for us to have any more ties."
"You, Ning Rongrong, are a daughter of gold and jade—you don't need a Li Zhexian."
"And I, Li Zhexian, have no shortage of friends. I don't need one more in you."
"So, the same words as two years ago."
"Let us go our separate ways."
Ning Rongrong ran out of the courtyard with red-rimmed eyes.
Li Zhexian, without even looking, took a plum he had saved for Huo Wu and put it in his mouth. He bolted the door and, humming a little tune, walked with light steps toward the Fragrant Eatery.
Time to drink with friends! That's what's truly happy!
...
Elsewhere—
Seeing Xiao Wu's mood slowly calm,
Zhu Zhuqing let out a breath, speaking gently:
"Xiao Wu, stay home quietly. I'll step out for a bit."
Xiao Wu blinked her pink eyes curiously.
"Where are you going? Take me with you?"