章 31: Fate Mountain Stone
Beijing is most beautiful at night. As the sun sets in the west, the streets come alive with lights, vendors setting up their stalls and calling out to passersby, and the hustle and bustle of people and vehicles fills the air, showcasing the city's splendor.
The picturesque scene of the Jiang River, the fragrant mountains inviting the moon, the flowing light and drifting clouds, the night-lit stones of Qiqiao Mountain, and various delicious street foods at night are experiences not to be missed.
"Where should we go tonight?"
Having had enough rest and food, Xian Yue pushed open the door. The vibrant light was dazzling, as the sky was darkening, and under the eaves, a simple yet exquisite crystal lamp hung high, illuminating the dim courtyard.
"All you do is eat and sleep; I've never seen a woman who resembles a pig more than you."
Bai Zhanfeng leaned against the door frame to his right, and upon seeing Xian Yue, the depths of his eyes darkened even more than the night sky. A flicker of light appeared in his gaze, but his expression quickly turned sour as he turned to look at Xian Yue.
Xian Yue grinned, unfazed by his harsh and critical words, and tilted her head to study his eyes. Bai Zhanfeng stood upright, raising his sharply defined eyebrows, and asked, "What are you looking at?"
"I'm wondering why the great hero Bai would be interested in a woman who looks like a pig."
Bai Zhanfeng's expression darkened as he fixed his gaze on Xian Yue. It felt like holding a martial arts manual that contained profound techniques; he was both delighted and perplexed, unable to comprehend the text within. For someone who yearned for martial arts, he was determined to understand it, driven by an undeniable resolution to make her his woman.
"I've waited for you all day; let's go."
Bai Zhanfeng chose to ignore his complicated feelings and grabbed Xian Yue's hand, pulling her outside.
"Where are we going?"
Xian Yue allowed Bai Zhanfeng to pull her along, not resisting. Since it wouldn't harm her and having someone to help pay for things was certainly welcome.
Bai Zhanfeng suddenly stopped, turning to face Xian Yue with a smile. His rugged features softened, losing some of the fierce demeanor typical of a Jianghu man, but Xian Yue found it oddly strange.
"Without Lan Yixuan, anywhere is fine."
He originally wanted to say "without that Young Master Lan," but he suspected Xian Yue would stir up trouble. Innocently, she would ask which Young Master Lan, and it would lead to yet another round of entanglement, so he grit his teeth and called out Lan Yixuan's name.
"You're still thinking about that? It was just because I got drunk, and Young Master Lan didn't want me to fall off the roof, so he caught me. He had good intentions; why are you angry?"
That night at Jiangying Tower, he had rushed back without seeing Xian Yue. Later, Lei An and Lei Yun returned, but Lan Yixuan had yet to show up. Something felt off, but the two brothers said their young master was busy. It wasn't until late at night that he saw Xian Yue returning with Lan Yixuan, chatting and laughing, only to realize she had gone off to sneak some wine. It was clear that Lan Yixuan had planned this all along.
In the past few days, wherever they went, it was always the three of them, along with the two Lei brothers. Lan Yixuan harbored ill intentions; he couldn't let him succeed.
"Young Master Lan is the best person I've ever met."
Seeing Bai Zhanfeng's face turn ashen, Xian Yue nodded earnestly.
"If he's so good, a weasel could wish a happy new year to a chicken."
Bai Zhanfeng shot Xian Yue a glance and snorted coldly. He hurriedly dragged her along, and as Xian Yue observed the sharp contours of his profile, she couldn't help but agree—he was not a weasel but a cunning and shrewd fox.
"Woken up, have we?"
The two rushed to the door and saw Lan Yixuan surrounded by Lei Yun and Lei An, walking toward them from another direction.
Bai Zhanfeng pretended not to notice and continued to drag Xian Yue outside. Xian Yue steadied herself, forcibly shaking off his hand at the doorway, and smiled at Lan Yixuan.
Though he was a wolf in sheep's clothing, if she wanted to succeed at the Pan City Conference, she truly needed the help of this cunning Young Master Lan.
"Are you in a hurry to head out?"
As Lan Yixuan approached Xian Yue, his gaze was as weightless as drifting clouds. Compared to Bai Zhanfeng, who seemed to be glaring at him, Lan Yixuan exuded elegance and grace. It was no wonder such an unknown Jianghu newcomer could stand alongside the powerful elite of the Zhou Dynasty and the virtuous Junpin Yu among the five great young masters.
He took two steps back, tilting his head to admire the night sky. The moon was full, and the stars shone with a soft glow.
"I heard today is the birthday of the celestial matchmaker in the heavenly palace; Qiqiao Mountain must be quite lively."
The first sentence was light and breezy, while the second was directed at Bai Zhanfeng with a smile.
Xian Yue propped her chin on her hand and nodded, "That big moonlight stone must be beautiful."
Turning to Lan Yixuan, who was smiling like a celestial being, she asked, "Young Master Lan, would you like to join us?"
Before Lan Yixuan could respond, Bai Zhanfeng, standing at the entrance, turned around, striding up to Xian Yue, and glared at Lan Yixuan. "If you want to go, you'll have to compete with me first."
Lan Yixuan's gaze lingered on the bright full moon before returning to Xian Yue and then to the fierce-looking Bai Zhanfeng. He smiled and said, "I don't like crowded places."
His tone was sincere enough to raise no doubts.
Not liking crowded places? Nonsense! Jiangying Tower, Xiangshan, and Fuguang Lake were all teeming with people at night. He may have liked them before, but suddenly he no longer did—only a few days had passed, yet who would believe such a claim?
Xian Yue looked up at Bai Zhanfeng and saw his triumphant expression, and she couldn't help but think about the disparity between them.
"Has Xian Yue had dinner?"
"Young Master Lan," Lan Yixuan suddenly asked.
"I finished all the pastries Lei Yun prepared for me."
She had just woken up and happened to bump into Lei Yun, so it was impossible for her to have had dinner yet. It was a question she could see through.
"That's unacceptable!"
Lan Yixuan feigned concern, frowning as he looked at Bai Zhanfeng, as if it were his fault for not taking care of Xian Yue.
"Lei Yun."
It was only then that Xian Yue noticed Lei Yun, who was following behind Lan Yixuan, holding a large food box.
Xian Yue's eyes lit up like a hungry wolf as she rushed in front of Lei Yun, opened the lid, and the enticing aroma wafted out, making her mouth water. It was filled with all her favorite foods.
Bai Zhanfeng raised his eyebrows in discontent, his face dark as a pot lid. "There are no snacks; isn't there still the restaurant?"
With one hand holding chopsticks and the other balancing a plate, Xian Yue mumbled, "Their food isn't as good as Lei Yun's."
"Lei An has prepared the carriage; Xian Yue can enjoy it on the way."
His attitude was so considerate that it nearly brought tears to her eyes.
"Young Master Lan, I must have accumulated eight lifetimes of good fortune to meet you in this life!"
Xian Yue smiled broadly at Lan Yixuan, her mouth greasy with food. While her demeanor could easily be seen as annoying, it somehow came off as endearing when she did it.
"Young Master Bai, be careful on the road."
Bai Zhanfeng watched Lan Yixuan as he passed by, giving him a slight nod, and felt that the smile on his lips was quite peculiar.
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