Shen Tanqi covered Yu Ce’s mouth and chuckled, explaining to the two opposite them, “He’s just talking nonsense due to a bit of a problem in his head. I have the time, I can spar with this junior sister anytime.”
As the words fell, Lin Tanjiu’s gaze wandered between him and Yu Ce. She was not unaware of human affairs and had seen the appearance of those deeply in love in this world. Seeing Yu Ce’s attitude, she already understood it in her heart.
Ordinary people wouldn’t fabricate such words, and certainly not to refuse her.
Lin Tanjiu lightly gripped the sword at her waist, sighing inwardly.
He hadn’t recognized her at first sight, indicating that the life-saving grace from before might have been no more than a small gesture for someone like him, quickly forgotten.
It was a relationship with no fate. She told herself.
“Well, forget it then,” Lin Tanjiu smiled, taking Xiao Yu’s hand beside her and saying, “It wouldn’t be fair to other disciples to spar privately before the sect’s grand competition. Let’s meet at the trial grounds in two days.”
She wouldn’t lose.
Shen Tanqi hesitated for a moment, vaguely sensing something wrong with the atmosphere. According to the original book’s plot, shouldn’t this be the first time the female lead meets the male lead?
Why did it feel like they had met before?
He scratched his face, trying to ease the tension. “Actually, if you don’t mind, you can spar with me. I’ve trained too many times with my junior brother on weekdays and always feel like there’s nothing new to learn.”
Finally, Lin Tanjiu turned her gaze to this long-unseen cousin brother.
In fact, they had met before, but that time at Feiluan seemed like a distant memory, where they didn’t exchange words.
That time… wasn’t it when they were nine years old?
Back then, her aunt hadn’t yet fallen seriously ill, bringing the young Shen Tanqi to visit Feiluan Mountain. He was handsome and clever, telling jokes that delighted her aunt, filling the air with laughter and joy.
That’s why she glanced at him from afar.
Now, the grown-up Shen Tanqi didn’t seem to have changed at all.
However, this didn’t match the rumors Xiao Yu had told her. Besides, his good relationship with this wandering cultivator suggested he wasn’t inherently bad.
Can a person change that much?
At nine, he was so likable, then he became a notorious bully, and later, a gentle and well-behaved person.
Lin Tanjiu felt there was something fishy, but she didn’t know Shen Tanqi well enough to pinpoint it.
Oh well, maybe he’s just good at pretending in front of others?
She smiled lightly and said, “It’s true that practicing with the same person for too long can be tough. But I hit pretty hard when I practice. Are you sure…”
Hearing this, Shen Tanqi’s eyes lit up. “No problem! I’ve been hoping for someone who hits hard. Just don’t hold back like my junior brother does.”
Lin Tanjiu looked into his bright, clear eyes and couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright.”
Could someone with such clear eyes really be so cunning? She wasn’t sure.
Listening to their exchange, Yu Ce, with a darkened face, glared at Shen Tanqi, even after having his mouth covered. He wanted to see what else Shen Tanqi would come up with.
Are others really that good?
He wasn’t holding back; he just didn’t want to hit Shen Tanqi so hard that he couldn’t get out of bed.
Although he did want to make Shen Tanqi unable to get out of bed, but definitely not like this.
Hearing Shen Tanqi’s words, Xiao Yu blinked and said, “You like my sister so much, don’t you care about your child?” She was deliberately teasing Shen Tanqi, thinking Yu Ce’s earlier comment was just a bad joke.
Shen Tanqi scratched his nose and looked at Yu Ce. “It’s fine, the kid’s mom will take care of him.”
Lin Tanjiu and Xiao Yu couldn’t help but chuckle softly at this.
Only Yu Ce didn’t laugh. In fact, he was very angry.
He stood silently behind Shen Tanqi, deep in thought—maybe it was time for his dependency episodes to flare up more often.
Then, he could really deal with Shen Tanqi!
Returning to Rongyun Sect with Lin Tanjiu and Xiao Yu, the two girls immediately attracted countless curious glances.
Everyone loves to look at pretty girls.
But some people were just staring too much!
With a blank expression, Shen Tanqi grabbed Fang Wenxun, who was craning his neck to look towards the sword practice platform. “Senior Brother Fang, what are you doing?”
Fang Wenxun turned around, looking excited. “The female disciples of Feiluan Sect are as beautiful as the rumors say. Junior brother, you should come see!”
Shen Tanqi smiled, clenching his fist. “Really, are they that beautiful?”
“Hey, they are really beautiful!”
In the next moment, Fang Wenxun had two big lumps on his head, looking at Shen Tanqi with a pitiful expression. “Junior brother, come on, I was just admiring some beauties…”
Shen Tanqi felt his hands itch again and squinted his eyes, saying, “If you keep staring at my sister with those lecherous eyes, I’ll beat you up again.”
Hearing this, Fang Wenxun’s eyes widened in shock. “That’s your sister?”
No wonder, Shen Tanqi and Lin Tanjiu both had the character ‘Tan’ in their names, clearly indicating they were of the same generation.
But one was surnamed Shen, and the other Lin—what was going on?
Shen Tanqi nodded, just about to explain when he saw Lin Tanjiu waving to him from the sword practice platform.
“Cousin, come here.”
All eyes around the sword practice platform immediately turned to Shen Tanqi, filled with envy.
How did all the good things fall into this guy’s lap?
Shen Tanqi instantly responded with a smile, jumping up onto the platform with ease.
Fang Wenxun was left standing there, dumbfounded.
Why did it feel like his junior brother’s skills had improved recently? Was he secretly training behind their backs?
On the practice platform, Shen Tanqi faced Lin Tanjiu with his sword, bowing to her according to the rules, and then smiled. “Alright, let’s begin.”
Lin Tanjiu’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, and she called out softly, “Cousin.”
Shen Tanqi was puzzled but instinctively responded to his sister’s call, “What’s up?”
“Where is he?” Lin Tanjiu glanced around the practice platform, looking a bit disappointed, and whispered, “That friend of yours, Yu Ce, he didn’t come?”
She had already learned Yu Ce’s name from Shen Tanqi.
Shen Tanqi remembered Yu Ce’s sullen face when he returned to the sect, tossing him a curt, ‘Senior brother, I’m going back to cook for the kid,’ before heading off to Yaoting Pavilion.
He’s probably still angry. Shen Tanqi thought to himself that he would need to explain things properly later.
Shen Tanqi said softly, “It’s okay, he has some things to take care of.”
Lin Tanjiu nodded thoughtfully, bowed her head in greeting, and raised her sword, saying, “Alright, let’s begin.”
She indeed hit hard.
In less than half an hour, Shen Tanqi was already lying at the edge of the practice platform, with Xiao Yu’s giggles in his ears.
“You insisted on sparring with my sister. She’s known for her heavy hand in Feiluan. Only I can handle it,” Xiao Yu laughed.
Shen Tanqi got up from the ground, dusting himself off, and looked at Xiao Yu, a bit helpless. “Can you fight your sister to a draw?”
Xiao Yu coughed awkwardly. “No.”
Shen Tanqi couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s not ‘handling it,’ that’s just being able to take a beating.”
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Xiao Yu punched him lightly, but it was still enough to almost knock Shen Tanqi back to the ground.
The young girl was startled and quickly helped him up, unusually apologetic, “I’m a body cultivator. Why do you have to provoke me with that mouth of yours?”
The punch to Shen Tanqi’s chest woke him up instantly.
Feiluan cultivators were adept at body cultivation, so Lin Tanjiu’s every strike just now had been incredibly forceful, requiring close proximity to be effective.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Shen Tanqi suddenly patted Xiao Yu on the shoulder. “Thanks!”
In Xiao Yu’s startled gaze, Shen Tanqi stood up, raised his sword towards Lin Tanjiu, and said seriously, “Come again. This time, I can definitely handle it.”
Lin Tanjiu was somewhat surprised, feeling that Shen Tanqi’s demeanor had suddenly changed from earlier.
She returned the gesture with a salute and attacked him mercilessly with her sword.
However, before she could close the distance, Shen Tanqi spun around and dodged easily.
Lin Tanjiu was stunned for a moment. She hadn’t expected Shen Tanqi to dodge so quickly and effortlessly, as if he had suddenly become a different person.
Looking up, she saw Shen Tanqi smile, his eyes reflecting the shimmering light of the setting sun. He said softly, “This move, my junior brother taught me.”
Yu Ce used this move to dodge him every time, and over time, Shen Tanqi had learned it too.
As long as Lin Tanjiu couldn’t get close, no matter how powerful her sword strikes were, they couldn’t harm him. Moreover, body cultivators had their own strengths and weaknesses—their movements were slow, making them easy to defend against and weak in offense.
Having found a loophole, Shen Tanqi was about to strike when Lin Tanjiu’s sword tip narrowly missed cutting his bangs, forcing him to retreat hastily. Losing his balance, he fell beside Xiao Yu again, drawing her light laughter.
The young woman stood in the sunset, smiling. “Clever indeed.”
Seeing the face so similar to his sister’s, Shen Tanqi felt a faint pang of emotion.
‘If only my sister were here, then I wouldn’t have to rack my brains about how to return to modern times. If I could go home for Chinese New Year this year, she’d probably be as tall as you by now,’ Shen Tanqi thought silently.
“Thank you for the compliment,” Shen Tanqi said, straightening up. Just as he was about to continue, Lin Tanjiu spoke softly, “Let’s try again tomorrow. It’s getting late today.”
Only then did he realize that there were few people left around the training platform; everyone else had already gone to dinner, leaving only a few of them.
Time had passed so quickly.
Shen Tanqi nodded and sheathed his sword.
“Xiao Yu, could you please go help me and my cousin get two portions of dinner?” Lin Tanjiu pinched Xiao Yu’s nose playfully and sent the little girl off.
Hungry herself, Xiao Yu eagerly agreed and happily followed Shen Tanqi’s directions to fetch the food.
As the setting sun kissed the mountains, the sky was bathed in hues of rosy clouds.
Shen Tanqi knew that Lin Tanjiu had something to discuss with him.
Sure enough, the young woman in front of him gently sheathed her sword and looked up at Shen Tanqi, asking a question, “Cousin, does Yu Ce really have a child?”
Shen Tanqi hesitated briefly, lowering his gaze to her, and remained silent for a moment.
The air was quiet as Lin Tanjiu patiently waited for his answer.
“Yes,” Shen Tanqi finally replied.
He didn’t want to deceive her, even though she was just a character in the book, not his real sister.
The fact that Yu Ce had a child was a plot hole, and the fewer people who knew about it, the better, so as not to attract the attention of the main system.
But facing Lin Tanjiu’s earnest eyes, Shen Tanqi couldn’t bring himself to tell a lie.
Upon hearing his words, Lin Tanjiu seemed to exhale softly, her gaze softening before she prepared to speak again.
Shen Tanqi guessed what she wanted to ask: if the child was his.
But Lin Tanjiu merely smiled and said, “Does cousin like him?”
So she knew.
Meeting Lin Tanjiu’s eyes, Shen Tanqi paused, avoiding her gaze. He had never asked himself that question before.
Like him?
His heart had never skipped a beat for Yu Ce, so it must be no.
He shook his head.
Lin Tanjiu approached slowly, standing before him, and whispered, “Sometimes, your heart can deceive you.”
“What do you mean?” Shen Tanqi didn’t quite understand what she was getting at.
The girl’s eyes were clear and piercing, as if she could see through his thoughts. She continued softly, “I used to think that a racing heart meant love.”
The first time she saw the young man draw his sword, under the cold light of day, clad in white like snow, he had saved her from the terrifying clutches of the demon race, almost like a god.
The tale of a hero saving a beauty was a story worthy of admiration—anyone would think so.
But upon closer reflection, what did it truly mean to like someone?
Lin Tanjiu sometimes struggled with this question too.
But now, she seemed to understand a bit more. “If a fleeting moment of excitement equals liking someone, then countless people in this world could make your heart skip a beat. Perhaps it’s because he happens to have a face that pleases you; perhaps it’s because he happened to say something that pleases you. You think your heart racing means you like him.”
Shen Tanqi listened in a daze, then shook his head again.
What were he and Yu Ce, after all? People who got along well enough to live together?
Yu Ce had some affection for him, Shen Tanqi could see that. But he didn’t believe Yu Ce’s affection could really last. Without Goldfish and Taro Ball, without the unexpected encounter in the cave, why would Yu Ce be tied to him?
The situation itself was unfair to Yu Ce, but he accepted it calmly.
But someday, if he no longer wanted to accept it, weighed down by the mundane responsibilities of life and no longer finding joy in fatherhood, he might leave without hesitation.
Having lived in the human world for so long, he had never truly given his heart to anyone other than his family.
His parents had once loved each other, too. But what happened later? They fought bitterly on the road to divorce, not looking where they were going, and died in a car accident.
So he couldn’t, and wouldn’t, casually say he liked someone.
If there were a flutter, perhaps he could still deceive himself into thinking he liked them.
But he hadn’t even felt that flutter. Did he really like Yu Ce?
Lin Tanjiu seemed to understand what Shen Tanqi was really thinking. She spoke softly, “Your heart sometimes deceives you. Sometimes, it doesn’t flutter—it’s just not the right time.”
How many truly dazzling moments of love are there in the world? In other words, can such fleeting infatuation truly last?
She didn’t know for sure; she only knew,
“It deceives you once, twice, but there will always be a time when it can’t deceive you anymore. When the right moment comes, you suddenly realize and can’t help but exclaim sincerely, ‘So that’s how it is, ah, so that’s how it is—'”
The girl stood with her hands behind her back, lightly covering her lips with a smile, as if she had discovered some fascinating secret of the world, adding a touch of coquettish charm unique to her age. “So that’s how it is—”
At that moment, seeing the tension, frustration, and restless unease in Yu Ce’s eyes, as if afraid someone would snatch away the treasure of his heart, she understood almost everything.
So that’s how it is.
To like someone is like this.
It’s not just a flutter in the heart, but also… jealousy, anger, raging storms, saying irrational things even to oneself, feeling melancholy, feeling wronged, and complaining why that person’s eyes don’t only look at you.
Even someone as clear-minded and upright as bamboo can harbor ‘evil’ thoughts of wanting to possess the other.
It’s just that the one who is favored often realizes it too late.
Silly cousin, when will you understand, when will you realize? Don’t wait until you lose it to regret it deeply.
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
