The next morning, Bai Yunfei arrived at the agreed-upon spot a full half-hour early.
The dawn sunlight felt exceptionally gentle. The blades of grass carpeting the ground and the weeping willows lining the riverbank seemed to pulse with vibrant life. Standing by the roadside, Bai Yunfei gazed at the swaying willow branches, his eyes distant and unfocused.
'It's been two days since I came to Cui Liu City, yet I've detected no signs of danger. Could it be that the Zhang family, or the forces of the Frost Sect, haven't reached this place? Is it because… the Cui Liu Sect is here?'
'What about those two Loong brothers? Will they seek revenge? The Loong family holds considerable sway here. They must have several Soul Masters under their command. Last time, those two spoiled brats thought I'd be an easy target, so they didn't bring more men. But if they truly intend to retaliate…'
'Indeed… would leaving sooner be wiser? Then… I'll depart tomorrow! After today's outing, I'll explain things clearly to Liu Meng and set off at dawn…'
Once resolved, a different emotion crept into his heart — reluctance? Bai Yunfei gave a bitter smile and shook his head slightly, silently chastising himself for his uncharacteristic indecisiveness.
"Bai… Bai Yunfei?"
A hesitant voice broke through his troubled thoughts from behind. Startled, he whirled around.
A tall young woman in vibrant emerald-green robes stood there, her face alight with surprise and delight. Bai Yunfei stared, momentarily stunned. "Autumn Greenwillow! What are you doing here?"
It was Autumn Greenwillow, the very Cui Liu Sect disciple who had once tried to rescue her junior sister when Bai Yunfei confronted Zhang Yang.
"That's what I should be asking you!" Autumn Greenwillow laughed, stepping closer to examine him curiously. "I truly didn't expect it to be you. I thought my eyes might be deceiving me!" Her expression shifted to concern as she instinctively glanced around and lowered her voice. "Listen… the Zhang family is searching everywhere for you. You need to be careful! After we parted last time, Zhang Yang's father, Zhang Zhenshan, came looking for me about ten days later. He demanded I describe your appearance and tell him where you'd gone. I brushed him off with vague answers. It's a relief to see you unharmed. Still, you've done remarkably well to evade the Zhang family's reach and make it here…"
Bai Yunfei listened, then offered a wry smile. "I wasn't that fortunate. Zhang Zhenshan did catch up with me… I barely managed to escape…"
"What?!" Autumn Greenwillow gasped, eyes wide. "He caught you? And you got away? How?"
"Ah… that's a long story. At the time, he…"
"We shouldn't be discussing this out here," Autumn Greenwillow interrupted, glancing around again with a warm smile. "How about we find a teahouse and talk properly? After rushing off last time, I've wanted to properly thank you for saving my junior sister."
"Well…" Bai Yunfei shifted his gaze towards the bustling streets, an awkward note entering his voice. "I'm afraid today won't work. I'm expecting someone… I'm waiting for her right now…"
"Oh, I see…" Autumn Greenwillow thought for a moment. "How about tomorrow then? I can return to the sect and tell my junior sister. She'll be overjoyed! We can all meet up and catch up. What do you say?"
Bai Yunfei looked puzzled. "Return to the sect? Ah, right, the Cui Liu Sect is near Cui Liu City, isn't it? Is it far? Please don't trouble yourself if it's too much trouble, Miss Autumn."
"Not at all!" she assured him cheerfully. "The sect's main compound is just a large estate a short distance west of the city. Heh, I truly didn't imagine bumping into you like this today. I know Yuhe will be thrilled to see you again. Let me tell you, she often talks about her 'life-saving hero'," Autumn Greenwillow teased with a grin.
An image flashed in Bai Yunfei's mind: the petite, timid figure of Chu Yuhe shrinking behind Autumn Greenwillow. A genuine smile touched his lips. "Speaking of her… how is Miss Chu doing? Has she begun her cultivation journey?"
"Of course!" Autumn Greenwillow replied, her expression brightening noticeably at the mention of her junior sister. "Our Master adores her! Yuhe is so diligent and obedient. With our Master's guidance, she awakened her Soul Force quickly. She's already approaching the mid-stage Soul Apprentice level!" Her fondness for the girl was evident.
Bai Yunfei smiled and nodded. "That's excellent news. Very well then. Where and when shall we meet tomorrow?"
"Hmm…" Autumn Greenwillow considered. "Why don't you tell me which inn you're staying at? I'll come find you. I have a few things to attend to myself, so I'm not sure exactly when I'll be free, but I promise I won't be later than noon…"
"Alright, that works," Bai Yunfei agreed. "I'll wait for you. I'm currently staying at…"
...
Watching Autumn Greenwillow's figure disappear into the crowd, Bai Yunfei scanned the throngs of people nearby, a frown creasing his brow. 'What's keeping Meng'er? Why hasn't she arrived yet? Could she be feeling unwell again?'
"Yunfei, I'm so sorry! Have you been waiting long…?"
Liu Meng's voice, laced with apology, cut through his worry. His heart lifted as he looked up. A few meters away stood Liu Meng, her hands clasped behind her back, a radiant smile lighting her face. She wore a flowing white dress, her dark hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders. A few playful strands clung to her cheeks. A gentle breeze stirred, sending her hair swirling and the hem of her skirt dancing. To Bai Yunfei, she appeared like a celestial maiden descended to earth.
Transfixed by the vision of the graceful young woman before him, Bai Yunfei stood frozen, staring dumbfounded.
"Yun! Fei! Gong! Zi! Earth to Bai Yunfei!!"
A playful shout startled him back to reality. He saw Xiao Ning, Liu Meng's maid, covering her mouth with a giggle. Flushing slightly, he managed an awkward smile. "Meng'er, you're here. Are you feeling alright? Did you have another bout of discomfort today?"
At his question, a faint blush spread across Liu Meng's cheeks. Xiao Ning piped up before her mistress could reply, hands on her hips. "Hey! Yunfei Gongzi! Are you criticizing Miss for being late again? Honestly! Don't you know it takes time for a young lady to prepare herself properly to go out? Hmph! After Miss spent so long getting ready especially today, can't you even see how much more beautiful she looks than yesterday?"
"Xiao Ning! Stop it! I didn't dress up especially…" Liu Meng protested, giving her maid's arm a light pinch, though her blush deepened.
Flustered by Xiao Ning's bluntness once more, Bai Yunfei cleared his throat, eager to change the subject. "Ahem… well, it's about time we set off. Meng'er, shall we head to Cui Hua Temple now?"
...
The trio walked along a path flanked by lush green grass, chatting and laughing as they made their way leisurely towards Cui Hua Temple. The number of fellow travelers gradually increased. Rumors of the temple's exceptionally accurate fortune-telling slips drew many pilgrims seeking blessings, as well as casual visitors enjoying an outing.
As noon approached, the sun's intensity grew, heating the very air around them. Xiao Ning had unfurled a delicate pink oil-paper umbrella, shielding herself and Liu Meng from the direct rays.
Noticing Bai Yunfei squinting against the fierce glare, Liu Meng seemed to recall something. She stopped walking and spoke softly, "Oh, Yunfei, I almost forgot! I have something for you!"
"Huh?" Bai Yunfei blinked in surprise. "For me? What is it?"
With a gentle smile, Liu Meng extended her jade-like hand. Resting on her palm was a round object – a golden straw hat.
"I remember when we first met, you were wearing one of these," she explained, her voice soft. "But that one looked quite worn. When I was coming out today, I happened to see some for sale by the roadside… so I bought you a new one. Please take it. It should help shield you from the sun."
"..."
Bai Yunfei accepted the hat, its golden straw woven with a thin band of red trim. He stared at it silently for a long moment. A surge of warmth filled his chest – Liu Meng had bought him a gift! Yet… why a straw hat?
"Yunfei… do you not like it?" Liu Meng's voice, tinged with hesitant worry, broke his reverie.
He snapped back, hurriedly replying, "Ah? No, no! I truly like it! Heh… thank you, Meng'er…"
Without further ado, he plopped it onto his head. A wide, genuine smile spread across his face as he adjusted the brim lower. The harsh sunlight vanished instantly. A sense of coolness washed over him, not just physically, but a profound, inexplicable tranquility settling deep within his heart…
"Yunfei Gongzi," Xiao Ning's teasing voice floated on the warm air. "Now that Miss has given you a gift, don't you think you should show your appreciation somehow?"
"Ah? Oh… of course! Certainly, I will…" Bai Yunfei's flustered agreement mingled with their laughter as the figures of the three companions grew smaller and smaller down the sun-dappled path.