"This..." Bai Yunfei hesitated, utterly unsure how to respond.
Seeing his conflicted expression, a flicker of hurt passed through Liu Meng's eyes. She lowered her head slightly, placing the bracelet back onto the table. Her voice was soft, tinged with disappointment. "Xiao Ning, don't speak nonsense. This bracelet might be very important to Yunfei. How could he just give it away casually..."
Witnessing Liu Meng's demeanor and hearing the dejection in her voice, Bai Yunfei's heart gave an unexpected lurch. A strange sense of guilt washed over him, as if causing this young woman before him any sadness was an unforgivable sin.
"No... that's not it, Meng'er," Bai Yunfei's gaze flickered briefly before he took a decisive step forward. He picked up the bracelet and gently placed it in her hand, forcing a small smile. "This bracelet... it was actually meant for you. I planned to give it to you the next time we met. I just didn't expect you to come find me today. So... consider this the perfect timing."
"Really?" Liu Meng looked up, a delicate blush coloring her cheeks as she met his eyes.
"Yes, really!" This time, Bai Yunfei's voice was firm. At this moment, seeing that smile bloom on her face, he knew giving away the bracelet was absolutely worth it.
"Hehe, see! I told you!" Xiao Ning chimed in triumphantly beside them. "Hmph! Young Master Yunfei, deliberately scaring Miss like that! You almost made her cry! You're really too mean!"
"Ah, well... I didn't mean to just now..." Bai Yunfei scratched his head awkwardly, offering an embarrassed smile.
Both girls couldn't help but giggle softly at his flustered, slightly foolish expression, making him flush even deeper.
Liu Meng gazed at the bracelet in her hand, her eyes shining with delight. It was clear she genuinely liked it. After admiring it for a moment longer, she carefully slipped it onto her left wrist.
The instant the bracelet settled against her skin, Liu Meng visibly stiffened. A look of confusion crossed her face as she stared at the accessory on her wrist. Then, surprisingly, she closed her eyes, as if concentrating intently on some internal sensation.
Several breaths later, her eyes snapped open. She looked up at Bai Yunfei, her expression filled with utter disbelief and shock. "Yunfei... this... this bracelet..."
"Here it comes!"
Bai Yunfei's heart skipped a beat. He had anticipated this reaction the moment he decided to give her the bracelet. He forced himself to maintain a calm facade, offering a slight smile. "Hmm? Ah, yes... this bracelet does have some... unique properties. My master gave it to me. It... it can make the wearer feel a bit more agile and light on their feet."
Hearing his explanation, Liu Meng blinked in astonishment. She examined the bracelet on her wrist again with renewed intensity, her head bowed as she seemed lost in thought.
Just as Bai Yunfei started to worry that his excuse sounded too far-fetched, Liu Meng looked up again. To his surprise, her expression held a hint of apology. "Yunfei, I'm sorry. I didn't realize this bracelet had such a special effect. I... I can't accept it..."
As she spoke, she began to slide the bracelet off her wrist, intending to return it.
Bai Yunfei was stunned. Having finally resolved to give it to her, her sudden refusal left him feeling strangely flustered. He took two quick steps forward and instinctively grasped the hand she was using to remove the bracelet. "Meng'er, since you've already put it on, just leave it be. I know you truly like it. Please, keep it. Besides, its effect isn't all that significant anyway..."
"Yunfei... you... let go..."
Liu Meng's voice, soft and tinged with embarrassment, jolted Bai Yunfei back to reality. He quickly released her wrist, waving his hands frantically. "Oh! Meng'er, I... I didn't mean to do that!"
Liu Meng's face remained flushed, but she didn't attempt to remove the bracelet again. Instead, she lowered her head, silently tracing its contours on her wrist with her fingertips.
Xiao Ning sat nearby, wide-eyed, watching the exchange with intense curiosity. What could be so special about this bracelet besides being pretty? She couldn't quite grasp what was happening between them.
For a brief moment, an awkward silence settled over the room.
"Oh, Yunfei," Liu Meng finally spoke, breaking the quiet. She subtly hid her bracelet-clad wrist within her sleeve as she looked up. "You mentioned you had things to do today? What are they? Could... could I come with you?"
"Well... I'm afraid that won't be possible," Bai Yunfei said with some difficulty. "I'm going to catch up with a couple of friends. They'll be coming to meet me soon..."
"Friends?" Liu Meng tilted her head, curiosity evident. "You know people here in Cui Liu City? You never mentioned that before."
"Hmm, I only met them by chance yesterday," Bai Yunfei explained. "She's... she's a disciple of the Cui Liu Sect. Her name is Autumn Greenwillow..."
"What?! A Cui Liu Sect disciple?" Liu Meng's eyes widened in surprise. Then, as if recalling something, her expression dimmed. She lowered her head again, her thoughts unreadable.
Bai Yunfei panicked. "Meng'er, don't misunderstand! We're just ordinary friends! It's just... I once helped her junior sister. So, meeting again by chance like this, she wanted to invite me to catch up..."
"A junior sister too?!" Xiao Ning couldn't contain a gasp.
Bai Yunfei felt sweat beading on his forehead. He shot Xiao Ning a pleading look. "Xiao Ning, please... don't make things more complicated..."
"Heh," Liu Meng let out a light, almost humorless laugh, lifting her head. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yunfei, you really don't need to explain anything to me. After all..." Her voice dropped slightly. "...I'm not anyone special to you. I have no right to be upset..."
"No! That's not it, Meng'er! I..." Bai Yunfei started desperately.
"It's fine. I understand." Liu Meng cut him off, her smile brittle but persistent. "Well then, I won't intrude any longer. It would be awkward if your friends arrived now. I'll take my leave. You can... find me after you've finished catching up."
Liu Meng's sudden shift left Bai Yunfei's mind reeling. He was at a complete loss for words, only able to watch dumbly as she rose gracefully and walked slowly out of the room.
"Hmph! Young Master Yunfei, you're just too stupid! You make Xiao Ning so angry! I'm ignoring you!" The little maid shook her tiny fist at him fiercely before flouncing out after her mistress, deliberately slamming the door shut with a loud bang.
"I... I didn't even say anything..."
Bai Yunfei stood rooted to the spot long after the girls had left, finally murmuring the words with a sense of utter helplessness, feeling like he might cry.
...
Bai Yunfei drifted back to his bed in a daze and lay down. He stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in turbulent thoughts.
"Bai Yunfei? Are you there?"
A clear, crisp voice called from outside the door. Bai Yunfei sat bolt upright as if electrocuted. Then, he paused, shaking his head slightly with a soft sigh. "This time... it's definitely her. Miss Autumn..."
He opened the door. Autumn Greenwillow stood there, dressed in fresh green robes, a friendly smile on her face.
"My apologies, I'm a little later than planned. Shall we get going?" she asked, her tone apologetic.
"Ah, Miss Autumn, no need to worry. I haven't been waiting long," Bai Yunfei replied politely, though inwardly he sighed with frustration. If only she had come earlier to take me away... Then I wouldn't have somehow managed to upset Meng'er...
He gave his head a small shake, trying to dismiss the thought for now. Glancing behind Autumn Greenwillow, he looked puzzled. "Huh? Miss Chu isn't with you?"
"Hehe, well, Bai Yunfei," Autumn Greenwillow began, her smile widening. "Originally, I planned to bring my junior sister to meet you today so the three of us could catch up. However, after I returned to the sect yesterday, I happened to mention our encounter to my master. She... she expressed a desire to meet the young hero who saved her youngest disciple." She paused, her eyes earnest. "So, we'd like to invite you, Bai Yunfei, to be a guest at our Cui Liu Sect. I hope that's alright?"
"Huh? Your master wants to see me?" Bai Yunfei was taken aback. Autumn Greenwillow's master... that would be the leader of the Cui Liu Sect. He hadn't expected that. "This..."
"Is there some inconvenience?" Autumn Greenwillow inquired gently.
"No! Not at all! Alright then," Bai Yunfei recovered quickly. "I'll trouble you to lead the way, Miss Autumn..."
......
About ten miles west of Cui Liu City stood an expansive manor house. Imposing walls, gracefully upturned eaves, and multi-storied pavilions gave it an air of quiet dignity. Surrounding the manor, a sea of vibrant green willows stood like rows of vigilant guards, their slender branches swaying gently in the breeze. From afar, the sight evoked a sense of tranquil delight.
This was the headquarters of the Cui Liu Sect. Standing just inside the grand entrance gate was a petite figure.
She wore a simple white robe adorned with delicate embroidered green willow leaves. Though small in stature, her form was pleasingly proportioned. Long, dark hair cascaded down to her waist, and straight-cut bangs framed a forehead that hinted at an endearing innocence. A rosy flush that made her cheeks look delightfully pinchable spread across her face. Her large, expressive eyes blinked rapidly as she gazed intently down the path ahead, filled with unmistakable anticipation.
This young girl was naturally Chu Yuhe, the very junior sister who had been kidnapped by Zhang Yang's men and ultimately rescued by Bai Yunfei.
She seemed to have been waiting for quite some time. Her lips were slightly pursed in a small pout as she murmured to herself, "It's been so long already... why isn't Sister back yet..."
Even as she voiced this quiet complaint, she lifted her head to scan the distance once more. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and a radiant smile blossomed on her face. Unable to contain her excitement, she broke into a small, eager run towards the approaching figures.
In the distance, a man and a woman walked side by side: Bai Yunfei and Autumn Greenwillow.
"The sect is just ahead, Yunfei. Let's pick up the pace a little. Xiao... Oh? Hehe, look!" Autumn Greenwillow chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her hand as she spotted the small figure hurrying towards them. "My little junior sister can hardly wait to see you."
Chu Yuhe stopped about ten meters short of them, as if suddenly realizing her own eagerness. She froze, her hands immediately fidgeting with the hem of her dress, a deep blush coloring her cheeks. "S-Sister... you're back... Um... H-hello, Bai Yunfei... g-gongzi..."
"Hehe, hello, Miss Yuhe," Bai Yunfei replied warmly, genuinely pleased to see the shy girl. "Were you waiting for us?"
"Mmm," she nodded, still looking down. "Master... Master asked me to wait here to welcome Bai Yunfei gongzi..."
"Miss Yuhe, you really don't need to be so formal with me," Bai Yunfei said kindly. "Just call me Yunfei. And I'll call you Yuhe, alright?"
"Th-then... then I'll call you... call you Yunfei gege... and you... you can call me Yuhe..." the girl stammered timidly.
Autumn Greenwillow, observing her junior sister's persistent shyness, shook her head fondly. "Alright, you two," she interjected with a smile. "Are you planning to stand here chatting all day? Let's go inside first. You can talk properly later."
Chu Yuhe murmured an agreement and quickly moved to stand beside her senior sister. Together, the three of them walked through the grand entrance of the Cui Liu Sect.