Lin Zixuan and Jiang Wan, hidden under the quilt, tensed as they heard Tang Yuxin's words. The possibility of being discovered and causing an awkward situation weighed heavily on them.
Horn, noticing the potential discomfort, quickly stood up and wrapped his arms around Tang Yuxin's waist. "Yuxin, let's go outside and enjoy the moon," he suggested, waving his hand toward the open window. They swiftly moved through the window and landed in the front yard.
Horn retrieved a thick coat from his storage ring and draped it over Tang Yuxin to shield her from the cool night air, as it was approaching midnight and quite chilly outside.
Inside, once Lin Zixuan and Jiang Wan confirmed that Horn and Tang Yuxin had left, they emerged from the quilt. They exchanged tense glances.
Jiang Wan scrutinized Lin Zixuan and asked, "Why did you question Horn earlier? You still call him a disciple—what's wrong with him?"
Lin Zixuan remained silent, her lips pressed into a thin line. Jiang Wan noticed the purple storage ring on Lin Zixuan's right hand. "There wasn't a purple ring among the hundreds Horn showed. Did he give this one to you alone?"
Jiang Wan's eyes sparkled with curiosity. Lin Zixuan's face reddened as she replied, "Why did you sneak into Horn's room in the middle of the night and hide under his quilt?"
Jiang Wan grinned. "I promised Horn I'd warm his bed. I'm just keeping my promise."
Lin Zixuan responded coldly, "He has already turned you down. It's not right to compete over him."
Jiang Wan, in a playful yet serious tone, embraced Lin Zixuan from behind and her hands gently touched Lin Zixuan's shoulders. "Zixuan, why so serious? Have you already experienced Horn's affection?"
Their old habit of joking around in private resurfaced, but Lin Zixuan, remembering her recent encounter with Horn, pulled away, her pajamas slightly disheveled. "Can we be serious?"
Jiang Wan, now lying on Horn's bed, continued, "Zixuan, what do you think of Horn? With how intriguing he is, he's bound to attract many women."
Lin Zixuan, though initially skeptical, could not deny the truth in Jiang Wan's words. Jiang Wan was determined to pursue her feelings for Horn, believing that he was someone special.
Lin Zixuan, though conflicted, found herself agreeing somewhat. Jiang Wan's assertion that she couldn't settle for less than Horn was convincing. She leaned against the window, her gaze following Horn and Tang Yuxin below.
Jiang Wan asked, "Do you think you're a mistress? From what I know, you wouldn't have pursued Horn without a compelling reason. It must have been an accident."
Lin Zixuan nodded slightly, acknowledging Jiang Wan's insight. They continued to watch Horn and Tang Yuxin in silence, their thoughts tangled with their feelings.
Meanwhile, under the gentle moonlight, Horn and Tang Yuxin sat together in the garden. Horn presented a silver necklace with a light blue gemstone to Tang Yuxin, saying, "Happy birthday. This is my gift to you."
The necklace, named Star Love, had special properties but Horn kept those details to himself. Tang Yuxin, touched by the gesture, was delighted simply by the thoughtfulness behind it.
As the necklace was placed around her neck, the night sky lit up with a meteor shower. Tang Yuxin, feeling a rush of nervous excitement, reached for Horn's hand. Horn, with a loving smile, held her hand warmly.
The two sat together, enjoying the meteor shower, their fingers intertwined. Tang Yuxin, smiling under the moonlight, wished that this moment could last forever.