Chapter 18 - Chapter 17

Song Zhixia didn't know why; she just felt somewhat wronged. She knew her Senior Sister was doing it for her own good, to make her stronger. However, she couldn't help but have red eyes, even though she rarely cried when her foster parents mistreated her in the past. Song Zhixia didn't understand what was happening to her. Since she encountered Song Weizhi, she seemed to have become more prone to tears. 

Seeing Song Zhixia crying, Song Weizhi immediately panicked. Did she just scare the pretty girl too much? But her intention was for Song Zhixia to use all her strength, so she could improve. She didn't mean to make the girl cry. 

Song Weizhi quickly ran to Song Zhixia, helping her up and saying anxiously, "Did I use too much force and hurt you, Zhixia? I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Senior Sister didn't mean it. Let me see where it hurts. Does it still hurt?" 

Song Weizhi's silence was fine, but once she spoke, Song Zhixia's tears flowed even more violently. She hated herself for being so worthless. Senior Sister was doing this for her good, and yet she was crying, making Senior Sister worry. Song Zhixia just wanted to find a place to hide where no one could see her. She put away the sword Song Weizhi had given her, turned to leave, and was about to go when her wrist was suddenly grabbed, and she fell into a warm embrace. 

Song Weizhi's cold breath, unique to her, enveloped Song Zhixia. Soon, she found herself shrouded in it, with her Senior Sister's hand occasionally gently stroking her back. 

"Zhixia, be good. Senior Sister might have used too much force. Senior Sister is sorry, okay? Senior Sister shouldn't have been so harsh on my precious one." Song Weizhi's hand encircled Song Zhixia's slender waist, while the other moved from her waist to her back, patting gently. 

In her embrace, Song Zhixia continued to sob softly, and Song Weizhi, hearing it, felt her heart breaking. She gently comforted the person in her arms, "Baby, don't cry. It's all Senior Sister's fault. Whatever punishment you want to give Senior Sister is fine. Don't cry, okay? Your tears have shattered Senior Sister's heart." 

Unexpectedly, the more Senior Sister comforted her, the more Song Zhixia wanted to cry. It seemed that she had never cried so much before in her life. Crying was useless for her in the past, as no one cared about her feelings. However, since meeting Song Weizhi, Song Zhixia felt like a piece of driftweed on the sea, finally finding a place to rely on. She knew that people cared about her now, and crying made her feel sad yet yearning for warmth at the same time. She even wished Song Weizhi would comfort her more. 

Realizing her thoughts, Song Zhixia was startled, but she still clung to Song Weizhi, unwilling to let go. She wondered if there would be another chance for Senior Sister to hold her like this in the future. 

Seeing the quieting sobs of the girl in her arms, one of Song Weizhi's hands continued to caress the small ears of the girl, while the other lightly patted her back. She whispered, "Baby, be good. Don't cry. Senior Sister was wrong. Whatever punishment you want to give me is fine. Senior Sister will hug you, okay?" 

At this moment, Song Zhixia's emotions finally calmed down. She, who had been immersed in thoughts of the past, gradually regained her composure. Leaning against Senior Sister's embrace, she realized that Senior Sister seemed to be calling her 'baby.' 

The skin on Song Zhixia's body quickly turned red at a visible speed, and even the little ears that Song Weizhi was playing with were not spared. Under Song Weizhi's caresses, they appeared even more charming and enticing. 

Of course, Song Zhixia also noticed Song Weizhi's hands playing with her ears. She felt a bit embarrassed to look at Song Weizhi. If she were to be held in her Senior Sister's embrace again, she feared she would drown in her Senior Sister's arms. She quietly tried to break free from Song Weizhi's arms. 

Song Weizhi naturally felt it too. It seemed that the girl in her arms had cried enough, and now she felt embarrassed. However, Song Weizhi had no intention of letting go of the girl in her arms so quickly. She hadn't had enough fun yet. 

Her arms around Song Zhixia's waist suddenly tightened. Seeing that the girl in her arms leaned in a bit more, Song Weizhi stopped teasing her. A faint smile curved on Song Weizhi's lips as she gently spoke near the girl's ear, "Baby, don't you want Senior Sister to hug you? Where do you want to go?" 

The moment she heard the word 'baby', Song Zhixia wished she could bury herself entirely in Song Weizhi's arms. She felt so embarrassed that she didn't dare to lift her head. She truly regretted crying so much. What should she do? Senior Sister's embrace was so tight, and she kept saying things that made her blush. She couldn't break free at all. 

Seeing the young girl burying herself in her arms without speaking, Song Weizhi playfully toyed with the girl's earlobe, which was red and dripping with blood. Then she spoke, "Baby, why aren't you talking? Are you still mad at Senior Sister? You've been standing for so long. Are you tired? Shall Senior Sister carry baby back to rest?" 

Song Zhixia was on the verge of tears again, but this time it wasn't from pain; it was embarrassment. Each endearment from Senior Sister made her legs go weak. If she had known, she would have definitely endured without crying! 

Feeling the need to speak up, Song Zhixia, with her face buried in Song Weizhi's embrace, weakly said, "Um, Senior Sister, I'm fine now. I'll go rest for a bit. Can you…can you let me go?" 

Looking at the girl who seemed like a quail in her embrace, Song Weizhi's lips curled into a smile. "Sure, then baby, lift your head and let Senior Sister take a look. If baby is really fine, Senior Sister will let go." 

Song Zhixia couldn't withstand this. Each 'baby' felt like a burning sensation rushing through her body, hotter than the sword technique she practiced. 

Enduring her shyness, Song Zhixia continued, "Senior Sister, you're not allowed to call me 'Baby' anymore. If you do, I'll get angry." 

"Okay, Senior Sister won't call you that. Lift your head and let Senior Sister see." Song Weizhi knew she shouldn't tease the girl too much, and when things were going well, she stopped. 

Finally, Song Zhixia lifted her head from Song Weizhi's embrace. The girl's eyes were still slightly red, and seeing this, Song Weizhi felt a twinge of heartache. She gently stroked Song Zhixia's cheek and said, "Senior Sister was wrong. I promise not to make my little girl cry anymore, okay?" 

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Song Zhixia, still in Song Weizhi's embrace, spoke, "It's not Senior Sister's fault. It's my mistake. I don't know what happened. I just kept crying more and more. I won't do it next time." 

Song Weizhi's hand on Song Zhixia's waist didn't retract. She guided the girl towards herself, caressing her face and asking her to look. Then she said, "It's okay. If my little girl wants to cry, she can cry. I'll always make her happy." 

Song Zhixia looked at Song Weizhi's smiling eyes and stood still for a moment. Just as she was lost in thought, her body suddenly felt lighter, and Song Weizhi had already carried her horizontally in her arms. Startled, Song Zhixia reflexively embraced Song Weizhi's neck. 

As she regained her composure, she hastily said, "Senior Sister, I can walk. Please put me down." 

Song Weizhi smiled and refused, "No way. I've made my little girl cry. I must comfort her properly. If you don't let Senior Sister carry you back, it means you're still upset with Senior Sister." 

"I-I'm not upset with Senior Sister," Song Zhixia weakly replied, avoiding eye contact with Song Weizhi's dazzling eyes. She rested her head on Song Weizhi's shoulder. 

Seeing that the girl in her arms had no objections, Song Weizhi carried her towards Song Zhixia's room. For some reason, Song Weizhi felt quite happy holding Song Zhixia. 

After placing the blushing girl on the bed, Song Weizhi stood up and said, "Zhixia, follow my method to continue absorbing spiritual qi this afternoon. Let's continue practicing techniques tomorrow. Alright, Senior Sister won't disturb you anymore. I'll leave now." 

Once Song Weizhi left the room, Song Zhixia's heart raced faster, recalling the recent events. Her fair skin blushed again, and she pulled the nearby blanket over her head. What should she do? She felt so shy. Did other sisters with good relationships also hug and hold each other like Senior Sister did? 

Song Zhixia had no friends since childhood and didn't know how other girls interacted. Could it be that she was overthinking things? Did girls with good relationships hug and embrace each other like Senior Sister did? 

Song Weizhi and Song Zhixia forgot about someone in the courtyard—Wei Zhao! 

Wei Zhao had been meditating since early morning, enjoying the tranquility while Song Ruohai and the others remained quiet. However, she overheard everything between her Mistress and the girl. Initially, it was a normal sparring session, but then the girl cried, and her Mistress went to comfort her, even holding the girl tightly in her arms. 

Although Wei Zhao had a straightforward personality, she quickly gathered useful information after being summoned by Song Weizhi. This included the fact that in this world, cultivators could have partners of the same or opposite s*x. Considering the endearments like 'baby' her Mistress used, Wei Zhao concluded that the girl was her Mistress's future Dao companion! 

Thinking about it, Wei Zhao felt she should treat this girl with more respect in the future