On the day Meng Shuying left, a fine drizzle fell over Qingxu Mountain.
This was very rare, as the mountain was usually covered by a protective formation, ensuring that it was always sunny and clear, with four distinct seasons.
The rain fell like silver threads, drenching the lush greenery, turning the entire mountain into a vivid green painting.
Morning rain moistens the light dust, and the fresh green of the willows is renewed.
She carried a small bundle and held an oil-paper umbrella as she slowly walked along the mountain path, her pace unhurried, with a hint of leisurely stroll.
Only on Yanmo Peak would she be so relaxed and at ease.
Today, she had come to say goodbye to her senior sister.
Thinking of what had happened the previous night, a smile tugged at the corners of Meng Shuying's lips.
Last night, her senior sister had stormed over to question why she was leaving the mountain.
She had expected her senior sister to scold her, even mentally prepared herself for a harsh reprimand.
But it turned out that her senior sister was reluctant to let her go.
Meng Shuying's heart felt sweet and warm.
Her senior sister had assumed she was leaving because she had been wronged and was even ready to stand up for her.
How... how could she be so wonderful?
Even when she had mustered the courage to hold her senior sister in her arms, her senior sister had only struggled shyly, without pushing her away forcefully.
The only regret was that after calming down, her senior sister had returned to her usual composed self, the pink flush on her cheeks fading away as she spoke in a calm tone, telling her to rest early and to see her before she left.
This left Meng Shuying with a slight sense of loss, even though her heart was wrapped in happiness.
But that was just like her senior sister.
The rainwater soaked the roof tiles, creating a gentle, rippling glow, dim yet warm.
Just like her senior sister.
As she reached the eaves, Meng Shuying closed her umbrella and placed it against the wall.
She had come early, thinking that her senior sister had stayed late the night before and was probably still asleep, so she didn't knock and instead stood under the eaves for a while.
In the three years she had spent on Yanmo Peak, she had never seen a single rain shower.
Yet now, as she was about to leave, she witnessed one.
She watched as the rainwater gathered into small streams, trickling down the gutters and eaves.
She listened to the sound of raindrops hitting the tiles, the gentle and varied sounds gradually drawing nearer.
The wooden door behind her creaked open, a faint sound against the background of rain.
But Meng Shuying caught it immediately, a thought crossing her mind.
Before she left, she should apply oil to all the doors.
Her senior sister lived casually and never paid attention to such small details. In the past, Meng Shuying had quietly taken care of these things, and now that she was leaving, she should make sure everything was in order for her senior sister.
As she pondered this, she hesitated.
Was she leaving too quickly?
"Why are you standing outside? Come in," Su Luowei's voice was soft, still heavy with drowsiness.
She probably hadn't slept well last night, with dark circles under her eyes.
Meng Shuying thought she had stayed up late worrying about her leaving the mountain, and her heart softened, her resolve to leave wavering even more.
Luckily, everything was already set in motion, and it was too late to change her mind now.
Otherwise, seeing her senior sister so sad and reluctant, Meng Shuying might have reconsidered her decision.
She really didn't want to leave her senior sister.
Meng Shuying was half right; Su Luowei hadn't slept well last night.
But her insomnia wasn't due to worry about Meng Shuying, but rather because she had, in a moment of weakness, said something she shouldn't have, breaking character and facing the system's punishment, which tormented her until the early hours of the morning.
She had slept too late and woken up too early, leaving her looking a bit tired. Combined with the gloomy weather, she resembled a kitten dampened by rain, with her hair tinged with mist.
Yanmo Peak was better without rain.
Meng Shuying thought silently.
Su Luowei glanced at her briefly before turning back into the house. That glance was devoid of emotion, and if one looked closely, there was even a hint of distance.
Meng Shuying noticed the subtle change in her senior sister's demeanor, and her heart tightened.
Her senior sister seemed different, as if it wasn't just fatigue or anger, but a deliberate attempt to maintain distance between them.
Even though they had just grown a little closer yesterday.
Her eyes trembled, a trace of bitterness spreading within them.
The good mood she had carried all morning sank, rising and falling with her senior sister's every move.
Su Luowei quickly noticed something was wrong with Meng Shuying's mood.
She stared at her, trying to discern what had caused such a drastic change in her emotions.
Earlier in the morning, when she had opened the door and seen Meng Shuying, her face had been filled with such joy that Su Luowei almost thought she saw a tail wagging behind her.
Meng Shuying deliberately avoided her gaze, trying to cheer up but unable to hide her dejection.
Su Luowei shook her head and sighed softly, picking up a delicate sachet from the table and handing it to her.
This? Meng Shuying looked at the sachet in front of her, her pupils trembling.
Was this a farewell gift from her senior sister?
Had her senior sister stayed up late to embroider this sachet for her?
The sadness and frustration that had just clouded her heart instantly vanished, and a smile crept onto Meng Shuying's lips as she looked at the sachet, her dark eyes filled with disbelief.
Was this a token of love?
But what could she do? She hadn't had time to prepare anything for her senior sister.
Her eyes were filled with joy and shyness, leaving Su Luowei momentarily stunned.
Was she that happy over a storage pouch?
Her joy seemed to be contagious, causing Su Luowei to momentarily forget about maintaining distance.
"Try injecting your spiritual energy into it."
Meng Shuying didn't understand why she needed to channel spiritual energy into the sachet, but she obediently complied. As her spiritual energy entered the sachet, she "saw" that there was a space inside, about three feet square, containing several items.
So it wasn't a sachet her senior sister had given her, but a storage pouch.
Meng Shuying's joy immediately faded by half.
Su Luowei couldn't understand why her mood changed so quickly—she had been so happy when she first received the pouch, but now she was looking at her with such a sorrowful expression.
Out of habit, Su Luowei raised her hand and gently patted Meng Shuying's head.
Crying one moment, smiling the next—such a childlike temperament.
"There are talismans, pills, and some silver inside. You're about to leave the mountain for your journey, so these things will come in handy."
Even the storage pouch was something Su Luowei had specially sought out for her, knowing that it would be inconvenient for Meng Shuying to carry a bundle while traveling in the mortal world. The pouch would be much more practical.
It was just a pity that time had been too short, and she hadn't been able to find her a suitable spiritual sword.
So all these things were prepared by her senior sister for her journey.
A warm current seemed to flow through Meng Shuying's heart.
Her senior sister had only found out yesterday that she was leaving the mountain and had quickly prepared all these things for her—it couldn't have been easy.
Looking at her senior sister's tired face, Meng Shuying felt her heart grow even warmer.
"After you leave the mountain, be sure to be careful in everything you do. If you encounter other disciples of Qingxu Sect on the road, it's best to travel with them," Su Luowei said, knowing that Meng Shuying was the type who preferred to travel alone. She wasn't talkative, and if something happened, she would probably endure it in silence.
Her worries grew endlessly.
"No matter what happens, make sure to protect yourself," she reminded her again, endlessly patient.
"Don't worry, senior sister. I'll take good care of myself."
Meng Shuying looked at her with a gaze so tender and lingering, as if she wanted to etch her senior sister's image deeply into her heart.
The seriousness in her promise made Su Luowei's eyes warm, and she quickly turned her face away, avoiding eye contact.
Just like last night.
Once you peeled back the calm exterior of Meng Shuying, it was easy to glimpse the turbulent emotions she kept hidden beneath her silence.
But even though she could see that vast ocean, Su Luowei dared not venture into it.
She wasn't sure if she could handle the consequences.
So last night, she had shamefully fled.
That was why she was so distant today.
Meng Shuying stood obediently, savoring their final moments alone together.
But eventually, she couldn't resist the surge of emotions and suddenly spoke up.
"Before I leave, may I hug you?"
Su Luowei lowered her gaze, neither agreeing nor refusing.
Meng Shuying felt a little anxious but couldn't resist her desire. She took a step forward, opened her arms, and gently embraced her senior sister.
Just before touching her, she stole a glance at her senior sister's expression. No matter how much she longed for it, she would stop if her senior sister rejected her.
But her senior sister didn't refuse.
She lowered her eyes, hands resting at her sides, not even moving the robe draped over her shoulders.
Meng Shuying understood that her senior sister had given her permission.
Her heart began to race, and she eagerly wrapped her arms around her senior sister, feeling the warmth of her body through her clothes. The scent of lily-of-the-valley flowers filled her senses.
Soft and warm.
So this was what it felt like to hold her senior sister.
Since she was twelve, she had secretly admired her senior sister.
Even before she understood what love was, she had unknowingly given her heart.
She had watched over her for three years and waited for her for another three.
And today, she finally had her in her arms.
It was both comforting and fulfilling.
She even felt as if she could die without regrets.
Just as Meng Shuying was about to let go, Su Luowei quickly and lightly raised her hands, briefly wrapping them around her waist before letting go again.
The movement was so natural that it seemed as if she had only accidentally hugged Meng Shuying.
If Meng Shuying hadn't been entirely focused on her senior sister, she might not have noticed the subtle gesture.
But she had been watching her the entire time.
So she caught that small gesture of response from her senior sister.
Meng Shuying smiled.
It was the first time Su Luowei had seen such a radiant smile on her face, like the sky clearing after rain, with not a trace of shadow.
Su Luowei almost thought she saw a fluffy tail wagging furiously behind her, expressing the joy of its owner.
"Senior Sister~ Senior Sister~" Meng Shuying called her name twice in a voice full of affection and reliance.
"Take care of yourself on Yanmo Peak too."
Su Luowei stepped back slightly, pulling away from her, her expression awkward before it quickly returned to a somewhat cool demeanor.
"Mm, I will."
"And most importantly..." Meng Shuying placed her hands on Su Luowei's shoulders, preventing her from stepping back further, her gaze serious as she looked into her eyes.
Su Luowei looked back at her, feeling as though she was being pulled into the depths of the emotions swirling in Meng Shuying's eyes.
"I'll return as soon as I can, so Senior Sister, you mustn't forget me."
Meng Shuying left a long time later.
It was only then that Xiaoba managed to suppress its urge to scream and pretended to be calm, though its tone was filled with gossip. "I thought she was going to kiss you."
Su Luowei sat at the table, covering her cheeks with both hands, trying to cool down her face. "What nonsense are you talking about? We only share sisterly affection."
Although she said that, the heat on her face wouldn't subside.
Was it too stuffy in the house because of the rain?
Su Luowei walked to the window and opened it, letting the breeze carry away the warmth from her cheeks.
"Ugh," Xiaoba clicked its tongue, sounding very human, "Sisterly affection? Even you don't believe that. But all jokes aside, I need to remind you..."
Its tone suddenly grew serious. "There's no future between you and Meng Shuying. Don't forget, you were just punished by the system last night."
Su Luowei was silent for a long time before she responded softly.
"I know."
Last night, while being tortured by the headache, she had made up her mind to draw a clear line between herself and Meng Shuying.
But when she saw the sadness in her eyes, Su Luowei couldn't bring herself to do it.
"After what happened last night, don't you get it? We've grown complacent over the years because the system hasn't issued any warnings, forgetting that it has its limits too.
So don't do that again. You and Meng Shuying have your own paths to walk, and they are destined not to cross. Why add unnecessary trouble?"
Su Luowei gritted her teeth, swallowing the bitterness that rose in her throat before finally forcing out a reply.
"It's not unnecessary trouble."
It's the stirrings of love.
She couldn't stand to see the child she had raised being bullied, having no place to belong, and being forced to leave.
She didn't want her to leave the mountain and face the world's greed and malice, its dangers and deceptions.
She couldn't bear the thought of them parting after so many years together, just when she had begun to see the emotions in Meng Shuying's heart.
She let out a long, melancholy sigh.
Senior Sister used to think Meng Shuying's feelings for her were just a passing fancy, a youthful whim, so she didn't take them seriously.
But the truth is, our Senior Sister does have feelings for little Meng.