In the evening,
Liu Yun walked back on the snowy path, her footprints from earlier still visible.
The sunset bathed the white Guili in a golden hue, making the snow glimmer as if infused with light.
During this time, Liu Yun's closed-door study of mechanisms wasn't meant to compete with Guizhong; she had only said that to keep Yuxie from finding out too soon.
Her true intention was to create a small mechanism that could protect Yuxie in her place.
The mechanism had already taken shape, resembling a small crane with blue and white feathers, capable of both attacking and defending.
With this mechanism, Yuxie would have an extra pair of eyes on the battlefield, ensuring more safety.
It was nearly complete.
When she gifted it to Yuxie, he would surely be surprised, wouldn't he?
Liu Yun stopped and looked back at Yuxie's residence.
A sudden impulse surged within her; she wanted to rush back to Yuxie and suggest they go fishing by the river now instead of waiting for the snow to melt.
She could create a hole in the frozen surface, and he wouldn't need to worry about keeping warm—she had her ways. All he needed to do was bring a fishing rod and bait, and follow her.
They could fish all night, enjoying the starry winter sky without anyone to disturb them.
But after standing in the snow for a moment, she ultimately chose not to turn back.
There would be plenty of opportunities later; there was no need to rush this moment.
Waiting for the snow to melt, for a warm, sunny day, would be just fine.
With that thought in mind, Liu Yun turned and headed home.
Yuxie stood at the entrance of the courtyard, watching Liu Yun's figure gradually fade into the distance. It wasn't until he could no longer see her that he returned inside.
He lingered for a long time in front of the knife rack, his gaze fixed on the Cloud Cutter, carefully examining every intricate pattern on the scabbard and hilt from top to bottom.
As darkness settled, he picked up the Cloud Cutter, secured it at his waist, and donned a coat to hide it before stepping out.
Suddenly, it began to snow again.
The snowflakes fell thicker upon Yuxie, and he didn't bother to brush them off.
The cold wind howled as his solitary figure wavered in the snow, seeming both fragile and resolute.
The snowfall intensified, accompanied by the howling wind.
Yuxie didn't know how long he walked before stopping.
He glanced back at the now-invisible Guardian General's residence and the entire Guili.
Then, his figure slowly disappeared into the storm, his footprints in the snow buried beneath the relentless snowfall.
...
Morning sunlight poured down.
After a night, the entire Guili was once again blanketed in white snow, quiet enough that one could almost hear nothing.
The residents lamented the weather that kept them from working outside, forced to stay indoors by the fire and chat.
On the snow-covered path, Ge Chen carefully held a small, exquisite box, mentally preparing herself.
She thought to herself that today she must give this music box to Yuxie, ensuring it appeared by his bedside tonight.
"Ge Chen, Lady of the Lang Market, hello!" A child playing in the snow spotted her and joyfully waved.
Ge Chen stopped, smiling warmly at the children.
"Hello! Are you all working together to build a snowman?"
"Yes! We're going to make the biggest snowman in Guili this winter!"
"That's impressive," Ge Chen said, gently ruffling the ambitious child's hair. "Keep it up! But be careful not to catch a cold."
"Where are you going, Lady Ge Chen?" another child asked curiously.
"I…" Ge Chen hesitated for a moment, "I'm going to take care of something I've been putting off for a long time."
"Hey? So even immortals procrastinate?"
The child's innocent remark could have earned a scolding from their parents if they'd heard it.
But Ge Chen simply smiled.
"Immortals have many similarities with humans, which is why we can live together like this."
"Oh, I see..." The child nodded, somewhat understanding.
"Well, I have to go now. Keep up the good work, and I'll be waiting to see the biggest snowman you build!"
"Okay!"
With that, Ge Chen resumed her journey toward her destination.
Strangely, despite having walked this path to Yuxie's home countless times, today it felt longer than ever before.
Was it because of the snow making it difficult to walk normally, or was it something else?
After pondering for a while, Ge Chen still found no answer.
Before she knew it, she had arrived.
Standing in front of Yuxie's courtyard gate, she took a deep breath and mentally reviewed what she had prepared to say.
Finally, she reached out and knocked on the door.
Knock knock—
"Yuxie, it's me."
Ge Chen felt a bit nervous, anxiously waiting for Yuxie's response.
But as time passed, nearly a minute went by without a reply.
"Yuxie?" She knocked again.
Inside, it was silent, and there was still no answer.
With confusion rising, Ge Chen pondered for a moment and noticed that the gate was unlocked. She pushed it open.
"The door's unlocked; I'm coming in."
Stepping into the courtyard, she glanced around.
The white snow covered the entire courtyard, with four small "snow mounds" that likely represented the four snowmen, shaped by the heavy snowfall overnight.
The snow remained smooth without any footprints, indicating that no one had been outside.
"Yuxie? Are you home?" Ge Chen raised her voice slightly and asked again.
Still, there was no response.
A sense of confusion and concern bubbled within her. She quickly walked to the main house door and found it was also unlocked.
Without a second thought, she pushed the door open.
Inside, the house was quiet, and Yuxie was nowhere to be seen. The charcoal in the heating stove had turned to ash, suggesting it had burned out naturally overnight.
Seeing this, Ge Chen paused in contemplation before hastening to Yuxie's bedroom door.
It was also unlocked.
She pushed the door open, and inside the bedroom was neatly arranged, with everything in its rightful place—except for Yuxie, who was missing.
Ge Chen stood in the bedroom for a moment before moving outside to sit under the eaves.
Sitting cross-legged, she held the small music box in her hands, a hint of sadness crossing her features.
"I said I'd definitely deliver this today, but you're not even here."
"Fine, I'll just wait right here until you come back."
"Regardless, today I must give this to you!"
End of chapter
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