Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

In the depths of a narrow alley in Heyang City, there is a small restaurant called "Homecoming".

The bamboo curtain fell, shutting out the outside noise and the two receding figures.

Linglong stood quietly for a moment before slowly turning around and walking back into the shop.

Long Nianchuan (Beast God) followed closely behind her, like a child who had done something wrong. His tall body was slightly hunched, and his glassy eyes were full of confusion and unease.

"Mother..." he called softly, his voice muffled.

"Father... he was taken away by that cold-hearted woman. She's so fierce, I don't like her. Why don't we go and get him back?"

Linglong sat down at the table, poured herself a cup of tea, her movements elegant and devoid of any worldly concerns.

She did not remove her veil, but simply gazed quietly at the tea leaves floating in her cup through the light veil, her starry eyes deep, as if reflecting the ancient Milky Way.

"Rob?" Linglong took a sip of tea, her voice ethereal, with a barely perceptible sigh.

"How can you steal someone's heart? If their heart isn't with you, even if you take it, it's just an empty shell."

"But..." Long Nianchuan became anxious, clenching his fists, and a faint, fierce aura emanated from his body.

"You waited for him for so long! From so long ago... What right does that cold woman have?!"

Linglong put down her teacup, raised her hand, and gently brushed her fingertips across Long Nianchuan's tightly clenched fist.

Her fingertips were slightly cool, carrying a strange soothing power, and the restless aura around Long Nianchuan instantly calmed down.

"Nian'er, don't worry." Linglong's voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable meaning.

"This life has only just begun. He has his own path to walk, his own tribulations to overcome, and his own... love affairs to resolve. We just need to watch, wait, and at the right time... give him a gentle push."

She paused, then looked out the window as if she could see through the walls and into the direction of Qingyun Mountain.

In those eyes that held the galaxy, there was melancholy, longing, a deep-seated obsession, and a hint of cold, sharp light.

"That Miss Lu... is no ordinary person. The Lord of Tianya, the Zhuxian Sword... Ha, what a remarkable destiny."

Linglong's voice lowered, becoming almost inaudible, as if she were speaking to herself.

"But my destiny is no less profound than hers. Now that we've both returned in this life, let's... rely on our own abilities."

She withdrew her gaze and looked at Long Nianchuan, her eyes regaining their gentleness: "Alright, let's tidy up. Now that we're staying here, we need to get this 'returning home' business up and running. Perhaps he'll come back again."

Long Nianchuan seemed to understand but not quite, but his eyes immediately lit up when he heard that Jiang Xiaochuan might come again.

Nodding vigorously, "Yes! I'll cook delicious food for Dad! I'll learn how to wash vegetables!"

Linglong smiled and didn't say anything more, but her fingertips unconsciously rubbed the rough rim of the cup.

When will I be able to truly go home?

……

In the following days, the atmosphere on Dazhu Peak became increasingly subtle.

Jiang Xiaochuan began to subconsciously avoid Lu Xueqi.

It wasn't the kind of obvious avoidance, but rather a... guilty, hesitant avoidance.

When Lu Xueqi came to "instruct" him during practice, he no longer accepted the "physical contact" as readily as before. Instead, he would turn slightly to the side or avoid it in advance.

Lu Xueqi handed him pastries and snacks, which he accepted, but his thanks were barely audible, like a mosquito's buzz, and his eyes darted around, avoiding her gaze.

At night, when Xiaobai tried to get into his bed again, he firmly resisted, even going so far as to bolt the door, though it was useless to Xiaobai.

He felt he needed to calm down and sort out this mess.

But this tangled mess seems to get more and more complicated the more you try to untangle it.

The way we address each other has also changed without us even realizing it.

After that day, Lu Xueqi's gaze was always aloof and cold, but occasionally when it swept over him, it would make him feel a chill down his spine, as if Tianya might strike him at any moment.

Once, he subconsciously called out "Senior Sister Lu" again. Lu Xueqi didn't say anything, but just looked at him quietly for a full three breaths before turning around and leaving.

The next day, the osmanthus cake she brought had too little sugar in it and tasted a bit bitter.

Jiang Xiaochuan held the plate of slightly bitter osmanthus cake, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

He remembered her burning breath when she kissed him forcefully, the stubbornness in her eyes when she asked, "Don't you even like me this much?", and the tooth mark he had left on her collarbone...

He sighed, resigned, and during another break in his training, as Lu Xueqi handed him the water pouch, he lowered his head and called out in an almost inaudible voice, "Xue... Xueqi... thank you."

Lu Xueqi's outstretched hand paused almost imperceptibly, then she casually shoved the water pouch into his hand. Her cool face remained expressionless, but when she turned and walked away, her steps seemed a little lighter than usual.

The next day, the osmanthus cake regained its sweetness.

This time, Biyao and Tian Ling'er were not having it.

One day, Biyao came to see Jiang Xiaochuan and happened to overhear him whispering to Lu Xueqi, "Xueqi, I don't quite understand this move..."

She froze on the spot, her dark green eyes instantly welling up with tears, her fingers digging into her palms as she stared at Jiang Xiaochuan's back, her lips pressed white.

She didn't rush up to confront him or get angry as she used to; she just gave him a deep look, then turned and left.

That day, she didn't "coincidentally" bring over chilled plum juice again, nor did she deliberately pick a fight with Tian Ling'er or Xiao Bai. She just watched from afar, her eyes deep and unfathomable, lost in thought.

Tian Ling'er, on the other hand, was much more direct.

She stormed up to Jiang Xiaochuan, grabbed his sleeve, and her eyes were red.

"Xiao Chuan! Why...why did you call her 'Xueqi'?! You've never called me that before! Do you...do you like her more now?!"

Jiang Xiaochuan was at his wits' end. He looked at Tian Ling'er, who was on the verge of tears, then at Lu Xueqi, who was standing quietly not far away, seemingly unconcerned. Further away, he saw Xiao Bai leaning against a tree, watching the scene with a half-smile, and Bi Yao, whose dark green eyes were coldly watching him from the edge of the bamboo forest...

He felt his temples throbbing again.

"I..." He opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but felt he couldn't explain.

Now that the call has been made, can it be taken back?

And... he doesn't seem to be that averse to this title?

The thought startled even himself.

Finally, he sighed, and in a self-deprecating manner, ruffled Tian Ling'er's hair, saying dryly, "Alright, alright, Senior Sister Ling'er, don't cry. I... I'll call you Ling'er too, okay?"

Tian Ling'er froze for a moment, tears still clinging to her eyelashes, staring blankly at him: "R-really?"

"real."

Jiang Xiaochuan braced himself.

He then turned to Biyao by the bamboo grove, raising his voice slightly to make his tone as natural as possible, "Biyao... uh, Yao, Yao'er?"

He got goosebumps just from calling her that, but when he saw Biyao's deep green eyes light up instantly, like fireflies in the dark night.

He also felt that... it wasn't that difficult?

Biyao bit her lip, trying to keep a straight face, but the corners of her mouth still involuntarily curled up slightly, which she quickly suppressed, turned her head away, and hummed in response.

But her slightly reddened ears betrayed her feelings.

Little White chuckled, its silvery laughter echoing through the bamboo forest.

She walked gracefully over to Jiang Xiaochuan, her breath sweet as orchids, her peach blossom eyes full of mockery:

"Little Chuan Chuan~ What about me, your older sister? What are you going to call me? Little Whitey? Little Fox? Or... Good Older Sister?"

Jiang Xiaochuan's face instantly turned bright red. He pushed her face away, saying irritably, "Just call me Xiaobai! Take it or leave it!"

Xiao Bai wasn't annoyed when he pushed her away; instead, she laughed heartily, her silver hair fluttering in the wind: "Xiao Bai it is, it's better than someone who doesn't even have a name for themselves~"

As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Lu Xueqi.

Lu Xueqi remained expressionless, her fingertips lightly brushing against the scabbard of Tianya. The atmosphere instantly became tense again.