After transmigrating into the body of the Jade Rat Spirit, I became Nezha's adopted sister.

"Why aren't you asleep so late?" Nezha's voice rang out.

Bai Yeying was startled, almost dropping the bamboo scroll in her hand: "W-how did you get here?"

"Can't sleep, came out for a walk." Nezha walked to her side, looking at the bamboo scrolls she was organizing. "The Chronicles of the Three Realms? What makes you interested in this?"

"Just browsing," Bai Yeying said. "It records many strange and unusual stories; it's quite interesting."

Nezha picked up a bamboo scroll and looked at it: "It is indeed interesting. However, you should focus on your cultivation now and read less of these miscellaneous books."

"Work and rest should be balanced," Bai Yeying said softly. Nezha didn't say anything more, sat down opposite her, and picked up a scroll of bamboo slips to read.

The library fell silent, save for the sound of turning the bamboo slips.

Bai Yeying secretly glanced up at Nezha opposite her. He was looking at her intently, his profile exceptionally gentle, his long eyelashes casting soft shadows beneath his eyes.

"It's so beautiful," she thought to herself.

Just then, Nezha suddenly looked up and met her gaze.

Bai Yeying hurriedly lowered her head, her face turning red instantly.

"You're spying on me again." Nezha's tone was calm, revealing no emotion.

"I didn't!" Bai Yeying denied, but her voice lacked conviction.

Nezha put down the bamboo scroll and walked up to her. Bai Yeying was so nervous that her palms were sweating, and she didn't dare to look up.

"Bai Yeying," he called her name.

"Hmm?" Bai Yeying responded softly.

"Raise your head."

Bai Yeying bit her lip and slowly raised her head. Nezha was looking down at her, his phoenix eyes reflecting the moonlight, deep and unfathomable.

"What's wrong with you lately?" he asked, his voice softer than usual.

"I..." Bai Yeying opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Should I tell her I like you? She didn't dare.

"If you have anything on your mind, you can tell me." Nezha was unusually patient. "Although I may not be able to solve it for you, it's better than you keeping it to yourself."

Bai Yeying felt a warmth in her heart, and her nose tingled with emotion. She took a deep breath and mustered her courage: "I...I'm just a little scared."

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid I won't perform well and will embarrass you," Bai Yeying said, making up an excuse. "I'm afraid I won't be good enough and will let you down."

Nezha was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out and rubbed her head.

"Fool." His voice was soft. "You've done very well. Even if you lose, it's not a big deal. If you can't get into the Heavenly Book Pavilion, I can take you to the Tushita Palace to see Laozi's library."

Bai Yeying was stunned. She hadn't expected Nezha to say that.

"But..."

"No buts," Nezha interrupted her. "You just need to do your best, and don't worry about the rest."

Those few simple words reassured Bai Yeying considerably. She nodded vigorously, "Yes!"

"So, stop overthinking." Nezha withdrew his hand. "Go to sleep, and practice hard tomorrow."

"it is good."

Since that conversation in the library that night, Bai Yeying's awkwardness had dissipated considerably.

Although that secret feeling still lingered in her heart, at least she could now focus on her cultivation.

As the day of the martial arts competition drew closer, her spear skills became increasingly refined through daily intensive practice.

That morning, Bai Yeying practiced her spear technique at the training ground as usual. After finishing a set of spear techniques, she stood still, her breathing steady, with only a thin layer of sweat on her forehead.

"good."

The voice came from behind her. Bai Yeying turned around and saw Nezha leaning against a pillar, arms crossed, looking at her.

"This Cloud Piercing Technique was much smoother than yesterday's." Nezha walked over, tossing two bright red spiritual fruits in his hand. "Take a break and try these."

Bai Yeying took it, took a bite, and found the fruit to be crisp and juicy. A warm current flowed down her throat and through her entire body, instantly relieving her fatigue.

"What kind of fruit is this? It's quite unique."

"The Vermilion Fruit." Nezha took a bite himself. "Only nine fruits grow in a hundred years. You're lucky."

Bai Yeying's eyes lit up, and she ate the food sparingly, saying, "Thank you!"

"Don't be ridiculous." Nezha scoffed, walked to the weapon rack, picked up his Fire-Tipped Spear, and said, "Come on, spar with me. Let me see how much you've improved these past few days."

Bai Yeying immediately perked up, brandishing her short spear: "Please enlighten me, Third Prince!"

The two engaged in a fierce battle in the training ground.

This time, Bai Yeying clearly felt her progress.

Her marksmanship became even more formidable, her movements even more agile, and she was even able to occasionally launch a counterattack against Nezha's relentless onslaught.

"Clang!" The two guns clashed, sparks flying.

Using the force of the collision, Bai Yeying floated back three zhang before landing steadily, her breathing only slightly disordered.

Nezha sheathed his spear and stood there, his phoenix eyes showing approval: "Not bad."

................

On a sunny afternoon, Bai Yeying nestled in a pavilion in the back garden of Yunlou Palace, engrossed in an ancient book.

A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of lotus blossoms from the pond, and she found herself feeling drowsy.

"be lazy?"

A clear voice suddenly rang out, and Bai Yeying was startled. She looked up and saw Nezha standing outside the pavilion.

Today he was wearing a loose, moon-white long robe, his dark hair half-tied up, and the red mark on his forehead made his skin look even whiter, giving him a rare air of leisure and languor.

"I'm studying ancient books!" Bai Yeying hurriedly sat up straight and held the book up high to prove her innocence.

Nezha strolled into the pavilion, sat down opposite her, and casually picked up the teacup she had placed on the stone table and took a sip.

"That's mine..." Bai Yeying whispered a reminder.

"What?" Nezha raised his eyes, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed. "I can't drink?"

"Yes, of course I can." Bai Yeying quickly shook her head, but inwardly wondered why this person had suddenly become so unconventional.

Nezha put down his teacup, his gaze falling on her face, and suddenly asked, "Are you nervous?"

"No." Bai Yeying subconsciously straightened her back.

"You're lying." Nezha chuckled softly, leaning forward slightly. "Your ear tips turn slightly red whenever you're nervous."

Bai Yeying instinctively covered her ears: "What nonsense are you talking about!"

"Whether I'm lying or not, don't you know?" Nezha rested his chin on his hand, looking at her leisurely. "Tell me, what have you been thinking about lately?"

His posture was languid and casual, and his collar was slightly open due to his forward lean, revealing a section of his collarbone.

Bai Yeying's gaze drifted over uncontrollably, then she hurriedly looked away as if she had been burned.

"I wasn't thinking about anything..." Her voice trailed off.

Nezha was silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up. Bai Yeying thought he was leaving and breathed a sigh of relief, but then she saw him walk around to her side and lean close: "You're avoiding me."

The warm breath brushed against her earlobe, and Bai Yeying froze completely.

"I didn't!" she immediately denied, but her darting eyes betrayed her.

Nezha straightened up, his phoenix eyes looking at her with a half-smile: "Since you don't have one, then come out with me tonight."

"Where to?"

"You'll find out when you get there." Nezha turned and walked out, but turned back when he reached the pavilion. "Remember to dress smartly. Meet me at the palace gate at 7 PM."

After saying that, he left without waiting for her reply.

Bai Yeying sat there blankly for a long time before she came to her senses.