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

"Who's being childish?" Nezha glanced at her but didn't deny it, picking another blade of grass. "Want to learn?"

"want!"

Nezha taught her to fold grass leaf boats, her fingers flying nimbly. Bai Yeying studied diligently, but she could never quite manage it right. After her third failure, she was somewhat discouraged: "How could this be?"

"Give me your hand," Nezha suddenly said.

Bai Yeying reached out in confusion, and Nezha grasped her wrist, guiding her fingers to gently pluck the grass leaves.

"Press it firmly here...yes, like that, be gentle at the corners."

His palms were warm, calloused, and had a distinct texture. Bai Yeying froze, her attention completely focused on their intertwined hands; she couldn't hear a word he said.

"Do you understand?" Nezha asked.

"Huh? I understand, I understand." Bai Yeying nodded haphazardly.

Nezha released his grip, watching her fold a crooked grass boat, and couldn't help but laugh: "Is this what you call understanding?"

Bai Yeying blushed: "I'll try again."

This time, she managed to fold something that looked decent.

Placed in the stream, the grass boat swayed and drifted away. Although it wasn't as stable as the one Nezha broke, at least it didn't fall apart.

"I did it!" She turned around happily, only to be met with Nezha's face so close to hers.

She didn't know when, but he was very close, looking at her with a smile. His phoenix eyes reflected the shimmering water of the stream, sparkling like stars.

"Bai Yeying," he called softly.

"Hmm?" Bai Yeying responded subconsciously.

"Did you enjoy your stay?"

"like..."

"I'll bring you here often from now on."

Simple words, yet they sounded like a promise. Bai Yeying stared at him, her heart pounding like a drum.

Nezha reached out and gently brushed his fingers across the purple moonflower at her temple, his voice softening further: "This flower truly suits you."

His fingertips were warm, the touch almost imperceptible. Bai Yeying held her breath, her mind blank.

Just as she thought something was about to happen, Nezha withdrew his hand and stood up: "It's getting late, we should go back."

"Huh? Oh..." Bai Yeying came to her senses and hurriedly got up, but accidentally stepped on her skirt and stumbled.

Nezha reacted quickly and caught her, saying, "Be careful."

His hand rested firmly on her waist, closing the distance between them once more. Bai Yeying looked up and met his gaze.

Their eyes met, and time seemed to stand still.

After an unknown amount of time, Nezha looked away and released his grip: "Let's go."

On the way back, Bai Yeying was absent-minded the whole time.

She was certain that Nezha was acting very strangely today.

Those almost imperceptible touches, those gentle words, and that deep gaze—could it be that he really...

No, impossible. She quickly shook her head to dismiss the thought.

Nezha is a great god of the Three Altars and the Seas, how could he possibly have any feelings for her? She must be deluding herself.

But......

Bai Yeying secretly glanced at the boy beside her. His expression was normal, as if everything that had just happened was just her imagination.

Sure enough, she was overthinking it.

Back at Yunlou Palace, Nezha escorted her to the side hall and suddenly said, "I'm going to the Western Sea tomorrow, and I'll be back soon."

"Okay, thank you." Bai Yeying nodded. "Be careful on the road."

"Hmm." Nezha responded, but did not leave immediately. Instead, he looked at her, hesitant to speak.

"What's wrong?" Bai Yeying asked, puzzled.

Nezha was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out and ruffled her hair: "When I'm not around, cultivate diligently and don't be lazy."

After saying that, he turned and strode away.

Bai Yeying stood there, touching her disheveled hair, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

What exactly is wrong with him...?

For the next three days, Bai Yeying was absent-minded. She kept getting distracted while practicing shooting, and couldn't concentrate on reading. Her mind was filled with Nezha's handsome face and his unusual behavior that day.

Just then, she was staring blankly at the sea of ​​clouds outside the window when she suddenly heard a familiar voice behind her:

"Have you gone mad after just a few days?"

Bai Yeying immediately turned around and saw Nezha standing in the hall at some point, dressed in red, his brows radiating brilliance.

"You're back?" she exclaimed, getting up in surprise.

"Hmm." Nezha walked up to her, took out a small brocade pouch from his bosom, and said, "Here."

"What's this?" Bai Yeying took it, opened it, and saw that it was a pearl bracelet. The pearls were all round and had a faint pink luster, with a few small shells in the middle.

"A local specialty from the West Sea, bought on a whim, will throw it away if I don't like it."

"I love it!" Bai Yeying exclaimed quickly, putting the bracelet on her wrist. "It looks great, thank you!"

Seeing her happy expression, Nezha smiled slightly and said, "I'm glad you like it."

The two fell silent for a moment. The hall quieted down, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Bai Yeying looked down at her bracelet, then suddenly mustered her courage and asked, "Nezha, have you been... being too nice to me lately?"

"Really?" Nezha raised an eyebrow.

"Yes." Bai Yeying looked up at him, her almond-shaped eyes full of doubt. "You took me to the secret realm, gave me flowers, and even gave me gifts. You weren't like this before."

"What was I like before?" Nezha asked in return.

"You used to always complain that I was troublesome, that I was stupid, and you always punished me," Bai Yeying complained. "Although I know you meant well, but..."

"But now I don't find you troublesome anymore?" Nezha continued.

Bai Yeying nodded.

Nezha was silent for a moment, then suddenly took a step closer. Bai Yeying subconsciously stepped back, but he grabbed her wrist.

"Bai Yeying." He looked at her, his phoenix eyes swirling with emotion. "If I told you that I just want to be good to you right now, would you believe me?"

Bai Yeying was stunned.

"Why?" she asked softly.

Nezha looked at her and suddenly smiled. That smile was different from his usual flamboyant or playful one; instead, it carried a hint of helplessness and a touch of tenderness.

"Why do you think that is?" he countered, his fingertips gently tracing her wrist. "Are you genuinely confused, or are you just pretending?"

Bai Yeying's heart pounded like thunder. A bold guess formed in her mind, but she dared not be sure.

"I..." She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Nezha sighed and released her hand: "Never mind, tell me when you've figured it out."

After speaking, he turned to leave.

"Nezha!" Bai Yeying suddenly called out to him.

He turned around.

Bai Yeying took a deep breath and mustered her courage: "Are you...?"

"What is it?" Nezha looked at her calmly.

"Do you like me?"

As soon as she said it, she blushed.

Nezha looked at her and suddenly smiled. His smile was as bright as the sun, dazzling Bai Yeying.

"You finally said it." He walked back and cupped her face in his hands. "I thought it would take forever for you to understand."

Bai Yeying was stunned: "You really..."

"Really." Nezha looked at her earnestly.

He paused, his voice softening further: "So, are you willing to give me this chance?"

Bai Yeying's mind went blank. She had imagined countless possibilities, but she never expected him to confess so directly.

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

"No rush." ​​Nezha released her hand and ruffled her hair. "You can take your time to think it over, and tell me when you've figured it out."

After saying that, he turned and left, but turned back at the palace entrance and winked at her: "But don't keep me waiting too long."

The palace doors closed, but Bai Yeying remained standing there, frozen in place.

It turns out that all of this was not her imagination.

Nezha really likes her.

This realization instantly filled her heart with sweetness, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up.

She walked to the bronze mirror, looked at her own face flushed in the mirror, and suddenly smiled.

"Silly mouse." She muttered to herself, mimicking Nezha's tone, but her eyes were full of joy.

Outside the window, the moonlight was perfect.

(Extra. End)