Why is Chapter 52 so familiar?

Time flies, the clouds and mist on Mount Aozang gather and disperse, disperse and gather again, and a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

During this month, under the guidance of True Monarch Liuyun Jiefeng and with the support of his own extraordinary talent, Yichen's cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds. He mastered all kinds of basic immortal techniques and talismans, and even began to touch upon some more profound methods of application.

And because of the master's command to "eat, live, practice, and walk together," his relationship with Shen He became increasingly subtle and close.

Of course, this close relationship is largely the result of Shen He's unilateral "efforts".

She thoroughly implemented that vow of "responsibility" in every aspect of her daily life, and became increasingly adept at it and took it for granted.

Nighttime is no longer the cautious exploration it once was.

Now, whenever Yichen falls into a deep sleep, Shenhe will naturally pull that body into his arms, letting him rest his head on his arm or chest, as if this is just a standard procedure for falling asleep.

Yi Chen seemed to have gotten used to this warm confinement, and would even unconsciously snuggle closer to her in his sleep, looking for a more comfortable position.

Shen He, on the other hand, will find a peaceful night's sleep and inner tranquility in this close embrace and Yi Chen's steady breathing.

In the early morning, Shen He had already completely "monopolized" Yi Chen's right to wash his face.

Although her movements still carried a bit of force, they were much gentler than the initial "polishing work," but her seriousness remained undiminished.

Yi Chen has gone from struggling and protesting at the beginning to being half-willing and half-willing now. Sometimes he will even close his eyes, tilt his head back and wait obediently, as if he has accepted that this is a necessary part of getting up.

In addition, she tidied up Yichen's clothes, which he would occasionally make a mess, put away his random trinkets, and even handed him water or a towel to wipe his sweat during his cultivation breaks...

All of this became Shen He's daily routine, which he silently took over and skillfully operated.

She did it silently and naturally, as if it were her birthright.

In Shen He's heart and actions, she had long since transcended the scope of her duties as a "senior sister" and had begun to fulfill her understanding of the duties of a "wife" in a meticulous, almost clumsy yet incredibly firm manner.

She may not fully understand the full meaning of a conventional marriage, but she was certain of one thing.

Since I have "ruined" his innocence, it is my inescapable responsibility and obligation to take care of him, manage everything for him, and make him live a comfortable and stable life.

It is also... the most direct way to bring him under one's wing and regard him as "possession".

As for Yichen, after experiencing initial confusion and occasional protests, she seemed to gradually get used to having such a cool yet meticulous "housekeeper" by her side.

Although he sometimes felt that his senior sister took care of him a little "over the top," his unreserved kindness and reassuring companionship made him not resentful, and he even enjoyed it.

However, his single-minded mind completely failed to connect these actions with heavy words such as "husband and wife" and "responsibility," and simply regarded them as his senior sister's unique way of expressing care and camaraderie.

The clouds and mist of Mount Aozang remain, and life inside the cave is peaceful yet turbulent beneath the surface.

Shen He's plan became clearer and clearer, while Yi Chen continued to live a carefree and happy life, indulging in cultivation, eating, and occasionally craving the delicacies of Liyue Harbor.

He had no idea that he had already been meticulously planned and arranged in this beautiful, icy senior's scheme.

One day, Gan Yu finally escaped from the mountain of documents, her thoughts preoccupied with the little unicorn on Mount Aozang that had caused her so much worry.

She made a special detour to buy the osmanthus cake that Yichen had previously mentioned was delicious. Carrying the exquisite food box, she stepped lightly onto the stone steps leading to Mount Aozang.

It's been a month since I last saw him. I wonder how Yichen is doing with his cultivation on the mountain?

Are you hungry?

Did you cause any trouble?

Do you... miss her?

As Gan Yu thought about it, a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

Despite her busy work schedule, she still found an opportunity to visit him.

She walked up the familiar mountain path, her eyes habitually searching for that lively figure.

Soon, near a training platform with a wide view in the distance, she saw Yichen.

He seemed to have just finished a round of cultivation, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat, and he was smiling and talking to the person next to him, his expression as sunny as ever.

Gan Yu's gaze naturally fell on the tall, silver-haired woman next to Yi Chen.

Is that... the other disciple that True Monarch Liuyun mentioned, Junior Sister Shenhe?

Gan Yu understood. She had heard her master briefly mention this junior sister with a special background who had spent many years in seclusion, but she had never met her.

However, the gentle smile on Gan Yu's face froze slightly the next second.

Her gaze involuntarily focused on the distance between the two of them.

Shen He stood extremely close to Yi Chen, so close that it almost exceeded the boundaries that should exist between ordinary fellow disciples.

What made her heart tighten even more was that Shen He, her junior sister, was raising her hand, holding a plain handkerchief, and skillfully and carefully wiping the sweat from Yi Chen's forehead.

Instead of dodging, Yi Chen lowered his head slightly to make it easier for her to move, with a familiar smile on his face, as if this was just an ordinary daily routine.

They were too close...

Gan Yu's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason, and a subtle, inexplicable emotion quietly began to grow within her.

Why are your movements so practiced?!

The wiping motions, the natural intimacy between them, the unspoken understanding as if they'd rehearsed countless times… they didn't seem like senior and junior classmates who'd only known each other for a month; rather, they seemed like… like…

Gan Yu dared not think any further, only feeling her fingers tighten slightly as she held the food box, her fingertips growing a little cold.

Her originally light steps unconsciously slowed down, and she even hesitated whether she should go forward and disturb them at this moment.

She watched as Shen He wiped away his sweat and then casually put the handkerchief away, as if asking him about his next training plan.

Yi Chen responded with animated gestures, and the atmosphere between the two... there was an invisible bond that she found difficult to integrate into.

Gan Yu stood there, the mountain wind blowing through her hair, but it couldn't dispel the complex and unfamiliar emotions that suddenly welled up in her heart.

The box of carefully prepared osmanthus cakes seemed to have become quite heavy in my hands.

Chapter 53 It’s the season of white photo albums again

Gan Yu stood rooted to the spot, unable to move forward. Looking at the harmonious scene of "senior sister wiping sweat from junior brother's brow" in the distance, she felt a tightness in her chest, as if something was blocking it, making it difficult to even breathe.

The box of osmanthus cakes, still warm, felt a little too hot to hold, and also a little... superfluous.

The smile she had prepared froze on her face. She tried her best to maintain her usual gentle and quiet demeanor, but her slightly trembling fingertips betrayed her inner turmoil.

No, Gan Yu, you're the senior sister, you need to be poised and dignified.

She told herself that Junior Sister Shen He was just taking care of her junior brother; it was normal for fellow disciples to care for each other...

But... that distance... that gaze... that practiced movement... is it really just "normal" camaraderie among fellow disciples?

Just as Gan Yu was struggling with her inner conflict, Yi Chen finally spotted her standing not far away.

Yi Chen's eyes lit up, and he immediately waved his arms happily, as if he had seen a relative. He ran over quickly, completely unaware that Shen He behind him paused slightly and then slowly withdrew his hand because of his sudden departure.

"Gan Yu! What brings you here! It's been so long!"

Yi Chen ran up to Gan Yu, his smile as bright as the rising sun over Mount Aozang, without a trace of gloom.

Shen He also quietly followed, standing a little behind Yi Chen. She nodded slightly as a greeting, without saying anything more.

But her natural stance made it seem as if she was meant to be there.

Gan Yu looked at the two standing side by side and felt that the scene was somewhat jarring.

She struggled to suppress the bitterness welling up inside her, forcing out her usual gentle smile, and slightly raised the food box in her hands:

"Well, I've had a bit less work lately, so I thought I'd come and see you. I brought you... the osmanthus cake you said you liked last time."

Wow! Osmanthus cake! Gan Yu, you're the best!

Yi Chen's attention was instantly drawn to the food. He happily took the food box, muttering to himself.

"We were just tired from cultivating, Senior Sister, look, Gan Yu brought us some delicious food!"

His use of "we" and his subconscious glance at Shen He to share his joy felt like a tiny needle gently pricking Gan Yu's heart.

Has he already naturally included her in "us"?

Gan Yu's gaze involuntarily drifted towards Shen He, only to see that he merely glanced at the food box indifferently before his gaze returned to Yi Chen.

That reaction didn't seem like she was interested in the snacks; it seemed more like she was responding because Yichen was happy.

This invisible tacit understanding, which only revolves around Yi Chen, made Gan Yu feel powerless.

She took a deep breath, trying to regain some control and steer the conversation toward areas she was familiar with.

"Yichen, are you adapting well to cultivation on the mountain? Is Master... strict with you? If there's anything you don't understand, perhaps... I can..."

Before she could finish speaking, Yi Chen interrupted her, chewing on osmanthus cake and speaking in a muffled, slightly smug tone.

"I'm adapting! I'm adapting so well! My master is such a good teacher! And my senior sister is here too! She's amazing, she knows everything! She teaches me everything I don't know! And she takes such good care of me!"

As he spoke, he nudged Shen He beside him with his elbow, as if seeking approval: "Right, Senior Sister?"

When Shen He was touched by him, he looked away from Yi Chen's mouth, which was covered with pastry crumbs, and looked at Gan Yu, nodding very seriously.

"It's your job."

Gan Yu felt as if something had exploded in her head!

My job?!

Taking care of him... when did that become your "duty"?!

I was here first!

Whether it's getting to know him, caring about him, or bringing him snacks...

A strong sense of grievance and resentment instantly overwhelmed Gan Yu.

She looked at the two "senior brothers and sisters" in front of her. One was carefree, eating the snacks brought by her "ex" (?) and praising her "current partner" like crazy, while the other was expressionlessly asserting his dominance...

She felt a slight burning sensation in her eyes, and quickly lowered her head to hide the reddening in her eyes, her fingers gripping her sleeves tightly.

A mountain breeze swept by, carrying a faint, cool fragrance from Shen He and a clean, sunny scent from Yi Chen. The combination of these scents made Gan Yu feel a suffocating sadness.

It turns out that... during the month she was busy with work, the little Qilin she had carefully nurtured, even with some unspeakable feelings, had already... been taken over by someone else.

Moreover, it was done in such a "legitimate" way.

At this moment, Gan Yu finally realized clearly—

It seems she arrived too late.

Or rather, some people, even if you meet them first, may not necessarily... be the first to get them.

The next moment, Gan Yu felt her cheeks being gently lifted by a pair of warm hands, forcing her to raise her head.

"Gan Yu, why are your eyes red? Is it because the wind is too strong here? Or are you feeling unwell?"

Yi Chen leaned very close, carefully examining her slightly reddened eyes.

This sudden, gentle touch and greeting instantly dispelled all the grievances and bitterness that had just accumulated in Gan Yu's heart.

She could even feel Yichen's warm breath brushing against her cheek.

An overwhelming sense of happiness overwhelmed her, making her momentarily forget that there was another person beside her.

"N-nothing...it's probably just wind getting in my eyes...and also..."

Gan Yu lowered her head slightly, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible, yet filled with utmost sincerity.

"...I miss you so much."

She really missed the little Qilin that she hadn't seen for a month, and she couldn't help but want to take care of it.

"I miss you so much, Gan Yu!"

Upon hearing this, Yi Chen immediately broke into a big smile and answered without hesitation.

Looking at Gan Yu's slightly flushed cheeks and moist eyes, her pitiful yet gentle appearance softened his heart completely, and he even blurted out something.

"Seeing you like this, I don't even want to cultivate immortality anymore. I just want to stay in Liyue Harbor and play with you and everyone else every day!"

These words were undoubtedly the most beautiful words in the world to Gan Yu.

Her cheeks flushed even redder, and the gloom in her heart was completely swept away, as if the whole world had become bright.

However, this "affectionate interaction" was nothing short of a bolt from the blue for Shen He, who was standing behind Yi Chen!

Her fiancé actually did it right in front of her!

He's holding another woman's face so intimately!

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