Chapter 18: A Withered Leaf in the Autumn Wind

“Mm.” I nodded solemnly. “It was Master who gave him that name. He said that although Senior Brother is naturally indifferent, he is extremely devoted to what he cherishes. For instance, someone...”

Ru Meng giggled softly.

I remembered the first time Brother Liu came to the valley to visit Sister, and Senior Brother nearly beat him half to death. He couldn’t get out of bed or walk for three months. Luckily, Senior Brother treats me like a little sister rather than a future wife. While secretly relieved, I also mourned for Sister—once the rabbit gets fat, the alpha wolf will strike.

The laughter suddenly stopped, and a chill ran up my spine. Smiling faintly, I held her hand and spoke gently: “Sister, don’t worry. Senior Brother is wise and skilled; it’s not just one Wan Xiang. Even if there were thousands of troops in front of him, he would surely overcome any danger.” My earnest tone drew Sister’s astonished gaze and also brought a flicker of amusement to Xiu Yuan’s eyes.

A dark shadow passed by, and my forehead was lightly flicked. I stifled a cry, covering my forehead—Senior Brother was still as mischievous as ever.

“Little girl, stop talking nonsense.” The alpha wolf returned, his clothes fluttering.

Pouting discontentedly, I asked: “Did you get the snow toad?”

“Mm.” He smiled warmly. “Master Hong generously gifted it, so it was hard to refuse.”

Generously gifted... My lips twitched: “You’ve already dealt with everything, right?”

Senior Brother glanced at me, his pale eyes shifting to the right. Oh no. I let go of Sister’s hand and instinctively took two steps back. After living together for ten years, this was the expression that frightened me most—the alpha wolf was about to scheme. Panic set in, countless possibilities flashing through my mind, making me feel like an ant on a hot pan.

“Qingqing.” Ru Meng held my cold hands. “What’s wrong?”

“No... nothing...” I weakly replied. No matter what, I hoped he wouldn’t sell me off.

“Night Brother.” He walked to the side and began discussing something quietly with Xiu Yuan. Listening closely, most of the conversation revolved around Sister’s injuries. I breathed a sigh of relief. Moreover, Xiu Yuan wouldn’t participate in Senior Brother’s schemes; his integrity was trustworthy.

Turning to look at Ru Meng, I asked: “Sister, do you know Brother Liu’s identity?”

She froze for a moment, then sighed faintly: “Yes.”

Frowning, I tightened my grip on her soft hand: “Then...”

“Qingqing.” She cut me off, her gaze firm. “Liu Xunhe and I are impossible now.”

“Sister, don’t be scared by his status. If you like...” I urged hurriedly.

“It’s not because of that.” Her beautiful eyes trembled slightly, her voice soft yet resolute. “It’s because of who he is. There are too many people in his heart, while I want a complete world for myself.” She patted my hand gently. “Later, he came to the valley again, saying he had inherited the family business and that his clan had arranged a marriage for him. He wanted to take me as a concubine and asked if I’d agree.” Her eyes were clear. “At that moment, I felt no sorrow at all. I only thought of your words: perhaps I loved only my own feelings.”

I looked at her admiringly: “Sister, you’re truly remarkable.”

“Dream.” Senior Brother smiled faintly at her. “The city gates will soon open, we should return to the valley.”

Reluctantly letting go, farewells always stir the heartstrings.

“Qingqing.” His voice was unusually gentle, almost eerie.

Instinctively swallowing, I called: “Senior Brother.” That smile was so blinding, so unsettling.

“When your sister is better, I’ll bring her to Qing Country to see you.”

Eh? That’s it? Overwhelmed, I nodded: “Mm!”

“Night Brother.” His pale eyes flashed with an odd light, his smiling lips forming a sly fox-like expression. “Please help me take good care of Qingqing.” That expression seemed familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it.

Xiu Yuan’s deep phoenix eyes gazed intently, with a hint of a smile: “Alright.” His tone was so heavy that I thought I might have imagined it.

Fireflies and remnants of night mingled aimlessly; a single wutong leaf disturbed the autumn sounds.

Looking at the moonless night in Yuan City, spring stirred softly in the endless expanse.

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Interlude 1 : Several years later...

“Ahh!” A low groan escaped as I slapped the bed. The morning chill seeped into my skin, and my mind became crystal clear.

“Hmm?” A sleepy murmur from beside me.

“I finally remembered.” Clenching my fist and narrowing my eyes, “That day, Senior Brother’s smile reminded me of someone.” A thick nasal sound came from beside me, whether from incomprehension or drowsiness.

“The madam of a brothel! It was like the old madam of the Flower Pavilion!”

A deep chuckle echoed, and a strong arm wrapped tightly around my waist.

In the warmth of the quilt, the spring dream lingered...

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Interlude 2 : Spring arrives...

Walking through the corridor, I caught sight of a wriggling “snail” from the corner of my eye. Taking two steps back, I smiled and asked: “Chichi, what are you doing?”

The “snail” lifted her fair little face: “Walking.”

Squatting down, I tapped her nose: “Why are you walking so slowly?”

With a surprisingly serious expression, she responded in her baby voice: “Big Brother said that names reflect character. His name has ‘smile,’ so he loves to laugh. My name is Chichi, so I should...” Moving her short legs, she continued crawling like a turtle.

Stunned, Xiao’er truly inherited her father’s cunning nature. I remembered how Senior Brother once teased Sister in the same way. A sudden realization hit me—oh no, like father, like son. Could Xiao’er have taken a liking to Chichi? A young maiden cultivation game, indeed, an inherited bad habit.

Following the advancing “snail,” I coaxed gently: “Chichi isn’t named Chichi because she walks slowly.”

The “snail” stopped crawling, and her long, curious eyes, much like her father’s, turned to look at me.

“In fact, it’s because Chichi stayed in her mother’s belly for a very long time, unwilling to come out, hence the name.”

She blinked: “Really?”

“When has Mother ever lied to Chichi?”

After staring deeply at me for a moment, she grinned widely: “Mm!”

Holding her chubby little hand, we strolled through the tranquil garden awash with reds and greens. After a while, she suddenly stopped, looking up at the corner of the wall.

Hmm? Following her gaze, a branch of spring peeked out over the pink wall. Suddenly, the little girl broke free from my grasp and flew toward the garden gate like a white butterfly.

“Hey! Chichi, where are you going? Slow down!” I called urgently.

Her excited baby voice carried on the wind: “The apricot blossoms have crossed the wall—I’ll tell Daddy!”

Speechless, I stood alone in the spring breeze…