Chapter 4

Even though no longer confined to his true form, Xiao Ye didn’t dare reveal himself recklessly. Instead, he concealed his presence, spending his days silently trailing after Qin Yuxuan.

He would perch on the windowsill, watching him study in the academy, or follow him all the way home to his residence west of the city.

He memorized every detail of Qin Yuxuan's face, etching them into his heart—the elegant brows, the sharp yet gentle contours of his face.

Qin Yuxuan lived alone, without family or servants. His house wasn’t large, but it was peaceful, occupied only by himself.

The place had a refined charm, though it was a bit untidy. Perhaps that was just how bachelors lived.

The little flower spirit had his own ideas. While Qin Yuxuan was away, he used a touch of magic to clear the dust, careful not to disturb anything for fear of arousing suspicion.

And so, the days passed, yet nothing truly changed. 

Xiao Ye remained as passive as ever, only daring to savour the fleeting warmth whenever Qin Yuxuan drew near his true form. He couldn’t muster the courage to reveal his human form to Qin Yuxuan.

He knew he was a coward. But holding onto hope—however fragile—felt safer than risking rejection and losing everything.

As he basked in the sunlight by the window, lost in thought, the teacher's furious voice suddenly thundered through the school hall, startling him so much he nearly tumbled off the windowsill.

"Utterly disgraceful! Bringing alcohol to school—Qin Yuxuan, do you even intend to take the fall exams?!"

"This student brewed this wine himself, Teacher. Why not have a taste?"

The teacher looked ready to explode, but Qin Yuxuan merely smiled and walked away, head held high.

From his perch by the window, the little flower spirit panicked. He quickly rushed back to his plant body, and waited obediently. As expected, Qin Yuxuan soon arrived.

Qin Yuxuan sat beside the flower, letting out a quiet chuckle tinged with a sigh.

Hearing this, Xiao Ye's heart squeezed. Then, he watched as Qin Yuxuan pulled out a small bottle, tilted his head back, and took a swig. As if speaking to him directly, he laughed and said,

"It tastes a bit too sweet. Looks like I should brew it lighter next time…"

He poured a few drops onto the leaves. "What do you think?"

Xiao Ye couldn't taste it, but the fragrance was intoxicating—rich and lingering. He even felt a little dizzy, as if he were drunk.

"In a few months, I’ll be heading to the capital for the fall exams. I might not be able to see you bloom."

Qin Yuxuan smiled and took another sip, his voice light. "Perhaps I’ll never get to see it. If I pass, I’ll have to stay in the capital and never return."

Xiao Ye's chest tightened violently, and his body trembled.

Never see him again? Never?

The thought had never crossed his mind. He had always wished to stay by Qin Yuxuan's side, and now, even that was slipping away.

He recalled his bet with the flower fairy. If Qin Yuxuan never fell for him, he would lose everything. But he realized he had already stopped caring about cultivation and immortality long ago. Without Qin Yuxuan, eternity would mean nothing.

"Without me to accompany you… would you miss me?"

Qin Yuxuan chuckled softly, letting another few drops of wine fall onto the leaves. The droplets slid along the veins, gleaming like tiny, crystalline tears.

That night, the wind whispered through the trees, and the willow leaves danced.

⋅ ˚ ₊ ‧  ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅

A knock came at the familiar door.

A boy dressed in green stood outside, his head lowered, his entire body trembling under the weight of his own lie.

"I-I was passing through this place with my grandfather, but he fell gravely ill and... unfortunately, he passed away. I have no money to my name now... Young Master, would you be willing to take me in?"

He knew he was terrible at lying. His face was flushed red as he stammered through the words, riddled with flaws that even he could see. He had no idea if Qin Yuxuan had noticed, but he could only press forward. 

"I don’t ask for wages—just a roof over my head. I can be a study attendant or a servant, whatever you need."

Trembling, he lifted his gaze, only to see Qin Yuxuan watching him with a smile.

"With such beauty as yours, how could I possibly refuse?"

Qin Yuxuan took his hand and led him inside. The warmth and strength of that hand were entirely different from his own, which was slender and delicate.

His face reddened slightly, but deep inside, his heart ached. He knew that this warmth was all thanks to the face the flower fairy had given him.

Though he had never seen his original appearance, he had heard enough to know it was unsightly. If he had approached Qin Yuxuan without changing his looks, surely he would've only frightened him away.