Chapter 9

The autumn wind blew down the yellow leaves, and as one looked down the mountain path, the distant pavilions—both big and small—stretched into a continuous line, quiet and desolate.

New students enrolled in the academy, and from time to time, the sound of the teacher’s ruler striking the desk could be heard. Yet no one strolled leisurely out of the school hall anymore.

The wind carried a biting chill, and Xiao Ye shivered, his branches and leaves trembling slightly as he slowly closed his eyes.

Ever since that person left, he had not taken a human form for a long time.

At first, he remained in that house, breathing in the lingering traces of that familiar presence. He reminisced about those sunny afternoons spent learning and writing, and those hazy nights, filled with heat and intimacy.

But gradually, he realized that without that person, everything was different. Eventually, he could no longer bear to stay there, afraid that he might break down in tears.

Every few days, he still returned to clean the house. Because that person had said, "Wait for me to return."

If, by then, the house were covered in thick dust, wouldn’t that person be terribly disappointed? Perhaps he would even pinch Xiao Ye's nose and laugh softly, "Xiao Ye, have you grown so lazy while I was away?"

Would that day ever come?

He told himself it would.

⋅ ˚ ₊ ‧  ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅

Not long after, news arrived from the provincial capital. Two candidates from the county had passed the exam, and naturally, Qin Yuxuan was among them. As was customary, those who passed would not return that year but would stay in the capital to prepare for the metropolitan examination the following spring.

Upon hearing the news, he felt a tangle of joy and loneliness, unsure whether his elation for that person outweighed the ache of not being able to see him.

His emotions were in turmoil the whole day, but that night, he suddenly saw a small ball of white light hovering beside him. When he looked closely, it was the flower fairy again.

"It’s been a long time. How have you been, jie jie?" His voice carried a hint of delight, as if greeting a dear relative.

The flower fairy, however, merely glanced at him disdainfully. "You’re still as foolish as ever."

He was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head in embarrassment. He didn’t know what the flower fairy was referring to, but he felt as though he had done something wrong.

"That person is gone. What’s the use of pining away?" The little flower fairy pulled out a handful of sunflower seeds from nowhere, and proceeded to crack them as she teased him.

His face flushed. "...I just can’t help it."

"What if that person forgets you? What if they don’t want you anymore?"

He fell silent for a moment, then pressed his lips together and said quietly, "If that day comes, I won’t forget your words, jie jie. I’ll give you all my cultivation."

"Why aren’t you cultivating harder now then?" The flower fairy snorted lightly. "I don’t want to end up gaining only a month’s worth of cultivation. It wouldn’t be worth it."

He nodded. If nothing else, he should repay her kindness. 

Days of dedicated cultivation passed. Naturally, Xiao Ye was unaware of the weather outside—whether it was sunny or rainy, windy or snowy.

When he opened his eyes again, the ice and snow had already melted, and the hills and fields were once again filled with the vitality of spring.

He had thought this winter would be unbearably lonely, but it had passed in the blink of an eye.

Flowers bloomed, willows greened, and dewdrops adorned delicate petals. The small academy became lively again, with a group of young scholars filling the peony garden, leaving the teacher alone to sigh and shake his head.

It was much the same as the previous year, yet subtle changes were taking place.

The pond now had a few more golden carp, their scales shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight. The academy's railings had been repaired and given a new coat of paint.

He felt that he, too, had grown taller and fuller, with lush branches and leaves—though there was still no sign of flower buds forming.

Could it be... that he wasn’t a peony after all, and that it had just been a playful remark from that person?

As soon as this thought crossed his mind, he chided himself for his lack of faith.

If he started doubting even this, how could he believe that person would return? To trust someone was to engrave every word, every detail, deep into your heart.

A few days later, news finally arrived.

The results of the examination had been announced, and the rankings were decided.