A radiant smile blossomed on Gu Qingli's face as she clasped Shao Lan's slightly cool hand.
"See? It's really not as difficult as it seems, isn't it?"
Shao Lan regarded Gu Qingli with a complex mixture of emotions; aside from his master, no one had ever cared for him so earnestly.
"Why…"
Why was she so kind to him? Why did she wish to help?
"Why must there always be a reason? I simply find you agreeable—that's all there is to it."
Gu Qingli shrugged lightly, her tone casual and effortless.
Soon, she shed her nonchalant façade, adopting a solemn expression as she spoke to Shao Lan, words born from the depths of her own heart.
Were it not for this unyielding resolve, enduring three years labeled a worthless burden by all, few could have borne such torment.
"Without me, would you hide away for a lifetime? You'll see once you step outside—none of this is as formidable as it seems. As long as there are one or two who care for you, that alone suffices. Even if the world casts judgmental glances, once you grow stronger, let them dare to look down on you—and I'll gouge their eyes out myself!"
Shao Lan's face flushed with disbelief; one moment so tender, the next awash with violent fervor.
Yet a faint smile curved his lips—she was right. He had evaded life's challenges for far too long; he could no longer continue in hiding.
"All right, all right, let's go find Uncle Shao, the guildmaster. I have matters to discuss with him."
This time, it was not Gu Qingli who led; Shao Lan silently but resolutely followed her, stepping out of the courtyard with newfound determination.
As Shao Yan watched Gu Qingli usher Shao Lan into her courtyard, he abruptly rose from his chair, shock etched across his face.
"X-Xiao Lan…"
A flicker of guilt crossed Shao Lan's eyes. His master had cared for him unwaveringly; it was his own shortcomings that had faltered.
"Master…"
"Oh dear, old friends reunited, tears in their eyes! You two see each other every day, no need to act like you've been apart for centuries, alright?"
What should have been a touching moment was undercut by Gu Qingli's blunt remark, leaving Shao Yan and Shao Lan speechless as they glared at her.
The instigator wore an innocent expression.
"You little brat…"
Shao Yan chuckled softly.
He silently thanked fate for his earlier decision; otherwise, even if Xiao Lan had gone to the Fengyun Academy, he would have remained a solitary, disillusioned soul.
"Guildmaster Uncle, I've come to seek your help today."
Gu Qingli spoke plainly, cutting straight to the point.
"What is it?"
Shao Yan eyed her with curiosity.
He had been preoccupied recently, collaborating with the Snow Tiger brigade and several formidable mercenary factions to besiege the War Wolf clan.
With their strongest leader absent and their deputy leader slain by Gu Qingli, the pack was leaderless—a prime opportunity to strike.
"I wish to confront the Li family. Uncle Shao, might you be willing to assist?"
Gu Qingli's clear eyes shone with unwavering resolve.
Shao Yan was taken aback. Though the Gu and Li families had long been adversaries in Loulan City, he had not expected this proposal to come from Gu Qingli.
A mere twelve-year-old girl harboring such ambition?
He regarded her with a deep, appraising gaze.
"Discuss this first with the elders of the Gu family."
"I haven't yet. I intend to consult with you first before bringing it to them."
Gu Qingli shrugged.
"Us? Who else but me?"
Shao Yan frowned in confusion.