Ning Rongrong was growing anxious with waiting.
Xiao Wu glanced at her expression and couldn't help but giggle.
"Rongrong, you're a little impatient, you know."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong froze, then an unnatural flush crossed her delicate face.
Yes…
She was indeed too impatient.
But beneath that impatience—
Was it really… truly nothing more than blessings for Zhuqing?
She asked herself.
Of course she wished for her good sister to find a worthy partner!
But every time she saw Zhu Zhuqing happy because of the man she liked, somewhere deep in her own heart, in a long-sealed corner, a faint ache would stir. It tugged forth memories of her own regrets.
What girl does not dream of love?
Seeing her sister find an enviable companion, the hidden self-pity couldn't help but quietly grow.
With this thought, Ning Rongrong was suddenly shocked. Could it be that I've become jealous of Zhuqing? Or even... I was thinking of deliberately belittling Sword Wine when I saw him?!
This thought made Ning Rongrong feel horrified.
She cursed herself inwardly. Since when had she become so spiteful?
She composed her pretty face, looked at Xiao Wu, and said seriously, "Xiao Wu, when we meet Sword Wine later, no matter whether he is as outstanding as the rumors say or not, we must praise him well!"
Xiao Wu tilted her head, puzzled.
"Of course! But Sword Wine hardly needs us to praise him."
"These past two days I've heard so many stories about him. He must be incredible."
"…Oh."
Ning Rongrong gave a muffled response.
Just then—
Xiao Wu suddenly grabbed her arm, pointing toward the street at the far end of the arch bridge, and shouted excitedly:
"Hey, Rongrong, look!"
"Isn't that Zhuqing and Sword Wine?!"
"Mm?!" Ning Rongrong's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked in the direction Xiao Wu was pointing.
And sure enough—
At the far end of the lantern-lit street,
a young man and woman strolled side by side toward the bridge.
They knew Zhu Zhuqing too well.
Even from afar—
They recognized her at once.
And the figure in white walking beside her, outlined by the glow of lanterns—
That could only be Sword Wine.
Though the distance blurred his face, curiosity and anticipation already ignited in both Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu's eyes.
"Over here!"
Ning Rongrong waved vigorously toward them.
As the figures drew closer, their clothes and bearing grew distinct.
Ning Rongrong's face still held a smile.
But then—
The moment that white-clad figure came fully into view—
Her heart skipped a beat.
Her breath faltered.
"So… so much like…"
Ever since leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—
no, more precisely—
ever since parting ways with that white-robed youth,
she had never felt such a storm of emotion.
Ning Rongrong's heart pounded faster and faster, like a drum hammering her chest.
In her mind, that handsome face she thought was already blurry suddenly began to clear up.
Ning Rongrong's gaze turned dazed, but she didn't think much of it.
She just thought that white clothes really did suit the spirit of youth the best. A hint of nostalgia quietly spread through her.
"I wonder if Brother Zhexian is doing well..."
As the two figures drew nearer, Ning Rongrong's breath quickened, her pounding heart as if about to burst from her chest.
He's too similar! Even the way he walks is the same!
Just as her thoughts wavered—
Zhu Zhuqing and that white-robed figure stepped onto Jinxi Bridge.
The soul tool lanterns carved into moon-shapes gave off a faint glow overhead.
And the floating river-lamps drifting below shone brightly.
As the water rippled—
Their light rose from beneath, illuminating the faces of those crossing above
——
——
When that familiar yet more unrestrainedly handsome face came into view—
Ning Rongrong's mind exploded, blanking out in an instant.
The color on her face gradually faded.
All sound around her—
Xiao Wu's cheer, the flow of the river, the chatter of the crowd—vanished.
Only a humming filled her ears.
"Brother… Zhe… Zhexian…"
Zhu Zhuqing's beloved was Li Zhexian.
The famed Sword Wine of Heaven Dou City—was Li Zhexian.
The prodigy who crippled Ma Hongjun—was Li Zhexian.
These three thoughts echoed repeatedly in Ning Rongrong's blank mind.
"Hehe, this Sword Wine is quite handsome." Xiao Wu said with a giggle.
But from the corner of her eye, she saw Ning Rongrong's frozen gaze and pale face.
"Rongrong, what's wrong?"
There was no response.
Xiao Wu's voice rose as she grasped her friend's arm, only to find it icy cold.
"Rongrong! What's wrong with you?!"
"N-no… nothing." Ning Rongrong lowered her head, her hair covering a large part of her face.
Her lips parted slightly.
Every breath she took was exceptionally rapid.
She wanted to calm down her mountain-crushing, tsunami-like thoughts.
Finally—
Ning Rongrong looked up again, trying to meet the white-robed youth's gaze calmly.
However... when her eyes met the white robe and that familiar face, they began to tremble uncontrollably.
The distance was close now.
The two of them walked down Jinxi Bridge.
Ning Rongrong could see the shy and joyful blush on Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks and the relaxed and pleasant expression on the white-robed youth's face.
Ning Rongrong didn't know why, but her vision suddenly became blurry.
They…
They looked so perfect together.
Shoulder to shoulder, their hair brushing, every step in harmony.
The youth's figure stood tall as bamboo, his robe swaying with the wind, carrying a natural, unrestrained elegance no one else could imitate.
Zhuqing, too, was radiant tonight.
She had chosen her dress with care.
The jeweled earrings that glittered at her ears were ones she never wore even for herself.
Ning Rongrong bit her lip hard, leaving clear marks.
"Zhuqing, you're finally here!" Xiao Wu skipped forward a few steps, first giving Zhu Zhuqing a playful scolding, and then looking at Li Zhexian with curiosity.
Zhu Zhuqing was about to introduce her two good sisters when she saw that Ning Rongrong's face didn't look very good.
"Rongrong, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"
"N-no… no, not at all…" Ning Rongrong's voice trembled, and even she found it unfamiliar.
She turned her head to the side, trying not to look at that familiar yet unfamiliar white-robed youth. But out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but look at him.
"You… you… are you truly so calm…" Ning Rongrong thought to herself, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw that the smile on the white-robed youth's face was still warm and showed not the slightest ripple of emotion.
This calm composure left her breathless, her heart in tangled disorder
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ning Rongrong with worry and confusion.
But remembering her purpose tonight, she set her feelings aside.
She turned slightly, her delicate hand tugging gently at the white-robed youth beside her. Her soft voice carried a trace of shy pride.
"Rongrong, Xiao Wu, let me introduce you. This is Sword Wine. His name is Li Zhexian."
Li Zhexian's gaze calmly swept over Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong, and he smiled. "Hello."
"Hello."
"Hello, Li Zhexian! I'm Xiao Wu!" Xiao Wu replied with a giggle.
And then—
silence.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing both looked curiously at Ning Rongrong, who still kept her head bowed.
"Rongrong…"
Xiao Wu nudged her.
"Haven't you always wanted to meet Sword Wine? Aren't you going to greet him?"
Ning Rongrong gave a barely perceptible tremble, slowly raised her beautiful eyes, and after a long silence, she said in a low voice, "H-hello…"