Friendship began with a piece of candy

Qian Renxue stared at the candy held out before her, momentarily taken aback, her expression turning a little awkward.

"Sad?"

"N-no... I don't think so."

Bai Wanwan kept holding out the candy.

"If you say you aren't, big sister, then you aren't."

"But my grandpa once told me that only children who cry and make a fuss get the candy they like and the things they want. Children who are too well-behaved and sensible just make people think they're good children who don't need any attention."

"In the end, even if they're terribly wronged, they bear it all alone, with no one to confide in."

Bai Wanwan lifted her eyes to the clear blue sky, her voice as gentle as a murmuring stream.

Listening to Bai Wanwan, Qian Renxue stared blankly at the piece of candy before her, a faint, bitter smile unconsciously touching her lips.

Memories flooded her mind. Qian Xunji's figure gradually took shape within them, and tears glistened in Qian Renxue's eyes.

She agreed wholeheartedly with Bai Wanwan.

Her father, Qian Xunji, had truly been there for her with all his heart. When she was happy, he laughed with her. When she was sad or upset, he comforted her softly. Only in front of Qian Xunji could she be a child.

But for crying and making a fuss to earn her candy, there first had to be someone willing to give it to her.

There had once been someone willing to give her candy, but perhaps there would never be anyone again.

Just that morning, the Second Worship had told her that the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall, her father, had been grievously wounded by Tang Hao while capturing a Spirit Beast and had died of his injuries.

Qian Renxue slowly raised her eyes to the clear blue sky as bitterness spread through her heart.

Memories of the past surfaced one after another.

For as long as she could remember, her mother, Bibi Dong, had despised her for reasons she could not understand. Even coming a little closer earned her a look of utter loathing or a merciless stream of insults.

She would never forget those looks of disgust, as though she had committed some unforgivable crime.

Although her grandfather loved her dearly, he often went into seclusion and could not spend much time with her.

Only her father, Qian Xunji, had stayed by her side, sheltering her from wind and rain like a towering tree.

But Qian Xunji's death was like a light silently going out in the darkness, leaving Qian Renxue's entire world bleak and devoid of color.

Grief, hurt, and bewilderment spread through her heart, finally turning into hatred for Tang Hao and a killing intent so fierce it almost took tangible form.

After a long while.

Qian Renxue slowly closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, she had buried every thought deep within her heart, leaving only a feigned calm.

"Then did Grandpa Guangling ever tell you that for crying and making a fuss to work, there has to be someone who can give you candy?"

Qian Renxue reached out, took the candy from Bai Wanwan's hand, tore open the wrapper, and put it in her mouth.

The candy was sweet, but the bitterness in her heart would not fade.

"He did."

Bai Wanwan nodded earnestly, turning her gaze to meet Qian Renxue's eyes. "But aren't I willing to share my candy with you right now, big sister?"

"Didn't you just say we could call each other sisters?"

"As sisters, I want to share more than just candy with you. I want to share my happiness, my joy, and everything I see and hear in the future. I'm also willing to listen quietly to whatever you want to tell me, to cry with you and laugh with you."

Bai Wanwan's expression was earnest, her clear blue eyes filled with sincerity.

The two gazed at each other in silence.

But as Qian Renxue looked at Bai Wanwan, she could not help falling into a daze.

Those gemlike blue eyes held no false affection, no deliberate attempt to please her. There was only sincerity, genuine and heartfelt.

The candy rolled around in her mouth, making faint sounds as it tapped against her teeth.

Gradually coming back to herself, Qian Renxue carefully studied Bai Wanwan. Looking at this girl, who was a little younger than her and looked like an oversized porcelain doll, she reached a conclusion.

Very cute, but just a little less cute than me.

Most importantly, it seemed she now had a playmate-or, more precisely, a sister worth opening her heart to.

As countless thoughts flitted through her mind.

Qian Renxue was the first to look away, turning her head with a touch of haughtiness.

"Wanwan, your candy is only so-so. It... it isn't very sweet."

Seeing Qian Renxue's proud little manner, Bai Wanwan's lips slowly curved into a smile. "When Grandpa comes back, I'll ask him to buy better candy so I can share it with you."

"Mm."

Qian Renxue nodded lightly and quietly admired the garden before her.

Bai Wanwan also began studying the garden's layout.

The flowers were beautiful and showed clear signs of careful tending. As the breeze blew, they swayed gently like waves made of blossoms, creating a lovely sight.

"What do you think? Is it pretty?"

Qian Renxue's voice sounded beside Bai Wanwan.

"It is!"

"I wonder who planted it. To make such a wonderful garden... it's practically perfect."

Bai Wanwan nodded slightly as she answered earnestly.

"I planted it."

"I carefully selected every flower here."

Qian Renxue rested a hand on Bai Wanwan's shoulder, her gaze quietly sweeping over the entire garden.

"Well, that explains it."

"Of course a garden you planted yourself would be the best, big sister."

Bai Wanwan looked at Qian Renxue with smiling eyes.

Qian Renxue's slightly smug expression was so adorable that Bai Wanwan even felt the urge to reach out and pinch her cheeks.

But the moment that impulse arose, Bai Wanwan firmly suppressed it.

"Wanwan, how about I show you around the garden?"

As she spoke, Qian Renxue reached out with two fingers and gently pinched Bai Wanwan's cheek.

Feeling skin as smooth as a peeled egg, Qian Renxue lightly rubbed it between her fingers.

Mm, it really does feel nice.

Bai Wanwan was briefly startled by Qian Renxue's actions, but she did not dwell on them. Instead, she rose from her seat and left the pavilion with Qian Renxue to stroll through the garden.

Not far away, Azure Luan watched them and nodded gently.

"It worked."

"The Young Master is clearly in better spirits."

Murmuring to himself, Azure Luan started toward the Hall of Enshrinement Main Hall.