The Dividing Realm Mountain Range, at the border between the Western Region and Northern Region of the Central Plains.
Inside Burning Flame Valley's headquarters.
Tang Huo'er sat at a table.
Her head tilted to one side, resting on her left arm.
She held a pen in her right hand, writing on a sheet of paper.
Yet her gaze was hollow, as though she had lost her soul.
"Yang Shan said he would come."
"He'll definitely come."
"He came last time!"
"Last time... last time took so long. How long will this time take?"
"Maybe some girl from some family has held him up again."
"Bad man, flirting everywhere!"
"I, Tang Huo'er, must have been blind to fall for you!"
"I heard the disciples in the valley say that if you keep eagerly trying to please others, eventually you turn into some... something. Oh! A simp!"
"I refuse to be a simp!"
"I've decided. When he comes this time, I won't give him a pleasant look!"
"Does he really think I, Tang Huo'er, have no temper?"
Just then, a maidservant came running into the courtyard, panting heavily.
This was Tang Huo'er's private residence. A maidservant barging in without announcement would normally face severe punishment, unless... "Eldest Miss, Yang— Huh? Where is Eldest Miss? Eldest Miss!"
The maidservant hurriedly searched around.
But where was Tang Huo'er in the room? All that remained was a sheet of paper on the table, filled with the name "Yang Shan." In the garden Burning Flame Valley used to entertain honored guests, Tang Zhen and Yang Shan had just sat down when they heard an excited cry:
"Yang Shan!"
"Yang Shan! You finally came!"
Tang Huo'er, who had resolved not to be a simp, happily came to Tang Zhen's opposite side—Yang Shan's side—and sat down beside him