Su Qing'an: Li Shishi Is Getting Married

Jiang Rongyue's feelings were complicated, and she was somewhat confused.

In the first year after Li Shishi left to travel the world alone, she lived a muddled and aimless life without her only real anchor.

In the first year, the mind was not confused, but it was bewildered by endless illusions and falsehoods, making daily life difficult.

Even so, the girl felt the desolate and lonely Jalana that had not spread and the constant feeling of falling into the air, but she understood that she did not actually care about losing the only true guiding light.

More than the hopeless drifting on the dark, boundless sea after losing the lighthouse, she feared losing the familiar figure by her side.

Therefore, on the ninth day of the third month, when Jiang Rongyue saw that familiar figure at Fuyun Temple, she was already suffering from a mental illness and unable to escape from all kinds of confusion, yet she was still able to show that person a warm and natural smile.

She thought it might be because she had never had any friends.

After all, there aren't many people of the same sex who travel the martial arts world, and even fewer who can befriend someone like him who is clumsy with words, cold-faced, never stays in one place for long, and doesn't deliberately socialize. That's why he has a special fondness for Li Shishi in a certain sense and values her highly.

But Jiang Rongyue suddenly asked herself, if she had already known the true nature of her abilities when she first met Zhujiu Yin, would she still have been willing to pay such a price to enter the Ascending Tower State?

And the answer came very quickly—she was still willing.

Jiang Rongyue is a bad woman; by universal standards, that's roughly the consensus.

She would be willing to sacrifice and die repeatedly for the sake of some minor emotions that arose in that person, and she would do it with relish.

Even someone as odd as Jiang Rongyue, after realizing this problem, began to feel bewildered by this ambiguous relationship.

Just... friends?

Or rather, family?

The girl may not understand emotions, but she is well aware of universal moral values and social relationships. Logically speaking, this should not be her attitude towards her friends, and she should not neglect her family to this extent.

Jiang Rongyue glanced at the soft, delicate person in her arms, at that pale face, the unconsciously furrowed brows, and even the pale lips without any lipstick. Finally, through the hand that passed between her legs and pressed against the other's thigh, rubbing the slightly damp hem of her skirt, she once again deeply understood Su Qing'an's words.

[She found you first, but was likely shocked by the sight of you sealed yourself at the bottom of Cloud Dragon Waterfall, and her sword spirit nearly shattered.]

She lowered her eyes, her lips parted slightly, and she asked softly:

"She... searched for me for two years?"

Su Qing'an thought for a moment and said matter-of-factly:

Do you think she could continue her travels without worry after you disappeared?

He continued to ask in return:

"If Li Shishi disappears, Rongyue, can you still continue to run [Chaoxian] with peace of mind?"

Jiang Rongyue honestly said:

"Cannot."

The person who was curled up in the other's arms and pretending to be asleep unconsciously raised the corners of their lips slightly, but quickly suppressed it again.

The Immortal Chi Yuan glanced at his disciple and Li Shishi, then at Su Qing'an, feeling both that he understood and didn't. He continued to tease the White Sparrow in his palm, poking the snowball and playing a strange parent-child game with his "daughter."

Her thinking was similar to Su Qing'an's, leaning towards a degree of laissez-faire.

Not to mention the current Fu Hua, even the immortals in the original timeline only had a few concise requirements for their disciples. Apart from the "must kill if one falls into demonic possession" rule, which was considered rather ruthless by some, the rest were not excessive and never interfered with personal feelings or orientations.

Therefore, she is now more of an observer.

To be precise, we neither support, oppose, advocate, discriminate against, nor interfere with.

At this moment, Su Qing'an revealed his previously hidden matchmaking abilities. If it were Li Shishi's personality, he would never have taken the initiative to mention the fact that he almost shattered his sword heart and had been searching for her for two years. But from his perspective, he simply brought it all up at once, which made Jiang Rongyue feel very guilty. She didn't even notice that the person in her arms was actually pretending to be asleep.

The three of them strolled leisurely toward Fuyun Temple.

During this time, Su Qing'an silently observed Li Shishi's micro-expressions and found them very interesting.

Fu Hua played with Xiao Xi, making no mention of her opinion on [Chao Xian], nor did she immediately inquire about the events of the past few years.

Firstly, the information that Udu-dust filtered out already satisfied her understanding of the passage of time in the outside world.

Secondly, the Immortal Chi Yuan lived a life that was basically isolated from the world. During that era when the [Lostbelt] appeared, the demons disappeared, and the Honkai ceased to exist, she basically never went down Mount Taixu.

Although his memories of the Lostbelt are gradually fading under the influence of corrective forces, it does not change his inherently detached personality.

And because she wasn't gossipy at all, she had no interest in the romantic relationship and entanglements between her apprentice and her acquaintance, Li Shishi.

Basically, only matters concerning Su Qing'an can evoke thoughts and feelings in immortals that are similar to those of mortals.

At the same time, Fu Hua also believes that her apprentice needs some time to sort out his thoughts.

After all, unlike Su Qing'an, who could passively sense the other person's emotions using her Manas consciousness, she failed to realize, without secretly spying on Jiang Rongyue with her Udu-dust, that Jiang Rongyue didn't actually care about the truth of that ability that could shatter the worldview of ordinary people. At the time, she only thought that the other person was barely digesting this fact through her tenacious will and half-understanding confusion.

Even if you don't give them much alone time, it's really not appropriate to have too much conversation or ask too many questions.

And if we add the fact that Jiang Rongyue was frozen for two years and has only recently been resurrected, then this becomes even more true.

Moreover, Fu Hua also realized through Su Qing'an's probing that the relationship between Jiang Rongyue and Li Shishi was still in a very ambiguous and strange stage of mutual entanglement.

She wasn't surprised that the former's reaction suggested a similar intention.

The latter group consists of those who know something is wrong, but are still bound by their own inner shackles.

At the same time, it is also very obvious that Jiang Rongyue is unclear about her own feelings.

After all, this child has always lacked love.

Because they have never had enough experience to distinguish between different things, they are unable to accurately discern the truth given by their hearts.

However, Fu Hua adhered to the principle of non-interference and did not have the idea of directly giving each of them an Udu-dust to force them to start a confession game.

In her mind, it meant not interfering in the slightest.

In this era, they will eventually have to start thinking about related issues due to the constraints of age, and at that time they will inevitably fall into a stage where they can't help but test each other and open up.

Jiang Rongyue, on the other hand, was in a very troubled state. She had no feelings or interest in the origin and reality of the strange phenomenon entangled around her, but she was particularly concerned about her thoughts about the person in her arms and things related to it.

What exactly happened in the past two years? Did Li Shishi really search for him for two whole years? And how did she find him?

Su Qing'an let the child fuss for a while, and then, halfway there, she casually but seriously said:

"Rongyue, I learned from the letter my Senior Sister Shishi left that she has someone she likes. Do you know who that person is? I'm quite curious."

Fu Hua:...

Jiang Rongyue:!!!

Li Shishi:???

Jiang Rongyue, upon hearing this, grappled with the complex emotions rising in her chest, letting this strange and novel feeling surge into her heart while forcibly suppressing it. She was completely unaware of Li Shishi's almost uncontrollable expression as she nearly collapsed in her arms. She merely maintained her State of Still Water, controlling her breathing and heartbeat to the fullest extent, before replying in a slightly fluctuating low voice:

"I'm not entirely sure either, maybe... she was a good person I met while traveling."

Why?

As a friend, I should be happy for Li Shishi, who has met someone she likes at her age.

But now she felt not only no joy, but also sadness and intense unhappiness. There was even a kind of emotion she had never experienced before, which turned into a venomous snake coiling around her heart, extracting bright fangs and grinding against her entire body, stirring up waves in the Mind Lake.

That's a poison called jealousy.

But the girl didn't understand; she was experiencing this complex mix of emotions, a feeling that was hard to describe, and she felt lost.

Did she not actually want Li Shishi to find a partner and get married?

But why wouldn't I want her to have someone she likes? Why would I feel dislike and unhappy about it?

Jiang Rongyue didn't understand, but she did understand that she had an uncontrollable possessiveness towards Li Shishi. She didn't want Li Shishi to be marked as dominant by others, and she didn't like Li Shishi forming deeper relationships and contracts with others.

Is it normal for a person to feel this way about a friend?

But she's not normal.

The girl was extremely distressed at that moment, making the atmosphere somewhat somber.

Su Qing'an glanced at Li Shishi, who was starting to lose her composure, and used her Manas consciousness to help her manage her facial expressions and refine her overall acting to prevent her from giving herself away.

Although Jiang Rongyue's current state is probably imperceptible, if Li Shishi herself makes a mistake, it will be impossible for her not to be discovered.

He now understands these two personalities very well: one is a blockhead, and the other is a coward. If he lets them keep testing and probing each other, it could probably turn into a heart-wrenching love story like a yuri novel from Jinjiang Literature City.

It's better to increase the progress bar now to avoid future problems.

Moreover, after carefully considering their future together, the boy suddenly felt it was very necessary to make things work.

Leaving aside the fact that Jiang Rongyue is a lonely person, in her mindset she will probably regard Mount Taixu as her home that she can't leave for too long, so there's no need to worry about her completely breaking away from the two of them in the future.

However, given Li Shishi's lively and unrestrained nature, her desire to roam the world, her excellent appearance and cultural refinement, and the titles of "One Sword Sinks the River" and "Number One Under Heaven," it wouldn't be difficult for her to find a good man at her age.

Once she gets married, she can't just settle down in Chao Xian City, can she? Judging from the way her sword heart almost shattered, once she gets married, she probably won't want to be too close to Jiang Rongyue. She might even deliberately go to live in a more remote place, which would be equivalent to distancing herself from Mount Taixu.

Although neither Su Qing'an nor Fu Hua are socially awkward, they both live rather withdrawn lives for various reasons. If someone they are already close to can, for a reasonable reason, make the other person willingly accept the constraints and keep them in front of them, that would certainly not be a bad thing.

Therefore.

Su Qing'an thought for a moment and then chose to add fuel to the fire:

"Even you don't know? It was probably something I encountered when I was feeling down these past two years."

The boy casually pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve and sighed, saying:

"Senior Sister Shishi has always had a rather extreme personality. Maybe she felt tired and just wanted to marry anyone."

After giving himself a mental suggestion, Su Qing'an waved the brightly written words at Jiang Rongyue, who was looking up at him. A silent ripple emanated from his mind, and his expression revealed a touch of helplessness.

"Look at what's written on this letter; it seems she plans to get married soon."

At this moment, Li Shishi was pretending to be asleep, was filled with questions.

When did I start planning to get married? How come I didn't know?

Damn it, Susu, what are you doing?!

When she used to pinch his cheeks, feed him, and lift him up high, she never imagined that she would one day be subjected to such intense emotional abuse from him.

Su Su, you repay kindness with enmity!

However, despite her thoughts, Li Shishi had a rough idea of Su Qing'an's plan. She had already started to listen carefully to someone's answer and tone, trying to figure out what he was thinking.

This question was clearly more direct and straightforward than the previous probing, but given Rongyue's personality, even if she really had those thoughts, she could probably pretend not to care.

Thinking about this, Li Shishi felt a mix of secret joy—a sense that she wouldn't be completely disillusioned no matter what the other person's answer was—and a feeling of disappointment that she seemed unable to get a definite answer no matter what.

In short, I have very mixed feelings.

Jiang Rongyue fell into this trap almost without warning. Following the psychological suggestion, she saw the words that Manas had created in his mind, completely unaware of the little thoughts of the person in her arms.

As she muttered to herself the imagined marriage and subsequent choice of her partner, she felt a strange and detached murderous intent unconsciously brush against the Mind Lake of her Sea of consciousness, creating ripples that would then subside into a deep stillness.

Jiang Rongyue said calmly:

"Don't worry, Grand Martial Uncle."

"Shishi wouldn't be so capricious. I believe the people she chooses are responsible and worthy of her."

"If not, I think those people would choose to back down on their own."

Su Qing'an sensed the other party's obvious emotional fluctuations and the veiled meaning in their words, and understood what was going on.

Jiang Rongyue not only had feelings for Li Shishi, but also possessed a certain degree of possessiveness towards her.

Very good, but not so dense as to be completely oblivious to jealousy.

Since it's obvious that it's not a one-sided crush, then this matter is easily resolved. Just spend more time alone with her, and let Senior Sister Shishi give us a direct answer, right?

The boy then said softly:

"Senior Sister Shishi is indeed not young anymore, so it's understandable that she's a bit anxious."

Li Shishi was in Jiang Rongyue's arms, was initially disappointed by his response, but now she felt like biting someone. The longing she felt after five years apart and the joy of their reunion were turned into anger and embarrassment by the sensitive topic of age.

But with Manas's prompting, she suddenly realized that after Jiang Rongyue said those words, the way he was holding her tightened unconsciously, and his head was unconsciously closer to her chest. Feeling the well-developed softness and the clear sound of his heartbeat, she was immediately extinguished by his beauty and could roughly understand that he was not as calm as he appeared in his words.

Doesn't this indirectly prove that Jiang Rongyue harbors ill intentions towards me?

Etc.

Li Shishi suddenly realized a crucial point: Jiang Rongyue was the one who was acting strangely in the first place.

Why is she agonizing over this for so long?

Just as this Courtesan was caught in a dilemma, Su Qing'an continued to provide assistance:

"Her health will be a bit weak recently. I will put some herbs in Cloud Dragon Waterfall, but these herbs need to be converted into hot spring water to exert their maximum effect. Your master and I are both unavailable at the moment, so you will be responsible for bringing her to bathe with us in the coming days."

Jiang Rongyue had just realized that she had some strange feelings for Li Shishi, tried to make excuses, but was stopped by someone.

The boy blinked his exceptionally innocent eyes and added earnestly:

"Just like before, didn't you two often shower together a few years ago?"

"We're all girls, so there shouldn't be any inconvenience, right?"

"Unless..."

Su Qing'an paused, remaining silent for a moment as if considering the possibility, which made the extremely guilty Jiang Rongyue dare not refute at all, and she immediately agreed.

Only then did he turn his face, suppressing his laughter, and naturally express his opinion:

"But that doesn't really matter."

"If Rongyue could use this method to help me keep my Senior Sister Shishi's later years at Mount Taixu, Hua would be quite happy."

The immortal who had been petting Xiao Xi glanced at the faces of the others, remaining silent and clearly offering no rebuttal.

Jiang Rongyue was confused for a while, but then she felt that her master Grand Martial Uncle were indeed immortals, even their ideas and thoughts were very different from those of the general public.

Li Shishi, who was in her arms, suddenly realized that she might have been tricked.

But because she had to maintain the persona of pretending to be asleep, she could only complain to herself.

Jiang Rongyue understood her Grand Martial Uncle's meaning, mustered her courage, and asked earnestly:

"How does Grand Martial Uncle know whether Shishi is willing or not?"

Su Qing'an paused slightly, her lips curled into a slight smile, and she said softly:

"Because of your death, she was so heartbroken that she chose to accompany you and bury herself in the Cloud Dragon Waterfall, and for this she was only one step away from losing all her cultivation."

"What else is impossible?"

"Furthermore, Rongyue, under what circumstances do you think someone who cultivates the Void Sword Qi would be on the verge of having their sword heart shattered?"