At last, everyone was gathered together.
"..."
However, the graceful outfit she wore did not quite match the faint, unmistakable weariness between her brows, nor the dazed uncertainty, bewilderment, and... perhaps a touch of guilt?
As for why she looked that way, perhaps only she and a certain troublesome little girl immortal knew.
So, the instant she stepped through the hall's entrance, she seemed to falter when she saw the bustling scene inside. A trace of hesitation appeared on her face, and her long lashes trembled slightly. Her gaze swept quickly over the elders and sisters in the hall, all eagerly looking her way, and her cherry lips began to press together involuntarily. She felt as if she were being pricked all over.
"Yuer!"
But Grandmother Jia didn't care about any of that!
The moment she saw Daiyu return, she rose from her chair and opened her arms. A kind yet eager smile bloomed on her face, and her voice rose noticeably above its usual volume as she hurried forward, full of affection and anticipation.
"My dear Yuer!"
"You're finally back!"
"Come, come to your grandmother!"
As she spoke, she went straight over and embraced Daiyu, then reached out to clasp Daiyu's hands, which were twisting a handkerchief amid all her tangled thoughts.
"How was it?"
"Did the Immortal Examination go smoothly?"
"Were the questions difficult?"
"How did it feel?"
"Are you holding up all right?"
"You're not too tired, are you?"
Grandmother Jia fired off question after question, her concern plain for all to see.
"..."
Her grandmother's overwhelming enthusiasm and barrage of questions made Lin Daiyu's heart tighten. She grew even more hesitant and unsure of what to do.
Only after a long while, when Grandmother Jia finally released her amid everyone's gentle urging, did she gather her