Cutting Losses (Tianyan Valentine's Day Extra 3)

"Tick-tock."

A drop of water seeped from a stalactite formed over millennia on the cave ceiling and splashed onto the rock surface, creating a spray of water.

Tianyan subconsciously wanted to rebuke the other party, but the moment her red lips parted, she swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

A faint light shone through the cave entrance, and the man's long hair, which was not tied up, fluttered gently in the breeze, his expression shrouded in the shadows.

For the two individuals, physical light could no longer obstruct their vision.

Therefore, Tianyan clearly saw the expression in his eyes.

A dozen steps away, the man remained calm as a still pool, his gaze dark and distant, as if the complex emotions he had just felt were merely fleeting.

They stared at each other in silence, Tianyan instinctively wanted to look away.

His gaze reminded her of some things from the past.

Everything in this illusion was so real, so real that everyone seemed to have a soul and be alive.

Just like the brother and sister they met in the first year.

A chance encounter in a secluded paradise, followed by a meticulously planned journey around the world together.

Tianyan silently watched Xu Yuan's actions from the side.

Watching him deliberately approach the brother and sister of noble status, watching him use their identities to evade layers of investigation and capture, and watching his relationship with the woman grow closer and closer.

Through countless jokes, playful banter, and blushing moments, he and she grew closer and closer.

I remember that journey lasted for half a year, but all good things must come to an end.

As they parted at the Ink Sky Mountain a clear blue sky, unexpectedly, the woman, as beautiful as a painting in the misty rain, asked him to convey her love to her.

Because the relationship she and he publicly pretended to have was that of siblings.

That night,

Seeing the blush that appeared on the woman's face as she poured out her feelings of first love, Tianyan listened silently.

She couldn't understand why such a woman would fall in love with a playboy like Xu Yuan.

He was neither a refined gentleman, nor an upright and honest man, nor a steady and profound man; all he possessed was a glib and unrestrained spirit.

Could someone like that really be admired?

But it doesn't matter anymore; all she needs to do is convey the message.

She relayed his words verbatim.

His response was only a faint one.

"Oh"

Seeing this guy's cold-hearted reaction, Tianyan almost laughed.

Perhaps out of pity for the woman, or out of resentment, or some other emotion, she did not leave immediately after conveying her words, but instead sat down beside him, smoothing her skirt.

The wind on the mountaintop at night, carrying a chill, swept through the forest, rustling like the tides of the sea.

He was clearly surprised by her sitting down, and asked with a smile:

"What, is there something else?"

She looked at him and nodded seriously:

"Um."

"Oh?"

Xu Yuan let out a soft hesitant sound, stared at her for a few moments, stroked his chin, and asked with a slightly strange expression:

"You look so serious."

"Tsk, that woman's brother also says he likes me?"

Tianyan was stunned for a moment, then glared at him as he came to his senses:

"Nausea."

Just kidding.

Xu Yuan grinned, then looked down at the forest below the mountain peak, his long hair fluttering in the wind. "So... what else is there?"

Tianyan also looked at the mountains and forests as night fell:

"You knew about her feelings for you all along?"

"I'm not stupid. That woman's eyes were practically brimming with desire as she looked at me. Of course I know."

"Zi Qiu's feelings for her, you just"

"Etc."

He interrupted her, turning his gaze back at her with a strange look in his eyes:

"You want to stand up for her?"

Tianyan met his gaze, his eyes distant.

"Don't you have any other reaction?"

Xu Yuan crossed his legs in front of him, leaned back, supported himself with his hands on the ground, and looked at her with a slight smile.

How do you think I should react?

"At least they shouldn't be so cold."

"Why?"

"Because she must be serious about your feelings, even if she doesn't agree, she should still value them."

"So, you want me to reject her?"

"At the very least, you should get a response, whether you agree or disagree."

"Hmph."

With a soft chuckle, Xu Yuan looked up at the magnificent, boundless sea of stars:

"I refuse."

"Why?" Tianyan frowned slightly.

"Those two siblings are descendants of a sage; perhaps we'll need them in the future?"

Xu Yuan replied matter-of-factly, "If you refuse now and completely abandon the idea, it won't be easy to meet again in the future."

"."

Tianyan frowned even more deeply, and was about to say something when he was interrupted by the other party's cold voice:

"If you're going to spout some grand philosophy, then please shut up."

"You should know very well what our situation is like right now. This separation is because those people have their eyes on us. My choice is the one that is most beneficial to us."

"."

Starlight cascaded down like a waterfall, illuminating the gleam in his eyes.

After a long silence, Tianyan suddenly let out a soft hum:

"I have no right to criticize you, but if you act this way and a woman comes to your door demanding retribution for your past actions, I won't stand up for you."

As she spoke, she slowly stood up, looked down at the faint lights of houses at the foot of the mountain, and asked softly:

"Zi Qiu said you wanted to think about it?"

"No, just tell him directly that I can't reciprocate her feelings right now."

After a moment's pause, Xu Yuan smiled slightly, looking at the southern horizon. "The Heavenly Oversight Pavilion has already contacted their Sage parents, and our identities should be conveyed to them soon. Perhaps that will come in handy then."

Tianyan glanced at the man sitting cross-legged by the cliff and snorted coldly:

"Cold-hearted and ungrateful."

Xu Yuan grinned, met her gaze, and half-jokingly said:

"Isn't what I'm doing for you and me?"

Tianyan glanced down at him condescendingly.

"Xu Changtian, don't try to pull this on me."

Xu Yuan's lips curled slightly as he lay back on the grassy hilltop and lazily replied:

"Fine, fine, I'm not playing that game with you."

"."

Tianyan snorted coldly in his heart, said nothing more, and turned to leave, but after walking a few feet, he suddenly stopped.

"Anything else?" Xu Yuan asked lazily, his hands behind his head. "Can't you just say it all at once?"

Tianyan did not turn around:

"After spending half a year together, you have absolutely no feelings for her?"

"."

silence.

After a few breaths,

"There are definitely feelings involved."

He said softly, "After all, Zi Qiu is such a beautiful woman, how could any man not be moved? But at most, it's just lusting after her body."

"..." Tianyan thought to himself, "How vulgar!" Then he saw the man slowly prop himself up.

Xu Yuan turned to look at her retreating figure, a smile playing on his lips:

"Love is inexplicable, so it's unlikely that I would fall deeply in love."

"I'm a very goal-oriented person. From the very beginning, I only saw the brother and sister as tools to help us escape."

"Given that initial goal, do you think I would fall for a mere tool and then get myself into a trap?"

As he spoke, Xu Yuan spread his hands:

"Besides, this is an illusion. We'll all get out sooner or later. The idea of having a love affair that transcends time with a beauty who has been buried for thousands of years sounds romantic, but I don't want to make myself miserable."

I don't want to experience the pain of unrequited love again.

"Therefore, we need to cut our losses as soon as possible."

As the words fell,

A gentle mountain breeze caressed their robes, creating ripples of wheat across the verdant lawn.

She turned around abruptly and caught a glimpse of the slight smile on his lips, and the calm yet deep gaze in his narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes, as still and unfathomable as a still pool.

Stop loss

Stop loss

Inside the cave, all was silent.

Their gazes met in the air.

Tianyan's expression was cold and stern, his jade-like hands clenched tightly beneath his sleeves.

She wanted to say something to ease the tension, but she suppressed the urge.

Tianyan looked at him, his words cold and unyielding:

"What does this have to do with me? Xu Changtian, what if you leave behind your Qi after going out without permission?"

She thought that bastard would probably reply with a defiant retort like, "What does my life or death have to do with you?"

But Xu Yuan's single, casual remark shattered her carefully prepared plan:

"Are you out of your mind, or do you think I'm out of my mind?"

Tianyan was stunned for a moment:

"What?"

Xu Yuan gently shook his head and walked straight out of the cave.

"After being on the run for so long, I can still remember these basic precautions, so you don't need to worry about me. I'm just going out to hunt some wild game to satisfy my cravings."

"Stop!" Tianyan raised his voice.

Xu Yuan sighed softly, stopped again, and said in a somewhat impatient tone:

"Tianyan, our relationship should only be one of cooperation. Well, seven years of working together should qualify us as friends, but why should I listen to you?"

Tianyan took a deep breath and asked:

"Are you angry? What kind of time is this to be throwing a tantrum!"

"I'm angry?"

Xu Yuan laughed upon hearing this, a laugh that was both funny and exasperating, "Why would I be angry? I should thank you for what you just said."

As he spoke,

Xu Yuan's voice became calmer:

"After seven years together, I almost forgot this was an illusion. Thank you for reminding me."

"Ha, after we leave, I will still be the Third Young Master Prime Minister's Mansion, and you will still be the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion Holy Maiden."

"For someone as unfathomable as me, whether due to Lineage influence or as an individual, there is an insurmountable chasm between us."

"Therefore, it's better if we just stick to simple cooperation."

"."

A complex and bittersweet feeling spread through Tianyan's heart, but he maintained a calm expression.

What he said was exactly what she was considering.

Sitting back down on the futon, Tianyan closed his eyes, his voice cold, yet tinged with a barely perceptible tremor:

"You'd better watch yourself."

"."

Without saying another word, Xu Yuan walked straight out of the cave, his smile gradually fading and his expression becoming complicated.

But once he stepped out of Tianyan's detection range, he instantly reverted to his usual lazy and indifferent demeanor.

Is he angry?

Of course not.

Rather, how could he possibly get angry over such a trivial matter?

After seven years of getting along, he had figured out Tianyan's personality perfectly.

His whole body was soft, except for his mouth, which was hard.

For him, her tsundere attitude could actually be considered a cute trait.

His last words were deliberately made clear.

Sincerity only makes you a sycophant.

A well-defined strategy is essential to winning people's hearts.

Their relationship has reached a bottleneck because they both know that this is just an illusion, and the outside world is where they truly live.

This concern applies not only to him, but also to Tianyan.

If this continues unchecked, it will eventually become a powerful Source Crystal bomb buried between the two of them.

Rather than doing that, it's better to detonate it beforehand.

If this wound can heal, then everything will fall into place.

If not, then let things take their course.

The cicadas chirped busily in the woods, and dappled sunlight filtered through the lush treetops.

Xu Yuan glanced up, and in a daze, a self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips.

He suddenly realized that he had gotten a little too into the role.

I had clearly planned from the beginning to treat this washboard saintess as just a tool.

No one is heartless. Even a pet raised for seven years will develop feelings, let alone Tianyan, who has shared hardships with you.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan tugged at his long hair at the back of his head in frustration, then smiled nonchalantly.

Having witnessed countless breakups and reunions in my past life, and the fast-paced nature of relationships, as well as the thrill of one-night Tianyan in this life is not entirely unacceptable.

but,

This only applies within the realm of illusion.

Today's meal at Xu Yuan's house is hot pot.

An exquisite porcelain stove sits atop a campfire inside the cave, the broth bubbling and crackling with the fire, the aroma of the fiery red soup seasoned with various spices filling the entire cave.

Various kinds of Demon Beast beast meat were arranged on both sides of the boiler, each piece being the most precious essence of Demon Beast at the Fusion Realm.

Slice, season, plate, and arrange on both sides of the table. Xu Yuan then took out several jade boxes from his Sumeru Ring.

The jade box was opened.

A fragrant aroma of medicine emanated from it.

These are all rare treasures obtained through murder and robbery. Some can nourish the mind, while others can enhance one's martial arts skills. They are all rare finds on the market.

After doing all that, Xu Yuan turned to look at the motionless girl over there.

He discovered that this "washboard saint" was truly prone to anger.

He's already forgiven her, but she's still sulking.

Gently shaking his head, Xu Yuan sat cross-legged on the nearby futon and took out two pairs of white jade ivory chopsticks.

The opponent has a pair, and I have a pair.

After setting the table, Xu Yuan didn't call Tianyan; he simply started eating on his own.

Tianyan remained seated, unmoved.

Xu Yuan ate while sizing up the other person.

When Tianyan first entered the illusion, she had already lost the habit of eating solid food. However, over the course of seven years, Xu Yuan successfully tamed her with all sorts of modern eating methods.

Life needs a sense of ritual.

Now, even the Tianyan has acquired a sense of ritual.

Because of the addition of wild chili peppers today, the broth was still somewhat spicy for Xu Yuan, who was at the Origin Beginning Realm.

But that's exactly the kind of spiciness you want in hot pot.

"Smack smack... Hiss... Ha."

"Smack smack. Hiss."

"Smack smack"

"Bass!"

Tianyan suddenly stood up.

She glanced at him too.

He glanced at her.

They locked eyes for a moment,

"Want some?"

"Did you drug them?"

"It's ready, want to eat?"

"Eat."

"Oh."

Xu Yuan chuckled and pointed across the table with his chopsticks.

Tianyan snorted coldly, then silently walked to the opposite side and knelt down.

Xu Yuan casually added some slices of meat and medicinal herbs to her bowl, and said softly:

"Eat more, it's all prepared for you. My cultivation won't increase from eating it, and after this meal, we have to enter the Sword-Forging Valley tomorrow, so it might be a long time for both of us."

"You"

Tianyan placed her small hands on her knees, looked up at him, and asked, "... Why are you still so good to me?"

"Huh?" Xu Yuan was taken aback, his chopsticks paused, and he looked at her stunningly beautiful face. "What?"

Tianyan Golden Eyes, devoid of any impurity, stared directly at him:

"Given your track record, shouldn't you be cutting your losses now?"

Xu Yuan placed the medicinal herbs from his chopsticks into the other person's bowl and chuckled:

"Stop-loss? Where did you hear that term?"

Tianyan coldly sarcastically said:

"Lord Xu, you truly have a short memory."

"Hmm, it seems I was right before."

Xu Yuan gently shook his head, put away his chopsticks, and said quietly:

"Cutting losses isn't easy. Love is inexplicable, and that's why it's so deep. I do have feelings for you, and it will probably take some time for me to move on."

Tianyan pursed his lips, picked up his white jade chopsticks, took a piece of green vegetable, and elegantly placed it in his mouth, chewing it twice.

How long will it take?

While eating the meat, Xu Yuan spoke slowly and deliberately:

"One month"

Tianyan's heart tightened, and he subconsciously gripped the jade chopsticks in his hand.

"A month?"

"Yes, at the earliest, it will take a month."

"Then which one is the slowest?"

"Slow and it could take a lifetime."

The extra chapters seem unfinished, but Happy Valentine's Day!