A Defined Relationship

In the midst of the bustling city, her mind was completely blank.

As though time had stopped, Li Junwu's entire body seemed to have been hit with a paralysis spell.

Amid the clatter of hooves from carriages passing by the roadside, a calm voice carrying a faint smile reached her ears, jolting her blank, frozen thoughts back to life:

"What are you standing there for? Lead the way."

The clamor of pedestrians returned to her ears. Without any unnecessary movement, Li Junwu weaved through passersby dressed in all manner of clothing and said irritably:

"What are you rushing me for? I'm thinking."

Xu Yuan followed behind her, somewhat surprised.

"Huh? Thinking about what?"

"You suddenly said I was acting like you. Of course I have to think about what exactly I'm acting like."

Li Junwu's answer was so matter-of-fact, as straightforward and decisive as her usual manner. Not only did she show no intention of avoiding the subject, after glancing at Xu Yuan beside her, she curved her eyes and smiled with a hint of deeper meaning. "Your question just now seemed to have something hidden between the lines?"

As she spoke, she let out a soft sigh and shook her head.

"But at a time like this, you still have the mood to talk about such things."

Xu Yuan immediately shot back:

"You were the one who brought it up first, weren't you? Accusing others of what you did yourself?"

Li Junwu showed no sign of panic. Pursing her lips, she huffed through half-lidded eyes.

"It's been so many years. Why did you suddenly think to ask about that?"

That matter—

Though neither of them said it outright, they both understood perfectly well.

Xu Yuan raised his eyes toward the blue heavens above, still stained with a