Su Ming had gotten up at the crack of dawn and deliberately dug out a treasured outfit he'd kept tucked away for ages, one he normally couldn't bear to wear.
A pristine white, wide-sleeved robe fell softly around him. Cut from moon-white brocade, it fit his frame and accentuated the boy's tall, handsome figure.
The collar, hem, and broad sleeve edges were all painstakingly trimmed with golden cloud patterns, fine gilt threads winding gracefully around the fabric.
They traced layers of rolling clouds and waves, glimmering with a soft, delicate sheen in the morning light.
The snow-white robe made the golden patterns shine all the brighter. An immortal, unworldly elegance came naturally to him, making his handsome features seem even more refined.
Once he was dressed, Su Ming stood before the mirror, looking himself over from every angle as his fingertips brushed the flowing gold cloud patterns.
His eyes were full of satisfaction. What a fine outfit, flattering to his figure and lending him such an air of distinction. He marveled to himself that he'd been right to save it for today.
Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi had just gotten up when they saw him. They froze, staring blankly at the completely transformed Su Ming.
He was usually casual and understated, never bothering to dress himself up. Now, clad in a white robe trimmed with gold, he looked striking and handsome beyond compare.
Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi both marveled inwardly. Su Ming, so low-key most of the time, was dazzling when he made an effort. He actually looked pretty dashing.
Su Ming smiled and raised a hand in greeting. Before they could tease him, he hurried out with a light step.
He couldn't quite conceal the excitement and anticipation in his heart. The first important thing on his agenda was to buy a huge bouquet of flowers.
Sister Lexuan was gentle and quiet by nature. Flowers were perfect for a graceful, tender woman like her; she was sure to love them.
He immediately activated his Level Four Flying Soul Tool and soared into the air. Riding the wind at high speed, he reached the bustling shopping district of Shrek City in the blink of an eye.
He soon found the city's largest flower shop, renowned for its exquisite arrangements. He descended slowly and stepped inside.
The young women browsing the flowers turned at the sound and looked over. Their gazes couldn't help but settle on Su Ming.
A boy with such a tall, straight figure and handsome features, dressed in a white robe with golden patterns and carrying himself with such noble elegance, was a rare sight. Many couldn't help stealing glances at him.
Su Ming paid no attention to the looks around him. He went straight to the counter and faced the young shop assistant, who was staring at him in a daze.
His voice was gentle and warm, carrying the tender affection unique to a young man:
"Hello, I'd like to buy flowers. Something suited to a gentle, quiet girl, the kind that would make any girl's heart flutter."
The young shop assistant abruptly came to her senses, her cheeks instantly flushing red. She hurried over with a cheerful introduction:
"Of course, of course! Take a look at these. They're all especially suitable."
"These are white balloon flowers. They're elegant and versatile, quiet and gentle, never vying for attention. They symbolize everlasting tenderness and an unchanged heart, making them perfect for someone you treasure."
"This variety is champagne roses. They're neither flashy nor gaudy, but gentle and elegant, with a naturally serene, refined air. They symbolize graceful devotion and a heart full of warmth. They'd suit the temperament of the girl you have your eye on."
"And then there are white lisianthuses. They're clean and cool, gentle and quiet, with a long blooming season. They're easy on the eyes and easy to care for. Almost no one dislikes them."
"Then there's jasmine. Its fragrance is light and delicate, and it has a gentle, reserved character. It's perfect for someone quiet and tender, and creates a wonderful atmosphere."
"Which kind would you like, sir?"
Su Ming gazed at the clusters of elegant, romantic flowers. All he could think was that he wanted to save the very best for Zhang Lexuan.
They all suited her temperament, so he might as well buy them all.
Smiling, he answered with gentle certainty, "I'll take all of these. Please tie them into one huge bouquet. I'm giving them to someone."
The shop owner hurried over, his face full of respectful eagerness.
"Certainly, certainly! Please wait a moment, honored guest. We'll arrange them carefully and make sure they look beautiful."
Su Ming couldn't be bothered to wait; he was eager to see Zhang Lexuan. He casually handed over more than ten Gold Soul Coins, generous and decisive.
With his payment in hand, the shop owner worked even faster, not daring to slack off for a moment.
When the enormous bouquet of assorted flowers was finally arranged, it was a vision of layered beauty, its rich, delicate fragrance filling the air.
Su Ming took the bouquet and slipped it into his storage ring. Then he activated his Flying Soul Tool again, becoming a streak of white as he raced toward Shrek Inner Court.
As the Senior Sister of the Inner Court, Zhang Lexuan had profound cultivation and exceptional talent. She had long been a key focus of Sea God Pavilion's training.
They regarded her as the successor to the next, or perhaps even the one after, Pavilion Master. She lived in the finest spot in the Inner Court, a secluded little courtyard surrounded by flowers and trees, tranquil and elegant.
Su Ming had often visited before and knew the way well. When he landed at the courtyard entrance, he immediately spotted Zhang Lexuan in the courtyard, dressed in a simple, elegant gown.
She was watering the flowers with a watering can, her bearing gentle and quiet, her features soft, like an orchid beneath the moon.
His feelings surged within him. Unable to wait, he took the beautifully arranged bouquet from his storage ring. Flowers crowded together in a profusion of color, their fragrance rising around them.
Zhang Lexuan sensed the presence of an outsider and slowly turned around. When her gaze fell on Su Ming, she couldn't help but pause in surprise.
The boy wore a white robe with golden cloud trim. He was strikingly handsome, and his eyes held an unmistakable tenderness.
He had clearly dressed up with special care. A huge bouquet of flowers rested in his arms, and his gaze was fixed ardently on her.
In that moment, Zhang Lexuan's heart gave a little flutter. She stared at him, stunned, a faint blush quietly spreading across her cheeks.
Seeing her dazed expression, warmth surged through Su Ming's heart. He strode up to her and, without a word, gently placed the enormous bouquet in her arms.
His eyes shone brightly, filled with sincere delight and undisguised affection. His voice held all the fervor and tenderness of youth:
"Sister Lexuan, I got up early and went a long, long way to pick these flowers for you. Take a look. Do you like them?"
Zhang Lexuan instinctively cradled the bouquet. The delicate fragrance of white balloon flowers, champagne roses, and jasmine mingled beneath her nose, soothing and refreshing.
She looked up at the boy whose eyes were fixed entirely on her. Her lips curved uncontrollably, her eyes forming a gentle arc as she replied softly:
"Mm, I like them very much. They're beautiful."
A faint smile rippled in her eyes, and her tenderness could have drowned a person. She looked at Su Ming with a hint of shyness and a barely concealed flutter in her heart.
Seeing her smile so tenderly, Su Ming felt his heart stir all the more. He worked up his courage and boldly reached out to take Zhang Lexuan's hand.
Holding her soft palm, he led her toward the quiet courtyard. His voice held a hint of playful wheedling, along with the shameless intimacy of someone deeply in love:
"Sister Lexuan, it's been so long since I last got to eat something you made yourself. I got up early today, spent ages getting dressed, and ran off to buy you flowers.
"I didn't even have time for breakfast. I'm hungry enough to eat a whole cow, so you'll have to make it up to me."
The moment their palms touched, Su Ming realized how beautiful Zhang Lexuan's hand was. Her fingers were even and fair, her skin smooth and lustrous as jade.
It was soft as silk and warm to the touch. Her hand rested comfortably in his palm, and he didn't want to let go.
Zhang Lexuan's hand was clasped tightly in Su Ming's large hand, his fingers long, clean, and sharply defined. His palm was broad and warm, steady and strong.
The sudden intimacy made her heart jump in alarm. A blush crept up her ears, and she was at a loss, but she didn't feel the least bit resistant.
Her fingers even curled slightly on instinct, letting him hold her without the slightest intention of pulling away.
Hearing his shamelessly affectionate tone, she lowered her eyes, her blush still lingering. There was a hint of reproach in her gentle voice:
"If you want something to eat, just say so. Why did you suddenly take my hand? You startled me."
Su Ming turned to look at her shy, gentle expression. His eyes curved as he grinned, but his voice was full of earnest affection, with the possessive tenderness unique to someone in love:
"What can I do? It's been too long since I've properly seen you, Sister Lexuan. I just wanted to hold your hand and show you how much I missed you."
"Besides, I already went to propose to Mu En. He's given his approval. In my heart, you've long been mine—my wife, with every right to be."
Zhang Lexuan's ears grew hotter still. His blunt sweet talk sent her heart racing. She lowered her eyes in embarrassment, her voice soft and delicate. Even her attempt to muster the dignity of the Senior Sister came out as a coquettish protest:
"I haven't even agreed to it myself. How can you make that decision for me? When did I become your wife?"
She said that, but she still didn't pull her hand from his. Instead, she inched it closer into his palm, hiding a tender affection and flutter in her heart that even she hadn't noticed.
The two of them walked side by side into the quiet, elegant courtyard. Trees and plants grew lushly beside the stone path, and the breeze carried the scent of flowers through the courtyard, mingling with the sweetness of the bouquet in her arms.
Su Ming's broad, warm palm held Zhang Lexuan's soft hand firmly. He couldn't bring himself to let go.
The golden cloud trim on the boy's white robe fluttered in the breeze, accentuating his tall, handsome frame and the clean, gentle lines of his profile.
His eyes never left the beauty at his side. They were filled with undisguised affection and possessiveness.
As Zhang Lexuan walked beside him, her heart pounded and her ears flushed. Her steps slowed without her realizing it.
She had always been dignified and gentle. No one had ever set her so openly and ardently in their heart. The warmth of their touching palms traveled from her fingertips all the way into her chest.
She felt warm and shy, yet couldn't bear to pull her hand away. All she could do was let him hold it tightly.
"You've always been so incorrigible."
Zhang Lexuan lowered her eyes. Her voice was soft and gentle, tinged with reproach, though there wasn't a trace of real blame in it—only a maiden's tender shyness.
Su Ming turned his head and gazed at her delicate, gentle features. He stopped, gave her hand a slight tug, and drew her gently closer to him.
The distance between them suddenly narrowed until they could feel each other's breath. The boy's clean, refined scent mingled with the faint fragrance of flowers and trees, surrounding Zhang Lexuan.
"I'm naturally dignified and steady in front of everyone else, but with you, Sister Lexuan, I just want to do whatever I please."
Su Ming lowered his voice, his tone gentle, warm, and clingy with the fervor of new love.
"Mu En has already given his approval. In my heart, you've long been the only person I want to spend my life with. I won't let you wriggle out of it."
His blunt declarations made Zhang Lexuan's heart flutter. She looked up and met his deep, earnest gaze. His eyes held nothing but her, tender enough to drown her.
She held a huge bouquet of flowers, their fragrance intoxicating. Her heart rippled even more fiercely, and a faint smile crept onto her lips. A maiden's newly awakened tenderness colored her gentle features.
"You always have some crooked argument ready," she murmured. Her fingers instinctively brushed Su Ming's palm. The tiny gesture was a silent acceptance, a wordless permission.
Feeling her fingertips graze his palm, Su Ming felt a rush of warmth and grew bolder. He led her to the stone table beneath the covered walkway, but still couldn't bear to release her hand.
He lowered his gaze to their clasped hands. One was long and strong, with handsome, defined knuckles; the other was slender and fair, soft and gentle. Together, they looked especially well matched.
I'd gone out of my way to put on my finest clothes first thing in the morning, scoured the shopping district to pick a bouquet for you, and come here hungry just to see you."
Su Ming's voice was playfully clingy, but his gaze was utterly earnest. "Sister Lexuan, does your heart not stir at all?"
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the boy in white and the gentle young woman. Fragrance surrounded them as their feelings blossomed.
Zhang Lexuan looked deep into Su Ming's clear, ardent eyes. They were filled with unreserved affection and earnest hope.
His feelings were so overwhelming they seemed impossible to dispel, striking straight into her tender heart.
The reserve she had maintained for years, her gentle and composed dignity, crumbled completely in that moment. Burning shyness rushed across her cheeks and all the way to her ears.
She couldn't withstand the boy's fervent, direct gaze. Her heart was in turmoil, so she could only turn her face away in a fluster, avoiding his ardent eyes and not daring to meet them again.
Su Ming took in every shy, evasive gesture. The tenderness and excitement in his heart grew stronger still.
He slowly released the hand they had been holding. Before Zhang Lexuan could compose herself, he raised his long, clean fingers.
Gently taking hold of her, he turned her averted face back toward him with tenderness that left no room for refusal.
He leaned down slightly, bringing his handsome face closer. The space between them vanished in an instant; their warm breaths mingled, and the boy's clean, refined scent enveloped her.
Su Ming stared without blinking into her flushed eyes. His gaze was stubborn yet tender, with the heedless boldness and earnestness unique to a young man. His voice was soft and affectionate:
"Sister Lexuan, don't avoid the question. Today, I'm going to hear your answer with my own ears. If you won't say it, I'm staying right here."
Under his close scrutiny, Zhang Lexuan grew even more flustered. Her feelings churned violently in her chest.
On one side was the cool composure she had upheld for years; on the other, the warmth of the affection she could no longer resist.
She struggled inwardly for a long while, her fingers curling slightly. In the end, she couldn't withstand the feelings surging in her heart. Her lips parted gently, and she managed to squeeze out two words, faint as a mosquito's buzz:
"Mm. My heart stirs."