If Life Were Only Like the First Meeting

"A Fan, what are you thinking about, so lost in thought?"

A soft whisper rippled through the quiet secret chamber, carrying a familiar, herbal fragrance.

Lan Yin had appeared silently at Yang Fan's side before he even noticed. She leaned in slightly, resting her cheek gently against his shoulder, her warm, soft body clinging to him without reservation.

Yang Fan took the opportunity to wrap his arm around her slender waist, resting his chin atop her hair. The tension that had gripped his nerves from deep thought began to melt away.

"I was wondering what might impress that Tang Yuehua of the Moon Pavilion. With the Clear Sky Sect behind her, she might have a channel for Sinking Silver."

"Yuehua?"

Hearing that familiar name, a gentle ripple stirred in Lan Yin's eyes. She tilted her head up slightly, her gaze fixed on Yang Fan like still water.

"If it's only for Yuehua, I might have some ideas."

A gentle smile tugged at the corners of Lan Yin's lips as she reached out a jade finger to tap Yang Fan's chest.

"However, you had better organize those storybooks you told me about before, along with the lyrics and songs you hummed. She has a particular fondness for such elegant and bizarre things."

Hearing this, Yang Fan reached out to pinch Lan Yin's soft cheek, dotingly saying, "I never expected that the trivial things I told you to pass the time would become a stepping stone."

Lan Yin let him knead her cheek, her eyes curving into crescents as she urged him softly, "Go and prepare. Sister Yuehua has an incredibly discerning eye; if you only bring common trinkets, I fear it will be difficult to catch her interest."

Yang Fan nodded with a smile, settled Lan Yin onto the daybed to rest, and turned back to his desk to spread out fine rice paper, grind ink, and take up his brush.

That night, the lights in the secret chamber did not go out.

Yang Fan transcribed several stories of scholars and beauties from his memories—tales unheard of in this world.

To cater to her tastes, he specifically selected a few Song dynasty poems with profound imagery and lingering sentiment, copying them neatly onto specially prepared stationery.

As for musical scores, he wouldn't embarrass himself. He hadn't been a music student in his past life; relying on his powerful spiritual power to recall poems and novels was one thing, but asking him to transcribe music... that was truly asking the impossible.

He did not know how much time had passed when Yang Fan finally set down his brush.

He tied the thick stack of manuscripts he had organized with a silk ribbon and retrieved a crystal-clear jade pendant from his spatial Soul Guidance Device.

This was a rare item he had purchased during the Legend of the Dragon King era. It contained a spirit-gathering soul guidance array inside and was carved with a lifelike peony, which perfectly matched Tang Yuehua's elegant and noble temperament.

Such craftsmanship would be considered top-tier even twenty thousand years later, let alone in this era.

"Time to go."

Yang Fan straightened his robes and waved to Lan Yin, who had accompanied him all night.

Lan Yin nodded with a light laugh and returned to Yang Fan's spiritual sea.

It was only after A Wu and Ye Rou arrived and began operations that Yang Fan finally stepped out, vaguely hearing Ye Rou teasing him, the boss, for being so neglectful of his duties these past few days.

The morning in Heaven Dou City was always accompanied by a faint mist.

In front of the Moon Pavilion, a few stalks of bamboo swayed gently in the morning breeze, adding a touch of quiet elegance to the scene.

Yang Fan adjusted his collar and stepped forward to knock on the vermilion wooden door.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The crisp sound of the knocking was exceptionally clear in the quiet morning.

Before long, a maid dressed in a plain-colored long dress opened the door. She was slightly startled to see Yang Fan, then asked in a soft voice, "Who might you be?"

"I am Yang Fan, Pavilion Master of Yang's Treasure Appraisal Pavilion. I have come today to visit the owner of the Moon Pavilion; I have an elegant item I would like to ask the owner to appraise."

Yang Fan smiled slightly and handed over a gold-stamped calling card.

The maid took the card, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes; she had clearly heard of this young Pavilion Master who had recently risen to fame in Heaven Dou City.

Not daring to be negligent, she quickly stepped aside. "So it is Pavilion Master Yang. Please wait a moment; I shall go and inform my mistress."

A moment later, the maid hurried back with a respectful expression. "Pavilion Master Yang, my mistress is waiting in the zither room on the second floor. Please follow me."

Yang Fan exchanged a glance with Lan Yin and followed the maid along a quiet path paved with bluestone slabs to the second-floor zither room.

Pushing open the door, a melodious sound of a zither poured out like flowing water.

The zither room was decorated with extreme elegance. Several ink-wash paintings hung on the walls, and a small incense burner sat on a desk, with blue smoke curling upward, adding a unique touch of refinement.

By the window, a woman in a pale blue long dress sat upright before a guqin. Her features were pure and refined, her temperament gentle and noble.

Hearing footsteps, her fingertips paused, the zither music gradually fading, and she turned her head slowly.

"Pavilion Master Yang's arrival brings great honor to the Moon Pavilion."

Tang Yuehua stood up and bowed slightly, her voice soft and pleasant, like an oriole emerging from a valley.

Yang Fan returned the bow. "The owner of the Moon Pavilion is too kind. I have long heard that you are well-versed in music and possess elegant taste. I have come uninvited, and I hope you will forgive my intrusion."

As he spoke, he took the carefully organized manuscript and the Peony Jade Pendant from his sleeve, presenting them with both hands onto the desk.

"I have heard that you enjoy collecting strange tales and lyrics. I am untalented, but I happened to obtain some rare, incomplete volumes left by predecessors, and I have come specifically to offer them for your appraisal."

Tang Yuehua's gaze fell upon the stack of manuscripts, a flash of curiosity crossing her otherwise calm eyes. She reached out a slender hand and gently flipped open the top sheet of rice paper.

At just a single glance, her eyes lit up.

"'Ten years of life and death, vast and boundless; not thinking of it, yet impossible to forget...'"

She softly recited the words on the page, her voice carrying a hint of undisguised amazement.

"Exquisite! This melancholy—every word drips with blood, every sentence breaks the heart!"

She couldn't wait to keep reading, becoming more enthralled with every page, to the point where she temporarily forgot about the jade pendant sitting to the side.

Yang Fan stood by, a confident smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He knew that this move of his had been the right one.

After a long while, Tang Yuehua finally closed the manuscript with reluctance. She looked up at Yang Fan, her eyes filled with gratitude and admiration. "Pavilion Master Yang, these manuscripts are truly priceless! I find them impossible to put down. I wonder, does the Pavilion Master have any conditions?"

Yang Fan smiled slightly, knowing it was time to get to the point.

"Conditions would be too strong a word."

He spoke calmly, "I have merely heard that the Moon Pavilion possesses a deep foundation, and I am currently in urgent need of a metal known as 'Sinking Silver.' If you could point me in the right direction, these manuscripts shall be a small token of my sincerity."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yuehua pondered to herself.

This young man was not only overflowing with talent but also meticulous in his thinking. Since he was able to find his way here and present such a perfectly tailored gift, it was clear he had come fully prepared.

"Sinking Silver..."

Looking at Yang Fan, she didn't know why, but she felt his temperament was somewhat familiar—almost like... A Yin?

She parted her lips, seemingly lost in thought, and said slowly, "This item is indeed rare... However, our Moon Pavilion's inner treasury happens to hold a few pieces. If Pavilion Master Yang is truly sincere, I can take it upon myself to spare one for you."

Yang Fan was overjoyed, but he kept his expression calm as he cupped his hands. "In that case, many thanks to Lady Yuehua for your generosity!"

Tang Yuehua smiled slightly and carefully tucked the stack of manuscripts away. "Pavilion Master Yang need not rush to thank me. I also have a small request."

"Please, speak freely."

For the sake of the Sinking Silver, Yang Fan was more than willing to agree, provided the condition wasn't excessive.

"I hope that in the future, if there are any new stories or lyrics, Pavilion Master Yang will be the first to send them over for me to enjoy."

Expectation flickered in Tang Yuehua's eyes. Working hard alone in Heaven Dou City, only these poems and essays could soothe her somewhat lonely heart.

"I truly love these stories. As for the Sinking Silver, how about you send someone to collect it at midday tomorrow?"

Yang Fan replied respectfully, "Then many thanks, Lady Yuehua. I shall come to trouble you myself tomorrow."

The two chatted for a while longer about the poems and stories on the table. Seeing that the hour was getting late, Tang Yuehua rose to see him off, allowing Yang Fan to take his leave.