Feelings Under the Moon, Rongrong's Love

On a weekend evening, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Rongrong had started preparing an hour early. She was not usually one to fuss over her appearance; while at Shrek Academy, she mostly went bare-faced and left the house with her hair tied up haphazardly. But today was different.

Today, her master was coming to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for a banquet, an invitation she had extended personally.

She rummaged through her wardrobe, trying on six or seven outfits, before finally settling on a lotus-pink long dress.

The fabric was light, soft silk, with delicate, dark silver patterns embroidered along the hem that shimmered with a gentle luster as she moved.

Around her waist was a thin silver chain, from which hung a small pendant in the shape of a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—a keepsake left to her by her mother.

Instead of her usual scorpion braid, her hair was half-up, secured with a white jade hairpin. A few stray strands fell by her ears, swaying gently with her movements.

She stood before the bronze mirror, checking her reflection from side to side, then leaned in close to inspect her makeup. Her brows were traced, her lips touched with a faint tint, and her cheeks dusted with a very light layer of rouge.

She rarely wore makeup, but today was a family banquet, and her master was coming. She wanted to look... a little better.

She took a deep breath in front of the mirror, then turned and headed downstairs.

Ning Fengzhi was already waiting in the living room. When he saw his daughter walking down the stairs, his hand holding the teacup paused. His gaze lingered on her for several seconds before he set the cup down and remarked with profound meaning, "My daughter has grown up."

Ning Rongrong's face flushed bright red. "Dad! What are you saying!"

Ning Fengzhi chuckled and did not continue to tease her. He picked up his teacup to continue drinking, but the smile at the corners of his mouth did not fade.

Not long after, the guards outside the manor hurried in to report that Elder Yi Chen had arrived.

Ning Rongrong stood up from her chair almost reflexively, then realized her reaction was too intense and slowly sat back down, folding her hands in her lap and striving to appear composed.

However, her slightly tensed shoulders and fluttering eyelashes betrayed her inner nervousness.

When Yi Chen stepped into the living room, the first thing he saw was Ning Rongrong sitting on the side.

He had seen her in many states: drenched in sweat during training, smug and unrestrained after winning a match, guilty and pleading when she had made a mistake, or tugging at his sleeve and refusing to let go when she was acting spoiled.

But he had never seen her like this—meticulously dressed, sitting upright with her hands folded on her lap, head slightly bowed, only lifting her eyes to look at him when she heard his footsteps.

That single glance held a hint of nervousness, a touch of anticipation, and a sliver of cautious joy.

Yi Chen's footsteps faltered for less than half a second at the doorway before returning to normal. He walked into the living room and bowed to Ning Fengzhi, "Sect Master Ning, sorry to intrude."

Ning Fengzhi stood up and returned the bow with a smile. "Elder Yi Chen is too polite. Your presence is an honor for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Please, have a seat."

Yi Chen sat in the guest chair, his gaze sweeping naturally toward Ning Rongrong before he said, "Rongrong looks very beautiful today."

The tips of Ning Rongrong's ears turned red instantly. She lowered her head, pretending to adjust her skirt, her voice softer than usual. "Thank you, Master..."

Watching this scene, Ning Fengzhi took a sip of tea without interjecting, though the smile in his eyes deepened.

The banquet was held in the inner hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The dishes were exquisite yet not extravagant, clearly prepared with care.

Ning Fengzhi sat at the head of the table, Yi Chen in the guest seat, and Ning Rongrong opposite Yi Chen. Halfway through the meal, however, she picked up her bowl and chopsticks and quietly moved to the seat next to Yi Chen, citing that "it's inconvenient to reach for the dishes from over there."

Ning Fengzhi glanced at her but said nothing, simply placing a piece of her favorite osmanthus lotus root with sticky rice into her bowl.

Ning Rongrong poured a cup of wine for Yi Chen and served him a portion of vegetables, her movements as natural as if she had done it a thousand times.

When serving him, she would observe which dishes Yi Chen reached for most often, then silently rotate those plates closer to him.

She performed these small actions discreetly, but Ning Fengzhi saw them all, and so did Yi Chen.

After three rounds of drinks, Ning Fengzhi set down his cup and suddenly asked, "Elder Yi Chen, I have a question. I wonder if it is appropriate to ask."

"Please, Sect Master, speak freely."

"How does the Elder find my daughter's progress during this period?"

Yi Chen set down his cup and answered earnestly, "Rongrong has great talent, strong comprehension, and is willing to put in the effort. Among her peers, her tactical literacy and ability to adapt on the spot are top-tier. If she maintains this momentum, her future will be limitless."

Ning Fengzhi nodded, then shifted the topic. "Then, Elder, what do you think of my daughter as a person?"

As soon as this question was asked, the air at the dining table subtly stagnated for a moment.

Ning Rongrong's grip on her chopsticks tightened. She lowered her head, pretending to focus on the rice in her bowl, but her ears were tuned to the highest frequency.

Yi Chen was silent for a moment, then spoke, his voice steady and sincere. "Rongrong is a wonderful young woman. Intelligent, kind, responsible, sincere to her friends, and diligent in her cultivation. It is my good fortune to have her as a disciple."

Ning Rongrong's fingers trembled slightly on her chopsticks, and her eyes grew hot, but she fought hard to hold back and did not look up.

Ning Fengzhi looked into Yi Chen's eyes for a few seconds, then smiled and raised his glass. "Hearing you say that, I am relieved. Come, let us have another drink."

Yi Chen picked up his glass, clinked it against his, and drained it in one go.

After the banquet ended, Ning Rongrong saw Yi Chen out of the manor.

The night was deep, and rows of lanterns hung in the courtyard of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, casting soft, warm yellow light and shadows onto the stone path.

The two walked side by side, separated by about an arm's length, neither speaking first.

When they reached the manor gate, Ning Rongrong stopped and turned to face Yi Chen.

The moonlight spilled onto her face, outlining her soft features. She looked up at Yi Chen, her gaze carrying a seriousness and determination he had never seen before.

"Master."

"Hmm?"

"Actually... I didn't just invite you here for dinner today." Her voice was lighter than usual, but steady. "I wanted you to see that I'm not just serious on the training ground. I can also be... like this."

She spread her arms and gestured to herself, signaling her outfit and state for the day.

"I want you to see more sides of me." After saying this, the tips of her ears turned bright red, but she did not lower her head, continuing to look straight into Yi Chen's eyes. "Not just your disciple, but also... a girl."

The night breeze brushed past, stirring the stray hairs by her ears and the hem of her skirt. The glow of the lanterns spread out behind her, outlining her silhouette in a soft and warm light.

Yi Chen looked at her, silent for a moment, before speaking in a voice a few shades gentler than usual: "I see."

Ning Rongrong's eyes brightened.

"And," Yi Chen paused, "you look very beautiful."

Ning Rongrong could no longer suppress the corners of her mouth, which curled into a radiant arc.

She said nothing more, simply taking a half-step back and waving at him. "Then take care on your way back, Master! I won't be late for training tomorrow!"

Yi Chen nodded and turned to walk toward the manor gates. After a few steps, he heard Ning Rongrong's voice behind him, softer than before but still clearly reaching his ears:

"Master, can I invite you to dinner again next time?"

Yi Chen stopped, not turning back, though the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

"You may."

He continued walking forward, disappearing into the interplay of moonlight and lantern light.

Ning Rongrong stood at the manor entrance, watching his receding figure. She covered her burning cheeks with both hands, standing there for a long while before turning and running back inside.

Her steps were as light as if she were walking on clouds.