Confession, and a Day with Ma Xiaotao

After his relationship with Ice Empress broke through to the next level, Huo Chen's life did not become much easier. Because he still owed someone else an explanation.

Ma Xiaotao still came to see him without fail these past few days. Sometimes she brought food; sometimes she merely passed by to say hello.

She never pestered him or put pressure on him. She simply seeped into his life bit by bit in her own way. Huo Chen knew he could not put it off any longer.

On Friday evening, he took the initiative to ask Ma Xiaotao to meet by Sea God Lake.

Ma Xiaotao was clearly surprised when she received the invitation. This was the first time Huo Chen had ever asked her out on his own initiative.

She changed outfits twice in front of the mirror in her dormitory. In the end, she chose a clean white shirt with dark trousers, tied up her fiery red long hair again, and only left beneath the lingering glow of the sunset after making sure she looked energetic enough.

By the time she arrived, Huo Chen was already waiting beneath the willow tree.

It was still that same tree, still that same spot. Half a month ago, this was where she had thrown herself into his arms.

When Ma Xiaotao saw the tree, her steps faltered slightly. She quickly returned to normal, walked up to him, and smiled. "What made you think to ask me out on your own today?"

Her smile was as bright as ever, like the most brilliant streak of sunset at the edge of the sky.

Seeing the unguarded smile on her face, Huo Chen swallowed the words that had reached his lips. He fell silent for a few moments before saying, "Xiaotao, I have something to tell you."

The smile on Ma Xiaotao's face stiffened slightly. She keenly sensed the gravity in his tone, put away her teasing expression, and asked seriously, "What is it?"

Huo Chen did not beat around the bush. He began with the Divine Examination of Reincarnation, explaining the meaning of attaining enlightenment through the mortal world, and how other people might enter his life in the future.

He spoke calmly, as if stating an objective fact, without embellishment or concealment.

Ma Xiaotao listened quietly without interrupting him once.

The evening breeze swept across the lake, stirring up fine ripples. Willow branches swayed gently beside them, while dusk dyed the horizon a soft orange-red.

Several birds returning to their nests skimmed over the lake, their wings brushing the surface and scattering a string of tiny droplets.

"That's the situation." After finishing, Huo Chen looked at her. "I didn't want to hide it from you. You gave me your sincere heart, so I should return it with the same sincerity. That's why I've told you everything, and now the decision is yours."

Ma Xiaotao was silent for a long time.

She lowered her head and stared at the tips of her shoes, as though processing what he had just said. Huo Chen did not urge her, merely waiting quietly.

The lake breeze stirred the loose strands of hair before her forehead. She raised a hand and tucked them behind her ear, moving slowly, as though using the simple motion to buy herself time to think.

After quite a while, she raised her head and looked at him. Her eyes held complex emotions, but none of the anger or disappointment he had expected.

"So you mean that there'll be other women in your future?"

"...That's possible."

"Then do you like me?"

Huo Chen did not hesitate. "I do."

"How much?"

"I'm willing to take responsibility for you. I'm willing to walk forward with you. Within the limits of my abilities, I'm willing to give you the best of everything."

Ma Xiaotao stared at him for several seconds, then suddenly smiled. It was a smile of relief, with a trace of helplessness. "You really are something. Even your confession is so serious and proper."

Huo Chen froze for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Ma Xiaotao stepped forward, moving closer to him. She raised her head and met his eyes directly, speaking in a serious tone. "Huo Chen, when I threw myself into your arms that day, I never once thought about leaving. You're the first person I was willing to give myself to wholeheartedly. I don't regret it."

She paused, her voice dropping slightly but remaining firm. "As for the things you mentioned... attaining enlightenment through the mortal world, and how there might be others in the future—I don't care. Once I, Ma Xiaotao, set my heart on someone, I won't let go for any reason. As long as you have a place for me in your heart, as long as you're willing to take responsibility for me, I won't hold anything else against you."

Looking into her eyes, still bright beneath the dusk, Huo Chen felt an indescribable emotion rise within him. There was gratitude, guilt, and the warmth of being accepted completely.

"Xiaotao..."

"But let me make this clear first." Ma Xiaotao raised one finger and poked him in the chest, her tone carrying a playful threat. "I might not mind if you have other women, but you have to be fair. No favoritism, no treating one better than another. Otherwise..."

She narrowed her eyes and made a throat-slitting gesture.

Huo Chen laughed at her antics. "All right. I promise I'll treat everyone fairly."

"That's more like it." Ma Xiaotao nodded in satisfaction, then naturally linked her arm through his. "Come on. Now that we've said everything openly, have dinner with me. I trained all day today—I'm starving."

"What do you want to eat?"

"That grilled fish place from last time was pretty good."

"Okay. We'll go there."

The two walked side by side along the lakeshore, their shadows stretched long, long by the dusk.

With her arm linked through his, Ma Xiaotao walked with light, buoyant steps, like a cat that had received its favorite toy.

Led along by her, Huo Chen unconsciously slowed his pace to match her rhythm.

"Teacher Huo." After they had walked some distance, Ma Xiaotao suddenly spoke.

"Mm?"

"Can I call you Huo Chen in private from now on? Calling you Teacher Huo always feels strange, like I'm in class."

Huo Chen turned to look at her. Her eyes sparkled with expectation. He smiled. "Whatever makes you happy."

"Huo Chen." She called out the name at once, as if testing whether it rolled naturally off her tongue. Then she nodded to herself. "Mm, it sounds nice."

Huo Chen could not help but laugh.

The two walked along the stone path by the lake. One streetlamp after another lit up, casting warm yellow reflections across the water.

Ma Xiaotao's steps were light, her heels tapping crisply against the stone path, sounding especially pleasant in the dusk.

"By the way, your nephew, Huo Yuhao, right?" Ma Xiaotao suddenly brought up. "I watched a few of the freshman assessments. He fought well. Especially that final match—his ice scorpion martial soul was impressive."

"You went to watch the freshman assessments?"

"Of course I did." Ma Xiaotao spoke as if it were only natural. "It was the first time the class you taught took part in the assessment, so of course I had to go see. I sat in the back row, though. You just didn't notice me."

Huo Chen really had not noticed. During those days, all his attention had been on the students in the arena. He had not paid any attention to the spectator stands at all.

"What do you think of him?" he asked.

"He has a very good foundation, and his combat instincts are decent too. He's just a little lacking in experience." Ma Xiaotao gave her assessment seriously. "But he's only eleven. Fighting like that at his age is already terrifying. Give him another two years of polishing, and he'll definitely have a place in the inner court."

"You think quite highly of him."

"Of course. Could a student you taught possibly be bad?"

Ma Xiaotao said with a grin, then added, "Besides, he's your nephew. Shouldn't I start building a good relationship with him in advance?"

Huo Chen was momentarily choked by her words and shook his head helplessly.

The two crossed a small stone bridge by the lake. Several lotus leaves floated on the water beneath it, gleaming a deep green in the twilight.

Ma Xiaotao stopped in the middle of the bridge, leaned over the railing, and looked down at her reflection on the water.

"Huo Chen."

"Mm?"

"You said you wanted to walk the path of seeking the Dao amid worldly life, that you needed to experience many bonds before you could transcend." She raised her head and turned to look at him. "Then after you transcend, will you still remember us?"

The question was asked softly, but Huo Chen could hear the trace of seriousness hidden beneath that airy tone.

He stopped as well, turned to face her, and answered seriously, "Every bond I remember is a road I have walked. I won't forget."

Ma Xiaotao stared at him for several seconds, then smiled brilliantly. "Then that's enough."

She took his arm again and pulled him onward. "Come on, come on, the grilled fish place is about to close!"

The two left the lakeside area and turned into the bustling streets of Shrek City. Shops along the roadside glowed with all kinds of sign lights, while the scents of food drifted out from every corner, blending into the lively atmosphere unique to the night.

Ma Xiaotao led him expertly through several narrow alleys before finally stopping in front of a modest grilled fish shop.

"We're here! This is the place." She pushed open the door, and a fragrance of chili and cumin rushed over them. Quite a few customers were seated inside, and the place was buzzing with activity.

The owner clearly knew her. The moment he saw her, he greeted her with a smile. "Xiaotao, you're here? The usual table?"

"Yes, the usual." Ma Xiaotao led Huo Chen to a booth by the window and sat down. Then she skillfully ordered several dishes without even looking at the menu.

"You come here often?" Huo Chen asked.

"At least twice a week." Ma Xiaotao said as she unwrapped the chopsticks. "Their grilled fish is one of the best in Shrek City. Back when I couldn't suppress my evil fire, I relied on spicy food to distract myself. Over time, I became a regular."

As she spoke, she handed Huo Chen a pair of unwrapped chopsticks, the movement as natural as if she had done it countless times before.

Huo Chen accepted them and looked down at the pair that had been carefully unwrapped, without a single splinter. Then he looked up at Ma Xiaotao, who was studying the new dishes recommended on the menu.

Her profile looked especially gentle beneath the warm yellow lights. Her eyelashes cast a small shadow over her cheek, and the corners of her lips held a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

A thought suddenly rose in his heart: perhaps having her by his side on the path of seeking the Dao amid worldly life would not be such a bad thing.

The grilled fish was served quickly, steaming hot and covered in bright red chilies and Sichuan peppercorns. Its aroma was irresistible.

Ma Xiaotao picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of the tenderest belly meat, and placed it in Huo Chen's bowl. "Try it. I guarantee you'll want more after one bite."

Huo Chen took a bite. The fish was fresh, tender, and flavorful, with just the right amount of numbing spice. It was indeed delicious.

"Well?"

"Delicious."

"See? I told you!" Ma Xiaotao smiled smugly, picked up a piece for herself, and ate with great enjoyment.

The two chatted as they ate, talking about cultivation, amusing stories from the academy, Ma Xiaotao's experiences in the inner court, and Huo Chen's past travels across the continent.

Ma Xiaotao liked to gesture with her hands when she spoke. Whenever she got excited, she even forgot to put down her chopsticks, waving them through the air as she talked.

Huo Chen listened quietly, occasionally adding a few words. Most of the time, he simply watched her animated expressions.

The meal lasted nearly two hours. When it came time to pay, Ma Xiaotao rushed to settle the bill, but Huo Chen stopped her.

"I said I'd treat you."

"Then I'll treat you next time." Ma Xiaotao did not argue with him and cheerfully put away her wallet. "There'll be plenty of chances in the future anyway."

By the time the two left the grilled fish shop, night had fully fallen. There were fewer pedestrians on the streets than when they had arrived, and the streetlamps stretched their shadows long across the ground. The evening breeze carried the chill of early autumn, stirring the loose strands of hair before Ma Xiaotao's forehead.

"I'll walk you back," Huo Chen said.

"Alright." Ma Xiaotao did not refuse and naturally walked beside him.

The two slowly made their way back along the same route. One streetlamp after another passed overhead, shortening and lengthening their shadows. When they reached the girls' dormitory building of the inner court, Ma Xiaotao stopped.

"We're here." She turned to face him, clasped her hands behind her back, and looked up at him.

"Mm. Get some rest early."

"Huo Chen." She called out to him.

"Hmm?"

Ma Xiaotao rose onto her tiptoes and quickly kissed his cheek, then stepped back two paces with a faintly triumphant smile. "Good night."

After saying that, she turned and hurried into the dormitory building, her red ponytail tracing a crisp arc beneath the streetlights.

Huo Chen stood where he was, touching the cheek she had kissed as he watched her back disappear into the hallway. The corners of his lips lifted slightly on their own.

He stood there for several seconds before turning around and heading back the way he had come.

The night breeze brushed past him, carrying the aroma of grilled fish and a faint, lingering trace of her fragrance. Beneath the streetlights, his steps were noticeably lighter than they had been on the way there.