A Mundane Day

After clearing the air with Ma Xiaotao, Huo Chen's life settled into a new balance.

Ma Xiaotao still came to see him every day, but she no longer carried that same air of wanting to announce it to the whole world.

She still brought him food and still stood beneath the tree outside his office window for a while, but instead of coming once a day, she came every other day, and she stayed for less time as well.

She was a smart girl and understood where the line was. She had already received the answer she wanted and had no need to prove anything through frequent appearances.

As for Ice Empress, ever since their kiss in the courtyard that night, her attitude had changed in subtle ways.

She no longer deliberately lingered around Huo Chen, nor did she turn cold and fall silent whenever he mentioned Ma Xiaotao.

But neither had she become more clingy than before. She was still the proud Ice Empress, not someone who would change her nature simply because their relationship had been confirmed.

It was only that, whenever Huo Chen spoke, her gaze would occasionally linger on his face for a few extra moments. When she looked away, the corners of her lips would lift in the faintest, nearly imperceptible curve.

Snow Empress remained the calmest of the three. She seemed fully aware of what had happened between Huo Chen and Ice Empress, but she never asked about it.

She still drank tea, read books, and took walks every day. Occasionally, when Huo Chen was busy, she helped him organize the files in his study.

She was like a deep pool: tranquil on the surface, yet containing a profound world beneath.

Life at Homecoming Cottage flowed by day after day in this subtle yet harmonious atmosphere.

That afternoon, Huo Chen was in his office reviewing the cultivation reflections his students had submitted when someone knocked on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Ning Tian entered.

She wore a clean academy uniform, her long black hair tied with a pale blue ribbon. In her hand was a rolled-up document. She walked to the desk and gave a slight bow. "Teacher Huo, sorry to disturb you."

"It's fine. Sit." Huo Chen set down his pen and pointed to the chair across from him. "What is it?"

Ning Tian sat down, placed the document in her hand on the desk, and pushed it toward Huo Chen. "My father had someone deliver this letter yesterday. He was delighted to hear that I had become a core disciple, so he wrote to ask about my recent cultivation. In my reply, I mentioned what you told me about the Silky Tulip. He took it very seriously and instructed me to thank you in person."

Huo Chen unfolded the letter and gave it a quick scan. It was written on fine rice paper, with neat and orderly handwriting and courteous, appropriate wording. It was indeed the work of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's sect master.

Besides expressing gratitude to Huo Chen, the letter tactfully inquired about the specific details of the Silky Tulip and stated that if Huo Chen needed any assistance from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the sect would spare no effort in cooperating.

After reading it, Huo Chen folded the letter and returned it to its envelope. He looked up at Ning Tian. "Your father is very thoughtful. Tell him that I already have a plan for the Silky Tulip. When the time is right, I'll take you to retrieve it. If I need the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's help then, I won't stand on ceremony."

"Thank you, Teacher Huo." Ning Tian nodded solemnly and rose to her feet, but she did not leave right away. After hesitating for a moment, she spoke again. "Teacher Huo, there's one more thing I'd like to ask."

"Go ahead."

"Regarding the Silky Tulip... the request my father mentioned in the letter, what do you think...?"

Huo Chen paused slightly, reopened the letter, and saw a line of small writing at the end: "If it is convenient for Mr. Huo, might my daughter be permitted to remain in the sect for several days after obtaining the Silky Tulip, so that the elders of our clan may witness the evolved state of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"

After reading it, he set the letter down, thought for a moment, and said, "I have no objection to that. The Silky Tulip is meant for you in the first place. Once the evolution is complete, whether you want to stay in the sect for a few days or return directly to the academy is up to you. But there is one thing: after the evolution, you need to stabilize your martial soul's condition as soon as possible. Don't rush to display it or show it off, or your foundation may become unstable."

Ning Tian nodded earnestly. "I'll remember that. Thank you, Teacher Huo."

She bowed once more, then turned and left the office.

Huo Chen leaned back in his chair, looking at the plane tree leaves stirring in the wind outside the window as his thoughts drifted elsewhere. He could not delay the matter of the Silky Tulip any longer. Ning Tian's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had reached a critical point; if its evolution could be completed before the end of the semester, it would be immensely helpful for her future cultivation.

Just as he was planning the trip to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the door was knocked on again.

This time, it was Wang Dong who entered.

She stood in the doorway. Rather than barging in as boldly as usual, she first knocked twice against the doorframe. Only after Huo Chen looked up at her did she ask, "Teacher Huo, do you have time right now?"

"I do. Come in."

Wang Dong walked in and sat down across from him. She had brought no documents or books, so she was clearly not here to ask about cultivation. After sitting down, she placed her hands on her knees and remained silent for several seconds before lifting her head to look directly into Huo Chen's eyes.

"Teacher Huo, I want to talk to you."

"About what?"

"About you and Senior Ma."

Huo Chen did not look surprised. He knew Wang Dong would come to him sooner or later. The girl was perceptive and observant; with Ma Xiaotao frequently coming and going from the outer courtyard lately, there was no way Wang Dong would not have noticed.

"What do you want to know?" he asked.

"Are you and Senior Ma in a relationship?" Wang Dong asked bluntly. There was no accusation in her tone; it was more like she was confirming a fact.

Huo Chen was silent for a moment before honestly nodding. "Yes."

Wang Dong's eyelashes trembled slightly, but she did not look away. She continued, "Then what about Teacher Ice Empress and Teacher Snow Empress? Are they... in that kind of relationship with you too?"

Huo Chen did not answer, but his silence was itself an answer.

Wang Dong lowered her head and stared at her hands resting on her knees for a long time.

When she raised her head again, her expression was calm, but Huo Chen could see an indescribable emotion suppressed beneath that calmness.

"I understand." She stood up, her voice soft. "Thank you for telling me."

She turned and walked toward the door, her steps slower than usual. When she reached it, she stopped without looking back and softly said, "Teacher Huo, no matter what happens, you will always be the teacher I respect most."

She opened the door and walked out.

The door gently closed behind her with a soft click.

Huo Chen sat behind his desk, looking at the closed door in silence for a long time.

By evening, when he returned to Homecoming Cottage, he saw the Ice Empress watering the pepper seedlings in the courtyard. She crouched beside the vegetable patch, her movements earnest and focused, while the setting sun cast a warm glow over her profile.

"Back?" she asked without looking up.

"Mm."

Huo Chen walked over and crouched beside her, watching as the watering can in her hand scattered clear water evenly over the lush green leaves. The pepper seedlings were growing well, and several small white blossoms had already appeared. It looked like they would bear fruit before long.

"What made you think of watering them today?" he asked.

"Nothing else to do," the Ice Empress replied flatly. "Besides, you planted these peppers. If they dried up and died, all your previous effort would have been wasted."

Huo Chen looked at her focused profile, warmth stirring in his heart. He said nothing, merely crouching quietly beside her as he watched her carefully water every pepper seedling.

After she finished, the Ice Empress stood and set the watering can in the corner by the wall. She brushed the dirt from her hands, then turned around and saw Huo Chen looking at her. One brow lifted slightly. "What are you looking at?"

"You."

"What's there to look at?"

"Everything."

The tips of the Ice Empress's ears reddened slightly, though she quickly concealed it and snorted. "Smooth talker."

She turned and headed inside. After taking two steps, she stopped. Without looking back, she spoke more softly than before. "...Dinner's ready. It's being kept warm in the pot. Serve yourself."

With that, she hurried into the house.

Huo Chen stood in the courtyard, watching her back disappear through the doorway as a smile slowly appeared on his lips.

The evening breeze drifted past, stirring the branches and leaves of the plum tree in the corner of the courtyard with a soft rustle. Several white pepper blossoms swayed gently in the twilight, as though whispering some tender secret.