Does Anyone Like You?

Shui Yue'er widened her eyes beside them, covered her mouth with a hand, and finally couldn't hold it in any longer. She burst out laughing.

"Sis, he... he held it in for so long just to say that? Hahahaha... I thought he was going to say something earth-shattering!"

Shui Bing'er was also somewhat surprised by his words, but she didn't lose her composure like her sister. Her gaze lingered on Wu Changkong's face.

The boy looked cold and composed, carrying an air that kept strangers at a distance. His presence wasn't weak.

Yet his words stood in stark contrast to his temperament... sincere, clumsy, and adorably straightforward.

"Sure. I'm Shui Bing'er, and this is my younger sister, Shui Yue'er. What's your name?"

"My name is Wu Changkong."

"Where are you two headed?"

"We're going to Skywater Academy. Today's the day new students register, so my sister and I are going to enroll."

"We'll be going now."

After saying that, she gave him a polite nod and was about to turn and get into the carriage when Wu Changkong spoke again.

"Can I come with you?"

Surprise appeared on Shui Bing'er's face. He was a boy she had only just met; they had barely exchanged names, yet he was asking to accompany them to Skywater Academy for registration?

Wasn't that a little too... familiar?

Wu Changkong realized himself that his words had been too abrupt.

He had spoken entirely on instinct just now, only realizing afterward how presumptuous it sounded.

But the words were already out. He couldn't take them back, so he could only force himself to continue.

"What I mean is... I've never seen what Skywater Academy looks like. I heard it only accepts female students, so people usually can't get in at all."

"Since today is new student registration, I should be able to go in and have a look. I just... want to see the excitement."

He stumbled through the explanation, seeming like an entirely different person from the calm and steady image he had shown earlier.

Shui Bing'er looked at him quietly for several seconds.

She wasn't someone easily swayed by sweet talk. On the contrary, because of her status and talent, she had seen far too many people deliberately approach her since childhood, and she had developed a habit of keeping others at a distance.

But the boy before her gave her a very different feeling.

Besides, she truly didn't think Wu Changkong was a bad person.

"Fine. Let's go together."

Wu Changkong let out a long breath of relief inwardly.

Just then, Shui Yue'er suddenly bounced over from her sister's side.

"Hello! My name is Shui Yue'er!"

"Your name is Wu Changkong, right? I heard it just now."

Wu Changkong reached out and shook her hand. "Hello."

Shui Yue'er pulled back her hand and immediately leaned close to whisper in Shui Bing'er's ear, "Sis, he's so handsome! He's even more handsome up close than from far away!"

"Yue'er."

Shui Bing'er helplessly pressed a hand on her sister's shoulder and moved her away from her ear.

Only then did Shui Yue'er stick out her tongue and obediently shut her mouth, though her eyes still couldn't help sneaking glances at Wu Changkong.

Shui Bing'er shook her head helplessly. "This is my younger sister, Shui Yue'er. She's rather lively and doesn't always think before speaking. Don't mind her."

"I don't. She's quite cheerful and lively."

"Then let's set off now. You first."

"You first."

Shui Yue'er said impatiently, "It doesn't matter who goes first."

With that, Shui Yue'er lifted her skirt and got into the carriage first, with Shui Bing'er following right behind her.

Wu Changkong was about to follow when a sharp gaze suddenly shot at him from the side.

It belonged to a middle-aged man in a dark blue fitted outfit. A long saber hung at his waist, and he had a cold face and a burly frame. His eyes were filled with vigilance.

This boy's origins were unknown. He had suddenly appeared at the Shui Family's gate and, with just a few words, had coaxed both young ladies into agreeing to let him travel with them. As the head guard, he had to remain highly alert.

"Qian warns you: behave yourself and don't get any crooked ideas. Our two young ladies aren't people you can provoke."

"I'm a good person."

Wu Changkong withdrew his gaze and boarded the carriage.

The head guard frowned and quietly gave a few instructions to his subordinates, ordering every guard to remain on high alert.

The carriage was fairly spacious inside. Its walls were lined with pale moon-white soft satin, the seats were thick and comfortable, and a small tea table was fixed in the middle.

Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er sat side by side on the inner side, while Wu Changkong sat alone by the carriage door, facing them across the tea table.

The door closed, and the carriage slowly began to move.

Yet a subtle silence settled over the carriage.

For a time, no one spoke, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward.

In the end, Shui Bing'er broke the silence and asked, "Wu Changkong, where are you from?"

"I'm from Water Source Town, not far from Skywater City to the west. I came into the city with my father today for the market, to sell some ironware."

"I see."

After that, the two fell silent for a while...

Shui Yue'er couldn't help asking curiously, "Oh, you two are so dull!"

"Wu Changkong, what's your Martial Soul?"

"A sword Martial Soul."

"A sword Martial Soul? What kind of sword? Is it powerful?"

"Just an ordinary sword."

Shui Yue'er gave an "oh," seeming to lose interest in the topic of Martial Souls, but her curiosity was clearly far from satisfied.

"Then since you're so handsome, are there lots of girls pursuing you?"

Suddenly, the air fell silent.

Shui Bing'er glanced at her sister, thinking inwardly, What kind of question is that?

Even if he was handsome, there was no need to ask so eagerly.

Wu Changkong answered calmly, "No."

"Huh? How is that possible? You're lying!"

"Really, there aren't."

"I don't know why, but there just aren't."

"I don't believe you."

"You don't?"

But the truth was indeed as Wu Changkong said.

He really was handsome, but his personality was far too solitary. Other than cultivating, he cultivated, and he rarely interacted with others. When he occasionally appeared in town, he always wore that cold expression that kept strangers at a distance.

The girls who initially had some favorable feelings toward him sensed the aura around him that kept people a thousand miles away and all backed down.

A few who had gathered the courage to go up and speak to him were frightened by a casual cold glance from him, swallowing their words before they could say anything.

Over time, the girls of Water Source Town reached a consensus: that handsome boy from the Wu Family was indeed good-looking, but he was also truly difficult to approach. Better not make fools of themselves.

Naturally, Shui Yue'er knew none of this.

She only felt that such a handsome face having no girls chasing after it was simply a terrible waste.

She tilted her head and thought for a moment. Then her eyes suddenly lit up, and she said with a smile, "It's okay. I can introduce some girls to you! I know lots of pretty young ladies!"

Wu Changkong secretly considered her words.

Introduce girls?

If Shui Yue'er really became his ally, then his chances of getting together with Bing'er would indeed increase considerably.

They said a fortress was easiest to breach from within. Shui Yue'er was Shui Bing'er's closest younger sister. If she was willing to speak up for him...

"Really?"