Evening Breeze and Starlight

Evening Breeze and Starlight

The competition came to an end. Dusk spilled over Shrek's walls, bathing the training grounds in a gentle glow.

The Seven Monsters packed up and prepared to leave. Tang Wulin had only taken a few steps when he suddenly pressed lightly on his shoulder. The blow he had taken head-on during the finals still left a trace of sluggish soul power aching faintly through his meridians. His movement was so subtle that almost no one noticed, yet it was precisely caught by a pair of eyes.

"Tang Wulin, wait a moment."

Xu Xiaoyan spoke softly and hurried to his side. When she raised her hand, her fingertips carried a faint glow of starlight soul power. She did not move too close, merely standing at an appropriate distance as she tipped up her face to look at him, her eyes clear and earnest.

"Are you still feeling unwell? I can use my starlight soul power to smooth out your meridians. It won't take long."

Tang Wulin paused, then nodded gently. "Thank you."

Beside them, Xie Xie was still clamoring about going to eat buns. Ye Xinglan, Yuanen Yehui, and Gu Yue all walked a few steps ahead, leaving the two of them a small, quiet space. The adult Tang Wulin stood beneath a tree not far away, watching calmly. He neither approached nor disturbed them, like a silent part of the background.

Xu Xiaoyan gently raised her hand. Fine, soft starlight curled around her fingertips as she carefully lowered them near Tang Wulin's shoulder. The starlight was slightly cool, carrying a soothing power that slowly smoothed the sluggish soul power within him.

She was extremely focused. Her long lashes hung lightly, and even her breathing was quiet, as though afraid of disturbing him.

Tang Wulin stood straight and quietly cooperated. His breathing was steady, and he made no unnecessary movements. There was only the unique cleanliness and courtesy of a young man about him.

"It's... still a little tight here," Xu Xiaoyan said softly, shifting her fingertips half an inch.

"Mm." Tang Wulin answered in a low voice. "It's much better now. Thank you."

The evening breeze drifted past, stirring their clothes into the faintest brush of contact before quickly carrying it away.

Starlight fell across their shoulders like a thin, gentle veil of light—neither too near nor too distant, neither too strong nor too intense.

There was no closeness, no prolonged exchange of gazes, no unnecessary words.

It was simply the most natural concern between teammates. She happened to care, happened to remember, and they happened to have a quiet little moment that belonged only to the two of them.

"All right." Xu Xiaoyan withdrew her hand, and the starlight at her fingertips gradually faded. She smiled softly, her eyes curving into lovely crescents. "You shouldn't feel uncomfortable anymore. Get some proper rest when we return."

Tang Wulin nodded slightly, his tone sincere and gentle. "Thanks to you, Xiaoyan."

An utterly ordinary word of thanks, a perfectly ordinary smile, a very brief moment alone.

The sweetness was light, the simplicity pure, like an evening breeze brushing over starlight—so clean that not the slightest impropriety could be found, yet hiding a delicate tenderness that only readers could quietly catch.

Not far away, Dai Yun'er and Wu Siduo each passed by. After only a distant glance, they continued on their way without disturbing them.

Gu Yue stood ahead, quietly waiting with a calm expression and not the slightest hint of anything unusual.

The adult Tang Wulin watched the scene, and a trace of faint gentleness flickered through his golden eyes.

The kindness and faint light of youth did not need to be intense or ostentatious. Left cleanly within the flow of time like this, it was just right.

"Let's go." Tang Wulin stepped forward to catch up with his companions.

Xu Xiaoyan walked beside him, her eyes still holding a faint, peaceful smile.

Starlight filled the sky, and the evening breeze was gentle.

The youths walked side by side, the road ahead bright and their hearts unburdened.

Every emotion was understated to perfection, pure enough to leave no trace.