Will You? You Definitely Will

He picked up the paper crane and pressed lightly with his fingertips. It immediately unfolded, revealing a line of crooked little writing inside:

Back mountain meadow. I'll wait for you.

The writing was painstakingly careful, every stroke carrying a child's clumsy innocence.

Bibi Xu shook his head helplessly, closed the ancient book, and put it into his storage ring.

Bibi Dong had given him this storage ring on his fifth birthday. Its space was not large, but it was enough for books and miscellaneous belongings. He patted off dust that was not there, stood, and headed for the side gate of the rear courtyard.

When the gatekeeping maid saw him, she bowed respectfully. "Young Master, are you going out? Do you need this servant to accompany you?"

"No. I'm just taking a walk. I'll be back soon." Bibi Xu waved his hand, his tone calm yet leaving no room for doubt.

After living in the Holy Maiden Hall for six years, he had long grown accustomed to the reverence that came with his status.

No one truly dared treat him as an ordinary child. Not only was he the person Bibi Dong cherished most, but despite his young age, he was frighteningly composed. He handled people and affairs with impeccable tact, never bullied others through his position, yet never allowed himself to suffer losses either.

After leaving the Holy Maiden Hall through its side gate, he followed the winding mountain path upward for a short while before reaching the meadow behind the mountain.

The terrain here was high and open. During the day, it overlooked most of Spirit City; at night, it offered a view of the entire dazzling river of stars.

It was remote and rarely visited, a secret base he and Qian Renxue had discovered by chance.

The sun had already sunk more than halfway below the horizon, staining the sky with orange-red evening clouds. Qian Renxue, dressed in a snow-white princess gown, sat at the edge of the meadow with her little legs swinging. She held a foxtail grass stem and lazily flicked it against the ground.

Hearing footsteps, she immediately turned around.

The little girl was as delicate as a carved doll, with snow-white skin and exquisite features. Her golden eyes seemed to hold scattered light, and anyone could tell at a glance that she would grow into a peerless beauty.

But when she saw Bibi Xu, her eyes lit up briefly. Then she quickly pursed her lips, turned away as though she did not care, and said flatly, "Why did you take so long?"

"I was reading and got delayed for a while." Bibi Xu sat down beside her and casually pulled a milk candy from his pocket, holding it out to her. "The Holy Maiden Hall kitchen just made these. They're milk-flavored."

Qian Renxue's eyes brightened further, but she did not take it right away. Instead, she curled her lips. "Did you sneak it out from Mother again?"

"What do you mean, sneak it out?" Bibi Xu placed the candy in her hand and said solemnly, "Mother gave it to me. I couldn't finish them all, so I'm sharing one with you."

Qian Renxue held the exquisitely wrapped milk candy, and even her fingertips felt a little hot. She knew Mother never took the initiative to give her anything. Every time, Bibi Xu secretly brought things out for her—sometimes pastries, sometimes little trinkets—and always said Mother had given them to him.

She knew the truth, but she could not bear to expose it.

It was as though, by doing this, she could deceive herself into believing that Mother still cared for her.

Qian Renxue peeled away the wrapper and put the milk candy in her mouth. Its sweet, creamy flavor melted across her tongue and sweetened her heart as well. She softly said, "Thank you."

"No need to be so polite." Bibi Xu lay down with his hands behind his head, gazing at the gradually darkening sky. "Why did you ask me to come out? What is it?"

Qian Renxue lay down beside him as well, and the two looked up at the sky. The evening breeze carried the scent of grass, stirring her hair gently.

"Can't I ask you out if there's nothing wrong?" she muttered. After a pause, she softly added, "It's just... my Martial Soul Awakening is next month. I'm a little nervous, but also a little happy."

When she mentioned the Martial Soul Awakening, there was clear anticipation in her voice. "Grandfather said I'll definitely awaken the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, the highest-grade Martial Soul. He also said that once I awaken it, I'll become Spirit Hall's future heir."

Her voice was lively, carrying a child's particular pride. But as she spoke, it gradually lowered. "Tell me... if I awaken a really powerful Martial Soul, will Mother be willing to look at me? Will she... stop hating me?"

Bibi Xu turned to look at her.

The lingering glow of the sunset fell over the little girl's face. Her golden eyes held both expectation and unease, like a cautious little beast longing for a bit of warmth while fearing it would be burned.

Qian Renxue had asked him this question many times already.

Every time, Bibi Xu had changed the subject. Either he said, "Mother is very busy," or, "You'll understand when you grow up."

He could not tell this six-year-old child the truth. You were not an unwanted child. On the contrary, your birth itself was the scar of your mother's lifelong pain.

The more you resembled your father, the harder it was for her to move past that barrier.

Those words were too cruel. Cruel to Qian Renxue, and cruel to Bibi Dong as well.

He remained silent for so long that Qian Renxue thought he would not answer. Then she finally heard him quietly say, "She will."

Qian Renxue abruptly turned toward him, her eyes sparkling. "Really?"

"Really." Bibi Xu looked at her, his expression serious. "One day, she'll see you."

Not now, not tomorrow, but one day. Once Bibi Dong had taken her revenge and cast off the shackles in her heart, once Qian Renxue had grown up and understood life's helplessness, the mother and daughter would eventually reconcile.

He would help them.

Qian Renxue looked into his earnest eyes and suddenly smiled. Her smile was faint, yet like ice and snow beginning to melt—clean and beautiful.

She turned back toward the sky and quietly said, "Mm, I think she will too. Once I become a powerful Soul Master, Mother will definitely like me."

She chattered on about the legends of the angel Martial Soul that Qian Daoliu had told her, about how many people would attend the awakening ceremony, and about how she and Bibi Xu would cultivate together in the future and become very, very powerful.

Bibi Xu listened quietly, occasionally giving a response.

The starry sky gradually spread across the night, the Milky Way stretching overhead as countless stars glittered like crushed diamonds scattered across black velvet.

The evening wind grew colder, and the chirping of insects rose and fell from the grass. Accompanied by the little girl's soft voice, everything felt especially peaceful.

As she spoke, Qian Renxue's voice became quieter and softer.

Bibi Xu waited for a long time without hearing anything more. When he turned to look, he realized that she had actually fallen asleep.

She had curled up on her side in the grass. Her long lashes cast a small shadow beneath her eyelids, and her brows were faintly furrowed, as though she were having an uneasy dream.

There was still a bit of uncleared milk-candy residue at the corner of her mouth. She slept like a completely defenseless kitten.

Bibi Xu sighed helplessly.

The wind was strong here at night, and she would definitely catch a chill if she slept too long. The Worship Hall was atop the mountain, and the path was difficult. He could not just leave a little girl sleeping here.

He carefully sat up, making as little noise as possible. Then he slowly crouched down with his back to Qian Renxue, gently helped her up, and let her lie against his back.

A six-year-old child was not particularly heavy, and Bibi Xu had built up considerable strength through three years of training, so carrying her was not difficult.

Qian Renxue slept deeply and did not wake when he lifted her onto his back. She merely wrapped her arms around his neck instinctively, pressed her little face against his shoulder, and breathed evenly against the side of his neck.

Supporting her legs, Bibi Xu walked step by step toward the Worship Hall.