"Young Master Fang, it's been a long time. I trust you've been well?"
"Oh, isn't this Miss Qingfei of the Wen clan? What are you doing here?"
Lin Qiao and Lin Yue had come in brimming with excitement. Fang Qianyuan was on good terms with the Flowing Cloud Grotto, and his friendship with Ink Fairy Lin Qiao in particular had been maintained through years of correspondence. They had come at their master's command to offer their services, ostensibly to assist him, but in truth to gain experience and enjoy themselves.
Only because it was Fang Qianyuan could Moonlight Fairy feel at ease sending them over. Had it been anyone else, even setting aside the dangers of war that made a prolonged stay inadvisable, an entirely safe and comfortable place would still have invited suspicion, like standing beneath a plum tree with one's hand raised to one's hat.
Though Lin Qiao and Lin Yue were rather innocent, they had vaguely discerned some of their master's intentions.
In truth, Lin Qiao had originally felt no romantic affection for Fang Qianyuan. Their earlier friendship had merely arisen from mutual admiration between outstanding young talents. But seeing how exceptional he was, she was not averse to the idea and thought it might be nice to let things develop naturally.
Yet the moment she entered, she received a shock. Wen Qingfei was actually here!
"I..." Wen Qingfei's elder sister was a disciple of the Flowing Cloud Grotto, so naturally she knew Lin Qiao and the others. At Lin Qiao's question, a faint blush rose to her cheeks, and she could find no answer.
"Now I remember. Didn't you write to Senior Sister Wen earlier, saying you wanted to travel and broaden your horizons? I never imagined you'd come all the way here!"
Wen Qingfei seemed