I already have someone I like

Zhuang Yusheng was a disciple of Hong Yao, the Music Sect's sect leader, and cultivated the path of love.

He was born romantic, but he was no philanderer.

On the contrary, his standards were every bit as high as his master's.

Unless someone was outrageously beautiful, they would never catch either of their eyes.

And Zhuang Yusheng had known since childhood that he liked men, not women.

That made finding true love even harder.

He had once thought that someday, he had to meet Ning Ke, rumored to be the most beautiful man in the Three Realms.

He wanted to see just how beautiful the man really was.

But now, looking at the person before him, he felt that even Ning Ke probably couldn't be any better-looking!

Besides, this person was at the Golden Core stage, just like him, so surely he had a chance to court him!

This had to be his destined partner!

And so, following the principle of striking first, Zhuang Yusheng had expressed his wishes to Ning Ke with absolute frankness.

Then he waited, eyes shining, for the young man's response.

"Zhuang Yusheng, that's far too forward." In the end, Lou Yunxiao was the first to react.

He instinctively shielded Ning Ke behind him like a hen protecting her chick. "My junior brother may not have a cultivation partner, but that doesn't mean he can simply get together with you because you asked."

Only then did Zhuang Yusheng notice him. After looking him over, recognition dawned. "Ah, you're Lou Yunxiao?!"

"Your eyes... are the rumors true?"

The massacre of the Lou Family and Lou Yunxiao's blindness were no longer secrets.

"Yes."

"Then if he's your junior brother, that means he's from the Sword Sect too." Zhuang Yusheng's eyes lit up as he said to Lou Yunxiao, "Brother Lou, look, considering how many years we've spent taking first and second place, you've got to help me out now that I've finally found someone I like."

He leaned around Lou Yunxiao and introduced himself to Ning Ke. "Fellow cultivator, my name is Zhuang Yusheng. My master is the Music Sect's sect leader, and my parents are the lord and lady of Nantong City. My family is wealthy, and I'd say I'm a decent person. Would you consider giving me a chance to get to know you?"

[Holy shit, hahaha! Is this guy trying to set up a blind date with you?] Xiao Yuan laughed so hard in Ning Ke's mind that he was rolling around.

Ning Ke replied, Stop making wisecracks!

He sighed, looking at Zhuang Yusheng, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"My name is A Ke, but I..." At that, he glanced at Lou Yunxiao beside him and said, "I already have someone I like."

His junior-brother persona was supposed to be in love with Lou Yunxiao, so there was nothing wrong with saying that.

Zhuang Yusheng froze, his ardent heart instantly shattering.

He looked utterly wilted.

But then something occurred to him, and he rallied. "I won't give up! As long as you aren't cultivation partners yet, I still have a chance!"

He laughed heartily. "Let's start as friends. Fate brought us together, after all."

As he spoke, he quickly packed up his stall. "A Ke, you're here to enjoy Nantong City, right? I was born and raised here, and Lou Yunxiao and I know each other too. Come on, I'll show you around."

Ning Ke could tell that Zhuang Yusheng meant no harm.

Besides, even after seeing what had become of Lou Yunxiao, he hadn't said a single cutting word.

That proved he was worth befriending.

Ning Ke agreed, then noticed that Ning Xiaoxiao and Lou Yunxiao both had odd expressions.

They both looked as though they wanted to say something but held back.

Still, neither of them disliked Zhuang Yusheng.

They were all young, and as they wandered around, they soon got caught up in the fun.

Ning Xiaoxiao was still a child at heart. She followed Zhuang Yusheng around catching fish, solving lantern riddles, wearing Ghost Masks, and eating grilled skewers, having the time of her life.

The four of them also rented a Flower Boat and cruised along with the lanterns floating on the river.

Zhuang Yusheng took out his Guqin and sat at the bow. "A Ke, what would you like to hear?"

Ning Ke thought for a moment before answering, "Something cheerful. How about 'Spring Breeze'?"

He took a flute out of his Storage Ring. "I can accompany you."

Ning Ke had genuinely wanted to get into the Central Academy of Drama back then, and he had even prepared a talent performance: playing the flute.

In the end, his acting had failed to make the cut.

Now that he was in a good mood, this was the perfect chance to get some practice.

"Brother, you can even play the flute!" Ning Xiaoxiao looked at Ning Ke with open admiration.

"Of course. Your brother can do all sorts of things."

The cheerful notes of the Guqin and flute mingled. Ning Xiaoxiao sat beside them, gently swinging her feet over the side of the boat in time with the music as she admired the distant lights along the river.

Nearby, Lou Yunxiao leaned against the cabin, quietly "gazing" in Ning Ke's direction, somewhat lost in thought.

He was wondering who A Ke liked.

His junior brother was so good-natured and talented, seemingly capable of anything. Even Lou Yunxiao often felt inadequate in front of him.

What sort of woman would an A Ke like that fall for?

Or perhaps... a man?

In the past, Lou Yunxiao would never have considered a man.

But after Zhuang Yusheng had expressed his feelings to Ning Ke so openly today, Lou Yunxiao had begun to consider that possibility.

Because he had realized that a man and another man... could apparently become cultivation partners too.

The song ended.

Lou Yunxiao still hadn't come back to his senses.

Not until Ning Ke took his hand and placed something in it.

"Senior brother, this is for you."

"What... is it?"

"A sword tassel," Ning Ke said with a smile. "Pale Silver and Red Cloud are the Twin Swords, so I bought a pair. One for you and one for me, as souvenirs of our trip to Nantong City."

Lou Yunxiao ran his fingers over the sword tassel in his hand and said softly, "Thank you."

He parted his lips, but in the end, he couldn't bring himself to ask who the person in Ning Ke's heart was.

By the time they finished their cruise and returned to shore, it was late at night. Zhuang Yusheng said goodbye to them.

"A Ke, the Sect Tournament is in a few months. I'll see you in Zhongdu City."

"All right."

Hearing Ning Ke agree, Zhuang Yusheng added, still reluctant to leave, "And if you change your mind and decide you like me, you have to tell me!"

"All right, all right."

Ning Ke saw him off helplessly, then took Lou Yunxiao and a skipping Ning Xiaoxiao home.

That night, although Lou Yunxiao shared Ning Ke's bed, he restrained himself and kept his distance. Ning Ke's eyes shifted thoughtfully, and he realized Lou Yunxiao was trying to avoid any impropriety.

Lying in bed, he flicked his fingers to extinguish the red candle. "Senior brother, isn't it uncomfortable holding it in all evening?"

"Why don't you just ask who I like?"

"Who you like is your own business. It has nothing to do with me."

Lou Yunxiao didn't notice that his voice was a little colder than usual.

But Ning Ke did.

He continued, "Aren't you curious whether I like a man or a woman? Someone older or younger than me? Someone inside or outside the sect? Someone with higher or lower cultivation than mine?"

"..." Lou Yunxiao rolled over, turning his back to Ning Ke.

"I don't want to know."

"Ah, but I'm contrary by nature. Since you don't want to know, I'm going to tell you anyway."

Lou Yunxiao hadn't expected Ning Ke to go against the usual script.

The next moment, he heard Ning Ke burst into laughter.

"Senior brother, don't you know what it means to think on your feet?"

"Fellow cultivator Zhuang confessed to me, and I don't like him, so of course I had to come up with some excuse to put him off."

"So what I said about having someone I liked was a lie! It was just an excuse to make him give up!"

Those few words from Ning Ke were like a great hand sweeping away the clouds, instantly clearing the stifling gloom that had weighed on Lou Yunxiao all evening.

He didn't know what this feeling was.

But the corners of his lips rose beyond his control.

Only after a long while did he stir and ask, "You really were lying to him?"

"Yes."

At that answer, Lou Yunxiao turned over to face him.

Slowly, he said,

"You're clever, aren't you?"