Day one.
The morning sunlight was like golden threads, slipping through the gaps in the window and falling gently across Xiao Qian's and Xiao Xun'er's faces. Like a tender hand, it awakened their souls from sweet dreams.
"What do couples usually do on dates?"
After washing up, Xiao Xun'er's bright eyes were filled with anticipation. Like a curious little deer, she kept her gaze fixed on Xiao Qian.
"Hmm, stroll around? Buy things? Eat?" Xiao Qian blinked his bewildered eyes, innocent and endearing as a child curious about an unknown world.
Xiao Xun'er couldn't help giggling. She covered her mouth, amusement sparkling in her eyes. "Then let's explore Wutan City's streets and markets."
Hand in hand, they wandered through the old, charming streets like a couple truly immersed in love, sweet and affectionate.
All kinds of shops lined both sides of the streets, their dazzling wares like stars scattered across the night sky.
Some sold weapons gleaming with cold light, their keen blades seeming to tell tales of battle; others displayed magic cores radiating mysterious power and brimming with boundless energy; still others were filled with medicines for treating injuries and illnesses, giving off a faint medicinal fragrance.
The shopkeepers stood at their doors, calling out enthusiastically to passing customers, their cries rising one after another. Everywhere was filled with the unique color of the Dou Qi Continent, like a vivid painting slowly unfolding before their eyes.
Xiao Qian and Xiao Xun'er were usually busy cultivating and handling clan affairs, and rarely had the chance to shop so leisurely.
Like two cheerful little birds, they browsed one shop after another, occasionally stopping to look at a display. Curiosity and excitement shone in their eyes, as though every new discovery were a precious treasure.
After exploring the streets, they arrived at the market.
The Xiao Family Market had become one of the liveliest places in Wutan City. Crowds bustled shoulder to shoulder, their clamor surging like ocean waves, one after another.
Stalls stood in dense rows, laden with curious objects and priceless treasures that drew the eager gazes of countless cultivators and adventurers. Everyone was searching the market for an opportunity of their own.
Xiao Qian and Xiao Xun'er walked hand in hand through the bustling market, as though they had carved out a quiet little world of their own amid the noise of everyday life.
Relaxed, contented smiles bloomed on their faces like flowers in spring, radiant and captivating.
The surrounding bustle seemed to have nothing to do with them. They had eyes only for each other, as though they were the only two people left in the world.
Suddenly, an item on a stall they were passing caught Xiao Qian's full attention.
It was a Purple Jade Hairpin, shimmering with a mysterious, enchanting luster in the sunlight, like a mysterious star twinkling in the night sky.
A rank-two Ice-Type Magic Core was set into the top of the hairpin. It emitted faint, watery-blue pulses of energy that spread outward in gentle ripples, lending the hairpin an even more extraordinary air.
Xiao Qian's heart stirred, and an image of Xiao Xun'er as she usually looked immediately came to mind.
She always tied her hair simply and seldom wore jewelry, like a fresh, unworldly lotus, beautiful and moving without a trace of makeup.
This hairpin seemed as though it had been made just for her.
Without hesitation, he walked over to the stall.
The stallholder was a shrewd, capable merchant. Seeing Xiao Qian's interest in the hairpin, then the fairy-like Xiao Xun'er beside him, a sly gleam flashed through his eyes, like a fox that had spotted its prey.
He cleared his throat and said, "Young master, you certainly have an eye for quality! This treasure cost me untold hardships to obtain while hunting for valuables in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Look at this purple jade-warm, smooth, and fine as mutton-fat jade. And this rank-two ice-type magic core is a rare treasure indeed! Naturally, it doesn't come cheap. Ten thousand gold coins."
"All right, I'll take it for ten thousand gold coins!" With a sweep of his hand, Xiao Qian took the gold coins from his Storage Ring and handed them over without hesitation.
"Wait, you're being far too impulsive." Xiao Xun'er tugged at Xiao Qian's sleeve and chided him, "When they ask for the sky, you bargain them back down to earth. Who buys things like you do?"
Xiao Qian merely shook his head with a smile, his eyes full of fondness. "If anything, I think it isn't precious enough to be worthy of you!"
"I don't care about that. As long as you bought it, that's enough." Xiao Xun'er smiled with her lips pressed together, sweetness filling her eyes.
After buying the hairpin, Xiao Qian led Xiao Xun'er to a quiet corner, like a patch of pure land within the noisy world.
He gently had Xiao Xun'er turn around, then carefully untied the ribbon binding her hair, his movements tender as a spring breeze.
Xiao Xun'er's long hair instantly cascaded down like a waterfall, gleaming softly in the sunlight like black silk and radiating an enchanting charm.
Xiao Qian picked up the Purple Jade Hairpin as though he were holding the most precious treasure in the world and carefully slid it into Xiao Xun'er's hair. Every movement was exceedingly gentle, as though he were handling a priceless work of art, afraid that the slightest carelessness would ruin this beautiful scene.
Feeling Xiao Qian's tenderness, Xiao Xun'er's cheeks flushed faintly, like a peach blossom blooming in spring, fresh and exquisitely lovely.
She stood quietly with her eyes half closed, as though savoring this deeply tender moment, or feeling with all her heart the love Xiao Qian held for her.
After putting the hairpin in place, Xiao Qian gently turned Xiao Xun'er around to face him.
He looked at the girl before him, his eyes filled with wonder, as though seeing her for the first time. "Xun'er, you're truly beautiful. This hairpin only barely does you justice."
Xiao Xun'er smiled shyly, raised her hand to touch the hairpin, and said softly, "I'm so happy."
The sunlight fell across them, seeming to drape them in a golden glow, like deities from myth descending into the mortal world.
Amid the bustle of the market, they gazed at each other. The affection in their eyes shone with a unique, precious light, just like the magic core on the Purple Jade Hairpin. Together, they formed a sight so beautiful that people could not look away, and the moment was etched deep into both their hearts, becoming another unforgettable memory that would shine like a star in the years ahead.
Day two.
On their second day as a couple, Xiao Qian and Xiao Xun'er decided to attend an auction, one of Wutan City's rare lively occasions, filled with opportunities and surprises.
The auction was held in a grand, imposing building in the center of Wutan City. By the time they arrived, it was already packed and bustling.
The crowd surged like a tide, their mingling voices forming what sounded like a magnificent symphony.
Only after considerable effort did they find their seats and sit down, quietly awaiting the start of the auction with anticipation in their eyes.
This was the Wutan City branch of the Mittel Auction House, whose chief auctioneer was the famously alluring Ya Fei.
She was like a brilliant pearl, radiating dazzling light wherever she went.
"Welcome to the Mittel Auction House. As always, I hope you will all unleash your wealth and enthusiasm at today's auction and obtain everything you desire."
The woman stepped onto the auction stage with an elegant gait, every step like part of a graceful dance, filled with confidence and charm.
She held an exquisitely crafted auction gavel, gently turning its handle in her hand, as though it too had become a distinctive prop for displaying her charm, an extension of herself.
Standing onstage, she briefly surveyed the room. Her gaze seemed capable of seeing through everyone's thoughts, mysterious and captivating as the waters of a deep lake.
Everyone present was captivated by her charm, their eyes following her every movement as though they had fallen under a spell.
With the clear, pleasant ringing of a bell, the auction officially began.
Xiao Qian and Xiao Xun'er seemed like detached spectators, unmoved by the items offered one after another, simply sitting quietly and watching.
Yet no one present dared look down on them, for they occupied the Xiao Clan's reserved seats, a silent symbol of authority.
Even the auctioneer, Ya Fei, frequently glanced their way, curiosity and speculation in her gaze, as though trying to discover what this young pair, lovely as a golden boy and jade maiden, wished to buy.
Then a magnificent purple dress was slowly wheeled onto the display stage, instantly drawing every eye like a brilliant star suddenly appearing in the darkness.
The purple dress seemed like an immortal treasure from a dream, radiating an enchanting glow.
Ya Fei cleared her throat and spoke in a voice soft and alluring as a nightingale's. "Distinguished guests, what you see before you is a rare Purple Crystal Dress. Please take a look. It has been carefully woven from the finest silk and gauze. The silk is light and flowing, the gauze ethereal as wisps of smoke, and its touch is soft as clouds. Wearing it, you might almost dance as gracefully as an immortal."
As she spoke, she picked up a long, slender glass rod and gently lifted a corner of the dress to show the audience.
Her movements were elegant and practiced, like an artist presenting a rare treasure.
"Look closely at the neckline. Its distinctive cut not only perfectly displays a woman's elegant collarbones and the slender lines of her neck, but is also set with a circle of dazzling rank-one magic cores. Their light sparkles beneath the sun like stars twinkling in the night sky. Wear this, and you will surely become the center of everyone's attention."
Ya Fei swept her gaze across the room, giving Xiao Xun'er particular attention. Noticing her eyes fixed on the purple dress, Ya Fei's lips curved into a satisfied smile. Then she announced in a clear, ringing voice, "This exceptionally precious Purple Cloud Immortal Dress has a starting price of twenty thousand gold coins! Each bid must increase by at least one thousand gold coins. Now, let the bidding begin!"
When her words fell, the hall grew quiet for a moment before a flurry of whispers arose.
"It's just a dress, yet they've extravagantly set magic cores into it. Who has nothing better to do than spend twenty thousand gold coins on this?!"
"Exactly. I heard this Purple Cloud Immortal Dress has already gone unsold several times in other cities. Nobody wants to be the sucker who buys it."
"Then there's even less chance anyone in Wutan City has that kind of spare money to waste."
Discussion filled the hall, but Ya Fei paid it no mind. She had decided at the last minute to add this item for just one person: Xiao Xun'er.
In the center of the hall, Xiao Xun'er sat quietly. From the moment the purple dress appeared, she had never once looked away, her eyes shining with admiration.
She slowly raised her bidding paddle and called out clearly, "Twenty-five thousand gold coins!"
Her voice was not loud, but like a stone cast into a calm lake, it instantly stirred ripples throughout the hall and drew everyone's attention.
Ya Fei breathed a sigh of relief, a flash of delight crossing her eyes. "Twenty-five thousand gold coins! This beautiful young lady has bid twenty-five thousand gold coins. Do I hear a higher bid?"
A faint murmur of amazement rose through the hall. Everyone turned toward Xiao Xun'er, astonished by her lavish spending, and many secretly thought, What a spendthrift!
"Xun'er, do you like that dress? Then let me buy it for you," Xiao Qian said quietly beside her.
Xiao Xun'er shook her head and covered her mouth with a smile. "It's a gift for you."
Xiao Qian shuddered at her words, his eyes widening.
At last, Ya Fei brought down her gavel. "Twenty-five thousand gold coins! Sold! This Purple Cloud Immortal Dress belongs to this beautiful young lady!"
A satisfied smile appeared on Xiao Xun'er's face. She rose, graceful as a dancing butterfly, then headed backstage to complete the transaction.
After the auction ended, Xiao Qian and Xiao Xun'er left the venue with their purchase.
They walked along Wutan City's streets, the lingering light of sunset falling softly over them like a golden gauze robe, bringing faint traces of warmth.
"Tomorrow is the last day..."
The girl lifted her head slightly and gazed somewhat blankly at the setting sun, reluctance and melancholy in her eyes, as though lamenting the passage of time.
Xiao Qian said nothing. He simply held her hand tightly in silence, trying to warm her slightly chilly little hand with his own body heat. That warmth flowed like a gentle stream from his palm into her heart.
Then Xiao Xun'er suddenly turned back with a smile, radiant and captivating as sunlight breaking through dark clouds. "No shopping or buying things tomorrow. I'll go drinking with you!"
Before you continue