Under the girl's hopeful gaze, Su Qing considered it for a moment. Feeling there was no harm in going, he nodded and agreed to her request.
He folded a paper crane bearing a message and left it on the table.
Before long, the two left the Freshman District. With Su Ling'er leading the way, they headed straight toward the northern side of the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy.
After traveling for about half an hour, Su Qing followed Su Ling'er down toward a vast lake, landing on a tranquil little island at its center.
Only two bamboo houses stood there.
Su Ling'er led Su Qing to one of the bamboo houses, pushed open the door, and went inside.
A woman in a white dress was leaning over a desk, holding a book and reading with relish, her manner serene.
"Big Sister." Su Ling'er waved at the woman in white and called out sweetly.
The woman looked briefly puzzled. She raised her head and saw Su Qing and Su Ling'er, then understood. Setting her book down, she rose and walked over.
She extended her hand to greet Su Qing.
"Hello, I'm Su Xuan."
"I'm Su Qing. It's a pleasure to meet you, Senior Su Xuan."
Su Qing reached out and gently took the slender, fair hand before him, giving it a polite shake before letting go.
The elegant woman in white smiled gracefully, as gentle as white jade beneath a quiet mountain, and spoke.
"No need to be so formal. I'm quite interested in those stories you gave Ling'er, too."
As she spoke, Su Xuan lifted a book from the desk beside her and held it up. Four characters adorned its cover-Strange Tales from Liaozhai.
Su Qing couldn't help smiling faintly at the sight, his impression of Su Xuan growing a little