Early morning.
The first ray of sunlight streamed through the window.
Dugu Yan opened her eyes.
She looked up toward the bedside.
Ning Xian was still sitting there.
His white robes were neat, without a single crease.
Her right hand was still holding Ning Xian's sleeve.
"Senior, you never left?"
"No."
Dugu Yan sat up.
Her long hair fell from behind her shoulders.
A strand rested against the side of her face.
She raised a hand to straighten her hair.
"We can go buy clothes now."
"Wash up first."
"Have the clothing shops opened yet?"
"Not yet."
Only then did Dugu Yan slow down.
She put on her ankle boots and walked to the dressing table.
A jade comb lay beside the bronze mirror.
She picked up the comb, then looked at Ning Xian in the mirror.
"Senior."
Ning Xian walked behind her.
"How would you like your hair today?"
Dugu Yan thought for a moment.
"Loose."
"Does wearing it loose mean it doesn't need combing?"
"It needs to be combed neatly."
Ning Xian gathered her long hair behind her.
The jade comb swept down through her hair.
Her dark green hair gradually grew smooth.
Dugu Yan watched him through the bronze mirror.
Ning Xian's fingers occasionally slipped through the strands.
With every touch, she grew a little quieter.
After he finished combing her hair.
She took a begonia hair ornament from her jewelry box.
Dugu Yan did not put it on herself.
She handed the ornament to Ning Xian.
"Senior, choose where to put it for me."
Ning Xian pinned the begonia beside her ear.
The pink-and-white petals rested against her dark green hair.
Dugu Yan examined it from both sides for a while.
"Does it look good?"
"It does."
She stood up.
"Then I'll wear this out."
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