Line up, they're all here for Protector Yu

In the Idle Heart Study of Water Mirror Hall, a pipa performance like jade beads rolling on a plate was underway.

Only after the final lingering notes faded did the disciples of Water Mirror Hall below begin to applaud.

Bowing slightly to the audience, Liu Zijin walked off the stage with her pipa. Just as she was about to return to her seat, she saw Senior Brother Kong Annan approach her, fanning himself with a folding fan and praising, "Junior Sister, your big strings clamor like urgent rain, and your small strings murmur like whispers. It is truly exquisite."

Following him, several other senior brothers also offered their compliments.

"Thank you all for your praise, senior brothers." Liu Zijin smiled charmingly and bowed to them. Yet, inwardly, she felt a wave of disappointment. She had deliberately played a few wrong notes just now, but not a single person had pointed it out, and they were still full of praise.

However, she didn't want to hear praise at this moment. What she wanted to hear were the cold, emotionless remarks of Senior Brother Jiang, and it would be even better if accompanied by that sharp gaze.

If Senior Brother were here... he would definitely call me clumsy.

Sighing inwardly, Liu Zijin returned to her seat amidst the crowd of senior brothers. She couldn't help but recall his disdainful gaze and distant demeanor, and their parting words.

"After returning to the sect, we will each go back to our own halls. Don't contact each other unless necessary."

This was the first time in her life that someone had been so bothered by her.

I should be unhappy... but why, why does my heartbeat quicken every time I think of it? I really want to... see Senior Brother again.

For the past few days, Liu Zijin had been constantly tempted to sneak over to Blue Heart Hall to catch a glimpse of Senior Brother. But Senior Brother's abilities were too great, and she was very worried about being discovered, which would mean she would never see Senior Brother again...

Amidst these sighs, the Melody Teacher announced the end of the class. As Liu Zijin walked out of the Idle Heart Study, she used the excuse of needing to practice the pipa to decline Senior Brother Kong's invitation.

"Sister Zi Jin, Sister Zi Jin!"

Walking on the stone path back to her room, Liu Zijin suddenly heard three familiar voices. Turning her head, she saw it was indeed the Yu Family Three Sisters.

"Sister Zi Jin! Big news!"

"Guess what we found?"

"You'll never guess!"

Listening to the Yu Family Three Sisters speak one after another, Liu Zijin asked, "What did you find?"

"You guess."

"Three chances."

"Guess correctly and there's a surprise."

Liu Zijin smiled slightly, "Stop messing around. I still need to hurry back and practice."

"Alright." Seeing that Liu Zijin didn't seem to have the inclination to guess, Yu Guishui directly revealed the answer, "We saw Senior Brother Jiang come to Water Mirror Hall."

"Really!?" Liu Zijin asked with immense surprise.

"Really, really."

"We saw it with our own eyes."

"It seems he went to Mirror Garden."

"Mirror Garden?" Hearing the name, Liu Zijin's expression turned slightly disappointed.

Those living in Mirror Garden were all high-ranking members of Water Mirror Hall. That meant Senior Brother definitely wasn't looking for them.

"Sister Zi Jin, should we go take a look?"

"Just consider it a chance encounter."

"Yeah, it's normal to run into him at Water Mirror Hall."

"This..." Seeing the eager eyes of the Yu Family Three Sisters, Liu Zijin pondered for a moment and replied, "Then let's go take a look."

"Hooray!" The Yu Family Three Sisters cheered in unison.

"Wait, let's go call Qiu Yao first."

Replying "Okay" in unison, the three sisters followed Liu Zijin and ran towards Autumn Water Pavilion, where they usually practiced martial arts.

"Sigh, I really want to switch halls..."

Walking through Water Mirror Hall, Jiang Beiran sighed repeatedly. When he first met Zhang Heqing, he had admired his imposing aura that commanded respect even without anger, and his meticulous caution when negotiating. However, all of that was now a distant memory, replaced by a pathetic display for love.

Still, switching halls was just wishful thinking. Jiang Beiran had spent a great deal of effort to be so comfortable in Blue Heart Hall as a Registered Disciple. There was no way he could start all over from scratch.

After asking for directions from several passing disciples, Jiang Beiran finally, with a pounding heart, arrived in front of Mirror Garden.

"Hello, what business do you have at Mirror Garden?" A middle-aged man, who appeared to be a guard, stepped forward to ask Jiang Beiran.

"Hello, I am a disciple of Blue Heart Hall. I am here to see Protector Yu Manwen of Water Mirror Hall. Please inform her."

"Protector Yu?" The guard let out a cold laugh upon hearing this. He then sized up Jiang Beiran from head to toe before pointing to the side. "You're a new face. Go queue over there."

'Queue?'

Jiang Beiran was taken aback. He followed the guard's pointed direction and saw a line of eight male disciples neatly arranged outside a pavilion.

"This... are they all here to see Protector Yu?" Jiang Beiran asked, bewildered.

"Heh." The guard sneered. "They're all here like you, sent on an errand."

'The upper beam is crooked, so the lower beam must be crooked too!'

No wonder those male disciples would kill for a pretty Junior Sister at the drop of a hat. It's a tradition! Is everyone in the Returning Heart Sect a pervert?

Slapping his own forehead, Jiang Beiran couldn't be bothered to explain that he was different from those disciples. The guard wouldn't believe him anyway.

But the next second, Jiang Beiran smiled in relief. This was exactly what he wanted. He'd tell the Hall Master about this situation when he got back tonight, so it wouldn't be his fault if he couldn't get in.

Suddenly in a good mood, Jiang Beiran was wondering where to kill time when he heard a clear voice he really didn't want to hear right now.

"Beiran? What are you doing here?"

This world... truly hates me.

Turning his head, Jiang Beiran saw Yu Manwen, the person he was looking for, standing there.

"I..." Jiang Beiran was about to find an excuse to slip away when he heard the guard interject obsequiously, "This disciple is here to see you, Protector Yu. I was just about to send you a message."

You bastard... Jiang Beiran really wanted to give the guard the middle finger.

"Looking for me?" Yu Manwen's tone held a hint of surprise, but she quickly seemed to understand something as she looked at Jiang Beiran and said, "I understand. Come with me."

What did you understand now...

Looking at Yu Manwen's affectionate expression, Jiang Beiran felt like crying, but just as inspiration struck and he was about to speak, he saw two options pop up.

[Option 1: "Protector Yu, I'll just wait in line. Those disciples over there seem to be here to see you." Completion Reward: White Crane Twin Spring Seat (Profound Grade Low Rank)]

[Option 2: Follow Yu Manwen inside. Completion Reward: Random Basic Attribute Point +1]

Damn it, did the system just acknowledge my intelligence? Annoying!

Helplessly choosing option two, Jiang Beiran obediently followed Yu Manwen into the Mirror Garden.

[Option Mission Completed, Reward: Strength +1]

As the system prompt sounded, Jiang Beiran suddenly smelled a unique fragrance that made him feel incredibly comfortable.

Good stuff. Jiang Beiran's eyes lit up, and he began to search for the source of the scent.

PS: It's not 11:59 PM (proud face)