“Let’s go, Xuechang. Shall we walk around too?”
Seeing Yun Xuechang looking at her, Hua Yan turned her face aside and held out a hand.
“Um… there are a lot of people here. We shouldn’t get separated. I think… uh… it’s better if we hold hands.”
She spoke haltingly, but her face had already turned red.
Yun Xuechang didn’t reply, only gently taking the outstretched hand.
Hua Yan’s hand was soft and smooth, carrying her warmth.
But then she slightly pulled back and threaded her fingers one by one through Yun Xuechang’s. Their hands intertwined tightly, fingers locked together.
Yun Xuechang was briefly stunned and looked up at the red-haired girl who had turned her face away.
“Um… holding hands like this, tighter… makes it harder to get lost…”
The red-haired girl muttered softly, her head tilted. All Yun Xuechang could see was her small, completely flushed ear.
‘Yan’er and I are both Nascent Soul cultivators. Would we really get lost so easily…?’
Yun Xuechang paused slightly.
But the tightly clasped hands made her heart skip a beat.
This way of holding hands was different from usual.
Normally, whether holding Hua Xiangrong’s hand or occasionally Hua Yan’s, their palms would touch—close, yet still leaving a gap.
Now, with their fingers interlocked, knuckles fitting perfectly together, it felt as though there was no distance between them at all.
Vaguely, she felt that this was better.
Like when she shared a bed with Hua Yan at night—when Hua Yan held her, she always felt especially at ease, with a faint, secret joy stirring in her heart.
“Mm, okay.”
The white-haired girl curved her lips into a faint smile.
“I also think holding hands with Yan’er like this is better. Let’s keep holding hands like this.”
“Mm… mm…”
S-She also thinks this way of holding hands is better?!
As Hua Yan walked side by side with Yun Xuechang, she kept replaying that casual remark in her mind.
Wait, no, no. Someone as slow as Xuechang—I can’t just take her words at face value. What if she simply likes the feeling of holding hands like this?
Wouldn’t that mean I got fooled by this blockhead again?
She secretly glanced at the white-haired fairy beside her holding a stick of Tanghulu.
Honestly, out of all the people in the world, how did I end up liking such a blockhead?
Who knows when she’ll finally get a clue…
As she walked, Hua Yan felt a small sense of frustration.
But then again, judging from their interactions these past few days, Xuechang really does like being physically close to me.
That means Daoist Friend Lin was right—she’s captivated by my beauty and likes this body of mine!
With this step forward, what is there to fear about winning over Yun Xuechang? Isn’t it just a matter of helping this blockhead open up and fall for me as a person? What’s so hard about that!
Thinking this, Hua Yan silently encouraged herself, then smiled and pointed toward a crowded area in the distance.
“Xuechang, it looks pretty busy over there. Should we go take a look?”
“Mm, okay.”
Yun Xuechang naturally had no objections.
/
“Come take a look! Don’t miss it! The annual Couples’ Grand Q&A of the Xiaoyao Sword Sect has begun!”
A charming woman dressed in a dark, gold-embroidered qipao with a black fox-fur cloak stood atop a raised platform, calling out energetically. Below her, the crowd buzzed with excitement.
“Are you still lying awake at night wondering if she loves you? Are you troubled by the lack of understanding between you? The Couples’ Grand Q&A has the answers! Join now for a chance to win surprise prizes! What are you waiting for? Come participate!”
Yue Jue waved at the crowd with a smile. Suddenly, her gaze locked onto something, and she pointed straight at the pair with interlocked fingers.
“You two over there—yes, you, the couple!”
A couple? Where?
Yun Xuechang looked around, only to realize the crowd was clapping, all eyes fixed on her… and on Hua Yan, whose hand she was holding.
Was Martial Uncle Yue referring to… Yan’er and me?
She blinked, confused.
Beside her, Hua Yan looked just as baffled.
Wait—where did this woman Yue Jue come from?! I clearly arranged for Daoist Friend Lin to run the vase-painting stall here!
What is this “Couples’ Q&A” nonsense?!
And the Xiaoyao Sword Sect New Year’s Eve event was entirely organized by me! Without me, this festival wouldn’t even exist! Since when did it become “annual”?!
“That’s right, you two!”
On the platform, Yue Jue paid no mind to any of that and continued cheerfully:
“Elder Yun and young friend Hua Yan’er—I’m talking about you!”
She turned to the crowd again.
“Everyone, the recent stories about Elder Yun and her partner have spread far and wide. I’m sure you’re all curious about this partner who suddenly appeared with a child—so just how strong is the bond between Elder Yun and her beloved?”
“Let’s invite them to be the first participants in today’s Q&A. What do you all think?”
“Good!”
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the crowd.
[Little Yan’er, little Qianqian already told me—you’re trying to pursue Xuechang, aren’t you?]
A telepathic message drifted into Hua Yan’s ears.
[…So what if I am?]
Hua Yan replied, her face slightly red.
How could Daoist Friend Lin be so unreliable, spilling all my secrets!
[Oh my, if you stick to that childish method of painting vases together and slowly getting closer, who knows how long it’ll take you to win over that straightforward girl? Why not trust me this once and let me help you?]
Yue Jue coaxed.
[Why would you help me? How do I know you’re not plotting something?]
Hua Yan shot her a wary glance. After all, this woman had thrown herself at Yun Xuechang the very first time they met.
[Waaah… Little Yan’er, how could you distrust me like this… I’m just trying to help you and Xuechang tie the red string of fate, and you won’t even appreciate it…]
Yue Jue’s voice suddenly turned exaggerated and tearful.
[Just trust me this once. Don’t you want to know how Xuechang really feels about you? Don’t you want to know whether that seemingly slow girl actually likes you, even just a little?]
Her eyes gleamed with mischief.
[Just bring her up here and give it a try. It won’t hurt you. I guarantee that after this Q&A, you’ll understand her feelings.]
[And then, dealing with my seemingly slow-witted junior niece will be much easier, don’t you think?]
This…
Hua Yan hesitated.
Those words struck right at her heart—she truly did want to know how Yun Xuechang felt about her.
About her as Hua Yan—not just this female body.
[Fine. I’ll agree. But don’t come up with any ridiculous questions.]
[Oh, just relax! If this backfires, I’ll double the chances of Xiao Ling’s pill furnace exploding next year!]
[…On behalf of Elder Ji, thank you.]
After some thought, Hua Yan finally nodded.
She turned to Yun Xuechang and asked tentatively:
“Xuechang, um… this Q&A sounds kind of interesting. Should we go up and try it? Maybe win a prize?”
“Okay.”
Yun Xuechang nodded gently.
“If Yan’er wants to join, I’ll go with you.”
She had originally thought Hua Yan wouldn’t be interested in such a strange event.
But since Hua Yan wanted to participate—
Then she would simply go along with her wishes.
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