Xiao Yu saw Duan Rong from afar, her face slightly reddened, but she continued laughing and chatting with her girlfriends...
The group parted ways at an intersection, and Xiao Yu walked slowly towards Duan Rong.
Yet the other three girls didn’t leave; instead, they hid at the corner, sneaking glances.
One girl said, "Hey, doesn’t that person look like the one who asked us for directions by the creek that day?"
"Really? You remember so well? You might just have a crush!" said a petite and pretty girl, chuckling.
"Who’s got a crush? Don’t be silly." The girl said, reaching to pinch the petite girl’s mouth.
The two of them ran off playfully.
Seeing the other two leave, the last girl felt it wasn’t fun to watch alone, so she left too.
Xiao Yu, carrying a basin and towel, walked to a spot not far from Duan Rong and said, "Why are you here again?"
Though Xiao Yu’s words were cold, her eyes were tenderly fixed on Duan Rong.
Duan Rong also looked at Xiao Yu, then glanced up at the clouds in the sky and said, "It’s still early. Shall we take a walk in the woods?"
Xiao Yu nodded, put the basin and towel inside a cave, and then went out of the Stone Workshop with Duan Rong, leisurely strolling through the forest.
At first, the two walked silently, then Duan Rong suddenly asked, "How’s the statue carving coming along?"
Duan Rong’s words seemed to open the floodgates, as Xiao Yu began narrating all sorts of events, big and small, happening in the Stone Workshop.
Duan Rong originally wanted to chime in, but soon realized that even if he didn’t say a word, Xiao Yu could keep going, so he simply nodded and smiled.
Duan Rong was surprised at how talkative Xiao Yu had become, reminiscent of Zhu Xiaoqi.
After a while, Xiao Yu suddenly paused and said, "Why aren’t you saying anything, just grinning there like a fool?"
Duan Rong replied, "You’re rattling off one thing after another, without a break. Even if I wanted to speak, I’d need a breather."
Xiao Yu urged, "Couldn’t you just interrupt me?"
"You seemed so enthusiastic, how could I stop you?"
"Alright, then I’ll stop talking now. Your turn." With that, Xiao Yu fell silent and looked at Duan Rong.
Duan Rong’s eyes suddenly sparked, pointing at two red and yellow fruits in the bushes ahead, "Look, two Red Tide Fruits! How extraordinary!"
As he spoke, Duan Rong went over, picked them off, wiped them on his clothes, and handed one to Xiao Yu.
Taking the peculiar-looking fruit into her hand, Xiao Yu looked doubtful, "Can this be eaten?"
Duan Rong said, "Why wouldn’t it be? It tastes great!"
He took a bite.
Seeing Duan Rong eat it, Xiao Yu said, "Alright then. At worst, I’ll be poisoned by a wild fruit with you."
Xiao Yu took a small bite, and the fruit’s flesh was fragrant, soft, and sweet—a delightful surprise.
Duan Rong asked, "How is it? Tasty, isn’t it?"
Xiao Yu nodded in agreement, "It’s not bad at all."
The Red Tide Fruit only grows in perpetually moist environments, absent in Xianggu County, but since it’s used as a medicinal ingredient, Duan Rong knows a lot about its ripe appearance and taste.
They strolled through the forest, munching on the Red Tide Fruits.
Soon, Duan Rong started discussing various sect matters with Xiao Yu.
Duan Rong mentioned the Star Disc, and Xiao Yu took hers out to show him.
Duan Rong wasn’t surprised to see Xiao Yu with a Star Disc; he’d seen her earlier returning with some female disciples, chatting and laughing.
This indicated that Xiao Yu had a good relationship with those girls, so them taking her to collect a Star Disc was expected.
They talked about other things, including the tasks they took at Guanglu Institute to earn Contribution Points.
Duan Rong even shared stories of the Divine Demon Ruins and the strange, twisted Underworld.
It was clear Xiao Yu was unfamiliar with this information, listening with wide-eyed wonder.
Unbeknownst to them, they had walked deep into the forest, exchanging much information, with Xiao Yu sharing a few points unknown to Duan Rong before.
Tired, they sat together on the smooth white stone by the creek.
Their shoulders touched naturally.
Looking at the creek and woods, Xiao Yu murmured, "It’s so beautiful here!"
Duan Rong tossed a pebble into the creek, causing a splash. "What’s beautiful? Been here over half a month and haven’t seen the sun yet."
Xiao Yu turned to give Duan Rong a sideways glance, seemingly blaming him for his lack of romance. But she still agreed, "True. The weather here is strange, always foggy."
They sat on the stone, and soon noticed the evening descending in the forest.
Xiao Yu suggested, "Let’s go back."
Duan Rong looked at the nearby creek, "Shall we catch a few fish to take back?"
Xiao Yu nodded.
Duan Rong skewered several fish using bamboo strips.
They retraced their steps back to the Stone Workshop.
Halfway there, the evening grew darker.
Neither spoke, enveloped in silence, their footsteps echoing in harmonious tranquility.
Not far ahead lay the Stone Workshop, the dots of firelight flickering warmly in the darkness.
Duan Rong glanced at Xiao Yu in the darkness, eyes deep.
If one day he truly left the Taiyi Sect, he would tell Xiao Yu, but wouldn’t take her with him.
Xiao Yu had family, unlike him, alone in the world.