Chapter 165

Chapter 165: As for others, I do not know…

“Did the senior brother refer to Miss Qin as in Qin Qingwan?”

Zhu Cici stared intently at Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng, her expression tinged with anxiety.

It was like she feared that her long-lost lover had found a new flame after so many years apart.

“This…” Yu Wen Xi glanced toward Miao Feng.

Miao Feng calmly nodded. “Indeed, it’s about Miss Qin from Heavenly Profound Gate who also ventured into the White洼Secret Realm. We cooperated within the realm, helping each other to escape. But ultimately, it was mainly due to Brother Xu.”

Zhu Cici gently bit her lips. “Are their relationship still good?”

“Hmm.” Miao Feng paused to organize his words. “From our perspective, they indeed have a good relationship. It’s normal though, considering they were childhood playmates. Their bond is just a friendly one.”

“Is that so…” Zhu Cici said slowly, visibly relaxing somewhat.

Yu Wen Xi looked at Miao Feng, thinking, “In your mouth, the relationship between Brother Xu and Miss Qin has become just friends. Do they look like ordinary friends? Have you ever seen ordinary friends stand by each other’s side, ready to die together?”

Miao Feng helplessly returned Yu Wen Xi’s glance, conveying through his eyes, “I can’t help it!”

Moreover, Miao Feng felt what he said wasn’t too far off. In his view, Brother Xu and Immortal Maiden Qin appeared like friends, but whether they truly were or not, how would he know?

“Master Xu has helped our academy greatly. Did the two seniors invite Master Xu to visit our academy for a drink?” Zhu Cici asked with a smile.

Yu Wen Xi replied, “Of course we did, but Brother Xu mentioned he wishes to continue traveling the world, wandering around. If he passes by White Deer Academy, he will visit if he has time. After all, our academy is quite far from Wu Kingdom.”

“That’s right,” Miao Feng added. “Brother Xu must return to Wudu next year to participate in the Qualification Selection for the Rootless Mystic Realm. He won’t have much time.”

Both Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng understood Zhu Cici’s intentions.

She was essentially asking, “When will Xu Ming come to the academy?”

We couldn’t possibly say, “Brother Xu plans to visit Heavenly Profound Gate and Ten Thousand Sword Sect, but there’s no guarantee he’ll come to White Deer Academy,” could we?

“It makes sense. The Rootless Mystic Realm will open for the last time, and this time there are many opportunities that shouldn’t be missed.”

Zhu Cici nodded, showing understanding.

But there was still a flicker of melancholy in Zhu Cici’s eyes.

“Could the two seniors describe Master Xu’s current appearance for me?”

Zhu Cici gathered her thoughts, lifted her gaze, and smiled.

“I haven’t seen Master Xu in many years. When I was young, he gave me a poem. I should reciprocate, but I fear that when we meet again after so many years, I might not recognize him, which would be impolite.”

“Of course.” Yu Wen Xi thought carefully and described seriously, “Brother Xu is tall and slender, five inches taller than me. He wears a green robe…”

Yu Wen Xi earnestly described to Zhu Cici, who listened attentively, missing not a single word.

After an incense stick’s worth of time, Zhu Cici stood up, bowed slightly, and said, “I won’t disturb the two seniors any longer. If there’s anything you need, please let me know anytime.” She had already memorized their descriptions of Xu Ming.

Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng quickly stood up and bowed in response, “Thank you very much.”

Zhu Cici turned and left the courtyard.

Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng watched her graceful silhouette disappear, sighing in relief.

Brother Xu… Brother Xu…

We’ve done all we can for you.

Back in the courtyard, Zhu Cici took out her brush, ink, and scroll. Closing her eyes, she meticulously recalled the previous descriptions given by Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng.

After a long while, Zhu Cici finally lifted her brush, rolled up her sleeves, and began painting according to her imagination, stroke by stroke, creating the image of Xu Ming as she envisioned him in her heart.

An hour later, Zhu Cici put down her brush.

On the scroll before the young maiden, a man dressed in a green robe stood on the mountaintop, looking up at the sky, exuding both carefree elegance and scholarly grace.

As she gazed upon it, the young maiden’s eyes shimmered softly, murmuring to herself, “Is this what you look like in my painting?”

“Cici, Cici…”

Just as Zhu Cici was lost in contemplation of the painting, a familiar voice echoed through the courtyard.

Before Zhu Cici could hide the scroll, Xia Wei pushed the door open and walked in directly.

“You little thing, why don’t you even knock?” Zhu Cici quickly turned around and stepped forward, blocking the scroll from Xia Wei’s view.

“Cici, what are you talking about? I never knocked before when entering your room~” Xia Wei said cheerfully, “I’m here to tell you some good news.”

“What good news?”

“Uh?” Xia Wei noticed something behind Zhu Cici. “Cici, what did you paint on the table?”

“It’s nothing, just a random landscape painting I made during my free time.” Zhu Cici’s cheeks flushed red as she pulled Xia Wei’s arm. “Let’s go outside and talk. This summer day, it’s rather stuffy inside.”

“No, no, your expression is suspicious. Let me, your sister, take a look. What exactly did you paint?” Xia Wei made a move to see the painting.

“It’s really nothing.”

Wherever Xia Wei tried to peek, Zhu Cici blocked her.

“If it’s nothing, why are you nervous? Speak up, little missy, are you filled with springtime desires and drawing some indecent pictures?” Xia Wei questioned.

“How could I possibly draw… Hey! Wait, Weiwei, stop!”

Taking advantage of Zhu Cici’s momentary distraction, Xia Wei dashed past her and reached the painting.

The painting depicted a handsome man.

“Hmph hmph hmph, so you little thing isn’t immune to love after all.” Xia Wei smirked like a cat. “Who is this handsome man in the painting?”

“Not telling you.”

Xia Wei raised her chin. “If you don’t tell me, I can guess anyway. You’re such a devoted person, this painting must be of Xu Ming, right?”

“…”. Zhu Cici’s cheeks turned red as her thoughts were revealed.

“That’s strange.” Xia Wei questioned, “Cici, have you seen the grown-up version of your little lover?”

“No.” Zhu Cici’s cheeks grew even redder. “Senior Yu Wen and Senior Miao have seen him. After hearing their descriptions, I painted based on my impressions.”

“You little thing… How much have you beautified him? Isn’t he even more handsome than Xu Sir from Wei Kingdom, who’s known as the most handsome man under heaven? Is Xu Ming really as handsome as you painted him?” Xia Wei sighed helplessly.

“For others, I do not know.”

Zhu Cici’s eyes curved into a crescent moon.

“But in my heart, he is this handsome~”