Chapter 450: Is There Another Person?

Chapter 450: Is There Another Person?

After Qin Shili left, Xi Qing came over to join Xi Lan.

“Did Qin Shili just arrive?” Xi Qing asked.

“Yes, she did, along with Lin Nuo. I ran into him too,” Xi Lan nodded.

“I was wondering why I couldn’t find her; turns out you crossed paths with both of them. What was the situation?”

Xi Qing inquired, as they had planned for one to guide Lin Nuo and the other to guide Qin Shili, but unexpectedly, Xi Lan had encountered both of them.

“The situation is…”

“Pretty bad?”

“Not really, it’s just that the outcome was quite unexpected…”

Xi Lan recounted the results she obtained earlier, including the favorability assessment and the general conversation she had with Qin Shili, which made Xi Qing fall deep in thought.

She deciphered two words from Xi Lan’s words: ridiculous.

How could it be that Qin Shili’s favorability towards Lin Nuo was maxed out? Didn’t she used to ignore him?

Has something changed in just these few months?

What happened?

Xi Qing asked: “Is your magical artifact malfunctioning?”

Xi Lan replied: “I’m not sure; I didn’t notice anything unusual, but from my conversation with Qin Shili, it seems she indeed has feelings for Lin Nuo.”

Xi Qing was puzzled: “If that’s the case, that means they’re a match made in heaven. Why did Qin Shili ignore Lin Nuo before?”

Xi Lan: “She didn’t respond, but it’s confirmed that she has an interest in Lin Nuo. Moreover, Qin Shili hopes to cultivate a relationship with him. Their affections for each other are a step better than her disdain for him.”

“Are they really in love?” Xi Qing questioned.

“Are you saying my magical artifact is broken?”

“No, I mean, Qin Shili has feelings for Lin Nuo, but what if Lin Nuo isn’t interested? Your artifact works on Lin Nuo, implying he should be the priority. If he doesn’t feel anything for her, wouldn’t that be forcing a couple together?”

“Ah? This…”

Hearing her sister’s words, Xi Lan found some sense in it. Her artifact was indeed effective with Lin Nuo, taking his love life into consideration first.

Originally, they came to Xuanyun Sect because Lin Nuo was interested in Qin Shili, thinking this might be their destined match, and tried to set them up.

But if that’s not the case, wouldn’t it mess everything up?

If Lin Nuo’s fated match is not with Qin Shili, but with someone else, and yet they try to force them together, it could lead Lin Nuo to miss his true destined partner. If Lin Nuo and Qin Shili can’t have a fate together, and he also misses out on his destined partner, wouldn’t that ruin the destiny?

Both Lin Nuo and Qin Shili are extraordinary individuals. If their fates related to each other are messed up, it would undoubtedly trigger a chain reaction.

If they fail to complete the task and can’t stay under Yue Lao’s supervision, they would also face punishment.

It’s better to be cautious.

After a moment of thought, Xi Lan said:

“Maybe there’s an issue with the artifact; I need to test it again. Hmm, Lin Nuo has other fellow disciples as well; I could give it a try.”

Xi Lan had an idea, planning to use the artifact on Lin Nuo and other fellow disciples to compare and determine if there’s a problem with her artifact.

…

Lin Nuo had been in his room for a while, then he went out again, heading to the Bamboo Forest.

Tianling Mountain has many bamboo forests, one of which is where Master Zhao resides. He only goes there for important matters; otherwise, he prefers to stay away from the crowds, enjoying the peace and quiet of the bamboo groves.

A sound of guqin reverberated through the bamboo forest, clear, melodious, and lingering.

Only one person regularly played the guqin in these woods. In the tranquil bamboo grove, with no one around, one lone player immersed in music, seeking serenity and appreciating their own beauty.

Whenever he would hear sounds of instruments, he would usually mutter to himself: “What a nuisance,” and then leave.

But this bamboo grove was different; the sound of the guqin drew him deeper inside.

It seemed this wasn’t the first time.

The music carried a hint of sadness, with the melody reflecting the player’s mood, playing as their heart felt.

Upon arrival.

Reaching the source of the music, Lin Nuo paused. He crossed his arms, watching the elegant young woman adjusting the strings.

Of course, the young woman noticed his arrival and stopped strumming, finishing her piece with lingering notes.

“Hello, Junior Martial Brother.”

Liu Shuqin greeted politely.

“Not bad, you’ve improved,” Lin Nuo replied seriously. (Although he didn’t truly appreciate it.)

“Thank you for your compliment, Junior Martial Brother. This is a piece I came up with recently; it’s rather embarrassing, so please don’t mind it.”

“It’s good, really. It has a lengthy, elegant quality; the tones are well placed, and paired with the serene bamboo forest, it’s a masterpiece. Truly worthy of a refined young lady.”

“Junior Martial Brother, you flatter me. Your compliments make it feel like our relationship is too distant. It’s really just an insignificant matter.”

Liu Shuqin withdrew her hand, ceasing to play the guqin.

She lightly swayed her delicate white gown, as a gentle breeze flowed through the forest, lifting her long, dark hair.

The faint fragrance of her hair wafted through the air, soothing like the sound of her guqin.

“Junior Martial Brother, I hope you won’t use formalities with me.”

“I can’t be careless when talking to a refined young lady.”

“Junior Martial Brother, do you still think we can’t converse freely?”

Liu Shuqin sighed. Nearby, there was a small table with pastries, including the Meat Floss Cake that Lin Nuo loved, along with Longjing tea. However, there was no cold water, after all, that water was produced by Mu Yiting, which would remind Lin Nuo of her.

“Aren’t we talking freely now?”

“No, it’s too formal. My performance isn’t perfect; feel free to point it out, but you’re just flattering me.”

“It was a good performance. (Because he doesn’t understand appreciation.)”

“Not really, it’s merely flattery.” Liu Shuqin was not satisfied with Lin Nuo’s response.

“Should I say you played poorly instead?”

“Hm, honest words are better than mere flattery.”

“…It was good, why would I say it was bad?”

“Only flattery,” Liu Shuqin sighed heavily.

“…As long as you’re happy.”

Lin Nuo didn’t want to argue with her. This refined young lady was always so sentimental; it was tough to enlighten her. Just giving her a smartphone would lead her to post something online that would garner tons of likes in no time.

“Junior Martial Brother, it’s been a long time since we’ve been alone together.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Liu Shuqin spread out a long cloth beside the bamboo, gently arranged her skirt, and knelt down gracefully.

Next to her lay the Meat Floss Cake, and she gently patted her thigh.

“Junior Martial Brother, come, I’ll be your leg pillow.”

“Let’s skip that.”

“Is it really not okay?”

A hint of sadness laced Liu Shuqin’s voice.

“Junior Martial Brother doesn’t want to accept my leg pillow anymore, perhaps he has found a better one.”

“Why do you keep mentioning leg pillows?”

“Because it’s something Junior Martial Brother likes. What Junior Martial Brother likes, I will too. Are you really not okay with it?”

Once again, her tone was soft and sorrowful, which made Lin Nuo uncomfortable.

Stop it, stop it, if you keep going on, the child is going to get silly.

“Fine.”

Lin Nuo compromised, lying down beside Liu Shuqin, resting his head on her lap.

“Is this okay?”

“Mm, it’s fine.”

Liu Shuqin was very pleased, gently stroking Lin Nuo’s hair.

At that moment, footsteps approached the bamboo forest, with two clear eyes peering through the gaps in the bamboo, catching sight of Lin Nuo and Liu Shuqin together.