Chapter 492: Friends
The next day, Yun Zhonghe came to the inner courtyard all alone.
Originally, he had wanted to ask Qin Wushuang for help to see Master Youyue. But as fate would have it, he accidentally stumbled upon Youyue Zhenren while she was lost in thought halfway.
The beautiful, chilly woman stood by the lakeside, her sorrowful eyes gazing into the distance. Her entire figure exuded a sense of loneliness and sorrow, tugging at the heartstrings of anyone who saw her.
“Greetings, Zhenren!” Yun Zhonghe tiptoed over, “I heard you’re feeling unwell…”
Upon seeing Yun Zhonghe, Youyue Zhenren’s face lit up with a faint smile, “It’s nothing, just a slight issue. Not a big deal. Is there something you need?”
Yun Zhonghe pulled out a beautifully wrapped little bag from his pocket, tying it shut with a cute silk ribbon.
“This, Leling entrusted me to give you.”
Youyue Zhenren was curious, “What is this?”
“It’s a type of sweet, specially made by Leling for you.”
“Made by her?!”
Clearly, the fact that Chen Leling personally made these sweets caused Youyue Zhenren’s expression to change noticeably.
Although she tried hard to mask her emotions, the subtle look in her eyes betrayed her. Yet, Youyue Zhenren quickly averted her gaze, “No need, I don’t eat much.”
Yun Zhonghe grinned sheepishly, “She really went to the trouble of making them. Just taste it to help her out?”
If someone else asked, Youyue Zhenren wouldn’t have given it a second thought.
But facing Yun Zhonghe’s request, she hesitated.
Youyue Zhenren: “Hmmm… if that’s the case.”
She’d have to reluctantly try out what the kid made.
As expected, Yun Zhonghe’s excuse softened Youyue Zhenren up.
Thus, he successfully handed over the sweet to her.
She carefully unwrapped the packaging.
“Hmm… looks delicious. What’s this…”
Noticing the contents, a ripple appeared in her eyes.
Yun Zhonghe suddenly felt nervous.
He wondered how Youyue Zhenren would react.
Actually, Yun Zhonghe didn’t find it particularly tasty; it was too sweet, even turning bitter.
Chen Leling insisted on making it this way, saying it was Xiaobai’s favorite. Eating it would give energy.
Maybe Youyue Zhenren really had unique tastes.
She seemed somewhat entranced, her eyes moving slowly, seeming to drift away into the distance.
“Youzhenren?”
“I apologize, I zoned out for a moment.”
She apologized and then popped the sweet into her mouth—
“Tastes bad…” She frowned.
“What?”
“It’s too sweet, almost unbearably sweet, not even fit for human consumption.”
Unexpectedly, it didn’t match Chen Leling’s claims that this was Youyue Zhenren’s favorite.
Yun Zhonghe felt a bit awkward.
“As always, overly sweet, just like before.”
She didn’t spit it out or stop eating but continued.
Eating it made tears shimmer in her eyes.
In reality, Youyue Zhenren didn’t like sweet foods at all.
Chen Leling used to force her to eat them and claim they were delicious.
What Youyue Zhenren truly enjoyed was spicy food, she was definitely the “hot and spicy” type.
She absolutely disliked sweet things.
Yet, “I fundamentally don’t like this,” she couldn’t bring herself to say.
She thought she’d never have to endure such torture again, but here she was, decades later, tasting it once more.
Truly awful…
“The previous me, and now… I’ve changed a lot. I was very spoiled, always causing trouble for Xiaoling… I don’t deserve to be treated so kindly by her.”
Youyue Zhenren finished off all of Chen Leling’s sweet creation, then began talking about the past.
Youyue Zhenren: “That child is kind, smart, and talented. A great kid, indeed.”
As she turned to face the lake, memories of childhood began to emerge—
Xiaobai: “I’m bored! I don’t want to cultivate anymore!”
Formerly known as Youyue Zhenren, now called Xiaobai, she stayed in Tianhai City due to family issues. At the same time, Chen Leling from the Chen family in Tianhai was around her age, becoming her best friend and training together.
Xiaobai paid no attention to training, whereas Leling was very diligent.
Whenever she got fed up, she’d say, “Hey Leling, let’s skip cultivation and go play outside?”
“You can’t, Xiaobai. We haven’t finished copying the techniques yet. Your father will scold you again, remember?”
Xiaobai: “Forget it, I’m used to it. Go ahead, dad.”
Spoiled and mischievous, she could rival Mu Jixue in character.
Who would have guessed she’d become a stoic ice queen.
Whenever she got annoyed, Leling would always comfort, “Come on, we should keep going, work harder!”
Xiaobai: “Pfft, Leling you’re too serious.”
Leling: “But if we don’t finish, we can’t enjoy ourselves!”
Xiaobai: “Nonsense, it’s fun!”
Leling: “Ugh, Xiaobai…”
Trouble always fell on Leling.
Xiaobai: “I have an idea! The winner writes double. What do you think?”
Leling: “That’s even worse!”
Xiaobai: “Then, no riddles… I can’t beat you!”
Xiaobai: “Hm, how about hide and seek? Rock-paper-scissors, loser gets to be ‘it’.”
Leling: “There’s no way I’ll win you at that…”
Xiaobai: “Then I win without fighting. You’ll write down the techniques.”
Always throwing responsibilities at Leling, making her do the work.
Leling: “If you insist, sure, but my handwriting is different. Papa would notice.”
Xiaobai: “Mm, your writing is neat anyway. Copy mine!”
Leling: “No, I hate doing that!”
Xiaobai: “Hmm, then…”
Leling: “Xiaobai, there’s barely anything left. After this, I’ll play with you.”
Xiaobai: “…Do we have snacks?”
Leling: “Of course. There’s your favorite sweets!”
Despite being terrible at games, she’d still excitedly make arrangements with Xiaobai every time.
Xiaobai: “Then, I’ll give it my best shot.”
Leling: “Yep, go for it!”
Back then, she was a spoiled child, few friends wanted to hang out with her.
Xiaobai: “Leling.”
Leling: “Yeah?”
Xiaobai: “I like this side of you.”
Leling: “Oh, a confession? Me too! I love you, Xiaobai the most.”
Formerly so different, she couldn’t help but conjure up a scene of someone hiding quietly in a corner.
