"Sir, congratulations! Your son has been crowned the top scorer..." Amidst the music and celebration, several yamen runners, dressed in bright red, festive attire, joyfully arrived at the mansion, offering congratulations.
"Thank you, everyone," Liu Jinyuan's father, a middle-aged man of distinguished bearing, said, with a look of joy on his face.
He had the servants distribute cakes and pastries to the onlookers, offering them a festive treat. Naturally, he also offered the runners some silver, claiming it was for tea.
As the saying goes, a man's life has two most joyous moments: his wedding night and his name on the imperial examination.
For Liu Jinyuan, this was his golden hour, a moment of success. In this moment, he seemed the true protagonist.
"Is this what they mean by good deeds being rewarded?" Alex muttered to himself, watching Liu Jinyuan accept the congratulations of so many people, his face radiant with joy.
Looking at Liu Jinyuan, Alex was happy for him, but at the same time, he couldn't help but think of his own past.
He remembered his teenage years—back when he still had a normal life, studying in school, dreaming of a bright future. Then the apocalypse came and shattered everything.
"Ha… as if I would've gone far," Alex sighed inwardly, shaking his head. "Back then I barely scraped by in exams. Stop dreaming, wake up…"
Although he sincerely admired Liu Jinyuan's achievement, Alex's real focus was on piecing together the truth about this man. Something about him gnawed at Alex's memory.
The serene courtyard, Liu Jinyuan's extraordinary talent, his scholarly grace, his father's respected position, coupled with his gentle and kind nature—all of it made Alex's eyes narrow as a thought took shape.
A sudden flash of inspiration struck him.
"Liu Jinyuan… Young Master Liu, do you by chance have a cousin named Lin Yueru?" Alex asked, stepping closer through the crowd.
"Young Master Alex, you know my cousin?" Liu Jinyuan's tone was filled with surprise.
Alex's heart stirred. So it really is this world.
"Yes… so I've landed in the realm of the The Legend of Sword and Fairy," Alex murmured under his breath, his suspicion now confirmed.
He should have guessed earlier—Liu Jinyuan was no ordinary noble youth, but an important supporting character in this world's story.
Images immediately rushed through Alex's mind:
Li Xiaoyao, the wanderer with a dream of becoming a true hero;Zhao Linger, the flawless goddess;Lin Yueru, stubborn yet loyal;the carefree yet profound Drunken Swordsman;the transcendent Sword Saint, standing above all…
And among them—Liu Jinyuan.
If Zhao Linger was the embodiment of the perfect goddess, then Liu Jinyuan was undoubtedly the embodiment of the perfect male god.
In family standing, his lineage was respected and powerful.In ability, he was a prodigy of both wisdom and talent, admired by even the most reclusive masters.In temperament, he was gentle, refined, and approachable—like a warm spring breeze.In appearance, he was striking and extraordinary, unmatched among his peers.
The perfect male god.
That was the impression Alex had of Liu Jinyuan.
Unfortunately, when Alex thought about the original tale of The Legend of Sword and Fairy—a story that ended in complete tragedy—he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Mr. Alex, you seem weighed down by many thoughts. Don't tell me… you and my cousin Yueru…" Liu Jinyuan gave Alex a searching look, his normally calm demeanor showing a rare hint of nervousness.
For all his brilliance and refinement, Liu Jinyuan had one undeniable weakness: he knew nothing of combat.
His cousin, Lin Yueru, however, came from a renowned family of warriors. Later, she would even set up a martial arts tournament to decide her marriage. At that time, Liu Jinyuan could only watch anxiously from the sidelines, powerless. In desperation, he had even sought out Li Xiaoyao as a teacher, hoping to learn the sword.
"Ah, Young Master Liu, don't misunderstand," Alex said, noticing the nervous flicker in his eyes. "Your cousin Yueru and I are not close. We just happen to know each other."
"Oh…" Liu Jinyuan breathed out softly. Whether or not he truly believed, he at least acted as if he did.
That was just the way he was. He would rather believe in others than doubt them. It was his greatest strength, but also a potential weakness.
The Liu household was bustling with joy that day, and Alex, as Liu Jinyuan's guest, was treated with the utmost care.
When the celebrations ended and the moon rose high into the night sky, Alex returned to his chambers. Alone, he sat cross-legged, meditating in silence.
The Mind Gem hanging on his chest pulsed faintly with light, gradually expanding the strength of his spirit.
Meanwhile, in another wing of the residence, Liu Jinyuan sat alone by a window. He wore no sleeping robes, only his scholar's attire, the moonlight tracing his refined features.
He gazed up at the glowing silver disc in the heavens, his thoughts lingering long into the night. At last, his expression hardened with resolve.
"I've studied diligently for years, and at last I've achieved something of worth," he whispered to himself. "Tomorrow… I will go to Yueru's family and formally ask for her hand in marriage."
Though his heart had long cherished his cousin, until now he had felt unworthy. But with his recent success and recognition, Liu Jinyuan finally believed the time had come to take that step.