Jingliu's cool, even tone delivered words that left the entire audience stunned.
To play the role of Bai Heng's beloved, then go with him to see his elders, and put a stop to their constant nagging about marriage.
Compared to drawing a sword to slay the Abominations of Abundance, this naturally wasn't particularly difficult.
But even if it wasn't hard, in the eyes of the audience, given Jingliu's aloof and proud nature, even if she agreed, it should only have been after Bai Heng pestered her relentlessly until she finally gave in out of helplessness.
So what was going on now?
Bai Heng hadn't even stated his request yet, but Jingliu had already agreed first?
It felt just like mustering the courage to confess to the aloof school beauty, but stumbling over your words from nervousness, only to have that very school beauty declare her feelings for you first.
Hmm, it had the surreal beauty of being trapped in an Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan genjutsu.
Just as everyone was puzzling over this, a comment floating across the live stream made them realize the significance of Jingliu's action.
--+--
Kiana: 「Wait... Mister Bai Heng in this world is vision-impaired, he can't see, but his parents shouldn't be, right? Which means, once they meet, Miss Jingliu, as the Sword Champion of the Luofu, would naturally be recognized... Is Miss Jingliu trying to use this chance to reveal her identity?」
Lumine: 「!」
Stelle: 「!」
Raiden Mei: 「Kiana, your most brilliant moment yet!」
Elysia: 「Oh! I'm suddenly looking forward to this!」
Silver Wolf: 「Firefly, any thoughts, 'Official Wife'? Your man is about to take another woman to meet his parents.」
Firefly: 「It's fake... it's all fake...」
Stelle: 「Already resorting to that kind of comfort? You need to show either composure or the willingness to grab a hatchet! Official Wife!」
Sparkle: 「Firefly: 'It was me who was first. The first meeting, the first time holding hands... so why? Why has it ended up like this?'」
Pela: 「Speaking of which... doesn't Lady Bronya have any reaction to this scene?」
Bronya Rand: 「Me? Not really, I suppose. After all... the Bai Heng teacher who belonged to me has already left. [ദ്ദി(⌐■w■)✧]」
Stelle: 「Why does this give me the vibe of a coming-of-age story from a angsty teen novel....」
Lumine: 「This one here is even more of a heavyweight...」
--+--
While everyone was discussing, Bai Heng's simulation continued.
--+--
[You explained to Baiheng the distress the constant marriage pressure has caused you recently and attempted to seek her help. Surprisingly, Baiheng agreed very readily.]
[A few days later, as the appointed day arrived, you prepared to take Baiheng to meet your parents once, to curb the marriage pressure. But something about Baiheng today felt unusual to you.]
--+--
"So... I say, Miss Baiheng, peerless beauty with a heart of gold, don't you think... this is a bit strange?"
Bai Heng's expression was slightly complex. Though he couldn't see, feeling the slight coolness transmitted through their interlocked fingers and the cold presence close beside him, he could imagine the situation he was currently in.
"What's strange? Since we are lovers, such behavior falls within the normal range, doesn't it?" A barely perceptible smile playing on her lips, Jingliu spoke without a care.
"Or could it be that the smooth-talker who usually spouts line after line has never actually held a girl's hand before?"
"As the saying goes, 'judge the deed, not the heart'~ Saying is one thing, doing is another. Besides, I've never said those things to anyone but you, so how could I be considered a smooth-talker?" Bai Heng didn't refute it, openly admitting it instead.
"Oh? That is rather surprising."
Jingliu spoke lightly, but her cool, brief words carried a hint of inexplicable, slight glee.
--+--
[Baiheng was surprised by your innocence. You didn't pursue the topic further, instead carefully analyzing the possible scenarios for today's meeting with your parents and briefing Baiheng on the expected reactions.]
[To all your lengthy arrangements, Baiheng merely responded with a faint 'mm'. She seemed to be thinking about something else.]
[With all preparations made, still holding that soft, cold hand tightly intertwined with yours, you returned home. But to your surprise, Baiheng wasn't as reserved as expected. She played the role of your beloved perfectly, even her usually cool tone carrying a rare warmth.]
[In contrast, your ever-eager parents became extremely nervous upon seeing Baiheng, which struck you as strangely odd.]
[As the family banquet progressed, with cups clinking, your parents' tension gradually faded. Seizing the improving atmosphere, they suggested asking the Divination Commission to select an auspicious date to discuss engagement plans.]
[This was a scenario you had anticipated. During your earlier analysis, you had discussed with Baiheng how to handle this situation should it arise.]
[You simply needed to decline by saying the relationship was still blossoming and that engagement wasn't urgent yet.]
[You had prepared in advance, and Baiheng was always reliable, so you weren't worried about this situation at all.]
[But the next second, you heard this response from Baiheng:]
--+--
"Why wait for a chosen day when we have today? There's no need to trouble the diviners of the Divination Commission. We can decide on it right here."
The cool tone was polite and properly phrased.
But when it reached Bai Heng's ears, it made him freeze completely.
Wait... this isn't the script we agreed on!
Wasn't the original plan to say the relationship is still heating up, we want to enjoy this romance a bit longer, so let's discuss engagement later?
Realizing something was wrong, Bai Heng quickly shook the cold, delicate hand he'd been holding, trying to send a signal.
But the next moment...
"Since the Sword Champion says so, then we'll do as the Sword Champion says!"
"Indeed, indeed! For someone like Lady Jingliu to fancy him, it's this boy's luck."
"In matters of the heart, there is no such thing as luck. My affection for him is simply a fact."
The conversation of the few echoed in his ears, but Bai Heng was utterly dumbfounded.
He was blind, not deaf.
The words 'Sword Champion' and 'Lady Jingliu' rang crystal clear in his ears.
And as these words reached him, he felt as if a Hunt's light arrow had exploded beside his ear, like a clap of thunder!
His heart felt as if ten thousand rampaging Abundance Abominations were stampeding inside!
Swallowing subconsciously, Bai Heng forced himself to calm down.
He first cautiously loosened his grip on that cold hand, then tried to slowly withdraw his own.
But just as he was about to succeed, that soft, cold hand, like a snake noticing its prey escaping, swiftly coiled around his hand again with incredible speed.
The next moment, a cool voice tinged with faint amusement sounded by Bai Heng's ear.
"What's wrong? You seem a bit pale."
'No... it's just that I forgot to turn off the alchemy furnace at the Alchemy Commission. I need to go back and shut it off...'
Bai Heng thought silently to himself.
--+--
[Baiheng—no, it should be Jingliu—her conversation with your parents was very pleasant. But in such a harmonious atmosphere, you only felt your heart wrapped in a block of glacial pith. You even forgot how this family banquet ended.]
[As the sunset deepened, your parents even had the idea of asking the Sword Champion to stay the night, but thanks to your strong objections, they ultimately didn't succeed.]
--+--
As night hadn't yet fallen, there were only a few pedestrians on Starskiff Haven. Walking along the broad road, that cold hand remained tightly clasped in Bai Heng's.
It wasn't that he didn't want to let go, but the owner of that hand wouldn't allow it...
"Do you... resent me?"
In the cool air, Jingliu suddenly spoke.
Bai Heng laughed lightly and replied, "Why would I resent you? It's just the elders talking a lot. I imagine in a few days, the news that the Luofu Sword Champion is engaged to the Chief Alchemist of the Alchemy Commission will spread throughout the entire Luofu."
"When the time comes, if you want to explain, it'll be quite troublesome~"
"Explain?" The cool voice held a slight smile. "Why would I need to explain? After all, everything said before your parents today was true. There's no need for further explanation."
"All true..." His expression slightly dazed, Bai Heng felt the weight of those words.
"Mmm. Including what I told your parents: 'My affection for him is simply a fact.' That is also true." Jingliu said, then suddenly turned around. She looked directly at the hollow eyes beneath the white blindfold and continued:
"And you? Do you need to explain?"
It was a two-sided question, asking both about Bai Heng's attitude towards the external reaction and seeking a response regarding his own feelings.
With a soft laugh, Bai Heng's frivolous and lazy tone gave the answer directly:
"Many Cloud Knights of the Luofu aim to marry the Sword Champion. Such an honor falls upon my head, why would I want to explain it away?"
"I just hope the Sword Champion won't later hand me a letter breaking off the engagement, otherwise I'll have to shout, 'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west, don't bully the young for being poor!'~"
Hearing this answer, a smile appeared on Jingliu's frosty face.
"Do you remember that piece of gossip you mentioned before?"
"The one about your criterion for a partner being someone stronger than you?" At this, Bai Heng frowned. "Thinking about it, I don't seem to meet that standard?"
"Correct. That was indeed true. Something I said once while joking with Bai Heng, never thinking she'd let it slip."
"However, that criterion had a second part. That is, if my heart belongs to that person..."
"Then the first part doesn't count."
The plain, cool words slowly reverberated, also echoing into Bai Heng's heart.
Under the setting sun of dusk, the Luofu Sword Champion slowly released Bai Heng's hand. Those vermilion red eyes held a smile.
"Several years ago, I gave you a chance once. But that time, I didn't say 'I do'. Firstly, because I truly didn't harbor such feelings for you back then, and also because of another reason. Do you know what it was?"
Bai Heng smiled lightly. "I didn't know before. But I know now."
"Good. Then I'll give you another chance. This time, don't say the wrong thing again."
After speaking, the ice-blue figure took a step back, waiting for the response of the person before her.
Taking a shallow breath, Bai Heng stepped forward, grasped that cool hand again, and knelt on one knee.
"Then may I ask, Miss Jingliu, of peerless beauty and elegant grace, are you willing to entrust yourself to me and walk with me to life's very end?"
It was the same question as years ago, but this time, it received a different answer.
She said:
"I do."
--+--
Stelle: 「Feeling a bit unwell, I'm going back to sleep for a while.....」
Lumine: 「You all keep watching, someone's stealing my ore, I need to deal with it...」
Silver Wolf: 「I came here to see a bloodbath! And you show me this?」
Elysia: 「This suddenly reminds me of the story of Mister Bai Heng and Miss Firefly on Penacony in the first story~」
Kiana: 「I think I've figured it out. These two... are purely playing hard to get!」
Kafka: 「Firefly, what's your view?」
Silver Wolf: 「I think it's better not to let her see....」
[Silver Wolf uploaded a video.]
--+--
In the video, a silver-white mecha, burning with flames, leaped into a crowd surrounded by numerous enemies. A high-pitched, furious mechanical voice rang out.
"Protocol approved. Executing Scorched Earth Operation!"
"Action one, execute!"
"Action two, annihilate!!"
"Blazing Advance!"
"Scorched Earth Conquest!!"
"Supernova Burst!!!"
"I will! Ignite the seas!!!!"
Amidst the echoes of the mechanical voice, endless waves of heat erupted. All the various enemies in the surroundings were vaporized in this inferno.....
Even through the screen, it made everyone's hearts tremble slightly.
--+--
Yae Miko: 「This is truly... mortifying.....」
Pela: 「It's a good thing this is happening in another world. Otherwise, I dare not imagine what would happen to Mister Bai Heng.....」
Sparkle: 「Bai Heng: 'So dead.'」
Silver Wolf: 「Oh? You really think this is happening in another world?」
Raiden Mei: 「Could it be... not?」
Black Swan: 「It seems Miss Silver Wolf of the Stellaron Hunters might know some inside information?」
Silver Wolf: 「Let me put it this way, actually, bleep—」
Silver Wolf: 「Uh... okay. Seems this live stream doesn't want me to say it. You'll have to figure it out yourselves~」
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.