As everyone knows, under certain specific circumstances, calming an angry woman is a challenge on par with slaying an Aeon single-handedly.
Fortunately, Jingliu wasn't the unreasonable type, the kind who hangs "I won't listen" on one ear and "I don't believe you" on the other.
That sword thrust into Bai Heng's shoulder, while the wound was shallow, carried the weight of seven hundred years of solitude she'd spent alone, searching for that piece of memory he had stolen.
Even so, Jingliu ultimately loved Bai Heng and understood that his actions back then were meant to help her eradicate her Mara.
So, after that one sword strike, she didn't dwell on the past any further.
Why was he alive now?
Why were his eyes restored?
Why hadn't he searched for her all these years?
None of it mattered anymore, after that single thrust.
Because for Jingliu, as long as Bai Heng was here now, by her side, that was enough.
And precisely because of this, with her heart temporarily unburdened, Jingliu brought Bai Heng to the Exalting Sanctum...
To go shopping.
Yes, you read that right. Shopping.
Although Master Bai Heng, having busied himself all day, was genuinely hungry, he hadn't expected Jingliu's earlier comment—seemingly an excuse to let him off the hook—about being hungry to also be true...
And so, Jingliu walked ahead, Bai Heng followed behind—ahem! Just literally in front and behind!
After strolling around the Exalting Sanctum for a while, the two entered a restaurant there.
Being a seasoned veteran in matters of the heart, with a full three simulation experiences under his belt, Bai Heng was naturally sharp. He knew perfectly well that Jingliu was currently at the stage of: "I'm giving you a chance, now hurry up and coax me."
So, once inside, he didn't hesitate for a second.
Spicy Red Oil Chopped Beef Offal, Charred Fruitwood Roasted Shattergrouse Wings, Deep-Fried Flying Sea Anemones, Singing Lotus Root Cake, and so on—he ticked off every dish Jingliu loved, one by one, on the menu.
As the saying goes, you can see love in someone's actions. Even if it's put on deliberately, it at least shows they've genuinely committed it to memory.
So, when Jingliu saw all this, a faint trace of amusement visibly surfaced in her crimson eyes.
But the very next moment, with one sentence from Bai Heng, that amusement vanished abruptly!
He said, "Miss Jingliu..."
"Miss... Jingliu?" She tilted her head slightly, her expression unchanged as she stared at Bai Heng, but the slender, jade-like hand resting on the table already had a patch of ice crystals spreading from it.
For a fleeting moment, Bai Heng felt a sudden 'my life is over' sensation.
"I don't remember you calling me that before."
"'A'Jing,' or 'wife.'"
"You may choose one."
Bai Heng: …
I'll acknowledge the first one, but I'm pretty sure I've never used the second one so far?
"A'Jing..." Bai Heng forced a smile, continuing with his original topic, "When did you return to the Luofu?"
Hearing that familiar form of address, Jingliu nodded, a hint of satisfaction finally appearing on her face:
"A few days ago."
"And how did you find me?"
"Our bond remains unbroken. I was simply walking down the street, and I found you."
"And then you just... swung your sword at me?"
"Since you wronged me, what problem is there with me swinging my sword at you?"
Bai Heng: ...
Bai Heng suddenly felt extremely grateful, grateful that Firefly had already left the Luofu starship.
Otherwise, the streets of the Exalting Sanctum would probably already be echoing with the alternating cries of "I will set the seas ablaze" and "All will be revealed in lunar flame."
As they chatted, the food and wine they had ordered earlier arrived.
Although Jingliu wasn't a talkative person, this reunion after a full seven hundred years apart, accompanied by a little wine and good food, led to more and more conversation between them, guided by topic after topic Bai Heng brought up.
In the meantime, Bai Heng also explained his current situation to Jingliu.
It basically boiled down to the two-part combo of reincarnation and sealed memories, though Jingliu didn't seem particularly concerned with the reasons.
She simply, during the conversation, slowly placed her hand over the back of Bai Heng's, feeling the warmth emanating from him.
Seeing her like this, Bai Heng knew that the "coaxing the girlfriend" phase was gradually nearing its end, and he inwardly let out a slow sigh of relief.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out beside his ear.
"Well, if it isn't Brother Heng~"
That light, lively tone, and that particular form of address.
Yes, arriving on the scene was none other than the Divination Commission's—Qingque!
The moment she saw Bai Heng, Qingque's eyes went to Jingliu beside him. "Brother Heng, and who might this be?"
Now this was what you call an assist!
Bai Heng marveled inwardly, thinking this little sparrow hadn't just arrived at the perfect time, but even her question was exquisitely posed.
"And this is?"
If Bai Heng couldn't answer a freebie question like this, he'd eat that simulation system on the spot!
Yes, all he needed to do now was follow up with: "This is your sister-in-law."
Then the mission of coaxing his girlfriend would conclude perfectly! How wonderful~
But just as Bai Heng opened his mouth, before any sound could escape, Jingliu spoke up first from beside him, "I am his younger sister."
Bai Heng: ???
A'Jing, this isn't funny at all.
While that kind of play is pretty common, I don't think we need to try something this new.
But soon, Bai Heng understood Jingliu's intention.
"Miss, what is your relationship with my elder brother? Could it be... you are lovers?" Jingliu said lightly, a slow, subtle smile playing on her lips.
She looked the very picture of a younger sister curiously concerned about her big brother's love life.
Seeing her like this, Bai Heng felt as steady as an old dog inside.
He and Little Sparrow were strictly card-playing buddies. Sure, they'd both lost their underpants to each other gambling, but since they both knew the other was a gambling addict among gambling addicts, they frankly looked down on each other in that regard.
Yes, this was the confidence of a gambling addict!
A'Jing, oh A'Jing, you've asked the wrong person with this question~
Hearing Jingliu's words, Qingque was first stunned, then immediately began waving her hands dismissively, explaining:
"Wrong, totally wrong! Brother Heng and I are just simple gambling partners."
"Sure, Brother Heng is easy on the eyes, but I swear on my card luck for the next month, I have absolutely no interest in him that way!"
"Besides, isn't Celestial Jade fun enough? Or is slacking off not satisfying enough? Why would I develop a problem and start lusting after Brother Heng's body?"
"Falling for a gambling addict? That's a one-way ticket to misery, I tell ya~"
Bai Heng: …
Little Qingque, the answer you gave is quite satisfactory.
But the content of what you said... I don't like it.
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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.