Chapter 30: Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er
At Tianshui College, Shui Yue'er tugged at Shui Bing'er's arm, urging her forward. "Sister, if you don't make a move, your brother-in-law will be snatched away!"
She glanced anxiously at Mu Ci, who was chatting animatedly with Huo Wu nearby.
Shui Yue'er had an ulterior motive. As half-sisters, with their mothers being biological sisters, she wondered if Shui Bing'er pairing with Mu Ci might open a door for her, the sister-in-law, to get closer to him.
The thought thrilled her, and she gripped Shui Bing'er's hand tighter.
Xuewu and the other Tianshui girls, far from stopping her, smirked and egged her on, enjoying the spectacle.
Mu Ci, Huo Wu, and Huo Wushuang, mid-conversation, noticed the Tianshui team pushing their way over and paused to look.
Mu Ci couldn't help but admire the scene—beautiful girls in ice-blue uniforms, like a garden of blooming flowers, dazzling and vibrant.
Shui Bing'er, her face flushed, realized she couldn't escape. Breaking free from Shui Yue'er's grasp, she introduced herself gracefully. "Hello, I'm Shui Bing'er, captain of the Tianshui team. Nice to meet you."
Mu Ci smiled back. "Hello, Captain Shui Bing'er. I'm Mu Ci, captain of the Plant Team."
He had been fond of Shui Bing'er in his previous life while reading the novel. Her talent alone had nearly defeated Tang San, who had consumed immortal herbs, in the arena, despite being only a year older. Among the Douyi era's young geniuses, excluding immortal herb boosts, she ranked in the top five. It was a pity her story faded later, which had disappointed him.
Now, seeing her in person, Mu Ci realized the book's descriptions captured only a fraction of her beauty—blue-white shawl hair, fair skin, and ice-blue eyes that grew more enchanting the longer he looked.
Shui Bing'er, noticing Mu Ci's warm smile, felt her shyness deepen, her face reddening as she lowered her gaze.
"Brother-in-law, look at me! I'm Shui Yue'er!"
Shui Yue'er, unable to stay still behind her sister, jumped forward, waving enthusiastically. Before she could continue, Shui Bing'er swiftly covered her mouth.
Mu Ci, caught off guard by the "brother-in-law" comment, froze. He knew Shui Yue'er was a notorious appearance enthusiast, rivaling Meng Hongchen from ten thousand years later. He'd half-expected her to call him something bold, but "brother-in-law" was unexpected.
"Miss Yue'er, you can't just say things like that. It could harm Captain Bing'er's reputation," he said gently.
Shui Yue'er, dodging Shui Bing'er's hand, puffed out her chest confidently. "I'm not joking! It's an agreement between Uncle Mu Sheng and my father!"
"Ahem!" Mu Ci, hearing his father's name, coughed and quickly asked for details. "Miss Yue'er, please explain. My family never mentioned this to me."
Shui Yue'er recounted the story she'd shared with her teammates, detailing the drunken conversation between their fathers about pairing Mu Ci and Shui Bing'er due to their similar mutated martial souls and innate level nine soul power.
Mu Ci, relieved, exhaled. He'd feared his father had arranged a marriage behind his back.
Shui Bing'er, watching his reaction, felt a twinge of disappointment. Though they'd just met, she found Mu Ci appealing—his looks, talent, and demeanor were all impressive. She wouldn't fall in love at first sight like Shui Yue'er, but she wasn't opposed to a future with him.
Blurting out her thoughts, she asked, "Captain Mu Ci, do you think there's something wrong with me?"
Her question gave Mu Ci a headache. Single in his past life and inexperienced in romance in this one, he fumbled for a response. "No, of course not. On the contrary, though we've just met, I have a great impression of you, Captain Bing'er. It's just… we've never met before. Deciding your life like this wouldn't be fair to you, would it?"
He scrambled for an explanation, his face flushing from his rare inexperience with such matters. While noble ladies had harassed him before, those weren't genuine interactions—just nuisances he'd deflected with the Spirit Hall's authority and his family's Titled Douluo status.
Facing Shui Bing'er, a character he'd admired in the novel, now a graceful, beautiful girl before him, stirred excitement he couldn't quite articulate.
Shui Bing'er, seeing his blush, smiled, her earlier disappointment fading. Her red lips curled as she said, "I understand. We're acquainted now. No more 'Captain'—just call me Bing'er, and I'll call you Brother Mu Ci."
Mu Ci, relieved, smiled back. "Okay, Bing'er. Don't take the elders' words too seriously. Let's start as friends."
Nearby, Huo Wushuang watched the exchange with amusement, eating up the drama. Huo Wu, however, stiffened. She'd been enjoying her conversation with Mu Ci when the Tianshui girls interrupted, leaving her feeling upstaged. While she prioritized strength in a partner, she'd been the first to approach Mu Ci, only to be overshadowed by Shui Bing'er.
As she hesitated to join in, a loud shout rang out from behind.
"Mu Ci, I want to challenge you!"
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[end of the chapter]