Fairy, Don't Be Afraid, I Am Blind

She still couldn’t understand why Guan Chujun insisted on disguising as a man to deceive You Su, but she was always a person who kept her promises, and she certainly wouldn’t voluntarily expose Guan Chujun’s secret.

"No hard feelings! Absolutely not!"

You Su quickly vouched for himself.

It could be said that after hearing He Shutong’s response, there were no more hard feelings in You Su’s heart.

A sudden impulse surged in his heart, which gave him the courage to say things that felt improper before:

"Master actually has more than one friend besides the Venerable..."

He Shutong pondered for a moment, "Are you referring to the Third Elder?"

Perhaps the Third Elder could indeed be considered as one, but I’ve failed her too much... He Shutong thought.

You Su lightly bit his lip, raised his head, and his eyes shone slightly:

"The Third Elder is... So am I... Of course, senior and junior sisters can also be."

He Shutong’s eyebrows and eyes were soft, and she smiled gently, "You’re so young; how can that count?"

But You Su retorted earnestly, "Cultivators naturally view age differences lightly. How many friendships that transcend age differences exist? As long as the bond is deep and the aspirations align, why can’t it be considered friendship?"

He Shutong remained silent, moved in her heart.

Is this his way of responding to my earlier claim of having no friends, wishing to befriend an old woman like me to console me?

This child is truly too gentle...

"Learning is precious in having a teacher and also in having a friend. Both teacher and friend, a good teacher and helpful friend. It shows that teachers and friends can coexist, unrelated to irrelevant matters like age. Doesn’t Master want to be friends with Su’Er?"

You Su blankly faced the woman behind the mist, his expression a bit gloomy.

Su, Su, Su’Er...?!

He Shutong, though her mouth hadn’t spoken, began stuttering in her mind.

She had always called You Su by his full name.

Even when calling Wangshu Fairy, whom she raised from a young age, she called her Wangshu directly.

Reflecting on her life, she seemed to always keep a distance from people, never having used terms of endearment like ’Su’Er’ before...

It wasn’t that she looked down on others; on the contrary, it was a way to protect them. Due to her locked heart and fear of love, she was afraid of causing harm through intimate relationships.

This child... is he trying to be closer with me?

He Shutong couldn’t help but hesitate, fearing she might hurt You Su as she had her mother, her master, and Yo Jing the Venerable.

But the warm pool water around her reminded her that she was no longer who she used to be. The Ice Heart melted because of You Su, and she didn’t have to run away anymore.

"Of course, I’d like to be friends with... with Su’Er."

He Shutong gently bit her bright lower lip, her cheeks showing a touching blush. In the middle of winter, she found the warm pool somewhat too hot.

You Su, however, laughed, seeming to feel at ease:

"Master, I’ve made a new friend. Her name is He Shutong, and I ask you to look out for her."

He Shutong, amused by You Su, smiled brightly, like a blooming flower that brightened the whole world, stunningly beautiful.

"Alright. I’ve also made a new friend, his name is You Su. When you see him in the future, remember to show some respect."

You Su, hearing this, chuckled and scratched his head.

The sunlight was warm, and He Shutong couldn’t remember when she last laughed so openly.

She didn’t expect anyone in the world would still banter with her using playful words. After all, she wasn’t truly a cold and dull ice queen.

She genuinely felt happy, as her relationship with You Su progressed further. Besides being a disciple and master, they were now friends who could joke with each other.

How wonderful...

However, she didn’t yet understand why You Su, who didn’t mind whether she was really his master, was asking if she liked his Venerable?

Would this affect their friendship?

...

Winter days are always shorter.

By the time You Su emerged, it was already late, and Ji Lingruo and Wangshu had also returned to Lotus Peak.

Wangshu was delighted, waving and shouting ’Junior Brother.’

Ji Lingruo lightly scoffed and, as You Su approached, pretended to be indifferent and said:

"You still come back, huh?"

You Su was in a great mood, dismissing everything with a smile.

Ji Lingruo, intrigued, nudged You Su away with her elbow:

"Why is it every time you come back from the Venerable, you’re always in this sickeningly happy mood?"

"What did I do to disgust anyone?"

"Just... your smile is very annoying..."

Ji Lingruo disdainfully tugged at the corner of her mouth.

"Because I’m very happy, extremely happy."

Wangshu Fairy looked into You Su’s eyes, and You Su dodged her gaze like a guilty thief.

"The Master praised me, so naturally, I’m happy."

"Praised you? For what?" Ji Lingruo asked curiously.

With his sister here, You Su couldn’t lie, so he truthfully replied:

"The Master praised me for dressing nicely."

Ji Lingruo raised her dark eyebrows, looking You Su up and down.

Then she noticed that You Su had changed from his previously all-black style to a predominantly black and red, with silver-grey threads interwoven, embroidered with auspicious clouds and hidden dragons, making You Su look extraordinary.

Ji Lingruo nodded repeatedly, quite satisfied with You Su’s attire.

"Not bad, not bad, you actually look quite decent..."

But remember, a woman’s mood can change faster than turning a page. She immediately pinched You Su’s waist with a dangerous tone:

"But I remember there wasn’t such a piece in the clothes I prepared for you... Speak! Which woman bought this for you?!"

Wangshu remembered her sister’s instructions, she sniffed around left and right, reporting:

"Reporting to sister, there are two scents, one is female, the other... should be male."