"You and I, we've been together for three years. Don't you," Xu Lan frowned, "have any feelings for me?"
"In my eyes, you're nothing but a burden. Every time, it's me who saves you. You're really too much."
"Gu An, you..."
"I'm begging you, please leave."
"....." Xu Lan took a deep breath and asked, "Will you be happy if I leave?"
"Yes, if you leave, I'll be happy. Having you here only annoys me."
This time, Xu Lan didn't speak. After a bitter smile, he left.
"....." Gu An lowered her head, feeling guilty towards Xu Lan, but she couldn't say anything. She knew that if she softened, she would only harm him.
Shen Xian stood not far away, watching Gu An's retreating figure. He thought about their three years together and felt he should learn to face things, just like her.
With that thought, he spread his hand, conjuring a lantern, and then walked towards Gu An.
Gu An: "...." The moment she looked up at Shen Xian, she froze.
At the same time, Shen Xian stopped in front of her and got straight to the point, "You sent Xu Lan away."
Gu An didn't dare to deny it and nodded, "Yes, did you... hear me?"
"Do you really like me?"
"Yes, but..." Gu An nervously avoided his gaze and said, "But don't worry, I won't... make you like me, and I won't..."
"I like you too."
Gu An: "...." She blinked, her ears buzzing, and asked, "What... did you say?"
Shen Xian looked directly into Gu An's eyes and said, "I like you."
"You like me?" Gu An repeated, her eyes widening instantly, "You like me, you can't like me."
"Why?"
"I'm not a Xian Yuan girl, I'm just..."
"The saying 'Xian Yuan woman' was just something my master laid down. But for me, rules are dead, people are alive. I can change this rule."
"...."
Back then, Gu An had desperately begged Shen Yan to be with her, but Shen Yan had refused, even saying hurtful things.
Because of Shen Yan's existence, she had also assumed Shen Xian would reject her similarly.
Hearing Shen Xian say this now, she couldn't help but feel... surprised.
Shen Xian, seeing Gu An's astonished expression, asked, "What's wrong?"
Gu An said, "It's not possible."
"Why isn't it possible!" Shen Xian exclaimed, bending down to take Gu An's hand with his other, saying, "I just like you, I like you as a person, I like your soul, I like everything about you. I want to be with you, no matter how many obstacles lie ahead, I'm not afraid, because I... only have you in my heart."
These were the words Shen Xian had wanted to tell Gu An for a year, but because of Gu An's personality, he was afraid she wouldn't be able to handle it if he confessed.
However, after hearing her conversation with Xu Lan just now, he was no longer afraid, because he knew she liked him too.
Immediately, Gu An burst into tears.
Seeing Gu An's state, Shen Xian smiled, "What are you crying for?"
"I can't be with you. Being with you will only harm you, I can't." Gu An shook her head, her mind replaying Xu Lan's words to her just now.
Seeing this, Shen Xian casually put down the lantern, bent down, and directly embraced Gu An. "You won't harm me. Even if something happens to me, it will be of my own free will."
"I can't harm you," Gu An buried her face in Shen Xian's embrace.
Shen Xian gently patted her back and said, "It's a joke, nothing will happen to me. My master is very kind, he will definitely agree. Don't worry, don't worry."
Hearing this, Gu An cried even harder.
At the same time, Xu Lan stood on a tree, looking down clearly at the two illuminated by the lantern light, and smiled.
He had seen Shen Xian's feelings for Gu An in their three years of interaction, and that was precisely why he had chosen to hide!
In the past few days, Xu Lan had also realized he had been too attentive to Gu An, and had noticed her discomfort.
After years of knowing each other, he understood Gu An and had anticipated that she would find him to talk.
He hadn't intended to say anything, but the moment he sensed Shen Xian's presence, he developed the idea of creating a sense of urgency in Shen Xian.
So, he spoke.
As expected, he was driven away.
But, he was willing to do it!
Now, watching them, though his heart ached, there was more than that – there was blessing.
After that day, Shen Xian gave up searching for the Xian Yuan girl and bought a simple house here, living a life with only Gu An.
A month after that day, Gu An learned to cook.
One morning, she prepared the ingredients, and by noon, she had made eight dishes and one soup.
In the courtyard.
Shen Xian sat at the wooden table, looking up at Gu An, who, unwilling to let him do any work, was bustling about serving the dishes. "Let me help you," he said, about to get up.
Gu An stopped at the table, bending to arrange the dishes while waving him off, "No, today I'll serve you."
"Alright then..." Shen Xian reluctantly agreed, and looked down at the dishes, "The color is good."
"Is it? It's been hard on you this past month. My cooking isn't good, but today's meal will definitely be delicious."
"..." Shen Xian's eyes flickered, and he said, "Whatever you cook for me will be delicious."
"You really know how to talk," Gu An pointed at Shen Xian and turned back to continue her work.
Shen Xian looked down at the food, sighed, took a book from his sleeve, opened it, and looked at the descriptions of the dishes, thinking, "If I just say it according to this, she'll surely be happy!"
The next moment, Gu An came over with the dishes and asked, "What are you looking at?"
Hearing this, Shen Xian slowly put away the book and said, "Nothing."
"Eat," Gu An said, handing Shen Xian chopsticks and sitting opposite him.
Next, Shen Xian began to eat.
"...."
Gu An raised an eyebrow, "Give me your review."
"Review, well, the taste is very good, not too salty, not too bland, all very delicious," Shen Xian said, looking down and eating heartily.
Gu An, while picking up a dish, said, "Don't rush, no one's going to snatch it from you." As she put the dish into her mouth, her expression changed. "Ugh, it's so salty. You said not too salty, not too bland. How could you eat it?"
Shen Xian, still eating, said, "I think it's delicious."
"Delicious what? Stop eating, I've failed." Gu An put down her chopsticks.
Shen Xian completely ignored Gu An and continued eating, "We can't waste food."
Hearing Shen Xian's words, Gu An's face stiffened. She stood up and said, "What's wrong with you? You always say we can't waste food, but these dishes are all terribly unpalatable. I... don't eat anymore, I beg you." As she spoke, she went around Shen Xian, crouched down, and took his right hand.
Immediately, Shen Xian turned to look at Gu An, "I think it's delicious."