"I'm quite alright..."
Feng Yi scratched his head, awkwardly fending them off.
He had never encountered such a situation before.
Even the elderly folks at the matchmaking corner in his previous life weren't this enthusiastic.
"This child has a good constitution, strong and robust. Yun Jin is a lucky girl!"
An old woman reached out, felt Feng Yi all over, and then declared with satisfaction.
Feng Yi thought: Madam, please show some self-respect. Stick to talking, no touching, alright?
"Uh, I drank too much tea. I need to use the restroom. I'll take my leave!"
Feng Yi quickly found an excuse to slip away. These elders were simply too terrifying.
"Haha, this child is so shy, already blushing..."
The old opera performers burst into laughter, as if they had discovered something amusing.
Meanwhile, Feng Yi circled around, arriving at the other side of Yun Jin's dressing room.
*Knock, knock~*
"Who's there?"
Yun Jin, hearing a sudden knock on the window, became instantly alert. She readjusted the clothes she had half-undressed, grabbed the spear used in martial opera, and cautiously approached the window to ask.
"It's me, Feng Yi!"
Hearing Feng Yi's voice, Yun Jin finally relaxed. She set the spear aside, opened the window.
"Feng Yi, didn't you go out through the door over there? How did you end up here?"
Yun Jin, seeing Feng Yi's slightly disheveled state, asked with a light smile.
"Sigh~ Those old folks were too much to handle. I couldn't take it anymore, so I made an excuse and bolted. I'll wait here, and once you're changed, just let me know, and I'll go back around."
Feng Yi spread his hands, stating that he would rather fight a Abyss stronghold alone than deal with those elders.
"Pfft... Sorry, sorry. My elders must have caused you trouble. I apologize on their behalf. However, I haven't decided which costume to wear yet, so you might have to wait a while. Why don't you come in for some tea and rest while I pick my costume..."
Yun Jin felt it was impolite to make Feng Yi wait outside the window, so she invited him in first.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony!"
Feng Yi leaped through the window.
Why did this suddenly feel so thrilling?
He, Feng Yi, was a man of integrity. He wasn't stealing or robbing. This must be an illusion!
"Feng Yi, which opera costume do you think I should wear?"
Yun Jin asked Feng Yi while browsing the costumes, hoping for his advice.
"Yun Jin, you're beautiful, so any costume will look good on you!"
Feng Yi took a sip of hot tea, telling the indecisive Yun Jin.
He didn't know much about opera costumes. Instead of making suggestions, it was better to let the expert, Yun Jin, make the decision.
"Feng Yi, you're so good at flattering people. Have you said this to many girls?"
Yun Jin eyed Feng Yi suspiciously.
"Who said that? That's slander! I swear, you're the first person I've said this to!"
Feng Yi thought about it; he had never said this to anyone else.
"Pfft~ I was just joking. Feng Yi, don't take it seriously."
Yun Jin playfully stuck out her tongue and winked at Feng Yi with a smile.
Hearing Feng Yi's explanation, Yun Jin felt as sweet as honey in her heart.
Feng Yi thought: Your suspicious look just now didn't seem like a joke at all!
"This one it is! It can showcase the divine maiden's heroism and her unyielding resistance against demons..."
After much deliberation, Yun Jin finally took down one with a more heroic style.
"Uh... I haven't finished my tea yet, but that's okay. I'll drink it outside slowly..."
Saying that, Feng Yi opened the window and was about to leap out, leaving Yun Jin with privacy to change.
"Feng... Feng Yi, you don't actually have to leave. I can change behind the costume rack..."
Yun Jin hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Letting Feng Yi change in the room was a bold decision. If others saw, her reputation would be ruined.
But her feelings for Feng Yi, coupled with her desire, made Yun Jin hope he would stay.
"I see. Don't worry, I won't peek!"
Feng Yi, who had just leaped out the window, jumped back in.
The opera costumes hanging on the rack were enough to conceal Yun Jin's petite figure. Besides, since Yun Jin had said so, Feng Yi saw no reason to refuse.
After all, drinking tea inside was much more comfortable than outside.
Yun Jin hummed in response and, carrying a costume, went behind the rack. Seeing Feng Yi facing away from her, towards the window, drinking tea, Yun Jin finally felt at ease. She unbuttoned her clothes and began to change.
Listening to the rustling sounds of Yun Jin changing clothes not far behind him, Feng Yi suddenly felt that the beautiful scenery of falling blossoms outside the window was not as attractive anymore.
Feng Yi thought he should have just left earlier.
Now, he could only listen and not look, which felt like a cat's claws scratching his heart, making him itch.
He could only drink more tea to suppress his excitement.
This short time, less than the duration of an incense stick, felt incredibly long to Feng Yi, as if a full hour had passed.
"Feng Yi, I'm done. Let's go out."
Yun Jin walked in front of Feng Yi, slowly turning around to showcase her graceful posture and exquisite costume.
"You go out through the door over there. I'll go back around again!"
Feng Yi, considering how to explain their joint exit, decided it was best to take the long way around.
"Mmm-hmm."
Watching Feng Yi swiftly slip out the window, Yun Jin then pushed open the dressing room door.
"Quick, look! Our little Yun Jin is out. How splendid she looks in this costume!"
"Yun Jin, your elders have just given you their blessing. That young man has a good physique and a gentle disposition. He's a fine match..."
"Where is that young man?"
"He seemed to have gone to the restroom, but why has he been gone so long?"
As soon as Yun Jin stepped out, she was surrounded by the elders, who chattered and greeted her.
Yun Jin now understood Feng Yi's earlier predicament and could only respond helplessly, praying that Feng Yi would quickly come to her rescue.
Hearing the elders' words, Yun Jin felt bewildered and shy.
"Good physique," "fine match..."
Although she harbored feelings for Feng Yi, they were still far from being a reality.
It was too soon to bring these things up.
"Sorry, sorry, I'm late!"
At this moment, Feng Yi returned from a distance, drawing some of the elders' attention and rescuing Yun Jin from their enthusiastic embrace.
"Yun Jin has a new drama to perform. Let's go watch together."
Feng Yi jumped out of the crowd, grabbed Yun Jin's small hand, and fled like an escapee from the elders' encirclement, heading towards the makeshift stage behind the courtyard.
By the time the old opera performers hurried over, Yun Jin had already taken her place on the stage, and the performance was about to begin.
They all took their seats, temporarily suppressing their burning gossip souls, deciding to wait until Yun Jin's performance was over.