"It's okay to refuse, I..."
Meng Fanyue stopped mid-sentence, realizing Xingyuan hadn't refused but agreed. Her eyes instantly lit up. "What did you say?"
Xingyuan curved her lips into a smile, a mix of helplessness and indulgence. She gently stroked Meng Fanyue's hair and said softly, "Alright! I won't lose out."
Meng Fanyue's eyes sparkled. She nodded vigorously, her words sweet, "That's right! Sister won't lose out. I'll definitely take good care of you."
At this moment, Meng Fanyue might not fully understand what love was. She only knew that she wanted to be with Xingyuan and had an unparalleled attachment to her, a feeling that had been absent for many years since she left home.
Therefore, as this emotion reawakened, she cherished it even more.
Just as Meng Fanyue was thinking of doing something to prove her feelings, a knock came from the door.
Wei Hui stood outside. When he saw Meng Fanyue, his expression was somewhat grim, but he forced a smile and adopted his usual gentle demeanor.
"Excuse me, I'm here to see my sister," Wei Hui said softly.
He looked nothing like someone who had just killed someone.
Meng Fanyue silently grumbled in her heart but said nothing on the surface, merely politely making way for him.
Wei Hui saw the figure inside, his expression growing even gentler. "Sister, why didn't you tell me you were here earlier? I could have fulfilled my duties, at least you shouldn't be living with a stranger!"
Wei Hui's voice was gentle, but Meng Fanyue detected a sarcastic undertone.
Her fists clenched.
But he seemed to be Sister's brother!
Meng Fanyue took a deep breath, deciding not to dwell on this minor issue.
Xingyuan was a master manipulator, a "green tea" of the highest level. No matter how convoluted Wei Hui's intentions were, she could understand them. However...
Xingyuan beckoned to Meng Fanyue and pulled her into an embrace. "Let me introduce you, this is your Shimu."
Wei Hui's gentle expression cracked inch by inch. He froze, then stiffly turned to look at Meng Fanyue, stammering, "She's my Shimu?"
His teacher had lived for so long, and it wasn't surprising that she might take a liking to a girl out of curiosity, but for him, this was too sudden!
Xingyuan felt Wei Hui's near-collapse and had no intention of comforting him.
This was the reality, and he had to adapt. There was no need for her to change her decision because of him.
Wei Hui's resilience was quite strong. After a brief moment of struggle, he accepted the reality.
He politely called out "Shimu" and, still unwilling to give up, tried to persuade Xingyuan to move closer to his courtyard.
He reasoned, "Teacher, the outside world is dangerous, and there are times when I can't look after you. If something were to happen to you while you're here, how would I explain it to the other disciples?"
Xingyuan furrowed her brows, understanding Wei Hui's ulterior motives but also acknowledging some of his concerns.
However, she would never give her disciples an inch to overstep. "Wei Hui, I am the teacher. I like it here, so you don't need to say any more."
"And..."
Xingyuan glanced at Wei Hui, then said coldly, "If I cannot protect myself in this world, then no one else can protect me."
But a moment later, her tone softened. "I know you mean well, but I think you can trust me and should show me more respect."
Wei Hui chose silence and relented. "Since Teacher says so, your disciple naturally shouldn't force the issue. I only hope Teacher will permit me to visit often."
Xingyuan nodded gently, a smile on her lips. "Of course."
Wei Hui left.
Although Hong Tao was an insignificant figure with no backing, his death would still bring him some trouble. Therefore, he had many concerns and matters to attend to.
For now, the teacher could just be his teacher, but if another person discovered it, she would be more than just his teacher.
After Wei Hui left, Meng Fanyue, who had remained silent, asked with confusion, "Sister, he calls you Teacher, but isn't he your brother?"
Xingyuan chuckled and shook her head. "No, but he calls me that in front of others for convenience."
She had looked like this before, but Wei Hui was just a child then, so of course, he could call her Teacher.
But now, to outsiders, they looked similar in age, and calling her Teacher might inevitably alert those with ulterior motives.
As for the title of "sister," it could be explained away with other reasons.
But Xingyuan didn't want to lie to Meng Fanyue, nor was there any need to.
Another long silence followed, the atmosphere becoming somewhat strange.
"Then..." Meng Fanyue looked at Xingyuan with a questioning gaze. "Can I ask Sister a question?"
She playfully swayed Xingyuan's arm, her eyes filled with hope.
"Ask," Xingyuan replied concisely.
"I... I think I've met Sister before," Meng Fanyue said cautiously.
Xingyuan looked at Meng Fanyue with a hint of confusion, waiting for her to continue.
Under Xingyuan's encouraging gaze, Meng Fanyue slowly spoke, "I wasn't very old that year, still at home. I remember you came to our house as a guest. It feels like even after so many years, your appearance hasn't changed at all."
Xingyuan paused, a little guilty. "No, you must have seen wrong."
Xingyuan's expression was so calm that it actually made Meng Fanyue doubt herself for a moment.
But she wasn't naive. Her memory had always been excellent. She looked into Xingyuan's eyes and said calmly and with certainty, "I definitely didn't see wrong, that was you."
"So, does Sister have any secret tips for maintaining youth that you can share with me?"
Meng Fanyue hadn't considered the possibility of Xingyuan being non-human. She simply thought Xingyuan was well-maintained. However, the non-human Xingyuan felt very guilty.
While she was confident in her sister, she had lived too long and seen too many people who initially swore they would love her no matter what, only to change their tune upon learning she was immortal.
They either coveted her immortality and eternal youth, or they feared her, thinking she was a monster.
She had long since developed a strong heart and no longer cared about others' opinions. But when she met Meng Fanyue's sincere gaze, she still flinched. She was... afraid.
This unfamiliar emotion ultimately led her to choose concealment.
She smiled gently at Meng Fanyue and said softly, "Alright! I'll sort it out later."
"But!" Xingyuan raised an eyebrow, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Does Yueyue think I'm old?"
"Of course not," Meng Fanyue replied without hesitation.
She hugged Xingyuan, nuzzling her head against her. Both her eyes and expression conveyed complete tenderness and trust.
"This is my honor."