Appreciating New Tea with an Inkstone - Chapter 56

In that fleeting moment, Gu Xiyan’s entire body stiffened. 

This kind of contact was not unfamiliar; in the past, Ye Qinming had absorbed her spiritual energy, and their lips had met multiple times. There was even a time when Ye Qinming had been afflicted with the fox clan’s poison, and they had shared moments of deep intimacy.

But now, after eight years apart, both of them were sober and fully aware. She had even confessed her feelings. Under these circumstances, what did it mean for Ye Qinming to kiss her?

Gu Xiyan’s heartbeat was faster than ever before. Even though her palms were sweating from nervousness, she still caught the familiar scent of tea on Ye Qinming’s breath—the fragrance she loved. She could also clearly feel the softness of her lips.

However, she didn’t have the time to dwell on it, because Ye Qinming suddenly deepened the kiss. Her lips pressed tightly against hers, and when Gu Xiyan did not resist, Ye Qinming took it further, parting her lips as if replaying the scene from eight years ago.

Gu Xiyan let herself be entangled, her ears and cheeks gradually flushing with a rosy hue, as if intoxicated. She sat upright, allowing Ye Qinming to kiss her for a while. Then, with trembling hands, she slowly placed them behind Ye Qinming, eventually wrapping them around her slender waist and pulling her in closer, as if cradling a precious treasure in her arms.

Ye Qinming had already lost herself in the moment, but the tightening grip around her waist made her press even closer to Gu Xiyan. And then, the woman who had been obediently allowing her kisses suddenly took the initiative.

Her eyes opened slightly, the corners tinged with a captivating red. With a subtle lift of her gaze, she exuded an irresistible allure, a teasing yet enchanting smile playing at her lips.

But it was only a fleeting moment. She soon closed her eyes again, savoring the intoxicating sweetness of the kiss. Gu Xiyan tasted so sweet—she was addictive.

No one knew how much time had passed before they finally pulled apart. Gu Xiyan’s face was flushed, her breath unsteady, needing a moment to recover.

Ye Qinming wasn’t faring much better. Gu Xiyan was too gentle, and even though she had taken control for a brief moment, there was still an undeniable tenderness in her touch.

Ye Qinming had never learned to yield to others. Since she had gained spiritual awareness, she had never known what it meant to bow her head to anyone. She had always been strong-willed and refused to submit. Although she was not reckless, she was never one to be beneath another. In the countless years she had lived, she had never loved anyone. She was a tea tree spirit, detached from worldly desires. When spring arrived, at most, she would sprout new buds—but love? That had never been part of her nature.

She could never imagine lowering herself for a man. As for women? She would have to be the one in control.

And yet… she now found herself feeling a little stifled as she gazed at Gu Xiyan, who rarely ever showed such shyness. This woman looked so serene and elegant, an ordinary mortal whose cultivation was far below hers. Yet after just one kiss, she was already breathless, her entire body melting into her embrace.

Gu Xiyan, still dazed from the lingering passion, felt weak and lightheaded from the lack of oxygen. Once she regained her composure, she realized that Ye Qinming was staring at her in silence, her gaze so intense that it was almost tangible. Immediately, she felt restless and uneasy.

They had kissed so ambiguously, and now that the heat of the moment had passed, the atmosphere between them had turned unbearably awkward.

But what she wanted to know the most was—now that Ye Qinming had kissed her while she was completely conscious, could it mean, even just a little, that she reciprocated her feelings?

Summoning her courage, Gu Xiyan was just about to ask when Ye Qinming suddenly leaned in and asked, “Have you rested enough?”

Gu Xiyan was stunned, and then, in an instant, her ears turned red again. She looked at Ye Qinming, completely at a loss.

Ye Qinming, however, continued with her usual audacity, “If you’ve rested, let’s go again. But this time… don’t be so forward, alright?”

That was the final blow—Gu Xiyan couldn’t handle it anymore. She was never the passionate type to begin with. Having been immersed in books all her life, she wasn’t rigid, but she carried herself with a dignity untouched by frivolous matters. How could she possibly endure Ye Qinming’s blatant and shameless teasing?

Her face turned completely crimson, and she even started stammering. “I… I wasn’t… I wasn’t the one who took the initiative. No, I mean, it’s not that I wasn’t, it’s just that… I couldn’t help myself…”

Saying that she hadn’t taken the initiative would sound like she was belittling Ye Qinming, so she quickly corrected herself. But then, blurting out that she couldn’t control herself made her want to disappear on the spot.

Watching Gu Xiyan stumble over her words, her expression changing from one moment to the next, completely losing her usual composure, Ye Qinming couldn’t help but burst into laughter. But seeing her flustered and embarrassed, she was afraid of teasing her too much, so she quickly softened her tone. “I was just joking. Don’t panic, don’t panic.”

Gu Xiyan pursed her lips, staying silent. After a moment, she finally regained her usual calm, the blush on her face fading away.

Seeing her return to her composed state, Ye Qinming suddenly felt a bit disappointed. This person—when she was gentle, she was truly gentle. But sometimes, her gentleness carried a certain detached resolve. It was the kind of warmth that one could see but never fully grasp—the kind where, no matter how close you got, you could never truly find yourself within it.

And right now, Gu Xiyan was exactly like that.

Ye Qinming’s smile faded. She had a feeling she knew why.

“You were completely sober this time, weren’t you?” Gu Xiyan finally broke the silence after a brief pause.

“Mm.”

Gu Xiyan’s throat tightened. “Why did you do that? I just told you that I like you, and if you act this way, I will think…” I will think that you have feelings for me too. 

But the words were too difficult to say aloud, so Gu Xiyan fell silent.

Seeing her forcibly restraining herself, Ye Qinming felt a pang in her chest. She spoke softly, “It is just as you think.”

Gu Xiyan’s head snapped up. Unable to see Ye Qinming, she instinctively reached out, wanting to touch her, but then came to her senses and withdrew her hand. To Ye Qinming, that hesitant motion was like having sand thrown into her eyes—it made her heart ache unbearably. Without hesitation, she reached out and grasped Gu Xiyan’s hand.

“Gu Xiyan, though I live freely and indulge in my desires, I am not someone who acts carelessly. If I had no feelings for you, I would not have done what I did—then or just now. And in my heart, you are not someone I would treat frivolously. I… I like you too.”

At first, Ye Qinming’s tone was firm, her expression serious, but as she continued speaking, her voice unconsciously softened. Even though she knew Gu Xiyan couldn’t see her, she still blushed as she admitted her feelings.

Gu Xiyan was stunned for a long time before finally asking in a trembling voice, “Do you truly mean that?”

Ye Qinming let out a light laugh. “Words can be false, but the body does not lie. If I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t have kissed you.”

Gu Xiyan’s face reddened again, and she hesitated before asking, “I am a woman… does that not matter to you?”

Ye Qinming couldn’t bear to see her so cautious and uncertain, so she answered immediately, “What does it matter? We demons have never cared for the rigid rules of the human world—the so-called union of yin and yang, the so-called righteous path of heaven and earth. Even with all those ideals, humans still raise so many deceitful little beings. Besides, we demons live as we please. After all these years, I’ve experienced everything. Whether it’s a man or a woman—what difference does it make?”

Hearing this, Gu Xiyan nodded, but the words “I’ve experienced everything” left a strange feeling in her heart. Of course, Ye Qinming had lived for so long—how many people and experiences had she encountered? Gu Xiyan realized she had been foolish. To Ye Qinming, she was merely a fleeting moment in her long life, destined to pass.

Though Ye Qinming could clearly feel Gu Xiyan’s surprise and joy, she also caught the faint sorrow hidden beneath it.

Leaning in, Ye Qinming whispered, “Gu Xiyan, I am a demon. The lifespan of a demon is incredibly long, and to us, a human’s mere hundred years pass in the blink of an eye. That is why, at first, I didn’t want to like you—because liking you is not good at all.” Seeing Gu Xiyan’s uneasy expression, Ye Qinming gently cupped her face and said seriously, “I know what you’re thinking. You said you would like me for as long as you live. But what if, in the end, I come to love you just as deeply? Then wouldn’t I suffer the most? You will only love me for a hundred years, yet for the next thousands, even tens of thousands of years, I will still be in love with you.”

Gu Xiyan furrowed her brows. It seemed she had never considered that Ye Qinming could feel this way.

Ye Qinming grew frustrated and said, “Since you’ve already said it, I will tell you this as well—however long you live, that is how long I will love you. So, Gu Xiyan, you must live as long as you can. If you can become an immortal, then I won’t have to search for another after you’re gone.”

Gu Xiyan listened in silence, her fingers curling within her sleeves. Then, unable to suppress it any longer, she laughed. In an instant, all the gloom on her face disappeared, replaced by a bright, dazzling radiance.

“Alright. But my cultivation is weak, and we are of different worlds—human and demon. If you leave, and I fail to become immortal, we may never meet again.”

That was the thought Gu Xiyan found most unbearable. Even if Ye Qinming did not love her, even if she never accepted her, as long as they could remain as they were, Gu Xiyan would already be content.

She didn’t even understand herself anymore. All her life, she had never been particularly afraid of partings—whether of life or death. She saw them as inevitable aspects of existence. If they could be avoided, then that was fortunate; if not, then there was no need for excessive sorrow. She had always been someone who grieved but never clung, who mourned but never obsessed.

But when it came to Ye Qinming, everything crumbled.

If there was a way to defy fate, she was certain she would try. She couldn’t bear the thought of parting from Ye Qinming again. For eight years, this feeling had often kept her awake at night. Now that she had found her again, she finally felt at peace.

But it was only temporary—Ye Qinming would still leave.

Ye Qinming furrowed her brows. The truth was, she had always treated Gu Xiyan differently from the start. Although she was reluctant to admit it, she had already, unknowingly, developed feelings for this blind girl back then. But she had an unresolved blood feud, and she had once brought disaster upon the Demon Realm. She bore a responsibility to the Demon Realm, which was why she abandoned Gu Xiyan—it was the best choice for both of them.

This time, she had returned on impulse, only to witness that scene, and a cold chill had swept through her heart. That was the first time she had ever truly understood fear. No… not the first time. If she had hesitated, if she had not arrived in time, Gu Xiyan might have died without her ever knowing. The thought was unbearable to Ye Qinming. So, even though she knew that humans and demons were not meant to be together, she still indulged herself and insisted on forcing fate’s hand.

“Xiyan, Jiuxuan may be dead, but his remnant soul still lingers. He has already set his sights on you and will inevitably return. Before, I thought Dongzhou could protect you, but now that they have turned a blind eye and mistreated you, even if they hold back for now due to my warning, they will never shelter you again. When that time comes… I won’t be able to rest easy.”

In truth, aside from her growing inability to restrain herself, her fear that Gu Xiyan would be left without protection was also a major reason she had chosen to be honest about her feelings.

Gu Xiyan’s expression cracked slightly upon hearing this. Her lips moved, and after a moment, she said with disbelief, “So what are you saying?”

Ye Qinming crouched down in front of her. Even though she knew Gu Xiyan couldn’t see her, she still gazed straight into her eyes as she asked, “Would you be willing to come back to the Demon Realm with me?”

Gu Xiyan’s fingers tightened into a firm grip, her brows furrowing. After a long silence, she finally said in a strained voice, “I am just an ordinary person. If I go to the Demon Realm with you, I fear—”

Ye Qinming’s eyes burned with intensity. “If I take you to the Demon Realm, I will protect you with everything I have. Do you trust me?”

Gu Xiyan’s expression remained calm as she reached out, searching until she found Ye Qinming’s hand. Her lips curved into a slight smile. “I do. But I know your situation isn’t easy. To go against the Immortal Realm will be a brutal battle, and I don’t want to be a burden to you.”

At the mention of the Immortal Realm, Gu Xiyan couldn’t help but feel uneasy. She didn’t want Ye Qinming to fight them to the death. She couldn’t even imagine the disaster that a full-scale war between the two realms would bring upon the Three Realms. But at the same time, she understood Ye Qinming’s deep hatred, and she knew that the Immortal Realm would never let Ye Qinming go. This battle was inevitable.

Ye Qinming clearly saw the worry on her face and leaned in closer. “Are you worried about me?”

Gu Xiyan was slightly flustered by her intimate whisper, her expression turning helpless. “Yes, I’m worried about you.”

Ye Qinming’s eyes curved with delight, though deep inside, her heart softened to the point of aching. Asking Gu Xiyan to come back with her to the Demon Realm was a selfish request. After all, for a mortal to leave behind everything familiar and follow her into the Demon Realm would require unimaginable courage.

Yet, Gu Xiyan was more concerned about being a burden to her.

Ye Qinming sighed. “This is a dangerous decision, so you don’t have to answer me right away. And you don’t need to worry about dragging me down. Right now, I am acting on impulse because I want to be with you. But there are too many uncertainties here—do you understand?”

It was difficult for her to say this, and she knew these words were cruel. But she also knew that, at this moment, the most important things in her heart were the Demon Realm and the grudges of a thousand years past. Love should not have been part of the equation, yet her heart was in complete turmoil. Her worry for Gu Xiyan was not feigned, but this was the only path she could take for now.

So, she gave Gu Xiyan the choice. But at the same time, she also placed the burden of uncertainty and hesitation onto her.

Gu Xiyan’s lips curled slightly, but there was a hint of bitterness in her smile. “I understand.”

Author’s Note:

Even as a “green tea” character, she insists on taking the upper hand—even if it’s against another woman. Years later, this tsundere green tea will keep getting “pressed down.”

Green Tea: Y-you, let go of me. Let’s do it again, okay? This time, you’re still not allowed to take the lead.

Divine Lord: Sure, I promise not to take the lead.

Green Tea: Y-you said you wouldn’t… You… You’re too much.

White Lotus: You’re a demon. You’ve experienced both men and women—what haven’t you been through? I, on the other hand, am old-fashioned and dull. If I don’t take the lead, you might just forget about this delicate lotus of mine.

(T/N: In Chinese novels, a “green tea” character refers to someone—often a woman—who appears innocent, kind, and gentle on the surface but is actually manipulative, cunning, and scheming underneath. But Ye Qinming isn’t a green tea demon because of this—heck, she’s anything but green tea—it just so happened to be that way)