[To Become a River of Stars] Dong Xiange - Chapter 46

In the past, Li Xuanci had experienced the taste of riding alone for thousands of miles without rest. The private soldiers he trained were always swift and victorious, capable of cutting through rivers with their swords.

But with Shiliu as a burden, the situation changed.

When there was serious business to attend to, it was manageable—she could still focus on the task at hand, carrying her small burden without a word as she followed.

But now, with no leads to pursue, they could only return. And once back, aside from facing this tyrant, there really wasn’t anything interesting to do.

So, Shiliu’s mind began to wander—with the spring willows on the embankment, the fluttering swallows, and the drifting kites—suddenly becoming lively.

She didn’t resort to tantrums or fits.

It was just that whenever they rested at an inn, ate at a tavern, or took a break at a tea stall, if she overheard people chatting about nearby fun or food, her dark, grape-like eyes would pitifully turn toward the only one who could make decisions.

To outsiders, Shiliu maintained an unshakably calm expression, but behind closed doors with her master and senior brothers, she was exceptionally skilled at acting cute and coaxing.

With those eyes darting around, if glared at, she would obediently look away, but soon enough, they would stealthily latch back on.

Originally, outside the small world of her sect, Shiliu would never expose herself so openly to others. But Li Xuanci…

Their fates were bound together; they had eaten together, traveled together, faced dangers together, and he had saved her several times. She had even had… ahem… a few spring dreams about him.

They could be considered old acquaintances.

So, recently, Shiliu hadn’t realized that her true nature was becoming increasingly unrestrained. Things she hadn’t dared to do before, she did now; stares she hadn’t dared to give, she gave now; she even learned to bargain.

In short, she missed no opportunity to act cute or playfully stubborn, occasionally testing the waters with a bit of cheekiness.

In nine out of ten such situations, Li Xuanci would ignore her. He could withstand those gazes, sticking to the journey or rest, focused and undisturbed, like an old monk in meditation, without uttering an extra word.

No kite flying, no buying lüdagun, no listening to folk songs, no attending poetry gatherings.

Even Jin Zhan shook his head at this.

Only occasionally, perhaps to get her to quiet down, would Li Xuanci finally nod in agreement.

Thus, one spring day, they visited the famous White Lake along their route.

It was said that if you made a wish while crossing the Green Bridge over White Lake, it would come true.

But perhaps Shiliu was just born unlucky. On this rare, hard-won outing, it had to rain.

Shiliu stood by the lakeside, using her hands to create a small shelter over her head against the rain, gazing foolishly at the sky.

Why did it have to rain?

She sighed quietly to herself, then stole a glance at Li Xuanci, wondering how he would mock her this time.

But Li Xuanci, looking at the misty, vast lake, didn’t taunt her. His eyes were even more serene than the water’s surface.

He turned to look at Shiliu. A fine mist of rain had settled on her hair, glistening like sand under moonlight. Along her thick locks, droplets gathered into plump beads, hovering precariously as if about to drip onto her smooth forehead.

It made his fingers itch—to brush away that drop of water and gaze properly into those eyes, more innocent and clear than dew born of heaven and earth.

Li Xuanci’s fingers twitched behind his back, but he ultimately averted his gaze and said only, “Weren’t you going to the bridge? Why are you standing there dumbstruck?”

Shiliu was taken aback, stammering, “Aren’t… aren’t we going back?” She had thought this King of Hell would be furious.

Li Xuanci ignored her, turning to walk ahead first, leaving behind a faint remark.

“Don’t expect this again.”

Shiliu stood still for a moment, then her eyes curved into smiles, sweeter than spring peaches.

She then pressed down the corners of her uncontrollably rising lips with two chubby fingers, assuming a serious expression as she hurried after him.

The sky was hazy, the fine drizzle clinging to them, stinging their eyes until they could barely keep them open. Yet, White Lake seemed gentle in such weather, its ripples confined to the center, layer upon layer pushing and surging like a mother’s murmurs before sleep.

Li Xuanci walked ahead with his back to her, followed by a slightly breathless Shiliu, and then the steadfast Jin Zhan. The three of them made their way onto the bridge, one after another.

Li Xuanci walked swiftly, and Shiliu struggled to keep up. The rain had started unexpectedly, so the lake was still crowded with visitors.

Through the bustling crowd, Shiliu could only catch glimpses of that elegant figure walking ahead. The red cord tying his black hair stood out vividly and captivatingly against the misty rain.

Unable to help herself, Shiliu quickened her pace, weaving through one pedestrian after another, chasing after that figure.

But obscured by so many umbrellas and people, that flash of red flickered in and out of sight, growing fainter. Shiliu walked even faster, though she didn’t quite know what she was pursuing.

She just felt that only by seeing that touch of red could she be at ease.

Under the layers of oil-paper umbrellas, someone suddenly bumped into her. Shiliu nearly tumbled down the steps.

But a hand steadied her, accompanied by a subtle, elegant fragrance.

Shiliu looked up and froze.

What a beautiful woman.