Chapter 196: Consonance

Chapter 196: Heart-to-Heart

Cui Yuanyang didn’t know if she was truly just young and ignorant... The more everyone said so, including Zhao Changhe himself, the more she refused to accept it, telling herself it was real love.

People always thought this age meant youthful naivety, yet they forgot another word that fit just as well: rebellion. Hadn’t she stormed the bandit stronghold alone, then run off to see Zhao Changhe, all because of that?

When Zhao Changhe left, she thought of him every day, rejoicing at every mention of his exploits in the chronicles of chaos, boasting to everyone, “See? My Brother Zhao is amazing!”

And so, all her thoughts boiled down to just one: “I like him.”

Yet Yuanyang never knew what it meant to like someone, nor did she ever feel that urge from stories and romances—the longing to kiss someone. At most, she had a vague curiosity, wondering what it felt like... a faint desire to try.

If she thought about trying, the idea of kissing another man’s lips seemed disgusting, but if it were Brother Zhao, it didn’t seem so bad. If she had to try, it could only be with him.

Maybe that was it... Did that count as liking?

She only knew she loved being with Zhao Changhe, as if nothing else in the world could hold her attention when he was around.

She also loved curling up in his arms, like hiding in her own little blanket.

Sometimes, a doubt would flicker through Cui Yuanyang’s mind: Had everyone been right? Was it just dependence after all the storms they’d weathered, not love?

Until this moment, when he didn’t ask for her consent and simply “stamped his seal.”

A current seemed to surge straight to her brain, leaving her dizzy, with only one thought echoing in her heart: “So this is what it feels like...”

Then fragments from her “textbooks” flashed through her mind.

The books said there would be a current—true.

They said she’d feel dazed—also true.

And they said there would be a sense of being invaded, as if losing herself, at his mercy.

That, too, was true.

All these books shared one thing: if kissed by someone you like, it feels wonderful; if not, you instinctively resist.

Yuanyang understood now: I felt wonderful, and I had no urge to resist. I told you I truly like him, but you didn’t believe me. Hmph...

No matter how many thoughts swirled in the girl’s mind, the kiss was actually brief.

Her lips were soft and sweet, the kiss pleasant, but Zhao Changhe still felt a pang of guilt. He didn’t press further, just held her lips for a short while before gently pulling away.

Seeing the dazed look in her eyes, as if she had no idea what had just happened, his guilt deepened. He murmured, “Yang...”

Before he could say another word, Cui Yuanyang snapped back: “Why so fast?”

Zhao Changhe: “?”

“I was circulating my Purple Qi Clear River technique, calculating how many breaths I could hold. Brother Zhao, I’m not that weak anymore, I can manage...” She smacked her lips. “Brother Zhao, this is quite pleasant, but those girls without inner cultivation are pitiful—they only get a few seconds of pleasure before it’s gone...”

Zhao Changhe’s head tilted. His guilt vanished completely, but so did the romantic atmosphere.

Now all thoughts were gone. Helplessly amused, he hugged Cui Yuanyang like a child, resting his chin on her head. “You really are a child.”

“Hmph.”

The girl, having tasted the sweetness, wanted to try again, but being nestled in his arms felt just as nice, so she lazily let her weight fall on him, mumbling, “Calling me a child while kissing me. Brother Zhao has really turned bad—saying one thing and meaning another...”

“Fine, fine, Yuanyang is a big child.”

“At my age, many girls are already married, some even mothers. Why does everyone call me a child? What right do you have?” Cui Yuanyang started throwing a little tantrum. “Don’t you dare kiss me again!”

Great, she’d turned into a woman, faster than a magical girl transformation.

Zhao Changhe wanted to cry but had no tears.

Cui Yuanyang bit her lower lip, secretly grabbing his big hand that encircled her waist, slowly moving it upward: “You said I haven’t changed since we last met, but that’s not entirely true... I think some places have changed a little. Brother Zhao, want to measure?”

“Clatter!”

The sound of a flowerpot being kicked over came from outside the courtyard, followed by the guards’ synchronized apologies: “Ah, miss, we accidentally kicked over a flowerpot.”

“...” You kicked a flowerpot, and your report is this synchronized?

Cui Yuanyang’s face flushed to the roots of her ears. She knew the guards weren’t just there for safety—they were also there to protect her from being “devoured.” But wasn’t that kiss exactly what everyone meant by being devoured? What could be more fitting?

“Ahem.” Zhao Changhe, too, felt too embarrassed to continue “measuring” her changes. He stood up, set Cui Yuanyang down, and ruffled her hair. “We shouldn’t just talk about this when we meet. Come, let Brother Zhao see how your swordsmanship has improved?”

In truth, neither of them was in the mood to test martial skills. They stood facing each other, both seeing the awkwardness and amusement in each other’s eyes.

They stared at each other for a long moment, then burst out laughing together.

Two coughs came from outside the courtyard. Lu Ya knocked on the gate and slowly walked in.

Cui Yuanyang respected this guest elder greatly. Blushing, she bowed: “Uncle Lu.”

Lu Ya nodded with some fondness, then turned a helpless gaze to Zhao Changhe: “Young Master Zhao, after much thought, I decided to be a killjoy.”

Zhao Changhe could only clasp his hands in salute: “Please speak, senior.”

“The Cui family is not like the wilds of the jianghu. Even if you aren’t formally betrothed, according to custom, even engaged couples shouldn’t meet before marriage—like how Yu Yong and the Wang family’s daughter are doing now.” Lu Ya clicked his tongue in exasperation. “The family head is already quite liberal, allowing Yuanyang to come out this time because you haven’t seen each other in a while... But still, don’t go too far. If word gets out, it won’t look good.”

The young couple’s faces were bright red, heads bowed in silence.

They shared the same temper: if the elder had been harsh, they might have eloped on the spot. But with this gentle tone, they felt embarrassed instead and obediently listened.

“Actually, our original plan was for you to meet at the Wang family gathering. In public, with everyone invited, no one could say a word. Afterward, old friends could gather privately and chat—that would be perfectly normal. But who knew the Four Symbols Sect would cause trouble, leading to this premature encounter? Honestly, if word gets out, it won’t be good...”

Zhao Changhe said bitterly, “The great families are such a hassle, with so many rules.”

“This isn’t exactly a rule... Though you could say the great families care more about face than jianghu heroines like Yue Hongling, that’s true.” Lu Ya said leisurely, “The key point is, you haven’t met the family head’s conditions. If it’s seen as a secret affair, it’s naturally unsightly. But if you truly meet them, what do we care about those old customs of not meeting before marriage?”

Zhao Changhe paused, then clasped his hands: “Senior speaks wisely.”

Lu Ya paused too, sizing up Zhao Changhe with a wry smile: “They say Zhao Changhe is unruly, but you’re actually quite reasonable.”

“When seniors are reasonable, I am reasonable.” Zhao Changhe turned and ruffled Cui Yuanyang’s hair again. “Besides, I never want Yuanyang to be laughed at by others.”

Cui Yuanyang stamped her foot: “So in the end, you’re still leaving?”

“We’ll meet again in a couple of days.” Zhao Changhe suddenly grew serious: “Yuanyang, how about we put on a little act?”

“What act?”

“The Cui family’s official story is that I’m a toad lusting after swan meat, chased off by your father, but he remembered my service escorting you and didn’t want to seem ungrateful, so he set a three-year pact. That’s how outsiders see it. When we meet at the Wang family gathering, you can’t act the way you imagine. You have to follow this.”

Cui Yuanyang scratched her head in frustration: “That story doesn’t even say what my attitude is.”

“Grateful, but I’m still a toad. Awkward to meet, so keep your distance. You don’t need to act deliberately—you’re not a good actress, you’ll give it away. Just talk to me less, and it’ll seem about right.”

“Why do we have to do this? I don’t want to not talk to you...”

“Because I think there’ll be drama at the Wang family gathering. It’s not just an ordinary birthday banquet, nor even just the sword-testing or world-testing people guess. Something will happen. If we pretend to be distant, it might mislead others and come in handy...”

Almost at the same time, Zhuque was saying to Xia Chichi: “Alright, stop hugging your head and playing dead. This Wang family banquet—you’ll attend as the sixth on the Hidden Dragon List. Something will happen. Get involved and grasp the threads. I’ll watch and support from afar.”

Xia Chichi stole a glance at her and deliberately said, “If a little demoness like me goes in, I’ll be a target. I’ll be thrown out after a few words.”

Zhuque flicked her sleeves and left: “Stop pretending. Inside, there’s your most reliable ally. You’re laughing in your heart.”