Chapter 62: Inappropriate Thoughts

While Ji Rong was mentally grumbling, a soft knock came from outside the door. The woman responded evenly, “Come in.”

With her permission, the door creaked open.

A hand gently closed it behind them. A figure in purple turned around, smiled, and greeted, “Greetings, Senior Sister.”

The woman nodded, then casually picked up a wine cup from the table and took a small sip. She said politely, “The sword technique you used this morning, very impressive.”

Gu Baiyi looked surprised, as if she hadn’t expected any praise from Ji Rong.

She paused, then her eyes crinkled in a smile. “It was just something I was messing around with. You flatter me.”

“You created it yourself?”

The woman didn’t even glance up as she took another sip from her cup.

“Yes.”

The woman frowned slightly, and Gu Baiyi’s heart skipped a beat at that tiny change in expression.

Ji Rong watched the heroine practically wear the word nervous on her face, while the original host was thinking:

I think I’m supposed to compliment her now. But I’ve never complimented anyone before.

How do you even do that?

I don’t know how.

So, after a long pause, the woman gave a lazy nod and said stiffly, “Mm. Not bad. Better than me.”

Ji Rong: ?

That’s it???

Look at your tone, your expression, how does any of this look like a compliment?

In fact, it didn’t sound like praise at all. Her half-lidded eyes and the cool aura around her made it feel more like: Heh. Don’t get cocky. You’re only slightly better than me, that’s all.

But to Gu Baiyi, Ji Rong’s words were already much softer than usual. At least she wasn’t being cold or sarcastic for once.

So she smiled and offered, “If Senior Sister is interested, I could perform the sword dance for you. Would you like that?”

“Mm.”

The woman was secretly pleased, but on the surface, she maintained her usual calm demeanor and gave a nonchalant nod.

And so, the two of them walked out into the courtyard together.

It was mid-winter, a season when most things should have withered. But Bixue Peak was rich in spiritual energy; the flowers and grass breathed it in and out, allowing all seasons to coexist.

Even the thousand-petaled cinnabar plum blossoms, which normally bloomed in February, were in full glory.

As cold plum blossoms flourished in the courtyard, the woman leaned beneath the eaves, wine cup in hand, quietly watching Gu Baiyi’s sword dance.

She had never thought the plum blossoms in her courtyard were anything special. But now, with that figure in purple dancing beneath the trees, even those sparse flowers seemed more beautiful.

Gu Baiyi’s sword intent was fierce and defined, yet her movements were gentle—like drifting petals, like falling snow.

Each stroke of the sword was precise, and not a single plum branch was harmed.

The woman thought, Junior Sister is very gentle.

No… she’s especially gentle.

I really like gentle people.

Watching Gu Baiyi sheath her sword, the woman realized she was drunk. Her vision was hazy, and her heartbeat had sped up.

She was puzzled. Why had she felt such warmth and familiarity the very first time she saw Gu Baiyi?

And why was her heart racing like this now?

Ji Rong: “……”

Gee, I wonder why. Obviously, you’re attracted to her.

Clearly, the original host couldn’t hold her liquor. She had only had a few cups, and already she was tipsy.

With her wine cup in hand, she slowly walked over to Gu Baiyi. The moon was mostly hidden behind thick clouds, and no lanterns had been lit in the courtyard, so the flush on her cheeks was barely visible.

Gu Baiyi turned around, surprised to find Ji Rong standing so close.

She smiled gently and said, “Senior Sister, you’re here.”

At that moment, the woman frowned slightly, feeling as if a veil had fallen over her eyes. Otherwise, how could she see silver stars sinking into the depths of Gu Baiyi’s gaze?

The clouds suddenly parted, moonlight spilling across the courtyard like water.

And then she saw clearly, what reflected in Gu Baiyi’s eyes weren’t stars at all.

It was her.

Looking into Gu Baiyi’s eyes, the woman was certain now, she was drunk. Thoroughly, completely drunk.

She set her wine cup aside, reached out, cupped the other’s chin, and kissed her.

So fragrant.

Junior Sister smelled like plum blossoms.

On the other side, Gu Baiyi stared blankly at Ji Rong’s face, now mere inches away, completely frozen in place.

The woman didn’t seem to care about her reaction. She simply pried open her lips, tasting the softness of her mouth.

The wine on her tongue was passed into Gu Baiyi’s mouth. When she noticed there was no resistance, her movements grew bolder, deepening the kiss.

The night wind was tender and lingering, carrying their hearts into intoxication.

Emboldened by the wine, the woman pulled Gu Baiyi into her arms. Her fingers traced along her back, gliding over her shoulder blades and moving down to untie her sash.

But just then, she paused, her fingers freezing mid-motion.

She had sensed a slight stiffness in Gu Baiyi’s body.

Her eyes were hazy with intoxication.

She felt unwilling. Hurt, even.

But her face gave nothing away. She simply looked at Gu Baiyi calmly.

Her Junior Sister’s expression was conflicted, her body tense, clearly not ready for this.

Though disappointed, the woman stepped back and, with forced nonchalance, asked, “What is it? You don’t have any improper thoughts about me?”

Author's Note:

Ji: QAQ I almost got to be the top!

Just a tiny bit more...