I fulfilled the female supporting role's wish and I succeeded

In the back mountain, towering ancient trees block out the sun, and sunlight filters through dense branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows. A winding path, looming in the forest, leads to a secluded place.

Qiao Wanwan stood quietly at the end of the path. She was dressed in white clothes as white as snow and spotless, as if she had merged into one with the mountains and forests.

Her figure is upright, like a plum blossom that stands proudly in the snow, swaying gently in the wind. Her eyes are as calm as water, yet as deep as the sea, making it impossible to see through her heart.

There was a slight sound of footsteps behind her. Qiao Wanwan did not look back. She knew that Shi Shui and Xiao Zijin were chasing her.

"Sister Qiao!" Shi Shui's voice trembled. She quickly stepped forward and hugged Qiao Wanwan. "You're finally back. Where have you been all these years? Why didn't you contact me? Do you know how much I missed you?"

Qiao Wanwan gently patted Shi Shui's back, a hint of tenderness in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Shi Shui, I made you worry. I've been wandering around these years, going through a lot and encountering a lot of dangers, so I haven't been in touch with you guys."

Shi Shui raised his head and looked at Qiao Wanwan with tears in his eyes. "Sister Qiao, you have suffered. You don't know that we have been looking for you all these years. We are almost dying of worry."

"I'm fine. Look, I'm fine now, aren't I?" Qiao Wanwan smiled and comforted.

"Sister Qiao, now that you're back this time, are you going to leave again?" Shi Shui hugged Qiao Wanwan tightly, fearing that she would disappear again.

Hearing Shi Shui's words, Xiao Zijin, who was standing aside, brightened up his eyes. He stared at Qiao Wanwan closely, his eyes full of anticipation.

Qiao Wanwan was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I have something very important to do, so I won't be returning to Baichuan Courtyard for the time being."

Xiao Zijin's eyes dimmed instantly. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say it.

"Awan, if you have any problems, we can all help you. Don't suffer so much outside alone." Xiao Zijin said softly, with a hint of pleading and heartache in his voice.

Qiao Wanwan looked at Xiao Zijin. She knew Xiao Zijin's feelings for her, but she already had Li Xiangyi, so she wouldn't give anyone else hope. Her eyes were full of determination and resoluteness, which made Xiao Zijin's heart ache.

"Xiao Zijin, what's your intention in organizing this sword competition and luring me out?" Qiao Wanwan's voice suddenly became cold, with a hint of alienation and questioning in her tone.

Xiao Zijin smiled bitterly, "Awan, I've been looking for you for ten years, but I haven't seen you in ten years, so I resorted to this desperate measure. I hope you don't blame us."

"Ten years..." Qiao Wanwan muttered to herself, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, "How have you been these past ten years?"

"We are all fine, but..." Shi Shui hesitated to speak.

"Just what?" Qiao Wanwan asked.

"It's just that we all miss you very much." Xiao Zijin said, "Awan, come back, Baichuanyuan will always be your home."

Qiao Wanwan shook her head. "I have more important things to do. I'll come back when I'm done."

"What?" Shi Shui asked, "Sister Qiao, what are you doing? Why can't you tell us?"

Qiao Wanwan fell silent. She couldn't tell them that she and Li Xiangyi had been together for the past ten years, searching for a way to remove the poison from Bicha and for clues to Shan Gudao's remains. She couldn't let them know that Li Xiangyi was still alive.

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you." Qiao Wanwan said, "But please believe me, everything I did was for him."

"Him?" Shi Shui and Xiao Zijin looked at each other. They both knew that the "he" Qiao Wanwan was referring to must be Li Xiangyi.

"Awan, you... have you been doing this for him for the past ten years?" Xiao Zijin's voice trembled a little. He vaguely guessed something, but didn't dare to believe it.

Qiao Wanwan did not answer directly, but nodded gently, her eyes full of determination and persistence.

Xiao Zijin's heart sank. He had always assumed that Qiao Wanwan's absence for the past decade was to escape the pain of Sigumen's demise and to seek a new life. He had never imagined that she hadn't let go of Li Xiangyi, and might even be... searching for something.

"Awan, tell me, what are you doing?" Xiao Zijin's voice was filled with urgency and pleading. "Do you know how worried we have been about you for the past ten years? We searched everywhere we could, but there was no news of you. It's like you've disappeared from the face of the earth. Do you know how scared we are?"

"I'm sorry, Zijin, Shishui, I know you're worried about me, but I really can't tell you." Qiao Wanwan's eyes flashed with guilt, but then it was replaced by determination. "I can only tell you that everything I did was for him, and for myself."

"For him? For yourself?" Shi Shui muttered to herself. Suddenly, she thought of something and exclaimed, "Sister Qiao, you can't be... you can't be still thinking that Li Xiangyi is not dead?"

Qiao Wanwan's body trembled slightly. She didn't say anything, but her silence said it all.

"Awan, wake up!" Xiao Zijin's voice suddenly rose, with a hint of pain and helplessness, "Li Xiangyi is dead, he died ten years ago! He was seriously injured in the battle of the East China Sea and was poisoned by the green tea. How could he still be alive? Don't deceive yourself anymore!"

"Awan..." Xiao Zijin wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Qiao Wanwan.

"Zi Jin, Shi Shui, I know you are all doing this for my own good, but I have made up my mind. You don't need to persuade me anymore." Qiao Wanwan's tone returned to calm, but her eyes were firmer than ever.

"Thank you, Xiao Zijin." Qiao Wanwan said, "You will always be my good friend."

"Sister Qiao, you must take care of yourself." Shi Shui said, "If you need anything, please let us know."

"I will." Qiao Wanwan said, "You guys take care of yourselves too."

After saying this, Qiao Wanwan turned and left, her figure quickly disappearing into the mountains and forests.

Shi Shui and Xiao Zijin stood there, not speaking for a long time.

"Senior Brother Xiao, let's go back." Shi Shui said.

"Okay." Xiao Zijin nodded.

The two turned around and walked down the mountain along the way they had come. Their backs, in the afterglow of the setting sun, looked particularly lonely and desolate.

At the same time, Li Xiangyi, Fang Duobing, and Li Lianhua also came to the back mountain. They saw Qiao Wanwan's departing figure from a distance, but did not chase after her.

"Li Lianhua, where do you think Ms. Qiao is going?" Fang Duobing asked.

"I don't know either." Li Xiangyi shook his head, "But I believe her. She must have her own reasons."

"But, will she be in danger being outside alone?" Fang Duobing was still worried.

"Don't worry, you're not unaware of Miss Qiao's martial arts skills," Li Xiangyi said. "Besides, she has the Shaoshi Sword in her hand. Ordinary people are no match for her."

"That's true." Fang Duobing nodded, "Then what should we do now?"

"Let's go back to Baichuan Courtyard first." Li Xiangyi said, "Once Lady Qiao finishes her business, she will naturally come back."

"Okay." Fang Duobing agreed.