Time travel, quick transmigration

How could there be such a beautiful and gentle person in the world? Looking at Xiao Huanling's picturesque eyebrows and eyes, his exquisite and handsome features, and his noble demeanor, Shi Yan truly felt that no one in Chang'an City could match even half of his appearance.

"In our world, in that distant Tang Dynasty, if there was such an outstanding figure as Xiao Huanling, why is there no record of him at all?"

"Or is it that Xiao Huanling only exists in this Tang Dynasty in a parallel universe? This is the subtle difference between the real world and the history of parallel universes."

Shi Yan couldn't help but ponder, and for a moment she was lost in thought as she looked at Xiao Huanling.

Xiao Huanling felt Shi Yan's gaze and realized that the person he liked was looking at him intently. He couldn't help but feel a surge of joy, but also a little embarrassed. He dared not move or make a sound, afraid that he would break the beautiful and quiet atmosphere if he made a sound.

"Ah Ling, it's so good to know you."

Shi Yan said sincerely.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huanling looked up at Shi Yan, whose eyes were smiling, and his heart was instantly filled with warmth and tenderness.

"Me too, meeting you is the greatest blessing in my life."

Shi Yan was almost mesmerized by Xiao Huanling's captivating eyes.

"Ah Ling, never look at a woman with such deep affection in the future, otherwise she will definitely find it hard to resist and will fall for you, do you understand? Especially since you have such a captivating face."

As Shi Yan spoke, she even patted her chest in a seemingly serious manner.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Huanling blushed instantly and said in a muffled voice.

"You must be joking."

"I'm nothing like what you're saying... I..."

For the first time, Xiao Huanling was secretly annoyed at himself for being so inarticulate and clumsy in front of the person he liked, unable to find any words to refute her.

He even felt that he should have relayed Shi Yan's words to her. If Shi Yan hadn't been so gentle with him, hadn't smiled at him so captivatingly, and hadn't gotten so close to him, he wouldn't have fallen so deeply and become so unable to extricate himself. But he knew he couldn't bear to tell Shi Yan to leave him. If one day the woman before him no longer looked at him, no longer smiled at him, no longer called him A-Ling, he would definitely no longer be happy, and his life would become bleak and colorless.

Even just imagining it makes him feel uneasy.

"Ah Ling, are you angry with me? But I'm telling the truth."

Xiao Huanling remained silent for a long time, sitting there with his eyes downcast. Shi Yan thought she had offended him, so she tentatively asked him a question.

Xiao Huanling sensed the cautious probing in Shi Yan's tone and inexplicably felt annoyed at himself for not knowing how to get along with the person he liked.

"I'm not angry, I'm just thinking about things."

"How do you plan to spend New Year's Day this year?"

Shi Yan's attention was successfully diverted by him, and she thought for a moment before replying.

"I spent the New Year with Xiaodie in the temple. We spent New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in the same way last year."

"But now that you're back, why don't you celebrate the New Year with us at Dongling Temple? Just the three of us. I'll cook the reunion dinner. You can buy some New Year's food, couplets, and lanterns. Oh, and bring some fireworks too. We can set off some fireworks to celebrate and make it more festive, how about that?"

"Of course, if you can't get away and want to spend it at home with your family, that's fine too. You can come after the New Year's Day and then I'll give you extra lucky money."

Shi Yan's voice was soft and delicate, and her appearance and expression were charming. She spoke slowly and deliberately, and her eyes were smiling and tender as water. When Xiao Huanling saw her vivid eyes and the longing in them, he felt his heart melt into a pool of spring water, and ripples spread that could not be calmed.

Despite his unpopularity, the Xiao family had strict rules, and he was required to attend the family banquets on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Otherwise, his father, Xiao Song, would consider him unruly and would not only scold him but also possibly subject him to family discipline. However, that family was cold and devoid of any human warmth to him. He was too busy trying to escape it to be willing to give up the opportunity to celebrate the festival and stay up all night with Shi Yan for the sake of the Xiao family.

"Okay, let's celebrate together on New Year's Day. I'll bring all the necessary supplies with me then."

To reassure Shi Yan, Xiao Huanling added a few words in a relaxed tone.

"The Xiao family always prepares for the New Year's Eve dinner early. There are many people in the mansion. I will go out after I finish the New Year's Eve dinner. I should have enough time. Anyway, no one will notice whether I am here or not."

Xiao Huanling hadn't expected that his words would not only fail to reassure Shi Yan, but would instead make her feel sorry for him.

Xiao Huanling's nonchalant attitude and relaxed tone when talking about how he was not valued in the Xiao family made Shi Yan feel a pang of sadness.

"Okay, it's settled then. On New Year's Day, Xiaodie and I will start preparing the reunion dinner after you arrive. You can tell me in advance if there's anything you'd like to eat, and I'll cook it for you. I don't cook often, so you should make the most of this opportunity."

Xiao Huanling lowered his eyes and smiled before looking up at her again.

"In that case, I will naturally seize the opportunity."

"I just don't know if there's anything you want. Since you've gone to so much trouble to cook for me, I should reciprocate, shouldn't I?"

Shi Yan glanced at him, then looked down at the things Xiao Huanling had brought her.

"I already have these. Aren't these the gifts you gave me? I'll cook for you as a return gift."

Xiao Huanling was taken aback.

"also may."

At this point, Shi Yan also became hungry, so she reached out and took the oil paper package that Xiao Huanling had placed not far in front of her. The package was folded together and wrapped very tightly.

Seeing this, Xiao Huanling took the first step, untied the rope, and spread out the three portions of pastries and one portion of fruit.

"Which one would you like to eat first? I'll hand it to you."

Shi Yan glanced at the three kinds of pastries and saw that they were the same ones Xiao Huanling had bought for her last time, then pointed to the lotus flower pastry.

Xiao Huanling then handed the lotus-shaped pastry to Shi Yan.

Shi Yan took one of them.

"Ah Ling, you eat too."

"Delicious food tastes even better when shared with your best friends."

Xiao Huanling didn't quite understand Shi Yan's way of thinking, but he listened to her and picked up a piece, taking a bite. It was soft and fluffy, and the taste was surprisingly good. He couldn't help but eat the whole piece of pastry, even though he didn't usually like sweets.

Seeing that Xiao Huanling's brows and eyes were relaxed and he was obviously satisfied, Shi Yan smiled and reached out to take a piece of mung bean cake and handed it to him.

"I wasn't lying to you, was I? Try this one too, it tastes pretty good too."

Xiao Huanling paused for a moment, then reached out and pinched it between his fingertips. He didn't taste it immediately but quietly watched Shi Yan, who was enjoying the snack with great relish, looking to him like a child who had received something she loved.

He had never believed before that someone in this world could be so easily satisfied, so easily happy over such simple things, but now he had met her. At this moment, he only wished to be the one who forever protected her smile and brought her joy and carefree happiness.

The pastry was sweet, and at that moment, his heart was also sweet.