Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

His mind went blank; he could only see Lu Xueqi's face receding into the distance, the sky drawing ever closer. He closed his eyes, bracing himself for the pain of his back slamming against the ground—

yeah?

No pain.

He was caught. A pair of arms wrapped around his back, and a cool, refreshing fragrance wafted into his nose.

He opened his eyes and saw Lu Xueqi's face, so close to his. Her arms were slender but strong, supporting him steadily.

Her eyes were looking at him, and something was flashing within them, quickly, like a shooting star.

"You—" Jiang Xiaochuan only managed to utter one word.

"Lu Xueqi, let him go!" Tian Ling'er's voice exploded, tinged with barely perceptible sobs.

Lu Xueqi glanced at Tian Ling'er, then looked back at Jiang Xiaochuan. Her eyes crinkled into a smile, and then she loosened her grip on his arm.

Jiang Xiaochuan fell to the ground. He landed on his bottom with a loud thud, making him see stars.

He lay there, not reacting for a long time. His buttocks burned, and his tailbone ached.

He slowly sat up, rubbing his bottom, and looked at Lu Xueqi.

Lu Xueqi stood there, her expression innocent, as if nothing had happened.

"You!..." Tian Ling'er said.

"You're the one who made me let go," Lu Xueqi said to Tian Ling'er.

Tian Ling'er rushed over, shoved Lu Xueqi aside, and squatted down next to Jiang Xiaochuan. "Are you alright? Where did you fall? Does it hurt?"

"I'm fine..." Jiang Xiaochuan grinned.

"What do you mean 'it's nothing'!" Tian Ling'er's eyes reddened as she turned to glare at Lu Xueqi. "You did this on purpose!"

"I didn't mean to," Lu Xueqi said. "Senior Brother Jiang is too heavy, and I couldn't hold on tight."

Jiang Xiaochuan: "..." Am I too fat? I think I've been eating a lot lately.

He looked at Lu Xueqi, and Lu Xueqi looked at him. Her eyes were clean and clear, showing no trace of lying.

But Jiang Xiaochuan just felt that she did it on purpose. She could have easily held on just now.

Tian Buyi's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. Master Shuiyue's face was also not good, but she didn't speak, only looking at Lu Xueqi with a deep gaze.

"That's enough," Tian Buyi said, his voice deep. "This sparring ends here. Senior Sister Shuiyue, please leave."

Master Shuiyue nodded. "Xueqi, let's go."

Lu Xueqi glanced at Jiang Xiaochuan, then at Tian Ling'er, before turning and walking to Master Shuiyue's side. Master Shuiyue mounted her flying sword, carrying her into the air. Lu Xueqi looked down at Jiang Xiaochuan again, then turned her head away.

The flying sword transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the clouds.

Jiang Xiaochuan was sitting on the ground, rubbing his bottom. Tian Ling'er helped him up, and when he stood up, his legs were still a little weak.

"Does it still hurt?" Tian Ling'er asked, gently patting his back.

"It hurts," Jiang Xiaochuan said honestly.

Tian Ling'er glared in the direction the flying sword had disappeared. "She definitely did it on purpose! What Lu Xueqi, she's just..."

"Ling'er," Su Ru walked over and interrupted her, "say less."

Tian Ling'er shut her mouth, but her eyes were still staring at the sky.

Su Ru glanced at Jiang Xiaochuan, then at Tian Buyi, and sighed. "Go back and rest. Da Ren, help your junior brother back."

"Yes." Song Daren walked over and took Jiang Xiaochuan's other arm.

Jiang Xiaochuan was being supported by two people, limping back. He glanced back; the sky was empty, with only a few clouds. Lu Xueqi was gone.

His mind was in turmoil. Lu Xueqi… was different from the one in the book. The Lu Xueqi in the book was cold, arrogant, and taciturn. The Lu Xueqi just now could laugh, could play tricks, and could… trip him up.

He shook his head, deciding not to think about it anymore.

My butt hurts.

Xiaozhu Peak, quiet room.

Master Shuiyue sat on the futon, looking at Lu Xueqi. Lu Xueqi stood in front of her, head bowed, but back ramrod straight.

"Why?" Master Shuiyue asked.

"Why why?" Lu Xueqi asked back.

Master Shuiyue stared at her for a long time. "You know what I'm asking. Why did you specifically ask him to spar? Why did you deliberately let him hit you? Why did you trip him at the end?"

Lu Xueqi looked up. "I didn't trip him. He lost his balance on his own."

"Xueqi," Master Shuiyue's voice turned cold, "I'm not senile yet."

Lu Xueqi pursed her lips and remained silent.

Master Shuiyue sighed. "You've always been sensible, why are you like this today?"

Lu Xueqi remained silent for a moment, then said, "This disciple knows her mistake."

"Where did we go wrong?"

"I shouldn't... have made fun of my fellow disciples."

"Anything else?"

"I shouldn't put my master in a difficult position."

Master Shuiyue looked at her for a while, seemingly trying to discern something from her, but he couldn't see anything.

She waved her hand. "That's enough. Go back and reflect for three days; you are not allowed to go out."

"Yes."

Lu Xueqi bowed and left the meditation room. She closed the door, leaned against the wall, and closed her eyes.

Jiang Xiaochuan's face filled her mind. The blank look on his face when he looked at her, the panic when he hit her shoulder, the bewilderment when he fell to the ground, the grimacing when he rubbed his butt.

Her lips curved into a smile, which grew wider and wider until she finally laughed out loud. The sound was very low and soft, only she could hear it.

He remembered me, she thought.

I definitely remember it. Not just because she's Lu Xueqi, but also because of what happened today.

He would think, "Why is Lu Xueqi like this? She's not like the characters in the novels."

I'll be curious. I'll want to find out. I'll want to see her again.

That's enough.

She went back to her room, closed the door, and sat on the bed. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting square patches of light on the floor. Looking at those patches, other images flashed through her mind.

It's not from this life, it's from a previous life.

He was dressed in a bright red wedding robe and lifted her veil.

He carried their child and walked around the yard. He taught his son to practice swordsmanship, while his daughter caused trouble nearby.

He sneaked into the kitchen at night to steal some of the snacks she made, but she caught him, and he looked guilty.

Lost in thought, she lay down, hugged her pillow, and buried her face in it. The pillow was soft and smelled of sunshine. She took a deep breath, then laughed, her shoulders shaking.

This time, she absolutely wouldn't let go, not even if it meant death. She thought. This time, she had to…

She fell asleep while thinking about it. Her dreams were filled with his face.

Dazhu Peak, Jiang Xiaochuan's house.

Tian Ling'er helped Jiang Xiaochuan sit down on the edge of the bed. As soon as Jiang Xiaochuan touched the bed, he hissed and sprang up.

"Does it still hurt?" Tian Ling'er asked.

"It hurts," Jiang Xiaochuan said with a pained expression.

"Let me see," Tian Ling'er said.

"What are you looking at?"

"Look how badly you fell." Tian Ling'er reached out to pull down his pants.

Jiang Xiaochuan grabbed her hand, his face flushed red. "Senior sister! What are you doing!"

"Look!" Tian Ling'er said matter-of-factly, "What if it gets broken?"

"No need to look! It's okay!" Jiang Xiaochuan shrank further into the bed.

Tian Ling'er glared at him for a while, then suddenly asked, "Does your bottom still hurt? Do you want me to rub it for you?"

Jiang Xiaochuan: "..."

He stared at her, mouth agape, speechless. His face flushed even more, turning red all the way to his ears.

Tian Ling'er realized what she had said and blushed. But instead of backing down, she leaned forward. "What's wrong? I've rubbed your hands before when you were little."

"That was when I was a kid!" Jiang Xiaochuan stepped back, almost falling off the bed.

Tian Ling'er grabbed him. "You're still a child now. You're only eight years old."

"Eight years old..." Jiang Xiaochuan couldn't continue. He pushed Tian Ling'er away, stood up, and limped towards the door. "I'm fine now, Senior Sister, you can go back."

"Are you kicking me out?"

"No, I...I want to cultivate."

"Does your butt not hurt anymore?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore!"

"Then walk a couple of steps and let me see."

Jiang Xiaochuan gritted his teeth, endured the pain, and took two steps. His legs were still a little weak, but he could walk.

Tian Ling'er looked at him for a long time, then said, "Okay. I'm leaving then. You..." She paused, her voice lowering, "Stay away from that Lu Xueqi."

Why?

"She's bad," Tian Ling'er said.

"How did she become bad?"

"She...she deliberately threw you!"

"She didn't do it on purpose."

"She did it on purpose!" Tian Ling'er's voice rose again. "Look at her, pretending to be innocent. She's obviously not a good person!"

Jiang Xiaochuan fell silent. He didn't know if Lu Xueqi was doing it on purpose. But he just felt... she wasn't a bad person.

"Did you hear that?" Tian Ling'er asked.

"I heard you," Jiang Xiaochuan replied dismissively.

Tian Ling'er glared at him again, then turned and walked away. But as she reached the door, she turned back. "I'll bring you dinner tonight."

"Need not……"

"I said I'd give it to you, so I will!" Tian Ling'er slammed the door shut.

Jiang Xiaochuan stood in the room, listening to her footsteps fade into the distance. He sighed and slowly sat back down on the bed. The moment his bottom touched the bed, he winced in pain.

He lay face down on the bed, his face buried in the pillow. His mind was a jumbled mess. Tian Ling'er's face, Lu Xueqi's face, flashed back and forth. Tian Ling'er glared at him with red eyes, Lu Xueqi looked at him with smiling eyes. One was fierce, the other... he didn't know what she was thinking.

He wanted to calm down and cultivate. He closed his eyes and regulated his breathing. But his energy dissipated after circulating twice in his meridians.

Those images were still in his mind. Lu Xueqi reached out and said, "Can we get to know each other?" Lu Xueqi held his hand tightly. He hit Lu Xueqi on the shoulder, and she frowned. Lu Xueqi tripped him, caught him, and then let go.

He opened his eyes and looked at the roof.

How could Lu Xueqi be like this? It's not written like this in the book. She should be cold, arrogant, and quiet. But the Lu Xueqi just now… she smiled, she played tricks, and she tripped me up.

The persona has crumbled. Jiang Xiaochuan thought. Or is it that the book is the book, and reality is reality?

He rolled over and lay on his side. His butt still hurt. He rubbed it a couple of times, but it didn't help. Then he remembered that Little White was still on the back hill.

He had to go and bring it back. He propped himself up and got out of bed when he heard the window open.

He turned his head and saw Little White jump in through the window, light and silent. It walked to his feet and looked up at him.

"Little White." Jiang Xiaochuan squatted down and patted its head. "I'm sorry, I forgot you in the back mountain."

Xiao Bai rubbed against his palm.

Jiang Xiaochuan picked it up and sat down on the bed. Little White lay on his lap, eyes closed. Jiang Xiaochuan stroked its fur listlessly, his mind still on Lu Xueqi.

As he thought about it, his eyelids grew heavier and heavier. He hadn't slept well last night, and had been tossing and turning all morning. He yawned, swayed slightly, and fell back onto the bed. His hand was still resting on Xiaobai.

He fell asleep.

Xiao Bai opened its eyes. It raised its head and looked at Jiang Xiaochuan's face. He was sleeping soundly, breathing evenly, his mouth slightly open. Xiao Bai watched for a while, then moved.

Another flash of white light. The fox transformed into a human. The white-clad woman sat by the bed, looking at Jiang Xiaochuan.

She reached out and helped him take off his coat and shoes. Her movements were gentle and careful. After she finished, she picked him up, placed him on the bed, and covered him with the blanket. Then she sat down, placed her hand on his bottom, and gently massaged it.

Jiang Xiaochuan groaned in his sleep but didn't wake up.

Xiao Bai smiled, lay down, turned to her side, and wrapped her arms around him. One leg was draped over his waist. A very familiar position.

She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Outside the window, the sunlight was just right. The bamboo shadows swayed on the window paper, one after another.