【Extra Chapter · Ancient IF Timeline】
The Bright Moon of Bygone Years (15)
Since their hearts were linked in perfect harmony1, Fu Lianxue felt even more at ease and justified2 lying beside Ye Zhaoqiu.
They lay on their sides, face to face, eye to eye.
A sweet smile lingered in their eyes, refusing to leave.
After a moment, Fu Lianxue reached out a finger, letting it rest on Ye Zhaoqiu’s lips, caressing them gently.
Ye Zhaoqiu didn’t like Bai Shutong; Ye Zhaoqiu liked her.
This was wonderful. Ye Zhaoqiu only liked her.
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but curve her eyes, happily drawing closer to her and saying, “So, can I kiss you now?”
Ye Zhaoqiu was slightly startled, then let out a very soft “Mm.”
In the candlelight, the tips of her ears charmingly flushed red.
Fu Lianxue proactively moved towards her.
Their lips touched, soft and delicate.
This was the first time they had kissed each other with love, and their state of mind was completely different.
It was marvelous, like touching the most beautiful thing in the world, unconsciously yearning for it, hoping for more.
The innocent kiss proceeded amidst overflowing anticipation.
At first, it was light kisses on the lips and corners of the mouth, then it became like holding and nibbling, intimately close.
Unintentionally, they crossed the boundary of lips and teeth.
A light touch, and the hidden love suddenly trembled. They subconsciously opened their eyes to see the other’s reaction.
Their gazes flowed, eyes hazy; it was fondness, not aversion. No one was there to spoil the mood3 at this moment.
Fu Lianxue’s hand unconsciously caressed Ye Zhaoqiu’s cheek.
It brushed past her cheek, gently sinking into her dark hair. Her body unknowingly drew even closer.
“Zhaoqiu…” she called her name softly.
“I’m here.” She didn’t hide, her eyes continuously gazing at her, loving her.
Her gaze greatly encouraged her, making her even bolder as she met her lips, pulling her into an even deeper, sweeter vortex.
Outside, wind and rain raged, the sound of the downpour tumultuous.
Inside, a tender atmosphere arose, with sweet and intimate sounds.
Breaking free from restraints, they courageously embraced desire and anticipation; at this moment, there was only joy.
In their tender years, a single kiss could make the young women feel completely content.
Fu Lianxue happily hugged Ye Zhaoqiu, boldly burying her face in the crook of her neck.
Ye Zhaoqiu, in turn, hugged her, her fingertips gently stroking her hair.
Fu Lianxue said, “You kissed me, so you can’t kiss anyone else in the future, okay?”
Ye Zhaoqiu found it a little amusing. She only liked her, so how could she kiss anyone else? “That’s natural.”
Fu Lianxue asked again, “So, are you happy?”
Ye Zhaoqiu lowered her gaze to look at her. “What are you referring to?”
Fu Lianxue said, “Kissing me, and… the fact that I like you too.”
Hearing this, Ye Zhaoqiu’s eyes and brows gently curved; she was finally no longer a piece of wood, calm and undisturbed.
“Happy.”
To be able to connect so deeply with the one she loved was the best thing that had happened to her this year.
Fu Lianxue playfully kissed her chin, then the next second, she suddenly grew worried. “Will you tell your Master?”
Ye Zhaoqiu had always been honest with her Master and Senior Sister.
This matter concerned cultivating the Dao; she might not keep it a secret.
“If your Master doesn’t agree to us being together, what will you do? Will you give up on me?”
She saw Ye Zhaoqiu quickly shake her head, as if she had already thought about this problem long ago.
“People are born with the seven emotions and six desires. If emotions and desires hinder one’s cultivation of the Dao, then why does the concept of a ‘Dao Companion’ exist? Why would Elder Chuyang seek a Dao Companion?”
“If cultivating the Dao requires abandoning love and desire, why then are there specific paths like the ‘Path of Heartlessness4‘ or the ‘Path of Forgetting Emotions5‘ for people to choose?”
“I’ve already thought it through. There are myriad Dao methods; there will always be a path suitable for those with feelings. So, I don’t need to avoid my seven emotions and six desires.”
Liao Yueting’s words had given her much inspiration.
Since everyone said she was intelligent, how could an intelligent person hit a dead end on a single path?
Since she was intelligent, even if she switched to another path, as long as she cultivated diligently, there would surely be rewards.
Fu Lianxue too.
As long as she cultivated properly, she would definitely become stronger in the future, even stronger.
Seeing Ye Zhaoqiu’s clear thoughts, Fu Lianxue felt relieved. “It’s good that you already know what you should do.”
Ye Zhaoqiu looked at her and asked, “Then what if I hope you can cultivate the Dao with me?”
Fu Lianxue blinked.
Ye Zhaoqiu said, “Cultivate together, progress together, become strong together.”
Become strong?
Fu Lianxue agreed without hesitation, “Okay!”
If it were someone else, she might not have agreed, but this was Ye Zhaoqiu.
She was willing to dual cultivate with her, willing to strive and progress together with her.
Thinking of dual cultivation, the smile on Fu Lianxue’s face instantly became very mischievous. “Your human dual cultivation, is there a kind that…”
She paused here, deliberately got up, leaned close to Ye Zhaoqiu’s ear, and whispered to complete her sentence.
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhaoqiu’s face instantly flushed crimson. “I don’t know! Stop talking and go to sleep!”
Fu Lianxue immediately burst into wild laughter.
She absolutely loved seeing her like this; it was extremely cute!
Unable to resist, she hugged her and gave her another round of fervent kisses.
Etiquette and refinement? They didn’t exist for her, a Meiyao. Tonight, she was going to kiss Ye Zhaoqiu to her heart’s content!
They left.
Leaving Yunshui Town, they returned to the Taxian Sect.
Before going to see Ye Zhaoqiu’s Master, Elder Tianxuan, Fu Lianxue, with a “swoosh,” hid herself in Ye Zhaoqiu’s sleeve again.
It was very convenient for her to eavesdrop from there.
This was about her; how could she not be present?
Ye Zhaoqiu could do nothing about her beloved, so she went to see her Master just like that.
Ji Hanyan was also there.
Coincidentally, she could tell her Senior Sister about the events in Yunshui Town at the same time.
Clouds drifted and unfurled. The master and his two disciples sat drinking tea in the courtyard, discussing the recent training expedition. Accompanied by a gentle breeze and fallen blossoms covering the ground, it was utterly relaxing.
After Ji Hanyan finished listening, she was somewhat surprised and also found it a pity. “That Zhu Lingxiao was a very capable person. I didn’t expect him to go astray and commit such a grave mistake. It truly shouldn’t have happened. And those innocent victims are pitiful…”
Elder Tianxuan picked up his teacup, took a shallow sip, and shook his head.
He then looked at his young disciple, who was sitting upright and still, and nodded in gratification. “Zhaoqiu has once again punished evil and performed good deeds this time. A great merit. Well done.”
Ye Zhaoqiu cupped her hands6. “Thank you for your praise, Master.”
Then she lowered her arms, her hands clasped and gently twisting together.
Elder Tianxuan glanced at her hands and smiled, calm and unperturbed. “Does our Zhaoqiu still have something she hasn’t told Master?”
The opening to speak had been presented to her.
Ye Zhaoqiu no longer hesitated and nodded generously. “There is one matter I wish to discuss with Master.”
“Do I need to step aside?” Ji Hanyan asked upon hearing this.
Ye Zhaoqiu shook her head. “No need, Senior Sister, you can stay.”
This was good news for her.
Since it was good news, it could be shared with those close to her. Ji Hanyan was like an elder sister to her; she wanted her to know.
Elder Tianxuan beckoned with his hand, signaling Ji Hanyan to sit down.
The two of them listened to Ye Zhaoqiu speak together.
“Master, regarding the matter in Yunshui Town, it wasn’t just me who helped. There was also my… a friend of mine.”
“Oh?”
“She is generous and kind. Seeing that Young Master Liao was pitiful, she used her own abilities to help his soul return to his body and come back to the human world.”
“Is that so? Then this friend of yours is…?”
“—A yaoguai.”
Elder Tianxuan’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
Ji Hanyan turned to look at Ye Zhaoqiu, her expression also becoming much more serious—she knew who her Junior Sister7 was talking about, but she hadn’t expected her Junior Sister to say it directly to their Master.
Fu Lianxue, hidden in Ye Zhaoqiu’s sleeve, couldn’t help but become nervous.
In terms of ability, the two of them combined were clearly no match for Elder Tianxuan.
Even adding Ji Hanyan wouldn’t be enough.
So, if Elder Tianxuan wanted to drive her away and force them apart… they really couldn’t win a fight.
Just then, Elder Tianxuan’s voice came, carrying a hint of sudden realization. “Ah, I know. It’s that little Meiyao, right? The one you brought up the mountain.”
Fu Lianxue: “?”
Ye Zhaoqiu: “?”
Ji Hanyan: “?”
Ji Hanyan: “Master, you knew?”
Elder Tianxuan picked up his teacup with a calm expression, a hint of smugness in his face. “If I didn’t have some ability, how could I be your Master?”
Surprise showed in Ye Zhaoqiu’s eyes. “Since you knew, why have you… not reacted at all?”
Elder Tianxuan said, “I did react.”
Ye Zhaoqiu: “?”
Elder Tianxuan: “I just didn’t show it outwardly.”
Ye Zhaoqiu: “…”
Elder Tianxuan slowly picked up a piece of lotus flower pastry that his disciple had brought back, his tone also leisurely. “At first, I was worried that little yao might harm you, but I soon realized I was overthinking it.”
“You two are just like little children; you wouldn’t cause any major trouble.”
“Besides, what if this was a test from the heavens for you? Since it’s a test, it wasn’t convenient for me, your Master, to interfere. When the time came and my intervention was needed, it wouldn’t be too late for me to speak.”
“In their cultivation world, karmic opportunities and tests were not rare occurrences.”
He was a Master who had seen the world; he wouldn’t make a fuss over nothing8.
Ye Zhaoqiu looked at her Master’s kind face, and after a moment of silence, she spoke, “Master, what if… this disciple9 didn’t pass this test?”
Elder Tianxuan and Ji Hanyan both looked at her.
They saw her expression suddenly become firm, her gaze burning.
“Master, this disciple likes her.”
“Although she is not human, she is kind-hearted and lovely, a good yao, worthy of being understood and liked by others.”
“This disciple understands her and likes her, so I want to be with her, to cultivate with her, just like Elder Chuyang and Elder Yumeng, accompanying each other, cultivating together, never abandoning one another.”
What others could do, they could definitely do too.
Ye Zhaoqiu lowered her head, her voice very serious.
“I hope Master will grant us his blessing.”
As her voice fell, the surroundings became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Even Fu Lianxue couldn’t help but hold her breath, simultaneously starting to consider if she should come out and fight for it together with Ye Zhaoqiu.
Liking someone wasn’t Ye Zhaoqiu’s affair alone.
Since they wanted to walk this path together for a long, long time, they had to learn to stand shoulder to shoulder, working together to overcome every obstacle.
For example, the one right before them: Elder Tianxuan’s approval.
I should go out.
Fu Lianxue thought to herself.
But just as she was about to move, Elder Tianxuan’s voice suddenly came from outside:
“There’s nothing wrong with it.”
Ye Zhaoqiu looked up in pleasant surprise.
Elder Tianxuan still had that calm demeanor. “You’re not a three-year-old child anymore. Since you already understand her character and know what you want, I, your Master, will naturally not obstruct you.”
“Besides, it’s just forming a Dao Companionship with a yao. It’s not that rare.”
Since his disciple didn’t pass this test, then so be it.
It wasn’t a big deal.
If she passed, she’d continue cultivating; if she didn’t pass, she’d also continue cultivating. A small problem.
Moreover, there was an example of someone forming a Dao Companionship with a yao right beside him.
Right here in their Taxian Sect.
The Elders and the Sect Master all knew; it was just that the disciples didn’t, nor was there any need for them to know.
Elder Tianxuan put down the lotus flower pastry in his hand, his expression serious. “I only have one requirement: do not let the other disciples know her identity.”
Hearing this, Ye Zhaoqiu’s eyes lit up, and a rare, brilliant smile appeared on her face. “Thank you, Master!”
Seeing this, Elder Tianxuan couldn’t help but reach out lovingly, sighing as he patted the top of her head.
Still a child in her teens, after all; easily pleased.
He then looked at her sleeve and said, “Come on out. Don’t hide in the sleeve; it must be stuffy.”
Ye Zhaoqiu and Fu Lianxue were both startled.
The next moment, Fu Lianxue flew out of Ye Zhaoqiu’s sleeve and sat obediently beside her, quietly clutching her sleeve.
In front of Elder Tianxuan, the little Meiyao was quite restrained.
Elder Tianxuan looked her up and down, then his eyes curved into a smile as he praised, “You look very clever.”
Fu Lianxue was delighted. She turned her head to Ye Zhaoqiu and said, “Your Master praised me for looking clever, eh!”
Hearing this, Elder Tianxuan smiled even more happily. Cupping his cheek, he suddenly asked, “Eh, little Meiyao, do you want a Master?”
Fu Lianxue’s eyes widened instantly.
Ye Zhaoqiu was also surprised and overjoyed.
“Since you two are going to cultivate together, you can both be considered my disciples. It’s no trouble for me to teach you both. You look like you have a good root of wisdom10, and I happen to have never taken a yao disciple before.”
Elder Tianxuan pushed the lotus flower pastry towards Fu Lianxue.
“If you’re willing, eat a piece. Once you eat it, our11 master-disciple relationship will be established.”
Ji Hanyan thoughtfully poured her a cup of tea and placed it by her hand.
Fu Lianxue turned to look at Ye Zhaoqiu, her eyes full of pleasant surprise.
To be accepted was already beyond her expectations; she never imagined she could also be taken as a disciple.
If she could receive guidance from an expert, what reason would she have to be unwilling!
Fu Lianxue immediately picked up the lotus flower pastry, took a bite, then drank the tea poured by her Senior Sister, and happily called out, “Master!”
“Aye12!” Elder Tianxuan also responded heartily.
Fu Lianxue’s eyes immediately curved into a smile.
From now on, she could walk around the Taxian Sect openly and honorably13, just like Ye Zhaoqiu!
That night, a gentle breeze blew, and the moonlight was full and bright.
Fu Lianxue and Ye Zhaoqiu sat on the swing in the courtyard, leaning against each other, swaying slowly, watching the moon.
An undisturbed beauty.
Fu Lianxue looked at the bright white moon, at the clouds, still feeling a bit dazed.
“Wow…” she couldn’t help but exclaim, “I actually became Elder Tianxuan’s disciple, became your Junior Sister, and can even live with you openly and honorably! Wow, I really can’t believe it…”
If this had been yesterday, she wouldn’t have even dared to dream of it.
Ye Zhaoqiu looked at her expression, finding it both cute and amusing. She held her hand and said, “Because you are very good, so Old Man Heaven is also willing to be good to you.”
Fu Lianxue asked, “Really?”
Ye Zhaoqiu nodded firmly. “Mm, really.”
Fu Lianxue changed the subject. “Then for tomorrow’s disciple morning class, can Old Man Heaven exempt me first?”
“I prefer to sleep in, you know.”
Ye Zhaoqiu lowered her eyes, unable to hold back a smile. Then she stopped the swing, stood up, and reached out her hand. “No, you must cultivate properly. We should rest now; we have to get up early tomorrow.”
Fu Lianxue raised her hand and placed it on hers, then slumped on the swing, acting coyly. “Ah, I don’t want to…”
“Be good.”
“No.”
“Only by cultivating can you become strong.”
“But I also want to sleep in!”
“You can come back and sleep after cultivating.”
“Ahhh—”
Ye Zhaoqiu watched her patiently, waiting until she finished her soul-stirringly long “Ah” before tightening her grip on her hand, signaling her to quickly return to the room with her to rest.
Fu Lianxue looked at her, then suddenly let go of her hand and spread her arms. “You carry me back.”
“I14 want you to carry me~”
Ye Zhaoqiu looked left and right, suddenly feeling embarrassed. “Lianxue, we’re outside.”
Fu Lianxue didn’t care at all. “Outside is outside. This is your courtyard, and no one will come.”
“Carry me~”
In the end, Ye Zhaoqiu compromised, bent down, and scooped her up in one go.
Fu Lianxue succeeded, hooking her arms around her neck and smiling like a cunning fox.
Then, she kissed her.
“Lianxue!”
“Ehh~ This is your territory, no one’s coming. It doesn’t matter how we kiss~”
“That’s still… not allowed.”
The rule-abiding Young Miss Ye’s face was completely red. Her voice grew softer and more bashful, her tone awkward. It was hard to tell if she really meant it wasn’t allowed, or if she was just pretending.
Seeing this, Fu Lianxue felt a surge of affection and liked her even more.
“Alright, alright, no more kissing, no more kissing. I’ll kiss you again when we’re back in the room, okay~”
She happily played the part of a useless freeloader in Ye Zhaoqiu’s arms, her arms around her neck. Thinking about tomorrow, she couldn’t help but ask, “Tomorrow I’m going to class with you. Are you looking forward to it?”
Ye Zhaoqiu carried her, walking very steadily.
Hearing her words, only after the heat on her face subsided did she gently respond with an “Mm.”
She said, “I’ve been looking forward to it since long ago.”
Their sect was very good.
The Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters, Junior Brothers, and Junior Sisters were all very good too.
The sect also had many beautiful sights, with pleasant scenery.
In the past, she would always unconsciously want to share them with her, but Fu Lianxue couldn’t participate openly and honorably, unable to experience this beautiful corner of the mortal world with her.
Fortunately, it was different now.
She had become her Junior Sister, a member of the Taxian Sect.
From now on, their figures would be together in all the beautiful memories related to the Taxian Sect.
Fu Lianxue saw anticipation and yearning in her eyes.
She seemed to see the past Ye Zhaoqiu, the Xuanmen disciple who loved without realizing it, yet still followed her heart to treat her well.
“I’m looking forward to it too,” she said, hugging her neck, her gaze gentle. “Looking forward to every day with you from now on.”
Their eyes met, and they looked at each other and smiled, returning to their room treading on the moonlight.
Since she knew her beloved’s anticipation, Fu Lianxue stopped her antics and obediently undressed for bed.
Ye Zhaoqiu hung up both their clothes and then lay down.
They faced each other, looking at one another without speaking.
After a while, Fu Lianxue couldn’t help but say, “Didn’t you say we have to get up early tomorrow? Why haven’t you closed your eyes to sleep yet?”
After speaking, she saw Ye Zhaoqiu’s brow furrow for an instant.
Silence lingered between them.
After a long while, she finally saw Ye Zhaoqiu open her mouth.
“Didn’t you say… you’d kiss me again when we were back in the room?”
She had been waiting, but Fu Lianxue hadn’t reacted, which was a bit disappointing.
Fu Lianxue paused for a moment, then her eyes lit up.
So, she had been waiting for her kiss.
She was clearly looking forward to being kissed by her!
“Really, how can there be someone as awkwardly cute as our Young Miss Ye?”
After Fu Lianxue finished speaking, she kissed her, her eyes curving into a smile.
Outside, a gentle breeze rustled by, shaking the forest leaves with a soft rustling sound.
At this moment, the bright moon was brilliant and flawless, its clear radiance stretching for ten thousand li, gentle and silent15, exceptionally beautiful in the quiet night.
Their future would also be like this, beautiful and full of promise.
The author has something:
The if-timeline is over.
Tomorrow there should be another chapter about Grandma.
Also, family, I’ve finally managed to get the synopsis for the next book out! Princesses, please take a look!
Find it in my column: 《How Do You Have This Side to You Too?》
Synopsis:
Qiu Baiyu16 transmigrated into a romance novel full of overused tropes and even got a system.
In the book, the male lead is a CEO, and the female lead is the white moonlight17 who is about to return to the country.
And she is the CEO’s wife, also known as the “white moonlight’s substitute.”
The CEO also has a seven-year-old daughter.
In the plot, the little girl is unloved by her father and her mother is absent. She is greatly neglected, thus becoming psychologically dark, and countless times she makes mischief and is disliked.
In the end, because she dislikes the “white moonlight” mother, she is sent away by her father, far from her relatives. After growing up, she becomes the vicious female side character18 in one fell swoop, ultimately meeting a miserable end.
Qiu Baiyu’s mission is to act as the evil stepmother, follow the plot, guide the little girl to turn bad, raise her ‘blackening value’19, and pave the way for her to become the vicious female side character in the future.
Qiu Baiyu looked at this silent and somewhat timid child, as if seeing her past self.
Lead her astray? Sorry, can’t do it at all.
It seems she’ll have to be rebellious this time.
As for the CEO and the white moonlight’s dog blood20 cliché plot… she doesn’t care. Stay far away from her.
Until one day, she discovered something was wrong—
She saw the elegant, gentle, and pitiful white moonlight change out of her white dress, put on a stunning red dress, and sit in a bar, a cigarette held between her long, slender fingers…
The smoke blurred the woman’s face; only her beautiful eyes and red lips were clear, beautiful with an aggressive edge.
“‘Have you ever tasted a woman? Want to try?'”
Her red dress like fire, the woman sat beside her, smiling charmingly21, whispering in her ear, her voice enticing and making one’s heart flutter.
“‘Try it with me.'”
Qiu Baiyu: …?
Wait, how do you have this side to you too???
#BlackeningValueClearancePlan!
#SheActuallySmokesAndDrinksInPrivate
#MrCEOItsBadYourWifeHasBeenSnatchedAwayByYourWhiteMoonlight!
-First draft of synopsis 2021/11/07
-Healing / Sand-sculpture22 / System / Sweet
-Title and synopsis are tentative; everything might change before the story officially starts~
-If you’re interested, please add it to your collection! Mwah23!
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