The Smiling, Proud Wanderer: From the Moment He Picked Up Qu Feiyan

There are still two days until the sword-testing competition.

The last time Hengyang was this lively was probably decades ago, when the Hengshan Sect was choosing its successor.

At this moment, the entire city's attention is focused on the four words "a promise made with a sword".

Some mocked Shen An for overestimating his abilities and trying to stop a chariot with a mantis's arm; others admired his youthful spirit and extraordinary courage; and many more, with a "the more the merrier" mentality, looked forward to the duel that was destined to be recorded in the annals of the martial arts world five days later.

The Bai Lian Fang, at the eye of the storm, welcomed an unexpected guest amidst the tense atmosphere.

Old Zhang, the gatekeeper of Bailian Workshop, looked at the bright-eyed, white-toothed, spirited young girl in the green dress who claimed to be looking for Shen An. Recalling the scene not long ago when Master Shen brought back that timid little girl, Wang Xiaocao, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions:

Our Master Shen's taste hasn't changed; he still prefers beautiful women, and his standards are getting increasingly discerning!

So, without asking any questions, Old Zhang gave a knowing smile and respectfully let Qu Feiyan in.

Under the old tree in the courtyard, Shen An, who was holding a dossier, suddenly heard a sound like a silver bell.

"Brother An! I'm here!"

Before the words were even finished, a green figure, like the most agile bird in the forest, darted in from outside the door with a "whoosh" and landed lightly in the center of the courtyard, her skirt fluttering and bringing with it a fragrant breeze.

The person who arrived was Qu Feiyan.

After some time apart, she seemed to have grown taller, and her once somewhat childish face now had more refined features. A bright green silk dress accentuated her snow-white skin, and her every glance radiated a captivating charm, as if all the sunlight in the courtyard had been concentrated on her alone.

"Why is Feifei here?" Shen An put down the dossier in his hand, quite surprised that Qu Feiyan had come directly to Bailianfang.

Brother An? Fei Fei?

Wang Xiaocao, who was preparing tea and snacks next to Shen An, suddenly froze, as if the world in her eyes had stopped and lost its color.

"If I hadn't come, your Hundred Refinements Shop would have been gone!" Qu Feiyan jumped in front of Shen An, put her hands on her hips, and gave a deliberately mature snort, her little face puffing out. "A sword-for-sword agreement? Brother An, you're so impressive! Almost the entire martial arts world is talking about you now! But..."

She changed the subject, leaning closer and lowering her voice, her large eyes filled with worry: "That Tian Boguang is really formidable. My grandfather said his swordsmanship and lightness skills are top-notch in the martial arts world. Even a master like Abbess Dingyi of the Hengshan Sect couldn't handle him. They tried to deal with him several times, but failed. Brother An, are you... really confident?"

"Of course, doesn't Feifei trust me?"

"I believe you!" Qu Feiyan nodded repeatedly, her chubby cheeks bouncing.

She probably believed in him more than Shen An himself.

Just then, Wang Xiaocao, who had been standing there in a daze, finally mustered up her courage, raised her head, and cautiously looked at the girl in the green dress who had suddenly appeared.

At first glance, Wang Xiaocao's heart sank.

What a beautiful girl...

Unlike the refined young ladies of the city, who possessed a reserved and delicate air that required careful protection, the girl before me was breathtakingly beautiful, radiating confidence and exuberance. Every smile and gesture exuded a natural charm and liveliness.

She has a round face, a small dimple at the corner of her mouth, a face as radiant as the morning sun, eyes as clear as autumn water, skin as smooth as jade, and a smile as beautiful as a flower.

She wore a fine silk dress, a crystal-clear jade hairpin in her hair, and a string of tinkling silver bells on her wrist.

All of this formed an incredibly glaring contrast with himself.

What made Wang Xiaocao feel even more uneasy was the natural and intimate interaction between the girl and Shen An.

She could approach the young master without any hesitation, tease him freely, and frankly express her concerns. And the way the young master looked at her was filled with a kind of indulgence and pampering he had never seen before.

So... this is the kind of girl the young master likes...

Wang Xiaocao felt as if something was blocking her chest, making it hard to breathe.

She instinctively clenched the hem of her clothes and lowered her head. The little bit of confidence and joy that she had gained from spending time with Shen An was shattered at this moment.

Qu Feiyan wasn't thinking too much about it at the moment. She was naturally lively and not yet old enough to be sensitive to the delicate thoughts of young women.

She just felt that the little maidservant next to Brother An was pretty, but too timid, like a frightened little rabbit.

"Brother An, is this your little maid?" she asked curiously.

"Her name is Wang Xiaocao, and she's my... friend," Shen An corrected.

The term "friend" made Wang Xiaocao tremble. She looked up in surprise and met Shen An's gaze. Her face flushed, and she quickly lowered her head again.

So, in the young master's heart, I can actually be considered a friend?

While Wang Xiaocao was further strategizing, Qu Feiyan chatted with Shen An for a few more minutes. After confirming that Shen An was alright, another purpose for this trip came to mind.

She tugged at Shen An's sleeve and said coquettishly, "Brother An, let's not talk about that anymore! Please continue telling me the story! We haven't finished the Legend of the Condor Heroes from last time! Guo Jing arrived in Zhangjiakou, and then what happened?"

Hmm... I've done most of the preparations. There are still two days left. It wouldn't hurt to relax a bit and not be so tense.

Shen An pondered for a moment, and feeling somewhat helpless at being pestered by her, he chuckled and said, "Of course there's a story, but Fei Fei, you have to do me a favor first."

"What kind of busy work?" Qu Feiyan's eyes lit up.

Shen An pointed to Wang Xiaocao, who was standing quietly to the side, and said, "Tell Xiaocao what you've heard before. After she's finished, I'll tell you both the rest at once."

This suggestion stunned both girls instantly.

Qu Feiyan wasn't unwilling at all; she simply enjoyed doing it, vividly recounting interesting stories she knew to others—it was one of her great hobbies.

It seems quite interesting to have a completely new audience who has never heard these stories before, allowing her to indulge in the fantasy of being a "storyteller."

Besides, you can make another friend, so why not?

Wang Xiaocao was completely stunned.

Can she...can she listen too?

Listening to the young master's stories with this... this elfin Miss Qu?

She felt her heart pounding uncontrollably. The young master… the young master hadn't forgotten her because of Miss Qu's arrival. He… he cared about her feelings.

This thought instantly dispelled all her previous feelings of inferiority and disappointment. She looked up at Qu Feiyan's smug little face, which seemed to say, "Come and ask me!" and mustered her courage to give a shy but sincere smile.

"Miss Qu... then I'll trouble you."