After nine lifetimes of reincarnation, the yandere villainous heroine descends.

The twilight, like molten gold, slowly spread its crimson silk across the sky until it met the horizon.

Yi Si Lin, bathed in the gentle glow of dusk, seemed veiled in a gossamer-thin gauze, appearing slightly hazy.

But within that hazy atmosphere, there was also an indescribable tranquility.

Suddenly, a wisp of smoke rose from a simple wooden house, swirling in the twilight.

Wen Yuning, wrapped in a gray scarf, focused intently on throwing firewood into the crackling stove.

The flickering flames reflected on her face, and the coal ash clung to her delicate skin, only making her eyes shine brighter like stars.

Her delicate face, with its lively, down-to-earth charm, was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Ta-da!"

At that moment, a series of footsteps suddenly echoed through the tranquil forest.

Hearing the sound, Wen Yuning looked over and saw a figure slowly emerging from the twilight.

The figure was carrying some firewood. Upon seeing this, Wen Yuning immediately stood up, a smile spreading across her face, and went to greet him.

Then, she gently took the firewood from the other person's hand, placed it beside the stove, and said softly, "Your injuries haven't fully healed yet. Go back inside and rest. I'll call you when the food is ready."

Beside Wen Yuning was Qin Hongyi.

However, Qin Hongyi was no longer wearing her signature red dress.

Instead, she wore a simple, unadorned blue cloth robe, which Wen Yuning had given her.

Qin Hongyi's original red robes were already damaged in many places when Wen Yuning discovered them.

Qin Hongyi is currently seriously injured and her cultivation has not yet recovered, so she is unable to use her true energy to repair her clothes.

Even so, she insisted on helping with the work despite Wen Yuning's advice.

Upon hearing this, she stubbornly squatted by the stove, staring blankly at the leaping flames.

If Yan Xuanshi were present at this moment, she would surely be greatly surprised to see Qin Hongyi in this state.

Because her current state is completely different from her usual combative and crazy image.

At this moment, Qin Hongyi's eyes showed no other superfluous emotions, but a deep-seated worry lingered between her brows.

The flames in the stove reflected in her pupils, as if slowly merging into the beating heart in her chest.

That heart seemed to beat in sync with the flames in the stove.

However, the flames in the stove soon died down, and the red reflection in her pupils slowly faded away.

After all, only by constantly adding firewood can the flames continue to burn and flicker.

Just like herself, only when Shen Shuchou was by her side would her cold heart burn like a flame.

Just as the fire was dying down, Wen Yuning added a piece of firewood covered in pine resin to the stove, and sparks flew and landed on her apron.

She suddenly turned her head and asked, "Red Robe, I haven't asked you yet, where is your master from?"

These words were like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, shattering the stagnant light in Qin Hongyi's eyes.

She lowered her eyes to stare at the creases in the fabric worn down on her knees, her Adam's apple bobbing for a long time before she finally said in a hoarse voice, "I...don't know."

Wen Yuning paused slightly, then quickly stuffed another handful of dry grass into the fire.

The firelight cast their shadows onto the wooden house behind them: "It's alright!"

"Haven't you thought about going to see him?"

Qin Hongyi suddenly looked up, her eyes burning with two persistent flames.

"I've thought about it."

Wen Yu gazed at the leaping flames and chuckled softly.

Her smile, however, was like spring snow falling on hot tea, instantly turning into bitterness. "I just can't find him."

"I can help you."

Qin Hongyi suddenly grabbed her wrist, which was covered in coal dust.

Wen Yuning withdrew her hand, blew a heavy breath into the stove, and didn't flinch as the rising ash hit her face: "You should take care of yourself first, and find your master first."

"Why? Don't you believe me?"

Qin Hongyi interrupted her.

"It's not that I don't believe, it's just that for some things, whether or not we can find them is no longer important."

Wen Yuning wiped her face, leaving two dark marks on her skin with her fingertips, completely unconcerned about her current appearance.

"Why isn't it necessary?"

At this moment, Qin Hongyi was like a curious child, her mind full of questions.

In her opinion, since it's the person she's been longing for, why not go and find them?

Wen Yuning listened as she repeatedly asked why she stopped what she was doing and looked at Qin Hongyi. The firelight illuminated the shadow cast by her eyelashes.

After a long silence, she suddenly smiled, with a gentle smile that seemed to have seen through the ways of the world: "Red dress, some loves are like footprints in the snow. The harder you chase after them, the more you'll trample them into a mess. Rather than being obsessed with them to the point of madness, it's better to keep the cleanest image in your heart."

However, upon hearing this, Qin Hongyi still said, "If you really like someone, why not fight for them? Won't you feel resentful letting someone you like go to someone else?"

"Red dress! Do you know? Sometimes, choosing to give up what you like and keeping that person's original image in your heart forever is also a kind of liking."

Wen Yuning explained with a slight smile.

Then, she added softly, "Because this feeling is unique, it belongs only to me, and it's something I've always carefully treasured."

Qin Hongyi lowered her eyes and remained silent. The words Yu Ning had spoken were like rootless willow catkins, drifting lightly into her heart but unable to take root.

As she was lost in thought, she suddenly heard a soft "click" as the ceramic lid on the stove was lifted, and white steam carrying the aroma of meat wafted out.

"Alright! Red Dress, don't think about it too much now, let's eat."

Wen Yuning said.

Upon hearing this, Qin Hongyi temporarily set aside her troubled thoughts and got busy.

Soon, with their combined efforts, a fragrant meat dish was served on the table.

In addition, there was a bowl of medicinal soup that Wen Yuning had specially prepared for Qin Hongyi.

At the dining table, the two women ate and chatted happily, their laughter filling the air.

Before long, the plate of meat was empty, most of it having been eaten by Qin Hongyi.

These were dishes that Wen Yuning had specially picked for her, and Qin Hongyi felt embarrassed to refuse, so she ate them all.

As the dinner ended, the night outside the cabin completely enveloped the mountain forest.

Wen Yuning invited Qin Hongyi to bed to rest, because she herself would usually be in bed by this time.

This remote and sparsely populated forest of memories is surrounded by no villages or towns, and has no entertainment facilities. The only animals that roam at night are wild beasts.

However, Wen Yuning did not find this life boring at all, because this was the place where she first met Shen Shuchou.

Living here is like immersing yourself in that wonderful feeling, while also experiencing the unique atmosphere of the mortal world. This is much more pleasant than her days in the sect.

Within the sect, her elder sister was busy managing the overall situation all day long and rarely had time to see her.

She usually only interacted with cold, aloof, and emotionless cultivators.

Qin Hongyi looked at Wen Yuning in front of her and couldn't help but feel troubled, because there was only one bed in the room.

"What are you standing there for? Get in bed!"

Seeing Qin Hongyi standing there in a daze, Wen Yuning couldn't help but urge her on.

Qin Hongyi seemed to be frozen in place, her feet rooted to the spot, completely at a loss for what to do.

Wen Yuning keenly noticed her embarrassed state, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

Immediately afterwards, she swayed her waist slightly, took graceful steps, and walked slowly toward Qin Hongyi.

As the last flame of the oil lamp went out with a slight gust of wind, the cabin was completely enveloped in boundless darkness.

The two women lay back to back on the bed, neither of them making a sound. Perhaps because there was someone else in the bed tonight, Wen Yuning couldn't fall asleep for a long time.

Finally, she rolled over, gently placed her hand on Qin Hongyi's shoulder, and asked, "Hongyi, can you tell me your story with your master? And what's your master's name?"

The moment her body was touched, Qin Hongyi involuntarily trembled slightly.

Upon hearing Wen Yuning's words, Qin Hongyi parted her lips slightly, but after a long while, no sound came out.

Not only that, her body began to tremble violently.

"Red Dress, what's wrong?"

Wen Yuning noticed her unusual behavior and quickly asked.

Qin Hongyi felt her blood freeze instantly, as if a thorny vine was stuck in her throat.

A tremor spread from her fingertips to her heart, and a tearing, mournful sound, like fabric ripping, echoed in the darkness: "Waaaaah..."

"Why are you crying? Are you alright, Hongyi?" Wen Yuning sat up abruptly and hurriedly got out of bed to relight the oil lamp.

When she turned to look at Qin Hongyi, she found that her face was already covered in tears.

Moreover, Wen Yuning clearly saw that Qin Hongyi's pupils were filled with endless fear.

At that moment, she looked like a little girl who had accidentally fallen into a bottomless abyss, appearing so helpless and pitiful.

"Red Dress, what's wrong with you?"

Wen Yuning asked anxiously once again.

This time, Qin Hongyi did not remain silent. Her words, spoken amidst her sobs, stunned Wen Yuning into a daze.

"I...I can't remember my master's name."

.......

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P.S.: I've been really stuck on writing lately, sigh!