Gong Xue stepped out of the Hall of Affairs. With every step, she couldn’t help but look back at its grand entrance.

That old man was peculiar in every way—his temperament, his actions, even his speech.

Since he knew Gong Xue’s secret, did he also know her true identity and background?

And what about Mu Xian? Did he know Mu Xian’s identity as well?

Suddenly, Gong Xue halted and stared intently at the door. What if this old man had other motives?

She had no idea about his level of cultivation, but if he posed a threat to Mu Xian, could she and Mu Xian together be a match for him?

Her thoughts quickly shifted, and Gong Xue felt she was worrying too much. She should focus on how to brew more wine instead.

Not only did Mu Xian want wine, but she also needed to give half of it to Xu Tao. Now even the Dean wanted some; this was really troubling for Gong Xue. Having a skill was not always a good thing!

Suddenly turning around, Gong Xue found herself caught in a blazing gaze.

Because she was standing on the steps, she was eye-level with the person across from her.

The moment that person saw Gong Xue’s face, his blood-red pupils trembled, and tears welled up in his eyes.

“Yun… Yun’er…”

An Cheyan’s voice was light, filled with uncertainty and doubt.

Gong Xue didn’t deny it and lowered her lashes in silence. This day was bound to come sooner or later.

With trembling hands, An Cheyan reached out. His eyes gleamed with light, reflecting the face of the woman before him.

Eyes, nose, mouth—every feature matched the one in his heart.

It’s her!

It really is her!

Suddenly.

An Cheyan pulled the girl into his embrace, hugging her tightly as if he wished to merge her into his bones and blood.

As their warm bodies pressed close, the familiar scent filled his nostrils, and he was truly sure his girl had returned!

Completely unscathed, she had come back.

Next to her ear, she heard An Cheyan’s low, trembling, hoarse voice: “Yun’er, you’re back… I don’t blame you anymore, I don’t blame you… It’s good enough that you’re back…”

Gong Xue detected a hint of crying in his faint voice, and her heart tightened.

He doesn’t blame her anymore…

As long as you’re back, nothing else matters…

This was the most heartfelt expression from a boy who had lost his love.

An Cheyan’s blood-red pupils glistened like a gem submerged in water, quivering slightly as he held Gong Xue like a precious treasure.

Gong Xue could clearly feel his body trembling, his heart beating rapidly with joy and excitement.

She gently pushed him away, afraid that if she used too much force, she might shatter his fragile heart.

Sensing Gong Xue’s discomfort, An Cheyan realized his overreaction and slowly released her.

He wiped away his tears and looked at her with a joyful smile.

“Sorry, did I hurt you?”

“It’s fine.”

Gong Xue looked up, meeting his fiery gaze, and immediately lowered her eyes, unable to face him any longer.

Truthfully, Gong Xue felt terribly guilty towards An Cheyan because what she had done was inexcusable.

“Yun’er, I…”

An Cheyan had endless things he wanted to ask her, to tell her, but just as he started to speak, a man came running from afar, inserting himself between the two.

It was Mu Xian.

Mu Xian originally wanted to find Gong Xue to ask for some wine, but after searching without success, he learned from Shu Ran that she had been summoned by the Dean to the Hall of Affairs. Worried that Gong Xue might be punished, he rushed over and immediately started checking her over.

“Gong Xue! Are you alright? Where are you hurt? Let me see, did that old man punish you?”

His anxious tone, concerned eyes, and affectionate behavior could easily be misunderstood by anyone watching.

An Cheyan knew Mu Xian; he had seen him from afar during the Grand Competition.

Recalling that event, the person hiding behind Mu Xian at the time must have been Gong Xue.

An Cheyan also remembered the rumors at Cloud Academy: “The new little junior sister and the new little disciple are a couple.”

A couple!!!

Watching them talk so familiarly and seeing Mu Xian with Gong Xue’s wine gourd hanging at his waist, An Cheyan’s jealousy flared.

The corners of An Cheyan’s eyes turned red, his expression dark and sinister as he reached for the hand Mu Xian had on Gong Xue.

Sensing the murderous intent, Mu Xian instinctively twisted his wrist and countered the attack.

An Cheyan blocked and rotated his elbow, and their strikes connected forcefully, causing both to step back a meter.

“Ren Yue, hasn’t anyone taught you that men and women should not touch each other casually?”

An Cheyan said viciously.

Mu Xian adjusted his clothes, a provocative smile on his lips. “Cheyan, if you understand that, what were you just doing?”

The atmosphere was tense, and Gong Xue forced a smile as she tugged on Mu Xian’s sleeve, bidding farewell to An Cheyan. “Um, Cheyan, we have some matters to attend to. We’ll be going now.”

Without waiting for An Cheyan to respond, she dragged Mu Xian away, not looking back.

“What are you doing here?” Gong Xue complained as she continued to drag Mu Xian along.

Mu Xian, with a justified tone, replied, “Wine! We’re out of wine! Where’s my wine?”

His voice was especially loud, almost a shout. Gong Xue quickly covered his mouth and calmed him soothingly, like one would a child. “Alright, alright, we’ll get you some wine when we return. Let’s go!”

“You know, I came here looking for you out of the goodness of my heart, and you…”

Their figures gradually faded into the hazy moonlight.

Their conversation pierced An Cheyan’s ears like arrows. His hand clenched into a fist at his side, the veins on his forehead bulging. The fury in his chest felt like a volcano on the brink of erupting.

The wine gourd! That wine gourd belonged to Gong Xue!

He couldn’t be mistaken.

Years ago, Gong Xue spotted it at a market. She found it charming and bought it. Gong Xue not only brewed wine but also enjoyed drinking it. Whether in the Mortal Realm or in Yiqu Liushang, An Cheyan could always spot her lying in a tree, drinking from that wine gourd.

Gong Xue wouldn’t stop until she was utterly drunk, and it was always An Cheyan who had to carry her back. Sometimes, when An Cheyan wasn’t around, it was An Wanggui who carried her back-as An Cheyan later found out.

The wine gourd she never parted with had been given to another man!

A man!!!

An Cheyan’s blood-red pupils emitted a violent hue. Jealousy and anger gnawed at his bones and essence like maggots on rotting flesh.

“Ren Yue, just you wait!”

The words were nearly ground out through clenched teeth.