From now on, let us maintain the friendship of true gentlemen! (Please add to your collection)

Fu Xingguo’s intentions were as clear as day. The Fifth Elder understood perfectly well, and Su Yunjin understood even better. She turned her head to look at Fu Lin, who was also watching her while peeling an orange.

Noticing Su Yunjin’s gaze, he casually handed her the peeled orange.

Su Yunjin widened her eyes and mouthed, “What are you doing?”

“Aren’t you going to eat? I thought you wanted some. These oranges are very sweet, grown by local farmers,” Fu Lin replied innocently.

Had she not caught the glimmer of amusement in his eyes, Su Yunjin would have been completely taken in by his air of innocence.

Closing her eyes in exasperation, she felt a rush of blood to her head, a dull buzzing filling her mind.

Just as expected, while her eyes were closed in a fit of headache, Fu Xingguo’s cheerful voice sounded from behind.

“Look at that! They’ve only met a few times and this rascal is already peeling oranges for Yunjin, not even thinking about his own grandfather.”

Though his words were couched in gentle reproach, the underlying meaning was crystal clear: Fu Lin treated Su Yunjin very well.

Everyone present was an adult—there’s no such thing as kindness without reason in this world.

Moreover, since earlier, Fu Lin’s gaze had been falling upon Su Yunjin, sometimes openly, sometimes subtly.

Su Yunjin tried to ignore him, but how could her Fifth Grandfather not notice?

Had the old patriarch not spoken up, it might have been less embarrassing. Now, Su Yunjin could feel her ears burning.

“Heh heh heh, that’s how it should be. If a young man can’t spoil a girl, what sort of man is he?”

Just as Su Yunjin was wishing she could crawl into a hole, her Fifth Grandfather’s voice rang in her ear, hearty and full of laughter. “Besides, our Yunjin has been pampered by us old fellows since she was a child. To be honest, Fu old friend, we’ve cherished her so much, afraid she’ll melt if we hold her in our mouths, afraid she’ll fall if we cradle her in our hands. She’s always been a credit to us, never giving us a moment’s worry. What more could we ask for? We just hope that in the future, there’ll be someone who cares for her as much as we do, someone to watch over her and protect her.”

“Grandpa—” Su Yunjin interrupted, her face flaming.

By rights, it was impolite, but if she didn’t speak up, her Fifth Grandfather would have practically promised her away on the spot.

Every word he uttered was a public invitation for a grandson-in-law.

“Heh heh, no need to be shy. Your Grandpa Fu isn’t an outsider,” the old patriarch said, gently patting her head.

Fu Xingguo, smiling kindly at the side, added, “A-Lin, take Yunjin for a stroll in the garden. You young folk don’t need to sit here with us old-timers.”

“Yes, Grandpa!”

With permission granted, Fu Lin leapt to his feet and gave the Fifth Elder a crisp military salute.

Su Yunjin, though reluctant, could only comply since the elders had spoken. She rose as well and bowed politely to the two old men.

After the formalities, Su Yunjin followed Fu Lin out to the Fu family’s garden.

She had visited the Fu family many times before, but usually, she was wherever her own grandparents and the Fifth Elder were.

The Fu family had grown thin in numbers, and by Fu Lin’s generation, he was the only descendant. There were no peers to keep her company, so she would simply listen to the elders’ conversations.

But having grown up in a sect, Su Yunjin was never much interested in flowers and trees. These man-made gardens, no matter how ornate, could not rival the marvels of nature.

For others, such lavish scenes might be the pinnacle of longing, but for a cultivator, luxury or hardship alike are no more than fleeting blossoms on the path of life. When people are gone, all is as smoke; dust returns to dust, earth to earth.

Thus, Su Yunjin didn’t have high expectations for the Fu family’s gardens.

Yet she had to admit, the place surprised her a little. The entire garden was built in a classical style, with traces of age apparent in many corners.

In the past, she might have been able to enjoy the tranquil beauty before her. But now...

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Now that they were alone, Su Yunjin dropped the pretense and asked Fu Lin directly.

“On purpose? Did what on purpose?” Fu Lin looked at her, feigning innocence.

Su Yunjin rolled her eyes. “Peeling the orange—why did you give it to me? You know people could misunderstand.”

“What’s there to misunderstand? Haven’t I told you many times I like you?”

This time, it was Fu Lin's turn to look puzzled. “Didn’t you realize I’ve been courting you? If you didn’t know before, now you do.”

...

What do you mean I didn’t know you were pursuing me?

But didn’t I already turn you down?

Su Yunjin was at a loss. She had seen too much of human nature growing up in the sect. Truth be told, if Fu Lin were trying to be sly, she wouldn’t be worried—she could deal with a hundred tricks like that.

But the problem was, written all over his face was nothing but sincerity.

And this confession—so direct and unguarded—left her speechless, as though something were stuck in her throat.

“Or is it that you feel awkward in front of my grandpa and your Fifth Grandfather? If that’s the case, you should just come over to my place more often,” Fu Lin said, just as Su Yunjin was gritting her teeth.

But this time, his words nearly made Su Yunjin choke. “Come to your house? For what?”

“To get used to it! Maybe you feel uneasy because you don’t come over much. If you visit a few more times, I peel a few more oranges or apples for you, you’ll get used to it.”

???

Is this really just about oranges and apples?

Su Yunjin was utterly defeated by Fu Lin’s logic, massaging her temples in frustration as she strode ahead.

Fu Lin trailed behind her.

After a while, Su Yunjin managed to compose herself and continued, “To be honest, I haven’t really thought about having a boyfriend.”

“Mm,” came Fu Lin’s reply.

Su Yunjin went on, “I don’t want to string you along. With your family background, status, and education, you could easily find someone better. I don’t know if you guys only give up when a girl tells you to get lost, but I hope we don’t cause each other unnecessary trouble. Don’t expect me to change my mind.”

Her words were blunt, but they came from the truest part of her heart.

If not for this trip down the mountain, her only plan in life was to inherit the Seven Sects. Even now, after this journey, she didn’t wish for distractions. Once she fulfilled her grandparents’ wishes, she would return to the mountain to continue her cultivation.

The world below the mountain was nothing but fleeting mist. Fu Lin’s affection was the same—something she appreciated, but could not accept.

“Mm,” Fu Lin replied, his tone as calm and even as before.

Su Yunjin turned, ready to offer some graceful words to end the conversation, when she saw Fu Lin’s eyes suddenly dart away. He turned his back to her.

“Sorry,” he said, “this is the first time I’ve ever liked someone. I don’t really know how to say it, but... being rejected hurts a little. Give me some time to get over it.”

“I’m sorry, A-Lin. Let’s just be friends from now on.”

Looking at the tall man before her, head bowed, Su Yunjin felt a pang of guilt.

She didn’t know what expression Fu Lin wore with his back to her, but she had no regrets. He had offered her an open, honest affection. She could not return it in kind, so the least she could do was give him an equally unvarnished refusal, free from any ulterior motive.

This, perhaps, was all she could offer now.

Let him put this feeling to rest, and find someone who truly belongs to him, instead of wasting time on her.