As Chu Wanning was eating his last steamed bun, the door behind him opened and Mo Ran walked in with a pile of gadgets and placed them on the bed.

     “Shizun, there were some talismans in your outer robe that you didn’t take out. I’ve put them all here for you.”

     After he finished speaking, he lowered his head and walked out again.

     He really was too embarrassed to take the brocade pouch and directly ask Chu Wanning why he kept it. He felt that no matter what the answer was, he would only make things awkward. Chu Wanning was so thin-skinned, and his own mouth was so clumsy… If he said something wrong and made Chu Wanning unhappy, what would he do?

     Mo Ran pursed his lips, his black eyes flashing with a burning light. He was completely at a loss.

     Suddenly, he had a thought that struck him as unbelievable.

     Could it be that Chu Wanning…

     Actually liked him?

     Mo Ran was shocked by his own bold and delusional thoughts. He hurriedly shook his head and muttered in a low voice, “Impossible… impossible…”

     If this brocade pouch belonged to someone Mo Ran didn’t care about, such as a female cultivator, Mo Ran would immediately be able to determine the other party’s feelings.

     If they didn’t like him, why would they carry a brocade pouch with another person’s hair for so many years?

     It was that simple.

     But when it came to Chu Wanning, Mo Ran was a mess. People were always like this—the more they cared, the more they became stupid, not even knowing where to put their hands and feet.

     A single glance from the other person could make him feel conflicted for a long time. The other person was silent, but from that silence, he could carefully dig three feet into the ground and find a hidden meaning behind the silent glance.

     This way, no matter how simple the matter was, he would repeatedly ponder over it, carefully thinking about it in several different ways.

     Was he mistaken?

     Had he misunderstood?

     Did Chu Wanning just forget to throw it away?

     This was a question that could be denied even if someone was incredibly stupid, yet he was still able to think about it worriedly for a long time. He was lost in thought as he absentmindedly scrubbed the clothes in the bucket. The water was getting colder and colder, but his heart was getting warmer and warmer.

     Mo Ran couldn’t help but raise his head to look towards the room. Through the old windows, the golden candlelight shone through. The candlelight flickered, dim and bright, and even the tender seedling in Mo Ran’s chest trembled and fluttered gently.

     If Chu Wanning really liked him…

     Emperor Taxian-Jun, who used to be so rough and thick-skinned, could only think about this sentence halfway before his face turned red.

     Mo Ran felt a little hot and thirsty.

     It was a thirst that couldn’t be quenched by water, and the only person who could soothe and lower his fever was the one in the room. Only the sweetness of that man’s mouth could give him a moment of peace. Only that man—the man he had sworn to cherish, to protect, to respect.

     When he thought the word “respect,” Mo Ran felt as if a cup of water had been poured over his burning chest. In the past, whenever he couldn’t control himself and had a strong desire for Chu Wanning, he would always reprimand himself like this.

     But tonight was different.

     Tonight, that brocade pouch seemed to have added a handful of firewood to the burning heat in his heart, fueling his ambition.

     Respect him. He kept telling himself over and over again, but now the phrase was like a cup of water on a burning cart of firewood. The thoughts that could always be extinguished in the past burned aggressively, so overpowering that the cold water was instantly vaporized, leaving him in a daze.

     Mo Ran was shocked to find that the mantra of “respect” had finally, thoroughly and completely…

     Failed.

     In the room, Chu Wanning finished eating and wanted to wipe his fingers. He walked over to the bed and pulled the haitang handkerchief from the pile of his things. He sighed, thinking that his memory was really bad. Before Mo Ran washed his robe, he completely forgot to take out the things inside first. He made a fool of himself in front of Mo Ran. He also didn’t know that he…

     Before he could finish his thought, he suddenly saw a slender red string under the pile of talismans.

     Chu Wanning’s heart skipped a beat. He reached out to pull the red string, but his fingers paused in the air, not daring to move forward. After hesitating for a moment, he withdrew his hand and reached into his lapel to feel the place closest to his heart. As soon as he touched it, his expression suddenly changed.

     The brocade pouch really wasn’t on him!

     Chu Wanning’s face filled with panic. He froze for a moment, and after a long pause, started rushing through what had happened. He always kept the brocade pouch from the mistress of ceremonies in his inner robe. But when Xue Zhengyong ordered his ceremonial robes, the inner pocket was slightly slanted. Since the pouch was small and soft, he was afraid he would accidentally drop it, so he kept it in the more secure pocket of his outer robe.

     When he looked carefully at the small pile of things, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning, unable to move an inch.

     Tiny things like candies were placed at the top, and below them were the talismans. Only the brocade pouch was hidden at the very bottom, while the person who hid it seemed to be blushing, waving his hand as if to say, “I didn’t see it, I didn’t see anything.”

     “...”

     After a long while, Chu Wanning held his breath and pulled the end of the string out of the messy pile of talismans.

     …Sure enough.

     The red string of the brocade pouch had been retied, completely different from the way he tied it.

     No matter how calm he tried to be, his fair cheeks quickly flushed red, and his ears were even redder, as if they were about to start dripping blood.

     He opened the pouch tied by the red string. The two strands of ink-black hair had been secretly entangled with each other for many years, just like he had secretly hidden his emotions for many years. And just like that, they fell, uncovered and exposed, under the warm candlelight, coiled around his slender fingers.

     Mo Ran had seen his brocade pouch!

     After seeing it, he even buried it at the bottom of the pile of junk, as if he knew Chu Wanning wanted to hide.

     This realization caused Chu Wanning’s head to throb. His blood surged, and his heart was unable to calm down. His entire face was burning hot like an open fire.

     What should I do?

     Did Mo Ran figure out what he had hidden in his heart?

     …It’s over. The person Mo Ran likes is Shi Mingjing. If he knows I have feelings for him, he’ll definitely be frightened.

     Would the gentle and soft relationship between the two of them fall apart?

     Chu Wanning’s mind was in a state of chaos. His hand tightly grasped the brocade pouch. After a long time, he calmed down a little.

     He hoped Mo Ran didn’t know.

     Gambling on his reputation of being a pure and aloof man for many years, he hoped Mo Ran didn’t find out anything.

     Normally, if a person’s long-lasting secret love was uncovered by their beloved, things couldn’t be better. It would be a relief. But perhaps this wasn't the case for Chu Wanning. He was already thirty-two years old, and had long since been used to being alone.

     When he was in the prime of his life, and Mo Ran and Shi Mei were young and full of vigor, Chu Wanning had always been alone. He never thought that now that he was thirty-two, he would still have the opportunity to be with the love of his life. Revealing one’s true feelings was usually the beginning of a relationship, but it was also possible that it would end in failure and he would return empty-handed.

     Chu Wanning put the brocade pouch away and paced back and forth in the room. Finally, he stopped in front of a dusty bronze mirror.

     He lifted his eyes and took a glance. The mirror hadn't been used for a long time, and was covered with a thick layer of dust. It could only reflect a rough picture, so he raised his hand and wiped away the dust on its surface, revealing an imperfect face. There was a scratch on the bronze mirror that happened to fall at the corner of his eyes. Chu Wanning blinked and looked at himself.

     “So ugly.”

     He looked at the person in the mirror and suddenly felt very angry and dejected.

     “How can I… look like this?”

     He knew that Mo Ran liked gentle, slender, and beautiful young men.

     As for himself, he wasn't any of those things.

     Although he didn’t have any wrinkles, the weight of time on a person’s body could not be hidden. Chu Wanning was old and mature, without the slightest bit of warmth. How could he have the face to talk about love with someone so much younger than him? Not to mention that this person was his own disciple…

     If word of this got out, not to mention himself, Mo Ran and the entirety of Sisheng Peak would lose face.

     Moreover, after sleeping for five years, Shi Mingjing grew up to be even more beautiful and elegant than ever, a peerless beauty of his generation. When he wasn’t smiling, his eyes looked like gentle peaches.

     He looked again at the person in the mirror. Between his brows, there was only an unpleasant air of hostility and arrogance. Comparing the two, it was clear who was superior. Only a fool would choose him.

     Chu Wanning looked at the bronze mirror. He thought that if he could go back ten years and make this ugly person in the mirror fall in love with someone when he was just over twenty, perhaps he would still have his youthful ignorance and be able to boldly confess.

     But he was already thirty-two years old. His youth was gone, and all that remained was a sorry figure, a harsh attitude, and a fierce face that would scare a child to tears.

     Mo Ran was at the peak of his splendor, and Shi Mei was a beauty capable of toppling empires.

     He was no more than an ugly man who was no longer young. He didn’t dare to ask for anything, he only wanted to hide.

     He only wanted to live on like this in peace. He didn’t even dare to allow himself wishful thinking. He only wanted to be allowed to fall in love with someone—to have a legitimate reason to treat that person well in the name of Shizun.

     He felt that it was enough.

     He was satisfied.

     Right at this moment, there was a creaking sound behind him. Chu Wanning didn’t turn around, watching Mo Ran enter the room with a wooden bucket through the bronze mirror.

     Neither of them spoke. The bronze mirror was still a bit blurry. Chu Wanning could only see a tall figure standing at the door, but couldn't make out the exact expression on the figure’s face, nor could he see the ripples of color flowing in his eyes.

     Even though he had told himself a hundred times to calm down, Chu Wanning’s heart was racing uncontrollably. Not wanting Mo Ran to see his embarrassment, he untied his high ponytail and bit the hair ribbon between his lips, pretending to retie his hair in front of the mirror.

     He felt that he was really clever; biting on his hair ribbon, he now had a reason not to greet the other person—

     Suddenly, a hand brushed against the back of his ear. Chu Wanning’s body trembled. He tried to suppress it, but he couldn’t help but shudder slightly.

     He was not used to physical contact, not to mention the fact that the person who touched his ear was Mo Ran. His rough and broad hands rubbed against the tender skin behind his ear, and in a split second, his back and waist went completely numb.

     Chu Wanning still had his eyes lowered. He suspected that if he raised his head now, even if the bronze mirror was dim, the person behind him would notice that his face was abnormally red.

     He bit down on the hair ribbon and tried to remain calm, “Are you done washing clothes?”

     “Mm.” The man’s voice was low and slightly hoarse.

     Chu Wanning felt him lean in so close. There was a coolness to his body from the chill of the cold night, but it couldn't cover up the man’s vigorous and blazing aura. His hot breath made him dizzy, and his thoughts became muddled and slow, unable to turn back.

     As Mo Ran helped him gather the loose strands that had fallen, he said, “Shizun, just now, I…”

     “...”

     What did he want to say?

     Chu Wanning bit the hair ribbon and lowered his eyes. His heart seemed to stop for a moment.

     It seemed that what he wanted to ask was too difficult to say. Mo Ran paused for a moment, then changed the topic, “Nevermind, it’s nothing. It’s so late, you’re still tying up your hair?”

     Chu Wanning didn’t answer. He only felt that the body behind him was too close.

     So hot…

     “Are you going out?” Mo Ran asked.

     “No, I’m just going to wash the dishes,” Chu Wanning replied.

     “I’ll help you.”

     “I have hands and feet.”

     Mo Ran laughed behind him, as if he was trying to find something to say, “It’s not bad to have hands and feet. But Shizun is also clumsy, I’m afraid he’ll bump into something.”

     Chu Wanning: “...”

     Seeing that he didn’t say anything, Mo Ran thought he was unhappy. Mo Ran’s smile was wiped away, and he said seriously, “The water outside is cold, so remember to bring some hot water.”

     Chu Wanning replied with a sound that was a bit like a “Mm,” but also a little like a “Hmph.” It was a vague and indistinct sound, but it was very pleasant to the ear. When Mo Ran heard it, it caused the tender seedling in his chest to flare up. His adam’s apple bobbed up and down, and his dark eyes fell on the pale neck that peeked out from under Chu Wanning’s clothes when he lowered his head.

     He felt even more frustrated. He swallowed subconsciously, but tried to make the sound as soft as possible. He didn’t want Chu Wanning to hear it.

     Mo Ran took a deep breath and forced a smile, “This mirror is so blurry.”

     “It’s been too long since someone last used it.”

     Mo Ran smiled, “Shizun, you can’t see clearly, right? Give me the hair ribbon, I’ll comb your hair for you.”

     Chu Wanning bit down on the snow-white hair ribbon, but before he could refuse, Mo Ran was already taking it.

     Since this was the case, he could only let go and allow Mo Ran to tie his ponytail while he pretended to be aloof. He snorted, “Do you know how to do it? I can do it myself.”

     Mo Ran laughed, “Shizun, have you forgotten? At the Peach Blossom Springs, I did your hair.”

     Chu Wanning was suddenly speechless. Xia Sini was a shameful past that he didn’t want to mention again. He closed his eyes and frowned, letting Mo Ran help him comb and tie up his hair.

     However, Mo Ran’s palms kept brushing against his ear. He felt numb, his entire body tingling. He frowned, “Aren’t you done yet?”

     Mo Ran laughed in a low voice, “You’re always in such a hurry. Don’t worry, it’ll be done soon.”

     His voice seemed to be closer than before, right at the back of his ear. Chu Wanning couldn’t help but clench his hands that were hanging between his sleeves. He didn’t know if it was his own misinterpretation, but he kept feeling that Mo Ran’s breathing was somewhat heavy. It was the kind of heaviness that a wild predator would have before pouncing on its prey.

     This made him feel like he was being stared at, like a tiger or wolf would pounce on him from behind and press him down in front of the bronze mirror, greedily biting his throat to suck the blood flowing in his veins.

     Sometimes, a person’s senses were astonishingly accurate. But even though Chu Wanning could sense it, he couldn’t believe it because he felt so inferior.

     How could he have known that if he were to raise his head at this moment, he would see a pair of eyes in the mirror that burned with darkness, sparks of desire and rationality clashing within them?

     Mo Ran held the smooth silk hair ribbon in his hand. The clear half of him was controlling his body as he obediently helped Chu Wanning tie his hair up. Meanwhile, the dark half of him wondered anxiously.

     What are you doing?

     Tying the hair ribbon?

     This hair ribbon is clearly tied in the wrong place!

     He felt that he should press Chu Wanning down roughly against the old dresser. He should use the hair ribbon to cover his eyes and use his other hand to grab his chin and kiss him hungrily. He should press down on him tightly and suck the soft tip of his tongue, absorbing the sweetness from his mouth. He should be fiercely rubbing against Chu Wanning’s ear and licking the tiny mole behind his ear. He should be panting heavily, leaning in close to Chu Wanning’s ear and asking in a low voice…

     “Chu Wanning, my good Shizun… why did you hide that brocade pouch?”

     “Wanning… Wanning… do you… like me?”

     His longing heart felt like it was about to be torn apart, his blood scalding and his eyes hot and red.