Into The Sea

A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying the chirping of birds. Sitting alone on the stone steps, the girl idly twirled a blade of grass between her fingers, glancing back one last time.

The mountain path remained empty. With no sign of the two.

“Ugh…”

She sighed, dusting off her clothes as she slowly stood up. “Forgetting friends for love…” She paused and muttered, “Both of them.”

It was clear that neither of them would be joining her for the lantern festival tonight. A wave of loneliness washed over Yu Shanye, and she decided to head down the mountain alone, hoping to find a lively spot for a few drinks.

Since there were no classes tomorrow, she could just as well stay out all night, sparing the couple any interruptions. Thinking this, Yu Shanye couldn’t help but praise herself, “I’m really considerate.”

As she descended the mountain path, her figure gradually melted into the fiery afterglow of the sunset, and before long, the stars hung low as night slowly descended on Haochen Mountain.

In the distance, the first lanterns began to flicker to life, painting the night sky with their warm glow. Lan Wu glanced over distractedly, just as the person in her arms let out a soft moan, gently nibbling on her lower lip. Gone were the hesitant, tentative kisses from earlier. Ji Lingyue had grown much bolder now, and though still a bit clumsy, she was clearly determined to be closer, to deepen their intimacy.

She even seemed a little bothered by Lan Wu’s distraction.

A smile curved Lan Wu’s lips. Cupping the back of Ji Lingyue’s head, she leaned in, capturing the girl’s lips just as a gasp escaped them. Her tongue slipped past those slightly parted lips, tangling playfully with Ji Lingyue’s.

“Mmm…”

Ji Lingyue moaned softly, her arms tightening instinctively around Lan Wu’s waist. Her long lashes fluttered, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps.

Lan Wu gazed down at her, taking in the flushed cheeks, the rapid rise and fall of her chest. With a sigh, she finally pulled away, her thumb gently wiping away a stray, glistening bead of moisture from Ji Lingyue’s swollen lips. “Breathe,” she murmured.

Ji Lingyue obediently tilted her head back, blinking up at her as a blush crept up her neck. When Lan Wu’s fingers brushed against her cheek, she instinctively closed her eyes, murmuring, “You feel so cool.”

Lan Wu’s movements paused, but before she could think how to respond, Ji Lingyue mused, “Is it because of your water spiritual root?”

“Maybe.” Lan Wu played along. “Shanye has a fire spiritual root. She’s always warm.”

Ji Lingyue’s tone turned a touch possessive. “How do you know she’s warm?”

Lan Wu blinked. “Um… because we spend a lot of time together?”

“You’re always hugging her,” Ji Lingyue couldn’t help but complain. “You sit together in class and never with me. And instead of focusing on cultivation as you should, you’re constantly going down the mountain with her. Remember last year? When she dragged you to that commotion at the Baoqing Pavilion? If I hadn’t arrived in time…”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Lan Wu quickly interrupted. “You’ve been keeping track of all this?”

Ji Lingyue froze, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Do you think I’m petty?”

Lan Wu shook her head. “No, I’m just surprised. If you disliked it so much, why didn’t you say anything before?”

“I was afraid,” Ji Lingyue admitted softly. “I didn’t want to upset you by being too controlling.”

“Don’t be silly,” Lan Wu sighed, unable to help but reach out and gently squeeze Ji Lingyue’s hand. “You can tell me anything. If you don’t like something, just say it. I’ll listen.”

Ji Lingyue’s eyes lit up. “So, does that mean I can… keep you in check from now on?”

Lan Wu chuckled. “Why are you so eager to keep me in line? I’m not a child.” But seeing the hopeful look in Ji Lingyue’s eyes, she relented, nodding slowly. “Alright, alright. If you think I’m doing something wrong, you can tell me.”

“Promise?” Ji Lingyue bit her lip, trying to appear composed, but a smile still tugged at the corners of her lips. “Let’s… let’s go to the lantern festival.”

“Alright, I’ll just go get Shanye…” Lan Wu began, but stopped short as Ji Lingyue frowned. Understanding dawned on her, and she quickly amended, “Never mind, let’s just go together.”

She held out her hand, and Ji Lingyue eagerly slipped her own into it, falling into step beside her as they made their way down the mountain path.

At that moment, a white gyrfalcon flew out from the nearby forest, landing on Lan Wu’s shoulder. Ji Lingyue glanced at it, instinctively asking. “Lan Wu, have you named it yet?”

“Not yet. Do you want to name it?”

Ji Lingyue paused, a little confused. “But… it’s your contracted spirit beast.”

“So what?” Lan Wu said casually. “What’s mine is yours.”

Ji Lingyue’s heart soared at those simple words. Her steps grew lighter, a sense of responsibility settling deep within her. “Then… let’s call it Danqing.” she suggested. “It goes well with Danbai’s name.”

Lan Wu, recognizing the sentiment behind the suggestion, smiled. “I like it.”

“Aren’t you worried about others finding out?”

“What do you mean?” Lan Wu turned to look at her. “Do you not want others to know about us?”

“No!” Ji Lingyue quickly denied, her grip tightening on Lan Wu’s hand. Everything about tonight felt surreal, like a beautiful dream she didn’t want to wake up from. “Then can I tell others?”

“Of course.” Lan Wu said, walking ahead. Ji Lingyue could only see the side of her face, illuminated by the moonlight, fair and serene as jade, casual and graceful. “Ours is an honest relationship; there’s no need for sneaking around. Though… I suppose the only downside of telling people might be that more people will dislike me.”

As she said this, she gave a light laugh, saying happily. “But then again, you’re so good and so capable. When I think about it carefully, I really am the lucky one here.”

Ji Lingyue frowned and gradually slowed down. Lan Wu, pulled back, turned around in confusion. “Ah Yue?”

Under the forest moonlight, they stood one above the other on the stone steps as Ji Lingyue pressed her lips together before suddenly leaning in to firmly seal Lan Wu’s mouth with her own.

Like being randomly bitten by a small animal, Lan Wu raised her eyes helplessly to see Ji Lingyue’s flushed face. “Don’t keep saying things that belittle yourself. I don’t like hearing it.”

“But I didn’t…” Lan Wu began instinctively.

“You did!”

Their eyes locked, and, under her intense stare, quickly gave in. “Alright, alright. I won’t say things like that anymore.”

“You better not.”

Lan Wu chuckled at her serious tone, unable to resist pinching Ji Lingyue’s cheek playfully. “You really are a little old-fashioned.”

“I’m not little, and I’m not old-fashioned,” Ji Lingyue retorted.

“Oh?” Lan Wu teased with a smile. “Prove it.”

Ji Lingyue fell silent for a moment, and when she looked at Lan Wu again, her expression was serious, lips pressed together as if she’d made some decision.

Lan Wu’s brow furrowed. Here it comes, she thought. Something big is about to happen.

Sure enough, the next moment, Ji Lingyue stepped closer, aligning herself on the same step as Lan Wu. She grabbed Lan Wu’s hand and placed it on her waist, then looked up at her, saying something shocking: “Let’s go back to bed.”

Lan Wu’s eyes widened. “Wait, isn’t this… a bit too soon?”

“Why?” Ji Lingyue frowned, her expression perfectly composed. “We already slept together five years ago.”

Lan Wu was completely stunned. This was the same person who used to blush at the mere mention of such things. Now, after all these years, she had become so straightforward, so… shameless.

Seeing Lan Wu’s hesitation, Ji Lingyue bit her lip, then gathered her courage and leaned in, placing a soft kiss on Lan Wu’s cheek. “Lan Wu,” she murmured, “we… we don’t have class tomorrow.”

Lan Wu’s eyelashes fluttered, her hand tightening slightly around Ji Lingyue’s waist. Finally, she let out a breath, resting her chin on Ji Lingyue’s shoulder. “Alright,” she whispered.