No one could remember exactly when it started, but one day the ancient deity Shang Gu stopped her habit of frequently descending to the mortal realm. By the time the gods in the Shang Gu Realm noticed, the True God Shang Gu had already spent ten peaceful years in her Star-Plucking Pavilion, enjoying the sight of the moon setting and stars sinking in the sky.
Yue Mi knew about this change, and, having an impressive hobby of collecting treasures, she often sneaked over to Shang Gu’s hall to pick up some valuables and bring them back to her own residence. Shang Gu, too lazy to argue with her, turned a blind eye—until this mischievous “troublemaker” set her sights on the prized Wuhua Wine.
As the name suggests, Wuhua Wine was brewed from the blossoms and fruit of the Wuhua Tree. This tree was extremely proud and difficult to cultivate, bearing fruit only once every fifty thousand years. The wine it produced was rare and potent, so intoxicating that even a True God could become drunk. It was a true treasure.
Yue Mi, a lover of fine drinks, had begged the Fruit God for Wuhua fruits for many years, but each time, the Fruit God—leaning on his old cane—would send her away with a sigh. Finally, in the tenth year, Yue Mi lost patience, stormed into his dwelling, used his cane as firewood, and left him complaining bitterly.
“Oh, my dear Yue Mi, Supreme God! Every year the True God Shang Gu takes everything for herself. If you’re so capable, go cause trouble in Shang Gu’s palace! Don’t expect to get anything from me—I've got nothing left in my own home after all these years.”
So, Yue Mi, the Supreme God who had terrorized her way across the divine realms without rival, boldly marched into Shang Gu’s palace.
Fearless, she snuck into the treasure vault and wine cellar, rummaging through everything. She didn’t find even a single fruit pit. Worse still, she alerted the palace guards, who promptly dragged her in front of Shang Gu.
“Aren't you ashamed of yourself?” Shang Gu, holding a teacup with a dignified air, looked at her sternly. “It’s one thing to steal, but you do it so brazenly! And if that weren’t enough, you got yourself caught by the guards.”
Yue Mi rolled her eyes and snorted, “As if you’re any better than me? Not a single Wuhua fruit has escaped your grasp in ten years. Aren't you ashamed to say that?”
Shang Gu’s eyes narrowed knowingly. “So, you want Wuhua Wine?”
“We’ve been friends for hundreds of thousands of years. Couldn’t you spare a few jars?” Yue Mi sat up straight, trying to play on their friendship.
“No,” Shang Gu replied flatly, already gesturing for her to leave. “In ten years, I’ve only managed to brew ten jars. Don’t even think about it.”
“You don’t even like wine—what use do you have for it?” Yue Mi, sharp-eyed, noticed Shang Gu’s gaze was unfocused, looking toward the Peach Blossom Forest. An idea sparked within her, and she darted over. “Where were you looking just now?”
Shang Gu raised an eyebrow meaningfully. “What do you think?”
Yue Mi drew a sharp breath, her finger trembling as she pointed toward the forest. “It’s not what I think, is it?”
It was well-known that Bai Jue loved wine and had a special fondness for Wuhua Wine.
“It’s exactly what you think.” Shang Gu’s voice was perfectly timed.
Yue Mi stood there, stunned, gradually realizing that she might have been the one to set this entire situation in motion.
Ten years ago, on her birthday, she’d felt generous and had shown Shang Gu a scene of Bai Jue, who had been steadfastly guarding the forest for tens of thousands of years. Shang Gu had merely glanced and walked away without a word, leaving Yue Mi to assume there was no hope. She had even felt pity for Bai Jue for several days. She hadn’t expected Shang Gu would actually take an interest.
Now Yue Mi, realizing she’d unwittingly played matchmaker, was furious. “The two of you sit together so formally, so close to being proper ‘respectful companions’! What a model pair of True Gods, hiding it all so well!”
Shang Gu soothed the agitated Yue Mi, pointing toward the Peach Blossom Forest. “Why are you upset? You knew before he did.”
Yue Mi froze, incredulous. “He doesn’t know?”
“He doesn’t.”
“Did you send him the wine?”
“I did. Every year without fail.”
“Is he an idiot?” Wuhua Wine was a true treasure, as even the power of a True God could scarcely yield one in ten attempts, and it required immense divine energy.
“Oh, I had someone else deliver it, saying it was a gift from Zhi Yang. He doesn’t know it’s my brewing.”
Yue Mi, perplexed, touched Shang Gu’s forehead in disbelief. “Are you the idiot? Secretly liking him for ten years, doing all this, and never telling him?”
Shang Gu shook her head, utterly serious. “It’s not enough yet.”
She gazed toward the Peach Blossom Forest, where a figure sat beneath the trees. Dressed in white robes, the True God had dark hair and a strikingly handsome face, a presence unmatched across the Six Realms.
“It’s not enough,” Shang Gu repeated, turning back. “Ten short years—how could I dare face him to repay him for his thousands of years of waiting?”
Yue Mi glanced over at Bai Jue and understood what Shang Gu’s words meant.
To be loved by such a person, with such deep affection over tens of thousands of years—even for a god as esteemed as Shang Gu—knowing it all at once left her feeling uncertain and anxious.
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