Now that her suspicions were confirmed, Hong Ning felt an unexpected wave of disappointment. She turned her face away, stepping out of his embrace. Her voice was indifferent as she said, “I don’t remember anything from my past life, nor am I interested. I only care about the present. In this life, you don’t owe me anything. You don’t need to do this anymore.”
Jin Xiu said, “The chance to attain immortality is rare—countless mortals dream of it. It would be a pity to give it up.”
Hong Ning replied, “Cultivating immortality is nothing more than moving from one world to another. They achieve eternal life, while we undergo reincarnation. Birth, aging, sickness, death—reunions and separations—these are the natural laws of the mortal world. When someone leaves, I will grieve, but I will also continue living my life. My master chose the path of immortality, but I have my own path. Why should I spend so much effort on something I don’t even want?”
Jin Xiu said, “Only in the immortal realm can love be eternal.”
Hong Ning met his gaze directly. “Do you want me to cultivate immortality purely because of a debt from our past lives?”
Jin Xiu nodded. “Naturally.”
Hong Ning responded without thinking, her tone casual. “Then turn into a camellia flower for me one more time, and we’ll call it even.”
Jin Xiu froze slightly but did not move.
Hong Ning raised an eyebrow, half-joking. “Are you sure your kindness toward me is only because of that?”
Jin Xiu did not answer.
Hong Ning pressed on. “Do you really want me to cultivate immortality?”
Jin Xiu motioned for her to continue.
She clenched her hands inside her sleeves, summoning the courage to meet his eyes. “We are not the same kind. If I become an immortal, will that mean I can be with you? Will you still protect me the way you do now?”
Jin Xiu looked at her but did not answer for a long time.
Hesitation—what did it mean?
A weight sank in Hong Ning’s chest, an overwhelming mix of sorrow and disappointment rushing over her. She quickly turned away, gazing at the moon above the treetops, forcing a smile to make her tone sound lighthearted and carefree. “Forget it. You should go. I don’t remember the past, and you’ve already saved me twice. Even if you owed me something before, I’d say the debt is repaid. Mortals are quick to develop feelings, but that’s not my fault. You’d better not come back anymore—unless you want me to start having foolish hopes.”
By the time she finished speaking, her palms were already damp with sweat.
Silence.
Jin Xiu’s phoenix eyes carried a trace of amusement as he slowly looked her up and down.
The person before him no longer wore red, and her appearance had changed, yet somehow, she still overlapped perfectly with the figure in his memories.
At the Flower Festival, that young girl had boldly declared before everyone that she wanted to become the Queen of the Gods—flushed with embarrassment yet unwavering in determination.
And yet, fifteen hundred years later, just as she successfully overcame her tribulation, she turned away and willingly fell into reincarnation, abandoning immortality forever.
Now, after ten mortal lifetimes, her nature remained unchanged.
Truly, youthful arrogance.
At last, he spoke, his tone scolding: “You are far too reckless.”
Hong Ning was not slow-witted—she caught the faint trace of amusement hidden in his voice. Instantly relieved, she grew even bolder, turning back to meet his gaze. “I am reckless. Will you… wait for me?”
Jin Xiu was silent for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. “Cultivate immortality first. Perhaps, in the future…” Perhaps you will change your mind.
A moment ago, she had been relying on sheer courage and had felt no embarrassment. But now, since he hadn’t outright refused, Hong Ning suddenly felt uneasy. Her face flushed red, caught between wanting to laugh and not knowing how.
This—this was practically teasing a respectable man!
Seeing her expression, Jin Xiu couldn’t help but smile. He lightly patted her shoulder. “Your master needs you. Go back quickly.”
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