Love & Redemption
Chapter 46 - 6 New Year (3)

Chapter 46: Chapter 6 New Year (3)

Chapter two.

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In the following days, Linglong and several senior brothers were secretive, discussing something unknown, occasionally joining a group of Min Generation little ghosts and whispering together.

With no one nagging Xuanji, now and then telling her she’s too lazy or she lacks spirit, she was happy to keep her door closed and sleep all day.

A matter of days till New Year’s Eve, last night a heavy snowfall had re-covered the newly cleaned paths. Early on, people came to pull Xuanji out to clear the snow, but she just lay in bed, covering her head, pretending not to hear.

"How can you still be so lazy?" The person who came to call her couldn’t help but chuckle, "Xuanji, get up."

She mumbled a response, but didn’t get up.

Not long after, she felt someone tapping her, and she let out an annoyed sigh, mumbling, "You guys go sweep... sweeping the snow... why need so many people..."

The person softly said, "Since they say ’We should be inspired to practice like the rooster announces the dawn,’ how can a cultivator be lazy? Come on, get up."

Xuanji still didn’t feel like moving, but something felt off in her heart—the voice was deep and gentle, unlike Linglong. When she pulled back the covers, she saw her eldest senior brother, Du Minxing, standing by the bedside, impressive and smiling at her.

Embarrassed even in her laziness, she blushed and quickly sat up, whispering, "Why is it the eldest senior brother calling me?"

Seeing her rise, Du Minxing stepped back into the outer room, his back to her, smiling, "Linglong has been busy and out of sight these days. The master’s wife couldn’t find her, so she sent me instead."

Xuanji, not wanting to keep him waiting outside for too long, quickly washed up and changed clothes before following him out the door, asking, "What is Linglong busy with?" She couldn’t help but yawn hugely.

Seeing a clump of hair sticking to her cheek, Du Minxing felt a sudden urge, and he raised his hand to smooth it away, saying, "She’s probably planning some kind of fun for the New Year’s celebration. Unlike you, she always loves these lively events."

Xuanji remained oblivious and simply pushed the door open and walked out.

Du Minxing squinted his eyes, staring blankly at her slender figure, momentarily unable to distinguish which was real—the child from four years ago or the girl who remained lazy yet moved with the grace and softness of a cat.

In his heart, Xuanji was a girl worth cherishing, occasionally frustrating but endearing, perhaps not this lethargic girl, but one who carried a cat’s lightness and delicacy.

Time flies, washing away many memories, bringing many new ones in return. The instant he first saw her, dressed in green spring clothes, the blizzard seemed to turn into a gentle spring breeze, and she was the most leisurely and beautiful peony about to bloom in the spring wind.

"Xuanji."

He whispered the name to himself, tasting a mellow, tingly sensation on his tongue, which made him shiver involuntarily.

She didn’t hear him.

She had walked far away.

****

New Year’s Eve finally arrived, met with everyone’s anticipation. Early that day, disciples from the Seven Peaks gathered at the peak of Shaoyang Peak, preparing for the ceremony to welcome the new year.

The Jade Platform at the peak had already been swept clean of all residual snow. At each corner of the platform stood a Kui skin drum, with two Dragon Bone Drum Mallets hanging next to it, with people already in place, ready to strike at the start of the ceremony.

Linglong’s presence was indispensable at the New Year ceremony every year. Loving to be the center of attention, she had rehearsed well in advance with a group of young female disciples, wearing bright red waist drums, ready to sing and dance at a moment’s notice.

By noon, people from the Seven Peaks gradually arrived, each standing in their assigned spots. The crowd was dense and bustling, chatting and joking with each other, creating a lively atmosphere.

Xuanji and the other disciples of the Min Generation stood at a slightly western position, with a perfect view of the massive Kui skin drum at the western corner. This year, it was Zhong Min Yan’s turn to beat the drum. He had specially changed into the drummer’s short outfit with alternating red and white colors, unconcerned about the bitter cold, exposing both arms, clasping the drum mallets in his hands, his muscles taut and bulging, truly a sight of gallantry.

Zhong Min Yan had always been handsome, and as he grew taller over the years, he became like jade gradually taking shape. Standing next to the large drum, he truly resembled a handsome scholar in front of his colleagues; not a single female disciple around him wasn’t looking at him, whispering to each other about all his private secrets.

Xuanji was looking at him too; from the time she returned to Shaoyang Peak until now, it seemed she hadn’t had much of a chance to observe him up close. She didn’t know if he was deliberately avoiding her or if she was just too careless to seize the opportunity. They hadn’t even exchanged proper words.

Among the young disciples, there were many rumors about him and Linglong; it was said that once Linglong turned eighteen, they would marry. This golden boy and girl had become a beautiful tale of Shouyang Mountain—the childhood sweethearts without a hint of suspicion, hiding who knows how much romantic sentiment!

To Xuanji, those rumors only warranted a faint smile. In fact, she knew earlier than anyone else who Zhong Min Yan’s heart favored. Since then, she had cut off her own naïve and vague affections.

They were just young at the time. Back then, none of them understood feelings. She only had eyes for him, yet there were many around him. He would remember many, feel for many, worry about many, yet uniquely excluded her. Now, she stood alone, without entanglements, while his heart had found its own devotion... The answer had been settled four years ago, or perhaps even earlier.

Those naive thoughts of the young girls, the faint sadness and sense of loss, now only elicited a wry smile.

Actually, this was very good. Extremely good.

On the distant Jade Platform, Chu Lei clapped his hands, and everyone fell silent in an instant. Following this, the Kui skin drums sounded from all around, as tumultuous as raging waves, sweeping over in a moment, breaking through all the barriers of indifference, with everyone’s heart leaping along to the exhilarating rhythm.

Dong dong dong, dong dong dong dong...

It felt as if the waves were pounding through every limb, blood racing through the veins, the mind buzzing, heartbeat gradually speeding up, the body nearly not one’s own, about to melt into the dense drumbeats and become one of the jumping, joyous sounds within.

Zhong Min Yan was drenched in sweat, the hefty Dragon Bone Drum Mallets in his hands becoming a part of his body, forcefully throwing them out, and again, bringing forth a fierce movement.

With all his might, he struck the final drumbeat, utterly exhausted. Abruptly turning back, he saw the group of girls in red in the center of the stage, cheering in unison, perfectly synchronized as they beat their small waist drums. In contrast to the deep and mellow sound of the Kui skin drum, they were crisp and nimble, like a stream splashing over the rocks along the shore.

So many people, so much red, yet in his eyes, there was only one person.

Linglong, in her bright red dress, was like a blooming flower, her body supple as she danced, the red tassels on her drum mallets fluttering like a pair of small wings.

Gong gong gong, gong gong gong gong...

Fresh snow began to fall again, flake by flake, standout out conspicuously against the red fabric.

Her red sash suddenly arched through the air, her waist bending into an incredible curve, the drumming, singing, and dancing all came to a halt at that moment.

The venue was abuzz with voices, cheers like the sea.

The ceremony to welcome the New Year thus came to an end.

Xuanji couldn’t remember how much Pear Blossom Wine she drank that day; the bottom line was that eventually, everyone treated it like water, gulping it down by the bowlful.

The younger disciples of the Wen Generation were the liveliest, offering a variety of songs and performances.

The secret show prepared by Linglong and a few senior brothers also took the spotlight, drawing constant laughter.

Aunt Hong’s sword dance was even more dazzling to the eye.

Everything was beautiful, as if it were all a dream.

Xuanji sat quietly in a corner, quietly pouring herself a cup of wine, and then quietly drank it.

Unknowingly, someone quietly watched her for an entire day.