Chapter Thirty-Four: The Talented Scholar and the Fair Maiden

Nan Xianyi lowered his gaze and chuckled softly. "She knew you would say that. She also asked me to tell you that in this world, if you want to protect the ones you love, you have to become strong."

"And what about her? Where is she going?" Lu Yan asked, his eyebrows knit tightly in worry.

"To Lizhou," Nan Xianyi replied frankly.

"Is she not planning to come back?" Lu Yan's voice was filled with concern.

"She will return, but not to the demon realm," Nan Xianyi answered.

A gentle breeze swept through, lifting loose strands of hair and causing their clothes to flutter gracefully, creating an ethereal scene. Lu Yan's eyebrows furrowed even deeper, a mixture of doubt and belief etched on his face.

"Did she tell you this too?" he asked, half convinced.

"Yes," Nan Xianyi's voice, though soft, was firm, dispelling any lingering doubts Lu Yan had.

Lu Yan stroked the Demon Seal in his hands, his heart heavy with mixed emotions.

Is this her way of repaying me? Is this really what she wants?

Suddenly, Lu Yan spoke again. "Nan Xianyi, you'll stay with Zi Sang, won't you?"

It sounded like both a statement and a question, laced with a hint of uncertainty.

Nan Xianyi, seeing the sincerity in Lu Yan's eyes, responded seriously, "Of course."

Hearing this, Lu Yan finally exhaled a long sigh of relief.

Flipping his palm, he produced a brocade box and carefully opened it to reveal a golden hairpin. The hairpin resembled a tree branch, meticulously carved with every vein visible, each tiny leaf adorned with colorful gems, perfectly symmetrical.

"I remember the first time I took her to the human realm. She saw a hairpin she liked and refused to leave until I promised to buy her one even more beautiful when she got married," Lu Yan reminisced, a bittersweet smile on his face. "But now, it seems that might never happen."

As he spoke, the smile faded, replaced by a look of melancholy.

Reining in his emotions, Lu Yan handed the brocade box to Nan Xianyi. "If you ever marry her, please give this to her on my behalf. It would fulfill my last wish."

Nan Xianyi was visibly taken aback. Marriage? That was something he had never even considered.

All along, he had been silently caring for her without ever asking if she felt the same way. What would her reaction be if he ever proposed to her?

The midday sun was high, and the once-quiet street was now bustling with activity. Merchants' shouts filled the air as boats drifted down the river. As they docked, boatmen tied them securely alongside others.

Nan Xianyi disembarked first, stretching and loosening his almost numb body. With a warm smile, he extended his hand into the boat, hoping to help Zi Sang disembark.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still. The young man's outstretched hand, waiting for his beloved to take it, created a scene that felt straight out of a romantic tale. The street fell silent, all eyes on the couple, as if they were witnessing a love story unfold.

Girls passing by couldn't help but feel envious, watching the handsome young man gaze tenderly at the woman he cherished, overflowing with happiness.

But Zi Sang, caught off guard, responded in a way that broke the spell. "I'm not crippled, you know. I can manage on my own," she said, though her smile remained, the happiest Nan Xianyi had ever seen.

Seeing her genuine smile lifted Nan Xianyi's spirits. Yes, it's all over now. Nothing will ever affect you again... I swear.

With a mischievous grin, Nan Xianyi teased, "With that attitude, no one in the human realm will want to marry you."

"Hmph! As if I care!" she retorted, playfully.

The bustling street was now a sea of people, and Nan Xianyi kept a tight hold on Zi Sang's hand as they navigated through the crowd. Suddenly, a voice rang out, "The Zhang family's daughter is seeking a husband again!"

Instantly, the crowd surged in the direction of the announcement, eager to witness the spectacle, leaving Nan Xianyi and Zi Sang momentarily trapped.

In the chaos, Nan Xianyi protected Zi Sang, holding her close. Once the crowd dispersed, they found themselves alone on the now-empty street.

Pressed tightly against Nan Xianyi, Zi Sang could hear his heartbeat, steady and soothing like a melody. She suddenly recalled she had never really listened to him play the flute. The last time he did, she had scolded him harshly.

Remembering that, she couldn't help but laugh. "Pfft!"

Nan Xianyi looked at her in astonishment, a hint of teasing in his tone. "Girl, did you hit your head?"

Zi Sang pouted, her interest piqued. "Tch, keep cursing me all you want. If I really did hit my head, you wouldn't be any better off."

After all, he had been the one shielding her the whole time.

Nan Xianyi didn't respond, instead narrowing his eyes as if searching for something. A charming smile appeared as he found what he was looking for.

But he didn't intend to bring Zi Sang along. Setting her aside, he instructed, "Wait here, don't wander off."

Zi Sang huffed, feeling like a child being scolded by a parent. With nothing else to do, she crossed her arms and sat down to wait, her frustration growing.

"Nan Xianyi, you're dead!" she muttered to herself, biting her lip.