Chapter 23: "Qin Mei's Jealousy."

After the cheers and excitement in the Heavenly Flame Arena finally subsided, the disciples and elders returned to their respective quarters. The Vermillion Flame Sect returned to its usual rhythm, though the air was still thick with the echoes of the day's events.

Ye Xiaotian, now the first core disciple, accompanied Qin Lian and Qin Mei back to the Sect Master's Courtyard. The three walked side by side under the gentle glow of lanterns lining the cobbled paths. The quiet serenity of the courtyard was a stark contrast to the roaring crowds of the arena.

As they stepped inside the courtyard gates, Qin Lian stopped and turned to face Ye Xiaotian. Her sharp amber eyes held a playful glint as she crossed her arms.

"You were really domineering today," she teased, a mischievous smile gracing her lips. "I think you might have made quite a few female disciples fall for you. What do you think?"

Her tone was light, but her teasing words made Ye Xiaotian flush with embarrassment. He rubbed the back of his head, his cheeks slightly red. "Big Sister, don't tease me like that. I only did what I had to do to teach them a lesson."

He paused, then added with a sheepish smile, "And how could I let my Big Sister down? What if you got angry and stopped cooking for me? I'd starve to death!"

Qin Lian's teasing expression softened into a warm smile. Her laughter rang out, light and genuine. "Oh, so now you even know how to flatter this Big Sister, huh?" she said, stepping closer.

She reached out and gently pinched his cheeks, her actions affectionate and playful. "You're turning into a proper little brother," she added, her voice tinged with fondness.

Ye Xiaotian, feeling the sincerity behind her teasing, couldn't help but smile bashfully. For a moment, his usual composed demeanor faded, replaced by a warm expression more befitting his 18-year-old appearance. Spending time with Qin Lian had gradually thawed the icy barriers he had built around himself, and in moments like this, he felt a sense of belonging he hadn't known in years.

On the side, Qin Mei observed their interaction with wide eyes. The usually calm and collected Vice Sect Master found herself stunned.

Her sharp mind raced with questions. "When did my domineering Big Sister start acting like this? Like a real older sister?"

Qin Mei's gaze flicked to Ye Xiaotian, who was now rubbing his cheek with an embarrassed grin. "And what's this about cooking for him?" she thought, her mind reeling. "Since when does she even cook? She's never done that for me!"

Qin Mei couldn't shake her shock. As the Vice Sect Master and head of the Alchemist Pavilion, she rarely spent extended time at the Sect Master's Courtyard, as her duties required her to oversee the sect's alchemical operations on the second mountain. This meant that she hadn't witnessed the growing bond between Ye Xiaotian and Qin Lian.

A pang of jealousy crept into her heart as she watched her sister interact with Ye Xiaotian so naturally. "She never treated me like this," she thought bitterly. "And I'm her real sister!"

The thought of Ye Xiaotian enjoying Qin Lian's cooking a privilege she had never experienced only fueled her jealousy further. She crossed her arms and let out a small huff, though she said nothing.

Back in the pavilion, Qin Lian gestured for Ye Xiaotian to sit. "You must be tired after such a long day," she said, her tone gentle.

Ye Xiaotian nodded and sat down, his movements relaxed. "It's been a while since I had a day like this," he admitted. "But I'm glad it ended on a good note."

Qin Lian poured tea for him, her movements fluid and practiced. "You deserved that victory," she said, her voice warm. "And you handled yourself well, even against Mu Qinglan. Not many could have kept their composure."

Ye Xiaotian accepted the tea with a nod of gratitude. "I still have a long way to go," he said quietly. "But I'll do my best to live up to your trust in me."

Qin Lian's smile deepened. "You already are," she said simply.

Qin Mei, still observing from the side, softened slightly at the exchange. Though her jealousy lingered, she couldn't deny the sincerity of their bond. For the first time, she began to see Ye Xiaotian not as an outsider, but as someone who might truly belong in their lives.

As the evening wore on, the three of them shared light conversation. Qin Lian's teasing remarks, Ye Xiaotian's genuine responses, and Qin Mei's begrudging observations created an unusual but harmonious atmosphere.

As the evening deepened and their conversation wound down, a peaceful silence settled in the Sect Master's Courtyard. The three sat together harmoniously, the soft glow of lanterns illuminating their surroundings. Qin Lian's gaze drifted toward the window, where the moonlight bathed the distant mountains and the Vermillion Flame Sect in a silvery glow.

The flowers in her garden shimmered under the moonlight, their petals kissed by the gentle light. Fireflies danced above them, their tiny sparks creating an enchanting scene that seemed to exist outside the worries of the mortal world.

Breaking the silence, Qin Lian looked back at Ye Xiaotian, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Let's go," she said, her voice cheerful. "Tonight, I'll make a special dish to celebrate your victory and becoming the first core disciple."

Ye Xiaotian's face lit up with gratitude and eagerness. He nodded immediately. "Thank you, Big Sister. I'm looking forward to it."

Hearing this, Qin Mei, who had been observing the exchange quietly, finally couldn't hold back. She turned to Qin Lian with a pout, her voice filled with mock indignation. "Hmph, Big Sister, since when did you learn to cook?"

Qin Lian, seeing her little sister's sudden outburst and exaggerated expression, chuckled. "Since I didn't have much else to do outside of cultivation,""I decided to learn cooking as a way to cultivate my state of mind." she explained with a lighthearted laugh.

Qin Mei, however, wasn't ready to let it go. Crossing her arms, she whined like a wronged child. "So why haven't you cooked for me yet? And why are you spoiling him so much?" She jabbed a finger toward Ye Xiaotian, her tone dripping with jealousy. "Am I not your little sister anymore?"

The escalation of her mock grievance took a dramatic turn as Qin Mei covered her face with her hands, letting out exaggerated sobs. "Just wait until Mother comes out of seclusion! I'm going to tell her everything! You've gotten a little lover for yourself and completely forgotten about your family!"

Her words sent a shockwave of embarrassment through Ye Xiaotian. His cheeks turned crimson as he looked at Qin Mei, who had covered her veil-covered face, her beautiful pout and feigned tears only amplifying her charm.

Qin Lian, unable to contain her laughter, got up and walked over to Qin Mei. With a playful twist to her younger sister's small, red earlobe, making the younger woman yelp, she said with mock sternness, "You little troublemaker! Now you've started scheming against your Big Sister?"

Her tone softened as she continued with a teasing smile. "And about this 'lover' nonsense don't you know? I've already taken him as my little brother. It's impossible between us!"

As Qin Mei rubbed her ear with a mix of indignation and embarrassment, Qin Lian turned to Ye Xiaotian, who was blushing furiously, his ears burning from the playful accusation.

Then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she turned toward Ye Xiaotian, who was still blushing furiously. "Besides," she added in a softer voice, leaning close to Qin Mei's ear, "If you're so jealous, I could always ask him what he thinks about you. Just say the word, should I?"

Qin Mei gasped, her hands flying to her ears as her cheeks turned a deep shade of red beneath her veil. "Big Sister! Don't say such things!" she protested, her voice a mix of embarrassment and indignation. Her tone wavered, caught somewhere between outrage and shyness, as she fidgeted awkwardly under Qin Lian's teasing gaze.

Qin Lian, thoroughly enjoying her younger sister's flustered state, smirked and leaned closer. "What? I'm just saying I could help if you're interested, He would truly fall for you if he ever saw the beautiful face hidden beneath that veil." she said with mock innocence, her eyes gleaming mischievously.

Qin Mei's face turned an even deeper shade of red under her veil, and she stomped her foot lightly. "Big Sister!" she exclaimed, her voice now half-embarrassed and half-annoyed. Her hands clenched into small fists at her sides as she glared at Qin Lian, though the veiled pout on her face betrayed her true emotions.

Watching the sisters' playful exchange, Ye Xiaotian stood frozen, unsure of how to respond. His face burned with embarrassment, and he couldn't meet their eyes, opting instead to rub the back of his neck awkwardly.

Qin Lian laughed heartily, the sound warm and full of affection. "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing," she said, waving a hand in mock surrender. "You're just too easy to rile up, Mei-Mei."

The atmosphere lightened further, the room filled with a mixture of laughter and playful banter. Despite Qin Mei's protests, there was a faint warmth in her voice, a reflection of the rare closeness she shared with her sister. It was a moment that felt both ordinary and extraordinary a glimpse of genuine family harmony amidst the backdrop of the grand Vermillion Flame Sect.

In the dining area, Ye Xiaotian's eyes widened in surprise as he took in the spread before him. Each dish was artfully arranged, the vibrant colors and tantalizing aromas a testament to the care that had gone into their preparation. "This is incredible, Big Sister," he said, his tone filled with genuine admiration.

Qin Lian smiled proudly, her expression softening. "Well, don't just stand there gawking. Sit down and try it before it gets cold," she said, motioning for them to take their seats.

Qin Mei, still wearing the faintest pout but clearly drawn by the mouthwatering aroma, sat down as well. She shot a playful glare at Ye Xiaotian, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Hmph, you're lucky my sister likes spoiling you," she muttered, though her tone held no malice.

Ye Xiaotian rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, unsure how to respond, but his eyes gleamed with gratitude.

As they began eating, the room filled with the clinking of chopsticks and the hum of contented conversation. Qin Lian's cooking was a revelation each dish perfectly balanced, bursting with flavor, and clearly made with love. Ye Xiaotian savored every bite, his earlier embarrassment melting away in the warmth of the moment.

"This is amazing, Big Sister," he said between bites, his tone brimming with appreciation. 

Qin Lian chuckled, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush of pride. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Little Brother," she teased, her voice light.

Qin Mei, despite her earlier protests, found herself enjoying the meal as well. She took another bite, her expression softening as the flavors danced on her palate. Glancing at Ye Xiaotian, she muttered under her breath, "Hmph. Lucky brat." But this time, her tone carried more affection than jealousy.

The meal grew lively as the three shared stories and laughter. Qin Lian recounted tales of her early days in the sect, her voice animated as she described her mischievous adventures. Qin Mei, her earlier sulkiness forgotten, chimed in with her own anecdotes, her veiled face lighting up as she spoke. Ye Xiaotian listened intently, occasionally sharing his own experiences, his usual stoicism giving way to a more relaxed and open demeanor.

The atmosphere grew increasingly harmonious as the night deepened. For Ye Xiaotian, this was a rare moment of peace a celebration not just of his achievements, but of the bonds he was beginning to form. The warmth of companionship, something he hadn't experienced in years, wrapped around him like a comforting embrace.

Qin Lian glanced at him, her gaze soft. "You've done well, Little Brother," she said, her voice tinged with a rare note of affection. "But remember, no matter how strong you become, you'll always have us to rely on."

Qin Mei, trying to maintain her usual composure but clearly touched, nodded in agreement. "Hmph. Just don't get too full of yourself," she said, though the faint curve of her lips betrayed her true feelings.

As the meal came to an end, the three of them lingered at the table, reluctant to let the moment slip away. The flickering lantern light cast gentle shadows across their faces, reflecting the quiet joy they shared.

For the Vermillion Flame Sect, this was more than just a dinner. It was a quiet testament to the bonds that held its people together, a reminder that strength wasn't solely about power but also about the relationships that nurtured and sustained them.

And for Ye Xiaotian, it was a glimpse of something he thought he had lost a sense of belonging.

End of Chapter 23