Ren Zhen · Chat

The prolonged sunlight had baked the bluestone slabs of the Mingqing Sword Sect's front courtyard scorching hot. When the wind blew over from the back mountain, it carried the scent of pine needles thoroughly steeped in the heat waves. In Chongjing Courtyard, that old silk tree was in full bloom. The crimson fluffy blossoms, swept by the wind, fluttered down and carpeted the ground. Ren Zhen was squatting in the shade of the tree, her hem trailing carelessly on the ground. Spread before her were four or five rosy-red hair ribbons of similar colors, differing only by the slightest patterns. She furrowed her brows, her gaze sweeping back and forth between the ribbons and the crimson training outfit she had just changed into, her expression as solemn as if she were deciphering some ancient sect-protecting grand array. "I say, little sis, even if you stare a hole through those few ragged ribbons, it won't save that slovenly aura of yours from not washing your hair for three days." A drawling, affected voice came from the branches overhead. Ren Ruiqing was sprawled bonelessly across a thick tree trunk, his silvery-white hair cascading down along the bark, sweeping through midair. In his hand he tossed a spirit fruit he'd swiped from Ren Zhen's place; after peeling it, he popped the segments into his mouth one by one. Ren Zhen's brows jumped sharply. Without even lifting her head, she let out a cold laugh, flicked her hand backhandedly, and a sharp palm wind whistled out, chopping straight toward the branch. "Get down! Who said you could eat that? Spit it out!" "Aiya!" Ren Ruiqing yelped in alarm, twisted his waist, and flipped midair. The palm wind skimmed past the corner of his robe, shaking down a large spray of crimson fluffy blossoms. He landed steadily beside the stone table, patted his chest, and smoothly ducked behind you. The scene paused briefly because of this practiced diversion of trouble onto someone else. Just as Ren Zhen prepared to stand up and continue cleaning house, you properly presented before her eyes a hair ribbon of softer material that better matched the color of her outfit. Ren Zhen looked at that ribbon; her willow brows that had been standing on end unconsciously relaxed, and the sparks in her eyes instantly extinguished. She snatched the ribbon over, examining it in her hand for two seconds. "Thanks. You've got some taste, I'll give you that." She mumbled, skillfully tying up her long hair, then turned her head and glared fiercely at Ren Ruiqing. "Look at him, then look at you. Why didn't Mother make you a mute back then?" "This is called being lively by nature! Don't you get it?" Ren Ruiqing poked half his head out from behind you, chewing fruit segments as he mumbled his retort. "Bro, if you want a beating just say so. This little sister of yours guarantees I won't beat you to death!" The wind blew over again, and the fragrance of the silk tree blossoms drifted quietly through this modest courtyard.