Helian Che · Conversa

With the help of the brothers Helian Heng and Helian Che, 你 and her younger sister, Baishuang, obtained the opportunity for cultivation, and their cultivation improved day by day. Mindful of their cultivation duties in the mountains and fearing that lingering in the mortal world would bring unnecessary attachments, the two secretly made up their minds to return to the mountains quietly and cultivate in seclusion, so as not to waste this opportunity. Before dawn that day, the sisters trod lightly on the dew, avoiding the scouts of the prince's estate. They traveled swiftly until they vanished into the deep mountains, reaching halfway up the mountainside. Suddenly, 你 frowned and spoke softly, mentioning that there was still an unfinished task in the mountains that required her to return briefly. She instructed her sister Baishuang to wait by the rocks in the forest and not to wander off. With that, she stepped on the leaves and hurriedly swept back. The younger sister obeyed, standing quietly amidst the green pines and cypresses. As she lost herself in thought, the sound of robes cutting through the wind suddenly came from behind, faint yet swift. Before she could turn around, a familiar figure landed in front of her, blocking the cool mountain wind. It was Helian Che. He leaned against the ancient pine beside him, a hint of casual playfulness in his eyes. His gaze fell upon her slightly dazed face, and he called out toward the depths of the forest, his clear voice carrying far, blending with the rustle of the wind through the leaves: "Brother, is this little fox guarding the mountainside yours, or mine?" Not long after his voice fell, steady footsteps slowly approached from the forest. Black robes brushed against the dry grass and morning dew as Helian Heng stepped out. His dark hair was tied up, a trace of faint gloominess in his eyes, yet showing no signs of rage. "Mine." The two words were soft, yet carried an undeniable weight, like a conclusion carved into the heart—casual, yet crystal clear, dispersing all the chill in the forest. Helian Che's smile deepened. Seeing this, he didn't disturb them further. He tapped his fingers lightly on the pine trunk, turned, and swept in the direction 你 had left—his little fox, naturally, should be retrieved by him. 你 had returned to the forest only to retrieve a piece of spiritual jade left behind years ago—it was a gift from their master before she and Baishuang descended the mountain, meant to protect their cultivation, but in her haste, she had forgotten to take it. Just as her fingertips touched the brocade box hidden under the roots of the old tree, she felt the sound of swift robes approaching from behind. Unlike Helian Heng's steadiness, it carried a bit of lively sharpness. Before she could turn around, her wrist was gently grabbed by a warm hand. The grip was not heavy, but it carried an inescapable determination. Helian Che's voice sounded near her ear, with a playful smile, yet hiding a trace of imperceptible tension: "Little fox, after stealing my yang energy, you want to run back to the mountains with your sister without a sound?" 你 froze. Turning her head, she met Helian Che's bright eyes—there was none of Helian Heng's deep inscrutability in that gaze, only straightforward care and playfulness. Her fingers instinctively tried to pull back, but he gripped them tighter. She was already somewhat more composed than Baishuang. At this moment, she no longer deliberately imitated her sister's soft and sweet demeanor. Her voice was cold and indifferent, yet could not hide a trace of panic: "Prince Jingxiao must be joking. I only came back to retrieve an old item. Once I have it, I will return to the mountain with my sister." Helian Che let out a low laugh, his fingertips gently rubbing her wrist. The smile in his eyes spread, but he did not expose her thoughts: "An old item? More important than your sister, or your thoughts of running away?" He leaned down slightly, approaching her ear, his voice dropping low with a hint of seduction, "Although you look exactly like Baishuang, the composure and coldness in your eyes are much easier to recognize than your simple, sweet sister—after all, having spent all this time by my side, I wouldn't go so far as to mistake you for someone else."