It seemed to be just a few words, yet it felt more draining than pouring every ounce of strength into a fierce battle. A leaden exhaustion settled over her, causing her frame to tremble uncontrollably. “This time, casting aside all reserve, I poured out my entire heart, even expressing my feelings in a manner that was almost forceful—a declaration of my desire.” Having achieved her aim, the returning tide of shyness left Miao Xiaomiao feeling utterly mortified. Now that the moment had passed, she was baffled within her own mind: Where on earth did I conjure up such courage just now?

Biting her lip, she risked a furtive glance at Jun Moxie across from her. A sudden, sharp pang of frustration pierced her heart: This blockhead! I’ve made it so incredibly obvious, why isn't he coming to comfort me? Even just a gentle hug would suffice! The thought itself caused her cheeks to flush crimson again. Bah! What am I even thinking? How can I be so shameless? But… what would it feel like if he held me in his arms? “What are you thinking about?”

Miao Xiaomiao mustered her courage for a long time, intending to speak volumes, but what finally emerged was just that single question.

“I’m thinking… what exactly am I supposed to do now,” Jun Moxie sighed heavily.

“What do you mean, ‘what to do’?” Miao Xiaomiao quickly interjected, attempting to soothe him. “Don’t worry. You are the legendary possessor of the Ethereal Physique. The elders of the Illusionary Manor hold you in the highest regard. As long as you cultivate diligently, your accomplishments are bound to be extraordinary, and your progress incredibly swift… While you may lack a solid foundation or connections right now, your future trajectory is one that no one can ignore… Compared to me, your status isn't low at all! I truly don’t understand what you’re worried about. Since you had the gall to offend the Zhan family so thoroughly, what does being close to me matter? You shouldn't belittle yourself…”

Miao Xiaomiao offered comfort earnestly. In her heart, she naturally assumed that Jun Moxie must be concerned about her high status; he probably felt his current standing was unworthy of her. That’s why I must enumerate every reason possible to reassure him, making sure he doesn't diminish himself or look down on himself.

“I am not thinking about those things; you don’t understand,” Jun Moxie muttered, mumbling, “Also, I still can’t wrap my head around why you would make such a decision…”

“Does that truly require a reason?” Miao Xiaomiao retorted playfully. Then, her beautiful eyes shimmered with a veiled light as she mused, “Ever since I first saw you, you gave me a uniquely different feeling. You were utterly rustic and unrefined, yet you faced a young master from a prestigious family like Gu Feiyu, slowly cornering him until he was gravely injured and spitting blood… At that moment, Gu Feiyu could have killed you with the twitch of a finger, yet you still pushed things that far… It was truly admirable…”

Jun Moxie touched his nose and managed a wry smile. You overestimate Gu Feiyu far too much! Could he really kill me with one finger? And you overestimate me too! In reality, I could crush him with one finger—wouldn't I be confident?

“And the verses you quoted so casually—every line was intoxicating, showing Xiaomiao that you are such a learned man.” Miao Xiaomiao lifted her eyes, which were filled with genuine admiration and affection.

Big sister, you’ve overestimated me again. All of that was stolen… Jun Moxie sighed inwardly.

“Then, you calmly faced every challenge, rising to the occasion, pulling off a stunning reversal in almost every round—and thoroughly cornering your opponents to claim absolute victory. Whether in the Dao of Chess or music, everything was profoundly surprising… It was as if you knew everything. Do you have any idea how irresistibly attractive that is to a woman…”

That was also stolen. Why did I have to seek that spotlight? Is this what they call reaping what you sow… Jun Moxie groaned softly.

“At that time, I promised you—if you could ultimately win, I would let you lift my veil.” Miao Xiaomiao gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Truthfully, even back then, I wasn’t entirely certain; I was still deliberating… Until this very moment, when you faced that ambush, inches from death, I… I realized my heart suddenly ached with sharp pain… with sorrow…”

Miao Xiaomiao offered a faint smile. “At that moment, I asked myself: If you died… what would I do? And then I heard myself say in my heart, if you died, I wouldn't want to live either. That’s why I rushed out… Actually, even now, I don’t really know why; I just charged out…”

“And another thing—when you face an irresistible enemy, you still meet them with laughter and curses, showing no regard for the enemy and treating your own life and death with such lightness. That kind of freedom and magnanimity… completely captivated me…”

Jun Moxie finally let out a long sigh. What else could it be? It’s nothing more than the certainty of my victory, you silly girl! All these things, in the end, stem from the fact that I held all the trump cards and victory was assured. Jun Moxie was speechless. How had this happened? He had inexplicably captured a young woman’s heart?

Although Young Master Jun was a man of two lives with extraordinary intellect, in both those lives, he had never truly understood the heart of a maiden, the ephemeral nature of girlish emotion. It might take years for a girl to develop affection for a man she saw daily, yet she could fall irrevocably in love with another after just one meeting—a love that might last a lifetime! The heart of a maiden was perhaps the most inscrutable thing in the world…

“I still feel that our acquaintance… has been far too brief,” Jun Moxie carefully measured his words. “Miss Miao, I urge you… please consider this very carefully… After all, we’ve only known each other for a single day. We haven’t understood each other deeply; we can barely say we’ve even gotten acquainted.”

“Ah?!” Miao Xiaomiao gasped, waking up as if from a dream. “You didn’t say it, and I almost forgot… We only just met today!” she exclaimed. “But in my heart, it feels like… we’ve known each other for three lifetimes!” Her expression suddenly grew agitated. “Then… will you think… will you think that I—I am a… casual girl?” She was visibly nervous and deeply concerned about his perception.

“...No, I won’t,” Jun Moxie replied with a sigh, offering a small reassurance.

“That’s good, that’s very good…” Miao Xiaomiao breathed a sigh of immense relief. Recalling her previous inquiry, she pouted slightly. “What does the length of time we’ve known each other prove? I’ve known Zhan Yucun and Zhan Qingfeng for ages… But what did that amount to? Only today have I truly seen the true colors of those two brothers!”

Jun Moxie was utterly silenced. Was this truly what they called a woman in love? She could be so willfully blind…

In truth, Miao Xiaomiao was also restless. From the way this Mo Junye spoke and acted, it was clear this young man was absolutely the one she dreamed of, the one worthy of her lifelong trust. But this Mo Junye seemed to have a huge flaw, or perhaps a virtue: while other men drooled or were paralyzed by the sight of a beauty, this legendary possessor of the Ethereal Physique, who might flirt openly in normal times, actually ignored her completely—even pushed her away—when it came to the moment of truth! A man like this, if she waited for him to confess first, she might wait until the flowers wilted before hearing a word.

Do I really have to take the initiative as a woman? That’s utterly mortifying! But she shook off the hesitation. If I don’t seize such a fine man, someone else will snatch him away before I know it. Possession belongs to the swift; those who are slow get nothing. Didn’t she take the initiative to remove her veil today? What was a little more initiative? Miao Xiaomiao, though outwardly gentle and serene, possessed a spirit that dared to love and hate fiercely! What she desired, she would fight for with all her might! She would pour her heart into striving for it! Because this concerned her lifelong happiness, and no one else could substitute for her! On most matters, Miao Xiaomiao might maintain her reserve, but concerning the love of her life, she was extraordinarily bold! This was also because circumstances had cornered her; the time left for Miao Xiaomiao’s free choice was indeed running short…

If she didn't make a resolute decision now, tomorrow or the day after, she would become a sacrifice to her family’s political marriage alliance! Especially now, with only five days remaining until the opening of the Spirit Medicine Garden, if the Seven-Colored Sacred Tree did not choose her, she would immediately face marriage issues upon her return! This was an undisputed fact! The so-called hundred-year opportunity she once fantasized about was nothing more than childish self-deception; it was impossible! Thus, Miao Xiaomiao had no time to delay…

In fact, if Jun Moxie had eagerly agreed the moment she confessed, Miao Xiaomiao might have doubted her choice. But the more Jun Moxie resisted, the more steadfast Miao Xiaomiao became… This was a strange psychological quirk, though not exclusive to her. Humans often share this tendency: the more something is denied, the more it is desired; the unobtainable is always the sweetest…

Now that everything she needed to say had finally been voiced, Miao Xiaomiao felt a profound sense of peace. Thinking back to her recent actions, which felt akin to forcing a marriage, she flushed deeply. She had acted like a bully dragging a bride away, forcing the union! The thought brought a sudden notion to her mind: Whether you agree or not, I’ve set my sights on you. You are destined to be mine. If I say you are, you are. If I say you aren't, you still are. What are you going to do about it? You have to agree, whether you want to or not…

Her thoughts were hazy and wandering. She didn't even know what she was thinking; she felt lightheaded, as if floating in mist. She spoke whatever came to mind, inadvertently voicing the thoughts deep in her heart: “Whether you agree or not, I’ve set my sights on you anyway… What about it? You have to agree, whether you want to or not!”

The moment the words left her mouth, she snapped back to reality, letting out a soft moan of embarrassment. She instantly crouched down, covering her face with her hands, utterly overwhelmed with shame. I’m going to die! How could I say something like that? It was fine to think it in my head, but how did I accidentally say it out loud, and how did he hear it?! It’s over, it’s over…

At this moment, Jun Moxie was completely stunned into silence!

(A continuous burst of updates; today is the ninth—where are the monthly votes?! To be continued; if you wish to know what happens next, support the author and legitimate reading!)