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"It’s true, he is indeed very dazzling. But I feel he’s too calculating, the type who would betray a woman for his career or power. Marrying him doesn’t necessarily mean happiness," Gu Xiaoxi said bluntly.

"You’ve only known him for a few hours, and you think you understand him so well?

" Quan Shaoqing couldn’t comprehend how Gu Xiaoxi could say such things when even he didn’t understand Jing Yuan.

However, upon reflection, Jing Yuan was about the same age as him, and he had never heard of any woman Jing Yuan liked.

Or rather, no woman had ever appeared by his side. This was surprising considering the world he lived in was full of beautiful women.

"It’s my intuition!" Gu Xiaoxi could confirm.

"What about me then?" Quan Shaoqing set down the firewood in his hands and stared at Gu Xiaoxi, his face full of anticipation for her answer.

"You... I don’t know, at least you’re great now. I don’t know about the future," Gu Xiaoxi said with a smile.

"Oh! You dare doubt me." Quan Shaoqing’s bushy eyebrows knitted together in mock anger, his face was all indulgent smiles. "Let me tell you, in this lifetime, I only like Gu Xiaoxi. So, you can only like me too."

"That’s quite a domineering demand! I have a lot of people I like; you’re just one of them..."

"Just one of them?" Quan Shaoqing immediately scowled, obviously dissatisfied with her answer. He reached out, scooped her up, and threatened, "Wife, say it again if you dare. Believe it or not, I’ll eat you right here."

Gu Xiaoxi shrunk her neck in fright and quickly changed her tune, "Okay, okay, you’re the one I like the most."

"That’s more like it!" Quan Shaoqing kissed her forehead gently and then, holding her hand, they went back together carrying the firewood.

At this time, the sun was about to set.

"Everyone come and watch the sunset!" At that moment, Gu Xiaoxi and Quan Shaoqing were sitting on a large rock, watching the sun slowly dip below the hills.

The valley was dyed the color of blood, and at the bottom of the valley was a cloud, thin at the moment and carrying a hint of pale purple.

Quan Shaoqing pointed to it and said to Gu Xiaoxi, "The fog will turn deep purple in the morning. A previous expedition explored and found that the purple mist is highly toxic; inhaling it can affect the nervous system and lead to shock and death. I’ve seen it myself, but because the toxins inside were so powerful, I had to retreat in the end. "

"Is it really that dangerous?" Gu Xiaoxi couldn’t believe it.

"Just take a look from afar. So definitely don’t get close," Quan Shaoqing warned.

"You two stay here; I’ll go have a look," Ai Xiang said lightly, lighting a cigarette and staring at the thin fog.

Gu Xiaoxi immediately stood up and raised her hand, "I want to see it too. Don’t you guys think the purple mist is strange?"

"No, it’s too dangerous. Neither of you is allowed to go," Quan Shaoqing immediately objected. Years ago, he had been there. Had it not been for his quick speed and the use of Spatial Teleportation, he might well have died on the ground.

Although Ai Xiang was capable of moving objects through space, it would be difficult for her to escape danger. As for Gu Xiaoxi, it goes without saying, her spiritual power wasn’t abundant enough to resist the power of the Purple Mist.

"I sense danger, so I suggest no one should go," Jing Yuan also said gravely.

In the end, with Quan Shaoqing’s strong opposition and the sky gradually darkening, no one mentioned wanting to go any longer.

But Gu Xiaoxi and Ai Xiang had quietly decided to give it a try the next morning to find out for themselves. They would not venture deep, but just take a look from the side.

As night fell, everyone was enjoying barbecue and red wine.

The Chen siblings, one playing the guitar and the other dancing a number.

Gu Xiaoxi leaned against Quan Shaoqing’s arms, listening to Chen Zimo’s music and watching Chen Xinyi’s dance. She felt it was a special delight.

Chen Xinyi’s dance was very beautiful, especially against the backdrop of the star-studded night sky, with the moon casting its light behind her.

Her graceful movements, combined with the deep emotions poured into her dance, were in no way inferior to the professional dancers at the National Grand Theater.

Quan Shaoqing sighed, clearly seeing how much effort Chen Xinyi had put in for Jing Yuan.

However, when Jing Yuan looked at Chen Xinyi, there was only pure appreciation in his eyes. He appreciated her talent purely, without giving extra attention to the girl who tried so hard.

Yun Xiao thought it was the most beautiful dance she had ever seen, so touching that it made her blood boil with empathy. She saw the grace and self-respect of a girl guarding her love.

So, her heart became incomparably peaceful at this moment.

Actually, whether or not you’re with someone you like doesn’t really matter. When there’s someone in your heart to think about, even if you feel lonely, you also feel happy.

She felt that she was experiencing a bit of happiness right now! Because, she also had someone she liked.

This was probably the emotion that Chen Xinyi wanted to express.

At the top of the mountain at midnight—where you are closest to the starry sky—the woman’s clothes fluttered gracefully as she moved in a dance, radiantly beautiful. That face had the fresh beauty and charm of a young girl, along with her pride and self-respect.

She was very beautiful, not just in appearance, but also in her dance, and even more so in the artistic conception she conveyed.

As the music came to an end, the sound of enthusiastic applause rose from the crowd.

Chen Xinyi smiled gratefully toward everyone, "Thank you all for your appreciation."

Chen Zimo put down his guitar and chuckled, "She’s made use of almost all her time, learning both dance and music. She doesn’t just dance; she also sings! If she entered showbiz, I reckon she’d be a diva."

"Who praises their sister like that?" Jing Yuan was speechless.

"It’s not praise, it’s the truth! My sister has always been outstanding," Chen Zimo said with a smile.

Gu Xiaoxi felt that, compared to such a girl, she was probably good for nothing. Chen Xinyi indeed possessed many merits; if one paid attention to her, she seemed bathed in a radiant glow.

"How old is Miss Chen this year?" Gu Xiaoxi smiled as she asked, her eyes gleaming with admiration.

Chen Xinyi blushed and giggled, "I’m 24, not nearly as young and beautiful as Gu Xiaoxi."

"Not at all! You look just like you’re twenty. I’ve heard that Brother Jing Yuan isn’t married yet, and I think, if he married you, he would definitely be very happy." Gu Xiaoxi deliberately probed Jing Yuan’s reaction.

But Jing Yuan, propping his chin with one hand, gazed at Chen Xinyi and assessed her for a long time before calmly responding, "Zimo, your sister is indeed remarkable. Marrying me would be too much of a compromise for her, everyone knows, I’m not a good man."

It was a tactful rejection.

Chen Xinyi’s fingers stiffened instinctively, but the smile on her face remained brilliant as she said to Jing Yuan, "A man who can admit he isn’t a good man is still quite the gentleman.

I’m not very ambitious, just trying to be a good woman.

Jing Yuan, we’ve known each other for so many years, don’t you ever plan to get married?

Shaoqing has found his happiness. Look at him and Xiao Xi, their relationship is so good.

It’s like they’ve thrown a bowl of dog food in our faces, it’s simply heart-wrenching. "

"How can I be like Shaoqing, to have a wife as soon as I say I want one? Getting married has to be with someone I genuinely love; if it’s not true love, we have to live together for decades. How would one endure that?" Jing Yuan said while smoking, his expression indifferent.

Chen Xinyi laughed, "That’s true! Then you better hurry up and find a good wife, Jing Yuan. We can also look forward to celebrating at your wedding."

"No rush, let’s first celebrate Shaoqing’s wedding. Zimo’s not young anymore either, shouldn’t you be considering marriage too?" Jing Yuan looked towards Chen Zimo.

Chen Zimo smiled helplessly, astounded by his sister’s mindset that she could still joke so candidly with Jing Yuan about such matters.

He turned to Quan Shaoqing and said indifferently, "I’ve been in the army for so many years, used to being with my comrades.

Once you get married, complications arise.

I’m afraid of letting a girl down, being able to meet only a few days in a year.

So, I’ll wait! I’ll wait until I’ve devoted my last bits of energy, then consider retiring and finding a wife. "

"Brother Zimo, I think you could find a wife in the army. Then you could keep her by your side as an assistant, and wherever you go, she goes with you," Jing Haoran suggested cheerily.

"You’re too naive! That suggestion isn’t reliable," Chen Zimo laughed heartily, "I tell you Jing Haoran, your fairy sister is married now. Isn’t it time for you to look for a wife too?"

"I don’t want that; I only want Fairy Sister as my wife," Jing Haoran promptly glared at Quan Shaoqing provocatively.

"Kid, say that one more time. I dare you. Watch me not punch you down the mountain," Quan Shaoqing raised his fist. This guy was picking a fight with him. Crossing the line.

"I just..." Jing Haoran started to say something but was silenced by a hand over his mouth from Jing Yuan, who quickly explained, "He’s just a child, doesn’t understand love. Maybe he has a bit of a crush on Miss Gu. But it’s just a friendly affection."

"Mmmph..." Jing Haoran tried to protest but got a fierce glare from his brother.

Gu Xiaoxi felt awkward. Jing Haoran was indeed simple-minded, with his thoughts all too evident on his face and lips.