Chapter 131: Come Inside and Take a Look

By the time I caught up to the entrance of Azure Cloud Pavilion, he was already sitting alone at the table, sipping wine with his brows slightly furrowed, as if troubled by some vexing matter. At this moment, I dared to conclude that the culprit responsible for his displeasure was none other than my humble self.

Standing outside, I hesitated for a long time. Wishing for him to notice my presence and take the initiative to speak to me, I deliberately paced back and forth in front of the door several times. Yet, in the end, he still paid me no mind; he couldn't even be bothered to cast a single glance in my direction, continuing instead to clutch his precious wine cup and drink glass after glass inside the room.

"Master."

I pressed my body against the door, peeking in with half my head, and called out softly, "Master, Master, please don't be angry with Xiaoyu anymore. Xiaoyu knows she was wrong."

Silence. He still ignored me, continuing to drink alone without the slightest reaction.

"Master, Master, Xiaoyu knows that the reason you spoke to me like that was all for my own good. I know it all."

Seeing that he remained unresponsive and did not tell me to leave, I plucked up the courage to slowly shift my feet onto the threshold. Then, I lifted my head and beamed at him, "Master, you are an immortal from the heavens! You are so formidable, surely you wouldn't hold a grudge against Xiaoyu, right?"

As I spoke with a smile, I moved my right foot forward, my gaze remaining fixed on the top of his head. Why was I staring at his crown instead of his face? Because, from the moment I arrived until now, he had not once lifted his head to look at me.

I continued to feel secretly pleased with myself, but once my foot was firmly planted on the threshold, a wave of inexplicable trepidation washed over me, and I wondered if I should prepare some flattering words.

"Xiaoyu."

Before I could speak, Zilian suddenly called out. I had one foot on the threshold and was about to place the other when his sudden exclamation startled me. My foot slipped, and I tumbled backward.

My heavens! My head!

A flurry of footsteps sounded, and Zilian rushed before me. He was frowning deeply, his eyes fixed on me as he looked down.

"Are you hurt?" he asked softly, a hint of concern seemingly flickering in his eyes.

Hearing him take the initiative to ask, I could no longer control my tears. It was not because of the pain in my head, but because I had found a trace of tenderness for me in his gaze. Even if it were merely the concern of a stern mentor for his disciple, I was more than satisfied.

I lowered my head as tears fell uncontrollably. After sobbing softly for a few moments, I raised my hand to wipe my face vigorously with my sleeve. When I looked up again, I offered him a bright smile and said, "Yes, yes, Xiaoyu is hurt, and it is a very serious injury."

Seizing this opportunity, I no longer pretended to be strong, nor did I adopt the boyish tone I usually used when speaking to him. Instead, I answered his question with the gentlest voice I had ever possessed. I harbored a desperate hope that this voice might be unforgettable to him, that at some point in the future, when he recalled this moment, his heart might skip a beat for me.

He did not look at my face, but kept his head lowered, his dark hair veiling his eyes as he said calmly and softly, "Get up from the ground first and come inside. I will take a look."

With that, he turned and walked away without sparing me another glance.

The response that was about to burst from my lips became lodged in my throat. Watching that white silhouette vanish from my sight, my mood suddenly sank. I had hoped he would reach out to carry me, just as he had when I was injured and he brought me back from the Meng family estate—cradling me in his arms and carrying me inside to tend to my wounds. I had not expected that all I would receive in return was his back.

I sat on the ground for a while, and seeing that he had no intention of returning, I had no choice but to go and find him myself.