All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 716 - 393_1
Soft starlight graced Li Zijun's complexion, water droplets clinging to her forelock and trickling down to her collarbones. The wetness made her clothes cling to her body, outlining her delicate and well-proportioned figure like a half-revealed treasure. Her jade arms were lightly bent, her enchanting grace fully apparent. Her bare hands gently gathered her soaked hair behind her head. The water streamed down, moistening her robe and tracing the perfect contours of her body. She looked at Ji Nanjue, feeling somewhat embarrassed. The clothes, not fully removed, clung to her tender body, the flesh tone slightly visible beneath the soaked fabric. Usually, her loosely fitted robe concealed much, but now, the true form of Mount Lu was finally revealed.
Ji Nanjue watched her with evident surprise. Then, curling the corners of her mouth, she spoke with playful interest, "It's true what they say about master and disciple; even their lies are carved from the same mold... Forget it, if you want to call me 'sister,' then do so. 'Daoist mistress' really does sound pretentiously old."
Li Zijun said nothing for a moment. Her legs, hidden under the water, gently stirred the surface, splashing droplets around. Then, with a gentle push of her jade arms, she stood up, completely bare. The water rose just above the roots of her thighs, revealing half of her slender waist—flat and smooth, without an ounce of excess flesh.
"Let's take off our clothes; we can't very well bathe in them, can we?" Ji Nanjue said.
Along the way, Li Zijun had worn this same robe for who knows how long, though it bore no stains. Shyly, Li Zijun removed her clothes and placed them on the shore. Then, she promptly sat down in the pool, hiding herself well within its waters. Ji Nanjue didn't laugh at her but settled beside her instead.
The air felt heavy; the period before rain always brought a particular restlessness. Ji Nanjue's small hand gently lifted splashes of water, allowing them to fall back down. Suddenly, she spoke, "You've only seen him a few times, yet you're so sure of your feelings? At your age, it's normal to have someone you admire, but your actions don't seem like those of an impulsive person. I'm curious, could you share your thoughts with me?" Pausing, as if realizing her question was a bit tricky, Ji Nanjue added with a smile, "Of course, it's alright if you don't want to talk about it..." As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on Li Zijun.
"My thoughts?" Li Zijun lightly pursed her lips, not looking at Ji Nanjue, and murmured softly. Gazing into the somewhat murky pool water, she pondered for a moment, then spoke softly, "Does liking someone always require a thought-out reason? Isn't it rather that at some moment, due to something that resonates deeply within, a person unconsciously finds a place in your heart? Perhaps it's just a glance, or a certain gesture."
Ji Nanjue was taken aback. Li Zijun's voice carried a hint of sorrow. Though her tone was very gentle, for some reason, it seemed to exude much distress. Then, Ji Nanjue pulled her tightly into her arms, pressing her cheek to hers. "Love at first sight?" she asked.
Ji Nanjue might have previously scoffed at the notion, dismissing it as absurdity. How could mere eye contact solidify someone's feelings, unless it was simple lust for the other's beauty? Yet now, her heart had gradually come to recognize the term. Her life's path with Su Bei had often intertwined unintentionally, and the emotions they both shared after surviving dangers together were naturally profound. Perhaps, even before that night, her heart had already been imprinted with his shadow, but she had never acknowledged it, her heart having been sealed for so long.
"That might be true," Li Zijun forced a smile. It seemed Ji Nanjue had misunderstood her. Her feelings for Su Bei, how could they be as lightly portrayed as she had just described? It was after nearly a century of tempering that she had finally affirmed her feelings. "Sister Nan Ji, Zi Jun is feeling a bit cold..." She wrapped her arms around herself and blinked her eyes at Ji Nanjue.
"Let's go back then," Li Zijun said.
"Mistress... Sister, you can stay here alone for a while," Li Zijun corrected herself.
Ji Nanjue smiled warmly at her, her heart a swirl of complexity. In the end, she was a woman. Even though she knew that her relationship with Su Bei would never be publicly acknowledged, she still felt repelled by the thought of another woman wanting to take a share of his affection. Moreover, this woman was his disciple... both emotionally and logically, it seemed utterly improper. A rather bizarre thought crossed Ji Nanjue's mind—his disciple, her master... and herself in between? What a complex relationship... a three-generational family, it seemed. It's all Su Dudu's fault. There's no right or wrong in emotions; if there was any fault, it all stemmed from that fickle heartthrob. If he hadn't been such a philanderer, how could there be so many entanglements of the heart? —He must be quite content with himself...
Li Zijun waved her hand in front of Ji Nanjue, catching her attention. Coming to her senses, Ji Nanjue gently tapped Li Zijun's cute little nose and chuckled. "You've worn that robe for far too long. If you don't mind, you can wear my dress for the time being." She pointed to the white gauze dress on the shore.
Li Zijun blinked her eyes, then smiled sweetly at Ji Nanjue. Rustling softly, she donned the dress and walked back towards the Daoist Temple.
Ji Nanjue watched Li Zijun's retreating figure, sighing softly.
