Chapter Forty-Six: Lin Xueyou in Scarlet

Lin Xueyou was exceptionally intelligent and considerate. She glanced at her brother, Lin Huashu, though her gaze was not entirely friendly. Yet, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she chose not to embarrass her brother in public.

Her voice rang out, bright and melodious, “Brother, how could you forget about me? You came here to meet so many friends and didn’t even bring me along?”

Lin Huashu was surprised that his sister hadn’t immediately confronted him. He realized she was helping him out of a difficult situation. He felt guilty for letting her down, yet she was still willing to stand up for him. “Girls shouldn’t be wandering about,” he mumbled awkwardly, “it’s not proper, not proper at all.”

He turned to Lu Zhengtian and the others, seeking help with his eyes. “Isn’t that right?”

But Lin Huashu had only dug himself into a deeper hole. When he said it was improper for girls to wander, Lu Xuemei and Lu Yao felt as though he was chastising them, too. There was no way they would help him now. Lu Zhengtian, always looking for a chance to put Lin Huashu on the spot, certainly wouldn’t let such a golden opportunity slip by.

Lu Zhengtian met Lin Huashu’s pleading look, then simply turned his head away, pretending not to notice. Lu Xuemei and Lu Yao also ignored him without the slightest regard for his dignity. Kui Hu and his companions, aware of the difference in status, didn’t dare to act out before Lin Xueyou; they whispered among themselves, as if discussing something urgent. Meanwhile, the surrounding crowd busied themselves by counting their toes, pretending not to notice the commotion.

At this moment, Lin Huashu was completely isolated. Seeing her unreliable brother looking so helpless, Lin Xueyou’s heart softened, and she decided not to make things harder for him. She caught his pitiful expression and graciously offered him a way out.

With a smile both enchanting and gentle, her voice was clear and sweet, “Since you have so many friends, brother, won’t you introduce them to your little sister?”

Lin Huashu, deeply aware of his guilt, was warmed by his sister’s generosity. Not only did she not hold a grudge, she even took the initiative to help him save face.

He thought to himself, “Unlike some people who are quick to forget kindness.”

Of course, the person Lin Huashu had in mind was Lu Zhengtian—just moments ago, they were in it together, and now he had abandoned him completely.

But this was just the way of youth—good-natured teasing, poking fun at one another, the kind of precious friendship that only comes once in a lifetime.

This was their own unreliable, blissful youth—a time not unique to them, but shared by everyone. Each person has a chapter of youth filled with laughter and carefree days, the era most worthy of remembrance. In those purest of years, there were no hidden agendas, no schemes or betrayals—just a simple, beautiful time.

There was, however, a reason for Lin Huashu’s concern when he saw how apprehensive his sister was.

A year ago, during a winter when snowflakes fell thick and fast, the ground was blanketed in white overnight. That snowfall became an indelible memory for Lin Huashu.

The morning after that snowy night, the children of the Sage’s Palace left tiny footprints in the endless white. They leapt and played, throwing snowballs and building snowmen, busy and joyful, as if determined to create a unique and beautiful tapestry across the snow-covered grounds.

Among them was a spirited young girl in a red dress, skipping through the snow, her presence a bright splash of vermilion in the midst of white.

After playing with the other children for a while, Lin Xueyou ran to her brother’s study. Lin Huashu was painting at the time. She tugged him outside with a mischievous smile and said, “Brother, will you paint a picture of me in red amidst the snow? Capture me and this snowfall together—I want to treasure it forever.”

But Lin Huashu, not yet finished with his current painting, declined. That refusal would soon leave him regretful.

Disappointed, Lin Xueyou’s expression turned sly. She shot him a look that made his skin crawl, though he had no idea what this cunning sister might do next. He thought, “I’ll just have to deal with whatever comes.”

Pouting, she sniffled and ran to their father’s study. Her father was reading, but seeing his beloved daughter so aggrieved, he asked with concern, “What’s wrong, You’er?”

She sniffed again, then replied, “Brother bullied me.”

How could a doting father ignore his daughter’s distress? “Then Lin Huashu will go without soul coins for a year,” he said lightly. “Let’s see if he dares bully you again. Is that punishment enough?”

Xueyou nodded earnestly, like a pecking chick, satisfied with the punishment.

Her eyes sparkling with victory, she called out to her brother, “Brother, Father says you won’t get any soul coins for a year because you bullied me!”

“It was you who said your brother bullied you—how did it become my idea?” Their father, watching his daughter betray him so swiftly, couldn’t help but find it amusing.

Soul coins truly were precious. The moment Lin Huashu heard his fate, he was stunned, muttering, “A whole year... Father is too cruel to me.”

Xueyou then suggested to her father, “The punishment seems too severe. How about having him paint a picture for me as compensation? That should be lesson enough.”

By now, Lin Huashu’s father clearly saw through his daughter’s little tricks, but he and his son could only go along—after all, this wasn’t the first time. Deep down, he admired his clever and spirited daughter.

“Very well, it’s settled,” he said.

Xueyou then announced, “Brother, Father says if you paint me a picture, he won’t take away your soul coins.”

What infuriated Lin Huashu was that after leaving their father’s study, Xueyou shot him a triumphant, challenging look, clearly pleased with herself.

So, after all that, for the sake of his soul coins, Lin Huashu had no choice but to finish the painting of his sister in red amidst the snow.

This time, the siblings had agreed that after registering for the competition, they would return home and practice calligraphy together. But when Lin Huashu ran into Lu Zhengtian and the others, he completely forgot his promise, leaving Xueyou waiting in her room for three days. When her brother failed to return, how could she not be angry? And how could Lin Huashu not feel guilty and anxious, knowing his clever sister might find a new way to punish him? Still, she was considerate enough not to embarrass him in public and even offered him a way out—how could he not be moved?

He sighed inwardly, “In the end, it’s my sister who’s the most reliable.”

He sent her a grateful look, only to receive one that said, “This isn’t over,” making him uneasy. He could only force a sheepish smile.

Taking advantage of the moment, he said, “This is Lu Zhengtian, whom I’ve mentioned before. These are his sisters, Lu Xuemei and Lu Yao. And these three are new friends I’ve met recently.”

He gestured to each: Lu Zhengtian, Lu Xuemei, Lu Yao, Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen, introducing them one by one.

Then, pointing to his sister, he said, “This is my sister, Lin Xueyou.”

Xueyou glanced at Lu Zhengtian and thought, “He really is as my brother described—graceful, handsome, a true dragon among men.”

She greeted him, “Xueyou greets Brother Zhengtian.”

Lu Zhengtian, charmed by her courtesy and poise, replied, “Sister Xueyou, you are spirited and valiant—a true heroine among women.”

Xueyou responded naturally, “Thank you for your praise, Brother Zhengtian. You honor me.”

Her gaze then shifted to Lu Xuemei. Xueyou’s eyes brightened, and she thought, “No wonder my brother spoke so highly—her beauty is truly extraordinary, ethereal and enchanting.”

“Greetings, Sister Xuemei. You are so beautiful.”

Lu Xuemei, impressed by the girl before her, replied warmly, “Thank you, Sister Xueyou, you are beautiful as well.”

Xueyou replied, “Thank you! But you are even more beautiful.”

Neither girl pressed further, and the topic passed with easy grace.

Then Xueyou turned to Lu Yao, “Greetings, Sister Lu Yao. In a couple of years, you’ll be as beautiful as Sister Xuemei.”

The words sounded awkward to Lu Yao: “In a couple of years? As if I’m not pretty now!”

Today, Lu Yao couldn’t help but feel she was everyone’s target. She thought, “Is being young a crime? No! I need to grow up quickly.”

Still, she didn’t forget her manners and replied, “Lu Yao greets Sister Xueyou.”

Only then did Xueyou turn her gaze to Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen. “Greetings to you all.”

The three young men, overwhelmed by the honor of such a beautiful and distinguished girl addressing them, replied nervously, “Kui Hu, Li Zhan, Qin Zhen greet Miss Xueyou.”

Xueyou sensed they must be here for a reason. “Brother, what are you all doing here?”

Lin Huashu replied, “You’re so clever, why don’t you guess?”

“Why should I guess, when I’ll find out soon enough?” Xueyou retorted.

Her brother could only sigh—he was no match for his mischievous sister.

Xueyou, lively and outgoing by nature, quickly became close with Xuemei and Lu Yao. The three girls chatted away, their laughter like silver bells, drawing curious glances from those around them. For the young men nearby, it was a day to remember—never before had so many of the most outstanding and beautiful youths of Mount Luojia Star Domain gathered together. Of course, this was only a fraction; many others had yet to arrive.

Xueyou asked, “Sister Xuemei, does Brother Zhengtian ever bully you?”

Xuemei replied, “My brother never bullies me. He’s very kind.”

Xueyou turned to Lu Yao, “What about you, Sister Lu Yao?”

“I don’t have a biological brother, but Brother Li Hao treats me very well.”

“Who’s Brother Li Hao?” Xueyou asked.

“Brother Li Hao is Brother Li Hao,” Lu Yao replied simply.

Xueyou was speechless.

“My brother is quite good, too,” she added, “though he likes to tease me. But I always get him back.”

The three girls continued their lively conversation, their laughter ringing out and attracting the admiration and daydreams of the boys around them.

With only an hour left before the selection trials began, everyone nearby grew ever more curious about what these young leaders were doing together. If they knew they were simply waiting for Li Hao, they might wonder just what kind of person he must be to occupy such a place in their hearts.