Just a Childish Person

The news that Qingyuan Sect was about to become the guardian sect of the province spread like wildfire.

Yet, the Autumn Water Pavilion remained unchanged. Shang Qinqing and Qin Yuzhi couldn’t care less—in their hearts, even the latest illustrated book held more interest.

Besides, after obsessing for so long over the icy blockhead and the childish fool getting engaged, she could hardly keep up with all the sweetness.

"'The Tyrannical Empress Falls for Me' wrote the wedding scene so unprofessionally. Clearly, the author has never had a wife. And every time it gets to the exciting parts, they leave it blank—definitely never been in love," remarked Shang Qinqing, the goddess of love in the Great Shang, critiquing the book with disdain.

"Mhm, seems like they lack experience," Qin Yuzhi agreed wholeheartedly.

Having wandered through countless dreams, she had witnessed far more thrilling scenes than most.

Shang Qinqing clicked her tongue.

"Honestly, it’s not even as good as Little Ice and Li Mo’s real-life story. Speaking of which, Little Ice, what was your relationship like back then?"

"I don’t think we ever actually dated..."

Ying Bing’s raven-black hair was tied into a braid draped over her shoulder, and she wore a simple white dress. Yet, even the finest silk couldn’t compare to the purity of her jade-like skin.

As she reminisced, a soft glow flickered in her eyes—dreamy and radiant, breathtakingly beautiful.

Shang Qinqing: "?"

Qin Yuzhi: "?"

The whole vibe had shifted, and yet they’d never dated?

The aloof Ice Fairy had clearly thawed, but that stubborn little mouth of hers was still so defiant?

Oh sure, sure—never been in love, yet already picking out names for their future children, two at a time.

"So, how exactly did you two interact from the beginning till now?" Shang Qinqing munched on melon seeds, feeling like she’d missed out on some crucial sweetness.

"When I first came to Qingyuan Sect, he jumped into the Qingyuan Abyss with me. But we were being chased back then, so that doesn’t count."

"Mm, that’s reasonable enough."

"After we returned from the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm, we bathed together. But that was just a coincidence."

"A coincidence... barely acceptable."

"He liked taking off my boots to practice his finger techniques. Feeding him candy was a reward, so that probably doesn’t count either. And then later..."

Ying Bing’s voice grew quieter, her gaze increasingly uncertain.

"Does any of that count as dating?"

Qin Yuzhi’s eyes widened. "Definitely not dating. Who dates like that?"

"Even I, a certified pervert, find this scandalous."

Shang Qinqing’s breathing grew ragged, her expression briefly morphing into something wolf-like.

The two exchanged glances—two blind mice stumbling upon a glaring truth.

Little Ice had once been an unfeeling block of ice, radiating coldness, utterly clueless about mortal romance. Winning her over would’ve been a hellish challenge.

Yet, Li Mo was just a childish fool, so unassuming that no one could feel guarded around him. Doing things with him always felt inexplicably natural.

Call him immature, but he carried an irrepressible vitality, like a warm sun that didn’t blind.

And so, without fanfare, he’d inched closer, slowly melting the ice block.

Had the perceptive Ice Fairy really not noticed?

Maybe she had. Occasionally, she might’ve suspected she’d fallen for some upright gentleman’s schemes. But then she’d remember how foolishly he’d protected her and think, It’s fine to indulge him just once more.

And before she knew it, the Ice Fairy had become the spoiled one, molded into the shape of that childish fool without even realizing it...

"Tsk..."

Shang Qinqing and Qin Yuzhi shared another look, the same thought flashing through their minds.

So, those who know nothing about love are the ones who understand it best?

If Li Mo hadn’t met the cold and aloof Ice Block, a naive, generous, and slightly foolish rich boy like him might’ve fallen for a wicked woman and ended up questioning his entire existence.

But precisely because neither of them understood the word "love," they stumbled into something perfect.

"So Little Ice and Li Mo are actually the ultimate love experts," Qin Yuzhi mused.

"Thank goodness the little monk is a monk..." Shang Qinqing muttered, shuddering at the thought.

Ying Bing frowned. "He’s just a childish fool..."

"Right, right, no problem at all. Keep spoiling him—stay pure and pristine while giving birth to two more little fools for him."

Shang Qinqing gave a thumbs-up, helping the Ice Fairy deceive herself.

"..."

Ying Bing’s lashes fluttered as she poured tea over a big-headed doll’s head.

Not long after, Gu Xueqin came downstairs, mentioning that some relatives and friends from Purple Sun Prefecture had invited her and her husband for a gathering—mostly Li Dalong’s colleagues and Gu Xueqin’s own kin.

Even distant relatives who’d been living elsewhere had rushed over to reconnect upon hearing the news.

Wealth attracts distant kin from the deepest mountains, and dealing with them left the couple slightly overwhelmed.

Before they could even voice their hesitation, Ying Bing spoke up.

"I’ll go too. I’m quite familiar with Purple Sun Prefecture."

"Oh? Little Ice visits the prefecture often? That’s perfect..."

"Mhm. Li Mo hasn’t checked on the Happy Lamb Hot Pot shop in ages. Someone has to take care of it, so I guess it’s up to me."

As the proprietress, it was only natural to keep an eye on the business.

Totally reasonable. No issues here.

Besides, she’d grown up in the Li household. With Uncle Li and Aunt Gu struggling to handle so many people, it was only right for her to step in and lend some authority.

The Ice Block changed into an elegant black dress, pinned up her hair, and made sure to wear all her family heirlooms.

Then she left with Li Dalong and Gu Xueqin, exuding the poised, wise, and unyielding aura of a daughter-in-law returning to her husband’s family.

Shang Qinqing and Qin Yuzhi wore identical doting smiles.

"Clueless about love, but a natural at being a daughter-in-law..."

"Keep it down. Little Ice is still within earshot, and she’s shy."

"Ugh, their sweetness is so potent it might just help me break through to the next realm."

Shang Qinqing’s expression turned solemn as a vision flashed in her mind—

The childish fool and the Ice Block finally tying the knot. At their wedding banquet, she’d shout, "Sugar, come forth!" and immediately ascend, reclaiming her status as a Sage of the Profound!

"The Eighth Realm is within reach," Qin Yuzhi chuckled.

"How did you first touch the threshold back then?" Shang Qinqing asked.

"I’m not sure. That realm is profoundly mysterious." Qin Yuzhi fell into thought before shaking her head.

"At the time, I just genuinely wished for everyone to sleep peacefully, to dream sweetly, and for their waking lives to be as beautiful as their dreams. Then, I faintly sensed the Dream Dao reaching out to me."

"I see..."

Shang Qinqing nodded thoughtfully, secretly making a vow.

Once I reach the Heaven-Treading Realm, I’ll mercilessly punish every fool in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths who dares reject pure love!

As she pondered the specifics of divine retribution, footsteps sounded at the door.

Li Mo peeked in, carrying bags of sour and spicy ingredients, his earlier heroic demeanor instantly replaced by the plain, upright gentleman he was at home.

"Where’s the Ice Block?"

"She went to meet your relatives."

"???"