Cangshu Bai cared deeply about his appearance, to the point of paranoia.
How ridiculous was that?
Outside, he had thrown the cultivation world into a storm of blood and gore. Everyone feared and dreaded him. Yet, in front of Mu Ran, he was terrified that his looks were fading, that he could no longer use his beauty to please her.
He wanted to try and continue pretending to be that bright and noble figure, but five hundred years had passed. Time and hardship had not only changed his appearance but also eroded his soul.
Cangshu Bai felt as if he were an old man with one foot in the grave. Every movement, every breath he took was filled with an inescapable, deathly stillness and heavy chill.
That once elegant and refined exterior, as radiant as the clear moonlight, now felt like nothing more than a layer of rotting wood about to peel away.
There was no longer any clarity in his eyes, only bottomless darkness hiding unknown murderous intents and obsessions.
Now, Cangshu Bai found even smiling to be unfamiliar. A slight lift of his lips brought out a biting coldness, and the air around him would sink with it.
He thought that he was truly awful. He even looked down on himself, so how could his wife, who yearned for all things beautiful, feel any different?
Cangshu Bai increasingly lost the courage to look at her. His entire being seemed drained of strength, unable even to keep his back straight. Then, he was embraced.
Light flickered in his eyes as he looked down at the top of the girl's head. His voice was hoarse, Ranran.
Mu Ran lifted her face, her dark eyes reflecting only his existence. Her eyes curved as she smiled, Jinzhi is always the best-looking, no matter when.
She reached out, the pads of her fingers gently stroking the space between his brows. Jinzhi is beautiful here.
Her fingers continued downward, tracing his eyes, the tip of his nose, and the corners of his lips.
Beautiful here, beautiful here, beautiful everywhere, and here too...
Mu Ran's fingers twined around a lock of his white hair. It was a cold color, yet soft to the touch. She pressed her face against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Looking at the snow-white hue before her, she said softly:
Everything about Jinzhi is beautiful. From head to toe, there is nothing I don't love.
Cangshu Bai's breathing grew slightly heavy.
Mu Ran then held his hand, which was forged from black spiritual energy. It had no warmth, nor the texture of skin. It seemed just as he had said—an ugly thing.
However, Mu Ran carefully cupped this so-called ugly thing and held it tightly against her embrace.
She wanted to cry but held it back.
A smile appeared on Mu Ran's face. Looking up at him again, she said in a cheerful tone, You know I love you, don't you?
Cangshu Bai nodded, exhaling softly. Yes.
So, even if you turn into a demonic beast... She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. I would still love you. Not only that, but I'd want to lock you up at home so no one else could see you or covet you. You would belong only to me, and no one could ever take you away from my side.
Cangshu Bai choked up. But... you wanted a divorce.
The word divorce was particularly difficult for him to say.
Just remembering the small world where the water met the sky, seeing that very word starkly written in the letter she left behind, made him feel a chilling sensation as if all the blood had been drained from his body.
Mu Ran gripped his hand tightly.
That was my fault. I... I was just scared that if I didn't let go first, the day would come when you'd ask me to share you with someone else...
I'm very possessive!
I want you completely, and no one else can have even a piece of you.
But, but I heard what you said...
Filled with endless regret, Mu Ran reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, sinking her entire body into his embrace. Enveloped by his familiar scent, she felt the profound satisfaction of regaining something precious she thought she had lost.
I'm sorry, Jinzhi. I was too much of a coward. I didn't dare face that kind of situation. I should have... should have waited for you to come back and asked you myself.
Cangshu Bai had clearly suffered a tremendous grievance, yet he couldn't bear to see her looking so sad. Lowering his head to nuzzle her cheek, he said softly, It's my fault. I didn't know your soul was following me. I should have told you all my plans.
He paused slightly, tightening the arms wrapped around her body. You must have been so heartbroken when you saw me involved with another woman.
Cangshu Bai's breathing grew erratic, and his voice trembled. I'm sorry, Ranran. I was the one who made you sad and heartbroken.
But Mu Ran couldn't stand hearing him say I'm sorry.
To her, she had merely taken a nap, and five hundred years had passed.
But to him, the loneliness of those five hundred years was experienced truly and agonizingly, day and night, every minute and every second.
Mu Ran didn't want them to keep feeling guilty toward each other like this. Grabbing his hand, she took a few steps and pushed him onto the bed. Then, she straddled him and started stripping off his clothes.
The young man's messy white hair fanned out across half the bed, and his black robes were in disarray. The moment his chest was exposed to the chill of the air, he hurriedly grabbed Mu Ran's hand.
Don't.
Mu Ran looked down at him. Why not?
From the very first moment they met at Mount Wutong, they could both feel each other's suppressed yet surging emotions. A full five hundred years had passed; even if they wanted to crazily make up for lost time, it was completely justified.
Cangshu Bai's expression revealed even more vulnerability. He shifted his gaze slightly, his lips twitching as he forced himself to say, Don't light the lamp.
The candles in the room went out, plunging the space into pitch darkness.
But in the next instant, with a wave of Mu Ran's hand, the candles flared back to life. In the warm glow, Cangshu Bai's expression looked increasingly fragile and broken.
He even had the urge to hide. Pulling his robes closed with one hand, he tried to awkwardly escape.
But Mu Ran anticipated his move. She leaned down, planting her hands on the bed. Her dark hair cascaded over him as she stared at him unblinking.
It was as if this small version of her had audaciously trapped a dark, pale beast that had been driven into a corner.
Mu Ran said, Jinzhi, I want to look at you.
Cangshu Bai's face suddenly turned even paler. He tightened his grip on his robes, as if even breathing had become a luxury.
He was trembling. Ranran, give me a little more time.
But Mu Ran felt that she had already made him wait for five hundred years; she couldn't let him wait any longer.
So, she asked, Do you still want to live your life with me?
Cangshu Bai replied, I do, I always have.
Then today, you must listen to me.
She reached out again to tug at his robes, but Cangshu Bai's hand maintained a death grip, his knuckles turning white and the veins on the back of his hand bulging.
He naturally knew what she wanted to do.
But he didn't dare.
