Lin Tian clenched his fist, knowing exactly what he needed to do that day. An Yue was happy today, the day she looked forward to most every year. He couldn’t afford to ruin this moment.

No fighting, no anger, no killing. Today had to be a special day that An Yue would carry with her forever.

He looked ahead and watched An Yue training with her profound-grade technique scroll. They planned to head out that evening and stay until night.

When Lin Tian and An Yue went into the city together, An Xiao and the others would set up the celebration inside the sect, so that when they returned, An Yue would be walked straight into a birthday surprise.

There were still a few hours until evening. Lin Tian used the time to cultivate, while An Yue trained with enthusiasm, waiting for the moment they would spend time together.

Time moves fast for those who are happy. Lin Tian stopped his cultivation and looked up at a sky filled with deep orange light, the sign that dusk was coming.

It’s already time, huh?

He stood up straight and walked without drawing on his spiritual qi. He approached the door of the main sect hall and was about to open it when a knock surprised him.

"Master Lin?" An Yue asked.

Lin Tian smiled briefly and opened the door, finding An Yue still wearing her sect robe, dusty from training, her face covered in sweat and her dark-red hair slightly out of place.

"You didn’t forget, did you?" the girl asked. Lin Tian shook his head.

Before they left, Lin Tian raised his hand and touched An Yue’s forehead with one finger.

White spiritual qi began to surround her, cleaning the dust from her clothes, clearing her face until it glowed, and neatly arranging her hair.

"That’s better," Lin Tian said, "Let’s go."

An Yue nodded. They left the sect together, flying on their qi swords. To keep people from suspecting anything, Lin Tian changed into a black robe while An Yue changed into a pretty blue dress.

Neither of them looked like they were from the Lingxian Sect. That was good for keeping their enemies from getting suspicious.

"I’m really happy to be going out with you again today," An Yue said.

"Me too," Lin Tian replied softly, "Gui City doesn’t have much to offer. Let’s go to Hao City."

"Do you mind?" Lin Tian asked.

"Not at all," An Yue said, still smiling sweetly as she shook her head, "As long as I’m with you, I don’t mind at all."

Lin Tian was glad to see An Yue like this, though he also felt a little unsure of himself, afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing.

But he had to stay composed. He had to keep showing An Yue the steady presence of a sect leader.

The distance from the Lingxian Sect to Hao City was quite far, but An Yue didn’t mind at all.

They kept flying forward, cutting through the sky, until the city came into view ahead of them.

"That’s... Hao City."

"It’s so much bigger and nicer than Gui City. I’m sure there’s a lot to find there, right?" An Yue asked.

"It looks that way. We can look around at other things too, if you’d like."

"I’d like that."

Lin Tian noticed the difference. An Yue’s whole manner had shifted into something softer and more playful on her happy day.

She wanted to soak up every bit of joy, she wanted to stay close to Lin Tian.

Back at the sect, An Yue was always firm and serious, and deeply caring toward her friends. Watching that side of her change made Lin Tian genuinely curious.

They arrived at the city gate and paid a few low-grade spirit stones to enter.

The two of them walked in together, and An Yue looked genuinely amazed by the grandeur of Hao City.

The streets were neat and orderly, buildings lined up tidily on both sides two and three stories high.

Oil lanterns burned and lit up the city as daylight gave way to night, and the atmosphere grew more lively and full of energy.

Lin Tian and An Yue walked side by side, taking in everything around them. An Yue’s steps suddenly stopped when she found herself in front of a shop selling equipment and scrolls.

He turned and noticed the flat expression on An Yue’s face as she looked at the shop. Lin Tian figured the real reason An Yue had invited him out wasn’t about buying weapons and technique scrolls at all.

"We can come back for those later, Yue’er."

"There are plenty of interesting things waiting for us ahead," Lin Tian said.

An Yue turned toward Lin Tian and smiled. She was glad he had caught on to what she actually wanted, and she stepped back to his side right away.

The two of them stopped at a candied snack vendor, ordered something, and ate it together. An Yue clearly enjoyed it.

They also stopped by an accessories shop and bought a hairpin.

"Here’s the hairpin," said the vendor.

Lin Tian took it and called over to An Yue. The girl walked up with a bright expression.

"What is it, Master Lin?" An Yue asked.

"Don’t move," Lin Tian said, reaching out and putting it into the back of An Yue’s hair.

She picked up a mirror and looked at the silver hairpin Lin Tian had bought for her. An Yue was genuinely touched and happy. Her heart beat fast and a wide smile spread across her flushing face.

"I hope you like it. It doesn’t have any spiritual qi protection or rune array, so it’s only—"

"It’s perfect, Master Lin," An Yue cut in, holding his gaze, "Thank you. I’ll take good care of it."

Lin Tian gave a quiet nod and cleared his throat, "Good."

They walked on toward the center of the city, where a crowd had gathered to watch a group performance.

"Oh... a Golden Dragon performance," Lin Tian said.

An Yue grew even more excited and pulled Lin Tian closer to watch, and he agreed with a nod. The two of them pushed through the crowd and made it to the front row.

The dragon act performed by ordinary people made An Yue light up, her heart jumping every time the dragon came near.

Lin Tian produced some coins and handed them to An Yue. She knew just what to do.

She slipped the coins into the dragon’s mouth, and the performance grew even more lively as it leaped and twisted. People clapped, the crowd grew, and children cheered with pure delight.

"Are you enjoying it?" Lin Tian asked.

"I love it," An Yue replied.

Lin Tian smiled wide and turned his focus back ahead. Without An Yue noticing, his right hand moved, tilting his finger upward.

White spiritual qi shot into the sky above the city and burst open, startling everyone around.

The spiritual qi transformed into a massive firework that lit up the city sky, making the Golden Dragon performance even more spectacular.

"I had no idea the Golden Dragon could shoot off fireworks," Lin Tian said.

An Yue burst out laughing, something she almost never let herself do back at the sect.

The children grew even more excited, begging the Golden Dragon to do it again. An Yue was happy just being in the warmth and energy of the city like this, especially with Lin Tian by her side.

Lanterns swayed slowly above their heads. He turned, and without realizing it, found himself looking at her face.

When did I start enjoying watching her smile?

An Yue turned and their eyes met for a moment. She smiled.

She worked up the courage to take Lin Tian somewhere else. He was caught off guard when An Yue grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the crowd.

The two of them walked through the city streets at night, lantern light washing over them and fireworks greeting the warmth growing between them.

An Yue’s wide smile settled something in Lin Tian’s heart. The warmth of her hand felt right. And the happiness written all over An Yue’s face... drew Lin Tian in.

His heart beat faster being there with An Yue that night, in the middle of a lively city, with nothing else on his mind but the two of them.

Something is different...

That smile... the joy written all over your face... I want to protect it forever.

They kept going, with An Yue telling Lin Tian there was something exciting up ahead.

She turned her head back, meeting his eyes with a sweet smile he knew he would never forget.

"There’s a street magic show over there. Looks like fun. Let’s go watch," An Yue said.

"Of course, Yue’er."

An Yue... you are the most memorable one to me.