The room suddenly became quiet.
Mo Xiaolan stared blankly at Qiu Zhihe, and Qiu Zhihe also looked steadily at her.
The two women held each other's gaze for a long time. Mo Xiaolan lowered her head, her slim fingers tightly clutching the hem of her skirt, and finally looked up to say:
"Taoist Friend Qiu, I only seek the Great Dao in this life. I will not indulge in romantic feelings, nor will I walk the path of dual cultivation."
Qiu Zhihe was silent for a moment, then responded faintly:
"My husband said when he met you, it was his most difficult time. He has always been grateful to you, but he knew you wholeheartedly pursued the Dao. So when he decided to find a Taoist partner for dual cultivation, he did not approach you."
Mo Xiaolan's fingers clutched the skirt even tighter, biting her lower lip, and suddenly let out a bitter laugh:
"Taoist Friend Qin said I helped him through the darkest time in his life, but wasn't I the same?"
