"Ah? Date Fei Xiao? Me?"
Aether pointed at himself, utterly bewildered. Me, dating Fei Xiao? Is this for real?
"What, Mr. Aether, can you not accept it?" Jiaoqiu smiled, narrowing his eyes.
"Ah, no, no, it's just… can General Fei Xiao accept it? And I really don't have much ability. I'm simply not worthy of General Fei Xiao…"
Aether scratched his head, his tone full of self-doubt.
Hearing this, Jiaoqiu glanced at Aether with a strange expression and thought, You recovered from a completely shattered pelvis in a single day. Other Long-Lived Species would need several days. With that level of recovery, you're more than worthy.
Putting everything else aside, just based on your stamina and the fact that you could contend with Fei Xiao all night, not only was your weapon intact, but you only ended up with a shattered pelvis. Other men would be insanely jealous.
"Um, Aether… I don't mind you," Fei Xiao said, patting her chest. "If it really comes down to it, I'll protect you. I am, after all, Yaoqing's Arbiter-General. If anyone dares lay a hand on you, I'll deal with them myself."
Ugh. If you knew my real identity, you'd be the one dealing with me, Aether muttered inwardly.
"Well… I don't mind dating Fei Xiao or anything," Aether said slowly after thinking for a long time. "The main thing is… I want to keep a low profile."
After all, he really had been involved with Fei Xiao, and he had already said he would take responsibility. Although many things couldn't be agreed to because of his identity, Aether was still willing to shoulder that responsibility, as long as his true identity remained hidden.
Hearing this, Jiaoqiu and Fei Xiao immediately understood.
Just low-key? That's it? I thought it was going to be about splitting property or something…
"Low-key, huh? That's easy to handle," Jiaoqiu said confidently. "We won't leak any news. You can trust us completely."
"That's good, that's good…" Aether relaxed. "Uh… so when do Fei Xiao and I officially start dating?"
Jiaoqiu looked at Fei Xiao. "General, are you willing to be in a relationship with Aether?"
"Me? Of course I am," Fei Xiao replied without the slightest hesitation.
"Alright. Both parties are willing. Congratulations, you're officially a couple now," Jiaoqiu announced with a nod.
Both of them froze, then looked at each other, equally flustered.
When it came to romance, neither Fei Xiao nor Aether had any experience. The moment they heard they were now a couple, neither of them knew what to do, and the atmosphere instantly became awkward.
"Uh… it's normal for a General not to understand romance," Jiaoqiu said, glancing at Aether. "But Mr. Aether, you don't either?"
"I've actually never been in a relationship," Aether admitted awkwardly. "I'm only in my twenties."
"Oh~ a virgin. I understand, I understand," Jiaoqiu said with an exaggerated nod.
"Not anymore," Aether replied.
"I know," Jiaoqiu said, glancing at Fei Xiao. "After all, the person next to you is over a hundred and fifty years old and has never been in a relationship either. If you calculate it that way, this is basically an old cow eating tender grass, right?"
"Cough, cough!" Fei Xiao coughed hard, shooting Jiaoqiu a warning look.
"Alright, alright. Since things have reached this point, I won't be a third wheel disturbing you two young lovers," Jiaoqiu said, brushing off his clothes as he stood up.
Before leaving, he turned back with a grin. "You two better get along well. I hear new couples enter the honeymoon phase very quickly. When you get intimate, remember not to get addicted."
"Jiaoqiu!"
Fei Xiao, her face burning red, lunged forward to grab him, but Jiaoqiu had already shut the door and fled.
"When I get back, I'm personally replacing all his meals with cilantro," Fei Xiao muttered angrily.
With Jiaoqiu, the troublesome third party, gone, only Aether and Fei Xiao remained in the courtyard.
It was already getting dark, and it was close to dinner time.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Aether took the initiative. "Um… General Fei Xiao…"
"Just call me Fei Xiao," she said softly, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Oh. Fei Xiao, it's getting late. How about we go eat together?" Aether suggested.
"Sounds good," Fei Xiao nodded, and the two of them left together.
Eating really was the best way to ease awkwardness.
They went to Aurum Alley, found a small but decent restaurant, and sat down to eat.
"By the way, Fei Xiao, are you on vacation recently? You've been staying on the Xianzhou Luofu," Aether asked curiously.
At this point, the Luofu had not yet been invaded, nor had the Martial Arts Ceremony begun. The main storyline had not yet started.
So why was Fei Xiao still here?
"More or less," Fei Xiao replied. "I just finished a campaign, and there aren't any battles for now. I happened to pass by the Luofu on my way back, so I decided to rest for a while and visit some old friends."
"I see. Then how long do you plan to stay?" Aether asked.
"About half a month," Fei Xiao said after a moment's thought. "Even warriors need rest. Long-term combat wears the body down, even for Long-Lived Species."
"What about you?" she asked. "You always seem so relaxed. Aside from setting up your stall, you don't look busy at all. How do you manage that?"
"That's because I know how to make money," Aether replied with a smile. "As long as I have enough, that's fine. I'm not someone who needs to hoard all the world's wealth."
The two chatted casually, back and forth.
Without Jiaoqiu or other acquaintances around, and with no need for restraint, they quickly grew more comfortable with each other. Aether's easygoing nature and wide range of knowledge made conversation effortless.
If they hadn't known they were a couple, Fei Xiao might have dragged him into becoming sworn siblings instead.
Although they were dating, it didn't stop them from speaking openly. As the conversation grew livelier, Fei Xiao waved over the owner and ordered wine, a local Xianzhou brew that was clear, strong-smelling, and clearly potent.
"Come, Aether. Let's drink this cup," Fei Xiao said generously, filling his glass. "Even though we're a couple now, I hope you don't feel burdened. Whatever you want to say, say it through the wine."
"Alright." Aether raised his glass and drank with her.
Aether didn't drink often, and his tolerance was average, but with the Power of Abundance, he could easily disperse the alcohol if needed.
What he didn't expect was how quickly Fei Xiao drank herself tipsy.
Her blue eyes fixed on Aether, hazy and unfocused, her cheeks flushed.
"Hehe… Aether," Fei Xiao murmured. "You know we're a couple now, right? I remember couples usually kiss…"
She leaned closer, her gaze locked onto him.
"Aether… will you give me a kiss?"