"She" stays in the corner, perhaps so ordinary and foolish that she's laughable, perhaps so obedient that she seems to have no personality, like a symbol or a beautiful vase. People praise and criticize her in equal measure, and tear her apart with their words. They have pain in their hearts too, no less than anyone else.
One perfectly ordinary afternoon, they "turned dark."
The Smiling, Proud Wanderer arc:
When Linghu Chong hurried into the hall, a girl in blue was leaning against Ning Zhongze's shoulder. Yue Buqun beckoned him over. "Chong'er, come meet your junior sister."
The girl in blue turned her face toward him. Her cheeks were flushed, and her bright almond-shaped eyes brimmed with tears.
This was Yue Lingshan, the junior sister who had gone missing without a trace fifteen years ago.
She smiled and called, "Eldest Senior Brother."
Linghu Chong froze.
Three days earlier, he had encountered the girl in a narrow gorge. She had been dressed in black, and Yu Canghai of the Qingcheng Sect had been groveling on the ground like a dead dog, begging her to spare his life. The almond-eyed girl looked at him. Her voice was as cold as the snow on Mount Hua, chilling to the bone, as she said coolly, "I suggest you stay out of this."
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber arc:
"I have a task for you. Once you complete it, return to Emei. I will pass my mantle and the Heaven Sword to you, and name you the successor to the leadership of our sect." (Original text)
Ji Xiaofu looked utterly astonished. Then she saw Senior Sister Ding standing behind their master, her face cold as frost. Ding Minjun glanced at her, a hint of mockery in her expression.
Ding Minjun gently urged her, "Junior Sister, are you even unwilling to obey our master's orders?"
Ji Xiaofu looked dazed. Thinking of Buhu, whom Senior Sister Ding had taken away, she finally replied, "I... will obey Master's command."
The Lu Xiaofeng arc:
The bright and cheerful Sun Xiuqing had changed too. She had become gentle and quiet, for she was no longer a heroine who roamed the martial world. She was a woman about to become a mother. (Original text)
She could barely remember the last time she had wielded her twin swords. Though her martial arts had not been abolished, she seemed no different from a martial artist whose skills had been taken away.
She was the wife of Ximen in a grand manor, no longer a young Emei disciple in the prime of her youth.
She was about to lose her grip on her sword.
The Little Li Flying Dagger arc:
"The Li of wood and plum. I am Li Xunhuan."
The small inn suddenly fell silent, as though everyone present had been struck mute. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
No one spoke, but every gaze turned toward Li Xunhuan.
Li Xunhuan was an exceptionally perceptive man. In an instant, he realized that his name, the three words "Li Xunhuan," had caused the strange silence.
But why? He had long since left the Central Plains. Even if he had once enjoyed an undeserved reputation, that wouldn't explain why dozens of people would fall silent as soon as they heard his name.
Suddenly, someone in the corner sneered. "You say you're Li Xunhuan? What filthy impostor has the nerve to pretend to be the imperial envoy!"
As soon as he finished, another person mocked, "Imperial envoy? He's nothing but a lackey of the court!"
"What did you say?"
Li Xunhuan stared in astonishment as the inn, which had been silent moments earlier, suddenly split into two groups: one in support of Li Xunhuan, the other against him.
But the "Li Xunhuan" they were talking about was certainly not the "Li Xunhuan" sitting there.
Tie Chuanjia asked in confusion, "Young Master is right here. Where did this second Li Xunhuan come from?"
Li Xunhuan said nothing. Only after a long while did he understand: apart from the woman who had once been by his side day and night, who else could become a second Li Xunhuan?
"Cousin, ten years ago, after you left for the lands beyond the pass, Prince Fenyang suddenly came looking for you. I had no choice but to pretend to be you and take your place... You mean Hero Long? The day after you left, he suddenly fell gravely ill. I had everyone do all they could to save him, but we only barely managed to keep him alive. Would you like to see him? Hero Long misses you too."
Lin Shiyin smiled quietly. She seemed to be the same cousin as before, and yet she seemed to have long since ceased to be that cousin.
Before You Read:
1. The protagonist has no morals and is on the verge of turning dark. She urgently needs to be "saved."
2. Since she's going to be saved, the savior must offer body and heart, cast aside their dignity, and never give up. The CP may even die.
3. If people keep rushing to save and heal someone like XX, why can't she have the same? (resentful)
2024.1.13 (first version)
2024.11.3 (second edit)
Theme: Live positively
