Chapter 36: Song Under the Moon

“Master, it’s been a long time since you last contacted me. May I ask if there is something important this time?” Nangong Minghui asked with a charming smile.

Wang Chu replied, “Come find me at midnight.”

A faint blush rose on Nangong Minghui’s cheeks. “Midnight? Could it be that Master wants to—”

Wang Chu cleared his throat twice. “Uh, uh... don’t overthink it!”

With a hint of disdain and teasing, Nangong Minghui said, “Hmph, pretending to be proper. I know your temper well. I still remember that time when I was bathing in the Heavenly Pool, and you...”

“Enough, enough... I have things to do, so I won’t say more. See you tonight,” Wang Chu hurriedly ended the connection with Nangong Minghui, who was far away on the horizon, his breath slightly uneven.

Her words involuntarily brought certain images to his mind.

Well…

He had to admit, the most beautiful woman in the world did have a very impressive figure...

“What’s wrong with you?” a concerned voice from beside him asked.

It was Chuxue.

Wang Chu forced himself to calm the ripples stirring in his heart and waved his hand. “Nothing.”

“Really nothing?” Chuxue looked at his face with some suspicion. “I feel like you’re a bit restless.”

Wang Chu shook his head and took a deep breath. “Really nothing. You don’t need to worry.”

He rose from the restaurant chair, straightened his clothes, and said, “Let’s go back.”

Chuxue nodded gently and stood up from her seat. “Mm.”

Outside the restaurant, a bright moon hung in the sky, and the ground was covered with snow.

Wang Chu and Chuxue walked side by side through the snow, bathed in moonlight.

Two pairs of footprints, one large and one small, followed behind them, stretching forward endlessly.

Amid the soft crunching sounds, Chuxue glanced up at the sky and softly said, “I didn’t expect you to play the erhu so beautifully. Just now, while listening, I almost teared up like everyone else around.”

Wang Chu felt quite proud. “You must be joking. In Ling City, I’m second best at the erhu—no one dares to claim first place. Don’t let my looks fool you; I actually know quite a few skills.”

Chuxue chuckled. “Like bragging about yourself?”

Wang Chu touched the tip of his nose. “That’s called having accurate self-awareness, not bragging. Tell me, are you jealous of my talents?”

Chuxue shook her head. “Not jealous, just envious. Unlike you, I only know cultivation methods and spells. I can’t do anything else.”

Wang Chu looked at Chuxue. “I can teach you.”

Chuxue stopped walking, lowered her head, and gave a bitter smile. “It’s too late for that.”

She sighed softly. “What can one learn in just a day or two?”

A few meters ahead, Wang Chu stepped back and came beside her. “Singing doesn’t take long to learn. You can hum a few lines easily.”

Chuxue bit her lip. “Really?”

Wang Chu grabbed her arm and sat down on the stone steps beside the walkway. “Come, I’ll teach you to sing a couple of lines right now.”

Chuxue, sitting beside Wang Chu, looked a bit awkward. “Sing what?”

Wang Chu looked toward the moon hanging in the sky and quickly recalled a fitting poem.

“When will the bright moon appear?”

It was the first time Chuxue heard Wang Chu sing so earnestly.

His voice carried a faintly emotional magnetism, mixed with a light sense of freedom and weariness.

In short, it was very pleasant, uniquely so...

To think Wang Chu could sing so beautifully when serious.

Chuxue turned to look at the handsome young man’s profile, momentarily captivated.

Perhaps Wang Chu was not the flawless hero found in romance novels.

But the charm he emanated from within fascinated Chuxue far more than those cold, two-dimensional characters.

She had always thought her luck was poor.

But in her final moments, she realized her luck had finally turned.

He was her first and last friend.

Far more exceptional than she had imagined.

“Why are you staring at me like a lovesick fool? Although I know I’m irresistible, now is not the time for silent admiration. Hurry up and sing with me.”

Chuxue shook her head shyly. “R-Really going to sing?”

Wang Chu put on a serious expression. “Of course. I’m in the mood to teach you, so you must learn.”

Chuxue blinked nervously. “But I’ve never sung before. Can I really learn?”

Wang Chu raised his palm. “If you follow me, you will learn. This song is simple; you’ll remember it quickly.”

Chuxue rubbed her hands together, then her gaze grew firm. “Alright!”

Her lips parted slightly, moving softly. “When... will the bright moon appear?”

It was her first time singing in front of Wang Chu.

Her voice faltered, light and uncertain.

Yet the tone was clear and lively, without a single note out of place.

Overall, it was... very beautiful!

Singing wasn’t difficult; anyone could hum a tune after hearing it.

But to sing beautifully and movingly required skill and talent.

Though Chuxue lacked technique, her talent was remarkable.

Listening to her sing brought a peaceful calm.

“Not bad. If you were a little more confident, it would be perfect,” Wang Chu offered his critique.

His words were honest but sounded like simple encouragement to Chuxue.

“Just be honest with me,” she said.

Wang Chu emphasized again, “It really sounds great. I’m not lying.”

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Chuxue wavered. “Really?”

Wang Chu smiled. “Why would I lie? You have real talent for singing.”

Hearing this, Chuxue finally gained some confidence.

“What comes next?”

Wang Chu cleared his throat and sang, “Raise a cup and ask the blue sky—”

Chuxue listened carefully, then followed, “Raise a cup and ask the blue sky—”

...

On the steps by the street, the young man and woman sang back and forth several times.

Once Chuxue had fully memorized it, they sang together.

Finally, Wang Chu let Chuxue sing alone.

At first, she was a bit uneasy, but after a few lines, she settled into the song, completely immersed.

Wang Chu sat beside her, eyes closed, listening.

Her ethereal, clear voice paired with this classic song was simply exquisite.

When the song ended—

*Clap, clap, clap!*

Wang Chu raised his hand, applauding Chuxue’s singing.

“Chuxue, you have a good grasp. You sing beautifully.”

Chuxue blushed with modesty. “It’s just my first time finishing a whole song. It’s nothing special, nowhere near what you said.”

Wang Chu jumped down from the steps and stood on the snow-covered stone pavement.

“You’re being modest. Even though it’s your first time singing, you already sound better than most. Your talent suits joining the Music Sect; otherwise, it’s such a waste.”

Chuxue followed him down and came to his side, brushing snowflakes off his shoulder with a self-mocking smile.

“How could the Music Sect accept a short-lived ghost with only a day or two to live?”

...