Meant To Be.

Qing Qiu's Secret

Bai Qian had a great time during the mortal realm's trip that she went with Ye Hua. She had the opportunity to learn more about him. He intuitively knew her needs. She didn't have to finish the sentence for him to know what she wants. It has been more than a week since they returned back to Qing Qiu. He has been visiting every day to check up on her. She finds him very kind and considerate. He has always been showing up around noon to walk with her and then return in the evening to cook for her. Per his comment, he needs to make sure that she eats enough. He keeps telling her that her favorite loquat fruit does not provide adequate nutritions for her.

Today, Migu decides to collect lotus leaves & flowers so he can prepare lotus tea for upcoming winter. Bai Qian sits at her regular spot that outlooks toward the pond. She reads her new mortal story that she had picked up recently during the trip with Ye Hua. Suddenly, Migu comes toward to tell her there is a Kunlun disciple who requests to see Si Yin. She knows that it must be Zi Lan. She told Migu to let the man come in. As Zi Lan gets closer to her, she can see a comical change on his facial expression. It goes from happy to shock to awe then to confuse.

Zi Lan starts first "Seventeen, why are you dressing in female clothes?"

Bai Qian can't hold her laughs "Zi Lan, it's me. Seventeen. Female is my true form or have you not ever seen any goodness who is as beautiful as I am?"

Zi Lan shakes his head and laughs at what Bai Qian just told him. He can't believe it. It makes sense that Si Yin is indeed Bai Qian. There were talks among immortal realm that Bai Qian was the one who re-sealed Qing Cang inside the Bell once more and brought peace upon the realm. Only Kunlun disciple could do such thing. First senior and him was curious and questioned the rumor when they heard about Qing Qiu Queen Bai Qian re-sealed the Bell.

Zi Lan asks "Seventeen, where is Shifu?"

Bai Qian says "Shifu is here in Qing Qiu. I'll take you to him."

Bai Qian takes Zi Lan to Yuan Hua cave. The cave is cold and is surrounded by mists. As they approach toward the middle, there is their Shifu who sleeps peacefully. Zi Lan kneels down and bows at his Shifu.

Zi Lan cries happily "Shifu, I finally see you. We all miss you dearly."

They both stay inside the cave for awhile. Bai Qian tells Zi Lan her story with Shifu and how she was able to preserve Shifu's body in a pristine condition.

Zi Lan says "Seventeen, you sacrificed a whole lot. We all owe you our appreciation. Thank you for taking care of Shifu all these years. Do you know when he would wake up?"

Bai Qian shakes her head "No, we don't know. Last time, Zhe Yan told me he would wake up was 50 years ago. Yet, he's still laying here. I believe he would wake up. After all, he promised to return to us."

Zi Lan says "Now, I have found Shifu and you. I will return to Kunlun to help Second senior. We will make sure Kunlun is ready for his return."

Bai Qian says "That's a good idea. However, can you please keep Shifu's body as secret? It's not that I don't want other seniors to know. Right now, we don't know where Shifu's soul is. Zhe Yan said that his soul probably scattered into million pieces due to effect of the binding spell that Shifu used to seal Qing Cang. Also, I don't want the Heaven Clan to know about Shifu. They have been searching for Shifu and I all these years. Plus, Ye Hua has been in Qing Qiu more frequent now. I don't want him to find out."

As they leave, Bai Qian put an invisible spell at the opening to hide the cave. They walk and chat happily. They are both so into their own conversation that they miss seeing a black clothing man who walks toward them.

Ye Hua had been busy in Nine Heaven today. The Heavenly Lord gave him so many tasks. There were also a discussion about unrest issue near Western Sea's border. He supposed to come see her at noon today so they could go for a walk. Walking with Bai Qian has become one of his enjoyable activity. He arrived to Qing Qiu later than he expected. He met Migu at the Main Den and he informed Ye Hua that Bai Qian is with Zi Lan. Ye Hua didn't want to wait in the Fox Den. He decided to go look for Bai Qian. As he walked toward the pond, he saw Bai Qian and Zi Lan talked and laughed happily. They didn't even notice him from a far. He strode toward the happy chatting pairs to let his presence known.

Bai Qian greets happily " Ye Hua, you are here." She smiles at him.

Ye Hua is in a very sour mood yet her smile warms his heart. He put on his stoic face.

He says " Qian Qian, Sorry I'm late for our walk."

She says "It's ok, Ye Hua. I figured you were busy. However, it worked out well. Zi Lan decided to stop by so we had some times to catch up. You can join us for the walk."

Ye Hua doesn't like her idea one bit. It's awful. He considers the walk as their own private and intimate moment together. He doesn't like the fact that Zi Lan shows up here. Now, he suddenly becomes a third wheel in the walk.  Zi Lan notices the change in Ye Hua's expression.

Zi Lan says to Bai Qian "Thanks for showing me around Qing Qiu. It's nice to catch up. I need to go back to Kunlun now. I think it's time to feed the birds."

Ye Hua waits till Zi Lan leaves then comes over to walk side by side with Bai Qian. He stays quiet because he is feeling very uneasy inside. Bai Qian still doesn't notice the change in Ye Hua's demeanor. She chats happily and tells Ye Hua her story. They walk toward the market. Her people greet them both as they walk by the vendors' stalls. Bai Qian stops at the loquat stall. She wants to get more of the fruit. Ye Hua drags her away from the loquat stall. He stops at the fish shop to buy salmon. Then, they go to vegetables shop to get some fresh bok choy, ginger and scallions.

Finally, they arrive at the Fox Den. Ye Hua gives Migu the groceries. They both sit down on the table inside the Main Den. Migu comes in with tea and some fruits. Ye Hua drinks his tea in quiet while watching Bai Qian. He finds himself want to know more about her relationship with Zi Lan. Though he can't detect any amorous interactions between Bai Qian and Zi Lan. He realizes that he doesn't like the closeness between them.

Ye Hua puts down his tea cup and asks "Qian Qian, how do you know Zi Lan? You two seem close"

Bai Qian is taken by surprised. She tries to find a good answer that won't make Ye Hua suspicious. Yet, her head is empty and she can't come up with an answer.

Ye Hua continues drinking his tea and says "Zi Lan is Kunlun disciple. I didn't know Qing Qiu has relationship with Kunlun."

Bai Qian coughs and she says "I met Zi Lan at Zhe Yan's peach blossom groves when he came to look for Si Yin."

Oops!!! She realizes that she had just dug a bigger hole for herself.

Ye Hua of course asks "Si Yin? Do you know where he is now?"

Bai Qian says "No. I haven't seen him since he last went to Kunlun to study."

Ye Hua continues "Do you know that he and Mo Yuan disappeared after the Ghost War?"

Bai Qian nods "Yes, I heard the story. I don't know where he is."

Bai Qian doesn't want to continue the conversation since it may lead to more questions from Ye Hua. She doesn't want to lie and hide things from him but this is one secret that she can't allow him to know. Not when her Shifu is still unconscious. She tells Ye Hua that she's tired and needs to rest. Ye Hua sighs then leads her to the bed chamber.

He tucks her in and says "Qian Qian, do you know you tend to say that you are tired every time you want to get rid of me?"

She looks at him with wide eyes "Really? This is not the first time?"

He shakes his head with a wry smile "No. it's not. Now, sleep. I'll prepare some dinner for you. It will be ready once you wake up."

Bai Qian watches Ye Hua's back as he turns away toward the door.

She whispers to herself  "Sorry Ye Hua. This is one secret that I have to keep from you."