Chapter 37 - Is It Funny That the Reincarnated Senior Sister Is Also Being Pursued?

"Jianli, Junior Sister, what do you mean by this?" Bailian could hardly muster the courage to meet Mu Jianli's fiercely invasive gaze, her voice turning hoarse as she spoke. Even though they had only known each other for two years in this lifetime, and Bailian had left an impression of being a troublesome senior sister before Jianli's rebirth, Jianli's words, "I never hide my emotions from those close to me," carried undeniable implications. Jianli was just as she was in her previous life: straightforward, never one to beat around the bush. Once she sensed something amiss, she would express her thoughts openly, as she did when she had called Bailian 'Senior Brother' on the peak of Yaoji. Perhaps it was then she had vaguely sensed something. But... Bailian couldn’t fathom how Jianli could have possibly noticed anything when she had worked so hard to hide every flaw. “Jianli's intentions should be clear to you, Senior Brother.” Mu Jianli spoke from her elevated stance, “After all... our relationship is anything but ordinary.” There it was—just short of reading out her identification number. Bailian internally sighed. Perhaps she had been wrong from the start, assuming Jianli would be as cautious as Gu Qing Qing, only probing without solid evidence and never taking action. She had underestimated Jianli's nature. This girl was a sword cultivator, with an enlightened sword heart—a sword cultivator among sword cultivators. If Jianli hadn't maintained the emotional depth of a human, she would have become a mere emotionless blade. How could someone like her ever be indirect? At this point, hiding any longer was futile. “...Jianli, how did you find out?” she asked quietly, turning her head aside. Bailian's reaction was well within Mu Jianli's expectations. There was no great satisfaction in the revelation, only a quiet remark: “Senior Brother, you may have foreseen everything, but you overlooked one crucial detail.” “I was the first to meet you and spent the longest time by your side. I... am the one who knows you best.” “You disguised yourself so well that at first, I couldn’t even be certain you were my Senior Brother.” “But you made one mistake—you were too kind to me after my return to the sect.” Jianli’s words left Bailian in a daze. What was she getting at? Being too kind served as evidence for identifying her true self? Even child detectives solving murder cases don’t jump to conclusions so hastily! “I have no idea how you found out I was reborn, but if you didn’t want me to suspect, you could have continued playing the role of the harsh senior sister. But you didn’t; you kept indulging me.” “You could have refused the mission to investigate the cult in Gusu City. I might have been disappointed in you in this life, but you wouldn't have to worry about me being entangled with you.” “But you still didn’t.” Mu Jianli gently stroked Bailian’s slender waist, her eyes revealing a passionate intensity. “I know you’re worried about me encountering the same dangers in Gusu City as in the previous life, which is why you came along, fully aware of the risk of being discovered.” “No matter what, you always do your utmost to protect those around you, unchanged from how you’ve always been.” “How could I not recognize someone like you?” “Because it’s this you that I love...” Bailian listened silently to Jianli's words, at a loss for words. To the former her, this world and its people were no more than a game, leaving her with a sense of detachment from everything and everyone in it. But when the game turned into reality, and the fictional story became vivid memories, could she remain detached? She could have thought up a thousand ways to avoid Jianli. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She couldn't bear to watch this little girl, always by her side, calling her ‘Senior Brother,’ face danger and confront the storms of Gusu City on her own. Perhaps it’s fate—a destiny she must fulfill out of a sense of debt. Bailian offered a bitter smile, turning to meet Mu Jianli’s eyes and said, “You guessed right, I am your Senior Brother, the one who broke promises and let you down—Bailian.” “Sorry, Jianli, wrong is wrong, I won’t make excuses for what I’ve done.” “So even if you kill me right now, I won't...” Before Bailian could finish, her eyes widened. Mu Jianli had pinned her down, kissing her forcefully. The kiss was aggressive, filled with anger and resentment, as if intending to bite through her lips. A stinging pain shot through her lips, and the faint scent of blood hung in the air. Bailian sensed Jianli was venting deeply buried grievances and anger, retaliating by ravaging her tender lips. Her eyes misted over, but she did not resist, silently enduring Jianli’s offensive. Gradually, Jianli's kiss softened, gently lapping at the spots she had bitten, then kissing tenderly, savoring the sweetness. Perhaps because Jianli’s tenderness was too overwhelming, Bailian felt her consciousness begin to drift. An inexplicable fire ignited in the pit of her stomach, scorching her until she was weak all over, mind hazy. Overwhelmed by the heat, she instinctively wanted to draw closer to Jianli’s cooler body, wrapping her arms around her, haphazardly following Jianli’s movements, seeking more warmth. Unbeknownst to her, Bailian's clothes had come undone, revealing her fair skin. Mu Jianli caressed Bailian’s delicate waist, her breathing quickened at the smooth sensation under her fingers. Her mischievous hands began to climb, aiming to conquer the snowy peaks above. Bailian had never experienced such a sensation; every touch seemed to send electric currents through her body, leaving her soft and feeble, inadvertently emitting soft sounds. "Mm..." "Jianli... ah... no, you can't... ahh..." The moment Jianli reached the summit, a dazed Bailian suddenly snapped awake. "Stop!" Shoving Jianli aside, Bailian broke free, gasping, "Jianli, calm down! We’re at Tai Xu Villa, not a place to lose control like this!" Grabbing a blanket to cover herself, she wiped her lips with her sleeve, heart pounding at the narrow escape. That was close! Almost crossed a line she couldn’t handle!