That Fair-Faced 'Sage' {Completed}

97. The Alliance

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Meanwhile, completely unaware of what was happening, Shuǐ ChénLín sat waiting patiently, in a small garden of sorts, outside the archway.

His face and stature were the picture of long-standing 'patience', but every once in a while, there was a barely perceptible twitch to his brows, which itched to descend into an annoyed scowl.

Not once in his life, had he waited this long for anyone! And he was now mentally trying to figure out if he had annoyed LanFen in someway, especially since they hadn't seen each other, since that night.

The guards in front of the quarters, and his own guards, which stood a short distance away from where he sat, kept eyeing him nervously, expecting him to lose patience and attempt to enter!

They were all by far older than him, and five of them were in the black realm, but the aura around Shuǐ ChénLín felt more powerful than his level of purple realm.

And besides, he had always been known for defeating those above his level!

They were thanking the heavens that he was so well-behaved, but still breathed a sigh of relief, when they heard the sounds of approaching feet.

Shuǐ ChénLín hadn't needed to hear anything...

He could feel LanFen approach, as her floral aura surrounded him, far stronger than before, and he sat just a little straighter, as she drew closer to the round archway.

However, as she came into view, and his eyes fell on her, he didn't even realize when he rose to his feet, nearly tripping in the process.

His face felt hot, and his heart began to beat faster, as his gaze fell on the heavenly sight before him.

Even the guards had their mouths hanging open, shocked by the transformation, and the maids elbowed each other proudly, satisfied with the reactions they were seeing.

Meanwhile, LanFen's gaze had locked on Shuǐ ChénLín's face, and she halted her steps.

That look on his face...

'Adorable!' She made to run to him at once, but the guards had snapped out of their awe, and one stepped in front of her, while another stepped in front of him.

It was then, that they both remembered that, though Clan Leader Shuǐ had permitted them to meet in the daylight, he had banned all form of contact...

In fact, there was to be at least five feet of space between them, at all times!

'Old Man Shuǐ! How cruel!'

Wasn't this the same as showing a hungry person an array of dishes they couldn't touch?!

"Old man Shuǐ, isn't this too cruel?!" LanFen protested, when she saw him that evening, on her way back to her living quarters. "Why must we miss the season of flowering, just to wait for a rare flower?"

Shuǐ ChangSheng had simply looked up at the skies. "Ah, did I hear something? There's this sudden voice...

"A voice that seems to be persuading me to become like those father-in-laws, who completely disapprove of their son's choice..."

"Ehehe!" LanFen had cupped her hands and bowed properly. "Clan Leader Shuǐ, I see you're enjoying the moonlight! This irreverent person will not bother you any further!"

Shuǐ ChangSheng had laughed to himself, ones LanFen had run off. "Exactly like her father! Will only address a person properly, when they've done wrong, or want something!"

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After that, LanFen and Shuǐ ChénLín spent the next three days in each other's company, carefully maintaining the stipulated amount of space, thanks to the ever-present guards!