Chapter 47 Tang Hui Meets a Future Problem

Tang Hui spent the rest of the afternoon deeply suspicious of this “Su Yan.”

Not because she cared personally.

Absolutely not.

Professionally, however—

emotionally disruptive cultivators represented public hazards.

Especially the socially skilled kind.

The pavilion itself had descended into excited speculation after the inter-sect announcement. Disciples crowded around the consultation tables discussing neighboring sects, famous cultivators, and potential romantic encounters with horrifying enthusiasm.

Tang Hui listened with growing concern.

“You people are treating diplomatic sect relations like matchmaking opportunities.”

One disciple looked confused.

“…Aren’t they?”

Tang Hui physically covered her face.

Hopeless.

Every single one of them hopeless.

Across the pavilion, Luo Ming continued smiling in the exact way Tang Hui distrusted most:
pleasantly.

That man only looked that entertained when chaos approached.

Qin Yue sat nearby reviewing the inter-sect planning documents calmly, though Tang Hui noticed she had already reorganized the schedules into something significantly more efficient.

Dangerously competent woman.

Meanwhile Gu Beichen remained unusually quiet near the windows.

Another dangerous sign.

Tang Hui finally pointed directly toward him.

“You.”

Gu Beichen looked up immediately.

“What exactly is your relationship with this Su Yan person?”

The pavilion quieted instantly.

Several disciples leaned closer openly now.

Traitors.

Gu Beichen considered briefly.

“…Complicated.”

Tang Hui narrowed her eyes.

“That answer contains threat energy.”

Luo Ming laughed softly from across the room.

“Translated properly,” he said helpfully, “it means Su Yan enjoys provoking Beichen emotionally because Beichen reacts visibly around very few people.”

Ah.

Tang Hui understood immediately.

“One-sided rivalry?”

“No,” Luo Ming corrected. “Mutual irritation.”

Gu Beichen nodded once.

“Correct.”

Tang Hui leaned back thoughtfully.

Actually…

that sounded worse.

Because emotionally perceptive people often noticed vulnerabilities before others did.

And if Su Yan enjoyed provoking reactions—

Tang Hui suddenly understood why Luo Ming looked so entertained.

This man would absolutely notice the situation between her and Gu Beichen immediately.

Terrible.

Absolutely terrible.

Before Tang Hui could continue interrogating them, another disciple rushed into the pavilion carrying obvious gossip energy.

“Senior Sister Tang!”

Tang Hui sighed internally.

“What now?”

“The Northern Sword Sect delegation arrives tomorrow morning!”

The entire pavilion erupted instantly.

Tang Hui stared blankly.

“…Tomorrow?”

“Yes!”

Why did sect events always move at terrifying speed?

The disciple continued excitedly:

“They’ll stay in the eastern guest terraces!”

Several nearby disciples immediately began panicking about appearances, robes, and social etiquette.

Tang Hui watched the emotional collapse unfold around her with detached exhaustion.

Actually no—

not exhaustion.

Professional resignation.

Better wording.

The pavilion atmosphere became increasingly chaotic as disciples debated:

* which sects were most prestigious,
* whether northern cultivators behaved differently romantically,
* and if inter-sect couples counted as politically impressive.

Tang Hui wanted silence immediately.

Unfortunately, no one respected her suffering anymore.

Lin Qingyue eventually approached carrying fresh tea while watching the chaos with quiet amusement.

“You seem worried.”

Tang Hui accepted the cup automatically.

“I’m sensing incoming complications.”

“That’s vague.”

“I survive through instinct now.”

Honestly true.

The matchmaking pavilion trained Tang Hui to recognize emotional disasters before they fully emerged.

And currently?

Disaster energy everywhere.

Especially because—

deep down—

Tang Hui already knew something important.

She could no longer hide comfortably behind emotional neutrality.

Not after yesterday.

Not after the pavilion.

Not after Gu Beichen quietly became part of her life so completely.

The realization lingered heavily while the pavilion noise continued around her.

Outside, evening sunlight stretched warmly across the outer market streets while disciples hurried between sect buildings carrying preparation supplies for tomorrow’s arrivals.

The entire sect felt anticipatory now.

Like the atmosphere before approaching rain.

Beside the window, Gu Beichen suddenly spoke.

“You don’t need to worry about Su Yan.”

Tang Hui looked toward him immediately.

“That sentence guarantees I should worry.”

A faint pause.

Then—

unexpectedly—

Gu Beichen stood and walked toward the consultation desk.

The pavilion quieted instinctively.

Not because he released pressure.

Because his focus felt unusually direct suddenly.

Tang Hui became suspicious immediately.

Gu Beichen stopped beside her chair.

Then said calmly:

“He likes creating misunderstandings intentionally.”

Ah.

Exactly the problem.

Tang Hui folded her arms.

“And why are you warning me specifically?”

The silence afterward lasted slightly too long.

Several disciples stopped breathing dramatically.

Then Gu Beichen answered honestly.

“Because I don’t want him bothering you.”

Dead silence.

Absolute devastating silence.

Tang Hui stared up at him.

Because—

worse than the words themselves—

was how naturally he said them.

No hesitation.
No embarrassment.
No performance.

Just quiet sincerity again.

Spiritually lethal sincerity.

Across the pavilion, Luo Ming physically turned away to hide laughter while Qin Yue pinched the bridge of her nose briefly.

Lin Qingyue looked deeply sympathetic now.

Tang Hui herself felt increasingly aware that the pavilion suddenly seemed much warmer than before.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

And unfortunately—

the inter-sect gathering had not even started yet.