The Measure of Trust
After the tactical discussion dissolved, Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi—the local boys—seized the rare three-day reprieve to explore Donghai City, their laughter fading down the corridor. Tang Wulin lingered only long enough to confirm forging plans before heading off to gather materials.
This left Yao Xuan walking beside Gu Yue towards her dormitory, the quiet of the emptied academy hallways a contrast to the earlier strategic fervor.
"Gu Yue," Yao Xuan began, his tone practical yet soft. "For the protective gear, I'll need your measurements. It's just for the crafting; your data stays with me."
Gu Yue nodded, her expression one of complete trust. "Of course. My height is 1.65 meters, weight 44 kilograms." A faint, becoming blush touched her cheeks as she continued, her voice dropping slightly. "But… my other measurements… I haven't actually taken them myself. Could you… measure for me?"
"I can," Yao Xuan agreed without hesitation, his demeanor remaining respectful. "Do you have a tape measure here?"
"I don't," Gu Yue admitted, a flicker of embarrassment in her silver eyes.
"I have one in my room. Would you mind if I used it? It would require… closer contact," he explained carefully, wanting to be explicit about the boundaries.
Gu Yue's blush deepened, but her gaze was steady on his. "If it were anyone else, I would mind. But it's you, Yao Xuan. I don't mind at all."
A wave of warmth, clean and profound, washed over him at her words. "I'll be right back."
He fetched the simple, flexible measuring tape from his dormitory—a tool of his blacksmithing trade—and returned. Gu Yue stood waiting in the center of her room, which was neat and sparsely decorated, carrying her usual air of elegant solitude.
"Please stand straight," he instructed gently.
"Alright."
Gu Yue complied, her posture naturally graceful. As Yao Xuan stepped closer, the intimate space between them hummed with a quiet charge. He was acutely aware of her presence—not as an object of desire, but as a person he cherished. Her silver hair, her eyes holding galaxies of unspoken history and feeling, the harmonious lines of her form that spoke of vitality and latent power.
Her skin, seen up close, was flawless, like polished moonstone. He had felt its softness when their hands linked, a cool, smooth comfort that was uniquely hers. He admired her, wholly and respectfully.
"Yao Xuan?" Gu Yue's voice, slightly tentative, broke his reverie. He realized he'd been silent for a moment, simply looking at her.
"Forgive me," he said, a soft, genuine smile touching his lips. "I was thinking how someone can be so formidable in battle, yet possess such… serene beauty." It was a compliment from the heart, acknowledging both her strength and her person.
The blush on Gu Yue's cheeks brightened, but a happy, shy smile answered his. "Thank you. And… I think you are very remarkable. Not just powerful, but… steadfast. It's very reassuring." The words were spoken softly, a confession of trust that resonated deeper than mere flattery.
"Thank you," he murmured. "Shall we begin?"
At her nod, he moved with careful, deliberate professionalism. He looped the tape around her waist, his fingers brushing only the fabric of her uniform as he adjusted it. He noted the number, his mind automatically translating it into armor dimensions. He was meticulous, respectful, his touch fleeting and purpose-driven as he took the other necessary measurements. Throughout, his focus was on the task, though the proximity and her trust were a tangible warmth between them.
For Gu Yue, the experience was layered. The analytical sovereign noted the efficiency of his movements, the practical benefit of custom-fitted armor. But the sensation of his gentle, precise hands near her, the low timbre of his voice so close, stirred the emotions tied to Na'er's memories—a sense of safety, of being cared for—and her own burgeoning feelings, sweet and confusing. She stood perfectly still, her heart beating a little faster.
"All done," Yao Xuan announced softly, stepping back and coiling the tape. He met her eyes, giving her space. "Thank you for your trust."
"Thank you for your help," Gu Yue replied, her composure returning as she took a slight breath and sat in her chair. The moment of intimate proximity settled into a comfortable, shared quiet.
"By the way, Yao Xuan," she continued, shifting the topic with a practiced ease that belied her lingering flutter, "about the winter break invitation to my family… have you spoken with your mother?"
"It's all arranged. My godmother has given her blessing. I'll be intruding on your family's hospitality," he said, taking a seat across from her.
"Not at all." Gu Yue's smile returned, more confident now. "My… uncles and aunts are very passionate about martial soul research. They will be thrilled to meet you." A glint of something unreadable—amusement? warning?—passed through her eyes. "They can be a bit… eccentric, but they are good people. I promise you'll be safe."
'Eccentric is one way to describe the top soul beasts of the Star Dou Forest,*' Yao Xuan thought wryly, but he nodded. "I believe you. And I'm looking forward to it." His confidence was real. His Ancestral Dragon bloodline was his passport and shield among beings of draconic legacy.
"Good. We'll go right after the assessment," Gu Yue concluded, her smile sweet and genuine.
"Then Wulin and I should start on the protective gear. We'll see you later." With a final, warm look, Yao Xuan took his leave.
Forty minutes later, Yao Xuan and Tang Wulin were in the familiar, heated atmosphere of the Blacksmiths' Association workshop. Two weeks prior, Tang Wulin had successfully performed his first Thousand Refinement, mastering heavy silver. While he hadn't yet tried other metals, his foundational skill was solid.
They had a clear division of labor. Yao Xuan, with his superior mastery and efficiency, would forge the plates for his own and Gu Yue's armor. Tang Wulin would craft the sets for himself, Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi. The chosen material was Cloud Titanium—a lightweight yet remarkably hard and tough alloy. Once Thousand-Refined, it could significantly blunt the force of a millennium soul beast's attack, offering a crucial survival margin.
After procuring the necessary metal with a portion of their saved funds, the two boys ignited their forges. The rhythmic song of hammers soon filled the workspace—a practical, grounding counterpoint to the emotional and strategic complexities of the day. Here, with fire and metal, Yao Xuan channeled his protective resolve into tangible form, each strike a silent promise of safety for the team, and especially for the silver-haired girl whose trust he held so dearly.