Maybe My Soulmate! (GL)

from mo feng's perspective, the scene was nothing short of magic. inside the shimmering, nearly invisible dome, her elder sister and sister yubing looked like gods or fairies from the stories her mother told her. the morning mist, which was just plain fog to everyone else, swirled around their feet like obedient clouds. swords, which were usually just heavy things the guards carried, flashed like arcs of silver and pure light in their hands.

su yubing, in her purple robe, moved like flowing violet clouds, her long hair glinting like a river of gold where the sun kissed it. she was so elegant, so beautiful, it made mo feng's little heart ache. mo yuxin danced opposite her, wild and fiery, her blade slicing through the air with laughter on her lips, looking like a hero from a legend. every time their swords met, tiny, bright stars would explode between them before vanishing. it wasn't a fight; it was the most beautiful dance she had ever seen.

to mo feng, they looked untouchable. legendary. they were the coolest people in the entire world.

her little heart thumped with awe. she almost forgot to breathe as she pressed her face against the faint, warm shimmer of the barrier. "waaah… so cool…"

inside, mo yuxin sighed and lowered her blade, though a helpless, fond smile tugged at her lips. "…mo feng."

su yubing exhaled quietly, sheathing her sword with one smooth, practiced motion. the barrier dissolved with a silent shimmer. her cheeks were faintly red, though whether from the sparring or from being caught in her playful moment, even mo yuxin couldn't say for sure.

mo feng beamed, released from the invisible wall, and ran towards them, bouncing on her toes. "are you two playing swords? it looked so pretty! can i join too? can i?"

the world, which had been theirs alone, now expanded again—filled with sunshine, innocent laughter, and the bubbling energy of the little girl who had caught them mid-magic.

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su yubing went ahead and gently patted her head before saying, "of course, you can. come, i will teach you some sword moves."

a brilliant smile bloomed on mo feng's face, so bright it seemed to compete with the morning sun. "really? thank you, big sis yubing!"

mo yuxin watched from the side, leaning against the cool stone of the courtyard wall with a soft, indulgent smile. she fetched two wooden practice swords from a nearby rack, their surfaces worn smooth from years of use. she handed one to yubing, their fingers brushing for a moment longer than necessary. a familiar spark jumped between them, a silent conversation that spoke volumes.

"start with the basics," yuxin said, her voice a low murmur meant only for yubing. "don't overwhelm her."

yubing gave a slight nod, her eyes warm with affection. "i know."

she turned to the eagerly waiting mo feng. "alright, feng'er. watch me first. the most important thing isn't the swing, it's your stance. your feet are your roots. if your roots are weak, the slightest breeze will topple you."

su yubing's movements were a study in fluid grace. she wasn't the fearsome warrior mo yuxin knew from countless battles; this was a different yubing. a patient, gentle teacher. she sank into a low horse stance, her back perfectly straight, the wooden sword held in a two-handed grip before her. there was no wasted motion, no sharp, aggressive energy. it was like watching a dancer prepare for a performance.

"like this," she said, her voice calm and steady. "feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent. feel your connection to the ground. you should feel solid, immovable."

mo feng, her expression one of intense concentration, tried to mimic the pose. she wobbled, her knees too far apart, her back slightly hunched.

yubing stepped behind her, her presence a comforting warmth. she gently adjusted mo feng's feet with the side of her own foot. "a little closer." her hands came to rest on mo feng's shoulders, pressing down lightly. "shoulders relaxed, chest open." she moved to her side, her hand guiding mo feng's grip on the wooden sword. "fingers firm, but not a death grip. the sword is an extension of your arm, not a separate object you're trying to strangle."

from her vantage point, mo yuxin felt her heart swell. the picture they made was breathtaking. the golden sunlight filtered through the leaves of the old plum tree, dappling the ground in shifting patterns of light and shadow. su yubing, dressed in simple white training robes, her long black hair tied back with a simple ribbon, looked ethereal. her usual cool and distant aura was replaced by a soft, nurturing glow. and mo feng, her younger sister, looked up at yubing with eyes full of pure, unadulterated hero-worship. the contrast between yubing's serene strength and feng's clumsy, eager energy was a perfect, beautiful harmony. this, yuxin thought, this is what peace looks like. this is my family.

yubing guided feng through a few simple blocks and a basic downward slash. she was endlessly patient, correcting the girl's form with a soft word or a gentle touch, praising her every small improvement.

"good, feng'er! much better. you see how the power comes from your waist, not just your arms?"

"i think so!" mo feng said, her face flushed with effort and excitement. she performed the slash again, and while it was still far from perfect, it had a hint of the grace she was trying to emulate. she looked at su yubing, her eyes sparkling. "big sis yubing, you're amazing! it's like you're dancing with the sword!"

mo yuxin decided it was time to intervene. she pushed off the wall and sauntered over, a teasing glint in her eyes. "careful there, feng'er," she said, draping an arm over her little sister's shoulders. "listening to you, one might think you like your new big sis more than your old one."

mo feng didn't even hesitate. she turned her wide, honest eyes to yuxin and declared, "i do! big sis yubing is so cool and gentle! you just hit me with the back of your sword and tell me to get up!"

yuxin feigned a gasp, clutching her chest. "betrayed! by my own flesh and blood! i'm wounded, truly."

yubing chuckled, the sound like soft bells in the quiet courtyard. "yuxin, don't tease her."

"i'm not teasing! i'm gathering information," yuxin retorted, grinning. she looked back at feng. "so, since you like her so much, do you want big sis yubing to stay here with us forever?"

"yes!" mo feng shouted, her excitement palpable. she grabbed yubing's sleeve. "can you, big sis yubing? can you stay here forever and teach me every day?"

a complex emotion flickered in yubing's eyes—a mixture of joy, affection, and a hint of longing. before she could answer, yuxin delivered the final blow.

"well, it's your lucky day, little sister," yuxin said, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. "because soon, she's going to become your sister-in-law."

the words hung in the air. mo feng froze, her brow furrowed in confusion. "sister… in-law?" she sounded the words out slowly, the gears in her young mind turning. her gaze darted from yuxin's smug grin to yubing's slightly blushing face. and then, like the sun breaking through the clouds, understanding dawned. it wasn't a shocked or horrified understanding. it was a moment of pure, simple enlightenment.

"oh," she breathed, her eyes wide. "so… you're going to marry big sis yuxin." she looked between the two of them, a slow, happy smile spreading across her face. "that makes sense. you two are always looking at each other funny." she nodded decisively, as if solving a great puzzle. "i approve! then you'll have to stay here forever!"

yuxin and yubing both burst into laughter, the tension broken by the girl's innocent and absolute acceptance. it was the first time mo feng had encountered the idea of two women being in love, of marrying, and to her, it was the most natural thing in the world.

"speaking of happy occasions," a warm, gentle voice drifted from the doorway of the main house.

they all turned. mother lan stood there, a basket of herbs in her hand. she was a woman whose gentleness was woven into her very being. her hair, streaked with distinguished silver, was neatly pinned up. her face was lined with the soft creases of a thousand smiles, and her eyes held a deep, calming wisdom. she wore a simple, elegant robe of soft blue, and her presence alone seemed to make the courtyard feel more like home.

"mother," yuxin and feng said in unison.

"auntie lan," yubing greeted her with a respectful bow.

"no need for such formalities, yubing," mother lan said, her smile warm. "it seems you're giving feng'er a lesson. that's good. a girl should know how to protect herself." her eyes twinkled as she looked at her youngest. "and i heard something about a sister-in-law?"

yuxin's face turned a shade of pink. "mother, you have ears like a bat."

"i have the ears of a mother who wants to see her children happy," she corrected gently. she set her basket down and looked at yubing, her expression soft but serious. "yubing, my dear. we consider you family already. but if you and yuxin are serious, then we must do things properly. we should pay a formal visit to your parents."

just as she spoke, another figure appeared in the doorway, moving to stand beside mother lan. it was shen mingyue. she was the opposite of mother lan in many ways—where lan was soft curves and warm smiles, mingyue was quiet angles and a reserved, watchful stillness. she was dressed in a practical, dark grey tunic, her hair cut in a short, severe style. yet, there was a fierce loyalty in her eyes that mirrored her unwavering presence at mother lan's side.

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To be continued.