Chapter 10
Who Dares?
“Cough—cough, cough!” Lin Ziyuan choked on his own saliva, startled.
“What?!”
“Lu Qianchuan and Chu Zilan. Are they a couple?” Ding Li repeated.
Well, since she was here, she might as well enjoy some free gossip. Free details were not to be wasted.
Lin Ziyuan stared at her, stunned for a long moment before snapping back.
“Where did you hear that?”
Hear it? They’re the male and female leads of a romance novel! Do I need to hear it from somewhere?!
Ding Li replied,
“Why does it matter where I heard it? Just tell me if they are.”
Lin Ziyuan eyed her suspiciously.
“What are you trying to do?”
This kid’s pretty cautious!
Ding Li thought for a moment, then said,
“Well, I noticed that Immortal Master Lu is dignified and handsome, and Immortal Master Chu is graceful and elegant—a perfect match. But yesterday, when I went down the mountain with Immortal Master Chu, I saw a man paying her quite a bit of attention…”
“You shameless scoundrel!” Lin Ziyuan exploded in anger. “Who dares covet my Senior Sister?!”
…
Not exactly a scoundrel. It’s your Senior Brother Xiao.
Ding Li quickly soothed him.
“Calm down, calm down. Don’t get so worked up—I’m just saying.”
Lin Ziyuan was still fuming.
“Who is it? Who dares be so bold? My Senior Sister is not someone just anyone can desire!”
If only she had some sunflower seeds, this would be perfect. Ding Li leisurely said,
“Don’t be so agitated, young hero. Your Senior Sister is the most beautiful woman under heaven—of course people will admire her!”
Lin Ziyuan snorted.
“My Senior Brother and Senior Sister are a match made in heaven. How could outsiders possibly interfere!”
Tsk. A die-hard shipper.
Ding Li continued,
“Then what about Xiao Wenjing…?”
“Senior Brother Xiao?”
“Yeah.” Ding Li changed her tone. “He’s young, but his cultivation is already so strong. He’s bound to achieve great things in the future.”
Lin Ziyuan nodded.
“That’s right. Senior Brother Xiao is extraordinarily talented. Back then, the Sect Leader personally selected him at first sight and made an exception to take him in as a disciple. We were all very envious.”
That matched the original story. Xiao Wenjing had indeed been personally chosen by the Sect Leader—just as he’d hoped, since it gave him the chance to get close to Chu Zilan.
What a pity. Others only saw the bond of fellow disciples between him and Chu Zilan—they had no idea that he secretly harbored improper feelings for her.
Ding Li let out a faint sigh and said,
“I think Immortal Master Xiao seems to have quite deep feelings for Immortal Master Chu. It seems the disciples of the Cangshan Sect are very harmonious with one another—truly an enviable big family!”
Lin Ziyuan nodded in agreement.
“Of course. Since we belong to the same sect, we naturally look out for each other. When Senior Brother Xiao first entered under the Sect Leader, the senior brothers and sisters took great care of him, so they became especially close.”
“Oh,” Ding Li nodded. “I see.”
Lin Ziyuan added,
“Although Senior Brother Xiao may seem cold usually, he’s actually a very good person.”
“Alright then,” Ding Li thought. You seem like a pretty good person too.
Ding Li soaked in the spiritual spring for two days. On the third day, Chu Zilan came.
At that time, Ding Li was lying on the bed.
After Lin Ziyuan brought her back, he had originally planned to leave, but Ding Li said she was hungry, so he went to get her food. After she ate, she said she was thirsty, so he went to fetch her water.
A truly dedicated NPC.
Now that she was full and satisfied, Ding Li lay on the bed while Lin Ziyuan sat at the table, staring blankly into space.
Chu Zilan walked over and stood by the bed, leaning down slightly to look at her.
“How do you feel?”
So close… Ding Li once again sighed inwardly—an immortal beauty was truly an immortal beauty, with skin like jade and lips like blossoms.
Being this close to such a beauty made her a little nervous.
Ding Li lowered her gaze and said softly,
“Much better. Thank you, Immortal Master Chu.”
After all, it was Chu Zilan who had saved her from the mountain—naturally, she cared the most.
Ding Li sighed again inwardly, feeling a bit pained.
A peerless beauty like this—kind-hearted and powerful—why did she have to compete with her for a man? Couldn’t it just be girls helping girls? Why did two women appearing together have to compete for attention? What a ridiculous old trope of the vicious female supporting character!
Chu Zilan said gently,
“That’s good. Once you’ve recovered, I’ll have someone send you back down the mountain.”
“No!” Ding Li suddenly raised her hand dramatically.
No way! If I leave, what about my tasks?! The system will kill me! Don’t abandon me—save me!
Chu Zilan looked at her with a questioning gaze.
Ding Li hurriedly said,
“I still feel very unwell. There’s a dull pain in my chest—it might have injured my heart meridian…”
Chu Zilan reached out to check her pulse.
Ding Li suddenly raised her hand to her temple.
“My head… suddenly hurts… I don’t know why…”
Chu Zilan frowned slightly.
Ding Li let out a long sigh, as if finally giving in. Her eyes reddened slightly as she looked at Chu Zilan.
“I… I don’t have a home anymore… I have no family…”
Chu Zilan seemed a bit startled and didn’t speak for a moment.
Ding Li sniffled, tugging lightly at Chu Zilan’s sleeve.
“Can I stay? Can I…”
Chu Zilan said,
“In that case, you may remain at Cangyun Mountain.”
Ding Li looked at her with overwhelming gratitude, almost to the point of tears.
I knew it! Ding Li thought. Even though Chu Zilan seems cold and reserved, she’s definitely the most reliable person in this whole book—decisive and firm.
Ah… truly the kind of woman anyone would fall for!
I don’t want to be her enemy, Ding Li thought silently. I want to marry her. Can this novel change genres?
