Chapter 73: Uncertain Feelings
With all matters settled and the night deepening, Lin Tianlu didn’t linger in the old mansion.
But upon returning to the inn, he was greeted by a strange sight.
A puddle of muddy water had spread across the hallway, with bits of white ash floating in it.
“Miss Hua, what…”
“A ghost disguised itself as you, Senior, trying to trick me with its words. But I saw through its disguise and killed it.”
Hua Shuya’s face was still flushed with anger, and she snorted. “Perhaps this is the evil spirit that has been terrorizing Ganchang Village.”
It did seem likely.
Looking at the muddy water, Lin Tianlu recalled the rumors he had heard from the waiter.
He hadn’t expected Hua Shuya to encounter the ghost…
But then again, with her impressive martial arts skills and her pure Yang energy, she must have been a tempting target for a hungry ghost.
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment, then glanced around. “What about the other guests in the inn?”
“I didn’t alert the innkeeper.”
“Good. There’s no need to alarm them.”
He flicked his sleeve, dispersing the ash.
Of course, a trace of pure Yin energy was absorbed into the jade pendant in his pocket… but the pendant’s appetite seemed to have grown. It had already absorbed the Yin energy of two ghosts tonight, and yet it remained silent.
Hua Shuya calmed down slightly. “Did you find anything, Senior?”
“I did the same as you, Miss Hua. I eliminated a ghost. Gancang Village should be safe for a while.”
Lin Tianlu smiled faintly. “Calm down, Miss Hua, and get some rest. We’ll be leaving early tomorrow morning.”
“Understood.”
Hua Shuya’s expression softened as she sheathed her sword. “You should get some rest too, Senior… Hmm?”
She suddenly frowned and sniffed the air curiously. “Why do you smell like jasmine, Senior? It’s a faint and gentle scent. It smells nice.”
Lin Tianlu froze and quickly sniffed his sleeve. “Could it be perfume? I went to the brothel earlier and met with a woman. Perhaps I accidentally picked up the scent.”
“…”
Hua Shuya almost dropped her sword, her eyes widening.
—The brothel?
“Senior, why did you—”
Lin Tianlu quickly realized that there was no one else around. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder and guided her towards her room. “Don’t misunderstand, Miss Hua. I’ll explain everything.”
Hua Shuya was stunned for a moment, then nodded obediently.
…
As the moon disappeared behind the clouds…
Lin Tianlu sipped his tea, glancing at the beautiful girl sleeping peacefully on the bed.
Perhaps exhausted from their journey, Hua Shuya had fallen asleep quickly after hearing his explanation.
Lin Tianlu didn’t want to disturb her, so he adjusted her sleeping position, took off her shoes, and covered her with a blanket.
“This girl is truly endearing.”
He chuckled to himself.
Her shock and disbelief upon learning that he had visited a brothel had been quite amusing.
But after he had explained briefly, she seemed to understand immediately, her trust in him absolute, without a shred of doubt.
“Senior…”
Hua Shuya mumbled in her sleep. “Come and eat… Madam Mao cooked a delicious meal today…”
Lin Tianlu: “…”
This girl was dreaming about food?
…
The next morning…
Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya set off, leaving Ganchang Village.
But Hua Shuya’s face was still flushed, her demeanor shy and awkward. She avoided looking at him directly.
When she woke up this morning, she had realized that she had fallen asleep in Senior’s room and had even been taken care of by him. Her heart raced with embarrassment, imagining all the unflattering sleeping positions he must have seen.
“Senior, I-I didn’t say anything strange in my sleep… did I?”
She finally asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Lin Tianlu chuckled and handed her a pastry he had just bought.
“Eat something. It’ll fulfill your wish.”
Hua Shuya’s face turned even redder, as if smoke was about to rise from her head.
Seeing her extreme shyness, Lin Tianlu chuckled and quickly reassured her, deciding not to tease her further.
But they suddenly stopped in their tracks.
A long line of people had formed on the street, men, women, and children all crowding towards something, creating a bustling scene.
He tapped a middle-aged man on the shoulder and asked politely, “Excuse me, Sir, what’s going on over there?”
The man looked him up and down, then said, “You must be a stranger, Sir. The Spring Surge Workshop is giving away free food. They’ve been cooking porridge and making dishes since early this morning and are now distributing them to the villagers.”
He then looked ashamed. “I used to think those women were just lowly prostitutes. I looked down on them. I never imagined they would be so kind and generous. They’re all living bodhisattvas.”
As the man walked away, Hua Shuya stood on tiptoe, trying to see what was happening. She could vaguely see several young women distributing porridge and steamed buns to the crowd.
“Senior, those women…”
“It seems she truly has a kind heart.” Lin Tianlu smiled. “Doing good deeds will improve their reputation in the community, and their business will prosper.”
Hua Shuya said softly, “You’re so kind, Senior.”
“It’s not kindness. I just offered her some advice. What she does with it is up to her.” Lin Tianlu shrugged. “Let’s go. We need to reach Nanfeng County by the day after tomorrow.”
“Mm!”
They continued on their journey, their figures disappearing into the crowd.
But a pair of eyes watched them leave.
…
Inside the Spring Surge Workshop, Ren Yinshan, dressed in a seductive silk robe, was kneading dough, her hips swaying, her skirt swirling like water.
But her gaze was fixed on the window, a distant look in her eyes.
“Lin Tianlu…”
“Sister Ren, are you smitten with that handsome scholar?” A young girl, who was also kneading dough, giggled.
“Don’t be silly.”
Ren Yinshan quickly came back to her senses, scolding the girl playfully, but a faint smile lingered on her lips. “He has a beautiful young woman traveling with him. They must be in love. And he’s so kind and powerful. How could someone like me ever hope to win his heart?”
“Sister Ren, you’re not undesirable at all. You’re incredibly beautiful. If you went downstairs and revealed your true face, all those men would be smitten. You wouldn’t have to be stuck in here kneading dough like me.”
“I don’t like to flaunt myself.” Ren Yinshan chuckled softly. “Besides, do you even know what that girl looks like? I only caught a glimpse of her, but she seems elegant and refined, like a jade carving.”
The young girl pouted. “Then why did you ask me to gather information about him this morning?”
“…He spared my life. I just want to repay his kindness. It’s not as indecent as you think.”
Ren Yinshan flicked her forehead lightly. “Just focus on kneading the dough. And stop with the teasing. We have a lot of work to do these next few days.”
“Yes, yes, yes~ Sister Ren has no interest in that scholar~”
“You little rascal.”
Ren Yinshan chuckled helplessly.
But as she looked towards the disappearing figures, she couldn’t help but smile faintly.
Perhaps deep down… she still held a sliver of hope.
Not necessarily for a romantic relationship, but for a friendship, a chance to talk and laugh, to share their thoughts and dreams, to admire the starry sky and observe the world together. To befriend such a man, even as a platonic companion, might change her life for the better.
“Sister Ren, you could actually… go after him.”
“No.”
Ren Yinshan smiled, her eyes filled with a maternal warmth. “I have to stay here and take care of you all. Only when you’ve all found happiness, settled down with loving partners, can I truly rest easy.”
The young girl’s hands paused as she kneaded the dough, then she suddenly hugged Ren Yinshan tightly.
“Ah? What are you…”
The girl pulled a handkerchief from her cleavage and rushed out of the room.
“Where are you going?!”
“Sister Ren is too sentimental. Let me help!” The girl waved the handkerchief without looking back. “I’m going to give that scholar a farewell gift!”
“…”
Ren Yinshan reached out to stop her, but no words came out.
After a moment of silence, she chuckled self-deprecatingly.
Leave a Reply