Chapter 9: Probably Just a Beggar

Xiao Xinran stormed off in anger, unwilling to see any more, while Ji Shiyu hastily excused herself and ran after her.

“Sigh, young people these days.”

Xiao Wang stroked his beard and shook his head, baffled.

Suddenly recalling his wife’s reminder, Xiao Father slapped his forehead and issued instructions to invite Yun Liu to the Family Banquet. With their departure day approaching, he wanted to send the three of them off properly.

Even if Xinran and Yun Liu were not fated to be together, the boy was still the descendant of an old friend, almost like a half-son raised since childhood. There was no reason to treat him unfairly.

It was just that, in recent days, Xiao Wang’s emotions had been complicated and he felt ashamed to face anyone. He knew his wife’s suggestion was wise—the Engagement must be annulled. Yet he felt guilty toward the Yun family and his old friend, not knowing how to bring it up, so he had avoided appearing.

Now that little Yun had figured things out on his own, that was for the best. They were still family. The two could return to their original, pure sibling relationship.

—

Outside the Xiao residence, Huangmao chased all the way, while the heroine kept running.

“Go away! Stop following me!”

“Xinran, listen to me! After all this time, don’t you understand my feelings? My heart belongs only to you! What filthy man could ever bathe with me? If not for investigating the fate of the Nine Provinces, I wouldn’t even bother with him!”

Ao Tian pecked hard at Ji Shiyu’s head, cursing, “Good grief, finally saying what’s in your heart? You promised me you’d behave before we left—focus on business, not chasing girls! Now you can’t move an inch when you see a woman!”

“I don’t care, I don’t care! You big troublemaker, explanations are just cover-ups, cover-ups mean it’s true, and if it’s true, then it happened!”

Xiao Xinran covered her ears, ignoring the “green tea” and her honeyed words.

“What will it take for you to believe me?”

“Die!”

“What?”

“If you don’t die, I can’t sleep!”

Xiao Xinran said coldly.

Ji Shiyu looked miserable—wasn’t this just bullying?

After the previous victim, Huangmao now became the heroine’s tail, giving an animated and detailed account of what happened that night, but it had little effect.

The red-clad girl bustled about, turning a deaf ear. She first went to the City Center to pick up custom-made armor, had her weapons repaired, and made sure her gear was all in order. With her preparations complete, her earlier carelessness vanished. Now, nothing was more important than cultivating with Xiao Yun.

Xiao Xinran was determined to prove through her actions that she was no less than the “green tea.” Sooner or later, Yun Liu would obediently return to her side!

—

The two arrived at a restaurant. Miss Xiao, having finished practicing swordsmanship, hadn’t eaten yet and was starving. With a wave of her hand, she ordered a large table of dishes.

It was said the Sect canteen’s food was terrible; once they went up the mountain for Spiritual Retreat, there would be no more worldly delicacies.

Thinking of the upcoming departure, the girl curled her lips into a sweet smile. Soon she would go to the Sea of Clouds for a world of two with her Senior Brother—what a perfect chance to repair their marital bond.

If only Ji Shiyu weren’t here…

Just thinking of the unlucky one beside her, Xiao Xinran’s face darkened again.

She cast a sidelong glance at the obedient Huangmao. She had to find a way to kick the “green tea” out of the group and stop her from causing trouble.

Damn it, if she could beat the third wheel, with Xiao Xinran’s fiery temper, she’d have already gone up and given Ji Shiyu a beating to show her rightful place!

“Get down! Don’t touch my things. If you want to eat, buy your own. Stay away from me!”

Xiao Xinran’s voice was icy, her possessiveness showing—she would not allow Huangmao to cross the line.

“Ugh, fine…”

Ji Shiyu pouted and put down her chopsticks, hugging her bowl and squatting to the side like a golden retriever who’d lost a fight, not even daring to approach the table—utterly pitiful.

Just a few days ago, this cute sweet girl would have leaped into her arms with a smile, but now she avoided her like the plague.

What was going on here!

Xiao Xinran puffed her cheeks, her little mouth oily as she stuffed food in, full of fighting spirit—looking quite adorable.

Only when full could she have the energy to cultivate and blast away those “bull-headed demons!”

“Hey! Where’s Xiao Yun? Why isn’t he with you today, inseparable as always?”

Xiao Xinran asked mockingly, pretending not to care, but secretly worried about the boy’s health.

“Injustice, Your Honor! I, Ji Shiyu, swear to the heavens—there’s absolutely nothing between me and Yun Liu, not in the past, not now, not ever! If I lie, may the heavens strike me down!”

Rumble!

No sooner had she finished speaking than distant thunder rumbled, scaring Huangmao into hiding under the table.

“Say it again—make an even harsher vow! If lightning doesn’t strike you, you eating-girl!”

Xiao Xinran sneered. Even the heavens couldn’t stand to watch her act anymore.

“That’s impossible. Who’s undergoing tribulation here?”

“You still haven’t answered me!”

“Uh, well, since the day before yesterday, he’s locked himself in his room. I don’t know if he’s dead or alive—I don’t dare barge in again. Why don’t you go check?”

“I…”

Xiao Xinran hesitated, concerned for the boy but too proud to go herself. Clearly, it was Xiao Yun who broke the rules first!

—

The restaurant was packed, full of young people of the right age preparing to take the Shenhua Sect Examination, stopping in Lan City for a brief rest.

The most eye-catching of all were the two stunning girls at the center of the third floor. The moment they entered, they became the focus of the whole room.

The red-clad girl had delicate features, black hair to her shoulders, and a fiery Spirit Breath—her talent was obvious.

The yellow-clad girl, serving like a maid, was equally dazzling. Her golden hair was extremely rare, her figure tall and curvaceous, her Spirit Breath even stronger.

Suddenly, someone sat across from Xiao Xinran, smiling.

“Such a big table of food—can one person finish it all?”

Xiao Xinran blinked, taking a moment to recognize the woman in gray cloud robes. She’d met this Senior Sister Chang a few years ago—she was the Shenhua Sect senior who had brought Xiao Yun in.

“You’re… Senior Sister Chang?”

“That’s right!”

Senior Sister was just as friendly as ever. She immediately started eating and drinking, making Huangmao drool with envy.

Chang Su was the Shenhua Sect admissions officer, specially sent to guide the Examination candidates at the foot of the mountain—in other words, an Outer Sect disciple tour guide.

“By the way, after all these years, how come you’re still the admissions officer? Why not get promoted to the Inner Sect’s Five Peaks? Don’t you want to?”

Miss Xiao’s sharp tongue was unchanged.

Senior Sister Chang’s smile froze, and she sighed, “You little rascal, if you can talk, say more! Not everyone is as gifted as Junior Brother Yun. We ordinary disciples can only do odd jobs for the Sect to earn Spirit Stones!”

Ji Shiyu glanced at Chang Su—Refining Qi Sixth Stage, average aptitude. Unless something changed, it would be a decade or more before Foundation Establishment. Such was the fate of most Mixed Spiritual Root cultivators—their Qi gathering was simply too slow.

“Oh right, why are you here alone? Where’s Junior Brother Yun? Isn’t he also an admissions officer this year? I bet he volunteered just for you.”

“……”

At this, both the heroine and Huangmao fell silent, turning their faces away.

To outsiders, the two of them were like conjoined twins—deeply affectionate. Every school break, Yun Liu would come down the mountain to visit his future wife, making everyone envious.

“And this is…?”

Chang Su glanced at Ji Shiyu in surprise.

This girl was also remarkably gifted, her presence no less than the Senior Sister of Clear Mist Peak. Could she also be a new student this year? But why was she squatting on the floor like a dog with a bowl? Was she Miss Xiao’s dowry maid?

Xiao Xinran kept a straight face and waved her off. “I don’t know her—probably a beggar. Go away.”

“Eh!?”

Ji Shiyu’s eyes welled up with tears as she whimpered, “That’s not true! Hello, Senior Sister Chang, I’m Xinran’s good friend. I’ve met Senior Brother Yun too, and I’ll be an Outer Sect disciple soon!”

Xiao Xinran snorted. “Good friend,” huh? Shameless!

“Young people are so confident—very good! I wish you all success in the Examination!”

Chang Su nodded, then seemed to remember something and smiled awkwardly.

“Junior Brother Yun… is his health better?”

In her rush down the mountain, the Outer Sect disciples in the City Center had already heard the bad news of an Inner Sect genius’s downfall. No wonder the two girls just now had fallen silent.

Ji Shiyu glanced at Xiao Xinran, who said nothing, and quietly replied, “He’s been recuperating for a while. Physically, he should be fine now, but as for his spirits… I don’t know.”

“Sigh, no wonder we haven’t seen him. With his Qi Sea destroyed, only one step away from Foundation Establishment but now forever denied—it would be hard for anyone to accept. Little Martial Aunt must be devastated right now.”

Chang Su sighed and shook her head in regret.

“What!?”

Xiao Xinran’s face turned pale with shock.

No one had ever told her it was this serious!

“You didn’t know?”

Chang Su looked up in confusion. Aside from Little Martial Aunt, the person closest to Junior Brother Yun was his fiancée—who was right here.

The news had spread all over the City Center, and probably even the Inner and Outer Sects of the Sea of Clouds Peaks had heard. Some were gloating, but most were sighing with regret—Heaven truly envies the talented.