Just as Liu Yao was at her wit’s end, Doctor Niu’s voice drifted over from the side.
“While he’s still unconscious, try pinching the fellow’s philtrum.”
Hearing this, Liu Yao didn’t hesitate. She reached out and pinched Zhao Yi’an’s philtrum.
“Ouch! Gentler, gentler!”
“That hurts like hell!”
To ensure the best effect, Liu Yao had pinched his philtrum quite hard for a good while. Consequently, Zhao Yi’an began howling in pain the moment he woke up.
Seeing that Zhao Yi’an was so full of energy upon waking, and didn’t look like he was seriously injured, she couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief.
‘Luckily this guy didn’t have any major issues, or I might have had to spend even more money.’
‘Speaking of which, why didn’t I think of pinching his philtrum back at the teahouse? If I had, I wouldn’t have had to rush around trying to scrape together money, would I?’
Liu Yao pondered secretly, reflecting on the previous situation. But as her gaze shifted, she caught sight of the skin on Zhao Yi’an’s neck, which was clearly redder than the rest. A surge of guilt immediately washed over her.
‘What on earth am I thinking? If you do something wrong, you have to face the consequences!’
‘Liu Yao, oh Liu Yao, you’ve really fallen!’
“I’m sorry, I was a bit anxious just now. Are you alright?”
Liu Yao pulled up the still-dazed Zhao Yi’an and gently patted the dust off his back, speaking with concern.
“I’m fine, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern, my lady.”
Zhao Yi’an shook his head. After confirming he was mostly unharmed, he picked up the bag of medicine that had fallen on the ground and cupped his hands toward Liu Yao.
“Just before I fainted, I thought I heard something about scraping money together. May I ask if it was you who carried me here, my lady?”
Liu Yao froze for a moment. Her small face was filled with embarrassment as she asked sheepishly, “Um… it was me. You wouldn’t blame me for this, would you?”
“Huh?”
Zhao Yi’an looked at the young girl’s bashful appearance with confusion. He was even more bewildered after hearing Liu Yao’s response.
“Of course not. Not only were you kind enough to carry me here, but you also paid for my medical expenses. I should be the one thanking you.”
Liu Yao felt a bit awkward as she looked at the grateful Zhao Yi’an. She knew that the boy had likely only gathered a small part of the situation after waking up, and had mistaken her for some sort of great, kind-hearted soul.
“Actually…”
“If you two want to chat, can you do it outside? Now that you’re awake, don’t block my door.”
Just as the girl was about to explain, Doctor Niu began waving his hands to drive away the two people obstructing the entrance.
“If someone else comes in needing help, what then? Shoo, shoo.”
Left with no choice, Liu Yao and Zhao Yi’an had to leave the clinic. Standing on the main street, the two of them felt somewhat lost and at a loss for words.
The sun at this time was no longer so fierce, but the residual heat still baked them. An awkward atmosphere flowed between the two.
“Cough, cough. Actually… the person who knocked you out in the teahouse was me!”
“I’m sorry!”
Liu Yao truly couldn’t stand the awkward atmosphere between them. She spoke up first, bowing her head toward Zhao Yi’an and admitting that she was the one who had knocked him out.
The girl’s sudden, agitated shout and her bowed head startled Zhao Yi’an. He didn’t quite process it at first, only nodding subconsciously.
“Ah… oh.”
‘What’s with all the “ohs” and “ahs”?’
‘Can’t he give me some other reaction?’
‘Judging by his previous attitude, he probably won’t make things too difficult for me, right? After all, I did provide both money and effort!’
While Liu Yao was lost in her own thoughts, Zhao Yi’an finally reacted and hurriedly replied, “There’s no need for that.”
“The fact that you were willing to save me and take responsibility is already enough. After all, when I was hurt in the past, no one was willing to do this much for me.”
“Besides, I’m used to it by now. Heh heh…”
Zhao Yi’an was actually feeling a bit numb. First, he had been mysteriously knocked unconscious in the teahouse, and then he had been knocked out by the clinic’s door being pushed open. He had been unlucky two times in a row within a single day.
Although he could take a beating, he wasn’t made of steel, and his body was starting to feel the strain.
‘As expected, it was all just my fantasy. Peerless heroines, secret martial arts manuals…’
‘Heh, they really are all fake…’
Liu Yao looked up and saw the boy’s eyes were vacant. He was muttering things like “heroine” and “manual,” looking completely broken.
‘Did he hit his head and turn into an idiot?’
‘In any case, I’ve already apologized and paid the medical fees. Maybe I should just leave.’
While the girl was still thinking about how to make an escape, Zhao Yi’an finally snapped out of it and introduced himself.
“By the way, my name is Zhao Yi’an. I’m from the Horse Gang near Xiang’an Town. It doesn’t feel right to just keep calling you ‘Lady’ without knowing your name. May I ask how I should address you?”
‘My name?’
‘If I say my name is Liu Yao, most likely no one will believe me.’
‘And after what happened at the teahouse, I really don’t want to tell people my identity.’
‘Furthermore, since the assassination of An Shanmu failed, if he finds out I’m not dead, there will probably be a bunch of trouble waiting for me.’
‘Better to give a fake name,’ Liu Yao pondered secretly.
“You can call me A Yao.”
“You mentioned the Horse Gang just now. Does that mean you’re part of some bandit gang?”
Zhao Yi’an shook his head. After all, people who didn’t know the Horse Gang often thought that.
“Why don’t we find another place to chat? I happen to need to buy a few things as well.”
‘The Horse Gang is a local group. Maybe I can find out what I want to know from them?’
‘After all, I really can’t find that Peach forest right now.’
‘I’m still counting on being able to turn back into a man.’
It had been half a month since Liu Yao had turned into a girl. At first, Liu Yao had been very unaccustomed to it, tripping and falling from time to time. But after some hard work, she could finally manage her body with ease.
However, having lived as a male for over ten years, Liu Yao still wanted to change back.
“Sure. How about we chat over some wine?”
Liu Yao patted Zhao Yi’an on the shoulder, her face full of smiles.
“My treat. Consider it an apology for what happened at the teahouse.”
“Of course.”
Zhao Yi’an smiled and turned to lead the way.
To ease the awkwardness, Liu Yao and Zhao Yi’an talked and laughed the whole way. After all, Liu Yao had traveled the Jianghu for so long and was almost always alone; it was rare for her to have someone to chat with.
As for Zhao Yi’an, because he envied the elegance of martial artists, he loved listening to stories of the martial world. Having the chance to hear about anecdotes of the Jianghu naturally made him very happy.
It was just that he always felt Liu Yao’s manners carried a bit of a man’s roughness. She didn’t feel like the girls he had seen before.
‘Maybe this is what they mean by people of the Jianghu not sweating the small stuff?’
With a bit of envy, Zhao Yi’an remained enthusiastic throughout the walk. He asked questions from time to time so that Liu Yao wouldn’t feel awkward.
“Lady A Yao, I heard that the Beggar Sect holds a gathering every year. Is that true?”
“Of course. Each time they go out begging, they keep a little bit of wealth for themselves. When the time comes, whoever has the most wealth gets to eat the best food.”
“Does An Shanmu really have a secret affair with the Cloud Bright Swordsman?”
“…Are you sure you didn’t do that on purpose?”
“Huh?”
They continued chatting happily, and before long, they arrived in front of a tavern.