Actually, Mo Yu also wanted to figure out why his heart felt so flustered the moment he saw Li Jingsheng collapse.
His panic was so profound that before his mind could even process it, his body had already rushed forward to catch the other person.
Seeing those closed eyes, an inexplicable trace of ferocity welled up within him.
Lifting his gaze to look at Xi Feng, the anger burning in the depths of his eyes was practically bursting out.
He clearly saw that the other person did it on purpose; that talisman didn’t head toward the apple at all, but flew straight at Li Jingsheng.
Gazing at the bubbling medicinal decoction before him, Mo Yu felt the vexation in his heart grow even heavier.
＊
Medicine Pavilion, West China Pavilion.
Xi Feng was lying on his bed, tossing and turning in deep irritation.
To this day, he still couldn’t make sense of that look Mo Yu had given him.
He had simply seen Li Jingsheng constantly bullying the boy and wanted to use the opportunity to help him get back at the bully.
Who would have thought the other party wouldn’t appreciate it at all? Not only did Mo Yu dash out to catch Li Jingsheng, but he also glared right at him. There was no way he misread the murderous intent contained in that gaze.
Was it really necessary? He hadn’t even landed a heavy blow; at worst, it would just mean applying medicine for an extra two days.
Xi Feng was thoroughly annoyed right now. Just a moment ago, his master had come by to lecture him for half an age, telling him to go apologize to Li Jingsheng.
What a joke, having him apologize to that utterly hypocritical phony?
He had wanted to refuse outright, but being completely unable to endure his master’s nagging, he had no choice but to agree for the time being.
After being plagued by these annoying matters for half the day, he had finally prepared to lie down and rest when his chamber door was knocked on once again.
He originally intended to ignore it, but the person outside proved far too persistent. With no other option, he had to get up.
Irritated, he yanked the door open and snapped, “Who is it?”
The moment the door swung open, he saw Jin Yunhao standing in the threshold. Knowing what the other had come for, a guilty conscience made him stammer out, “Eldest Senior Brother.”
Standing at the door and looking down at him, Jin Yunhao asked, “Aren’t you going to invite me in for a seat?”
Having momentarily forgotten this formality out of nervousness, Xi Feng immediately stepped aside upon hearing those words and gestured inward, “Senior Brother, please come in.”
Once Jin Yunhao entered, Xi Feng hurried to fetch a chair for him, saying, “Senior Brother, please sit.”
Seating himself on the solid wood chair, Jin Yunhao leisurely opened his mouth to speak: “I know that your talisman techniques are the most formidable among us, so I wonder why yesterday’s bursting talisman flew straight toward Jingsheng instead?”
Naturally, Xi Feng understood the subtext behind those words, as well as the clear bias in Jin Yunhao’s tone.
Acting in an open and aboveboard manner, he was willing to take full responsibility for his actions: “That’s right, yesterday I deliberately threw the talisman toward Jing…” He glanced briefly at Jin Yunhao before continuing, “…toward Senior Brother Jing. I simply can’t stand his arrogant and domineering behavior.”
Seeing him admit his fault so directly, Jin Yunhao pinched the bridge of his nose with a profound sense of headache.
This junior brother’s temperament was truly far too straightforward.
Before Jin Yunhao could speak, Xi Feng pressed on: “Besides, he once gave Junior Brother Mo Yu sixty heavy lashes. I was merely avenging my junior brother.”
Those words left Jin Yunhao utterly speechless.
“Jingsheng has already apologized for those sixty lashes, and Zigui has accepted it. The two of them have already resolved the matter between themselves. Since when was it your turn to stick your neck out for justice?”
Seeming entirely unprepared to hear that Li Jingsheng would actually lower his head and apologize, Xi Feng looked stunned: “I don’t believe it. Senior Brother must be lying.”
Seeing how resolute he was, Jin Yunhao sighed helplessly: “Accompany me to Qize Mountain then. Let Zigui tell you the truth in person. How about that?”
Xi Feng agreed on the spot; he refused to believe that pampered good-for-nothing would ever apologize.
Naturally not about to let the matter go so easily, Jin Yunhao asked, “If what I say is true and Jingsheng really did apologize to Zigui, what will you do?”
Catching the underlying meaning in those words, Xi Feng replied, “If it truly is as Senior Brother says, then I am willing to apologize to Senior Brother Li as well.”
Seeing him agree so readily, Jin Yunhao extended his pinky finger toward him and said, “It’s a deal.”
Xi Feng reached out and locked pinkies with him: “It’s a deal.”
Right up until he stepped out of the room, he remained steadfast in his belief: It definitely has to be a fake.
＊
As soon as Mo Yu finished brewing the medicine, he immediately brought a bowl to Li Jingsheng.
Having rested for a considerable while, Li Jingsheng was now able to sit up on his own.
Gazing at the pitch-black medicinal soup before him that emitted an intensely bitter aroma, he cried out in bitter despair inwardly: Heavens above, and earth below! If I have sinned, please let the law punish me instead of making me drink this soul-crushing, bitter concoction right here!
Though extremely reluctant and unwilling, Li Jingsheng couldn’t bear to show it right in front of Mo Yu.
He simply forced a calm facade and drank it down.
The moment he finished, he completely broke down inside.
Oh my god! It’s so bitter! Even bitterer than swallowing five pounds of lotus hearts from fat tangerines whole!
Overhearing his inner monologue, Mo Yu suddenly remembered that he still happened to have the preserved candied fruit Chu Wen had given him over the previous couple of days. Pulling them out, he offered, “Senior Brother, I still have a bit of candied fruit here. It can help wash away the bitterness in Senior Brother’s mouth.”
Hearing that there was sugar, Li Jingsheng practically pricked his ears up, though he kept his expression neutral: “Junior Brother is truly thoughtful. I thank you in advance.”
Baby, you are simply my savior!
Watching his senior brother maintain a veneer of aloof composure while his eyes shone brightly as they stared fixedly at the candied fruit, looking precisely like a noble little cat, Mo Yu pushed the sweets closer. Li Jingsheng immediately picked one up and popped it into his mouth.
The candied fruit was made from sweet dates coated with a layer of sugary frost. The moment it entered his mouth, a delicate sweetness seeped through, and the refreshing fragrance of the dates filled his entire oral cavity.
Sob, sob, sob, I’m about to be moved to tears.
I hereby declare this to be the most delicious candied fruit in the entire world!
Watching the other person consume the sweet with brightened eyes, Mo Yu felt the image of the little cat in his mind resurface once again for no apparent reason.
Right at that moment, a knock sounded at the door, and Mo Yu rose to answer it.
Just as Li Jingsheng was wondering who it could be, he heard Mo Yu’s voice.
“Eldest Senior Brother, Senior Brother Xi Feng.”
Lifting his gaze, he spotted Jin Yunhao along with Xi Feng trailing behind him with a complicated expression.
Oh right, if not for this visit, I almost forgot, this was the punk who attacked me with a dirty trick!
Such an immoral brat, actually resorting to underhanded tactics!
If he’s trying to provoke me, he’s basically provoking cotton candy.
Well, to be fair, he really was just like cotton candy.
Walking right up to the side of Li Jingsheng’s bed, Jin Yunhao wore a concerned expression as he asked, “Junior Brother, I heard you woke up, so I specifically brought Bujiao here to check on you.”
“How are you feeling? Does your back still hurt?”
Hearing those words, Li Jingsheng cast a sidelong glance at Xi Feng.
Judging by that stinking expression the guy was wearing, he refused to believe this visit was voluntary.
Cupping his hands in a greeting toward Jin Yunhao, Li Jingsheng replied, “Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. I am much better.”
Jin Yunhao inspected the injuries on Li Jingsheng’s back and, finding that they had indeed healed considerably, finally let out a breath of relief: “That’s good.”
With that, he pulled Xi Feng forward. Unwillingly, Xi Feng cupped his hands toward Li Jingsheng and offered a stiff, “Second Senior Brother.”
A sudden chill ran down Li Jingsheng’s spine.
In the original novel, Xi Feng refused to call the original owner Senior Brother right up until his dying breath.
He felt a rare wave of self-praise.
I guess I’m turning out more accomplished than the original owner after all!
I actually got to hear him say Senior Brother!
Nodding slightly, he answered, “Junior Brother Xi Feng.”
Seeing the two of them finish exchanging pleasantries, Jin Yunhao spoke up again: “Today, I brought Xi Feng here primarily for two matters. As for this first matter…”
He turned his gaze toward Mo Yu and said, “Zigui, tell me honestly, didn’t Jingsheng apologize to you long ago regarding those sixty lashes?”
Although finding the question somewhat baffling, Mo Yu answered truthfully, “Yes.”
Upon hearing that single word, Xi Feng’s emotions flared up. Pointing straight at Li Jingsheng, he protested, “Don’t lie! Did he force you to say this? How could a pampered good-for-nothing like him ever apologize to you?”
Li Jingsheng thought: Thanks, I feel quite personally attacked right now.
Because Mo Yu was already somewhat annoyed with Xi Feng for injuring Li Jingsheng with a bursting talisman, hearing the other person raise his voice in aggressive questioning prompted him to retort: “How could he not? What possible reason does Senior Brother Xi Feng have to assume I’m lying?”
Seeing that the two of them were on the verge of starting a shouting match, Jin Yunhao intervened in time: “Both of you, quiet down!” Turning his attention back to Xi Feng, he prompted, “Can you apologize now?”
Still digging in his heels out of sheer stubbornness, Xi Feng insisted, “He must be lying!”
Noticing that Xi Feng was about to back out of their agreement, Jin Yunhao said helplessly, “Bujiao, we had a deal.”
Before Xi Feng could find another retort, Li Jingsheng cut in.
“It seems Junior Brother Xi doesn’t believe that I previously apologized to Junior Brother Mo Yu. No matter, I can simply apologize to him once more right here in front of you.”
A clever thought flashed through his eyes.
Looking directly at Xi Feng, he proposed, “However, let’s make it clear, if I truly apologize to him, you must also apologize to me. One for one, how about it?”
Since Xi Feng was naturally straightforward and hot-tempered, hearing that offer made him agree instantly: “Fine.”
The next second, Li Jingsheng turned directly toward Mo Yu and stated formally, “I am sorry, Junior Brother. I was far too willful regarding those sixty lashes, and I shouldn’t have acted so arrogant, overbearing, and unreasonable.”
Seeing him act with such solemn formality, Mo Yu immediately responded, “Please don’t blame yourself, Senior Brother. I was at fault as well.”
As expected of the protagonist, his patience is boundless. Even when completely innocent, he forces himself to take the blame, and on top of that, he’s forced to forgive a major villain like me.
Watching this harmonious display of fraternal affection unfold before him, Xi Feng found it rather difficult to believe his own eyes.
Li Jingsheng raised an eyebrow at him: What are you staring at? It’s your turn now.
At the crucial moment, Eldest Senior Brother proved to be the ultimate teammate. Noticing that Xi Feng remained silent, Jin Yunhao gave his shoulder a firm pat: “Bujiao, Jingsheng has already apologized. Now it’s your turn.”
Xi Feng’s face shifted through a rainbow of colorful expressions, looking far more entertaining than a Sichuan opera face-changing performance.
His mouth opened and closed several times before he finally squeezed out the words: “Sorry! I shouldn’t have used a bursting talisman to hurt you!”
The volume of that declaration startled Li Jingsheng into clutching his chest.
Scared me half to death, why are you yelling so loud? Anyone who knew would think you came to apologize, but anyone who didn’t would assume you came to trash the place.
Despite his internal thoughts, his face maintained a perfectly calibrated, professional fake smile: “It’s quite alright. Eldest Senior Brother often teaches us that fellow disciples should live in harmony, so naturally I wouldn’t hold a grudge against my junior brother.”
Having received that reply, Xi Feng gained a much deeper understanding of the person before him.
Up until now, he had always viewed this fellow as a brainless second-generation heir who bullied the weak, but he never imagined the man would apologize to Mo Yu, someone possessing inferior spiritual roots, without the slightest sign of hesitation.
He formed an entirely new assessment of Li Jingsheng.
This person is unfathomably deep.
Li Jingsheng couldn’t care less about the twists and turns happening inside Xi Feng’s head; he only knew that he had won this round, and right now, he felt thoroughly vindicated.
Finding it impossible to stand the sight of Li Jingsheng’s hypocritical persona a second longer, Xi Feng felt that the harmonious, cozy atmosphere in the room was an absolute eyesore.
Without further ado, he blurted out, “Eldest Senior Brother, I’ve delivered my apology and I’ve checked on his condition. I’ll be taking my leave now.”
With that, he whirled around and stormed out without even waiting for Jin Yunhao’s acknowledgment.
Watching Xi Feng’s flushed, bright red face retreat, Li Jingsheng gloated inwardly: What’s wrong, can’t handle a simple apology? Look at how flustered you got trying to hold it in.
Naturally, his spirits were riding high.
After all, who wouldn’t feel ecstatic watching their sworn enemy get taken down a peg or two?
Gazing at Xi Feng’s retreating figure, Jin Yunhao bid farewell to Li Jingsheng as well: “Jingsheng, since Bujiao has already apologized to you, let this matter be put behind us. From here on out, all of you must live in harmony.”
Li Jingsheng thought: I’d love to live in harmony, but you’d better ask whether that guy is willing.
Yet, wishing to avoid any further lectures from the head teacher, the Eldest Senior Brother, he quickly gave his word: “Understood, Eldest Senior Brother. I will definitely get along well with Junior Brother Xi Feng.”
As soon as Jin Yunhao departed to chase after Xi Feng, Li Jingsheng felt a wave of pure relief wash over him, to the point where his back injuries barely even ached anymore.
Observing the glowing, radiant expression on his senior brother’s face, Mo Yu inexplicably found him rather adorable.
He froze for a brief second before snapping back to reality with a violent start.
I must be bewitched.