In truth, Mu Hanzhang was a little bewildered.
Qu Xiangxiang’s two “accidents” he could barely understand, but how had Ruan Qingtao managed to twist her ankle on flat ground and fall *perfectly* into his arms? What unsettled him even more was that, in that instant, he had instinctively reached out to catch her. That was completely unreasonable.
Mu Hanzhang did not consider himself the type to show compassion—he wasn’t the kind of man who would help a fellow disciple up just because they stumbled. He knew clearly that he had no improper thoughts toward Ruan Qingtao. Yet his body had moved faster than his mind, his hand reaching out as if beyond his control. And stranger still, whenever he saw Ruan Qingtao, a faint, inexplicable feeling flickered through him—something elusive, irritating, and unwelcome.
“Senior Brother Mu…” Ruan Qingtao clung to the fabric at his waist, her eyes shimmering with tears. Perhaps because of her twisted ankle, she sniffled softly, voice delicate and plaintive. “My foot hurts.”
Mu Hanzhang glanced at her, frowning down at her hand. “Let go.”
“But…” Ruan Qingtao’s face crumpled. “It hurts so much.”
Mu Hanzhang looked genuinely puzzled. “And what does that have to do with me?”
Ruan Qingtao: “…”
“You could at least carry—” But seeing his utterly baffled expression, she swallowed the words. Instead, she tried, “Then… could you help me to Elder Wuhua to check my foot?”
“No.” Mu Hanzhang refused flatly.
“But—”
“We’re not that close.”
Ruan Qingtao’s eyes reddened, her pale face tightening as she released him. She couldn’t understand. If he had caught her just now, didn’t that mean he cared at least a little? If so, why couldn’t he help her the rest of the way? Was it really just her own wishful thinking? Did Mu Hanzhang not like her at all?
“Then at least help me down from the platform. I… I can’t walk.”
At that, most of the disciples’ gazes swung once again toward Qu Xiangxiang.
A vivid triangle drama unfolding before their eyes—the only thing missing was a bag of candied melon seeds.
Qu Xiangxiang: “…”
She nearly drowned under the weight of all those gossiping stares.
“Why are they looking at me again?” she muttered to Lin Zheng, covering half her mouth with her hand. Instinctively, she glanced around for Yun Qingqing. That woman was busy savagely yanking fruit off the golden velvet tree, looking ready to strip it bare.
“At least Yun Qingqing’s too occupied to pick a fight with me right now.”
Lin Zheng rolled her eyes and gave Qu Xiangxiang a shove. “Listen to me. Chest up, head high—stand up!”
“Huh? But Mu Hanzhang—”
Qu Xiangxiang was baffled. Why was Lin Zheng suddenly talking like a drill sergeant?
“Tch.” Lin Zheng sighed impatiently. “Hurry up. Go to the platform.”
“What? Why should I go up there?” Qu Xiangxiang was completely confused.
Lin Zheng lowered her voice dramatically. “Obviously—to help Ruan Qingtao down.”
“But why should I…” Qu Xiangxiang started to protest. Even Mu Hanzhang wasn’t helping—why should she get involved?
Then again… why *wasn’t* Mu Hanzhang helping? Could it be because he didn’t actually like Ruan Qingtao? But hadn’t they arrived at the cultivation hall together that very morning?
Under Lin Zheng’s death glare, Qu Xiangxiang finally compromised. “F-fine…”
Still confused, she walked over and awkwardly extended a hand toward Ruan Qingtao.
Mu Hanzhang: “…What are you doing?”
In front of everyone? She was being far too bold. Did she really like him that much? His ears suddenly felt hot.
Qu Xiangxiang gave him an innocent look. Truthfully, she had no idea what she was doing—she’d just been bullied into it by Lin Zheng’s drill-sergeant tone.
“Uh… Junior Sister Ruan, should I help you?” she asked.
The crowd collectively sucked in a breath. Was this the legendary gesture of declaring dominance to a love rival?
Lin Zheng smiled in satisfaction.
Perfect. Qu Xiangxiang had just publicly, in front of all the disciples of Cangxuan Mountain—and even a white-haired elder—staked her claim over Mu Hanzhang. If Ruan Qingtao had any sense, she ought to back off.
Lin Zheng still didn’t think much of Mu Hanzhang, but since Qu Xiangxiang liked him, well, she had to support her friend. That was just the kind of considerate little fairy she was.
Ruan Qingtao looked at Qu Xiangxiang’s offered hand, bit down hard, and gripped it tightly, smiling sweetly. “Then I’ll trouble Senior Sister.”
Qu Xiangxiang winced at the unnatural strength of her grip, hissing in pain. She helped Ruan Qingtao to a tree and asked, “Do you need me to take you to Elder Wuhua?”
Since she’d already helped, she figured she might as well finish the job. Earning a few “favorability points” with the heroine couldn’t hurt.
“No need,” Ruan Qingtao said with a smile. “I’ll just sit here for a while.” Then she turned her face away, ignoring Qu Xiangxiang completely.
Qu Xiangxiang: “…”
Something felt off. She had a bad premonition, like she’d messed up again. Wait—why “again”?
She circled behind the tree, intending to return to Lin Zheng. But Mu Hanzhang was standing nearby—and strangely, the tips of his ears were tinged pink. She thought she was seeing things. Casually walking past him to check, she realized his ears really were flushed. Could this guy… actually be shy? The thought that even this cold-blooded man could blush startled her.
“What are you staring at?” Mu Hanzhang asked.
Qu Xiangxiang fixed her gaze on his ears. “What are you blushing for?”
Mu Hanzhang: “…” He didn’t answer. Instead, he gave a low, mocking laugh, as if her words were absurd.
But Qu Xiangxiang thought he was just pretending, trying to cover up his own embarrassment. Oh, she understood now. Honestly—so shy, yet still pretending not to care about Ruan Qingtao. His awkwardness was worse than a teenager’s.
“You just now…” He pressed his lips together, unsure how to continue.
Qu Xiangxiang blinked. “You… don’t blame me, do you?”
After all, if no one had helped Ruan Qingtao down, the scene would have been unbearably awkward. Surely he wouldn’t be unreasonable enough to blame her for that?
He stared into her eyes, searching her face for something. After a long pause, he finally said, “Do as you like.” Then, ears still red, he added, “It has nothing to do with me.”
Qu Xiangxiang: “…Alright then.”