Ye Fang hurriedly handed the Fire Spirit Mushroom to Xiao Yun before turning around and leaving without lingering for even a moment.
He had recently obtained an extraordinary opportunity that had allowed him to distinguish himself within the family.
Now, he understood that every minute spent away from cultivation could slow his growth.
As a result, he was no longer willing to waste even the slightest amount of his time.
Fang’er…
Xiao Yun furrowed her brows and hastily reached out, trying to stop him.
However, she did not wish to stop him because of the Fire Spirit Mushroom.
At that moment, she had no idea how she was supposed to face Ji Lin after everything that had happened between them.
Nor did she possess the courage to remain alone with him.
Yet Ye Fang never looked back.
He continued walking with long, steady strides and soon disappeared from the courtyard, leaving only Ji Lin and Xiao Yun behind.
Silence settled between them.
The air inside the room suddenly felt even heavier than before.
…
Madam, I…
Stay away from me!
Before Ji Lin could finish speaking, Xiao Yun raised her hand and struck his hand away forcefully before retreating two quick steps.
Her brows drew tightly together, and her long eyelashes trembled as an icy expression covered her beautiful face, despite the lingering blush upon her cheeks.
She lifted her chin slightly in an attempt to conceal her agitation, yet her quickened breathing betrayed the turmoil raging within her heart.
I truly never expected you to be this kind of person!
I am your elder brother’s mother.
When you acted that way… did you ever stop to consider the consequences?
Silence lingered for several seconds.
Ji Lin lowered his head slightly before raising his eyes to meet hers with calm composure.
He made no attempt to justify what had happened, nor did the slightest trace of panic appear on his face.
Instead, sincere emotions surfaced in his gaze, feelings he could no longer conceal.
I have admired you for a very long time, Madam…What happened earlier was because I truly lost control of myself.
He slowly clenched one hand before his chest and continued in a low but steady voice.
You may strike me or punish me however you wish.
Even if you tell Elder Brother Ye Fang and have me expelled from the Ye Family, I will not hold the slightest resentment in my heart.
His words paused for a moment before his gaze met hers directly.
Even so…I must tell you that my feelings for you will never change.
Xiao Yun’s eyelashes trembled, and her eyes widened slightly as she stared at him in disbelief.
You…
Yet the words caught in her throat.
She closed her eyes for a moment before turning her face away, pressing her lips together tightly.
Forget it… Leave, and do not appear before me again.
Her fingers intertwined nervously in front of her as her thoughts descended into complete chaos.
Ji Lin’s confession had been so direct that it made her heart tremble.
A deep blush spread uncontrollably across her face, but in the end, she forced herself to cling to reason.
She had already crossed a boundary she had never imagined she would cross with a man younger than herself.
And if anyone discovered what had happened…
How could she face Fang’er?
How could she face the memory of her late husband?
The Ye Family was renowned for its strict standards of etiquette and morality.
If her relationship with Ji Lin were exposed, neither of them would be able to bear the consequences.
Therefore…
She had no choice but to sever this relationship at its roots before it could go any further.
Taking a deep breath, she spoke in a voice she tried to make firm despite its slight tremble.
I will pretend that nothing happened today… and you must also forget every feeling you have for me.
The moment she finished speaking, she gently bit her lower lip and quickly turned her head away, no longer daring to look at him.
Silence filled the room once again.
After a few moments, Ji Lin let out a quiet sigh.
Forgive me, Madam… but I cannot accept that.
He slowly raised his head and fixed his gaze upon her.
Especially now that you have become my first Soul Companion.
Xiao Yun’s breathing became uneven, and her fingertips trembled without her realizing it.
You may strike me or punish me, and I will accept anything… but asking me to forget the woman I love is no different from asking me to die.
Before she could respond, Ji Lin took a step forward.
Xiao Yun instinctively tried to retreat, but the distance between them was already too short.
He wrapped his arms around her, gently drawing her against his chest.
She let out a soft gasp, and her eyes widened in alarm.
Placing both hands against his chest, she tried to push him away, but her confusion robbed her of her strength.
Her heart pounded so violently that she felt as though its beating could be heard aloud.
She had been raised since childhood under strict rules of propriety and tradition.
Never before had she faced a confession of love delivered with such boldness and unwavering determination.
Let me go…
Her voice trembled as she spoke, while her fingers unconsciously tightened around his robe.
Ji Lin slowly shook his head.
I won’t.
His tone was calm, yet it carried a resolve that admitted no retreat.
As long as you refuse to accept me, I will not let you go.
Xiao Yun’s lips trembled, and the corners of her eyes gradually reddened as tears threatened to spill over.
Ji Lin…please…there can never be a future for us…
Ji Lin lowered his gaze to meet hers before revealing a faint smile.
As long as we cherish the time we spend together…why should we concern ourselves with what may happen in the end?
He paused briefly before continuing in a gentler voice.
A small amount of the cold poison still remains within your body, Madam… and I cannot bear to watch you continue suffering from it.
Ji Lin continued to persuade her in a gentle voice while his hands rested quietly around her waist.
…
Two hours later…
Xiao Yun lay upon the bed, utterly drained of strength, her complicated gaze following Ji Lin’s departing figure as he walked away.
In the end, she let out a quiet sigh.
He truly was remarkably handsome.
Despite his young age, he had already become one of the finest physicians in all of Azure Cloud City.
And on top of that…
He had continued the treatment for two entire hours.
Was he truly nothing more than an ordinary mortal incapable of cultivation?