Cough, cough. Lin Ziyuan was choked by his own saliva, startled. “What?”
“Lu Qianchuan and Chu Zilan, are they partners?” Ding Li asked again.
Since it was here, she might as well indulge. Free gossip should not be wasted, and free details should not go uncollected. No matter what, she would dig into it first.
Lin Ziyuan opened his mouth wide, taking a long moment to respond. “Where did you hear that?”
Did she even need to hear it? They were the male and female leads of a romance story. Was this not obvious?
Ding Li said, “I do not care where I heard it. I just want to know if it is true.”
Lin Ziyuan squinted at her with caution. “What do you want to do?”
This guy had quite the guard up.
Ding Li thought for a moment and said, “It is like this. I see Master Lu as handsome and Master Chu graceful, clearly a perfect pair. But yesterday, when I accompanied Master Chu down the mountain, I noticed a man who seemed very attentive toward Master Chu.”
“An audacious fool!” Lin Ziyuan roared. “How dare he covet my senior sister?”
It was not really coveting. It was just Xiao Wenjing.
Ding Li quickly reassured him, “Stay calm, do not get so worked up. I was only mentioning it.”
Lin Ziyuan was still breathing heavily. “Who is it? How dare someone be so brazen? My senior sister is not someone just anyone can desire.”
Ding Li leisurely said, “Young hero, do not be so agitated. Your senior sister is the most beautiful woman in the world. It is only natural that someone admires her.”
Lin Ziyuan snorted. “Senior Brother and my senior sister are a match made by fate. No one else can interfere.”
So loyal to their pairing.
Ding Li continued, “Then Xiao Wenjing…”
“Senior Brother Wenjing?”
“Yes,” Ding Li said. “I see he is young but quite accomplished. He has great potential for the future.”
Lin Ziyuan said, “Indeed, Senior Brother Wenjing is gifted. When the sect master saw him, he was accepted into the sect unusually early. We were all envious.”
This aligned with the original story. Xiao Wenjing was chosen by the sect master at first sight, which conveniently allowed him to approach Chu Zilan.
Unfortunately, others only saw his camaraderie with Chu Zilan, not his hidden intentions.
Ding Li sighed softly. “I see that Master Wenjing has deep respect for Master Chu. Cangshan Sect disciples really get along well. It is an enviable big family.”
Lin Ziyuan nodded. “Of course. We are all from the same sect, naturally looking out for each other. When the Senior Brother first joined the sect master, his senior brother and sister cared for him, so they became especially close.”
“Oh,” Ding Li nodded. “I see.”
Lin Ziyuan added, “Although the Senior Brother is usually reserved, he is actually a very good person.”
“Fair enough. You seem good too.”
Ding Li spent two days soaking in the spring. On the third day, Chu Zilan arrived.
At that time, she was lying on the bed.
Lin Ziyuan had brought her back. He was about to leave, but Ding Li said she was hungry. Lin Ziyuan went to prepare food. Afterward, she said she was thirsty, and Lin Ziyuan fetched water.
A dedicated NPC.
Ding Li had now eaten and drank her fill. She lay on the bed while Lin Ziyuan sat at the table, lost in thought.
Chu Zilan came over and stood at the bedside, bending slightly to look at her. “How do you feel?”
Being so close, Ding Li once again marveled. A celestial being was truly flawless, with delicate skin, rosy lips, and white teeth.
Seeing a celestial being up close was a little overwhelming.
Ding Li lowered her eyes and spoke softly. “Much better. Thank you, Master Chu.”
After all, it was Chu Zilan who had rescued her from the mountain. She naturally cared most for her.
Ding Li sighed again, feeling some pain.
Such a peerless celestial being, beautiful, kind, and powerful. Did she really have to compete for men? Could girls not help girls? Did two women appearing together always have to fight for attention? It was frustrating how outdated and petty the original story’s villainess setup was.
Chu Zilan spoke gently. “That is good. Once you are healed, I will send someone to return you to the foot of the mountain.”
“No!” Ding Li raised her hand.
She could not leave. What about her mission? The system would kill her. Someone had to save her.
Chu Zilan looked at her with a questioning gaze.
Ding Li hurried to explain, “I still feel unwell. There is a dull pain in my chest. Perhaps my heart meridian is injured.”
Chu Zilan reached out to touch Ding Li’s wrist.
Suddenly, Ding Li raised her hand to her temple. “My head hurts suddenly. I do not know why.”
Chu Zilan furrowed her brows.
Ding Li let out a long sigh, finally seeming to yield. Her eyes were slightly red as she looked at Chu Zilan. “I… I have no home. I have no family.”
Chu Zilan looked slightly taken aback and remained silent for a moment.
Ding Li sniffled and grabbed Chu Zilan’s sleeve, whispering, “Can I stay? Can I…”
Chu Zilan said, “Then stay at Cangyun Mountain.”
Ding Li’s eyes were full of emotion, almost crying from joy.
I knew it, Ding Li thought. Even though Chu Zilan seemed aloof and spoke little, she was the most reliable person in the book. Decisive and unwavering.
What a character every woman would love.
Ding Li silently promised herself, I do not want to oppose her. I want to be with her. Can this book be reclassified?