Chapter 40: Please, No

Bai Qingyao’s panic was plain to see—her eyes darted about, unable to meet Xiao Changgui’s gaze. She pressed her cheeks with both hands in a vain attempt to quell the blush that had bloomed across her face. Xiao Changgui, seeing through her distress but choosing not to mention it, smoothly changed the topic.

“By the way, you really shouldn’t be getting up so soon,” he said. “You ought to stay in bed a little longer.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Bai Qingyao frowned in thought for a moment before understanding his implication, and her face flushed an even deeper red.

Xiao Changgui nodded. “No matter how you look at it, this time was too rushed. It probably won’t take on the first try. You’ll need to keep at it, strike while the iron is hot. The more times, the higher your chances will be.”

“Oh—!” Bai Qingyao stomped her foot in embarrassment. “Enough, I get it, stop nagging me about it!”

With that, she grabbed a change of clothes and made to leave. Xiao Changgui’s voice sounded with sudden gravity. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m going to take a bath... I just feel uncomfortable...” she mumbled.

“Silly girl,” Xiao Changgui shook his head. “Now is definitely not the time for a bath. Go back to bed and stay there till morning. Best if you don’t even get up to use the bathroom—just hold it in.”

Bai Qingyao shot him a glare. “You’re impossible!” Yet despite her words, she obediently returned to bed.

Suddenly, Xiao Changgui’s brow furrowed with concern. “Qingyao, are you hurt? Was it from when Zhao Qinglong hit you?”

Bai Qingyao paused, her brows knitting slightly. “All the injuries I got before were healed by Xiao Fan... completely. Why do you ask?”

Xiao Changgui snatched up the white bedsheet, his face etched with worry. “There’s blood here... Did you get hurt somewhere and not realize it? You need to check—if you keep bleeding, it could be dangerous!”

“Oh!” Bai Qingyao was so mortified she wanted to disappear, quickly snatching the bedsheet from his hands.

“What’s going on? Where are you bleeding from? Why are you hiding it? If you’re sick, you need to see a doctor!” Xiao Changgui was becoming more agitated.

Bai Qingyao shot him a reproachful look. “That... that was Xiao Fan’s doing... Just leave it alone!”

“Huh? Xiao Fan hurt you?” Xiao Changgui muttered, but then realization dawned on him. He scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. “Ah... I forgot you were still... Well, never mind. It’s a good thing, actually... As long as you’re not hurt, that’s what matters.”

Bai Qingyao set the bedsheet aside, muttering, “I’ll wash it tomorrow...” Then she slipped back into bed, and before long, a contented smile graced her lips as she drifted into a deep sleep.

But in the next room, Zeng Xiaofan tossed and turned, unable to sleep. At first, he had worried there might be something wrong with his body, but after a thorough check, he found nothing amiss—he was as strong as an ox. Gradually, he realized his troubles were entirely psychological, and he resolved inwardly that next time, he would prove himself to Auntie.

Night fell, meteors streaked across the sky, and to calm his tumultuous mood, Zeng Xiaofan resumed practicing the Heavenly Gang Disha Grand Art. As the power of the stars slowly flowed into him, he entered a state of utter absorption. After several rounds of cultivation, he could clearly feel his spiritual power had greatly increased.

When he finished, he took out the jade-green Heavenly Dao Gourd to examine it. According to the instructions left by the Healer Patriarch, this little gourd was meant to have a catalytic effect. Upon opening it, Zeng Xiaofan found a small amount of vivid green liquid inside—its fresh, pleasant aroma was invigorating just to inhale.

He poured a drop into a bucket of water, diluted it, and used it to water the vegetable patch behind the house. Only then did he return to bed for a truly restful sleep.

That night, his dreams were particularly sweet. In them, Aunt Yao kept calling out to him, “Ah—Xiao Fan! Call me Yao Yao... Call me Yao Yao!”

His breathing grew more rapid, until suddenly he sat bolt upright in bed, shouting:

“Auntie, Yao Yao! Yao Yao!”

Zeng Xiaofan woke with a start, realizing it had all been a dream—the sky outside was already bright.

“What’s wrong?”

“Xiao Fan... were you calling me?” Bai Qingyao’s voice came from outside the door.

Startled, Zeng Xiaofan was instantly wide awake and stammered, “N-no...”

“Oh, then I must’ve misheard... I thought, who would be shouting so early in the morning...” Bai Qingyao muttered, “Maybe... maybe I was just dreaming,” and turned to leave.

Just then, Zeng Xiaofan opened his door.

Their eyes met, both a little flustered and awkward, with a subtle tension in the air. Zeng Xiaofan gazed at Bai Qingyao, who was still drowsy from sleep, clad in a camisole nightgown that was rather alluring.

His breathing quickened again as he stared. Realizing how little she was wearing, Bai Qingyao felt it was inappropriate to stand before him like this and prepared to hurry away. But suddenly, Zeng Xiaofan reached out and caught her hand.

“Ah—” Bai Qingyao’s protest was half a gasp, her cheeks burning red. She murmured, “What are you doing? It’s still early... Don’t you want to sleep a little longer?”

Zeng Xiaofan said nothing, simply gazing at her with burning eyes. The intensity of his look made her blush even deeper.

“If you weren’t calling for me,” she faltered, “then... I’ll just go back to my room...”

She swallowed, saying she would leave, but her feet did not move.

Zeng Xiaofan still said nothing. With a gentle tug, he drew Bai Qingyao back into his room.

...