After My Thoughts Were Read, My Master Led Me to Change My Fate - Chapter 60

Jing Hu heard this, and his face flushed.

Jing Hu was tall and broad, his young, handsome face radiating vitality and the composure and politeness that came from years of training. His eyes were dark and exquisite, his nose bridge high and narrow—he was truly a rare, handsome youth. If Ning Songwu were placed next to him, they would look like a match made in heaven, perfectly suited for each other.

Cheng Yunhuan still wore his habitually stern face and found a seat. Jiang Yue picked up Jiang Mang and also sat beside Cheng Yunhuan, placing Jiang Mang on his lap.

Jiang Mang looked like a little girl of no more than five or six years old, but she had actually lived for many years. She was extraordinarily talented and learned everything very quickly and was extremely intelligent, but due to an unspeakable past experience, she had permanently stopped developing physically and mentally at the age of six.

Jiang Yue generally did not easily bring Jiang Mang out of Wavelight Pavilion. He spoiled Jiang Mang, treating her like his own little daughter. For the short distance from Wavelight Pavilion to Prosperity-Withered Pavilion, he had wrapped Jiang Mang up like a plump, tiny zongzi.

Helan Mianmian, who was standing idly nearby, saw this, smiled as she walked up, and took Jiang Mang from Jiang Yue’s arms. Jiang Mang was extremely cute, like a soft, white bunny. Her big eyes, framed by long lashes, curved with laughter, and she sweetly called out, “Elder Sister Helan Mianmian…”

Helan Mianmian laughed, “That’s right, little Jiang Mang finally remembers my name. Shall Elder Sister take you to see Elder Sister Cen Ran and Elder Sister Ning Songwu? … Hmm… Let me count first. One, two, three… Nine people. I need nine pairs of chopsticks. My goodness, there are so many people in Prosperity-Withered Pavilion today… I’ll have to ask Elder Sister Cen Ran to make more dumplings…”

Jiang Yue smiled gently, “Take good care of her. Don’t let the smoke and fire from the kitchen scald her.”

“I know, Venerable Jiang Yue. I won’t hurt your little disciple.”

Helan Mianmian carried Jiang Mang to the kitchen, looked at the busy room, and smiled, “Elder Sister Cen Ran, look at me…”

“Get out! Didn’t I tell you not to come in?” Cen Ran was focused on the dishes in her hand and didn’t even have time to look up.

Jiang Mang’s eyes lit up when she saw Ning Songwu. She wiggled free from Helan Mianmian’s arms and pattered over on her short legs to Ning Songwu’s side, hugging Ning Songwu’s leg. “Elder Sister Ning Songwu…”

Ning Songwu quickly put down what she was doing and picked up Jiang Mang. “Jiang Mang, how did you come here? Is Venerable Uncle Jiang Yue here?”

“Yes, Venerable Cheng Yunhuan and Jing Hu are here too.” Helan Mianmian looked at Ning Songwu, deliberately emphasizing Jing Hu’s name.

Ning Songwu’s face darkened slightly.

Cen Ran also walked over, smiling as she pinched Jiang Mang’s soft little cheek. “Jiang Mang, do you want to eat anything?”

Jiang Mang’s innocent, lovely voice was filled with laughter. “Elder Sister Cen Ran, I don’t feel like eating.”

Helan Mianmian also nudged closer, resting her head on Cen Ran’s shoulder, her two big eyes fluttering, the dimples in her mouth deeply indented. “Elder Sister Cen Ran, I want to eat.”

Cen Ran laughed and pushed Helan Mianmian away. “You get away from me.” But then she turned around, pinched a slice of meat, and slipped it into Helan Mianmian’s mouth.

Ning Songwu looked at Helan Mianmian with utter disdain, tut-tutting twice. She thought how hard it must have been for her all these years, being blinded by her Senior Sister and Helan Mianmian for such a long time.

“Quickly take the child away. It’s almost time for dinner. Tonight, we also need to light lanterns and set off firecrackers.” Cen Ran pulled Jiang Mang out of Ning Songwu’s arms, placed her into Helan Mianmian’s arms, and pushed her out.

The sky had already darkened. Prosperity-Withered Pavilion was illuminated by red lanterns hung everywhere, giving off a festive atmosphere, truly identical to how ordinary families celebrated the New Year.

Dishes were gradually being placed on the table. Everyone started to get busy—bringing bowls and chopsticks, moving tables and stools—not at all like the usual aloof, dispassionate cultivators who floated like immortals. Only Cheng Yunhuan, Jiang Yue, and Ran Fanyin sat like venerated Buddhas, and no one dared to command them.

Jiang Yue slowly sipped a cup of tea. The small finger on his left hand, which held the cup, was missing, an injury he sustained on his trip to the Eastern Sea.

Jing Hu helped bring bowls and chopsticks, silently following Ning Songwu. Seizing the opportunity, he started a conversation with Ning Songwu. “Junior Sister Ning Songwu.”

Ning Songwu glanced at Jing Hu and politely replied, “Senior Brother Jing Hu, is there something you need?”

“No… nothing…” Jing Hu, a tall and robust man, inexplicably blushed and scratched his head.

Ning Songwu did not proactively speak to him, letting him follow her.

“Ning Songwu, you’re turning seventeen soon. Is there… anything you want?” Jing Hu suddenly asked again.

“Thank you, Senior Brother, but I don’t want anything,” Ning Songwu remained polite yet distant.

“Oh…” Jing Hu’s face remained shy.

Ran Fanyin quietly watched the two who were constantly “sticking” together. After a long moment, she withdrew her gaze, picked up her teacup, and slowly drank her tea.

Soon, the table was covered with all kinds of dishes—everything that flies in the sky, runs on the ground, and swims in the sea—as well as many, many dumplings.

Cen Ran said proudly, “There are copper coins inside these dumplings, you know. Whoever eats one will be very lucky this year.”

Jiang Yue asked with interest, “How many dumplings with copper coins did you make?”

Cen Ran thought for a moment and said, “About thirty-something.”

“Doesn’t that mean everyone will get a piece of luck? That’s too boring a way to play. How about this: whoever eats a copper coin has to drink three cups of wine to share that supposed luck with everyone!” Luo Sheng suggested with a cheerful laugh.

Ran Fanyin only asked slowly, “…Did you wash the copper coins you put inside?”

Ning Songwu let out a giggle and quickly said, “Master, don’t worry, they are all clean and safe to eat.”

Luo Sheng grabbed his chopsticks eagerly. “Come on, come on, who wants to be the first to try their luck? I’ll go first!”

Luo Sheng picked one up, shoved it into his mouth, and after a forceful chew, he yelled in pain.

“Tsk, too lucky, quickly pour him three cups of wine!” Cen Ran laughed and egged him on.

Luo Sheng spat out the copper coin. “It almost broke my tooth. I didn’t expect my own suggestion to backfire on me first. Come on, come on. I’m a seven-foot man, I’m not afraid of your three cups of wine!”

“Brother, don’t embarrass yourself. You’ll go crazy if you drink too much!” Helan Mianmian laughed disdainfully.

Ran Fanyin silently picked up a dumpling and slowly chewed it in her mouth. It seemed no one noticed she was eating.

After chewing twice, Ran Fanyin’s expression froze. She looked around at everyone and quietly turned away. After a moment, she turned back as if nothing had happened.

Others might not have noticed, but Ning Songwu’s eyes were glued to Ran Fanyin. How could Ran Fanyin’s small action escape her attention? Ning Songwu suddenly spoke, “Master, what are you doing?”

Ran Fanyin replied with a calm expression, “Nothing.”

“Is that so? What are you holding in your hand?”

“Heh, Ran Fanyin, if you ate one, take it out. Your disciple has already followed the rule and drunk three cups. You can’t renege now,” Jiang Yue said with a smile, exposing her.

“Cough… Of course…” Ran Fanyin’s neck began to turn red this time. Without any room for retreat, she drank three cups. After the three cups, her cheekbones were slightly flushed.

“Come on, keep eating! Don’t you dare stop eating because you’re afraid of the wine! I’m watching you all! My Master drank, so you can’t get out of it!” Luo Sheng’s three cups of wine doubled his voice’s volume.

Cen Ran held little Jiang Mang in her arms and fed her. Helan Mianmian, seeing that she was being neglected, couldn’t help but inwardly think, I call her Elder Sister Cen Ran too. Is it because I’m older that I’m not favored? So, she continued to cling to Cen Ran’s side, talking nonsense.

Although Cheng Yunhuan was quiet, he ate several dumplings with copper coins and drank the wine without any attempt to refuse. Jiang Yue, Jing Hu, and Luo Sheng also continued to drink a lot. In contrast, Ning Songwu and Cen Ran were busy feeding little Jiang Mang and didn’t eat many dumplings themselves.

Ran Fanyin, however, was in a much more miserable state. She was not one to play clever tricks and honestly kept eating. As a result, she happened to have exceptionally good luck, eating several dumplings with copper coins in a row.

Luo Sheng, fearing nothing, pointed at the pile of unpaid copper coins in front of Ran Fanyin. “Master! You should pay your debt first and drink these!”

Ran Fanyin was silent. She had no choice but to reach for the wine pot again.

But midway, the wine pot was snatched away by Ning Songwu.

Ning Songwu shook the wine pot. “Master, don’t drink anymore. I’ll drink these for you.”

Helan Mianmian, hearing this, secretly laughed hysterically, putting on an expression of waiting to see a good show. Ning Songwu’s tolerance for alcohol was terrible. Today, she was lucky not to have eaten a dumpling with a coin, but now she was actively creating trouble for herself. Caring for the Venerable? She didn’t even consider her own capacity.

In the end, the dinner party concluded with Ning Songwu collapsing into a drunken stupor after six cups.

“She’s asking for it, she’s asking for it, hahaha! Serves her right for trying to be the hero,” Helan Mianmian had also had some wine. She lay on Cen Ran’s shoulder, her breath carrying the rich scent of alcohol as she spoke.

“And you’re still laughing. It’s almost the Hour of the Rat—less than two hours away—and we still have to set off firecrackers. I’ll go to the kitchen first to make Ning Songwu some hangover soup. You watch Jiang Mang quietly. Sigh, you smell of wine too. I should make some for you as well,” Cen Ran smiled wryly, pushing Helan Mianmian’s head away.

The men at the table lingered, reluctant to leave, having become addicted to drinking. Helan Mianmian followed Cen Ran’s instruction to watch Jiang Mang, but the Jiang Mang in her eyes now had three heads, and she struggled for a long time to feed a single spoon of rice.

As for Ning Songwu, she had to be helped back by Ran Fanyin.

Ning Songwu wasn’t completely unconscious; her gaze was just very blurry, her eyes barely open, and she leaned weakly against Ran Fanyin.

Ran Fanyin was slightly taller than Ning Songwu, so supporting Ning Songwu was easy enough. She led Ning Songwu to her sleeping quarters. Just as she struggled to free a hand to close the door, Ning Songwu suddenly seemed to wake up, turning and tightly hugging Ran Fanyin.

Ran Fanyin was startled. Ning Songwu’s hot breath, mixed with the scent of wine, puffed against her ear, instantly turning her highly sensitive ear completely red. She turned her face to look at Ning Songwu. Ning Songwu’s eyes were still half-closed.

“Ning Songwu? Are you very drunk?” Ran Fanyin asked softly.

Ning Songwu slightly pulled her head back, her eyes meeting Ran Fanyin’s with difficulty. She called out very seriously, “…Master.”

“Mm,” Ran Fanyin raised her hand and helped tuck back the strand of hair that had slipped from Ning Songwu’s ear.

The cool, icy finger touching Ning Songwu’s hot cheek immediately made her feel extremely comfortable, and her eyes narrowed slightly again.

“Let go of me and lie down on the bed to sleep for a bit,” Ran Fanyin said in a gentle voice.

Ning Songwu rubbed her cheek against Ran Fanyin’s side. She cherished the cool, comfortable temperature and uncontrollably rubbed her face against it repeatedly. Ran Fanyin’s pleasant, cold plum blossom scent continuously surrounded her nostrils, making her hug Ran Fanyin even tighter.

Ran Fanyin only thought Ning Songwu was drunk, so she indulged her drunken antics and tried to help Ning Songwu onto the bed.

As soon as Ran Fanyin freed her left hand, it was quickly seized by Ning Songwu. Ning Songwu’s eyes looked as though they were about to catch fire, eager to melt the icy, snow-like woman in her arms. She held Ran Fanyin’s left hand, raised it to her eyes, looked at the dark red scar exposed as the sleeve slid down, and pressed her lips against it.

Ran Fanyin let out a small gasp from her throat. The sudden hot, damp, and soft touch on her wrist made all the hairs on her body stand up. She tried to pull her hand back, but Ning Songwu was holding on with all her strength, gripping her wrist tightly, freely licking and nibbling the scar there.

Ran Fanyin had also had some wine. If this were a normal day, she would have coldly slapped this unruly, rebellious disciple away. But now, she was only flushed red, weakly struggling in Ning Songwu’s embrace.

“Ning Songwu!” Ran Fanyin hissed in a low voice.

Ning Songwu released Ran Fanyin’s wrist, but her lips moved toward Ran Fanyin’s slender, fair neck, her ear, and her cheek. She was desperate to fuse Ran Fanyin into her own bones. Yes, she was drunk. So, let her be drunk. Let her have a reason to get closer to Master.

She had loved Master for seven years.

Ran Fanyin pushed outward on Ning Songwu’s shoulders, but she was afraid of hurting Ning Songwu, so she dared not use True Qi. However, without using True Qi, she couldn’t break free from the now surprisingly strong Ning Songwu.

Ning Songwu frantically kissed Ran Fanyin’s neck, Ran Fanyin’s ear, and Ran Fanyin’s cheek. The rich wine scent she exhaled seemed to push the surrounding atmosphere toward a climax, making it unbearably intimate.

Ning Songwu gripped Ran Fanyin’s perfect chin, her gaze blazing as if to devour her. This time, she aimed accurately, leaning down and kissing Ran Fanyin’s lips.

Everything seemed to revert to seven years ago.

Ran Fanyin had this momentary delusion.

The same person, the same soft, melting warmth.

Except, this child had grown up now.

This time, Ning Songwu’s kiss was different from the fleeting touch seven years ago. She held Ran Fanyin’s lips in her mouth, forcibly sucking and twisting, a soft moan of pleasure escaping her throat.

Ran Fanyin was momentarily shocked, and the effects of the wine caused her to lose focus. She failed to immediately push away Ning Songwu’s impertinence.

In the room, the beautiful young woman tightly embraced the white-robed, detached woman, pressing her against the door. Their lips and teeth intertwined, and the slight sound of friction as their lips twisted made one’s heart pound and face flush.

Suddenly, Jing Hu’s voice came from outside the door:

“Ning Songwu? Venerable Master Ran Fanyin?”

Ran Fanyin snapped out of her daze and violently pushed Ning Songwu away, her eyes filled with shock.

What had she just done with her own disciple?

Jing Hu knocked on the door and said again, “Ning Songwu? Are you resting?”

Ning Songwu was pushed backward, staggering a few steps. She grasped the table to maintain her balance. Her face was deeply flushed, and her eyes were red from the alcohol.

Ran Fanyin looked at her own clothes, which had been rumpled by Ning Songwu. She cleared her throat and said toward the door, “Ning Songwu… is asleep. You should go back first.”

“Yes, Venerable Master Ran Fanyin.” Jing Hu was somewhat confused. Why was Venerable Master Ran Fanyin still inside if Ning Songwu was asleep? However, it seemed there was nothing for him to do for now. He should go back to the main hall.

Ning Songwu, unbalanced, took a step forward. Ran Fanyin instinctively retreated. Ning Songwu took another step; Ran Fanyin retreated again.

After her recklessness, Ning Songwu began to feel a little regretful.

Master… must have been scared by her.

Ran Fanyin remained silent for a long time, her mind too chaotic to form any coherent thought.

Ning Songwu was drunk. She was just drunk.

Yes, she was just drunk.

After a long moment, Ning Songwu spoke with difficulty, her voice sinking as if into the dust. “Master… please don’t hate me.”

“I won’t hate you,” Ran Fanyin adjusted her clothes, quietly opened the door, and walked out. Her steps paused at the threshold. She turned back slightly and said faintly, “But… don’t come near me again.”

“Yes, Master,” Ning Songwu sniffled, wiping away a trace of moisture from the corner of her eye.