After the Second Playthrough, the CP-Less Female Lead Kneels and Begs Me for Forgiveness [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 44

Pei Xi’s gaze was so intense that even Shao Xibei found it a bit difficult to endure.

She couldn’t help but ask, “Pei Xi, what are you looking at? You’re staring so closely.”

You.

Those words surfaced in Pei Xi’s mind.

But what she actually said was different: “It’s nothing. I was just thinking about what Physician Si said last time—that I should massage your limbs frequently.”

Si Wan nodded: “Yes, frequent massage is necessary to maintain muscle vitality.”

Si Wan stood up and pointed around the area. “You benefactors can stay here for as long as you like.”

“Qingqing and I usually stay at the pharmacy in town to make it easier to treat patients. We only stay here when we go up the mountain to gather herbs.”

Shao Xibei said, “Would that be too much trouble?”

“Not at all, please stay without worry,” Qing Sui said, her entire demeanor radiating a gentle and refined grace. “The local villagers are very kind. If you need any help while we are away, you can ask them.”

Shao Xibei no longer refused. They truly needed a place to settle down and recover, at least until she regained her mobility. “Then I thank you both.”

Early the next morning, Si Wan and Qing Sui packed their bags, prepared to head back to town. It had already been six days since they were last there.

They explained everything before leaving. There were only enough herbs for four days’ worth of Shao Xibei’s medicine; they would have to get more from the pharmacy and would return in four days.

Thus, Pei Xi and Shao Xibei settled in.

Before leaving, Si Wan had taught Pei Xi the proper massage techniques.

Initially, Pei Xi felt shy about touching Shao Xibei’s body. But once she remembered this was to help Sister Shao recover quickly, all other thoughts vanished. She wished she could massage her at every waking moment, longing for her to get better soon.

Shao Xibei also spent every day circulating spiritual energy through her meridians. Her only goal was to heal quickly so she could take the System and leave this world.

While staying with Pei Xi, Shao Xibei did have moments of deep embarrassment—specifically regarding using the restroom. This was likely a memory she would never wish to recall for the rest of her life; in those moments, her desire for her legs to recover became incredibly intense.

Then there was bathing. Pei Xi had found a wooden tub from somewhere that was the perfect size for her to soak in.

Once, while bathing, Shao Xibei felt particularly strange. Especially when she used her hands to wash her chest, Pei Xi’s gaze was startlingly heat-filled.

It gave her the illusion that she was about to be devoured.

Four days later, Si Wan and Qing Sui returned on horseback, carrying large bundles containing food, medicinal herbs, and some changes of clothes.

Shao Xibei was mostly the same—only her hands could move—but they were slightly more flexible than four days ago. Occasionally, she would let Pei Xi carry her out to the yard to play with Xiao Hui (Little Gray).

Xiao Hui had also recovered well over these past few days; the wounds on its body had already scabbed over. Shao Xibei’s use of spiritual energy was becoming smoother. She could now use paper talismans that required less energy. After all, she had traveled through so many worlds and was familiar with various power systems.

Restoring her spiritual energy was easy, though the spiritual power of this world was different from that of a cultivation world.

If she had to describe it, it was like the “budget version” versus the “ultimate version.”

In this world, those who possessed spiritual energy were Taoists. Even if they cultivated to the extreme, they couldn’t shatter the void or ascend to godhood; they could only capture vengeful spirits.

The four of them sat at the stone table once again to eat.

Si Wan said, “Something happened at the Pei Manor recently. The news has spread from Yuzhou City to all the surrounding towns.”

Pei Xi held Shao Xibei in her lap in an embracing posture.

As usual, Pei Xi picked up a spoon, intending to feed Shao Xibei before eating herself.

But Shao Xibei felt her hands were now no different from usual, so she declined Pei Xi.

Pei Xi thought secretly to herself: What a pity.

Because of Si Wan’s words, Shao Xibei stopped what she was doing.

She was, after all, curious about the situation at the Pei Manor.

Not for any deep reason, but simply because she had stayed there, and it was Pei Xi’s home.

Shao Xibei blinked her large eyes, full of curiosity. Pei Xi noticed and felt a pang of displeasure; she didn’t like Shao Xibei looking so intently at someone else.

Prompted by Shao Xibei’s gaze, Si Wan felt a strong urge to tell the story. She put down her chopsticks and spoke eloquently, while Qing Sui watched her from the side with a smile, her eyes filled with undisguised affection.

“A small-time thief broke into the Pei Manor a few days ago. When he came out, he had gone mad. Now he screams every day that the Pei Manor is full of dead people, and that even the Madam is a corpse.”

“Later, the authorities threw him in jail. Surprisingly, the other prisoners in the same cell also went mad the next morning, constantly claiming there were ghosts.”

“The story has spread far and wide, but the important thing is that not a single person from the Pei Manor has come out to explain.”

“The reputation of the Pei Manor as a haunted house has been firmly cemented.”

At this point, Si Wan finished her tale. She took a sip of soup and added, “Anyway, I think someone must be throwing mud at the Pei family. After Master Pei died, only the Madam and the Eldest Miss were left. Some people with hidden agendas are definitely using this chance to blacken their name.”

“That Wang family is the most likely culprit. After all, their son was killed by the Second Miss Pei. The Wangs must hate her to death.”

Hearing this, Shao Xibei sighed inwardly. They certainly did hate her—they had shot arrows at her directly.

Thinking of this, a question arose in Shao Xibei’s mind, and she planned to ask Pei Xi about it later.

After finishing the meal, they chatted for a while. Of course, Pei Xi was like a “silent gourd,” only occasionally uttering a few words to show she was listening.

Si Wan and Qing Sui seemed very busy; they left hurriedly by the hour of the Monkey (around 2–3 PM).

Since she was staying in their home, Shao Xibei felt she should show some concern.

Before the two left, Shao Xibei, held in Pei Xi’s arms, asked, “Has something major happened? If it’s just regular medical visits, there’s no need to be in such a rush.”

With Qing Sui’s help, Si Wan climbed onto the horse. She tightly hugged Qing Sui’s waist. “Lately, the number of people with fevers has increased. It might be due to the weather. It’s just common fever, but you two should be careful as well.”

Si Wan and Qing Sui had to get back before dark, so they couldn’t chat for long.

They bid their farewells.

Tonight, the moon was round and bright, illuminating the courtyard clearly.

Shao Xibei asked Pei Xi to carry her out to the yard.

Xiao Hui followed along.

Shao Xibei looked at the night sky and asked, “Pei Xi, do you want to go back and take a look?”

Pei Xi shook her head. “Why go back?” Her only wish now was to stay with the person in front of her forever.

Shao Xibei looked down and changed the question: “I remember Pei Qing fell down with us at the time. Is he dead?”

Pei Xi continued to shake her head. “I don’t know.”

Shao Xibei sighed. It was impossible to keep a conversation going like this.

Pei Xi remained silent for a moment, then pulled those few pieces of paper from her robe.

They were worn and tattered beyond recognition.

Pei Xi held the papers in front of Shao Xibei: “I have been reading these for two years. Can you give me the next book now?”

Shao Xibei took them and looked, suddenly remembering the promise she had made to Pei Xi back then.

Her interest was piqued.

She asked Pei Xi, “To what level have you practiced your spiritual energy?”

Pei Xi didn’t know how to put it into words, so she simply decided to demonstrate.

She took the stone shard that had accompanied her for two years from her waist.

Placing it on the stone table, she closed her eyes.

In that instant, Shao Xibei felt the surge of spiritual power. She looked at the table.

The sharp stone shard actually levitated into the air, hovering steadily.

Shao Xibei nodded in praise: “Little Pei Xi, that is very impressive.”

The stone shard slowly descended. Pei Xi opened her eyes, looking a bit bashful in the face of Shao Xibei’s blunt compliment.

“I usually channel this ‘breath’ into branches. It makes the force of the projection very strong and the speed very fast, making it easy to hunt for food.”

Shao Xibei pondered; Pei Xi had stumbled upon a way to train the stability of her spiritual energy through this method, which was quite excellent.

Shao Xibei said, “Put me down on the chair.”

Pei Xi pursed her lips slightly, as if asking why?

At least, that was how Shao Xibei interpreted it, and she found it somewhat amusing.

“How can I teach you if you keep holding me like this?”

Pei Xi lowered her eyelids. Actually, holding you works too, she thought.

What she felt was one thing, but what she did was another.

She gently set Shao Xibei down.

As the warmth in her arms gradually faded, her heart filled with a sense of loss.

Shao Xibei added, “Xiao Hui should join us too.”

Xiao Hui let out a soft howl.

From the beginning, Shao Xibei felt that Xiao Hui was a spiritual wolf that understood human speech; now she was completely certain. If ghosts existed in this world, why couldn’t there be demons or spirits?

Perhaps Xiao Hui was one.

Shao Xibei composed her expression: “Actually, besides spiritual energy, there is another kind of ‘breath’ you can absorb—the essence of the sun and the moon…”

That night, Shao Xibei spoke at length about how to absorb the essence of the sun and moon, how to let spiritual energy circulate autonomously within the body, and how to infuse spiritual energy into the drawing of talismans.

It wasn’t until late into the night that she asked Pei Xi to take her back to the room to rest.

She believed that with Pei Xi’s memory, she would surely remember everything; what was needed most now was practical application.

Lying in bed, Shao Xibei pulled up the covers until only her eyes were visible. She said, “Pei Xi, I want to go back.”

Pei Xi’s hand, which was straightening the quilt, paused. Her tone carried a rare note of disbelief.

“Why?” Before Shao Xibei could answer, Pei Xi added, “Because of Pei Ming?” Pei Xi’s breathing became ragged.

Shao Xibei was surprised that Pei Xi had guessed correctly: “It is indeed because of Pei Ming.”

Pei Xi’s breath stopped abruptly. “Why? Is there something I haven’t done well enough?”

Where is this coming from? Shao Xibei turned her head, her eyes full of confusion as she looked at Pei Xi.

Pei Xi’s breathing was shallow and fast: “Otherwise, why would you go back for Pei Ming?” For some reason, the rims of her eyes began to redden.

Shao Xibei froze, then burst out laughing: “Hahaha, Pei Xi, why would you think that?”

Pei Xi was stunned. Was that not the case?

Shao Xibei reached out both hands to cup Pei Xi’s face, her pale skin contrasting with Pei Xi’s darker tone.

The dim, flickering candlelight blurred Shao Xibei’s features and dazed Pei Xi’s eyes.

To keep Shao Xibei from straining her hands, Pei Xi followed the pressure of the hands on her cheeks and knelt over Shao Xibei, looking down from above at the smiling face of the person beneath her.

The candlelight reflected in her eyes as if they were adorned with starlight.

So beautiful, Pei Xi thought.

The posture was incredibly ambiguous.

But Shao Xibei didn’t realize it. Holding Pei Xi’s face, she slowly pulled the girl a bit closer.

Her pale lips parted slightly: “If it wasn’t for her, the things that followed wouldn’t have happened.”

Her eyes curved into crescents: “I want to get revenge for you.”

“Pei Xi, you are the most important person to me here.”

In that moment, it was as if thunder crashed and lightning struck; Pei Xi’s heart skipped a violent beat.

A noisy sound filled her ears—the sound of her own heartbeat.

Her mind felt as if it had been submerged in a flood; all thoughts vanished.

The only thing left in her vision were those pale lips opening and closing. She could no longer hear anything else.

Why did this person always use that mouth to say such disturbing things, throwing her heart into such turmoil? She wanted so badly… so badly to stop them.

Shao Xibei looked into Pei Xi’s eyes and saw a burning passion, like a flame that threatened to scorch her.

The candle flickered; the atmosphere was intimate to the extreme.

A wave of panic hit Shao Xibei’s heart, and she tried to withdraw her hands, but Pei Xi caught one and pressed it back against her face.

“Sister Shao, are you doing this on purpose?” Purposely saying such soul-stirring words.

Shao Xibei felt the heat of the palm against her hand. In this moment, she truly realized it.

Pei Xi had grown up.

She had a tall, slender figure, wheat-colored skin, and a straight bridge of her nose. Her once-rounded eyes had become narrow and long, with thick black eyebrows pressing slightly over them. Her lips were thin and sexy, with slightly pointed corners, full of beauty and aggression. The hand holding the back of Shao Xibei’s own was large and elegant, with calluses on the palm and fingertips.

Supporting herself above Shao Xibei, she could completely envelop her.

Perhaps because this was the reincarnation of the System, Shao Xibei’s heart rate lost its rhythm.

She lowered her eyes, not daring to look further.

She whispered, “Pei Xi, I’m tired.”

The tension in Pei Xi’s body snapped, and she immediately lay back in her spot.

The bed was large. Pei Xi moved herself to the very edge, leaving enough space between her and Shao Xibei for another person to sleep.

She turned her back to Shao Xibei, the pounding in her heart refusing to cease.

Meanwhile, Shao Xibei covered her entire head with the thin quilt.

No one knew that beneath that blanket, her ears had turned completely red.

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