Childhood Friend or Destined Encounter? - Chapter 17

Feng Ya had been asking around the marketplace for news of Yezi. She followed every lead, but it felt as if Yezi was playing a game of hide-and-seek; every time Feng Ya arrived at a location, the girl had already vanished.

Wandering through the bustling crowds of the busy street, Feng Ya was fretting over losing the trail again when, quite unexpectedly, the person she had been searching for crashed headlong into her arms.

Feng Ya looked down at the girl in her embrace. Yezi’s cheeks were flushed, her lips were slightly parted as she panted for breath, and her delicate nose crinkled uncomfortably, as if she were desperately trying to evade something.

Before Feng Ya could ask what was wrong, two men dressed in black short-sleeved tunics caught up. They looked aggressive, carrying themselves with the unmistakable air of trained martial artists.

Understanding the situation immediately, Feng Ya placed a steadying hand on Yezi’s shoulder. “Are they chasing you? Don’t be afraid.”

Yezi hadn’t expected to run into Feng Ya here. Her heart was a whirlwind of emotions, but more than anything, she felt a sudden surge of relief. she stayed obediently by Feng Ya’s side, no longer feeling the urge to run.

The two members of the Baqi Pavilion took one look at Yezi and grew furious. “How did she change her appearance? Where did that brat go?”

“This one must be her accomplice. Forget the details, just grab her first!” the other shouted, lunging at Yezi with his blade drawn.

But before he could even get close, a blood-curdling scream filled the air. The man who had been charging with such momentum just a moment ago was now on his knees, wailing in pain as blood gushed from a wound on his leg.

His companion, who hadn’t moved yet, froze in shock. He gripped his sword tightly, torn between attacking and retreating.

Before he could make up his mind, he felt a sharp, cold sting in his own knee. The woman in white stood before him with a frigid expression, having used nothing but the sheer force of her sword-aura to sever his tendons from a distance.

“Get out,” Feng Ya said, sheathing her sword. She took Yezi’s hand and walked away without looking back. Since they were in the middle of town, she didn’t want to make a scene by taking lives. These two were clearly just low-level lackeys, and she didn’t care to waste any more time on them. Severing their tendons was a sufficient warning, and it would keep them off their feet for at least a couple of weeks.

Once the danger had passed, Yezi let out a long breath. Her hand was still firmly held in Feng Ya’s, and her palm was slick with sweat. She wondered why Feng Ya, who had just calmly dispatched two thugs, had sweatier palms than someone who had been running for her life.

Feng Ya led her through the crowd at a brisk pace, which caused the ankle Yezi had twisted while climbing over a wall earlier to flare up with pain.

“Hiss…” Yezi winced. Still holding onto Feng Ya, she doubled over in pain.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Feng Ya stopped immediately. Seeing Yezi’s pained expression and her furrowed brow, she quickly supported her.

“You’re walking too fast, I need to rest,” Yezi said, pulling her hand away and limping toward some steps.

Only then did Feng Ya realize that Yezi was having trouble walking. Without a word, she slid one arm under Yezi’s knees and the other behind her shoulders, sweeping the girl up in a bridal carry. “Which inn are you staying at?”

Yezi was caught completely off guard. The world seemed to spin for a moment, and fearing she might fall, she instinctively wrapped her arms around Feng Ya’s neck.

Seeing the passersby staring and whispering, Yezi’s face turned a deep shade of crimson. “It’s really not that bad,” she whispered urgently. “I just need a moment to rest. Please, put me down.”

Feng Ya, who usually indulged Yezi’s whims, remained firm this time. Instead of letting go, she tightened her grip. “I know you’re embarrassed, so tell me where you’re staying. The sooner we get back, the fewer people will see you.”

Resigned, Yezi gave her the directions. They soon arrived at the room in the inn where Yezi had been staying temporarily.

Feng Ya carefully set Yezi down on the bed. She removed the girl’s shoes and socks, revealing an ankle that was swollen and red.

Feeling self-conscious, Yezi wanted to ask Feng Ya to leave, but Feng Ya saw right through her. “We are both women. Even if I see you, it won’t harm your reputation.”

Why does that sound so familiar? Yezi thought.

“Where is your medicine?” Feng Ya asked. She knew Yezi always traveled with various herbs.

Yezi pointed to a blue bundle nearby. Feng Ya opened it and found a vast collection of medicinal supplies, even more than what she had seen last time.

Though she had expected it, the sight still caused a sharp pang in Feng Ya’s heart.

Following Yezi’s instructions, Feng Ya took out a jar of liniment. She scooped out a bit of the ointment, applied it to the swollen ankle, and began to massage it in with steady, practiced strokes.

The cool sensation of the ointment followed by the heat of the massage was strange, but it did help with the pain. Several times, Yezi tried to pull her foot away, but Feng Ya held it firmly.

Seemingly annoyed by her patient’s restlessness, Feng Ya whispered, “Stop moving. You’ve strained the ligaments. If we don’t treat this now, you’ll be limping for over a week. If you don’t want me to help, do you even know how to massage it properly yourself?”

Of course I do, it’s not like this is the first time I’ve twisted it, Yezi grumbled internally. But she didn’t dare say it out loud. She felt that since their reunion, Feng Ya’s aura had changed, becoming more assertive.

After finishing with the medicine, Feng Ya wiped her hands with a handkerchief but showed no intention of leaving the room.

Yezi looked at Feng Ya’s calm, gentle face. Since their accidental reunion, one thing had followed another, and now that there were no more distractions, the way Feng Ya looked at her suggested she wanted to have a serious talk. It made Yezi feel a sudden urge to flee.

Neither of them brought up the fact that Yezi had left without saying goodbye. Avoiding Feng Ya’s gaze, Yezi joked, “Usually I’m the one saving you, but now the roles are reversed. Unfortunately, I don’t have any silver to pay you back this time.”

“You wrote in your letter that we no longer owe each other anything. I know you don’t like being in anyone’s debt,” Feng Ya replied, playing along with a look of mock concern. “But now that you owe me, you’ll probably lose sleep over it. What should we do?”

Yezi glanced at her, knowing there was a “but” coming, and stayed quiet.

“Well, I have plenty of money, but I don’t want you to feel bad about the debt. How about this: you pay me back with yourself?”

Feng Ya paused for effect, and seeing Yezi’s shocked expression, she smiled and continued, “I haven’t traveled the world in a long time, and I was planning to head south. But I’m alone and unfamiliar with the area. I know your sense of direction is excellent, so why don’t you be my guide?”

Alone? Yezi looked skeptical. “Aren’t Master Xuan Ying and Young Master Han with you?”

“Xuan Ying has important business in Jiangzhou City. As for Han Lei, what I do has nothing to do with him.”

Feng Ya’s last sentence sparked a small, secret joy in Yezi’s heart. She studied Feng Ya for a moment, seeing that her expression was calm and she seemed sincere about the suggestion. After a moment of thought, Yezi said, “Alright, I promise.”

By the time they finished, it was late. After freshening up, Yezi was getting ready for bed when she heard a knock at the door. Dressed only in her inner robes, she quickly threw on an outer wrap and opened the door, only to find Feng Ya standing there with two bundles, smiling innocently.

“It’s late, why aren’t you in your room resting?” Yezi asked, confused.

“We’re leaving early tomorrow morning, so I thought it would be more convenient if we stayed in the same inn.”

“Then you can ask the manager for another room.” Back in Pingyang City, they had shared a room out of necessity because they were short on funds. Since they were both women, Yezi hadn’t thought much of it then. But now, Feng Ya clearly had enough money, so why was she insisting on sharing?

“I already asked. All the other rooms are booked for the night,” Feng Ya explained as she walked in and set her bags on the table.

You could have gone to the inn next door, Yezi thought, but she didn’t say it, feeling it might sound too petty. Even though she was both longing for and terrified of being close to Feng Ya, she didn’t want the other woman to see her discomfort.

So, Yezi relented. “I’ll sleep on the inside, you take the outside. I move around a lot in my sleep, so I’m sorry if I wake you up.”

“It’s fine, I’m a heavy sleeper,” Feng Ya said with a slight smile, thinking to herself, I know exactly how you sleep.

Yezi didn’t say anything more. She climbed into the bed and closed her eyes, trying to count sheep. She thought having Feng Ya so close would make it hard to sleep, but the exhaustion of the past few days soon pulled her under. This time, she finally felt safe enough to fall into a deep slumber, without worrying about insomnia or being on guard. Even in a strange inn, the person beside her made her feel inexplicably at peace.

Feng Ya lay on her side facing Yezi, listening to the girl’s steady, shallow breathing. The girl’s face was so pale it was almost translucent, and even in sleep, she looked deeply fatigued. Her long, curled eyelashes were like the wings of a butterfly that had flown straight into Feng Ya’s heart.

Because of her chronic illness, Yezi was thinner than most girls her age. Curled up as she was, she looked even smaller. Feng Ya reached out, her fingers tracing the corner of Yezi’s eye, her ear, her cheek, and her chin. Touching that soft, delicate skin brought a long-lost sense of peace to Feng Ya’s heart.

For the past few days, Feng Ya’s only goal had been to find Yezi. Her heart had felt like a drifting cloud, aimless and lost. She hadn’t dared to stop and think about why she felt this way, only knowing that if she never saw Yezi again, her world would be much darker.

Now that Yezi was safely by her side, it felt as if a beam of light had broken through the clouds.

No matter what it takes, I will find a way to cure you. I’ll make sure you never have to suffer again, and that every day of your life is filled with joy.

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