How Could I Resist His Madness and Charm [Transmigration] - Chapter 18

At the first mark of the mao hour, the sky still tinged with indigo and violet, the village was already bustling with activity.

Most households had lit their lamps, and white smoke drifted from chimneys. Some were loudly pushing millstones, others deftly cleaving tough bones with sharp knives, and a few leisurely set off for the town with oxcarts.

The blend of human voices, rooster crows, and the rumble of cart wheels acted like a natural alarm clock, rousing Zhu Yun from his slumber.

Once dressed, he retrieved the wooden sword and crossbow from a box, giving them a final polish.

By the time the carvings were smooth and comfortable to grip, Jia Yufang had entered the eastern kitchen to prepare breakfast, accompanied by the calls of Third Sister, likely begging for food.

It was time.

Zhu Yun slipped silently into the adjacent room, where a black dress lay on the spring stool, evidently prepared in advance. As for Luo Yan, half her face was buried in the bedding, as if struggling to rise before dozing off again.

He circled her ankle with his chilled hand, startling her into a shiver. She blinked groggily, unable to see a thing.

“…”

He’d forgotten to light the lamp.

By the time Zhu Yun fetched the fire starter, she had buried her entire face back under the covers.

He pressed his cold palm to the nape of her neck, teasing her as he often did with Third Sister. Luo Yan let out a yelp, rolling over and pinning his knuckles under the back of her head as she pleaded, “Let me sleep a little longer.”

Unfortunately, only Grandmother fell for that.

Withdrawing his hand, he said flatly, “Then I’ll go.”

“Don’t go.” Startled fully awake, Luo Yan’s almond eyes, now clear, held a hint of accusation, though she dared not let him see it clearly, lest he abandon the task. Pushing aside the curtain, she reached for her robes while muttering under her breath, “Why are you so impatient?”

Blaming the victim.

Zhu Yun chuckled silently, choosing not to argue, and stepped out to the outer room.

She had previously asked Grandmother to make her an outfit identical to Zhu Yun’s, tailored sharply and ideal for movement. After changing, she called him in to tie her hair, seizing the chance to sneak a glance in the mirror. His expression seemed normal, not as if he were angry.

“My attitude was improper,” Luo Yan admitted, a pang of guilt surfacing as she reflected. “Tomorrow, I’ll get up the moment I’m called, no lazing about.”

“Hmm.”

The youth’s slender fingers deftly tied her hair into a high ponytail. Recalling how she’d falsely accused him of impatience, she touched her nose and said, “Ah Yun, do you know what you seem like right now?”

“Like a soft bun, getting bullied without a word.”

Zhu Yun ignored her, tugging Luo Yan to her feet.

Breakfast was out of the question. Jia Yufang insisted they drink some soybean pudding and filled their gourds with water before seeing them off from the courtyard.

Looking back, Luo Yan giggled and remarked, “When I was three or four, before any health issues showed, my parents sent me off to school just like this. It’s oddly nostalgic.”

It wasn’t the specific people she missed, but rather one of the few warm moments from her past life.

Zhu Yun listened quietly, thinking to himself that he had no such memories worth cherishing.

–

Drawing a bow and shooting arrows also tested physical stamina, so from that day on, Luo Yan would have to climb the mountain slowly on her own two feet.

Mustering her strength, she made it halfway up the slope and pushed on for another quarter-hour before gradually tiring. Finally, Zhu Yun extended a helping hand.

With someone pulling her from the front, she gritted her teeth and persevered.

As the familiar peak came faintly into view, Zhu Yun drew the wooden sword from his robes, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Your reward.”

The wooden sword was no larger than a palm, its rough edges meticulously smoothed, both miniature and imposing. Luo Yan felt her exhaustion vanish instantly. Swinging it twice, she exclaimed in delight, “Did you make this especially for me?”

No wonder he was always sitting in the courtyard, carving away.

Zhu Yun drew his own sword from its sheath and gestured for her to look. “I modeled it after this one. When you’re stronger in the future, I’ll buy you a real one.”

“Thank you…” Her calves trembled, tugging at the muscles in her face, turning her sweet smile bitter. “You’re suddenly being so nice to me, it gives me an ominous feeling.”

This time, Zhu Yun guiltily averted his gaze. “Just a few more steps to go. Let’s keep moving.”

The secluded mountain path, which he had carved out day after day, was wide enough for two people to walk side by side. In the steeper sections, stone steps had been stacked.

Luo Yan withdrew the hand she had been using for support and walked ahead, silently vowing not to complain about fatigue too easily.

While she paused to catch her breath, Zhu Yun removed his quiver and tested the short bow. The first arrow flew only two steps before plummeting straight to the ground. With the second shot, he regained his form, piercing through fallen leaves and embedding itself firmly in a tree trunk.

“Wow.” Her laziness forgotten, she chirped brightly, “Master, let’s begin. Do I need to practice horse stance or throw punches?”

Zhu Yun glanced at her in surprise. “Not you.”

Luo Yan understood. “Because my physique is too weak.”

“Mm.” He handed her the short bow, guiding her hands into the correct stance while encouraging her, “But your bone structure isn’t bad, and your flexibility is good.”

Pleased by his praise, she mimicked the motions of holding the bow, hooking the string, and aiming, declaring with vigor, “Ready.”

As soon as she spoke, she noticed Zhu Yun stepping back two paces, his voice drifting over leisurely, “Practice for now. Rest after two quarters of an hour.”

Just as she was about to ask how to correct her posture if it was wrong, she caught sight of Zhu Yun plucking a handful of small berries from the corner of her eye. One flew toward her slightly slack elbow.

“…”

Alright, aim for wherever is wrong.

Luo Yan repeated the motions over and over. Her shoulders and abdomen were hit the most, and gradually, her arms began to ache.

Who knew thirty minutes could feel so long? She took a deep breath and shifted her gaze to the target, imagining the glorious moment when she would hit every shot with precision.

By the time Zhu Yun called for a break, her limbs were stiff, and her back was damp with sweat. She groaned pitifully, “I can’t move.”

He chuckled, rolling up Luo Yan’s sleeves for her and applying an unknown, cooling ointment, massaging it in with firm pressure. Once the soreness in her arms had eased, she noticed Zhu Yun putting away the porcelain jar and instinctively asked, “What about my legs?”

Between the mountain climb and standing for so long, her legs were far more sore than her arms.

Unexpectedly, his expression turned subtle, as if he wanted to scold her, but for some reason, he held back. Finally, he muttered, “Do that yourself.”

Determined to be a model student, Luo Yan thanked him and retreated to the shade of a tree, lifting her skirt.

“…”

Zhu Yun swiftly turned his back, drawing his longsword to practice the ninth form.

The blade’s wind was fierce, swirling the fallen leaves on the ground.

Though she was an amateur, Luo Yan could still recognize skill. She could see the young man’s ease and mastery, the weapon in his hand seemed to come alive, brimming with vibrant energy, yet that energy was entirely under his control.

Lost in her thoughts, her heartbeat inexplicably quickened, and the hand massaging her calf had long since stilled.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yun also stopped. He strode over, knelt on one knee, and took Luo Yan’s left hand to check her pulse.

From her angle, she could just see a few broken leaves caught in his hair. As she reached out to remove them, he grasped her right hand as well.

“Why the sudden panic?” He lifted his face, expression grave.

Luo Yan was taken aback, staring blankly. “What panic? I’m not panicking.”

Then she suddenly realized the reason and flushed bright red.

Zhu Yun grew even more concerned, pressing the back of his hand to her forehead. Unexpectedly, Luo Yan’s heartbeat only quickened further, thundering in his ears like drumbeats.

“I’m fine.” She pushed him away with both hands and feet, both annoyed and embarrassed. “And stop looking at me like I’m on death’s doorstep.”

“But, ”

Luo Yan turned her back to him, patiently explaining, “It doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong with my health. People’s heartbeats quicken when they feel guilty or scared.”

Zhu Yun reluctantly accepted this explanation and casually smoothed down her pants leg that had rolled up to her knee. “What are you feeling guilty about?”

“W-what guilt? I’m not feeling guilty at all.”

Luo Yan’s voice suddenly rose sharply, making his brow furrow, but he didn’t back away. Instead, he asked, “Then what are you afraid of?”

“……”

Unable to come up with an excuse, she simply stood up. “Let’s practice separately.”

After some time had passed, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, enveloping them in its warmth. Zhu Yun narrowed his eyes and called Luo Yan back, telling her it was time to descend the mountain.

She skillfully climbed onto his back, muttering, “Why not let me walk by myself?”

“You just worked up a sweat. If you don’t change clothes quickly, you might catch a cold.”

Qingyuan Village was situated at high altitude. Even in midsummer, it wasn’t particularly hot except at noon. The eastern mountain was even cooler than the village, and with her constitution, she really was prone to falling ill.

Luo Yan wrapped one arm around his neck while waving her wooden sword with the other, excitedly saying, “Earlier when I was practicing archery, it was boring at first, but after getting used to it, it actually became fun.”

Hearing this, Zhu Yun was somewhat surprised.

Usually, Luo Yan would rather lie down than stand if she could help it, delicate and prone to acting spoiled. Only when studying and practicing calligraphy did she show some perseverance. He hadn’t expected the same to apply to archery practice.

It seemed she genuinely enjoyed learning things, no matter what it was.

Thinking this, Zhu Yun said, “Later, I’ll teach you some sword techniques. They might not be able to hurt anyone, but they’ll serve as entertainment.”

“Thank you, Master.” She called him affectionately and inquired, “When you were young, did you never try to avoid hard work?”

“Why would I avoid hard work?”

He enjoyed the feeling of mastering strength. Not only did he not find it tiresome, but like a glutton, he wanted to continuously absorb more until he could trample everyone under his feet.

Luo Yan gasped softly, “That’s perverted.””

“Always using words I don’t understand.”

Zhu Yun set her down, and they each returned to their rooms to bathe and change clothes.

Meanwhile, Luo Yan removed her short bow and casually placed it on the antique shelf. She then dug out a crimson hair ribbon and carefully tied the small wooden sword to her waist.

She wore it during meals, while practicing calligraphy, and even hugged it tightly during her midday nap.

For some reason, he felt a sour sensation in his heart and deliberately tried to snatch it, successfully making Luo Yan open her eyes. She said irritably, “You’d better give me a good reason for disturbing my sweet dreams.”

“Play with me.”

Luo Yan ignored him, turning over to face away, and grumbled, “I woke up at six, practiced for two hours this morning, and I’m exhausted.”

She thought he would leave her alone after that.

Unexpectedly, after some faint rustling sounds, he poked her waist. “A gift for you?”

She glanced back and saw a deep red sword tassel with a round, crystal-clear gemstone attached. It matched the hair ribbon tied to the sword perfectly.

“They say it was made by my birth mother, but who knows if it’s true or not.” Zhu Yun’s tone was flat, as if recounting someone else’s story. “Come here, let me tie it for you.”

Luo Yan raised her arm, and a sharp ache shot through her unmedicated shoulder and neck. She instinctively grabbed Zhu Yun’s sleeve: “It hurts so much.”

“Ouch.” He retrieved his hair from her inadvertent tug and suggested, “Let Grandmother massage it for you.”

“I suppose that’s the only way.”

She lay back down with an expression of utter despair, wondering whether Zhu Yun would kill her if she skipped class tomorrow.