How Could I Resist His Madness and Charm [Transmigration] - Chapter 4

Zhu Yun crooked his finger.

Luo Yan obediently leaned in, listening to his cool voice: “Keep making noise, and I’ll throw you down.”

“…”

If she paid Zhu Yun any more attention, she’d be a dog.

By then, Guyu had already found the others. With no way to locate the remaining two, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “I surrender.”

Zhu Yun’s expression relaxed as he carried Luo Yan and landed gently on the ground.

The repeated exertion had disrupted his inner energy, and a thin layer of sweat beaded on his temples. Deciding not to involve himself further, he plucked a blade of green bristlegrass and tucked it between his lips, leaning against an old tree to rest.

Luo Yan, who had no desire to speak to him anyway, gathered everyone and asked, “Why did you all mistake me for a female ghost before?”

Liu Changyi, ten years old and naturally drawn to anything that sparkled from dresses to hair, snuggled up beside her and answered, “Because Grandma Jia’s house is haunted.”

“Because the house has been empty?”

“Sort of.” Liu Changsheng shrank his neck. “Every time we go to the Jia residence, we end up aching all over the next day. It’s really creepy.”

Then, remembering that Luo Yan was part of the Jia family, he puffed out his chest and corrected himself, “But it’s been fine since you moved in. More people mean more yang energy, after all.”

Skeptical, she pressed further, “What were you doing at the Jia residence? What kind of pain was it? Muscle pain? Internal injury? Where exactly did it hurt?”

Liu Changsheng looked confused, scratching his head. “It just hurt a lot, that’s all.”

“…”

Zhu Yun, having overheard the entire conversation, narrowed his eyes and gave Liu Changsheng a once-over, finally piecing together the reason.

About two years ago, he had taken on a job near Linchuan County.

After receiving the payment, Zhu Yun wasn’t in a hurry to return to his organization. Instead, he rode the deceased’s horse and wandered around.

His conspicuous behavior naturally attracted some pursuers, so Zhu Yun abandoned the horse and hitched a ride on an ox cart.

The old man driving the cart was delivering goods to Qingyuan Village, and Zhu Yun followed along. Seeing how grand the Jia residence looked, he simply entered with his sword.

Anyone foolish enough to approach was promptly driven away with stones.

Liu Changsheng had come the most often and, as a result, had been hit the most. He would return home in excruciating pain but with no visible injuries, leading him to blame it on a haunting.

Luo Yan wanted to get to the bottom of it, but Zhu Yun had heard enough. He brushed off his sleeves and asked, “Want to go catch some fish?”

There was a small stream in the village, with the deepest part only reaching chest height. Small fish often drifted down from upstream, perfect for frying or stewing in soup.

Luo Yan was still upset. Though she walked alongside Zhu Yun, she only offered him a cold profile. Whenever she sensed his gaze, she would immediately let out a “hmph!” to make her stance clear.

She certainly held a grudge.

Zhu Yun pinched a strand of the girl’s hair, twirling it around his finger. He didn’t know how to style hair, but he had learned to weave grasshoppers. Lost in the fun, he began weaving a rough shape, and Luo Yan’s face darkened.

Feeling uncharacteristically guilty, he said, “I’ll undo it for you.”

Then, remembering how Luo Yan had pulled out quite a few strands of his hair while he was unconscious, he quickly changed his tone. “At least it looks better than what someone else weaved.”

“…”

Now it was Luo Yan’s turn to feel guilty, but she pressed her lips together and refused to speak, swatting Zhu Yun’s hand away before stomping off.

Zhu Yun chuckled indifferently, then leaped up and snapped off a few branches, sharpening them with a few quick strokes.

The others watched in awe, and Liu Changsheng even bowed sheepishly, asking, “Brother Jia, could you spare one for me?”

Brother Jia? Who?

It suddenly dawned on him that Luo Yan had earlier referred to him as “Brother,” making him Jia Yun.

“You won’t need it,” Zhu Yun said, yet he still tossed one over, for a simple reason: only through comparison can superiority be distinguished.

Finally, he handed the smoothest and most beautifully carved stick to Luo Yan: “Want it?”

The long branch had both ends sharpened into spearhead shapes, and holding it felt like wielding a slender version of a weapon. Luo Yan quickly took it, swishing it through the air a few times.

“Satisfied?”

“…” Her smile stiffened. Noticing a few flawed sticks by her feet, she turned her face away and called Guyu and the others forward. “Take them if you want. We don’t need that many.”

Having generously offered Zhu Yun’s belongings, Luo Yan couldn’t continue ignoring him. She made small talk, asking, “Aren’t we supposed to catch fish? Why are we still standing here?”

“Watch closely.” Zhu Yun raised his hand and threw.

Liu Changsheng volunteered to wade into the water and shouted upon seeing a small fish impaled on the end of the branch, “We actually caught one!”

Luo Yan instantly forgot their earlier disagreement and looked at Zhu Yun with eager eyes. “Teach me, teach me!”

Catching fish relied on sharp eyes and speed, something he couldn’t teach. He brushed her off, saying, “There are too many people right now. I’ll catch a few to satisfy them first, and I’ll teach you alone later.”

Her eyes lit up, and she stretched out her palm. “I promise I’ll never lose my temper with you again.”

Vows should be made with three fingers raised, not all five pointing to the sky.

But Zhu Yun merely curled his lips slightly and said nothing.

…

In the end, everyone got a fish. Qinglian plucked some tough grass, twisted it into a long rope, threaded it through the gill covers, and tied a firm knot, allowing them to carry the fish by hand.

Luo Yan was eager to try and said to Zhu Yun, “Let me carry yours for you.”

He casually handed it over. “Here.”

Just as he tossed it, the fish suddenly thrashed, its tail flicking straight toward Luo Yan’s face, making her shriek in alarm.

“…”

Zhu Yun clicked his tongue softly and took the fish back, thinking she ought to practice the Lion’s Roar technique instead.

When they returned home, Jia Yufang was so startled to see the young man carrying several river fish that she nearly dropped her teacup.

Luo Yan animatedly recounted their achievements, only agreeing to go inside and change after being urged twice.

Seeing that Zhu Yun had recovered well, Jia Yufang asked, “Good child, the physician should be coming today. Would you be willing to go down the mountain with him?”

“Grandmother!” Luo Yan exclaimed, rushing out in her outer robe and shielding the young man behind her. “He’s not going anywhere.”

Her words came out rushed, tinged with a nasal tone.

Zhu Yun raised an eyebrow with interest, but the next moment, he heard her say, “If A-Yun leaves, who will play with me? Let the physician uncle just grab some herbs. I think he’d get better even without them.”

“…”

He had overestimated her.

Jia Yufang was equally amused and exasperated. “I’m not trying to send him away. After the physician checks him, if there’s no serious issue, he can stay as long as he likes.”

Luo Yan, skilled at coaxing, immediately fawned sweetly, “Grandmother, you’re the best.”

“Little rascal, I’ll go prepare an extra dish for you.”

The courtyard grew quiet. Zhu Yun tugged at Luo Yan’s hair and whispered, “Who said I’m staying?”

He expected her to look upset, but instead, she retorted, “You barely managed to escape here, shouldn’t you lay low for a while? Besides, it’s already the third day, and you haven’t shown any urgency to contact anyone, which means you have no ties. So where else would you want to go?”

He was momentarily speechless. “I didn’t escape; I was just passing through.”

“Same difference.” Luo Yan nudged him gently with her shoulder. “This afternoon, I’ll bring spices, Changsheng will bring bamboo tubes for steaming rice, and Guyu will bring game. We’re going to roast them in the woods. Are you coming?”

“Let’s go,” Zhu Yun replied without hesitation.

…

Ever since another person had joined their household, Luo Yan’s happiness had become visibly evident.

Jia Yufang felt both relieved and heartache for her. Hearing that the children were planning a barbecue, she generously poured out all kinds of seasonings and even brewed a full pot of herbal tea to prevent internal heat.

While waiting for the tea to cool, someone already arrived at the door carrying supplies. Liu Changsheng was the most enthusiastic, calling out repeatedly, “Boss, boss!”

Luo Yan’s heart and eyes seemed about to fly out the window.

Jia Yufang could only hurry to pour the tea, repeatedly reminding her, “Barbecued meat is hard to digest, just have a taste, don’t overindulge.”

Luo Yan nodded eagerly. Once she got the go-ahead, she grabbed Zhu Yun and ran off. After a few steps, she realized Qinglian wasn’t with them and asked her newly acquired little brother, “Where is she?”

“She went to work in the fields.”

According to Liu Changsheng, older children either worked in town, labored in the fields, or were already married off.

Families like his and Guyu’s were slightly better off. Though they didn’t have to work in the fields every day, they still helped with tasks like herding cattle, driving ducks, or looking after younger children.

After hearing this, Luo Yan’s eyes reddened, startling Liu Changsheng so much that he waved his hands frantically and explained to Zhu Yun, “I didn’t do anything.”

“Get lost.”

Zhu Yun leaned down close to her, studied her face for a moment, and said with amusement, “Are you about to cry already?”

“No,” Luo Yan whispered, afraid others might hear, pulling him along quickly. “I just think everyone is so pitiful.”

He disagreed dismissively, “They have families, places to go, and food to eat. How are they pitiful?”

As he said this, Zhu Yun’s tone was detached, as if stating the most ordinary fact. But Luo Yan couldn’t help applying it to him and herself.

They had food to eat and temporary shelter, but no family.

They were pitiful too.

“A-Yun,” the girl lifted her face, her dark eyes glistening with tears, shimmering beautifully in the light. Her fingers gently hooked onto his as she said earnestly, “I can be your family.”

Zhu Yun grinned, “Wishful thinking.”

“…”

If she ever felt sorry for him again, she’d be a dog.

Meanwhile, Guyu had already skillfully started the fire; Changyi and Guyang, being younger, sat on a pile of rocks chatting; Liu Changsheng was somewhat afraid of Zhu Yun and only dared to approach Luo Yan’s side, whispering, “Boss, the spices.”

She handed him the food box, “You decide how much to use.”

The girl’s fingers were slender, pale and delicate like green onion shoots.

Zhu Yun glanced casually and deduced that she came from a wealthy family but had fallen into misfortune, forcing her to hide deep in the mountains with her maid to escape trouble.

That explained her straightforward temperament, she glared when angry, cried immediately when sad, and her heart softened at every pitiful story.

Noticing his gaze, Luo Yan turned her face toward him, “Aren’t you going to help?”

Zhu Yun spread his hands, “I don’t know how either.”

As a top-ranked assassin of Lanyue Tower, he lacked many things but never money, why would he ever need to step into a kitchen? He deliberately added, “You’ve probably done these chores before. Go help.”

Luo Yan fiddled with the golden cloud pattern on her sleeve, pretending not to hear.

A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes. For now, he wouldn’t tease her further. Leaving her with a “Call me when it’s ready,” he closed his eyes to rest.

Fortunately, Changsheng and Guyu were experienced. The two of them managed everything perfectly.

Luo Yan wanted to participate too, so she arranged the teacups her grandmother had prepared in a row and filled each with floral tea.

When the large bone-in meat was roasted, Changsheng wrapped it in banana leaves and placed it on a stone surface, suggesting, “Brother Jia, your dagger looks sharper than our knives. How about you slice the meat?”

Zhu Yun remained motionless, his tone cool as he remarked, “You’re quite good at ordering people around.”

The sizzle of hot oil on the roasted meat blended with the rich aroma of spices, making Guyang and Changyi practically drool with anticipation. Luo Yan, equally tempted, turned to him with a pleading look. “Hero Yun, could you lend us a hand? I’ll clean it for you afterward.”

He twitched his ears slightly and finally relented.

“Wait.” Luo Yan grabbed his sleeve. “Rinse it with tea first, then roast it over the fire. Make sure both sides are evenly cooked.”

“…”

It was their first time tasting such richly seasoned roasted meat, and even Changsheng and the others were too engrossed to speak.

Luo Yan, accustomed to such flavors, took a bite and paused. With nothing else to do, she asked casually, “Does anyone in your families study?”

Changsheng instinctively shook his head but then remembered something and pointed at Guyu. “His older brother attends Guanglu Academy. He’s the only scholar in our village.”

Though there were private schools in the city with modest tuition fees, for Qingyuan Village, such opportunities felt like another world.

In their village, having children was meant to ease burdens, sons inherited trades and married when they came of age, while daughters learned farming and weaving from their mothers before being married off.

Studying? Attending school? That was seen as a losing venture.

Luo Yan sighed softly, a trace of melancholy in her expression.

In her previous life, before her illness worsened, she had spent a few years in school. Later, during her long hospitalization, her parents hired esteemed private tutors to ensure she kept up with both academic and artistic studies.

At her age, she couldn’t quite articulate the importance of education, but she instinctively felt it was vital.

Beside her, Zhu Yun was propping his chin, lost in thought. She leaned closer and whispered, “A-Yun, do you know how to read?”

Silence was her only reply.

“A-Yun?” She reached out to tug his sleeve, but he deftly avoided her.

Puzzled, Luo Yan looked up and noticed the tips of his ears turning faintly red. A sudden realization dawned on her, he must be embarrassed because he couldn’t read.

Unable to resist teasing him about his bashful expression, she covered her face and chuckled quietly for a moment. Then, grabbing his wrist, she cleared her throat and announced, “My family once hired a female tutor, so I’m quite capable in reading and arithmetic. Would anyone like to learn with me?”

Five-year-old Wang Guyang eagerly responded, “I eat garlic.”

“…”

She glanced at Liu Changsheng, who quickly lowered his head to stare at his toes. Turning to Liu Changyi, she saw the little girl happily licking her fingers, her mouth glistening with grease.

No matter, there was still Guyu.

Just as she was about to speak, he slowly raised his hand and said in a muffled voice, “I want to learn.”

Luo Yan clapped enthusiastically. “Then it’s settled! A-Yun, Guyu, Changsheng, and Changyi, come to my courtyard in three days for lessons.”

“Why am I included?” Liu Changsheng protested weakly. “I’m not cut out for this.”

“Give it a try first. My grandmother will prepare pastries and tea, and I have plenty of fun things at my place too.”

Having successfully persuaded everyone, she suddenly realized Zhu Yun had been unusually quiet. When she turned to look, he was nowhere to be seen.

The village was peaceful, so she wasn’t worried about his safety. After helping clean up the bones, she picked up the food container and headed home.

Changsheng and his sister went to share the news with Qinglian, while Guyu and his brother still had to tend to the cattle. Left alone, Luo Yan walked along the mountain path.

Halfway, feeling tired, she sat down to rest under the shade of a tree and began pondering Zhu Yun’s name.

His surname was easy to guess, but his given name, was it Yun, Yun, Yun, or Yun?

Just then, a slender, well-defined hand snatched the twig she was holding and drew a circle around the character “Yun.””

Luo Yan looked up in pleasant surprise. “So, you can read!”

“Only a few characters,” Zhu Yun replied, scratching out his own name before asking her, “How do you write yours?”

“Let me teach you.”

To ensure he could see clearly, Luo Yan wrote slowly, stroke by stroke. When she finished, she saw that Zhu Yun had already replicated the characters with slightly clumsy brushstrokes.

She was mildly astonished and praised, “You learn really fast.”

Zhu Yun brushed off the dust from his hands and said indifferently, “It’s just memorization, not difficult at all.”

In the tower, he had memorized martial arts moves, where to strike for maximum pain, how to deliver a fatal blow in one hit, as well as acupuncture points, and the tastes and toxicities of various medicinal herbs.

No one had taught him to read, but that didn’t mean he was a fool.

“I knew you could do it,” Luo Yan said, writing down the names of their new friends. “This is Liu Qinglian, this is Wang Guyu, this is Changsheng…”

Finally, she wrote “Luo Yan” and “Jia Yun.”

“Children!”

Footsteps approached from the mountain path intersection, accompanied by a call, “It’s about to rain.”

Luo Yan immediately tossed away the wooden stick and took Zhu Yun’s hand. “Come on, let’s go home.”