The Aloof Junior Brother I Was Supposed To Be Is Actually A Hopeless Romantic! - Chapter 3

“Ah Ji, you came to the main peak?”

A joyful voice called out.

Chen Ji turned toward the sound. A man with a gentle demeanor and refined features was walking quickly toward them, surrounded by a group of junior brothers and sisters. Seeing him, a smile broke across Chen Ji’s handsome face. Just as he was about to respond, Liu Jingyun and Qiu Lingzhou stepped in front of him simultaneously, blocking him completely.

Chen Ji’s face darkened. He had suspected more than once that these two were bamboo spirits reincarnated; despite being several years younger than him, they seemed to grow a head taller every time he blinked. With the two of them standing in front like a wall, he could not see a thing.

Watching the newcomer approach, the expressions on Liu Jingyun and Qiu Lingzhou’s faces were incredibly grim.

Liu Jingyun spoke first: “Crawl.”

Qiu Lingzhou was even more impolite: “Beat it.”

The man was neither angry nor annoyed by their words. He smiled gently. “Junior Brother Jingyun and Junior Brother Lingzhou are as humorous as ever.”

“Senior Brother Cichao, you call that humorous? That is just plain rude!”

“Exactly! Telling Senior Brother Cichao to beat it and crawl.”

“It is no wonder they lack manners. The master of Emerald Bamboo Peak ignores them, and they do not even understand the basics of respecting elders. It is a good thing that peak is far away; if outsiders saw this, they would think Tianyun Sect disciples have no upbringing.”

“The disciples of Emerald Bamboo Peak are singlehandedly lowering the reputation of the entire sect.”

The disciples surrounding Jiang Cichao spoke up in his defense. Jiang Cichao was the closed door disciple of the Sect Leader, Tian Jizi. His talent and comprehension far surpassed those of his peers, making him the Sect Leader’s most pampered pupil. Due to his looks and personality, he had many admirers within the sect.

He and Chen Ji had grown up in the same village. Unlike Chen Ji, Jiang Cichao had joined the Tianyun Sect at age nine, thus escaping the massacre that later wiped out their hometown. Upon learning of the tragedy and reuniting with his childhood companion, Jiang Cichao vowed to protect Chen Ji and ensure he never suffered again.

When Chen Ji first transmigrated, Hai Yangzi had not yet taken in the two problem children. Back then, he and Jiang Cichao spent their days catching mountain pheasants and exploring the entire sect together. That was Chen Ji’s most comfortable period.

Once the problem children arrived, opportunities to meet Jiang Cichao became rare. The two youngsters were extremely resistant to Jiang Cichao. To prevent him from appearing at Emerald Bamboo Peak, they had even set up barriers around the peak to deny him entry.

It was not that Chen Ji had not thought about visiting the main peak, but the problem children were constantly demolishing the house. Since he frequently had to ask for silver to fix things, people started gossiping. Not wanting to drag Jiang Cichao into the rumors, Chen Ji reduced the frequency of his visits.

Now that the two problem children had met Jiang Cichao at the main peak, their hostility had not diminished one bit.

Facing the verbal assault from Jiang Cichao’s followers, Liu Jingyun maintained his paralyzed expression and said righteously, “I did not mean Jiang Cichao should crawl. I meant everyone present should crawl.”

“Crawl your head!” Chen Ji muttered under his breath. He slapped Liu Jingyun on the shoulder and forcibly squeezed his way out from between the two problem children. Meeting Jiang Cichao’s warm and friendly face, he smiled. “Senior Brother Cichao, Jingyun and Lingzhou were disrespectful. Just ignore them and do not take their words to heart.”

“It is fine. I already understand their personalities. It is just that, Ah Ji, you have not come to visit me for a long time.” Jiang Cichao stepped forward with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of grievance.

Guilt immediately washed over Chen Ji. He began to explain, “Recently, I”

“Ah Ji, we came to the main peak for official business. It is time to go.” Before Chen Ji could finish, Liu Jingyun hooked an arm around his shoulder and started pulling him away.

Chen Ji looked back and called out, “Senior Brother Cichao, I will definitely visit the main peak when I am free!”

Jiang Cichao did not speak but simply nodded with a smile. The disciples behind him felt indignant on his behalf.

“This Chen Ji lacks the dignity of a Senior Brother; he is led by the nose by his two juniors.”

“Liu Jingyun and Qiu Lingzhou are so disrespectful because Chen Ji failed to discipline them.”

“Shh,” Jiang Cichao softly interrupted their discussion. “Do not place the faults of Jingyun and Lingzhou onto Ah Ji. Understand?”

His voice was light, but his eyes were cold and devoid of warmth, making everyone realize the seriousness of his words. Seeing him so earnest, the disciples lowered their heads and obeyed.

Having been forcibly dragged away by Liu Jingyun, Chen Ji was full of resentment. He snapped irritably, “How many times have I told you to be polite to other senior brothers? Why are you always so disrespectful to Senior Brother Cichao? Can you not be friendly for once?”

Qiu Lingzhou let out a cold snort, his upturned chin indicating he had no intention of listening.

“Ah Ji,” Liu Jingyun called out.

“What?!” Chen Ji responded angrily.

“Do not be mean to me,” Liu Jingyun said, looking at him sincerely. “I will feel wronged.”

Chen Ji was speechless.

“Okay?” Liu Jingyun’s voice was low.

Miraculously, Chen Ji saw the word wronged written all over that handsome, expressionless face, and his anger vanished instantly. After all, this was the male lead; his values were upright.

“Then can you listen to me?” Chen Ji asked in compromise.

Liu Jingyun nodded expressionlessly. “It depends on the situation.”

“You!”

Chen Ji’s blood pressure was rising again! This male lead had flaws. He could not handle being wronged himself, but he was perfectly fine giving others high blood pressure, right?

“I heard a commotion inside the hall and wondered if it was you. I came out, and indeed, here you are.” A white haired elder with a sage like air stepped out of the doors.

Seeing the elder, Chen Ji cupped his hands and bowed. “Disciple Chen Ji greets the Sect Leader.”

Since it was Feng Zhimu’s first time meeting Sect Leader Tian Jizi, he quickly followed Chen Ji’s lead. Even the arrogant Qiu Lingzhou and Liu Jingyun softened their edges and bowed obediently.

“No need for such formalities. Let me guess why you are here.” Tian Jizi’s gaze landed on Feng Zhimu, his eyes crinkling. “You must be the new disciple Hai Yangzi took in. Not bad.”

Tian Jizi saw through Feng Zhimu’s potential at a glance; he was a cultivation genius.

Chen Ji said respectfully, “Zhimu just arrived at Emerald Bamboo Peak today. I ask the Sect Leader to light his life lamp.”

“Come in, little one.”

Chen Ji gave Feng Zhimu a gentle push. “Mumu, go in with Sect Leader Uncle.”

Feng Zhimu nodded obediently and followed Tian Jizi into the side hall. Lighting a life lamp was a quick process, and he was out in no time. Just as Chen Ji was about to thank Tian Jizi and leave, the elder spoke first. “Chen Ji, I have something to say to you. Come in and chat with me for a bit.”

“Yes.” Chen Ji walked into the hall respectfully.

Liu Jingyun and Qiu Lingzhou wanted to follow, but Tian Jizi waved a hand, closing the doors to keep them out. Only the two of them remained in the hall. Tian Jizi let out a helpless sigh and pulled a silk pouch from his sleeve, stuffing it into Chen Ji’s hand. “Take this and go buy something good to eat.”