The Cold, Aloof Senior Sister Deserves To Be Paired With A Peerless Beauty - Chapter 16

Summary: Today, I get to sit on Senior Sister’s lap.

Unconscious spiritual energy radiated into the air, making the passing breeze feel piercingly cold. Sensing the abnormality, Chi Li glanced at Mu Zhi, who had appeared beside her. Her brow furrowed slightly as she spoke in a low, reprimanding tone.

“Mu Zhi.”

At the sound of her name, Mu Zhi’s body stiffened, and the light in her eyes dimmed.

At this stage, Mu Zhi did not yet know how to control her spiritual power. Chi Li knew that if she allowed it to radiate unchecked even if the intensity wasn’t high, half of the spiritual herbs in her courtyard would surely be destroyed. However, after speaking, Chi Li’s gaze fell toward the nearby herbs, she didn’t notice the flicker of grievance in Mu Zhi’s expression.

Yun Xi, however, currently tipsy from wine, saw that hidden emotion clearly. She spent a moment observing the two of them, smiling without saying a word.

Feeling Yun Xi’s ambiguous gaze, Chi Li felt inexplicably uneasy but didn’t ask why. Sensing Mu Zhi’s tension, she realized she should introduce them and calmly spoke to Mu Zhi.

“This is the Eldest Disciple of the Alchemy Peak Master, named Yun Xi. You may call her Senior Sister Yun.”

Hearing Chi Li’s words, Mu Zhi’s dim expression recovered slightly, though she remained hesitant. “Then she…”

Before Chi Li could explain further, Yun Xi proactively interjected to explain her purpose. “I heard my Little Junior Sister was unconscious in the Sword Pavilion. The Eldest Senior Sister dragged me over from Alchemy Peak herself yet here she is, not even trusting me.”

Hearing that Yun Xi was only there to treat her, Mu Zhi felt an inexplicable sense of relief, ignoring Yun Xi’s final complaints. Instead of choosing another seat at the stone table, Mu Zhi walked straight to Chi Li and sat on her lap, casting a look of arrogant provocation toward Yun Xi.

Chi Li was somewhat baffled by Mu Zhi’s sudden action but assumed the girl was simply lacking a sense of security after waking up. She didn’t make Mu Zhi move instead, she wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her. Her voice wasn’t accusing, but filled with patient comfort.

“Did you have a nightmare?”

The moment Mu Zhi sat down, she regretted her impulsiveness. But when she tried to get up, Chi Li’s hand was already around her waist, leaving her in a dilemma. She had no choice but to lean into Chi Li’s embrace, letting out a muffled “Mm,” which only convinced Chi Li further that she had been startled by a nightmare.

Watching the two of them huddled together, Yun Xi just smiled and said nothing more.

“That annoying thing kept chasing me, making me fall off the cliff,” Mu Zhi murmured. Remembering something, she lifted her head from Chi Li’s arms, her voice rising. “I saw a person…no, two…”

Seeing Mu Zhi grow anxious, Chi Li interrupted her. “I already know.”

Mu Zhi froze, and even Yun Xi looked over with a face full of confusion. After a moment, Mu Zhi asked blankly, “Was Senior Sister in the illusion too?”

Her thoughts drifted back to the final scene she had witnessed: Chi Li walking toward her with blood on her robes to pick her up. But looking at the current Chi Li, there were clearly no wounds. Mu Zhi began to suspect that even that final moment had been a hallucination.

Chi Li remained silent for a moment before speaking seriously. “Yes, I was there.”

Hearing this, Mu Zhi said nothing more. What she could describe was far less vivid than what she had seen.

As their conversation drifted toward an intimate atmosphere, Yun Xi, who had been sidelined drinking alone, finally couldn’t take it anymore.

“Hey, remember me? I’m still sitting right here.”

The two of them finally looked her way. Yun Xi turned her head away and grumbled, “Fine, keep going. Staring at me like that is creepy, as if you’re planning to sneak into my alchemy lab at midnight to steal my wine.”

She then added playfully, “Little Junior Sister, you can relax now. No need for such hostility; I’m not going to steal your Eldest Senior Sister from you.”

She emphasized the last few words. Mu Zhi’s face instantly flushed a shade of red, and she tugged awkwardly at Chi Li’s sleeve. Chi Li frowned at Yun Xi’s words and spoke disapprovingly.

“Don’t talk nonsense in front of her.”

Yun Xi showed no fear of Chi Li’s warning, teasing further, “Is it really just nonsense?” She dragged out the end of the sentence, making Mu Zhi’s face feel even hotter.

Sensing that Yun Xi was truly getting drunk, Chi Li gestured for Mu Zhi to get off her lap. She then subtly blocked Yun Xi’s reaching hand and took the wine jar away.

Failing to get her wine, Yun Xi glared at Chi Li. Before she could speak, Mu Zhi interjected politely.

“Senior Sister Yun, it must cost a lot for you to treat me. I will have someone send it to you tomorrow.”

Mu Zhi had been taught by her mother from a young age: anything that can be solved with money should be settled immediately to avoid owing favors, as favors often lead to unnecessary trouble.

Yun Xi’s hand paused. She reconsidered Mu Zhi’s family background and laughed, saying to Chi Li, “This Little Junior Sister of yours isn’t like you, she’s much more generous.”

After all, when Chi Li wanted something from Yun Xi, there was never any talk of payment, she usually just took what she wanted.

Chi Li’s expression remained indifferent. “Is that so? Then return everything I’ve given you over the years.”

This sobered Yun Xi up instantly. She waved her hands and gave a dry laugh. “Wait, no! I was just joking!”

While Chi Li didn’t pay Yun Xi in money, she was the only one brave enough to bring Yun Xi wine. After Yun Xi had caused trouble while drunk, the Alchemy Peak Master had strictly forbidden anyone from giving her alcohol. Since everyone else feared offending the Peak Master, only Chi Li would occasionally bring her a few jars.

To Yun Xi, losing that supply was worse than death. To change the subject, she turned back to Mu Zhi.

“Little Junior Sister, just give your Senior Sister this much.” She held up three fingers.

Mu Zhi didn’t hesitate. “Three thousand spiritual stones? Alright, I’ll have them sent tomorrow.”

Yun Xi choked. “No, no. Your Senior Sister doesn’t lack those.”

Mu Zhi tilted her head, thinking. “Is it thirty million gold?”

Seeing that Yun Xi was too embarrassed to be direct, Chi Li sighed and pulled Mu Zhi close, whispering in her ear. Mu Zhi’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. She looked at Yun Xi with a hint of apology.

“I’m sorry, Senior Sister Yun. I didn’t know you didn’t want money. Eldest Senior Sister told me what you want, I’ll have it sent to the Cyan Green Sect tomorrow.”

Yun Xi’s eyes lit up. She grabbed Mu Zhi’s hand. “No need for apologies! As long as you know. Your Senior Sister only has this one hobby, but unfortunately, my Master…” Her voice trailed off into a tone of tragic sorrow.

Mu Zhi was dazed by the sudden grip on her wrist. Yun Xi added conspiratorially, “Little Junior Sister, remember to have them send it secretly. It’s best to use a disguise.”

Mu Zhi promised immediately, “Don’t worry, Senior Sister Yun. I’ll make sure my people disguise it well.”

Satisfied, Yun Xi nodded and said gratefully, “Little Junior Sister, you are so generous! If you ever need anything, just tell me. I would go through fire and water for you!”

Faced with someone ready to lay down their life for her, Mu Zhi’s eyes widened. “No, no, you’re too kind, Senior Sister.”

As they exchanged polite refusals, Chi Li noticed Yun Xi was starting to talk nonsense. She pulled Mu Zhi behind her and whispered a warning.

“She’s drunk. Be careful.”

Mu Zhi, having heard that drunks could be erratic, turned pale. She grabbed Chi Li’s arm and stared warily at Yun Xi as if ready to flee at a moment’s notice. Chi Li glanced at Mu Zhi’s grip on her arm but didn’t pull away, allowing the contact as she had before.

“Senior Sister, should we run?” Mu Zhi whispered.

Chi Li shook her head. Her next words made Mu Zhi feel much safer.

“She can’t beat me.”

Yun Xi, sidelined once again, watched them whispering like she was some dangerous criminal. Fueled by the alcohol, she complained, “I’m not that dangerous.”

Chi Li nodded in mock agreement. “Right. Your Master was only ‘lightly’ injured when you hit him.”

“Nonsense! I didn’t hit him! He chose to sleep in the alchemy furnace in the middle of the night himself!” Yun Xi argued heatedly.

Mu Zhi’s reaction was even stronger than Yun Xi’s. She asked incredulously, “Sleep?”

Yun Xi nodded shamelessly. “Yes.”