The Cold, Aloof Senior Sister Deserves To Be Paired With A Peerless Beauty - Chapter 4

Does she feel like she’s sick today?

The black mist that had been circling above gradually dispersed. Warm sunlight pierced through the gaps in the clouds, and the cold, eerie atmosphere was instantly replaced by a warmth that allowed one to breathe again.

In the main house, Chi Li swept a gaze over every corner of the room with an indifferent expression, carefully checking the purification talismans she had previously left behind.

As expected, these talismans had been consumed by the previous demonic energy, leaving nothing but a floor covered in ash. Someone had used a method she hadn’t detected to achieve this.

Chi Li crouched down, her pale fingertips pinching the ashes on the ground. Her brow furrowed slightly as she lost herself in thought.

After placing new purification talismans throughout the room, she walked slowly to Mother Mu’s bedside. Looking at the recovering woman, she spoke calmly.

“The demonic energy in the room has been mostly cleared. The elixir you took will help condition your body, but you will need to continue taking medicine for several more days.”

Most immortal sect elixirs were suitable only for cultivators. Only a tiny fraction could be consumed by mortals, but a single pill could extend one’s life significantly. Because of this, many nobles and royals fought desperately to obtain them.

Mother Mu had managed her affairs for years, the Mu family’s wealth was far beyond “fabulous.” She naturally understood how difficult it was to obtain such medicine. She nodded slightly and spoke politely.

“Thank you for your help, Immortal Chi. If there is ever anything you need in the future, the Mu family will do our utmost to assist.”

Having said this, Mother Mu pulled at Mu Zhi’s hand, signaling something.

Mu Zhi reacted immediately and spoke with gratitude. “Immortal Sister, if you have any needs, just ask.”

Chi Li did not refuse, she nodded gently and walked out.

She did not see Mu Zhi behind her speaking shyly to Mother Mu, nor Mother Mu patting Mu Zhi’s hand with maternal affection while watching Chi Li’s departing back.

Back in her own room, Chi Li lowered her eyes and contemplated.

In her previous life, due to her negligence, the demonic energy had exploded and swept through the city, infecting most of the population. It had taken Chi Li quite some time to completely purge it.

This time, although she had anticipated it and prevented the energy from escaping, she dared not be careless when so many lives were at stake.

The evening breeze blew through the window, carrying a hint of chill.

Chi Li walked to the window. The coolness of the wind cleared her mind. Her pale eyes, clear and beautiful like amber, were currently clouded with a heartbreaking sense of weariness and sorrow.

She was tall and thin, her dark hair cascading down her back. Wearing only a simple inner robe, her lonely silhouette didn’t evoke pity rather, the aura she radiated was chilling.

After a long silence, her lips parted, and she murmured as if to herself.

“Returning… isn’t a bad thing after all.”

From the moment she saved Mother Mu, Chi Li knew that the past was not unchangeable.

It was still early. Because of her intervention, the future was no longer a fixed certainty.

As her thoughts drifted, there was a knock on the door, followed by a voice filled with laughter.

“Immortal Sister.”

The visitor called out sweetly, causing a flash of tenderness to appear in Chi Li’s eyes. She walked over to open the door.

Chi Li first saw Mu Zhi’s radiant, smiling face, then noticed the pastries held in the girl’s hands.

“I’m sorry, Immortal Sister, for disturbing you so late.”

As she spoke, Mu Zhi lifted the items toward Chi Li, her eyes still twinkling with joy. “I felt it was a shame you didn’t get to eat the peach blossom cakes this morning. So, after waiting for Mother to take her medicine and fall asleep, I made some more to bring over.”

The air was filled with the sweet scent of pastries, which also clung to Mu Zhi’s person. Although she had removed most of her jewelry to cook and her dress wasn’t as exquisite as it had been that morning, it made it more evident that she had personally prepared them for Chi Li.

Chi Li frowned slightly but did not speak. Instead, she reached out, her thumb gently wiping away a smudge of flour from the girl’s cheek.

The gesture carried an intimacy she wasn’t even aware of, yet the tenderness on her face was merely like that of an elder looking at a child, nothing more.

Mu Zhi’s face flushed the moment she felt Chi Li’s touch. She didn’t turn away; instead, she leaned in slightly. In the candlelight, her eyes seemed to hold ten thousand stars.

“There, all fixed? If it’s fixed, I’m bringing these in for you,” Mu Zhi laughed, a hint of hidden shyness buried deep in her voice.

Chi Li stared at the blush on Mu Zhi’s face. After a moment’s thought, she didn’t withdraw her hand but instead felt the girl’s forehead.

Only after confirming that the girl wasn’t sick did Chi Li step aside to let her in.

Mu Zhi pouted, her smile replaced by a look of mock grievance. She whispered, “I am not sick.”

“I know,” Chi Li replied softly, unsure of how she had offended the girl.

Mu Zhi wanted to say more, but looking at Chi Li’s face, her anger vanished. She was careful not to bump into her as she entered.

Once the pastries were on the table, Mu Zhi handed one to Chi Li.

Chi Li looked at it, lost in thought.

She had long since reached the stage of Bigu (fasting) and did not eat worldly food. In her previous life, Mu Zhi had also made her peach blossom cakes, but if she remembered correctly, she had refused them then.

But now, her gaze fell on the girl’s hands, white skin that made the red burn marks stand out painfully.

At this moment, Mu Zhi didn’t know that Chi Li didn’t need to eat; she only wanted to give the best she had to give.

Deep in the girl’s eyes was a youthful fervor and absolute sincerity that made it impossible to refuse.

Seeing Chi Li’s lack of movement, a flash of disappointment crossed Mu Zhi’s eyes. Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, Chi Li took the pastry.

Mu Zhi’s eyes lit up with joy, looking at Chi Li expectantly.

Since she had taken it, Chi Li had no reason to refuse. She lowered her head and took a small bite. The moment it dissolved in her mouth, she found it sickeningly sweet.

Mu Zhi was, after all, a pampered pearl. This was likely only her second time in the kitchen specifically to make these cakes, she had no grasp of how much sugar to use.

However, Chi Li spoke a lie.

“It’s quite good. Very sweet.”

Mu Zhi didn’t realize that in Chi Li’s sentence, only the last two words were true. Hearing the praise, her beautiful eyes brightened further, and she spoke with a hint of pride.

“I knew I had a talent for this.”

Mu Zhi reached out to take a piece for herself, but Chi Li stopped her.

Mu Zhi looked at her in confusion, then laughed as if she’d realized something. “If you like them that much, Immortal Sister, I can make them again next time.”

To prevent the girl from discovering the lie, Chi Li could only nod. “Alright.”

Mu Zhi didn’t think twice about it, her expression full of confidence in her own cooking.

Chi Li finished the pastry in front of Mu Zhi without changing her expression. Then, as if remembering something, she asked, “What are your plans for the future?”

Upon hearing this, Mu Zhi became animated, her every movement carrying an innate pride. “Cultivation. To be just like you, Immortal Sister.”

Chi Li’s movements paused. She looked up at the girl’s enthusiastic face and said softly, “Cultivation is not as easy as you imagine.”

In the previous life, she had taken Mu Zhi back because Mother Mu had died. Now, Mu Zhi could perfectly well remain a carefree daughter of a wealthy family.

“I’m not afraid of hardship,” Mu Zhi said firmly, her eyes serious.

Chi Li knew she wasn’t lying. In the previous life, when she had personally taught Mu Zhi, the girl had acted spoiled toward her, but she had never once complained about the bitterness of training or thought of giving up.

Furthermore, even when many opportunities and treasures mysteriously fell into Mo Fan’s hands, Mu Zhi had still maintained her reputation as a genius through her own efforts.

In contrast, that Mo Fan who had been showered with countless treasures, never managed to cultivate a pure spiritual root on his own. In the end, he had to resort to the despicable act of stealing someone else’s spiritual root.

Chi Li remained silent for a long time, making Mu Zhi nervous.

“Fine. I will take you to the Cangqing Sect,” Chi Li said.

Mu Zhi was so excited she immediately moved to Chi Li’s side and hugged her arm. “That’s wonderful! I can finally cultivate!”

Chi Li sighed but helplessly allowed the girl to cling to her.

“Tomorrow, I will scout the city to see if there is any residual demonic energy.”

Mu Zhi looked up, her mood soaring just by looking at Chi Li’s profile. Hearing this, she volunteered, “Tomorrow I’ll be distributing porridge in the city. Let me show you around.”

When Chi Li heard “distributing porridge,” something flashed in her mind. Her spiritual power surged, and for a moment, a murderous intent nearly leaked from her downcast eyes.

Afraid of hurting Mu Zhi, she immediately suppressed it.

Looking at Mu Zhi, Chi Li couldn’t bring herself to refuse. “Mmh. Thank you for the trouble.”

Mu Zhi disliked Chi Li’s distant politeness, but since Chi Li had just agreed to her request, she didn’t make an issue of it.

After seeing Mu Zhi out, Chi Li walked to the window once more.

The cool breeze blew by, accompanied by the rustling of leaves, making the quiet night feel even more desolate.

A withered leaf drifted down. When she reached out her long, elegant hand, the leaf landed in her palm.

Chi Li stared at the broken, yellowed leaf, her mind filled with a thousand thoughts.

Her hand slowly clenched. Though she held only an ordinary leaf, she gripped it as if it were a mortal enemy, crushing it into fine powder.

Opening her hand again, the powder scattered with the wind.

After a long while, the corners of Chi Li’s mouth curled into an arc, not the warmth she showed Mu Zhi, but a look of infinite coldness.

The clear moonlight draped over her, giving her a soft glow, yet it only made her look like a terrifying phantom from the abyss.

The ferocity in her eyes was enough to strike fear into anyone’s heart. Her chaotic spiritual energy, no longer suppressed, whipped up like a sharp wind, causing leaves to fall in a flurry.

Chi Li let out a cold laugh, her voice low and haunting, like a freezing pond.

“Distributing porridge.”

Those two simple words were laced with absolute hatred.

She spoke again, her tone mocking, though it was unclear whom she was mocking.

“A single act of kindness… allowed him a lifetime of ingratitude.”

Her words were disjointed, as if she were talking to herself.

“My return is not because the Heavens have eyes. It is because the Heavens are blind.”

The violent surge of energy blew out the candle. The room plunged into darkness, but that thin silhouette remained by the window, staring out at something only she could see.