The Villain Recognizes the Female Lead as His Master [Transmigration] - Chapter 18.2

Chi Jinnian examined the pastry in her hand, deciding the timing was just right. She withdrew it and took a small bite, the sweet flavor spreading across her tongue. A bright smile naturally lit up her face before she finally noticed the untouched pastry in Yuan Shao’s hand. “Master, why aren’t you eating? Does it not suit your taste?”

Hearing her disciple’s words, Yuan Shao’s heart sank as if weighted down. Only when questioned did she slightly snap out of it, sniffing lightly. “No, I’ll eat now.”

With that, Yuan Shao took a small bite from the corner of the pastry, her relaxed brows suggesting she quite enjoyed the taste. Watching her expression, Chi Jinnian happily continued eating as well.

After swallowing, Yuan Shao seemed to deliberate deeply before asking, “What kind of person was I, before?”

The sudden question caught Chi Jinnian off guard. A piece of pastry still in her mouth, her mind raced,this was the start of recalling the past! No, no, she couldn’t let her remember! Hastily gulping down the treat, she seized the conversation: “Master, you were an incredible person.”

Yuan Shao: “?”

Chi Jinnian casually wiped the corner of her mouth with her sleeve and continued, “Not only were you immensely powerful, with profound cultivation, but you were also deeply considerate of others, vanquishing evil for the people, protecting the world, treating everyone with kindness, never putting on airs as an exalted immortal. You were the standard of the Upper Cultivation Realm, a role model for all cultivators!”

As Chi Jinnian’s praises piled up, the light in Yuan Shao’s eyes dimmed bit by bit. Only after she finished did Yuan Shao speak again, asking, “If I was truly that good, why would I have treated you that way?”

The unexpected question left Chi Jinnian stammering. “Th-that wasn’t your fault, Master. It was because this disciple was foolish, always failing to grasp the essence of cultivation. It was only natural to anger you.”

The moment these words left her mouth, Yuan Shao’s expression darkened further.

As a master, was it acceptable to berate and speak harshly to a disciple simply because their cultivation was mediocre?

What pained her even more was that despite her own wretchedness, her little disciple painted her in such a radiant light, as if Yuan Shao were gilded in gold, perpetually glowing in Chi Jinnian’s heart.

But Yuan Shao knew deep down, she didn’t deserve such admiration. She was unworthy.

The more she dwelled on it, the heavier her heart grew. Eventually, Yuan Shao set down her pastry and walked to the mouth of the cave. Standing beneath the moonlight, she let the cold wind lash at her body.

The biting wind howled in her ears, scattering snowflakes onto her shoulders before whisking them away again. Yuan Shao didn’t flinch, as if hoping the pure frost might cleanse her of all her sins.

Before long, a wave of warmth enveloped her back.

It was Chi Jinnian, draping a cloak over her shoulders.

Chi Jinnian moved to stand in front of Yuan Shao, reaching out to tie the ribbon of the cloak for her. Her eyes remained fixed on her fingertips, not daring to look up and meet Yuan Shao’s gaze. “Master, don’t be sad. Tomorrow, I’ll retrieve the snake’s gallbladder for you. Your cultivation will surely advance greatly. I believe you’ll be as powerful as before no, even more powerful than before! So.”

Yuan Shao stared intently at the delicate, flower-like face before her. White snowflakes landed on Chi Jinnian’s head and her chestnut-brown hair, standing out starkly. “So what?”

After securing the ribbon, Chi Jinnian finally raised her eyes to meet Yuan Shao’s. “It’s cold, Master. Don’t catch a chill. So… let’s hurry inside!”

By now, Chi Jinnian’s nose had turned red from the cold, her breath visible in the frosty air. The bright moonlight illuminated her eyes, which shimmered with a tender yet resolute light, like water soft yet unyielding. In this freezing night, her gaze was the warmest presence of all.

For a moment, Yuan Shao was mesmerized by those gentle eyes. Without thinking, she opened her arms and pulled the girl into her cloak, wrapping it around Chi Jinnian as well. In this cold, snowy night, this small space belonged only to the two of them. They leaned against each other, sharing warmth.

“Alright.” Before Chi Jinnian could react, Yuan Shao spoke first. “It’s cold. Don’t catch a chill either.”

Chi Jinnian had brought a blanket, so the night wouldn’t be too uncomfortable for them.

Before bed, Yuan Shao, as usual, took out a red string and rolled up her sleeve, exposing her wrist.

But Chi Jinnian stood motionless for a long time before finally speaking. “Master, there’s no need.”

Yuan Shao looked up at her, puzzled. Chi Jinnian added, “With you by my side, I’m no longer afraid.”

In truth, she was worried that her movements in the middle of the night might disturb Yuan Shao, who would be connected to her by the red string.

Yuan Shao’s lashes fluttered slightly, but she said nothing more. She coiled the red string alone and tucked it back into her robes.

That night, after listening to Yuan Shao’s steady breathing, Chi Jinnian sat up. She fastened the storage pouch at her waist, filled with food, medicine, and the gifts she had given Yuan Shao, to Yuan Shao’s sash. Then, from her sleeve, she took out a fresh flower one she had plucked when they first entered the Water Mirror Realm, unnoticed by Yuan Shao.

She gazed at the woman lying on the blanket, dressed in snow-white robes, her features as delicate as a painting, sleeping peacefully.

“Master, this is where we part.” Chi Jinnian whispered, placing the flower beside Yuan Shao’s pillow.

The bright red petals were strikingly vivid, carrying a faint fragrance.

Here’s a flower for you, Master Yuan Shao. From now on, I won’t follow you anymore.