The Villain Recognizes the Female Lead as His Master [Transmigration] - Chapter 25.1

The sight before her made Chi Jinnian freeze in place. Instinctively, she turned around and covered her eyes.

“Master, I.”

“Is it not pleasing to the eye?” Yuan Shao took a step forward, standing just half a foot behind her little disciple. She noticed that Chi Jinnian’s cheeks were now even more flushed than the petal-red dress she was wearing.

It seemed, Ah Nian didn’t dislike it after all.

“It’s beautiful! Master looks good in anything.” Chi Jinnian covered her face, her words affirming but refusing to turn around for another glance. “Master, you should rest first. We’ll go out for dinner tonight. Senior Brother will meet us there directly.”

According to the plan, Su Tingxi would head straight to the restaurant after finishing his task, and Chi Jinnian was supposed to bring Yuan Shao there as well.

But unexpectedly, Yuan Shao bent down, her crimson lips pressing close to Chi Jinnian’s ear as she asked in a low, teasing voice, “Wearing this?”

Yuan Shao wouldn’t actually go out dressed like this, but seeing her little disciple flustered and blushing was far too amusing.

With just that one sentence, Chi Jinnian stumbled, first tripping over a stool, then knocking her head against the doorframe. A red mark bloomed on her otherwise smooth forehead.

Yuan Shao immediately crouched down, carefully examining the injury. Her brows, previously relaxed, now furrowed tightly as her delicate hands gently massaged the bruised spot. It was her fault, she shouldn’t have teased Ah Nian, causing her to get hurt. Yuan Shao blew softly on the reddened mark. “Does it hurt? It’s all my fault.”

When Chi Jinnian opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a pair of pristine snowy peaks, the dark green bodice edged with golden embroidery, like towering snow-capped pines illuminated by a ray of golden sunlight, dazzling enough to make it impossible to look away.

“M-Master!” Chi Jinnian scrambled up from the floor in a fluster. “You should rest. I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Yuan Shao’s hand hung in the air as the person before her seemed to flee, hastily jumping away. The hand that had been caressing her forehead suddenly dropped, her arm stiffening midair.

Of course. What kind of master acted so shamelessly? Her frivolous behavior must have disgusted her little disciple. Yuan Shao slowly stood up, withdrawing her arm.

“Alright, go attend to your own matters then.” Yuan Shao rose and picked up the set of white men’s robes she had just changed out of from the bed.

This outfit had been personally delivered by her little disciple surely, she must like it.

Just as Yuan Shao removed her shawl, Chi Jinnian, who hadn’t yet left, suddenly called out from the doorway, “Master.”

Yuan Shao turned to see her little disciple standing in the outer room, back turned to her, facing the door.

Her body was slightly rigid, her movements mechanical, like a puppet on strings. “Master, it’s beautiful,” she said. “But such a breathtaking sight shouldn’t be carelessly shown to others. So… please endure the trouble and change your clothes.”

With that, she covered her face and dashed out.

Left alone in the room, Yuan Shao let out a silent chuckle. This disciple of hers was truly fascinating!

She picked up the white men’s robes from the bed and noticed the brocade box hidden beneath, the one containing the jade bracelet.

Sending her timid little disciple to fight monsters just for a bracelet? It seemed Ah Nian really did love bracelets.

Chi Jinnian spent the entire afternoon beneath the covered walkway of the courtyard, gazing at the kapok flowers. Yuan Shao seemed to be cultivating inside, and she didn’t dare disturb her. Left alone in the courtyard, she quietly mulled over the evening’s plans again and again, afraid that something might go wrong.

By evening, Caiyue returned with news that she had settled things with Su Tingxi.

“Young Mistress, don’t worry. This time, Young Master Su picked everything himself. He was so pleased with his choices, he was strutting around like a peacock showing off its tail!” Caiyue didn’t like Su Tingxi, she found him troublesome and fussy, and most importantly, he treated the Young Mistress poorly. That was reason enough for her dislike.

“Mm, I see.” Chi Jinnian poked Caiyue’s forehead lightly. “What kind of outfit did you pick for him? I’ll deal with you properly when we get back tonight!”

Caiyue pouted, displeased. She prided herself on her impeccable taste, so why was everyone criticizing her today? She stuck her tongue out at Chi Jinnian and, before her mistress could scold her, quickly fled Taoyuan.

Perhaps hearing the commotion in the courtyard, Yuan Shao suddenly opened the door.

Summer nights arrived late, and the lingering sunset still clung stubbornly to the horizon, painting the clouds in shades of crimson. The brilliant glow of twilight masked the slight pallor of Yuan Shao’s complexion.

After refining the serpent’s core, Yuan Shao could clearly feel the surge of spiritual energy within her. But she hadn’t expected purifying the bracelet to be so taxing. After an entire afternoon, she had only managed to cleanse half of it, removing the impurities but leaving many stubborn fibers unrefined. For now, the bracelet still wasn’t ready to be gifted.

When Chi Jinnian saw Yuan Shao emerge, she hurried over. But the moment she got a clear look at her master’s face, her smile faltered. Her wide, bright eyes fixed on Yuan Shao’s temples. “Master, is it hot inside? You seem to be sweating.”

Though it was summer, the lotus pond in Taoyuan dispelled much of the heat. Chi Jinnian hadn’t felt warm even in the shade of the walkway, how could Yuan Shao be like this?

“Master, were you cultivating just now? Was it too strenuous ” She pulled out a handkerchief and gently dabbed Yuan Shao’s forehead. “If it’s too tiring, you should rest for a while. Don’t push yourself too hard. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

Watching her little disciple fuss over her, the evening light outlining her figure in gold, Yuan Shao felt no exhaustion at all.

Such fair, delicate wrists would look exquisite adorned with that translucent bracelet.

Then again, her little disciple was so lovely anything would look beautiful on her.

Yuan Shao gently took Chi Jinnian’s hand and ruffled her hair. “You must be hungry. Come, let’s go eat. After dinner, we’ll watch the fireworks together.”

Chi Jinnian agreed softly, but in her heart, she thought: Master, tonight, it won’t be me watching the fireworks with you.

Chi Jinnian led Yuan Shao toward the riverside dock. The restaurant she had reserved was just across the river, its tables perfectly positioned to overlook the entire waterfront small bridges, flowing water, and the glittering lights all in full view. It was the best vantage point on the entire street.

Just as they reached the entrance and the waiter greeted them, Chi Jinnian suddenly stopped. She patted her waist, then feigned surprise. “Master, I left something behind at Taoyuan.”

“What is it?” Yuan Shao asked. “Should we go back and get it?”

“No need, Master. I’ll go back and get it myself.” Chi Jinnian shook her head. “Master, I’ve already arranged the dishes in advance. Why don’t you sit and wait for a while? I’ll be back quickly.”

Seeing Chi Jinnian’s resolute attitude, Yuan Shao thought she might have her own reasons. Since her little disciple had everything under control, she might as well wait. Yuan Shao’s peach-blossom eyes softened with warmth as she said, “Then hurry back. I’ll wait here for you.”

“Mm.” Chi Jinnian shot a glance at A’Nan, who was disguised as a waiter, then turned and ran off in the opposite direction.

Yuan Shao watched her disciple’s retreating figure, feeling something was off but unable to pinpoint what. She had no choice but to sit down first.

“Right this way, honored guest.” A’Nan gestured for Yuan Shao to proceed inside. When Yuan Shao turned around, however, she found the person before her somewhat familiar. “Aren’t you the waiter from that teahouse?”

A’Nan froze. They had only met once before, and he had even changed his outfit, how had she recognized him?!

Suppressing his panic, A’Nan replied, “Ah… well, you see, my family is poor, so I have to take on multiple jobs to make ends meet. That’s why… Please, honored guest, come inside. Miss Chi has already made all the arrangements.”

With that, A’Nan quickly ushered Yuan Shao to her seat before making a swift escape.

His mission was more or less complete, so he stood quietly by the entrance, waiting for the other guest his young mistress had mentioned to arrive.

Meanwhile, Chi Jinnian hadn’t actually returned to Taoyuan. Instead, she hid by the riverbank while A’Xi and A’Bei crouched behind a lantern stall, using a telescope to observe Yuan Shao’s every move inside the restaurant across the way.

But something was wrong. Where was Su Tingxi?! Cai Yue had said he’d already headed this way, why hadn’t he arrived yet?

“Has anyone else entered the restaurant before this?”

“Reporting to the young mistress, no!”

Chi Jinnian pondered for a moment. Maybe Su Tingxi had gotten lost? Or perhaps something had delayed him? She had no choice but to wait while sending A’Bei to search for him.

But as the sun fully set and even A’Bei returned from his search, Su Tingxi was still nowhere to be seen.

“What time is it?” Chi Jinnian asked A’Xi beside her.

“R-reporting to the young mistress, it’s almost the first quarter of the Xu hour,” A’Xi stammered.

Chi Jinnian clicked her tongue in frustration. This shouldn’t be happening. Shouldn’t the male lead be punctual when it came to winning back the female lead?!

She raised the telescope again to look at Yuan Shao across the way. The woman remained seated but kept glancing in the direction Chi Jinnian had run off. As time passed, she looked up more and more frequently.

Chi Jinnian signaled to A’Nan to serve Yuan Shao some tea or something to stall her.

A’Nan understood and went to the kitchen to brew a pot of tea. But the moment he entered, he was cornered by the manager, the chef, and the musician playing the zither. All three confronted him:

“Where’s the person?!”

The chef: “If they don’t come soon, my dish is going to overcook!”

“Just wait a little longer add some water for now!” A’Dong tried to placate them, but the manager cut him off.