The Villain Recognizes the Female Lead as His Master [Transmigration] - Chapter 28.2

Hadn’t she herself said she wanted to be her disciple for a lifetime? Then her eyes should only ever be on her.

After what felt like a long massage, Yuan Shao finally lifted her hand slightly. “Feeling better?”

“Mm.” Chi Jinnian nodded. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Just as Yuan Shao was about to stand up, Chi Jinnian tugged at the corner of her robe. Lowering her gaze, her voice filled with caution, she said, “Master, you don’t look well. Is it because you were injured in the fight today?”

Wei Yang had said that although Yuan Shao’s spiritual power was abundant, her cultivation level hadn’t yet advanced. Such extensive use of spells would naturally cause physical discomfort.

But what Chi Jinnian didn’t know was that the real drain on Yuan Shao’s spiritual power wasn’t Wei Yang. It was the effort she had expended in purifying the bracelet that afternoon. Already depleted, Yuan Shao had forced herself to confront Wei Yang in the evening, and her body was inevitably struggling to keep up.

Yuan Shao hadn’t lit many lamps in the room, and the dim candlelight made her think she could hide her condition. Yet, she hadn’t managed to escape her little disciple’s notice.

Yuan Shao didn’t answer. Instead, she closed the small medicine bottle, holding it in her palm and rubbing it back and forth.

“Master?” Chi Jinnian moved a little closer. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you unwell?”

“No, don’t overthink it,” Yuan Shao replied.

But seeing Yuan Shao seemingly lost in thought, Chi Jinnian asked, “Then, do you have something to say to me?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Yuan Shao abruptly looked up. Before this, she had indeed wanted to ask Chi Jinnian something.

She wanted to ask about the question that had been interrupted by the fireworks earlier that day at the riverside ferry the one for which she still hadn’t received an answer.

But just moments ago, as she was applying the ointment to Chi Jinnian, she saw her own reflection clearly in her little disciple’s bright eyes, and suddenly, she no longer wanted to ask.

What did it matter, whether it was yes or no?

Right now, the slip of paper representing her little disciple’s wish was still tucked in her sleeve, clearly stating the other’s heartfelt desire.

Even if A’Nian wanted to go back on her word, it was too late.

She had to be her disciple. Her eyes could only linger on her not on that Wei fellow, and not on Su Tingxi either.

Before Yuan Shao could finish her thoughts, Chi Jinnian gently tugged at the corner of her robe again. “Master, I’m sorry.”

“?”

“It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t insisted on going out with you at night, you wouldn’t be so exhausted.” Chi Jinnian lowered her gaze, not daring to meet Yuan Shao’s eyes.

Seeing her little disciple’s obedient demeanor, Yuan Shao let out a soft chuckle. She gently ruffled Chi Jinnian’s hair. “What does this have to do with you? You’re a victim too. Since when does the world require victims to apologize?”

“Besides,” Yuan Shao stood up and put away the medicine box, turning back to look at Chi Jinnian. “The fireworks tonight were beautiful. I really enjoyed them.”

The soft moonlight spilled across Yuan Shao’s profile, pure and radiant, momentarily captivating Chi Jinnian. But just then, Yuan Shao returned to her side and said in a tone that was neither light nor heavy, “Tonight, you sleep on the inside.”

Chi Jinnian: ?

Everything had been fine just moments ago, yet Yuan Shao suddenly adopted a somewhat assertive tone toward her. Though her expression remained unchanged, her voice left no room for argument.

Not daring to say more, Chi Jinnian obediently lay down on the inner side.

Yuan Shao extinguished the lamp and returned to the bedside, only to find Chi Jinnian curled up tightly in the far corner of the bed. She pressed her lips together, removed her outer robe and hairpins, and lay down alone in the center of the bed. After a long while, she asked, “Is it stuffy over there?”

“N-no, it’s fine.” Chi Jinnian curled into a ball. Yuan Shao must have been exhausted today, so she didn’t dare compete for space on the bed, instead leaving as much room as possible for her to rest well.

With that thought, Chi Jinnian shifted even further inward. “Sweet dreams, Master.” She then forced herself to close her eyes.

But barely three seconds of peace passed before the scent of mint suddenly enveloped her. Yuan Shao rolled over, trapping Chi Jinnian in the small corner of the bed.

Chi Jinnian’s heart leaped into her throat. “Master!”

“It’s nothing,” Yuan Shao replied leisurely. “I saw you clinging to the very edge and thought it must be especially comfortable there. I wanted to try it out too.”

She shifted her face closer to Chi Jinnian, her warm breath brushing against the back of Chi Jinnian’s neck as she wrapped her arms around her, locking her in an embrace. “No wonder A’Nian likes sleeping here. It really is nice.”

Chi Jinnian:

She could tell Yuan Shao was doing this on purpose, but she couldn’t understand why. She had willingly given up most of the bed, why was Yuan Shao treating her like this?

Could it be that Yuan Shao had misinterpreted her actions as rejection? Was she upset because she felt unwanted?

At that thought, Chi Jinnian took a deep breath and suddenly turned over, only to find Yuan Shao’s face magnified right before her eyes.

Yuan Shao seemed equally surprised by the sudden movement. Her enchanting peach-blossom eyes blinked a few times as she gazed quietly at Chi Jinnian. In that moment, they were so close that their noses nearly touched. Chi Jinnian could clearly see the delicate lashes framing Yuan Shao’s eyes and the small dark red mole at the corner of one eye.

Chi Jinnian froze, the words she had prepared vanishing from her mind. Her fair, lotus-like face flushed as red as a ripe apple, and she quickly lowered her head to avoid Yuan Shao’s gaze.

Yuan Shao hadn’t expected her little disciple to turn around so abruptly either. She had only been teasing her because she felt a bit displeased that Chi Jinnian was avoiding her she just wanted to make her realize her mistake.

Unexpectedly, she saw her little apprentice looking so shy, like a kitten caught doing something wrong, not daring to meow, only lowering her head and burying her face in her fluffy paws.

The frustration that had been building in her chest vanished the moment her little apprentice blushed.

Yuan Shao deliberately cleared her throat. “What’s wrong? Feeling uncomfortable inside? Stifled?”

Chi Jinnian didn’t make a sound, burying her face in her palms, and nodded.

“Are you still guarding the corner of the bed?”

Chi Jinnian shook her head.

“Then, do you want to come over?”

Chi Jinnian nodded.

Yuan Shao reached out and ruffled the other’s silky hair, chuckling softly. “Then come over.”

Yuan Shao shifted back half a foot. Chi Jinnian quickly followed. Just as she was about to turn her back, Yuan Shao suddenly pulled up the quilt, covering her as she lay flat, and rested her arm on top of the quilt, effectively pinning her in place.

“Behave and don’t move around,” Yuan Shao said with her eyes closed, looking utterly exhausted.

Chi Jinnian didn’t even dare to breathe heavily, afraid that the slightest movement might disturb Yuan Shao’s rest. She had no choice but to comply with Yuan Shao’s actions and remain completely still.

From an angle Chi Jinnian couldn’t see, Yuan Shao’s peach blossom eyes cracked open slightly. Seeing her little apprentice lying obediently beside her, no longer avoiding her, she closed her eyes contentedly.

This disciple is so well-behaved.

The next day, when Chi Jinnian woke up, Yuan Shao was still asleep.

She wanted to get up but suddenly realized that since Yuan Shao had insisted on sleeping on the outside the night before, getting out of bed had become an exceptionally difficult task.

She quietly lifted Yuan Shao’s arm from her body, lifted a corner of the quilt, and inched her way to the edge of the bed, intending to slip away unnoticed.

But as soon as she rose, Yuan Shao suddenly stirred. She let out a soft groan, her eyelids fluttering a few times before she turned over.

Chi Jinnian held her breath instantly, not moving a muscle. Only after confirming that the other was still asleep did she quietly climb out of bed, softly close the door, and leave.

The moment the door closed, Yuan Shao on the bed abruptly opened her eyes.

Tsk, this little ingrate, always in such a hurry to run off as soon as the sun rises, turning her back on me without a second thought.

But then again, she thought, her little disciple might be rushing home. After all, as a young woman, it wasn’t proper for her to stay out overnight too often. So, she didn’t try to stop her.

Yuan Shao also got up and retrieved the half-polished jade bracelet from the deepest part of the drawer.

Next time her little disciple returns, she’ll be able to wear it.

Meanwhile, on her way back, Chi Jinnian kept thinking about how the relationship between the male and female leads was finally progressing. With Yuan Shao about to build her foundation, the next part of the plot would involve the two of them leveling up and tackling challenges together.

In other words, Yuan Shao was really going to leave, and she was going with Su Tingxi.

At this thought, Chi Jinnian sighed. She hoped that when they met again in the future, Yuan Shao wouldn’t forget the time they had spent together.

Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly saw Chi Lin from afar, sitting on a dragon throne he had placed at the entrance of her Peach Garden, leaning back in the chair with his eyes closed. Beside him, Cai Wei, Cai Yue, and the others stood in a row with their heads bowed.

Cai Wei looked up first and, upon seeing Chi Jinnian return, called out, “Young Mistress.”

Hearing the sound, Chi Lin opened his eyes instantly. His gaze fell on Chi Jinnian, carrying an ambiguous and unclear expression. Then he roared, “Chi Jinnian! You finally remember to come back! Your father has been waiting here for you all night!”

Chi Lin’s voice was filled with fury. “I ask you, where were you last night?”

Chi Jinnian was instantly deflated by his roar. Standing at the foot of the steps, she dared not approach. “N-nowhere.”

“Nowhere?” Chi Lin snorted coldly. “You took someone to the river, setting lanterns afloat and setting off fireworks for them the whole city knows! How long do you plan to keep hiding it from me!”

Seeing Chi Jinnian frozen in place, Chi Lin stood up and descended the steps one by one until he stood before her. “Who were you watching the fireworks with?”

“It was.”

“It was Yuan Shao! Am I right, Father?” Chi Lin scowled, then raised his hand.

Chi Jinnian thought he was about to slap her and instinctively squeezed her eyes shut.

But the expected pain never came. When she cautiously cracked her eyes open a sliver, she saw a hand with a thumbs-up right in front of her face.

Chi Jinnian: ?

Chi Lin let out a hearty laugh, clapped a hand on Chi Jinnian’s shoulder, and looked at her with an approving gaze. “You actually managed to win over Yuan Shao! Truly, you are my daughter!!”