The Villain Recognizes the Female Lead as His Master [Transmigration] - Chapter 30.2

Chi Jinnian looked at the paintings, then at the clay figurines, and finally at Yuan Shao.

“Master, can you let me explain? It’s not what you think!” Chi Jinnian was so nervous she broke into a sweat. “Caiwei! Caiwei, get in here!”

Caiwei finally pushed the door open and entered. Her eyes swept around the room as if in surprise, and she quickly knelt. “I’m sorry, Miss. It was my negligence.”

Just as Chi Jinnian was about to speak, Caiwei’s voice cut her off. “You’ve never allowed anyone to enter your bedroom easily before. And since you’ve been away recently, none of us dared to come in without permission. That’s why I forgot to tidy up for you. Please punish me, Miss.”

“!” Chi Jinnian staggered, nearly losing her balance.

Was Caiwei saying her room had always been like this?

Nonsense! That’s not true!

Caiwei noticed Chi Jinnian was getting angry and quickly lowered her head. “My apologies, Young Miss, I spoke out of turn.” Then she turned to Yuan Shao and pretended to explain, “Immortal Master Yuan, please don’t misunderstand. This room isn’t usually like this. It was my negligence, all my fault it has nothing to do with the Young Miss!”

Despite Caiwei’s clumsy attempts to explain, Yuan Shao didn’t seem angry. Instead, she smiled and poked Chi Jinxian’s shoulder. “The poor girl, don’t be mad at them.” Then, deliberately drawing out her words, she said, “I know Ah Nian loves cleanliness the most. You must usually be a neat and tidy girl.”

Young girls all care about their pride. Having the little secrets of her bedroom discovered was bound to upset her. Yuan Shao patiently bent down to coax her, pretending not to notice that all the items in the room were modeled after her own likeness. She comforted, “It’s just a few extra clay figures, no big deal. Ah Nian, tell me, which storybook character is this from?”

Seeing that Yuan Shao hadn’t realized the figure in the painting was actually her, Chi Jinnian breathed a small sigh of relief. She turned to ask Caiwei, “Where’s my father? When are we having dinner?”

Caiwei bowed again. “The master sent word that the kitchen has everything ready. The banquet can begin whenever Immortal Master Yuan wishes.”

Chi Jinnian only wanted to leave this awkward situation as soon as possible and urged, “Then let’s start now. Later, I still have to escort my master back!”

The servants gathered around Chi Jinnian and Yuan Shao, leading them to a waterside pavilion. The setting sun cast a golden glow over the surrounding water, and a gentle breeze rippled the shimmering surface.

Chi Lin had also shed his usual golden crown and brocade robes, dressing instead in ordinary attire.

Chi Jinnian reached out and tugged on Yuan Shao’s sleeve. “Master.”

Yuan Shao followed Chi Jinnian’s gaze and saw an older man standing beneath the pavilion, his back straight, hands clasped behind his back. Yuan Shao then took Chi Jinnian’s pale, delicate hand in her own. The warm touch spread from their joined hands, as if to reassure her that everything would be fine with her there.

Chi Jinnian let out a relieved sigh. Since she had discussed things with Chi Lin beforehand, she felt somewhat more at ease. She allowed Yuan Shao to lead her forward into the pavilion and softly called out, “Father.”

Hearing this, Chi Lin turned around.

Chi Jinnian raised her hand to introduce, “This is my mas” Before she could finish, Chi Lin interrupted her, “So you’re the master my daughter chose for herself?”

Yuan Shao cupped her hands in salute. “Yuan Shao, of the Evergreen Sect.”

Chi Lin looked her up and down, then turned his face away with a snort. “Hmph, nothing more than a pretty face. I don’t see what’s so special. I really don’t know what this girl sees in you!”

His words brought a sudden silence to the air. Chi Jinnian’s voice, both coaxing and complaining, called out, “Father!”

Keep praising her, don’t stop!

“Alright, alright, I know!” Chi Lin waved his hand. “She’s your guest, I won’t make things difficult for her!” Then he pulled out a chair and sat down, glancing briefly at Yuan Shao. “Sit.”

Chi Jinnian led Yuan Shao over, seating herself beside Chi Lin and placing Yuan Shao on her other side.

Chi Lin poured himself a cup of wine, then seemed to remember something. He looked up at Yuan Shao, shaking the wine pot in his hand. “Can you drink?”

“Dad!” Chi Jinnian stepped in between. “Who makes someone drink as soon as they arrive?”

Her eyes seemed to say: We never discussed drinking before, why are you adding scenes on your own!

“What do you know, little girl!” Chi Lin pushed Chi Jinnian aside. “One’s drinking habits reflect their character. If I don’t properly assess their character, how can I entrust you to them?” Then, Chi Lin turned his gaze back to Yuan Shao. “Young one, care for a drink?”

“Alright.” Ignoring Chi Jinnian’s protests, Yuan Shao lifted the wine cup with both hands and offered it to Chi Lin. Chi Lin didn’t hold back either the cup wasn’t small, and he poured until the wine overflowed before stopping.

Of course, during this time, Chi Jinnian repeatedly cried out, “Enough, enough!” But it was as if neither of them heard her one kept pouring, the other kept holding the cup.

Yuan Shao withdrew the cup, and Chi Jinnian whispered to her, “Master, if you can’t finish it, just pour it out. It’s fine.”

Yuan Shao chuckled softly, then raised her hand and let the wine in the cup slowly flow down her throat into her stomach.

The wine was good aromatic, mellow, with a clean, sweet aftertaste. But it was indeed strong liquor, its spicy taste impossible to ignore.

After finishing, Yuan Shao turned the cup upside down, signaling to Chi Lin that she had drained it.

Seeing this, Chi Lin set the wine pot down on the table and exclaimed loudly, “Well done!” Then he laughed heartily. “No wonder my daughter insists it has to be you. Young one, you truly have some courage.”

With that, he actually shoved Chi Jinnian aside, took her seat himself, and poured another cup of wine for Yuan Shao. As he poured, he said, “You have no idea my daughter, at home, four out of every five sentences are about you. Ever since you came into the picture, my standing as her father in her heart has plummeted!”

Chi Jinnian, abruptly pushed aside by Chi Lin, had no choice but to sit on the other side of Yuan Shao. But the moment she touched the stool, Chi Lin’s words startled her so much that her feet slipped, and she thudded to the floor.

A maid hurried over to help her up. Chi Jinnian shot a resentful look at Chi Lin: Was this line in the script we agreed on? Weren’t you supposed to ask Yuan Shao about her cultivation progress? Why are you changing the lines randomly!

But Chi Lin paid no mind. He glanced at Chi Jinnian and said, “Why are you looking at me like that? Can’t I, as your father, say a few words about you? Just look at how you’ve decorated your room there’s not a trace of a young lady’s boudoir about it!”

Carried away by his enthusiasm, Chi Lin slapped his thigh and said to Yuan Shao with a troubled expression, “Ah, you have no idea. My daughter was always so obedient since she was little, but ever since she met you, this girl has become like a wild horse off its reins, I can’t control her anymore! First, she sneaked off to your mountain to cultivate. When she finally came back, she threw tantrums every day because I wouldn’t let her leave! And last night, she didn’t even come home! I wanted to see her so badly, I ended up sitting outside her room on a chair all night long! She didn’t return until daybreak! Who knows where she was running wild all night!”

Hearing this, Yuan Shao felt somewhat guilty and replied, “Please don’t worry. Last night, A’Nian was with me.”

“What! Nian Nian was with you last night? The whole time?” Chi Lin exclaimed in shock, slapping the table as he stood up.

Yuan Shao glanced at Chi Jinnian but still nodded.

Seeing this, Chi Lin looked at Chi Jinnian, wanting to say something. He pointed at her for a long time but couldn’t utter a single word. Finally, he sighed and waved his hand. “Forget it, forget it. Since things have already come to this, what more can I say?”

He plopped down, poured himself a cup of wine without a word, and downed it in one go. After a long silence, he finally spoke, “Nian Nian told me you’re leaving? When?”

Yuan Shao nodded. “Yes, we’ve been away for quite some time. It’s time to return to Changqing Sect.” She glanced back at Chi Jinnian before continuing, “But don’t worry, I’ll leave A Nian by your side.”

Before Chi Jinnian could react, Yuan Shao’s words made Chi Lin’s eyes widen in disbelief. “What did you say! Now you’re telling me you don’t want my daughter anymore?”

Did Yuan Shao want to take Chi Jinnian with her? Of course, she did. But she couldn’t be so selfish.

Yuan Shao stood up, raising her arms in a gesture of deference. “It’s not that I don’t want her it’s that I don’t dare. Here, she has you, her family, and a good life. But if she were to follow me.” Yuan Shao trailed off, then looked up. “I want her to be happy and live well. I don’t want her to suffer with me.”

A flicker of warmth stirred in Chi Jinnian’s heart. She hadn’t expected Yuan Shao to care so deeply for her. Just as she was about to speak, Chi Lin cut her off. “My Nian Nian has already acknowledged you as her master, watched fireworks with you, and didn’t come home all night yesterday. Now, the whole city knows about this. How can you just decide not to take her with you? What do you take her for? Have you even considered her feelings? Doesn’t she have any dignity?”

Chi Jinnian: “…”

This wasn’t part of the plan. Chi Lin had agreed to give Yuan Shao the Ningbi Pill and let her go he never said anything about her having to leave too!

Seeing the situation escalate, Chi Jinnian quickly stepped in front of Yuan Shao. “Dad, don’t yell at her! If you have a problem, take it out on me!”

But Chi Lin paid no heed. “You shut up!” he snapped, turning back to Yuan Shao. “Don’t think that just because Nian Nian has chosen you, you can do whatever you want! Today, you are taking my daughter with you, no matter what!”