Chapter 5 Jingyuan's Thoughts

14

It was through this gathering that the six of you officially got to know each other and became friends.

With this connection, your relationship with Danfeng has taken a step closer.

Not long after you recovered, you returned to training. Once you got busy, you had no time to think about Danfeng, which benefited Jingyuan.

Being close to someone gives you an advantage; Jingyuan, through spending so much time together, successfully won a place in your heart and became your best friend.

From the day you became his apprentice, you never called him "senior brother," always addressing him by his given name. He tried many times to persuade you to call him senior brother, but you always shook your head and said no, instead calling him "Jingyuan, Jingyuan." As you became more familiar with him, you took it upon yourself to change how you addressed him, calling him "Yuanyuan, Yuanyuan" all day long, as intimately as you could be.

Jingyuan was quite pleased with this form of address. He saw it as a sign of progress in your relationship; even his parents had never called him that, and you were the only one who addressed him so affectionately. He reasoned that if this continued, one day when you called him by his full name, he would know you were either angry or needed something from him.

Although your relationship has improved, he still can't feel your love for him. The way you look at him is like that of a family member or friend, but the way you look at Danfeng is an undisguised admiration.

The young boy was very troubled by this. He wondered if he was too young, which was why she didn't feel anything for him. After all, it's said in folk tales that young girls tend to be more attracted to older men than their peers.

So the young boy insisted on drinking a cup of hot goat milk every day and eating on time, all in order to grow taller faster. If he became more mature, would you like him more?

You were completely unaware of Jingyuan's ulterior motives, and you wondered how he could grow up faster than you, becoming a head taller than you in just a few years. This made you depressed for a long time, and you didn't speak to him for several days.

Unable to understand why you were angry, Jingyuan finally decided to go straight to the point and asked you directly why you hadn't spoken to him for several days.

You frankly expressed your confusion, which made Jingyuan burst into laughter.

"Don't laugh, hmph—"

After laughing his fill, Jingyuan finally shared his secret to growing taller with you. So, to compete with him, you secretly ate twice as much as him, vowing to grow taller than him. Jingyuan, unwilling to admit defeat, secretly challenged you as well.

The consequence of overeating was that you two ended up lying in the Dan Ding Si, getting your foreheads tapped by Dan Feng with a book, while listening to the cheerful laughter of the purple-haired fox girl outside the door.

Feeling utterly humiliated in front of your crush, you feel so ashamed you want to bury yourself in a hole.

Help! This is so embarrassing!

But it's not too bad that Jingyuan is with you.

However, the thought that this whole thing started because of Jing Yuan made you stubbornly refuse to associate with him. You decided to give him the silent treatment until your anger subsided.

Poor Jingyuan racked his brains but couldn't understand why he would lose the right to choose a partner one day because he was too tall. Originally, he wanted to win your attention by growing taller, but it backfired and pushed you into the position of love rival.

...

Those who are favored often take things for granted, and you are no exception.

In order to carry out your Cold War plan, you asked Jingliu for a long leave of absence, saying that you wanted to relax recently.

Jingliu approved your request without hesitation, so for the first few days you stayed in Yingxing's research lab as an assistant. Later, when you heard that Danfeng was recently conducting free clinics at Dandingsi, you volunteered to be his assistant and followed him around doing all the chores.

You are intelligent, quick learners, and have a silver tongue, which successfully convinced Danfeng to agree.

During this time, you helped Danfeng organize medicinal herbs and prescriptions, and you learned a lot about herbal medicine.

Although you are new to medicine, you have already learned a great deal. If you can dedicate yourself to this field, you will surely achieve great things in time.

Danfeng asked if you wanted to be a doctor, saying he could teach you. You resisted the temptation of his face, thought for a moment, and then shook your head, refusing him.

You said you don't like the pain of separation and death, and you don't like watching life slip away while you are powerless to stop it.

You prefer to take your destiny into your own hands, using your sword to defend your people and your homeland. It's better to die a glorious death than to live a life of mere survival.

Danfeng is surprised by your choice and curious about your profound understanding of life and death at such a young age.

"That being said, life is precious, so we must live it to the fullest." Danfeng concluded with this advice and turned back to continue with what she was doing.

15

Jingyuan hasn't seen you since you were discharged from the hospital. He asked around and found out that you've taken a long leave and won't be appearing for a while.

Without your company, Jingyuan's enthusiasm for practice has diminished somewhat.

When you're around, Jingyuan will be extra serious, just to earn a compliment from you, or because you'll compete with him and get him excited.

After dawdling for a while, Jingyuan finally finished today's training and went straight to the Construction Department as soon as school was over, only to be turned away.

You declared a cold war with him and wouldn't even let him in the door.

For several days in a row, Jing Yuan became increasingly impatient and resorted to his old tricks. He climbed over the wall and apologized to you outside your door, saying that you could do whatever you wanted to him, just don't ignore him.

The door, which had been closed for a long time, was finally opened. Jing Yuan looked up excitedly and saw Ying Xing staring at him with a puzzled expression, holding the blueprints. They stared at each other wide-eyed.

Jingyuan then learned that you went to Dan Ding Si yesterday and became Dan Feng's assistant.

Upon learning this fact, Jingyuan seemed to deflate and slowly slumped down against the wall until he landed on the ground with a slumped face and blank stare, ignoring Yingxing's calls.

Yingxing thought this kid was up to some trick again, so she immediately notified Jingliu to take her apprentice back.

When Bai Heng arrived, Ying Xing had already left, and only Jing Yuan remained motionless.

"What's wrong? Why are you looking so worried?" Bai Heng leaned closer to Jing Yuan, his eyes full of curiosity.

In her memory, Jingyuan had always been an optimistic and cheerful little sun, always with a bright smile. But today he looked like a wilted eggplant, listless and even his hair seemed to have lost its usual luster.

Jing Yuan looked up and saw that the person who came was Bai Heng, and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally whispered, "Sister Bai Heng, I think I've been dumped."

"Huh?" Bai Heng opened his mouth wide in surprise, his eyes widening as if he had heard some earth-shattering news.

Her gossip instincts were instantly ignited, and she grabbed Jingyuan's arm, pulling him to sit down on a stone bench in the courtyard.

"Quick, tell me, what exactly happened?" Bai Heng urged impatiently, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Jing Yuan rubbed his hands nervously and said in a low voice, "Don't tell anyone, especially Master."

He knew Jingliu's temper too well; if she found out he was dating someone early, he would probably get a severe scolding.

Bai Heng immediately held up three fingers and solemnly promised, "I swear, I absolutely won't tell her!"

Seeing Bai Heng's seriousness, Jing Yuan finally felt relieved and confessed his secret crush on you in detail.

From the initial flutter of his heart when he first saw you, to every little moment they spent together, and then to discovering your admiration for Danfeng… his voice was sometimes deep, sometimes excited, as if he were telling a deeply moving story.

Bai Heng listened intently, his eyes occasionally flashing with surprise and emotion.

This was the first time she had ever heard a young man express his emotions so sincerely and innocently. His pure and passionate feelings even moved her, an "old auntie."

"What do I do now?" Jing Yuan scratched his head in distress, his eyes filled with confusion and helplessness. He was like a lost little animal, desperately needing someone to show him the way forward.

Bai Heng pondered for a moment, then suddenly patted Jing Yuan on the shoulder and said firmly, "You say she likes Dan Feng? That taciturn guy who always has a straight face and hardly speaks a word? I don't think so."

Jing Yuan raised his head, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes: "What do you mean?"

Bai Heng smiled slightly and began to analyze seriously: "You see, Danfeng does have a handsome appearance. His face is a bit cold, but it has to be said that he is quite likable. In addition, he is a dragon descendant with a special identity, and he also has a pair of dazzling dragon horns on his head. Anyone who sees him will not be able to help but take a second look. This unique temperament will naturally make people feel novel, and even create the illusion that 'he is so special'."

She paused, then continued, "I guess she was just temporarily attracted to Danfeng's appearance and status, finding him mysterious and noble, like a figure who stepped out of a painting. This feeling is less like infatuation and more like curiosity and appreciation. She may have just been blinded by his aura, mistaking a momentary interest for genuine liking."

Jing Yuan was stunned for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly: "But... the way she looked at Dan Feng was clearly very serious."

Bai Heng waved his hand, his tone firm: "A serious look in the eyes doesn't necessarily mean true love. Young people are easily misled by appearances. Danfeng's cold personality might seem attractive at first glance, but over time, who can stand a silent, brooding person who only kills with their eyes? On the contrary, you—"

She suddenly leaned closer to Jingyuan, a hint of slyness in her eyes, "You have a cheerful personality, a good sense of humor, and you know how to take care of people. These are the most endearing qualities for someone you get along with in the long run."

Jing Yuan felt a little embarrassed by what she said and scratched his head: "But she only has eyes for Dan Feng right now, what should I do?"

Bai Heng patted his shoulder, his tone firm: "Don't be discouraged! As the saying goes, 'Even a strong woman can be won over by persistent pursuit.' As long as you persevere and use your sincerity and enthusiasm to move her, one day she will realize that you are the one most suitable for her."

She blinked and lowered her voice, saying, "Besides, Danfeng's personality is simply not suited for dating. He can't even take care of himself, how could he possibly know how to take care of someone else? As long as you continue to treat her well and let her feel your sincerity, she will eventually understand who is the one who truly deserves her love."

Upon hearing this, Jing Yuan's eyes rekindled with hope. He nodded, his tone firm: "Sister Bai Heng, you're right, I won't give up easily!"

Bai Heng smiled with satisfaction, extending his hand to give Jing Yuan a high five as a pledge: "That's more like it! Next, we need to discuss what gift to buy for your 'sweetheart' to make amends..."