My second time meeting Gao Chen had come just a single day after that first meeting.
She returned to our home to give my handkerchief back to me, completely clean and free from her sweat.
This time, she greeted me alongside the rest of my family, and I felt a twang of jealousy at how easily she got along with each of them, so quickly forgetting about me.
As she discussed techniques with Mother, training methods with Li Hui Ling, goals for the future with Mom, and even talking about what kind of weapons she liked with Li Fen, I slowly found myself sneaking away from the table, feeling gloomy at once again being excluded and forgotten.
I had already left my seat and was halfway to the door when Gao Chen turned and innocently asked "Oh, Li Yichen, won't you stay? I was curious about some herbs, and the Matriarch said that you knew a bit about them?"
My heart leapt to my throat at that, and I blushed as those piercing orange eyes found my pale blue ones with such frightening ease...
