Exiting the temple gates, Xiaoyu Shuang noticed a distant, shallow pond shimmering with a silvery glow under the winter sun. It was now winter, and the weeping willows by the pond had long withered. A few lonely leaves floated on the water, creating a desolate scene.
Glancing around, Xiaoyu Shuang didn't see any trace of Lin San. Doubt crept into her mind: he was clearly captured by the thieves, so how could he suddenly appear before her? With this thought, she clutched the note in her hand, recognizing Lin San's unique handwriting. It was undoubtedly his, but where was he? That scoundrel!
Anxiously waiting, she saw a figure emerge from behind the dried willow trees, holding a yellow wild chrysanthemum. Smiling, he looked at her. Who else but that rogue?
Miss Er, with tear-filled eyes, choked out, "You scoundrel—" and couldn't say anything more.
Lin Wanrong, seeing her in a plain robe, though a bit haggard, still radiantly beautiful, tears glistening like pear blossoms, thought, "This mischievous girl has grown a bit in these few days. If I don't restrain myself, all the beauties in Jinling City will flock to me, and I won't have enough silver to support them." Lin Wanrong indulged in self-flattery.
Softly placing the wild chrysanthemum in Xiaoyu Shuang's hand, he said, "Beautiful lady, a gift for you. May you remain as vibrant as this flower forever."
"I don't want it," Miss Er blushed, saying so, but swiftly held the little flower in her hand, her smile more beautiful than the flower itself.
A true budding maiden. Lin Wanrong thought with self-admiration, "I need to restrain myself; otherwise, I'll be surrounded by all the beauties in Jinling City, and I won't have enough silver to support them."
Xiaoyu Shuang delicately placed the chrysanthemum near her ear and shyly asked, "Lin San, is it beautiful?"
Blushing with a hint of coquetry, she, with her lovely face, exuded an indescribable charm. Lin Wanrong was captivated, saying, "Not just beautiful, but exceptionally so."
Xiaoyu Shuang, happy and shy, replied, "You're the best at sweet-talking." At this moment, she embodied the essence of a young girl in love, devoid of any childishness.
Lin Wanrong led her to sit down and asked, "Miss Er, why did you come to Qixia Temple? It's a monk's sanctuary, and it's dangerous for a delicate lady like you to be here."
Xiaoyu Shuang softly sobbed, "Lin San, do you blame me?"
"Blame you? Blame you for what?" Lin Wanrong wondered.
"If it weren't for me that day, you wouldn't have been captured," Miss Er choked.
Lin Wanrong chuckled, both amused and moved. This girl liked to overthink, but her words touched him deeply. "Silly girl," Lin Wanrong whispered, "It has nothing to do with you. They intentionally came for me. If it weren't for you that day, I would have died under their swords."
This reassurance eased the young girl's heart. Without Xiaoyu Shuang that day, Qin Xian'er wouldn't have spared him. However, Xiaoyu Shuang was unaware of this, saying, "I don't know what happened. Watching those thieves trying to kill you made me uncomfortable. If you had died, my life would have lost its meaning. Seeing you risking your life for me, I felt that even if I died, it would be worth it."
Moved by her words, Lin Wanrong held Miss Er's hand and said, "We both must live happily in the future, no more of this. Let's live happily together; it's so much better."
The young girl nodded shyly, saying, "If you don't die, I won't die." It implied that if he were to die, she wouldn't want to live in this world.
Lin Wanrong felt that continuing this conversation would empty his heart, and these weren't just romantic words. Even unintentionally, the young girl's words deeply moved him. She had indeed grown stronger.
Miss Er, seeing his absent-minded expression, hurriedly asked, "Lin San, what's wrong with you?"
"Me? Oh, nothing. It's just that seeing you makes me very happy," Lin Wanrong said.
"Me too, Lin San. Do you know, I dream of you every night. These days I've been so afraid. If I lost you, what would I do? I'm scared—" The young girl cried.
Lin Wanrong felt he couldn't continue this topic. Her tender sentiments were too overwhelming. Even Lin San, who had seen much in the world, couldn't bear such sweet talk, especially when it came from such a pure young beauty. It was almost lethal.
"By the way, Miss Er, Miss Da has also returned. She might come to see you later," Lin Wanrong wiped off some sweat, changing the topic.
"Really?" Xiaoyu Shuang, still somewhat childlike, jumped up immediately, asking, "Did she come back with you? Did those thieves harm her?"
Lin Wanrong said, "How could those thieves harm her? Have a look at who she's with."
Xiaoyu Shuang nodded, grabbing his shoulder excitedly. Seeing him nod, she happily said, "Lin San, I knew it. You're the most capable person in the world."
Being admired felt great. Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, sharing the experiences of the past few days with her.
Of course, he couldn't reveal the conspiracy of Tao Dongcheng and his backers, nor could he talk about Qin Xian'er. Xia Qingxuan was portrayed as one of his friends.
Even so, the tale was full of twists and turns. Lin Wanrong was an adept storyteller, skillfully manipulating emotions. Listening to him, Miss Er was on tenterhooks, feeling more exciting than the famous martial arts novels.
After hearing the story, Miss Er, excited for a while, sighed, "Lin San, do you think I'm useless?"
"Miss Er, why would you think that?" Xiaoyu Shuang sighed softly, "Everyone in my family can contribute. My mother, not to mention, essentially raised the entire Xiao family. My sister manages the family business exceptionally well. Lin San, you, as my sister looks, she admires you a lot.
Admires me? Lin Wanrong bitterly smiled; if she were given a knife, her first thought might be to eliminate me.
Miss Er continued, "I'm the most useless one in the family. I used to scare people with Wei Wujun and Zhenyuan Wujun when I was bored. Now that I've grown up, I don't know anything. I can't help my mother or my sister. Do you think I'm useless?"
Lin Wanrong shook his head and chuckled, "Where did this come from? Everyone has their strengths. Take your sister, for example; she excels in managing things. But you also have your
strengths, like understanding people. Think about it; I, such an outstanding talent, was picked out by your discerning eyes. You've made a significant contribution to the Xiao family."
The young girl, listening to his self-praise, couldn't help but giggle, "You're shameless. Actually, the first time I saw you making money with my sister's portrait, I thought you were too bad, with a lot of cunning. Later, when I saw your name in the enrollment list, I was so happy. But that day, you were late, so I had to tell Vice Steward Pang not to trouble you. Who knew you—"
She remembered what happened that day, covering her mouth and laughing, "You couldn't even write a three-character classic. Haha—"
Lin Wanrong blushed. It was indeed not a glorious moment, but he confidently said, "Many people in this world can write a three-character classic, but who has my unique talent?"
Although Xiaoyu Shuang teased, "You're too thick-skinned," she sighed and said, "Actually, the first time I saw you holding my sister's portrait to make money, I thought you were too cunning. Later, when I saw your name on the enrollment list, I was so happy. But that day, you happened to be late, so I had to tell Vice Steward Pang not to trouble you. Who knew you—"
She remembered that day's events, covering her mouth and laughing, "You couldn't even write a three-character classic. Haha—"
Lin Wanrong blushed. It was indeed not a glorious moment, but he confidently said, "Many people in this world can write a three-character classic, but who has my unique talent?"
Xiaoyu Shuang, with a slight reprimand, said, "You're boasting. At that time, I wanted to bring you into the Xiao family to let Wei Wujun deal with you. But you were so fierce. I almost hated you."
Xiaoyu Shuang finished speaking but sighed gently, "Now, looking back, fortunately, you came. Otherwise, I don't know what our family would be like now. These days, I've been thinking, I can't burden my mother and sister. I want to be a useful person. Lin San, I want to pursue education. Do you think it's possible?"
"Pursue education?" Lin Wanrong was surprised, "As a young girl, where can you pursue education?"
Miss Er whispered, "I haven't decided yet, but staying idle at home, not knowing anything, makes me very uncomfortable."
This Lin Wanrong could understand. Women pursuing liberation was a trend in any era. Xiaoyu Shuang had such progressive thoughts, which was good.
Lin Wanrong nodded, "Miss Er, I'll support you."
"Really?" Xiaoyu Shuang grabbed his shoulder happily. Seeing him nod, she smiled sweetly, "Lin San, thank you."
"Thank you for what?" Lin Wanrong said with a smitten tone, "We get along so well."
Miss Er blushed slightly, softly humming in agreement and gradually leaning toward him.
Seeing her blushing face and coquettish demeanor, Lin Wanrong had been anxiously waiting. He gently embraced her delicate waist, bringing her soft, boneless body closer.
Xiaoyu Shuang was barely seventeen, her body just developing. Held in his arms, there was a sweet and tender feeling. Lin Wanrong gently caressed her slender waist and whispered in her ear, "Miss Er—"
His voice seemed to possess a peculiar enchantment, inducing a sense of both shame and tingling in Xiaoyu Shuang's heart. An affirmative sound emanated from her nose, and her face blazed as if with an inner fire.
Gazing upon Xiaoyu Shuang's vivid and enticing cherry lips, Lin Wanrong found it increasingly unbearable. He embraced her body, drawing her closer, and descended to kiss her lips. Xiaoyu Shuang uttered a soft moan, burying her head in his embrace, her lotus-like mouth gently exhaling, anticipating the shy yet sweet initiation of their first kiss.
"What are you two doing—" Just as their lips were about to meet, a thunderous roar shattered their idyllic reverie.
Lin Wanrong turned around, and his heart instantly cooled. Oh my goodness, Buddha and Bodhisattva, are you playing a prank on me?