The days passed in quiet rhythm, with Xie Dongyi regaining his strength little by little. His injuries healed faster than expected, thanks to Lie Zhanfeng's attentive care and the strange, invigorating water he had been drinking. Though Xie Dongyi hadn't thought much of it initially, a part of him had begun to notice subtle differences in his body—nothing drastic, just a faint sense of clarity and ease that felt unnatural.
The small plot of land they tended to was modest, but Lie Zhanfeng's effort was evident. Rows of sprouting vegetables and herbs painted the otherwise barren soil with hints of green, and their shared labor brought a semblance of peace to the chaotic days that had led them here. Xie Dongyi found the work grounding, though he was careful not to overexert himself under Lie Zhanfeng's watchful eye.
One morning, as Xie Dongyi watered the crops, he paused. The faintest ripple of spiritual energy brushed against his senses. His eyes flickered to the water in the bucket. Though its presence was subtle, he recognized the sensation immediately.
The realization struck him like a wave. This water—its energy felt diluted but unmistakable. It was the same water he'd been drinking these past days.
"Lie Zhanfeng," Xie Dongyi called out, his tone calm but tinged with curiosity.
Lie Zhanfeng glanced up from where he was spreading fertilizer. "What is it?"
"This water," Xie Dongyi said, lifting the bucket slightly. "It has spiritual energy. It's faint, but it's there."
Lie Zhanfeng straightened, brushing dirt from his hands as he approached. "Ah, that?" He waved dismissively. "It's just some leftover water I've been using. Nothing special."
Xie Dongyi's gaze lingered on him, trying to gauge his sincerity. The nonchalant tone was convincing, but there was an underlying carelessness to it, as if he genuinely didn't consider it important.
"You've been using this water for farming mortal plants?" Xie Dongyi asked, lowering the bucket to the ground.
Lie Zhanfeng shrugged. "Why not? It works well enough, doesn't it?"
Xie Dongyi frowned slightly but didn't press further. Cultivators often kept their origins and treasures private, and while he didn't know what this water truly was, he knew it wasn't ordinary. Still, if Lie Zhanfeng was using it so freely, then there must be more of it—perhaps an abundant supply.
His silence spoke volumes. Asking about the source of the water would be crossing a line, and Xie Dongyi had no intention of prying into secrets that weren't his to know.
---
Later in the day, Lie Zhanfeng sent Xie Dongyi back to the house to retrieve a tool they needed. Left alone in the field, he continued tending the crops, his mind wandering as villagers passed by along the dirt road nearby.
Their chatter, at first muted, grew louder as they drew closer.
"Have you seen that boy who's been staying with Lie Zhanfeng?" one woman asked, her voice carrying an edge of curiosity.
"Oh, you mean the handsome one?" another replied. "Where did he even come from? He's not from around here, that's for sure."
"Exactly! Too good-looking for a place like this. He looks like one of those young masters from the cities."
"Too good-looking to be living with that thug, if you ask me."
Lie Zhanfeng stiffened, his grip on the hoe tightening as the conversation continued.
"Do you think they're related?" a man chimed in. "I mean, why else would a boy like that stay with him?"
"Related? Hah! You think someone like Lie Zhanfeng has family connections like that?" the first woman scoffed. "No, no, it's something else."
"How about roommates?"
"Do you think they're just roommates? I mean… they're living together, but maybe there's more to it." She gave the man a meaningful look.
"Oh, come on, don't be ridiculous!"
"Why not? Look at them! They're both young, and they're awfully close these days."
"Well, they are living together…"
"What else could it be?"
The insinuation made Lie Zhanfeng's face heat up instantly.
"Don't be ridiculous!" one of them laughed. "But now that you mention it…"
"Exactly. I mean, they're both young. Who's to say what's really going on?"
"Do you think they also share a bed?"
The man laughed, "Who knows, it's not like we can see what they're doing at night."
By the time the group passed, their words fading into the distance, Lie Zhanfeng felt like he'd been dunked into a pit of fire. His face burned, and no amount of willpower could stop the vivid echo of their conversation from replaying in his mind.
When Xie Dongyi returned, carrying the requested tool, he seemed entirely unaware of what had just transpired. His calm demeanor only made Lie Zhanfeng's discomfort more pronounced.
"Here," Xie Dongyi said simply, handing over the tool.
Lie Zhanfeng accepted it with an awkward cough, keeping his gaze on the ground. "Thanks," he muttered.
Xie Dongyi tilted his head slightly. "Is something wrong?"
"No, no," Lie Zhanfeng replied quickly, waving his hand in dismissal. "Nothing at all."
His obvious discomfort made Xie Dongyi pause, but he ultimately decided against probing further. "If you say so."
---
As they resumed their work, Lie Zhanfeng found himself stealing glances at Xie Dongyi. Though he'd always been aware of the boy's striking features, he'd made a conscious effort to ignore them—especially after considering his actual age in his previous life.
But now, with the villagers' words echoing in his mind, he couldn't help but notice. Xie Dongyi's appearance was more than handsome. His clear, sharp features were balanced by a natural grace that was rare for someone his age. His dark eyes held an almost magnetic intensity, and his smooth skin and growing jawline hinted at the man he would become.
There was nothing delicate about him, yet he had a kind of beauty that could turn heads effortlessly. It was the kind of beauty that would captivate both men and women, leaving an impression that lingered long after.
Even though a fourteen-year-old boy could already marry and have children in this era, in the modern world, a boy of the same age would still be in high school, worrying about exams and friendships. Lie Zhanfeng couldn't help but compare the stark differences between his past life and this world.
He wasn't like those perverts who would covet a young boy. Admiring Xie Dongyi had nothing to do with shallow attraction. It was rooted in his knowledge of Xie Dongyi's future potential. In the story Lie Zhanfeng had read before his death, Xie Dongyi was destined for greatness—a figure both feared and revered. What he admired wasn't the boy's present, but the man he would inevitably become.
Yet, he couldn't deny that the villagers' whispered comments had brought a certain awareness. Before, he had tried to ignore Xie Dongyi's features out of propriety, focusing instead on the boy's resilience and quick wit. Now, though, he couldn't help but notice the sharpness of his gaze, the way his youthful appearance already hinted at the regal bearing he'd possess in the future.
Lie Zhanfeng shook his head, scolding himself silently. He's just a boy, he reminded himself. Whether as a fourteen-year-old or as someone carrying the memories of his thirty-year-old self, his thoughts needed to remain respectful. Besides, admiration didn't equate to affection—not the kind that crossed boundaries.
Lie Zhanfeng tore his gaze away, scolding himself internally. What's wrong with you? You're supposed to protect him, not… admire him.
He tried to focus on his task, but his thoughts betrayed him. Perhaps the reason the book he'd read in his past life had only described Xie Dongyi as "handsome and dashing" was because no words could truly do him justice. He hadn't met Zhao Tianyun yet, but he doubted the so-called protagonist could hold a candle to Xie Dongyi's looks.
Lie Zhanfeng sighed, shaking his head. Get a grip, Lie Zhanfeng. You're supposed to be the mature one here. Yet the lingering blush on his face betrayed his internal struggle.
When Xie Dongyi glanced his way, Lie Zhanfeng quickly turned back to the crops, pretending to inspect the soil with great interest.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Xie Dongyi asked, his tone neutral.
"I'm fine," Lie Zhanfeng replied too quickly. "Just… tired from all the work."
Xie Dongyi raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he returned to watering the plants, leaving Lie Zhanfeng to wrestle with his embarrassment in silence.
------
Meanwhile, somewhere far from the peaceful countryside where Xie Dongyi and Lie Zhanfeng resided, a huge trouble is brewing.
In a lavishly adorned room with crimson tapestries and polished jade accents. Rong Qi leaned back against a carved chair, his gaze lingering on a portrait of Xie Ruyue hung proudly on the wall. Her beauty, even captured in ink, filled him with reverence and longing.
"How's the job?" His voice was sharp, tinged with impatience, as he addressed the man standing before him.
The man, clad in simple yet refined robes, bowed slightly. "Consider it done, Young Master Rong. The shopkeeper and his two men have received the payment. Five thousand spirit stones and the talismans you provided were sufficient to secure their loyalty."
A satisfied smile spread across Rong Qi's lips. "Good. They know what to do?"
"They do. They assured me they would deal with the waste from the Xie family together."
Rong Qi's smile faltered slightly. He rose from his chair and paced the room, his expression shifting between satisfaction and a tinge of unease. "Xie Dongyi... That disgraceful eyesore. Always lingering around Ruyue like some pest. It's about time someone took out the trash. I've given them everything they need, and Xie Dongyi has no chance of surviving."
His tone dripped with certainty, but beneath his bravado lay an unspoken worry. He had deliberately hired low-level cultivators to handle the job, deeming the use of a Foundation Establishment cultivator or higher as an overkill. After all, why waste a valuable resource on a so-called trash whose cultivation talent couldn't even reach average?
The man bowed again. "Of course, Young Master. With the traces you erased after his escape, the Xie family won't find him either. Everything has been done according to your orders."
Rong Qi's lips curled into a smug grin. "Good. Xie Dongyi is nothing but a stain on Ayue's brilliance. She's too kind for her own good, but I've taken care of things for her. She deserves better than having that waste follow her around."
Before he could revel further in his perceived triumph, another figure entered the room. Su Li, one of his trusted subordinates, knelt quickly. "Young Master Rong, I bring news."
"Speak," Rong Qi ordered, though the irritation in his voice hinted that any interruption was unwelcome.
"The Xie family is still searching for Xie Dongyi, especially Young Miss Xie Ruyue."
Rong Qi's expression softened at the mention of her name, his arrogance momentarily replaced by admiration. "Of course, Ayue would care. She has such a pure heart, always worrying about everyone, even a waste like him."
Su Li hesitated, his head bowed low. "Young Master, there is... one more thing."
"What is it?" Rong Qi's voice sharpened, his patience wearing thin.
"Young Miss Xie Ruyue's fiancé, Zhao Tianyun, is with her as well."
Rong Qi froze, his fingers clenching tightly. Zhao Tianyun. The golden boy, recognized by the Xie family as Xie Ruyue's fiancé. A genius, yes, but one with no remarkable background or power to back him. Rong Qi's blood boiled at the thought. Why would the Xie family, of all people, choose him?
He couldn't fathom it. In his mind, someone like Zhao Tianyun, with no true backing or influential lineage, didn't deserve Xie Ruyue. What was it about him that had the Xie family so enamored?
"Dammit," Rong Qi muttered under his breath, the jealousy bubbling up. "Why Ayue? She's too good for him. I'll show her... I'll prove I'm the one who truly understands her."
His expression twisted with frustration, not only at Zhao Tianyun's undeserved place by Xie Ruyue's side but at his own helplessness in the face of the Xie family's power and influence. One day, he'll see... she'll see...
"That bastard," Rong Qi muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. "He doesn't deserve her."
He trailed off, his jaw tightening. Despite his jealousy, he knew he couldn't move against Zhao Tianyun. The Xie family wouldn't tolerate such a thing, and any misstep could jeopardize his own position.
"Gather the men," Rong Qi snapped suddenly, his tone cold and commanding. "We're going to see them."
Su Li bowed deeply. "Yes, Young Master."
As the men filed out, Rong Qi turned to the portrait of Xie Ruyue once more, his gaze softening. "Don't worry, Ayue. I'll always be by your side, handling the things you shouldn't have to deal with. That trash, Xie Dongyi, will never bother you again. And as for Zhao Tianyun..." His voice turned bitter. "One day, you'll see who truly deserves you."
Little did Rong Qi know, the so-called trash he thought was long gone was recovering steadily, his fate already deviating from the predetermined path.