Chapter 79: Senior Sister's Teasing

Early morning, the sun was bright.

Outside the window came the chirping of sparrows and the sound of his sister Xiaohuan talking.

Luo Zijun got up to wash.

After finishing breakfast, he went out.

After walking out of the small alley.

He observed carefully, but did not see that figure who had been following him last night again.

Had they given up?

Or were they preparing to find another opportunity?

Passing by Bao'an Hall, he walked to the entrance and greeted: "Senior Sister, I'm going to the Academy."

Behind the counter.

A young girl wearing a plain white dress was sitting elegantly and quietly in the morning sunlight, her hands propping up her chin, lost in a daze. Her long eyelashes blinked gently in the morning light, like two golden butterflies flapping their wings, dreamlike and beautiful.

On the table sat a vase of flowers that seemed to have just been picked; the pink petals were covered in crystal-clear water droplets. That beautiful and delicate face, illuminated by the interplay of the morning light and the flowers, was as pink as peach blossoms, charming and moving.

Luo Zijun couldn't help but take an extra look, then prepared to leave.

At this moment, Su Qingling suddenly spoke coldly: "Come in."

Luo Zijun said: "What for?"

A trace of vigilance appeared in his gaze.

Su Qingling looked at him coldly with her beautiful eyes, not answering.

Luo Zijun hesitated for a moment, walked inside, but only stood at the entrance and asked: "What is it?"

Su Qingling stared at him coldly for a while and said: "That woman named Sun Yan'er came by this morning."

Luo Zijun was stunned: "Sun Yan'er? What did she come here for?"

How could that woman suddenly come here?

Su Qingling said indifferently: "She said you saved her, she is very grateful to you, and she also said her father likes you very much."

Luo Zijun frowned: "And then?"

"There is no 'and then'."

Su Qingling stared at him with her cold, beautiful eyes: "What else do you want there to be?"

Luo Zijun was speechless.

Was that woman sick, suddenly running here to say such inexplicable things?

Was she made stupid by being submerged in water last time?

"Don't pay her any mind; if she comes again next time, just drive her away."

"I'm really not familiar with her."

Luo Zijun didn't say anything more and waved his hand as he left.

He was currently overwhelmed with matters regarding his cultivation, earning money, and Xu Xian, wishing he could split one day into two; where would he have time to deal with such nonsense?

It would be fine if that woman didn't come to bother him in the future.

If she dared to come again, then don't blame him for speaking harshly or for his ruthless iron fists.

Ever since he returned from the spring outing outside the city that day, he had gained a very resounding title at the Academy; those female students all privately called him the "Hating Women Gentleman."

Women were afraid when they saw him, and men were afraid when they saw him too.

"That Hating Women Gentleman often hangs around with that person named Xu Xian. Look at that Xu Xian, gloomy and soft, often liking to stick his butt out; I reckon he has an unusual relationship with that Hating Women Gentleman."

"There is indeed something wrong. Every time that Xu Xian talks to a woman or prepares to get close to a woman, he is stopped by that Hating Women Gentleman."

"But I heard that Hating Women Gentleman likes Xu Xian's younger sister; I don't know if it's true. Perhaps that guy swings both ways."

"That guy has a very good relationship with Su Bie and Wang Dafu, but have you noticed? Every time that guy invites Su Bie and Wang Dafu to go pee, both of them immediately shake their heads and refuse. Wang Dafu even covers his butt, looking panicked and begging for mercy..."

"Sigh, what a pity, such a handsome face..."

Regarding these rumors and gossip at the Academy, Luo Zijun did not take them to heart.

Sometimes when walking on the road and hearing people whispering, he would respond very generously: "That's right, I like men and I like women; watch out for your butts."

Then those people would be scared until their legs shook, scattering like birds and beasts.

A bunch of bored people.

Luo Zijun felt that these people were just full and had nothing to do every day.

They didn't do proper work and only loved to chat about gossip.

Thinking about things along the way, he walked toward the Academy.

Hmm?

Just as he reached West Lake, he suddenly looked up at the sky.

The sky, which had been bright and sunny just a moment ago, had suddenly become covered with dark clouds.

Moreover, rolling thunder could be heard from afar.

"Is it going to rain?"

The wind rose by the lake, the willows swayed, the lake surface rippled, and the boats bobbed up and down.

Tourists hurried away one after another.

Luo Zijun also hurried toward the Academy.

Not long after he left, a black-awning boat drifted out from the lotus flowers in the lake and headed toward the shore.

Standing at the bow was an elderly boatman, using a bamboo pole to propel the boat.

Inside the cabin sat two figures.

One in white and one in green, two pretty young girls were opening their big, dark eyes, curiously looking at the scenery outside the boat.

"Qingqing, it is so beautiful here."

"Mm."

"Why hasn't he come yet?"

"Wait."

"Oh, then... shall we go eat some steamed buns?"

At midday.

Luo Zijun left the Academy and went straight to the Tianxian Pavilion.

This time, he did not see Liu.

Liu Mama told him happily: "A wealthy family in the Inner City held a banquet, and Chujian was invited to go play the zither. I don't know what has gotten into that girl lately; she suddenly had a breakthrough, goes out every day to play the zither for money, and often goes out to play for big, wealthy families. She is so diligent."

Luo Zijun had no choice but to thank her and leave.

He returned empty-handed.

He went straight to the Martial Arts Hall, practiced the Kaishan Fist a few times, and then went to stand in a horse stance.

By the time evening arrived.

He was exhausted and his whole body was aching.

After leaving the Martial Arts Hall and walking on the street, he saw a martial artist's shop, but he was penniless and unable to buy medicinal herbs for a Medicine Bath, so he suddenly felt quite depressed.

Liu Mama had told him to go back and check in the evening.

He wondered if Liu had returned by this time.

He arrived at the Tianxian Pavilion.

Looking at the bustle in front of the door, looking at the girls dressed in colorful clothes and the men in silk robes, he was hesitating when a familiar voice suddenly came from the alley next to him: "Young Master Luo, come here quickly!"

Luo Zijun turned his head to look.

Bi'er was wearing a green shirt and a cyan skirt, standing at the mouth of the alley with her petite figure, waving at him.

Luo Zijun hurried over.

As soon as he arrived, Bi'er took out two silver notes and stuffed them into his hand, whispering: "Young Master Luo, Young Lady gave this to you. The book you brought last time has been sold for a total of... a total of five hundred taels. The buyer paid two hundred taels first and said they would pay the rest after the book is published. You take this first."

Luo Zijun felt a surge of joy and asked: "Is it that book, The Rich Heiress Relies on Me?"

When he said the title, his cheeks suddenly felt a bit hot.

However, the fact that this book could sell for five hundred taels at once really exceeded his expectations.

It seemed that Liu's channels were indeed very impressive.

Bi'er gave a forced smile and said: "Mm."

Just as Luo Zijun was about to ask more, Bi'er glanced outside and whispered: "Young Master Luo, I won't take you inside today. Young Lady just returned from the Inner City and is a bit tired; she has just bathed and is going to rest."

Luo Zijun quickly said: "Bi'er, please thank Liu for me."

At this moment, his gratitude toward Liu was beyond words. Every time he was in urgent need of silver, she was the one who brought it out to help him solve his pressing needs; she had truly been a great help to him.

Bi'er gave an "mm," said nothing more, and left in a hurry.

Luo Zijun looked at the silver notes in his hand, and his heart finally relaxed.

He could have his Medicine Bath again.

Holding the silver notes, he walked quickly away and went to the martial artist's shop.

Bi'er went up to the third floor and entered the room.

In the room, the young girl, who had just finished bathing and changed into a thin pink gauze skirt, was already lying on the bed, her face full of exhaustion.

She had set off before dawn.

She had spent the entire day playing the zither at the banquet in the Inner City and hadn't even eaten or drunk anything.

For her body, it was indeed a bit too much to bear.

But fortunately, she had earned quite a bit of money.

"It should be enough for him to use for now..."

Lying in the warm quilt, her expression was soft, and she murmured quietly.

"Young Lady..."

Bi'er entered the room, her eyes red, and said: "You worked so hard to earn this money, first you gave a portion to Liu Mama, and then you gave all the rest to him. When will we ever be able to redeem ourselves?"

"No rush..."

The young girl's gaze was gentle as she comforted her softly: "Next month, when Young Master Luo's new book is sold, he will have money to use, and we can save our own money."

Bi'er said aggrievedly: "What if it doesn't sell? Nobody even wanted that book of his, The Rich Heiress Relies on Me."

The young girl smiled lightly: "It's not that nobody wanted it, it's that we haven't found the right buyer."

She then whispered: "For this kind of book, Young Master Luo cannot use his name, and we cannot use that name either, which is why it's hard to sell. Later, when I have time, I will go ask in other places."

Bi'er frowned and said: "Young Lady, you still want to go ask about this kind of book yourself? Aren't you afraid others will laugh at you?"

The young girl smiled: "What is there to fear? Earning money with one's own ability is not stealing or robbing; even if others laugh, we have a clear conscience."

Seeing her face full of exhaustion, Bi'er didn't dare to say anything more, so she could only sigh secretly and said: "Young Lady, go to sleep quickly, this maid won't talk to you anymore."

"Mm..."

The young girl closed her eyes and soon drifted into dreamland.

Bi'er looked at her slightly pale sleeping face, her heart full of heartache, and then thought of that guy who had taken away the silver she had worked so hard for so many days in one go, and her heart was full of resentment.

"If that guy dares to let Young Lady down in the future, I... I will fight him to the death!"

The Young Maid secretly vowed in her heart.

The evening streets were quite lively.

Peddlers were hawking their wares, and pedestrians were as thick as weaving.

The setting sun spilled over Lin'an City, adding a greater sense of the Human Realm to this bustling scene.

Luo Zijun bought the medicinal herbs and then arrived at Bao'an Hall.

First, he cleaned the shop, then went to fetch water, boil it, and soak the herbs.

Of course, he did not forget to flatter the eldest young lady of Bao'an Hall: "Senior Sister, what good things have you been eating lately? How come you seem to be getting prettier and prettier?"

Su Qingling was calculating money at the counter, her pretty face cold and detached, and she did not pay him any mind.

Luo Zijun reached out to touch the flowers in the vase on the counter and clicked his tongue, saying: "Look, even such beautiful flowers are eclipsed in front of Senior Sister. Has Senior Sister ever heard the phrases 'sinking fish and falling geese' or 'closing the moon and shaming the flowers'?"

Su Dafang, who was lying on a rocking chair, spoke up: "That's enough, you sycophant. Hearing you makes my skin crawl."

Su Qingling immediately raised her eyes and gave him a cold look.

Seeing this, Su Dafang hurriedly added: "Sycophant, continue!"

Luo Zijun ignored him and prepared to go take his bath.

Su Dafang suddenly added again: "Eh, 'sinking fish and falling geese'? 'Closing the moon and shaming the flowers'? I really haven't heard these two phrases before. Zijun, what do they mean?"

Only then did Luo Zijun remember.

It seemed these two phrases really did not exist in this world.

Su Qingling continued to look down, calculating money, while the two little ears hidden in her hair pricked up.

Luo Zijun had no choice but to explain: "They are used to describe the beauty of a woman. Because the woman is so beautiful, the fish are mesmerized and unknowingly sink to the bottom; the wild geese are so infatuated they unknowingly fall from the sky; the moon feels ashamed of its own appearance and quietly hides behind the clouds; the flowers feel shy and inferior by comparison and lower their heads."

Su Dafang immediately clapped his hands in admiration: "Zijun is truly worthy of being a scholar. These phrases are tailor-made for our Ling'er; they couldn't be more fitting!" Luo Zijun thought to himself: So the master is also a sycophant.

"I'm going to take my Medicine Bath."

It was getting late, and he still had to go home for dinner after his Medicine Bath.

His brother-in-law was not home tonight, so he had to go back early to keep his sister company; otherwise, the house would be too cold and lonely, and his sister would start worrying and letting her imagination run wild.

After he entered the woodshed for his Medicine Bath, Su Dafang looked behind the counter, gave a "cough, cough," and said: "That brat seems to have been trying to curry favor with you lately."

Su Qingling lowered her head to work the abacus, ignoring him, and no other expression could be seen on her pretty face, which was as pink as peach blossoms.

Su Dafang stared at her for a while, then whispered: "Are you happy?"

Su Qingling still ignored him, walked out from behind the counter, and went to the back.

A moment later.

Suddenly, Luo Zijun's shouting came from the woodshed: "Master! Senior Sister is peeking at me again! Aren't you going to do something about her!"

!

"Sigh..."

Su Dafang let out a sigh, closed his eyes, and covered his ears.

The rocking chair rocked and rocked.

Before long, he began to snore.

"Su Qingling, if you do this again, I'm going to peek at you next time you take a bath!"

Luo Zijun threatened from inside the wooden tub.

The person outside the window was silent for a moment, then said: "Oh, then I'll go upstairs to take my bath in a little while."

"..."

Luo Zijun didn't pay her any more mind, closed his eyes, and focused on his Medicine Bath.

This girl was truly beyond saving.

Su Qingling stood outside the window for a while longer before quietly leaving.

After Luo Zijun finished his Medicine Bath, he poured out the water, tidied up, and went into the room.

His master was already asleep on the rocking chair.

That lecherous girl Su Qingling was behind the counter, pounding medicine.

The magnificence on her chest bounced slightly with the motion of her pounding, as if it were stifled inside her plain white dress and wanted to come out for some air.

Luo Zijun didn't dare look too much, fearing she would fine him again, and said: "Senior Sister, I'm leaving."

Su Qingling stopped pounding the medicine, looked at him, and said: "Help me pound the medicine."

Luo Zijun paused for a moment, turned his head to look at the sky outside, and remembered that he had promised this girl he would handle all the chores in the shop and follow her orders at any time, so he had no choice but to enter the counter and take the pestle.

"How much do I need to pound? My brother-in-law isn't home tonight, so I need to go back early."

Su Qingling stood beside him and said indifferently: "One jar."

One jar was naturally no problem.

"Thump, thump, thump!"

Luo Zijun held the pestle in one hand and steadied the mortar with the other, beginning to pound with force.

Su Qingling stood quietly by his side, very close, almost pressed against him, and the scent of medicine and the faint fragrance of a young girl drifted into his nose from time to time.

"Senior Sister, don't stand so close to me, be careful not to get medicine juice on your clothes."

"Your dress is so white, it's hard to wash."

Luo Zijun sniffed her scent, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, and had to remind her.

"Oh."

Su Qingling said "oh," and actually pressed directly against him from behind.

The magnificence on her chest became somewhat flattened.

"Senior Sister..."

Luo Zijun's heart fluttered, and he turned his head to look at her: "What are you doing?"

Su Qingling was expressionless, her cold eyes fixed on the mortar on the table, pretending she hadn't heard his words.

Luo Zijun endured it for a moment, only to find that this girl was pushing her luck and pressing even tighter, so he hurriedly said: "Senior Sister, men and women should not touch when giving or receiving, you... hiss..."

Su Qingling pinched his backside directly.

Luo Zijun gasped in a cold breath and hurriedly said, "Let go, Master is still here."

Just as he finished speaking, on the rocking chair, Su Dafang, who had stopped snoring, suddenly began to snore loudly again.

Luo Zijun: "..."

Su Qingling continued to press against him, pinching him, her beautiful and clear face still devoid of any expression, her gaze fixed only on the medicine jar in front, as if other matters had nothing to do with her.

"Thump, thump, thump!"

Luo Zijun did not speak again, quickly pounding the medicine.

Soon, the medicinal herbs in the jar all turned into thick medicinal juice.

He hurriedly put down the pestle and said, "Senior Sister, I have finished pounding."

Su Qingling ignored him, still pinning him against the counter, and the slender jade hand in her sleeve was still pinching his backside tightly.

Luo Zijun turned his head, looking at her beautiful face as pink as peach blossoms and those watery, cold eyes, and couldn't help but say, "Senior Sister, I want to punch you."

Su Qingling looked at him with a cold face, still pressing against him and pinching him without moving.

Although Luo Zijun's heart was itching to throw a punch, he did not act.

After all, this girl had stayed up late last time to refine poison for him.

Now, she had also given him a place for his Medicine Bath.

Letting her take advantage of him once was no big deal.

"I'm leaving."

Seeing that she wouldn't move aside, Luo Zijun had no choice but to reach out and push her away rudely, then forcefully pried her hand off, and immediately fled the place.

Once out of the shop, the night had already fallen.

A bright moon climbed into the night sky, half of its cheek hiding behind the clouds, quietly peeking at him.

Luo Zijun felt his heartbeat accelerate, and his cheeks felt a bit hot.

That was the first time he had felt somewhat flustered, and also the first time he felt his body and some kind of emotion seemed to be somewhat out of control.

However, he shouldn't be this vulnerable.

It seems that the female flower-thief from back then not only brought him shame but also began to affect his body.

No.

He must reaffirm his will!

As for women, I will punch them one by one and smash them all to pieces!

Senior Sister is no exception!

Thinking wildly all the way, he returned home.

His sister had already prepared dinner and was waiting for him in the room; seeing him return, she snorted and said, "Sun Jintang came today and invited our family to eat at his house tomorrow night. Hmph, he actually came in person this time."

Luo Zijun thought about how he had already promised the other party last time, so he had to say, "If we go, we go; we'll just eat a meal and leave, it's nothing."

Luo Jiaorong helped him serve rice, rolled her eyes at him and said, "You silly boy, can't you see what they mean? You have not only passed the exam to become a budding talent but were also exceptionally admitted to the West Lake Academy; that Sun Jintang probably sees that you have a boundless future and is regretting it in his heart."

Luo Zijun said, "Didn't we make it clear when they came last time?"

Luo Jiaorong sneered and said, "It was made clear, but that Sun Jintang is old, cunning, and slippery; in the end, he didn't personally speak about breaking off the engagement, but only kept blaming his own daughter. That time he brought so many gifts, he probably wanted to settle the marriage matter on the spot, but ended up changing his tune, saying they were gifts for you entering the Academy—isn't it obvious that he sees you have prospects and is reluctant to let go of this marriage?"

Luo Zijun ate his meal and said indifferently, "Sister, don't worry; if he brings it up again tomorrow night, I will naturally put an end to it."

Luo Jiaorong looked at him and said, "How will you put an end to it?"

"How else, naturally by telling him clearly that I don't fancy his daughter."

Luo Zijun said while eating his vegetables.

Luo Jiaorong suddenly slapped him on the shoulder and scolded, "You boy, how are you even worse at speaking than me? Can you say it like that? At least our ancestors knew each other; even if we were strangers, we shouldn't make others lose face like that."

Luo Zijun said in surprise, "Eh, Sister, did you suddenly grow a brain?"

Luo Jiaorong immediately raised her willow eyebrows, slapped his head a few times, and said angrily, "I'll teach you to be disrespectful."

Xiaohuan covered her mouth and giggled on the side.

Luo Zijun hurriedly begged for mercy, saying, "I'll listen to Sister tomorrow night."

Luo Jiaorong glared at him a few times, sat down, was silent for a while, and suddenly looked at him again: "Zijun, do you really not like that Sun Yan'er? Actually, Sister thinks that although that girl is a bit willful and looks down on people, her appearance..."

"Is she as good-looking as Su Qingling?"

Luo Zijun suddenly interrupted her.

Luo Jiaorong was stunned, then her eyes lit up: "Zijun, you and Ling'er..."

"Nothing of the sort."

Luo Zijun put down his chopsticks and said, "What I mean is, that Sun Yan'er is not good-looking in my eyes, she is far worse than Senior Sister. I don't even like Senior Sister, so how could I possibly like her? It's even more impossible for me to marry her, so Sister doesn't need to overthink it."

Luo Jiaorong frowned: "Zijun, Ling'er is so beautiful, how could you not like her? Any man would be unable to not like her. You... you don't like men, do you?"

"Pfft..."

Luo Zijun almost spat out the vegetables in his mouth and said, "Sister, what nonsense are you talking about."

Luo Jiaorong said directly, "I'm not talking nonsense, I have evidence."

Luo Zijun was stunned: "What evidence?"

Luo Jiaorong looked at the Young Maid beside them and said, "Why don't you touch Xiaohuan?"

The little girl's face turned red instantly, and she lowered her head.

Luo Zijun sighed and said, "It's not that I don't touch her, it's that Xiaohuan is too young; let's wait until she grows up a bit."

Luo Jiaorong immediately glared and said, "Where is she young? The maids outside, at her age, are already having children. Do you know Auntie Yang next door? The maid her family bought only a month ago is already pregnant, and you..."

"Alright, alright, Sister, I'm finished eating, I'm going to practice my punches for a while, you eat slowly."

Luo Zijun didn't dare stay longer and immediately got up to leave.

Luo Jiaorong slapped the table in anger: "Luo Zijun! You must give me a child this year! Either you get married, or you have one with Xiaohuan!"

Xiaohuan stood to the side, biting her pink lips, looking shyly toward the back.

Luo Zijun came to the backyard, facing the bright moon and clear breeze, and could not help but sigh secretly.

He could understand his sister.

His sister had raised him through all sorts of hardships; wasn't she just hoping he would marry and have children soon?

Moreover, his brother-in-law's job was so dangerous.

His sister was likely afraid that if he were implicated and met the same fate, he would not have left any bloodline for the Luo Family, and she would have no face to see their ancestors.

"Sigh..."

How could his sister know that he had no heart for this at all.

Getting married? Having children?

To him, what absurd things these were.

"Swish!"

He threw a punch, landing on the wooden stake in the corner.

A trace of pain struck, bringing a refreshing clarity.

Even if he were to truly get married and have children, it certainly would not be now.

Now, he must practice martial arts and become strong!

The sound of practicing punches soon rang out in the backyard.

At the same time.

In a certain residence on South Street, the floor of a certain room suddenly opened.

A black shadow crawled out from the Diyuan.

The underground secret chamber was filled with various pungent odors, as well as a thick smell of blood.

A woman, a child, a man.

A family of three, all lying motionless inside.

Fresh blood stained the floor red, flowing all over the ground.

That black shadow gave a cold, sinister laugh and, taking advantage of the night, left this place.

(End of this chapter)