"Ahem!" Julian's grandmother cleared her throat loudly. "Young Lin Yue, it is evident you have much on your mind and desire to discuss it. However, I am uncertain if this is the appropriate time or setting for such a conversation. Julian, why do you not invite her to return tomorrow to discuss her healing arts and such matters?"
"Now is acceptable," he told his grandmother.
"Yes, now is acceptable," Venus echoed. "I care not for your interactions with other females, Julian. I did not journey here to discuss anything other than why you misrepresented your skill in the healing arts."
"I did not misrepresent anything, Venus." He did not appear the least bit remorseful. "Listen, I am not saying I revealed every detail."
Venus laughed humorously. "Left out details? Oh, that is rich. You outright deceived me. I recall clearly you stating you were a mediocre healer. Mediocre, indeed." She huffed a few times, attempting to regain her composure as she silently urged herself to cease trembling. "I read that you excelled in your early trials and led your training circle to two academy championships. Do you know what I would do to elevate my local circle to such recognition? Almost anything, and you are aware of this."
"I no longer practicing medicine in that manner. And regardless of your assumptions, I have not sought the company of another female wolf since our time together."
Julian's grandmother stepped between them. "May I remind you both that a gathering is taking place just beyond that door? A gathering that happens to be in your honor, Julian."
"A gathering I never requested, remember?" Julian countered, then addressed Venus, "If we are here to discuss deception, let us lay everything bare. You are not without fault either. You stated you were okay to a single night of closeness.
That could not be further from the truth, and you know it."
Venus's heart skipped a beat. She could not meet his gaze or offer a response, for she might be tempted to confess the truth.
"I do not wish to make this about you and me," she told him. "It concerns the healing arts. You cannot simply abandon your gift when you are… exceptional at it. Actually, some individuals possess mere competence. You are… how did they describe it? Extraordinary. Furthermore… one scroll stated they had 'never encountered a young healer like Zhao Xin, who could assess ailments and adapt his treatment strategy during procedures with such proficiency.'"
He chuckled, dismissing the assessment. "They may have exaggerated slightly. Are you certain you came here to discuss healing arts? I believe you came because you missed my presence,
You miss me Moon cake. Why have you not responded to my messages?"
"Do not divert the subject. I perused at least five scrolls online. They all conveyed a similar sentiment. You were an Exemplary Healer at Elite. I have seen the caliber of healers there. They are the most promising, the ones who will undoubtedly join prestigious guilds after their advanced training. Practice with me, Julian. One last cycle."
"I am returning to the gathering." Julian opened the door, but held out a hand before departing. "Care to join me, Little moon cake ?"
Venus glanced down at her training tunic. "I am not dressed for a gathering, and you have not answered my question either."
"I have answered it. Are you coming or not?"
He walked through the door when she did not follow, leaving her alone with his grandmother. "Well, that was… stimulating, to say the least," the elder remarked.
"I apologize for the intrusion." Feeling as though a flicker of hope in her otherwise bleak situation had just been extinguished, Venus retrieved her communication crystal. "I will summon transport and be gone within—"
His grandmother gently took the crystal from her hand and deactivated it. "You should remain."
"Pardon?"
She returned the crystal to Venus. "I have decided that you should stay here for the night. Attend the gathering and see what the evening offers."
"I am hardly dressed for a gathering, and it is obvious I have already caused you sufficient inconvenience."
"It is a pity I did not host a costume gathering." She grasped the edge of Venus's earth-stained tunic with the tips of her thumb and forefinger. "Did your mother not teach you to look at the mirror before leaving your dwelling?"
"My mother departed when I was ten cycles old. She did not impart much instruction."
"And your father?"
Venus shrugged. "He lives somewhat in his own world."
"I see. Well, you may as well accept the fact that you will not be returning to that training camp tonight. I will have the chauffeur transport you back first thing in the morning."
She walked towards the door and cleared her throat. "Cleanse yourself and make yourself presentable.
A neighbor of mine owns a fine garment shop in town. She will bring over something suitable for you to wear."
Julian's grandmother led Venus upstairs to a sleeping chamber with an adjoining private bathing room.
She instructed Venus to hurry and cleanse herself. Venus had the distinct impression that disobedience would be unwise. She had no desire to attend the gathering, but the elder did not seem to consider her preferences. All Venus desired was to convince Julian to join the healing circle, but that prospect seemed increasingly unlikely.
After a swift cleansing, Venus contacted Healer Zang and informed him she would return in the morning for the practical exercises.
She ended the communication and noticed a short, white, strapless silken garment neatly laid out on the sleeping mat. How had Julian's grandmother procured it so quickly? On the floor was a pair of high-heeled red sandals. The entire ensemble looked expensive and elegant. Venus stepped closer and noticed the price tag still attached to the garment.
Reaching out, she turned over the tag. The garment cost seven hundred silver pieces. Venus suspected everything in her own meager wardrobe combined would not equal that sum, and she certainly did not own such precarious footwear. There was no way she could wear such an extravagant garment, or sandals with heels so high.
She touched the silken fabric.
She had never felt anything so soft and wondered how it would feel against her skin. Dropping her rough towel, she held the material against her body and looked at her reflection in the polished surface.
Emboldened by the knowledge that she was unobserved, she unfastened the garment and carefully slipped into it.
She imagined being a highborn lady, possessing such a garment as one of many in her vast collection of designer attire.
She gazed at her reflection and barely recognized herself. The garment clung to her form, and her breasts were subtly enhanced by the cut, revealing more than she usually displayed. It made her feel… alluring, and dare she think it, powerful.
Julian had accused her of being there because she missed him. The truth was, thoughts of him had been pervasive, intruding upon her mind. She wished they would cease. Every time she needed encouragement, she recalled his words. Every time she felt alone, she remembered their kiss and his smile.
Prodigy healer.
Julian could save their healing circle. He had stated he no longer practiced in that way. Had he even considered picking up his healing tools again? If she possessed the ability to make him care deeply for her, would he change his mind and join the healing circle?
She looked at herself in the polished surface, then slipped on the high-heeled sandals.
There was only one way to discover the answer.