'Well… she's not that bad,' Yuan thought, feeling the warmth of her soft body against his chest.
Then, Lingxi broke the hug, looking up with a playful smirk "I didn't think you'd come to your senses this early, We need to grab a feast to celebrate this occasion"
He smiled awkwardly "Big sister… let's have it some other day. I'm kind of… busy now"
The moment those words left his mouth, he felt a chill run down his back.
"Busy?" Lingxi raised an eyebrow.
But then, to his surprise, Lingxi grinned in excitement "Oh my! Am I dreaming? Did you just say 'busy'?"
Of course, the previous Yuan would never have dared to say such words out of fear but This guy was just eager to read his books.
"Fine, fine — you go and read whatever you're reading. I also have something important to do." She winked. "Don't miss your big sister too much" With that, she turned and left down the hallway.
Xu Yuan closed the door with a soft thud and walked toward his bed. He let out a long sigh "aii~ finally I can read now" The room fell into calm silence.
***
[Xu Lingxi's Room]
Lingxi sat by a table, carefully treating a deep cut on her arm. Blood had dried along the edge, the wound clean like it had been made by a sharp, cold blade. A man in dark blue robes entered quietly and bowed.
"Master"
"Any news?" she asked without looking up.
"We're still investigating, but no clue so far. Likely hired assassins… no way to trace them"
"Fine! Call him and also put some guards on my brother and tell them to guard secreatly"
"Don't worry, Master. He's already on his way back. And… if you'll pardon me, Master I think he alone is enough for this"
Lingxi sat down on chair drinking tea "I know why he is called peerless genius but if But if they high cultivation experts...."
"Master, you won't believe it but he evenly matches the strength of elites. And also, it's unlikely they'd dare attack Young Master here"
Lingxi arched an eyebrow "You really don't like my brother, do you? Fine! Tell him to be cautious anyway. And make sure the servants check every meal before it reaches Yuan."
He bowed "Understood"
A quiet pause lingered, the room filled only by the faint rustle of wind "Master… are you certain we shouldn't tell Young Master about the assassination attempt?" the man asked softly.
Lingxi's face darkened "Absolutely not. He doesn't need to carry that fear. He's just a kid."
The man sighed silently and bowed "As you wish, Master."
He left without another word, and Lingxi leaned back in her chair, sipping her tea, her thoughts heavy. On her way out of Jiangyu City, someone had tried to kill her assassins skilled enough to wound her. She hurried back to the Xu Family, terrified something might've happened to Yuan Fortunately found him alive, smiling at Su Lan like a bastard.
Lingxi leaned back, staring at the teacup, her thoughts drifting 'Still… who sent them? And why now?'
On the wind, a faint scent of blood still clung to her robe 'It doesn't matter. As long as Yuan is safe… I'll handle the rest.'
'He's finally starting to take cultivation seriously. I won't let anything disturb him now. I should prepare some better pills too…'
***
On the other, Xu Yuan sitting on the bed and checked the books Elder Gu Shan had given him. One by one. The book called 'Cultivation Roots' — A book about cultivation growth stages, breakthroughs, and bottlenecks.
'Body of Heaven and Earth' — Details about special physiques like Extreme Yang Physique, Pure Yin Physique, and so on. 'The Flow of Qi' — A guide on the twelve main meridian routes, how to circulate Qi safely, and avoid damaging the dantian. 'Legends of Immortal Realms' — A thick book filled with ancient stories about immortal heroes and their adventures.
But the book caught his interest the most was 'A Thousand Nights with My Fairy Senior Sister' by Fairy Qian Ling — Elder Gu Shan's favorite author — a romantic tale of love, betrayal, and dual cultivation under the moonlit clouds.
He read the book Till late night. Lingxi even peeked in his room few times but he couldn't sense her presence even once. He read too diligently just like floating in river of words.
***
[Next Morning]
A Man walking here and there in front of Yuan's room in the garden just the other side of hallway.
Inside the room Yuan lying over his bed just like rotten potato and a open book over his chest. His mouth little open the saliva dried up near his lips.
Last Night this man dyed heartedly readed this book called 'A Thousand Nights with My Fairy Senior Sister'. He even cried bitterly like beaten up child few times. And finally fell asleep. Now, this book had became his most favourite.
A few moment later, a soft knock sounded
[knock] [knock]
"Young Master! Are You Up" Su Lan calling from out of his room.
But still her young master didn't even flinch. She remained standing there with a tray of tea in his hand "Young Master~"
"Hey! let me check it, First" said the man standing beside her half leaned on wall of room.
"sup~ No Need" Su Lan replied taking a sip herself
"Miss Su, It's your third sip. It's for young master"
But she ignored him taking one more sip again and shouting "Young Master! Lady Lingxi told me to give you something"
Yuan didn't realize but somehow his deep sleep drifted away. In half sleepy gestures stood up from his bed open the door and again fell on his bed
"Good Morning, Young Master" Su Lan greeted while entering the room.
She walked toward his bed seeing him again on the bed and four books in his left side on the table.
"Young Master! Wake up now, its morning" she shaked Yuan.
And finally the sleeping beauty made his way towards the bath which made Su Lan think that her Young master is really changing she couldn't believe Lingxi before.
Su Lan picked one of the book and sat on a chair right next to window taking the sip of tea she started scrolling the pages of book.