Chapter Five: The Handsome Scholar’s Tearful Accusation

I thought to myself, how wonderful it would be if one day Zilian and I could be as close as those two—if I could link my arm through his, if he could wrap his arm around my waist, if we could lean on each other, and perhaps I could take a little advantage of him while I was at it.

As I was lost in this reverie, a sudden white light flashed before my eyes. A bright stone, even larger than the one in my hand, landed at my feet. What was this? I hadn’t been in the mortal world for long, so why did so many people already dislike me?

“Annoying, truly annoying.”

Fuming, I picked up the stone, ready to hurl it back at them. But when I looked up, the pair had already vanished. I glanced around; sure enough, they were gone. With a sigh, I tucked the stone into my sleeve. There was no point in just squatting here. Pressing myself close to the wall like a gecko, I began to inch forward. At the corner, I made a leap and suddenly stumbled, pitching forward.

“Help—” I hadn’t finished calling out before I hit the ground. But curiously, it didn’t hurt at all; in fact, it felt soft.

“What’s going on?” I muttered, puzzled, rubbing the ground with my hand. It was soft, fragrant, and oddly warm.

“Miss, have you finished rubbing?” a slightly hoarse male voice sounded above my head.

I looked up to see a face more ravishing than any spirit’s gazing down at me. His brows were arched in amusement, his eyes full of mischief. His lips parted in a teasing smile. “Miss, have you hugged enough? My waist is getting sore under your weight.”

“Ah?” At his words, my face flushed crimson and I scrambled to my feet in a fluster.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to. Did I hurt you?”

He rose with deliberate leisure, dusted off his robe, and glanced at me with a hint of reproach. “With the way you pressed down just now, I fear I’ve suffered an internal injury.”

“An internal injury? That can’t be!”

“Why not?” Seeing my skepticism, the scholar’s face filled with sorrow. “As the old saying goes: ‘A long road tests a horse’s strength, and time reveals hidden wounds.’ I have been frail and sickly since childhood, kept alive all these years by medicine. My body is feeble at the best of times, and now, after your assault, I truly fear I won’t last much longer.”

“That can’t be right. You look quite healthy to me—rosy lips, bright teeth. Seems you had a good breakfast this morning!” I chuckled, but his face shifted from red to white, then to a faint green, and beads of cold sweat broke out on his brow. He hunched over, clutching his waist with a pained expression.

“I am my family’s only son. You pressed so hard on my waist, Miss. If you’ve rendered me…indisposed, what will become of me in the days to come?”

“Surely it’s not that serious?” I eyed him skeptically. Could mortals really be so delicate?

“Miss, do you doubt my words?” The handsome scholar’s face flushed, as though he might explode in anger.

I hurriedly waved my hands in protest. “No, no! It’s not that I don’t believe you. I just don’t really believe you, that’s all.”

“Hmph, and what difference is there between not believing and not really believing?” He arched his exquisite brows and cast me an annoyed glance. “If I’ve been rendered incapable, I’ll have failed my ancestors above and all the lovely maidens who have admired me for years below. If I disappoint my ancestors and they come back to life in anger, that would be one thing, but if I break those girls’ hearts, I’ll be wracked with guilt for ages.”

He rambled on, and I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. All I could do was listen as he poured out his grievances. By the time he was done, the sun was high and noon’s scorching rays were making my head spin.