Chapter Sixty-Three: Her Bust Developed Nicely

Zi Lian looked at me with concern and said, “You’re already fifteen, but your body is far too thin and frail—almost as if a strong wind could blow you away at any moment.”

“Blow me away?” I murmured softly. In my heart, I thought, even if I turned back into a little fish, I doubt any wind could really sweep me off. But on the surface, I kept up the appearance of an obedient disciple, smiling sweetly and replying, “Thank you for your concern, Master. From now on, I’ll eat more and try my best to grow stronger.”

“No, no, that won’t do.” At my words, his brows furrowed in disapproval as he shook his head. “Just eating more isn’t enough.”

“Then what else should I do?” I pressed further.

He raised his eyes and scrutinized me for a moment before saying, “With your body, I’m worried that when you follow me to study the arts of the immortals, it will be much harder and more exhausting for you than for the other disciples.”

“Why is that?” I looked at him in confusion.

“Because you’re thin?”

He nodded slightly.

I turned my head to study myself. Thin? I didn’t think so. Perhaps I was just a bit shorter than most boys, my arms a bit slimmer, my legs a bit shorter, and my chest… perhaps just a little more prominent than most boys.

Lowering my head, I furtively tugged at my clothes, hoping to flatten that slight swell. Yet, the harder I pulled, the more it seemed to stand out. Feeling Zi Lian’s probing gaze on me, I grew flustered, tugging at my clothes a few more times before ducking forward, pressing my chest against the table, and looking up at him with a smile.

“Master, what are you looking at?” I asked.

Zi Lian kept his eyes fixed on my chest as he spoke, “I was just thinking, why is it that though your body seems frail, your chest seems more developed than most children’s?”

A fit of coughing seized me—fortunately, I wasn’t drinking porridge at that moment, or his sudden remark might have made me choke. Not knowing how to explain, I simply kept silent.

He went on, “Though your chest is quite well-developed, your frame isn’t as robust as most boys. This time, I’ve brought you to the mortal world both to seek medicine at the Immortal’s Abode and to use the opportunity to strengthen your body. Even if you don’t end up as sturdy as I am, you should at least put on some flesh. I can’t have you looking like a gust of wind could blow you away.”

“Training, training,” I muttered under my breath, “what use is training to me? I’m not truly a boy—this form is just fine as it is. What’s the point of getting any stronger?”

“What are you muttering about, Little Fish?” Zi Lian asked.

“Uh… I was just saying this porridge is delicious,” I answered, stabbing at the bottom of my bowl with my chopsticks.

Delicious, delicious. If only there were some vegetables to go with it, it would be even better.

“Master, are we leaving today?”

I pushed my empty bowl aside and looked at him.

“Yes.” He set down his own bowl and asked, “Are you finished?”

“All done,” I replied, nodding contentedly.

“In that case, go pack your things. It’s getting late; we need to be on our way.”

“Master, where are we going today?” I asked, following him as he stepped out the door.

“To the Immortal’s Abode in Tear City, Eastern Yue.”

“Oh.” Why was it the same answer again? I dashed to my bed, grabbed my bundle, and hurried out after him.