Long Rui disappeared without a trace. Shu Bei was in a foul mood after being taken advantage of. She returned home but found no sign of her brother. Assuming he had gone hunting, she returned to the medical hall with a dark expression.
The medical hall was quite busy. Most of the patients were females and younglings. Although everyone had decent constitutions, now that conditions allowed, any minor ailment like a headache or cold would prompt them to visit the medical hall for a quicker recovery.
Compared to the number of doctors, the patients were not overwhelming. Most doctors were tending to the herbs they cultivated. Shu Bei had her own dedicated planting area behind the medical hall, not very large, where she grew common herbs.
Her aunt was formidable. Her aunt’s backyard housed a patch of precious herbs, highly guarded, with no one allowed entry.
Every day, she would water the herbs, fertilize them, listen to gossip, and politely decline introductions to potential mates. The days passed quickly.
Usually, Long Rui would wait for her at the entrance. Shu Bei, not wanting to leave with him, would typically use the back door. They had engaged in many battles of wits over the years.
Today, Long Rui had done something bad and was too guilty to show up. She thought she could finally go home alone in peace, but then she saw the young attendant at the back door.
Shu Bei turned and headed for the front door. She couldn't afford to offend either of them!
Seeing her trying to avoid him, the young attendant felt a pang of disappointment. He quickly walked a few steps to block her path, "Xiao Bei..."
Shu Bei took a deep breath and turned back. "Xiao Si, didn't I tell you? I don't like you. Don't come looking for me anymore."
The arm the young attendant had just extended froze. Hurt flashed in his eyes. "Xiao Bei, do you really dislike me that much?"
"We can't even be friends?"
Shu Bei explained, "Friends are fine, but nothing more."
Upon hearing this, the young attendant fell silent for a moment, then said, "Xiao Bei, I have something I want to tell you. Come with me for a moment."
Shu Bei frowned. "If it's a confession, then I'm not going."
The young attendant shook his head. "No, I just have some thoughts I want to share with you."
...
The setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange. Through the shadows of the trees, dappled orange spots fell upon the people beneath. Shu Bei gazed at the handsome young man before her, feeling he possessed something more.
Xiao Si offered a faint smile. It was good, a place where it was just the two of them...
Looking at his smile, Shu Bei felt as if her heart had been brushed by a branch. She suddenly remembered something she had said long ago, she couldn't recall the year, only that she had said: If both of them weren't good-looking when they grew up, she wouldn't like either.
In reality, both were good-looking. Xiao Si and Long Rui were two completely different types. Xiao Si was gentle and considerate towards her, like the moon in the sky – not overly bright, yet impossible to ignore.
Long Rui was passionate like the sun, capable of burning people to death without them even getting close. Let alone getting close, like today, when she had been taken advantage of!
Her thoughts drifted back to the kiss, and Shu Bei's breathing quickened.
"Xiao Si, if you have something to say, just say it."
Xiao Si greedily absorbed every expression on his beloved's face. He spoke of something that had always weighed on his mind. "Xiao Bei, I've always felt I wronged you. When we were little, I almost killed you..."
Every time he thought about how he had almost caused Xiao Bei to fall to her death, he blamed himself so much he wanted to beat himself. He was too wicked!
When Shu Bei heard it was about that, she waved her hand dismissively. "That was so many years ago. You didn't know I was a female back then, you thought I was just an ordinary little beast. Besides, I bullied you later too. It's all in the past, don't mention it again."
Xiao Si had hurt her, but he had also learned his lesson and was bullied by her for years. She had long forgiven the childish offense. They could be considered to have become acquainted through conflict.
Xiao Si knew she had truly forgiven him. The love in his eyes deepened, so much so that Shu Bei couldn't meet his gaze.
Avoiding his eyes, she felt extremely uncomfortable. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Xiao Si's gaze was filled with deep emotion. "Xiao Bei, I love you. Can you give me a chance?"
Shu Bei: "..."
Under his gaze, her face suddenly felt hot. Shu Bei turned away abruptly. "Don't talk nonsense. What's all this about love? It's so cheesy!"
Xiao Si's gaze never left her, but Shu Bei had her back to him and didn't see his disappointment and sadness. His voice was low, "You like Long Rui, don't you?"
Before she could answer, he continued, "I saw it. I saw you embrace and kiss..."
A suppressed anger and jealousy flickered in Xiao Si's eyes. He was angry at Long Rui's provocation and deeply jealous!
Because his strength was inferior to Long Rui's, he had to watch the person he liked in someone else's arms. Long Rui waited for Shu Bei at the medical hall every day. He... did the same, but he was useless. To avoid conflict with Long Rui and annoy Xiao Bei, he could only hide. When he saw the two of them kissing, he had never felt so despairing. For the first time, he felt jealousy towards Long Rui. If their roles were reversed, perhaps Xiao Bei would have belonged to him long ago!
Shu Bei hadn't expected anyone to have seen it, and her face grew even hotter. She quickly explained, "That wasn't me...!"
Her lips met a strange, cool touch, silencing all her words. Like in the morning, her eyes widened in disbelief. How could the usually gentle Xiao Si...?
Xiao Si pulled away instantly, his eyes filled with determination. "Xiao Bei, I won't give up on you. So what if Long Rui is a dragon beast? I will surpass him one day!"
*Slap!*
A handprint appeared on Xiao Si's face. His expression remained unchanged. He lowered his eyes, not moving, not daring to look at her.
Shu Bei said angrily, "I'm very disappointed in you!"
Without another word, Shu Bei left in anger.
Xiao Si watched her retreating figure, something seeming to brew in his eyes.
Shu Bei ran home in a fury. How excessive! How utterly excessive!
Males were all bad things, all taking advantage of her! https:/
As she ran, she wiped her mouth. As she neared the entrance, she saw Long Rui. He walked towards her upon seeing her. Unfortunately, Shu Bei was in a rage and unceremoniously pushed him aside. "You annoy me just seeing you. Stay away from me, you little brat!"
She continued running home without stopping, as if a wolf were chasing her.
Long Rui watched her retreating back, feeling a little sheepish. Were females this temperamental?
He muttered softly, "It was just a kiss. You can kiss me as much as you want~"
Fortunately, Shu Bei didn't hear him, or she would have slapped him with the sole of her shoe.
Shu An was playing a game with Xia Xia. Seeing Shu Bei return in a huff, he curiously asked, "Sis, what's wrong? Why is your face so red?"
Shu Bei snorted angrily. "I'm infuriated. Children shouldn't pry too much." With that, she shut herself in her room.
A moment later, she came out again. "An An, let's sleep separately from now on. This bed is too crowded."
Shu An: "..." Even with two Xia Xia added in the middle, the bed would still have plenty of space. To suddenly suggest sleeping separately could only mean one thing: his sister had a secret!