Chapter Sixty-five: Zhang Qing’er’s Thoughts

As the two of them chatted by the carriage, a clear and melodious voice suddenly rang out behind them: “Brother Wuyou, I’ve been looking for you for ages! So this is where you’ve been.”

Zhang Qing’er had actually been standing behind them for quite a while, watching the two of them talking and laughing with such intimacy. For reasons she couldn’t explain, she was suddenly struck by a wave of disappointment, tinged with a faint jealousy… The feeling startled her. What was wrong with her? Che Wuyou wasn’t anyone special to her, so why did she care so much? No matter who he was with, what he was doing, or what he was saying, what did it have to do with her?

With this thought, Zhang Qing’er felt a little more at ease. She let out a long sigh, glanced ‘indifferently’ at their backs, and made a show of leaving as if nothing was amiss. But each time she tried to go, the image of Che Wuyou’s gentle smile as he healed her injuries flashed through her mind. That smile was so warm, so genuine and untainted, so intoxicating and captivating. Though several days had passed, that smile seemed etched into her heart, impossible to forget.

A faint panic rose in Zhang Qing’er’s chest. What was happening to her? Could she actually have fallen for him? She was frightened by the thought—impossible, absolutely impossible. What was Che Wuyou anyway, how could he ever be worthy of her? Their statuses were worlds apart; there was never any possibility between them.

Moreover, her grandfather had said Che Wuyou’s talent was extremely poor—he would likely never reach the Foundation Establishment realm in his lifetime. She, on the other hand, was gifted to begin with, and now, after taking a top-grade Great Huai Pill, reaching Foundation Establishment was only a matter of time. As the future Foundation Establishment immortal, her husband would certainly be a genius who achieved Foundation Establishment before the age of thirty… How laughable—how could she ever fall for someone like him?

Zhang Qing’er repeated these thoughts over and over, reminding herself that someone at Foundation Establishment and someone below it could never be together. Foundation Establishment cultivators lived three hundred years, while those below could live, at most, two hundred—they were simply people on different planes of existence.

Besides, Che Wuyou was just a toad. He might not have treated her out of genuine kindness; perhaps he had an ulterior motive. Maybe he only wanted to get close to her, to win her favor—after all, she had seen plenty of such people in Xuanqing Sect over the years… Yet, even as she thought this, watching Che and Liu’s easy intimacy, Zhang Qing’er couldn’t help but feel a wave of discomfort.

One’s true feelings cannot be deceived. Zhang Qing’er stared anxiously at their backs… Liu Lanzhi’s figure was truly captivating. Even from a distance, Zhang Qing’er could see her graceful silhouette clearly. Even from behind, Liu Lanzhi possessed a breathtaking beauty that made even another woman like Zhang Qing’er stare a little too long…

Doubt flickered in Zhang Qing’er’s eyes. Her grandfather had said that Liu Lanzhi was remarkably talented and beautiful—at least equal to herself. Yet, how could such a clever and proud woman fall for Che Wuyou? Someone of her pride could never devote herself to a man with no hope of Foundation Establishment, could she?

From their earlier conversation, Zhang Qing’er could tell that Liu Lanzhi’s heart belonged entirely to Che Wuyou. There could be only one explanation: Che Wuyou must have used some cunning trick, sweet words to deceive Liu Lanzhi’s affections. The more Zhang Qing’er thought about it, the more convinced she became. Otherwise, how could a talent like Liu Lanzhi fall for someone so utterly useless as Che Wuyou?

With this realization, Zhang Qing’er shot Che Wuyou a look of disgust. So he was that kind of person—she detested people like him above all others. Thank goodness she’d seen through him in time, or else she’d end up like Liu Lanzhi, played for a fool without even knowing it.

Zhang Qing’er recalled some idle novels she’d once read—characters like Che Wuyou were always described in the same way: lacking real ability (except perhaps in alchemy), prone to chasing after women, using them to climb in status, utterly shameless and greedy…

She nodded to herself—yes, Che Wuyou was just like that. He liked Liu Lanzhi, yet still came to pester her. He spoke to her with honeyed words, attentive and eager, seizing every chance to come see her these past few days. She had even felt grateful to him, but now she realized he schemed not just for her great-grandfather’s inferior treasure, but also for her.

“No, I have to expose his true nature. I can’t stand by and watch an outstanding girl like Liu Lanzhi be ruined by such a despicable man!” Zhang Qing’er resolved silently. She’d help if she could—not just for Liu Lanzhi’s sake, but for her own conscience. She had no reason to turn a blind eye.

But girls in love were blind—how could she make Liu Lanzhi see the truth? Zhang Qing’er’s eyes flicked with calculation. Che Wuyou was so good at ‘pretending,’ so skilled at ‘hiding his true self.’ To make Liu Lanzhi see clearly, she had to first tear off his mask…

Zhang Qing’er was nothing if not clever. Having figured out the heart of the matter, she felt greatly relieved. She immediately called out cheerfully to Che Wuyou, “Brother Wuyou, I’ve been looking for you for ages! So this is where you’ve been.” Just as she always had, she greeted him with delight.

Che Wuyou and Liu Lanzhi had been talking so intently they hadn’t noticed anyone behind them. Only when he heard the voice did Che Wuyou turn around in surprise… By the riverside, a girl of eleven or twelve stood prettily among the flowers. Though her face was a little pale, her childish features still weary from recent illness, there was no hiding her noble and delicate bearing. With every step through the blooming meadow, she seemed to possess an otherworldly grace.

“Miss Zhang, what brings you here?” Che Wuyou had no idea what Zhang Qing’er was really thinking. He was surprised to see her, especially since her condition had still been unstable when they’d seen off Master Zhang and his son earlier. She had barely left her bed these past few days; how had she managed to come all this way?

“I felt stuffy in my room, so I wanted to get some air outside. But I’m not very familiar with the area, so I wandered down to the river… Brother Wuyou, are you free now? Could you walk with me for a while?” Zhang Qing’er spoke in a weak, gentle voice, her eyes full of hope as she looked at Che Wuyou. Aren’t you trying to get close to me? Well, I’ll give you this chance.

“I…” Che Wuyou rarely refused anyone, especially someone still recovering from serious illness. But he had so rarely had a chance to speak with Liu Lanzhi, and didn’t want to upset her. He was caught in a dilemma.

“Oh, if you’re busy, I’ll just walk around on my own.” Zhang Qing’er’s eyes dimmed, but inwardly she was sneering, “You can’t bear to refuse me, yet you’re afraid of upsetting Liu Lanzhi. Truly caught between a rock and a hard place.”

Seeing her look so disappointed, Che Wuyou’s heart softened. He could talk to Liu Lanzhi any day—there was no need to dampen Zhang Qing’er’s spirits, especially since she was still a patient. With this thought, he glanced awkwardly at Liu Lanzhi. Liu Lanzhi had only just begun to feel better; he didn’t want to upset her either.

“Go if you want to, why are you looking at me? Your legs are your own, you can go wherever you please,” Liu Lanzhi said, her tone calm but tinged with coolness.

Zhang Qing’er found her slightly petulant response amusing, yet also felt a twinge of ‘pity for her misfortune and anger at her weakness.’ Though Liu Lanzhi tried hard to hide it, Zhang Qing’er could still hear the jealousy in her voice. How unfortunate—she had guessed right after all; this girl was hopelessly entangled.

“Brother Wuyou, shall we go?” Zhang Qing’er smiled as she saw Che Wuyou waver. As she expected, Che Wuyou valued the Zhang family’s power. With that thought, she walked over and took Che Wuyou’s arm, her manner intimate and familiar.

Che Wuyou flushed in embarrassment, unaccustomed to such closeness. In all his life, he had never been so openly affectionate with any girl—not even Liu Lanzhi, with whom he’d grown up. As they’d gotten older, such gestures had become rare between them.

Che Wuyou instinctively tried to pull his arm away, but Zhang Qing’er held on tightly; after two attempts, he still couldn’t break free. Looking at her pale, weary face and her innocent, trusting eyes, Che Wuyou felt even more uncomfortable. If even a young girl could be so open, why was he, a grown man, so shy?

Liu Lanzhi’s expression had already soured at Zhang Qing’er’s affectionate gesture. Now, seeing Zhang Qing’er turn to give her a look that clearly said, “See that?” she grew even more annoyed. In truth, Zhang Qing’er meant to warn Liu Lanzhi that Che Wuyou was not worth her love—that he was greedy for power, fickle, and utterly shameless.

But how could Liu Lanzhi decipher her true meaning? To her, that look was nothing but a provocation. Already in a bad mood, Liu Lanzhi’s anger only grew.

She strode forward, and with a certain inevitability and awkwardness, took Che Wuyou’s left arm, saying crossly, “You fool, I suddenly feel like practicing swordplay. Why don’t you accompany me for a while? As for Miss Zhang, she can just wait on the side for now.”

“Brother Wuyou, you promised me first,” Zhang Qing’er said, looking at Che Wuyou, certain of what he would choose. After all, the Miao family’s village could not compare to the Zhangs of Xuanqing Sect. She was confident that Che Wuyou, cunning as he was, would not disappoint her.