Chapter 17: Aren’t You the Green Plum of My Good Brother? Why So Polite?
Inside the Lin Mansion, Mu Jixue was snoring away, strangely contorted in a way that made it look like a sleep experiment gone wrong. Clearly, her sleeping posture had zero beauty queen vibes.
“Xiao Yu… I, I like…”
Mumbling in her sleep, she was so deep in slumber that one could only wonder if she even noticed Lin Zhongyu had rolled out of bed.
…
Meanwhile, back on the back mountain, Lin Zhongyu was still grappling with a storm of emotions after Yun Zhonghe’s explanation.
But little did she know, Yun Zhonghe was just a pinch guilty. He had lied a little, as Lin Zhongyu’s luck had nothing to do with him; it was all her own destiny at play. He just happened to remember some game plot details from the past.
Yet here was a golden opportunity to get closer to the female lead! Even if he claimed her luck as his own, who would dare expose him? Hard not to get tempted, right?
Just this one time; no repeats.
Though his mind was racing, Yun Zhonghe’s demeanor was as calm as a serene lake, showing no signs of him being one bit generous or trying too hard to show off.
“Why are you helping me like this?”
Finally, Lin Zhongyu’s emotions had mellowed, but her confusion still hung heavily like a stubborn cloud.
What was Yun Zhonghe’s angle? What did he really want?
At that moment, Yun Zhonghe’s gaze shifted slightly, making Lin Zhongyu feel like he had suddenly become all deep and mysterious.
“Ten years ago, Cangzhou City faced a surge of beasts, a once-in-a-millennium event that surprised everyone. Who would’ve guessed such powerful Yuan Ying beasts would show up in this backwater city?”
His words made Lin Zhongyu’s heart flutter yet again.
He continued, “At that time, the whole city was on high alert, and all the families banded together to fight, but the battle was still gruesome. The saddest part was the Falling Star Fairy, Wu Xueqi. She was at the peak of the Golden Core stage, poised to break through to Yuan Ying, but she sacrificed herself to protect the younger cultivators from being mauled by dozens of Golden Core beasts.”
The Falling Star Fairy, Wu Xueqi, was Lin Zhongyu’s biological mother!
If she hadn’t fallen, the Lin family would probably be flourishing, at least able to stand toe-to-toe with the Yun family. Now they were practically dust in the wind, which is why they pinned their hopes on the legendary fairy’s offspring.
Lin Zhongyu was taken aback to hear about her mother from Yun Zhonghe.
Yun Zhonghe paused, his expression turning somber. “She is the pride of our Cangzhou City and my idol. Her spirit inspires me and teaches us cultivators what the righteous path really is!”
He got all fired up, practically clenching his fists and transforming into a passionate young adult, his words resonating like a dramatic hero’s speech.
“The Falling Star Fairy, forever worthy of my admiration!”
No matter who believed him or not, Lin Zhongyu was clearly shaken by Yun Zhonghe’s intensity.
People had long forgotten the tale of the Falling Star Fairy. The savior of the city was now just the deceased mother of a spoiled young lady.
Yet, to Yun Zhonghe, there was nothing but respect in his eyes.
Lin Zhongyu’s heart trembled, her confusion growing worse. “What does my mother’s story have to do with you…?”
“Because I am a cultivator!” Yun Zhonghe interrupted, practically radiating righteous justice at that moment. “If I can’t take care of the descendants of our forebears, how can I expect others to fight for justice? As a member of the Yun family, equipped with abilities and resources, it’s my duty!”
Lin Zhongyu was beginning to zone out, gazing at Yun Zhonghe in shock. Who would’ve thought the notoriously notorious playboy of Cangzhou City had such profound feelings and a grand perspective?
Why was it nighttime, yet his golden hair was sparkling like a disco ball?
But just like that, Yun Zhonghe’s passion took a nosedive. His eyes locked onto Lin Zhongyu, making her feel a looming pressure weighing down on her.
“I just didn’t expect the daughter of the Falling Star Fairy to be so… weak.”
“Stuck at a bottleneck, your spirit crushed? Then you choose to wallow in despair, throwing away your dignity and ambition? Have you inherited even a smidge of your mother’s courage?”
“Your mother would probably be disappointed to see you like this. I, Yun Zhonghe, lament this as well.”
At this point, Yun Zhonghe couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward.
Was it his fault for trying to take full advantage of this rare opportunity for a heart-to-heart with the female lead? Time to hammer in that good impression!
However, the opportunity slapped him in the face. He had prepared for none of this and was just recycling the well-worn tropes from his previous life’s web novels.
But with Yun Zhonghe’s stellar acting skills, surely no one would doubt him, right? Plus, Lin Zhongyu was just fourteen— prime age for some good ol’ fooling!
Yun Zhonghe dived in headfirst like a tiger, and the results were certainly noticeable.
He sneaked a peek at Lin Zhongyu’s reaction.
The girl seemed struck by lightning, her mouth moving yet unable to utter a word—just shock, all shock.
Yun Zhonghe’s words cut deep but were thought-provoking. If he didn’t genuinely care, why would he risk saying such harsh things?
And Lin Zhongyu hadn’t been lectured in ages— not even her father, who had always been cold as ice.
With Yun Zhonghe, she felt a long-lost care. It was different from the comfort Mu Jixue provided, which was all about soothing. With Yun Zhonghe, it felt like someone genuinely cared.
Slowly, she blushed a deep crimson. “Thank you… thank you for… scolding me…”
“Eh?”
That unexpected response left Yun Zhonghe momentarily speechless.
This female lead… is she mentally alright? Blushing out of the blue? Is she one of those who enjoys being scolded?
Yun Zhonghe had no memory of Lin Zhongyu having such a trait!
It seemed Lin Zhongyu noticed her odd response too, as she hurriedly waved her hands to clarify. “N-no, it’s not what you think! I didn’t mean it like that, I just… I mean… ahhh…”
Oh boy, her mental state was completely derailed, and she couldn’t even bear to glance at Yun Zhonghe again.
She was absolutely certain now; Yun Zhonghe was definitely not the bad guy that Mu Jixue had described.
Watching Lin Zhongyu, who seemed to be under a ‘chaos’ debuff, Yun Zhonghe sighed with confusion and helplessness. “But I must say, your performance at the Immortal Alliance today didn’t disappoint me. After all, you are the daughter of the Falling Star Fairy.”
“Eh?”
Lin Zhongyu looked up, catching sight of Yun Zhonghe’s encouraging smile.
A wave of joy washed over her heart, the kind that felt like getting a hundred on a test and receiving praise from her mom, filling her with a cozy warmth.
She couldn’t help but smile wide, softening her grip on her ponytail, “W-well, it’s not as great as you say! I mean, I got knocked down… If I were a bit stronger…”
“That’s easy.”
Yun Zhonghe casually tossed a small bundle to Lin Zhongyu. “Inside are five premium Spirit Nourishing Pills, enough spiritual energy to help you break through to Foundation Establishment. Plus, I’ll teach you the Yun family’s ultimate technique, the ‘Eight Wilderness Sword Technique.’ That’s all I can do; the rest is up to you.”
