Chapter 26: He Blushed First

In the inn, Coal Ball seemed truly exhausted and was sleeping soundly.

The old doctor looked troubled as he let go of Yin Buqi’s hand and said, “Young man, your injury isn’t as severe as that girl said. When I saw how worried she was, I thought you were in critical condition. But this is just a superficial wound on your back; it only looks scary. If I hadn’t come, you would have healed on your own.”

Yin Buqi remained lying down, not saying a word.

“Young man… you didn’t get hurt on purpose just to make that girl worry about you, did you?”

Yin Buqi’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and after a long while, he softly responded, “Yes.”

“So young, yet full of schemes,” the old doctor laughed as he applied medicine to Yin Buqi.

“You’re the most handsome patient I’ve ever seen. Although you look a bit sickly and lack the rugged masculinity of ordinary men, your face is unbelievably beautiful. With such beauty, why do you keep quiet about it? I could see that girl was really worried about you—she must like you.”

Yin Buqi’s breath hitched slightly, and he shook his head, saying, “She… only sees me as a child…”

If she realized he had different feelings for her, she might not treat him so well anymore.

The old doctor was taken aback, then shook his head.

“Young man, let me give you some advice. Next time, stare at her. If she avoids your gaze or blushes, it means there’s something there. If she slaps you or remains calm, you’ll have to work harder. She seems like a great girl; if you marry her, it would be your good fortune.”

Don’t ask how he knew this.

Let’s just say he’d done this many times in his youth.

Thinking about it now, it still made his face burn with embarrassment.

Yin Buqi didn’t respond, and it was unclear whether he had heard the advice.

As the old doctor was about to bandage him, the door was pushed open from the outside.

“Sir, how is he? Is he badly injured?” Jiang Niannian hurriedly walked in, her eyes reddening as she saw the long bloodstain on Yin Buqi’s back.

“His injury…” The old doctor began to speak but was interrupted by a sudden bout of coughing.

“Cough, cough, cough…” Yin Buqi’s eyes were naturally narrow, and when expressionless, his gaze was cold with an inexplicable intensity. But now, as he looked at the doctor, there was a hint of threat.

Jiang Niannian turned to look at her little cub.

The old doctor watched as Yin Buqi’s expression shifted from cold to innocent and obedient, almost like the Sichuan Face-Changing opera.

After a moment of silence, the doctor said cautiously, “His injury is quite serious and requires a few days of rest, but it hasn’t affected anything vital. Use this medicine externally, and brew these herbs… Oh, and the wound shouldn’t be exposed to water. If someone helps him bathe, it might heal faster.”

Jiang Niannian finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “Thank you, sir.”

“No need to thank me.” He packed up his medicine box and prepared to leave.

“His back wound hasn’t been bandaged yet, so you should do it. I have other matters to attend to.”

“Alright.”

Yin Buqi obediently lay on Jiang Niannian’s lap as she bandaged his wound and tied a bow.

Her sleeve brushed against his back, bringing a slight chill.

Jiang Niannian looked at her little cub, now sporting a butterfly knot on his chest, and couldn’t help but laugh.

“If only you were a little girl, I’d braid your hair every day and dress you in pretty dress.”

“I’m not like a little girl,” Yin Buqi frowned. Then, as if thinking of something, he sat up and quietly looked at Jiang Niannian.

“Niannian,” he called softly.

Jiang Niannian met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat, feeling inexplicably nervous.

Yin Buqi continued to look at her, his gaze deep and intense.

His eyes were beautiful, and the red pupils seemed to hold a sky full of stars.

Despite the myriad of colors in the world, they reflected only one person, as if wanting to draw someone into them.

The room fell silent, and the air grew thick with unspoken emotions, making one’s face warm.

“If she avoids your gaze or blushes, it means there’s something there…”

Yin Buqi remembered the old doctor’s words and felt his mouth go dry as he looked at her.

Would she avoid his gaze? Would she blush?

“Buqi, is there something on my face?” Jiang Niannian tilted her head, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling sweetly.

Yin Buqi suddenly looked away.

His face felt hot, with a hint of shyness in his expression.

“Are you running a fever? Why is your face so red?” Jiang Niannian leaned in to check his temperature, but he quickly dodged her.

Yin Buqi buried himself under the covers, mumbling, “Niannian, I’m hungry.”

Jiang Niannian was taken aback. “Alright, I’ll go buy something to eat.”

Yin Buqi watched her leave, his tightly clenched hands finally relaxing, revealing damp palms.

He sighed.

Yin Buqi, you’re such a coward.

Jiang Niannian quickly left, closing the door behind her.

She paused slightly, her heart still racing.

She fanned herself with her hand.

How could it be so hot in March?

The night was dark, like thick ink smudging the sky, without even a glimmer of starlight.

Yin Buqi opened his eyes, looking at Jiang Niannian sleeping beside him, a dangerous glint in his gaze.

Jiang Niannian had insisted on staying with him to make sure someone was there to take care of him during the night.

It was the first time they’d slept in the same bed since they’d started sleeping in separate rooms years ago.

“Niannian, are you asleep?” Yin Buqi’s voice was low and hoarse as he softly asked in her ear.

No response.

The person next to him was unusually quiet.

Yin Buqi’s gaze slowly drifted to her soft lips.

He had never kissed her.

He wanted to kiss her, just once, just one kiss.

“Niannian…”

“Niannian…”

The thought surged like a tidal wave, impossible to suppress.

Yin Buqi gently rose, his jade-like fingers brushing against Jiang Niannian’s red lips.

He cast a small spell on her, his gaze dark and unreadable as he looked at her sleeping face.

Finally, he leaned down and kissed the lips he had longed for.

It was like a prisoner finally tasting freedom, greedily taking in her scent.

Desire couldn’t be satisfied, as if no amount of kissing would ever be enough.

A soft sound escaped from Jiang Niannian’s lips.

Yin Buqi’s breathing became erratic, his lips lingering on hers, tasting and savoring.

He rubbed against her gently.

…prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony…

(T/N: hehe..Buqi is doing something that is not suitable for children…so reader please you imagination..hehe)

After a long time, he stopped, breathing heavily as he held her close, dropping a kiss on her forehead.

His red eyes burned with fire, his hoarse voice barely controlling the heat surging within him.

How could he make her love him?

With tears?

Or pleading?

Use everything.

How could he make her love him even more?

He had to be obedient and be good.

He had to cling to her, using all his wit, deception, and whatever means necessary.

…

Jiang Niannian stayed in Huaijiang City for a few more days, and once Yin Buqi had mostly recovered, they set out for Rimuli.

They arrived by midday.

Rimuli was as vast and magnificent as it had been sixteen years ago.

Surrounded by mist, each peak stood tall, the scene majestic like a fairyland.

With the Immortal Alliance Conference approaching, many had already arrived at Rimuli.

Fortunately, the sect handled things efficiently, and the two were quickly registered and escorted to their rooms.

The conference was organized by True Monarch Qinghe Wen Shili.

Besides the sect’s disciples, guests from all over the world were also staying at Qinggu Peak, where Qinghe Zhenjun and his disciples resided.

Jiang Niannian and Yin Buqi were both in the east part of Qinggu Peak, in two adjacent rooms.

The stone paths, lakes, and towering buildings were grand and elegant.

The setting sun and lone birds flew together, making the autumn waters and the vast sky seem like one. How picturesque it was.