Raising A Pampered Lover - Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Fu Jing contemplated for a moment, restraining his hand from reaching out.
Since he had promised Yuan Xi, he had to keep his word.
Seeing that he refused to take it, Bai Yichen opened it himself, took a long swig of wine, and spoke slowly.
“Once this busy period is over, I have to return to Bicang.”
“So soon?” Fu Jing felt a hint of reluctance.
After all, they had lived together for so long that Bai Yichen was practically like a second father to him.
“The eldest senior brother is about to end his secluded meditation. He wants us all to return. Senior Sister refuses to go back, and no one can force her, but I cannot refuse.”
“I will see you off when the time comes.”
“No need.”
After thinking it over, Bai Yichen decided to speak up, teasingly adding, “As for you, if you do not hide your true feelings soon, everyone else is going to notice.”
“Notice what?”
“You think I cannot tell? You have special feelings for Senior Sister Yuan Xi.”
Ever since he received her letter and came to teach Fu Jing martial arts, Bai Yichen had watched the boy grow up.
He had seen the way Fu Jing looked at Yuan Xi, an irrepressible passion that grew stronger every day.
It was hard not to notice.
Fu Jing let out a light laugh and stared straight ahead with conviction.
“I never intended to hide them!”
He actually hoped Yuan Xi would discover his heart, but unfortunately, in her eyes, he was merely a child she had raised.
The words “I never intended to hide them” rang in Bai Yichen’s ears, leaving him utterly shocked.
He had been trying to help the boy keep it a secret, yet the boy had no intention of hiding at all. Was this the kind of desire one could openly admit? To have such feelings for Yuan Xi, the woman who raised him?
“She has lived for hundreds of years and has never loved anyone. Her heart is as hard as iron and not something you can easily sway. I fear you will only end up hurt.”
After a long silence, Fu Jing called out softly, “Master.”
“Yes?”
“I do not need her to reciprocate. I only want to stay by her side and be good to her.”
Looking into those resolute eyes, Bai Yichen saw the exact same gaze from years ago when he had asked if the boy could endure the hardships of training.
Bai Yichen felt a wave of emotion.
“Tsk tsk, you brat!”
He patted Fu Jing on the shoulder.
“Fine, have it your way.”
It was not a major crisis anyway.
He would just continue to pretend he had seen nothing.
The two chatted by the river for a while longer before returning to their rooms to rest.
As for Yuan Xi, she had returned to her room after dinner.
Just as she was about to sleep, a knock sounded at the door.
When she opened it, she found several young men sent by the village chief, carrying hot water for her bath.
“There is no need for so much hot water. I could have just wiped down with a single basin.”
Watching them carry bucket after bucket into the room to fill the tub, she thought about how much firewood that required.
Given the simple lives of the villagers, she felt a bit guilty.
“That will not do. The village chief said Elder Yuan Xi has helped us immensely. This hot water is a small token of our gratitude. We hope the Elder does not mind.”
“Very well.”
After traveling for several days without a proper bath, she relented.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
The young men, appearing to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, carefully filled the tub with the steaming water.
Once finished, they bowed respectfully.
“We shall stop disturbing you. Please enjoy your bath, Elder.”
They departed immediately after.
What good children, Yuan Xi thought, nodding with satisfaction before closing the door.
Once the group reached a corner far from her room, they could no longer suppress their excitement.
“Oh my god! Elder Yuan Xi is way too beautiful!”
“She is the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen!”
“So beautiful! And her voice is so lovely to hear!”
“I heard Elder Yuan Xi has lived for hundreds of years, but look at that face! She looks just like a young girl!”
Standing on the roof, Fu Jing remained hidden in the darkness of the night.
His face was grim and expressionless as he stared at them, his gaze growing increasingly cold as he clenched his fists tightly.
One of them leaned forward, his expression suggestive as he whispered, “I heard that Elder Yuan Xi has never been married.”
“Wow!”
Several of them blushed, unable to suppress the stirrings in their hearts.
Just as they were about to continue their chatter, several leaves suddenly flew through the air.
With a sharp whistling sound, they pierced through the young men’s thighs like sharp blades.
The leaves embedded themselves two centimeters deep into the wall behind them, the exposed edges stained with blood.
Such immense internal power was terrifying.
Blood instantly splattered from the young men’s legs, soaking their trousers as they erupted in screams of pain.
They looked around nervously, but no one was in sight.
They had no idea who had launched such hidden weapons at them.
Recalling their disrespectful discussion about the Elder, they all felt a surge of guilt and fear, quickly scrambling away as fast as they could.
Silence returned after the commotion.
Fu Jing brushed his hands together, stood up, and leaped across the rooftops to land steadily above Yuan Xi’s room.
From his vantage point, he surveyed the entire surrounding area.
If anyone else dared to lust after her, the leaves would not be aimed at their thighs next time, but at their eyeballs.
Inside the room, Yuan Xi removed her clothing and stepped into the tub.
The warm water enveloped her body, providing immense comfort.
Although she had claimed a simple wipe down would suffice, it truly could not compare to a proper bath.
She closed her eyes gently, enjoying this brief moment of tranquility.
Fu Jing heard the rustling of clothes followed by the sound of water splashing.
He could not help but imagine the beautiful scene, and his ears turned crimson.
Shaking off the heat rising within him, he reminded himself he was a man of honor.
He stared straight ahead, determined not to peek at Yuan Xi while she bathed.
Suddenly, Yuan Xi sensed Fu Jing’s presence on the roof.
Hearing the faint creak of a tile, that sense of familiarity told her instantly it was her Fu Jing.
She let out a soft laugh, knowing he was standing guard up there to ensure no one peeked in.
After a while, the person inside called out softly, “Fu Jing.”
Fu Jing was startled, surprised at being discovered so quickly.
He responded awkwardly, “Sister.”
“Come down.”
“One should not look at what is improper.”
“I am finished with my bath.”
Only then did Fu Jing fly down to the ground.
He pushed the door open and entered the room to find Yuan Xi standing to one side.
She was dressed in light undergarments, preparing for sleep.
“You are also covered in sweat. I will have someone prepare hot water for you as well. The village chief had such a large tub sent over for me.”
“There is no need. I will just go wash in the river in a moment.”
“No, the river water is too cold at night. What if you freeze?”
Yuan Xi was about to open the door to find those young men and ask for more hot water.
Remembering that he had just attacked them, Fu Jing quickly stopped her.
“No need, Sister. I can just use your bathwater.”
Upon hearing this, Yuan Xi felt something was inappropriate.
Just as she was about to speak, Fu Jing hurriedly added, “It is so late, it would be too much trouble for them. Boiling this much water surely uses a lot of firewood. I can just make do.”
Seeing that she still wanted to object, Fu Jing stepped forward and grabbed her sleeve.
“Sister, I am not that delicate. Besides, since it is your bathwater, I am more than happy to use it.”
His voice grew quieter toward the end, and a look of shyness actually appeared on his handsome face.
Yuan Xi’s face flushed instantly.
This child! What kind of words were those?
“You!”
Before she could say anything more, Fu Jing began to undress, revealing his sturdy back.
His lean, well defined muscles sat somewhere between those of a youth and a man, with clear and striking lines.
Yuan Xi hurriedly turned her head away.
“If you want to wash, then wash. I will wait for you outside.”
Fu Jing quickly grabbed her hand, remembering the group of men from earlier.
“No, it is not safe outside. Sister, you sit over there. I will finish quickly.”
He pointed toward a table not far away, which was close to the window.
An oil lamp burned upon it, alongside tea and snacks.
Those snacks were certainly not from the village; Fu Jing had prepared them himself.
