This farce ended with Wen Xun being supported by a group of disciples as he was about to fall.
Afterwards, people from the Third Elder sent over many mystical herbs to heal the body, not only to Wen Ran and Shen Wu, but also a portion was sent for Wen Xun.
These past few days, Wen Xun had been so anxious he developed ulcers in his mouth, feeling unwell all over, often unable to sleep at night, and went several times at midnight to pay respects at the ancestors' shrine. He seemed to have aged ten years overnight.
Finally, he received a letter from Hidden Abyss Valley, saying their blacksmith could attempt to reforged Seeking Flaws and Luoxia, only then did Wen Xun sleep soundly.
Wen Ran took the elixirs sent by the Third Elder to replenish her energy, feeling much better physically. During this time, to avoid seeing Shen Wu, she used the excuse of recovering from injuries to stay behind closed doors. Yan Qing and Luo Huai brought her some novelties for entertainment.
If only they wouldn't constantly mention the senior brother when they came to see her, she would be even happier.
Every now and then, when she was sitting in the courtyard reading, Qin Wanwan also came over to join in the fun.
"Ranran, I just made some chicken soup, have a taste." Qin Wanwan placed the freshly made, steaming chicken soup on the table, smiling amiably, "I heard you went through quite some dangers in the Forbidden Land, you must nourish yourself well."
Recently, since Wen Xun had been tossing and turning every night unable to sleep, Qin Wanwan couldn't sleep well either. Today, her makeup was a bit thicker to cover the dark circles under her eyes.
How can a weasel have good intentions when congratulating the chicken on New Year's?
Wen Ran smiled, "Third Uncle said I should abstain from meat for a while, but I appreciate Aunt Qin's kindness."
Qin Wanwan didn't show any dissatisfaction, instead, she felt guilty and said, "I didn't think it through, I didn't know you couldn't eat meat. As for Shen Wu, I suppose he doesn't eat these either?"
Wen Ran lowered her head, flipping through the book Luo Huai found for her, and answered perfunctorily, "I don't know."
Qin Wanwan sighed, "Ranran, your father is stubborn, but as a woman, I am more delicate-minded than him, and I can see things clearer."
"So Aunt Qin knew clearly that Old Man Wen was already married and still chose to pursue him?"
Qin Wanwan: "… Why are you bringing up such old stories?"
Wen Ran flipped another page, completely ignoring her.
Qin Wanwan's smile resurfaced, "Ranran, your father doesn't agree to cancel your engagement with Shen Wu, but from a woman's standpoint, I must advise you, when marrying, you must marry a man you like, so that your life after marriage will be happy."
Wen Ran looked up and smiled, "Is Aunt Qin happy now?"
Lately, Qin Wanwan had been feeling aggrieved because Wen Xun had grown increasingly impatient with her. She'd be lying if she said she was happy!
But Qin Wanwan still smiled, "Of course I'm happy."
"But the new wrinkles on your face don't speak that way."
Qin Wanwan hurriedly covered her face in panic—did she have wrinkles? Originally intending to sow discord again, Qin Wanwan couldn't care less now. She left a smile behind, "Ranran, I'll come chat with you another day."
With that, she left in a hurry, apparently planning to go look in the mirror properly and then go to the Third Elder to see if there was any elixir for beauty enhancement.
Peace, at last.
Wen Ran rested her chin on a hand on the table, boredly flipping through the book about a domineering Sword Immortal falling in love with a little demon. Fallen branches dropped on her head, which she brushed away, and in the next moment, something else landed on her head.
Rolling onto the table was a small red fruit.
Wen Ran looked up, frowning at the figure sitting on the tree beyond the courtyard wall.
The young man sat nonchalantly on the branch, sunlight filtering through the leaves dappled his body, his white clothes shimmering as if adorned with specks of light.
As he looked down at her with lowered lashes fluttering lightly, it seemed as if they were dusted with golden flakes. The small red fruits in his hand contrasted starkly with his fair complexion.
Wen Ran stood up, "Why are you here?"
The boy in the tree tilted his head slightly, light and shadows shifting with the movement of his hair, and smiled simply, warmly, "I came because I was afraid you'd miss me."
Saying this, he popped a red berry into his mouth. The berry's crimson seemed to stain his pale lips, making them richly vibrant.
But for some reason, Wen Ran thought of the color of blood, and the grisly scenes from past memories, equally as scarlet.
Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, she picked up the book on the stone table and turned to return to her room, when suddenly a figure in white blocked her path.
Shen Wu stood in front of her, beaming, "Ranran, you don't seem very pleased to see me."
Wen Ran's tone was less than pleasant, "If seeing someone who previously threw me from midair just to let others think of them as a deep and righteous phony could make me happy, then I must be sick."
Shen Wu leisurely ate another fruit, looking at her slowly, "Ranran, why so petty? What was it Ascension Immortal Mansion's rules said? Something like 'strict with oneself, lenient with others'... I saved you many times, shouldn't you be more forgiving to me?"
He dares to say that!
Bringing this up sent Wen Ran into a huff. She slapped the book onto the stone table and started arguing with him, "How can you have the nerve to say you saved me? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gone to the Forbidden Land, wouldn't have encountered danger. I'd have no need for all these medicines, repeatedly risking life and death to heal wounds!"
Shen Wu seemed taken aback by her furious demeanor, he took a step back, forgetting about the delicious fruit. He blinked, "But I went to the Forbidden Land to seek a demon pet for you, to make you happy."
"What do you mean by making me happy?" Wen Ran stomped forward angrily, "I never said anything about wanting a demon pet, you're clearly making things up!"
Shen Wu held his heart, taking another step back, his dark eyes reflecting her visage, seemingly showing a hint of fear. At this point, as she advanced aggressively, forcing him back, he did indeed resemble a frail, pitiful, helpless child.
Wen Ran stepped forward again, pushing him to lean against the tree, he had nowhere left to retreat.
She lifted her head and squinted at him, sneering coldly, "Don't think I can't guess that you were just using me as an excuse. Your real intention was to venture into the Forbidden Land, wasn't it?"
Despite being taller than her, Shen Wu somehow gave off the impression of a delicate flower battered by the storm, helpless and about to break. He looked down at her with clear eyes, genuinely innocent and naïve.