Chapter 14

“Let go of my hand.” Jiang Chu Ting knew that Pei Jing was just feeling unbalanced, which is why he was clinging to him more than usual. He had to admit, he was always easily deceived in such matters. Last time it was Lin Zhi, and this time it was Pei Jing.

Pei Jing rested his chin on Jiang Chu Ting’s shoulder, “No, if I let go, you’ll leave. I want you to stay with me.”

Jiang Chu Ting’s clothes were wet, and he hadn’t brought a change of clothes. If he went up, he’d just have to wait around soaking wet for a long time. It was better to stay in the warm water, so he said, “Let go, I’ll stay here with you.”

Pei Jing made a sound of acknowledgment but took a while before he finally released his grip from Jiang Chu Ting’s waist.

Jiang Chu Ting sat down next to him, leaving about a person’s distance between them. After thinking for a moment, he said to him, “Xiao Jiu, don’t do this again in the future. Otherwise, if something really happens to you next time, I won’t believe you.”

Pei Jing, however, could see through him and said with a smile, “I know you too well. If I do this next time, you’ll still believe me. Alright, alright, don’t be mad at me. If you would pay attention to me every time you come with me, instead of zoning out, I wouldn’t do this.”

“Soaking in the medicinal spring requires a calm mind for the best effect. The sooner your body recovers, the sooner you can go home.”

Pei Jing’s expression was unhappy, and he felt a bit displeased. Jiang Chu Ting wasn’t wrong; it was indeed better for him to return to the palace as soon as possible. But hearing it from Jiang Chu Ting made Pei Jing feel like he actually wanted him to recover quickly and leave the Nine Heavens.

He moved closer to Jiang Chu Ting, hugged his arm, and said softly, “Master, I really like you. If only you were mine alone, I would lock you up to keep you just for myself. I don’t like you seeing others.”

Jiang Chu Ting glanced at him sideways, patiently saying, “No one who is liked would want that.”

Pei Jing’s eyes flickered, and he chuckled lightly, “That’s why I’m just saying it. I can only try harder to make Master like me more, so you won’t abandon me.”

Jiang Chu Ting looked at the hand holding him. Pei Jing was increasingly fond of such intimate gestures. Occasionally, when Jiang Chu Ting couldn’t help but say something, Pei Jing would look aggrieved and say that Wei Jia could do it, so why couldn’t he, attributing it to favoritism.

Having such a clingy disciple was indeed a bit of a headache, but it wasn’t exactly annoying, so he let it be.

As a result, Pei Jing didn’t let go until they finished soaking.

After Jiang Chu Ting helped him adjust his breathing, Pei Jing wanted to give Jiang Chu Ting his clothes to change into, but Jiang Chu Ting refused, letting him change while he returned wet.

A strong wind picked up on the way back. Pei Jing fell behind a few steps, caught up, and asked, “Master, aren’t you cold?”

With wet clothes clinging to him, Jiang Chu Ting walked leisurely, answering, “I’m fine.”

Due to practicing that evil skill, Pei Jing’s body was somewhat sensitive to cold. Every winter, he wrapped himself up tightly. Although it wasn’t winter now, and he had changed into dry clothes, the sudden cool breeze made him feel a bit chilly. Seeing Jiang Chu Ting so composed made him quite envious.

Jiang Chu Ting was the one tricked into the water, and he was the one who returned to the cabin in wet clothes. Yet, the next day, it was Pei Jing who fell ill with a headache and fever.

Pei Jing was burning up, feeling listless, and didn’t want to get up from the bed. Jiang Chu Ting personally brought him medicine for several days, staying with him to chat and relieve his boredom. Every time Pei Jing heard Jiang Chu Ting’s gentle and elegant voice, he felt his heart calm, and a smile would unconsciously appear on his lips. Jiang Chu Ting always had a magical power that brought peace and tranquility.

In the palace, even if he were on the brink of death, he wouldn’t be this lazy.

But here, it was different. In front of Jiang Chu Ting, he would even deliberately exaggerate his weakness to gain his care and attention.

Initially, getting close to him had a purpose, but Pei Jing found himself genuinely enjoying being with him more and more. He wanted to lock this person up and have him all to himself, and it wasn’t just idle talk…

Jiang Chu Ting reached out, lightly touched his forehead, and smiled with relief, “The fever is almost gone. Another day of medicine, and you’ll be much better.”

Pei Jing sat up, resting his head on Jiang Chu Ting’s lap. His voice was slightly hoarse from coughing, and he spoke with a pleading tone, “But I still feel a headache, Master. Can you massage it for me?”

“Alright.” Jiang Chu Ting responded softly, his fingers gently massaging Pei Jing’s temples.

Pei Jing didn’t close his eyes, focusing intently on Jiang Chu Ting’s face, his gaze soft and warm, “Master, you’re so good.”

As if possessed, he suddenly raised his hand, his fingertip lightly and swiftly brushing across Jiang Chu Ting’s lips.

The soft touch sent a shiver through him, a tingling sensation spreading instantly to every part of his body, making his blood boil.

Jiang Chu Ting’s hand paused in its massage, looking at him inexplicably.

Pei Jing watched him, naturally retracting his hand, “The candlelight flickered just now, and I thought there was something on your lips.”

Jiang Chu Ting instinctively pursed his lips, not asking further.

At night, Pei Jing lay on the bed, his hand that had touched Jiang Chu Ting’s lips pressed against his own heart, his mind filled with images of Jiang Chu Ting. Sometimes it was his rosy lips, sometimes his clearly defined waistline outlined by wet clothes, and sometimes his gentle, breeze-like smile… His whole body felt hot and restless, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, his breathing growing heavier, a strong desire to tear, devour, and destroy something rising in his heart.

Pei Jing let out a long, frustrated sigh.

Because he hadn’t fully recovered, a lamp was left on in the room for convenience. In the dim light, Pei Jing looked over at Jiang Chu Ting, only to find that he was also awake, staring quietly at a spot in the air, lost in his thoughts, completely unaware of Pei Jing’s intense gaze.

Pei Jing’s eyes deepened, his lips curving into a hard line. He knew he couldn’t sleep because of Jiang Chu Ting, but Jiang Chu Ting’s sleeplessness was definitely not because of him.

Who are you thinking about? Pei Jing stared at him, his intense gaze lingering for a long time.

Two days later, Pei Jing was fully recovered, and Mo Lin had returned. Jiang Chu Ting announced that he was going down the mountain again. This time, Pei Jing didn’t throw a tantrum, only watching him leave with slightly resentful eyes.

In fact, it was still a day before the agreed time with Lin Zhi, and he didn’t know why he was going down the mountain early. Standing at the entrance of Xiang Si Xiao Zhu, Jiang Chu Ting paused for a moment before leaving, staying at an inn for the night, and only arriving after noon the next day.

When he arrived, he saw Lin Zhi walking out with a young woman, talking as they went. Lin Zhi’s eyes lit up when he saw Jiang Chu Ting, and he walked over quickly, “Chu Ran, you’re here!”

Jiang Chu Ting smiled and nodded, looking at the woman beside Lin Zhi. She was dressed in a martial outfit, looking very spirited and neat. She nodded at Jiang Chu Ting as a greeting before walking away.

After she left, Lin Zhi immediately grabbed Jiang Chu Ting’s wrist, “She’s just a friend, here to see me about something. Don’t overthink it or misunderstand.”

“Oh.” Jiang Chu Ting realized and couldn’t help but smile, “What if she’s not just a friend? You don’t need to care about my opinion, and I won’t overthink it.” Although he was technically a senior, Lin Zhi didn’t need to explain these things to him. It was the age for marriage, and having a girl he liked wasn’t surprising; it was a good thing.

Hearing this, Lin Zhi tightened his grip on Jiang Chu Ting’s hand, silently gazing at him for a moment before turning his head and smiling, “Don’t care? But I want to care.”