Chapter 76: Tang Mi, What Do You Think of Me?

Tang Mi’s soft body suddenly pressed against him. Ye Chenxuan’s handsome face flushed red in an instant. He followed her gaze and frowned.
“You already knew this was a trap. Why did you still come?”

Tang Mi lowered her eyes and whispered,
“I didn’t want to disappoint Grandmother.”

A flash of anger crossed Ye Chenxuan’s eyes.
“So you’re really not afraid of what he might do to you?”

That man had never been a gentleman, especially now, when he seemed obsessed with her.

Startled by his sudden outburst, Tang Mi felt a twinge of guilt. She explained softly,
“I was originally planning to climb up from the other side of the mountain, get some water from the small cave halfway up, and then go back down… but then you carried me up.”

Her explanation made the anger in Ye Chenxuan’s eyes dissipate instantly. He crouched down and gently set her down, helping her sit on a small rock.
“Wait here. I’ll get you some water.”

Tang Mi looked at him in surprise, then couldn’t help but whisper,
“Be careful.”

Hearing her concern, a smile immediately appeared on Ye Chenxuan’s lips. He reached for the water pouch at her waist.

The two were suddenly very close again. Feeling his breath near, Tang Mi’s heart pounded wildly like a startled deer. She shyly leaned back a little, lowered her eyes, and whispered like a mosquito,
“I’ll do it myself.”

She nervously tried to untie the water pouch, but the more anxious she became, the harder it was to undo.

“I’ll do it.” Ye Chenxuan, sensing her nervousness, crouched down deliberately to keep some distance between them.

Tang Mi stared at him in a daze. Recalling how Ban Xia always said he was good-looking, her eyes subconsciously drifted to his features.

Strong brows angled toward his temples, narrow phoenix eyes deep as pools. His high nose had a tiny mole at the tip, making it unexpectedly sexy. His thin lips were as delicate as cherry blossoms, so inviting it made her…

Realizing what she was thinking, Tang Mi blushed furiously.

This man really was good-looking, the kind that made a woman’s mind wander.

“Wait here.” After untying the pouch, Ye Chenxuan stood up.

Tang Mi instantly looked away in embarrassment and nodded lightly.

He gave her a fond look before leaping toward the Heavenly Pool.

She immediately stood up on her toes, peering anxiously in his direction.

Ye Chenxuan remained hidden in the trees instead of approaching directly.

As if aware that he was doing something shady, Ye Junyu was alone by the Heavenly Pool. No one else was with him.

Ye Chenxuan’s eyes scanned the area. He picked up a small rock and tossed it toward the bushes opposite him.

A rustle. Ye Junyu immediately became alert and shouted,
“Who’s there?”

Silence. The other side was completely quiet.

“Miss Tang?” he called again, but no one replied.

Judging by the time, Tang Mi should have arrived. Not suspecting anything, Ye Junyu crossed the pool and entered the forest on the other side.

The moment he left, Ye Chenxuan dashed from the shadows, quickly fetched the water, and slipped back into hiding.

Seeing him return safely, Tang Mi let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“I didn’t want to cause trouble for you, so I didn’t alert him,” Ye Chenxuan explained as he handed her the water pouch.

“Thank you.” Moved, Tang Mi accepted it and hung it at her waist.

Ye Chenxuan crouched in front of her again.

With a blush on her face, Tang Mi climbed onto his back. Unlike the first time when she was awkward and tense, this time she seemed more at ease, as if she were already used to it. Her arms naturally wrapped around his neck.

A faint fragrance wafted into Ye Chenxuan’s nose, making his whole body heat up again. He effortlessly carried her and began descending the mountain.

They hadn’t walked long before Ye Junyu’s voice echoed behind them.

“Miss Tang…”
“Tang Mi…”
“Mier…”

Each call became more intimate and shameless. Tang Mi frowned in disgust and stole a glance at Ye Chenxuan.

Hearing Ye Junyu use her nickname, a flash of murderous intent crossed Ye Chenxuan’s eyes.

That man truly had no shame. Thank goodness he had come with her this time, he didn’t even want to imagine what could’ve happened if she had been alone.

Ye Chenxuan picked up his pace, swiftly carrying her down the mountain. When they reached the midway point, he slowed down.

Truthfully, he couldn’t bear to part with her just yet. He wished this path could be a little longer, and he could walk a little slower.

“It’s still early. If you go down too soon, people might get suspicious,” he said, giving himself an excuse.

“Mm.” Tang Mi responded softly.

They walked quietly for a while, neither of them speaking.

After some time, Ye Chenxuan said,
“He’s very persistent. He won’t give up easily. If he fails this time, there will be a next.”

Tang Mi narrowed her eyes slightly.
“I know.”

No one understood how clingy that leech could be better than she did.

Ye Chenxuan’s gaze flickered.
“Have you thought about making him give up completely?”

Tang Mi, clever as always, instantly understood.
“You mean… get married?”

Ye Chenxuan blushed slightly and lowered his gaze.
“Marriage is a permanent solution.”

Tang Mi gave a bitter smile. She didn’t believe it was a solution at all. In her previous life, even after losing her chastity, Ye Junyu still schemed endlessly to marry her. For the sake of her maternal grandfather’s military power, he had never touched her, yet pretended to love her with all his heart.

Thinking of that prophetic slip of paper, Tang Mi’s eyes dimmed. Even in this new life… could she still not escape?

If she truly had to marry this time, it would have to be someone of equal or higher status than Ye Junyu. Otherwise, she’d still be caught in his web.

Tang Mi suddenly looked at Ye Chenxuan. Master Liao Chan once said… he was her benefactor.

Feeling she was overthinking again, she blushed and said,
“I haven’t reached the age of marriage yet.”

I can wait.

Ye Chenxuan wanted to say that instinctively, but what came out was:
“There will be many who are willing to wait for you.”

Tang Mi stared blankly at him, suddenly feeling something strange in her heart.

What did he mean by that? Who… would wait for her?

They didn’t speak again. No matter how slowly Ye Chenxuan walked, they eventually reached the foot of the mountain.

Ye Chenxuan gently set her down and helped her sit.
“Let me check your foot.”

“No need.” Tang Mi quickly pulled her foot back.

“I won’t take off your shoe, just feel through the sock to see if I can fix the bone,” Ye Chenxuan explained sincerely. “You’ll need to walk the last part yourself. If the bone’s not set, it’ll be hard.”

He couldn’t carry her all the way down. The final stone steps, the Heaven Staircase she’d have to descend herself.

Hearing this, Tang Mi hesitated, then carefully stretched out her foot.

Ye Chenxuan knelt on one knee and rested her foot on his leg. He touched her ankle gently, immediately sensing how badly it was hurt.

“Tang Mi.” Ye Chenxuan suddenly looked up at her, face slightly flushed.
“What do you think of me?”