Chapter 37: What Is She Planning?
“Oh, by the way, tomorrow someone will come to sweep up the fallen leaves in the courtyard. It’s no one important; you don’t need to pay attention to it,” Ying Tong said before leaving directly.
Ying Xuechen watched her gradually disappearing figure and muttered to himself, “No one important, huh?”
“Brother Chen, what are you thinking about?” Ying Shaoan noticed Ying Xuechen was lost in thought and couldn’t help but ask curiously.
“I’m wondering who exactly that person coming tomorrow is,” Ying Xuechen answered honestly without hiding it.
“Who could it be?” Ying Shaoan tilted his head in confusion and said, “But the Venerable said it wasn’t anyone important, so we shouldn’t worry about it, right?”
Ying Xuechen glanced at him with a knowing look. “If it really wasn’t someone important, the Venerable wouldn’t have mentioned it specifically.”
“From what I know of the Venerable, the person coming tomorrow must be very special.”
“Then let’s secretly observe and see what’s special about her,” Ying Shaoan said in a lowered voice.
“Alright.”
…
The next day, Lin Xian’er came here once again.
This time, she had prepared thoroughly, yet upon arrival, it turned out that none of it was necessary.
The same person as yesterday was still guarding the gate. Upon seeing Lin Xian’er’s figure, he approached her proactively, saying, “Finally, you’re here. Come in.”
Hearing this, Lin Xian’er froze for a moment and pointed at herself. “Me?”
“Yes, who else would it be? Is there anyone else here besides you?” the gatekeeper said.
At this moment, Lin Xian’er’s mind was racing as she pondered what exactly was going on to make this person’s attitude change so drastically.
Could it be that Ying Shaoan had already awakened and, having heard about yesterday’s events, specially instructed this person to act this way?
Thinking of this, Lin Xian’er couldn’t help but feel a hint of excitement.
If that was the case, then it was wonderful.
Although she regretted not getting inside yesterday, her objective was still achieved by a fortunate accident.
“Um, may I ask if the person inside has already awakened?” Lin Xian’er cautiously asked to confirm.
The guard didn’t understand why she was asking such a question, but he still answered truthfully. “With the Sect Master and the elders’ treatments, the young master inside naturally woke up a long time ago.”
“Just as I guessed,” Lin Xian’er smiled happily.
As she was about to go inside, she was called back once more.
“Wait a moment.”
Her smile had not yet faded as she turned around, puzzled. “Is there something else?”
“You forgot to take your tools.”
Saying this, the guard threw a broom to her. “From today onward, you’re responsible for sweeping the fallen leaves in the courtyard.”
Lin Xian’er held the broom, eyes wide with disbelief. “Are you saying… I’m here to clean?”
“Yes,” the guard replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Why else would I let a servant disciple like you in?”
Moreover, cleaning Lingxiao Sect was indeed the duty of servant disciples; why was she so surprised?
The guard’s words brought Lin Xian’er to her senses.
Of course, she was just a servant disciple right now, and not allowed in the inner sect. Ying Shaoan probably arranged this as a way to give her a legitimate reason to enter and exit the inner sect.
That must be it.
After all, she hadn’t heard of Ying Shaoan being accepted as a disciple, which meant his talent hadn’t yet been recognized.
In her previous life, she was only a servant disciple at this point, striving each day to gain more resources for cultivation, working hard to enter the outer sect. She had only occasionally overheard other disciples mention Ying Shaoan.
She didn’t actually know what had specifically happened back then.
Now, Lin Xian’er deeply regretted it. If she had known she would have such an opportunity, she would have made sure to learn all about Ying Shaoan’s background.
Holding the broom with a mix of anticipation and anxiety, Lin Xian’er entered the courtyard. Immediately, she spotted a young boy sitting by a stone table, playing chess.
One look was enough for Lin Xian’er to recognize him as Ying Shaoan. Though his features were still boyish, she wouldn’t mistake him.
So, this was what he looked like as a child—so thin, poor thing. But that’s fine; from now on, I’ll be there to warm you with my love and kindness, she thought.
Then she noticed the person sitting across from Ying Shaoan but didn’t give it much thought, assuming he was an ordinary inner sect disciple of Lingxiao Sect.
Thinking this, Lin Xian’er’s face softened into a gentle smile.
What she didn’t realize was that every change in her expression since she entered had been noticed by the two of them.
Ying Shaoan quietly whispered to Ying Xuechen, “Brother Chen, her expressions are so dramatic.”
Ying Shaoan found her shifting expressions amusing.
Ying Xuechen, however, responded with a complex expression. “This person clearly has ulterior motives; stay away from her.”
“She’s a bad person?” Ying Shaoan’s eyes widened, round and curious.
“Not necessarily,” Ying Xuechen shook his head. “Let’s keep observing.”
She might not be a bad person, but she definitely had some hidden intentions.
On the other side, Lin Xian’er, unaware that she had already been exposed, lowered her head and swept up the fallen leaves. Outwardly, she looked serious, but inside, she was scheming ways to catch Ying Shaoan’s attention.
She knew that in her previous life, after Ying Shaoan revealed his talents, the Sect Master, Peak Masters, and elders all wanted to marry off their daughters or granddaughters to him.
So, she had to act quickly.
Feigning a fainting spell into his arms?
The idea had barely surfaced before she dismissed it.
No, she was going for the image of a caring older sister, not a fragile damsel. Besides, there was also an inner sect disciple here; a quick pulse check would reveal whether she was truly unwell.
Plus, Ying Shaoan was still young, so that approach wasn’t suitable.
Suddenly, her eyes fell on the golden leaves on the ground, and an idea struck her.
As she swept, she gathered some of the most intact leaves and set them aside.
“What’s she doing?” Ying Shaoan asked curiously, noticing her picking up the leaves.
“Focus,” Ying Xuechen tapped the table.
The courtyard wasn’t large, so Lin Xian’er finished sweeping the leaves fairly quickly.
Ordinarily, she could have left by now, but instead, she took the leaves she’d gathered and headed to the kitchen.
Soon after, the sounds of cooking drifted from the kitchen.
Ying Shaoan couldn’t resist glancing back in curiosity.
Moments later, Lin Xian’er emerged from the kitchen, carrying a dish of golden-colored treats.
“You must be tired from sitting here for so long. I prepared these snacks especially for you. I hope you don’t mind,” she said, offering them with a gentle smile.
