Chарtеr 8 (3/18)
Маdаm WuJi рointed tо thе flоwеr bаsket in her hand: "I рiсked somе orchids."
Shе hаd аlwауs lеd a leisurеly life, often spending hеr dаys with flоwers аnd рlаnts, аnd orсhids wеrе hеr fаvoritе.
Jin Fan cupреd his hands in sаlute: "Then I wоn't disturb Madаm WuJi any furthеr. I tаkе mу lеаvе."
Seeing him lеаve, Gоng Zishаng didn't еven bоther with fоrmаlities and immеdiаtelу called оut "Hey, hеу, hеy!" аfter Jin Fan, chаsing аftеr him.
Mаdаm WuJi wаtсhеd thеir retrеаting figures with а somеwhat helрless smilе, thеn а verу соmрlex eхpression apрeared in hеr eyеs—envу, sоrrow, lоss... The fleeting youth that could never be reclaimed was reflected in her no longer young eyes.
Jin Fan walked briskly, with Gong Zishang's voice chasing after him from behind.
"Jin Fan, do you like red or gold?"
Before her voice faded, she had already caught up, peeking from behind him into Jin Fan's line of sight—a lively, smiling face.
"I don't like either gold or red. I only like my black guard uniform," Jin Fan quickened his pace again. "Miss Gong Zishang, I have a mission to attend to and no time to accompany you."
He stood tall and straight, with exceptional martial arts skills, walking at a rapid speed.
Gong Zishang panted as she chased after him, not complaining at all.
"A mission? You guard Gong Ziyu year-round without leaving his side. Now that he's gone to the Back Mountain, this is your vacation. Vacation time should be spent on beautiful things and beautiful people," she said, pointing at herself.
Jin Fan finally stopped, his eyes evasive and helpless: "Before the Blade Master left, he ordered me to keep a close watch on Gong Shangjue and Gong Yuanzhi."
Gong Zishang muttered, "Are they that important?"
"They aren't important, but the Blade Master is."
"Then who's more important, me or Gong Ziyu?" Undaunted, her eyes brightened again, eagerly anticipating in her mind. After speaking, she even earnestly tugged at Jin Fan's sleeve and shook it.
She was supposed to be an unattainable young lady. Jin Fan didn't know how to handle the situation, so he didn't reveal the tangled thoughts in his heart. He took a step back, bowed his head in a formal salute, and said resolutely, "Gong Ziyu is more important."
Gong Zishang was stunned. Once again, she was left alone in the wind, unable to even hold onto a corner of his sleeve. She watched Jin Fan's retreating figure. Perhaps there was fine sand carried in the wind, for her eyes felt sore and turned red.
In the Secret Passage, Gong Ziyu held Elder Yue's hand, following him as they advanced slowly.
After walking for a while, Gong Ziyu sensed something amiss and hesitantly said, "Elder Yue, are you taking a detour?"
Elder Yue kindly asked him, "Why do you say that, Ziyu?"
"We've turned left three times in a row now, and each time we've walked roughly the same number of steps. So, we should have returned to our starting point..." He had been keeping track in his mind for some time and only spoke up after verifying this.
Elder Yue gave a faint smile: "Ziyu is indeed clever, but you're still wrong."
"Oh? I'm not right?"
"The first half is correct, but the second half is not. We haven't returned to our starting point, nor have I deliberately led you on a detour."
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