Chapter Forty-Nine: Intentions

“Stop!”
With a stern shout, a scholar clad in robes and carrying a long sword strode out from the stone archway, appearing near Fang Xiao.
Behind him followed two martial guards in gray attire.
Fang Xiao paid no heed and lashed his belt once more across the scoundrel with slanted eyes. “Where is my donkey?”
“Sir, please, grandfather!”
The rogue rolled on the ground, blood seeping from his mouth and nose, his limbs convulsing with pain, tears and mucus streaming down his face—a pitiful sight.
He cried out hoarsely, “Don’t—please, don’t hit me anymore, I beg you!”
“I went to catch it, but it bit me, then broke the rope and ran off.”
“Grandfather, I truly don’t know where it’s gone!”
“Ah—ah—ah!”
His desperate wails, like the plaintive cries of a cuckoo, tugged at the heartstrings of all who heard.
“Hmph!”
Fang Xiao spat on the ground.
He rolled up his belt, then turned to the scholar, pointing at the scoundrels on the ground. “These ruffians tried to steal my donkey and extort me.”
He then indicated the unconscious man in blue. “That one is their accomplice!”
The scholar had come out from the academy.
Judging by his attire and bearing, he was almost certainly one of its cultivators.
Fang Xiao was not afraid,
but he wanted to make himself clear.
The scholar frowned, his tone softening as he asked, “Are you a new student this year?”
“Yes.”
Fang Xiao nodded and produced his badge to prove his identity.
At that moment, the two gray-clad guards went to lift the man in blue.
One guard checked his breath and said gravely, “Teacher, he’s still alive.”
The scholar nodded slightly, then addressed Fang Xiao gently. “Since they’ve been taught a lesson, let’s put an end to this matter. You may go back now.”
Fang Xiao cupped his fists in salute.
The man was indeed a teacher at the academy.
Fang Xiao had always respected teachers,
even if this scholar was unlikely to teach him.
His respect remained,
so long as the teacher did not take sides unfairly.
Otherwise, Fang Xiao would not hesitate to retaliate.
Leaving the mess behind for the scholar, Fang Xiao set off toward the temple.
He was quite dispirited.
Earlier, he had ridden his donkey along the road, enjoying the breeze and scenery in ease.
Now, he was forced to walk.
Truly, it is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but hard to return from luxury to simplicity!
Braying—braying—
Unexpectedly, a familiar sound reached Fang Xiao’s ears.

A large blue donkey darted out from the woods beside the road.
Fang Xiao was overjoyed. “So you were hiding here!”
The donkey rushed to him, lowered its head, and nudged his chest,
snorting in complaint.
“It’s all my fault.”
Fang Xiao stroked the donkey’s head apologetically. “I didn’t return sooner, and you almost got bullied.”
He comforted it, “I’ve already avenged you—I gave those guys a good beating!”
The donkey seemed to understand, and licked his hand with its wet tongue.
“Ugh!”
Fang Xiao wiped his hand on the donkey’s fur in disgust,
then leapt onto its back.
“Giddyup!”
The donkey shook its head, turned around, and galloped off.
The return journey
always felt shorter than the way out.
Fang Xiao rode his donkey back to the temple, and the sun had yet to fully set.
“Sophora Blossom?”
He immediately spotted a young girl sitting by the gate.
Fang Xiao jumped off the donkey in surprise. “What brings you here?”
Earlier, when he visited Zhen Village to deliver the Beautifying Pill to Widow Qin,
he had already told her not to bring meals for a while.
“Brother Fang!”
Sophora Blossom replied with a smiling gaze. “I missed you, so I came to see you.”
“Silly girl.”
Unable to resist, Fang Xiao ruffled her hair. “What’s there to miss about me?”
Sophora Blossom smiled without answering.
“Come inside.”
Fang Xiao opened the temple doors and led her into the courtyard.
He fetched a stool and sat down with her.
She lifted the bamboo basket she’d brought and uncovered it.
With anticipation, she said, “Brother Fang, I made these meat buns. Try them and see if they’re tasty.”
“Alright.”
Fang Xiao happened to be a bit hungry, so he grabbed a white, plump bun and stuffed it into his mouth.
The bun was still warm.
As he ate, Fang Xiao commented, “Not bad—the taste is just like your mother’s.”
“No, wait!”
He suddenly stopped,
and declared firmly, “These must have been made by your mother!”
Fang Xiao had never tasted Sophora Blossom’s cooking before,
but he was well acquainted with Widow Qin’s flavor.

No matter who made them,
it couldn’t be exactly the same, could it?
Sophora Blossom’s cheeks flushed crimson.
She covered her face with both hands, attempting to defend herself, “I—I tended the fire.”
Peeking through her fingers at Fang Xiao,
he didn’t notice, laughing, “Well, you helped, that counts.”
Sophora Blossom bit her lip, as if making up her mind.
She lowered her hands and shyly asked, “Brother Fang, did you give my mother a Beautifying Pill?”
Fang Xiao swallowed his food and nodded. “Yes, the Daoist master asked me to bring it to her.”
He turned to the young girl beside him. “Do you want one?”
Sophora Blossom was stunned. “Huh?”
Fang Xiao smiled. “The Daoist should have more. When he comes out of seclusion, I’ll ask for another for you.”
Sophora Blossom stared at Fang Xiao,
then suddenly threw herself into his arms with a cry.
Now it was Fang Xiao’s turn to be confused. “What’s wrong, don’t you want it?”
“Then don’t give it to me!”
“I do want it!”
Sophora Blossom, eyes brimming with tears, raised her head and gently tapped Fang Xiao’s chest with her fist. “I want it!”
Fang Xiao replied, “Alright, I’ll remember.”
To him, it was a small matter.
The Daoist master would not refuse his request.
But Fang Xiao hesitated, “The Daoist said that after taking the Beautifying Pill, one’s appearance will never change again.”
“You’re so young—you can’t take it yet, can you?”
“And aren’t you worried your sister might snatch it away?”
Although he had never met her,
Fang Xiao still remembered Sophora Blossom’s tale of her sister—
the one who would snatch sweets from Sophora Blossom’s mouth.
Snatch them right out!
Sophora Blossom wiped away her tears, her eyes darting mischievously. “Then, Brother Fang, keep it for me. When I grow up, you can give it to me, alright?”
Whatever she was thinking, her gaze shimmered with shyness.
Fang Xiao agreed readily, “Of course.”
In his heart,
Sophora Blossom was like his own little sister.
When she grew up and was ready to marry,
that Beautifying Pill would make the perfect wedding gift from an elder brother.
Perfect!
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Note: The protagonist is currently sixteen years old. Minors cannot be involved in romance. Dear readers, please be aware.