[Scum Villain Fanfic] The Writing Adventures Of Liu Su Mian Hua

#15 : What is Love?

Mingyan began reading the books as soon as she was back to Xian Shu Peak. She quickly realized that if reading erotic Danmei was appalling, reading how to write it was worse. Everything was described in detail: parts, positions... There were even illustrations that were detailed enough to induce nightmares. Mingyan took quite a lot of time to get used to it. Qiaohui was her motivator and advisor throughout. Mingyan also read stories that she thought were similar to the one she wished to write. She made notes for her own story during this process. She even managed to get some information about Luo Binghe and Peak Lord Shen from Ning Ying Ying – the only female disciple of Qing Jing Peak and hence the only person she could approach. It turned out to be very useful. About a month later, Mingyan was confident enough to start writing her story.

Of course, the first volume of her novel was focused on how the two met:

The Master saw Luo Binghe as a diamond lying in a heap of coal. It needed to be cut, shaped and refined to shine with its true potential. And Master Shen used all his energy in teaching this precious disciple. He would punish Luo Binghe for the slightest mistake. And the punishments were not easy to endure. Any other disciple would have chosen death instead of these punishments, but not Luo Binghe. He admired his Shizun's knowledge and ability. Master Shen always aimed for excellence  in whatever he did, and Binghe wanted to do the same. But somewhere in his heart, Binghe felt like his Shizun did not like him. He tried his best to meet Master Shen's standards, but would receive punishments for everything he did. He did not understand his Shizun. Nothing he did would please his Shizun.

One evening, Luo Binghe was passing by the Bamboo House doing his usual chores. He happened to overhear his Shizun reciting a poem by himself.

"My heart aches as I see you suffer,

But what am I to do Binghe?

To make you the best of the best

I have to teach you well as a Master.

Each scar on your body,

Each lap of the training ground

Each harsh word I say

Hurts my heart immensely.

But I cannot even yell in pain

Because...

To make you the best of the best

I have to teach you well as a Master."

Master Shen let out a deep sigh after the poem. He stepped out of the Bamboo House and found Binghe standing there in a daze. "What are you idling here for?" Master Shen asked in a harsh tone. "This disciple apologizes for idling around." Binghe immediately bowed before him. "This disciple will work even harder from now on." With that he ran off.

This was the first time Luo Binghe had seen his Master expressing delicate feelings. Master Shen was a renowned scholar of the Jianghu who was known for his sneaky and lethal attacks. It was quite a surprise for Binghe to see a totally different and probably secret side of his Master. Little did this disciple know, this was the exact moment when seeds of love were sown in his heart that would bloom for one fine spring.

"Er... It is good." said Qiaohui. "I like the poem. It sounds like something Peak Lord Shen would say. But there needs to be more description of Binghe's feelings." She returned the book to Mingyan. Mingyan had asked her to read what she had written thus far and give her honest opinion. "I am actually having trouble describing Binghe's feelings in this scene." Mingyan touched the side of her neck. "I have never been in love with anyone, so I don't really know what it feels like. Qiaohui, have you ever been in love?" Mingyan looked up with a hint of hope. "What is love? What does it feel like to fall in love with someone?"

Qiaohui first went pink and then red as she nodded affirmatively. She turned around to avoid eye-contact. "Then please tell me, what is it like to love someone?" Mingyan urged. Heat crawled up Qiaohui's body and she walked up to the window to calm herself. "The person becomes your life. Anything they do makes your heart race. You just keep wanting more and more of the person... you want to make them smile. Their suffering becomes yours, and you can go to any extent to ease their pain. Their silly wishes become your commands. You want to protect the person... be with the person... forever." Qiaohui was still in deep thought when the two of them heard a squeal from outside.

"Chuntao!" Qiaohui immediately knew who it was. The two girls rushed outside and found Chuntao covering her mouth with both her hands. "Are you okay? What happened?" Qiaohui was visibly concerned. Chuntao only shook her head to say nothing happened. "Are you feeling unwell?" Qiaohui was not convinced. She placed her hands on Chuntao's shoulders while Chuntao pulled her gaze away. "I- I thought I saw a snake..." she said. "It was actually a curtain." Qiaohui immediately began looking around for the snake. Mingyan joined her. "Shijie, there is no snake. It was an illusion. No need to look for anything." Chuntao said in a small voice. Qiaohui came back to Chuntao's side. "Be more careful." she said and Chuntao nodded affirmatively. "What if it was actually a poisonous snake? Next time if you feel you are in danger, call me immediately." Chuntao hummed in response with a coy smile. "Don't scare your Shijie like this." Qiaohui looked away.