The Cool and Aloof Senior Sister Always Flirts with Me

Chapter 111: The City Lord's Manor

After a few days of rest and recovery in the cave, Qi Xianqing and Yan Jue decided to return to Feidu City once Yan Jue was feeling better.

They followed the stream upstream, which led to the path out of the mountains.

Yan Jue had once carried Qi Xianqing on this very path, but back then, the journey had felt endless, as if they'd never reach the end. Walking side by side now, the path seemed to pass swiftly.

Qi Xianqing wore a lake-blue, cross-collared ruqun, with a long sword in a dark black scabbard strapped to her back. She walked with calm, steady steps.

Though the mountain path was steep, Qi Xianqing's pale face remained serene, her breathing steady and relaxed.

While absorbing Qi's energy often left one feeling weak, Qi Xianqing looked unusually well-rested and healthy.

Yan Jue suddenly recalled their first mountain trek together when she had first witnessed Qi Xianqing's impressive stamina. Back then, they'd been traveling with four others to Nanxing Town.

Sensing Yan Jue's gaze, Qi Xianqing looked back at her with a smile. "Why are you staring at me, Sister?"

Yan Jue couldn't help but ask, "How's your knee?"

After all, she had been tending carefully to Qi Xianqing's knee these past few days, and her concern was genuine.

Qi Xianqing's eyes shifted as she looked down. "It still hurts a bit; maybe the damaged tissues haven't fully healed."

Yan Jue's eyes widened. "You're being foolish! If it hurts, why are you walking so fast?"

Despite her concern, Qi Xianqing's expression hadn't shifted. Yan Jue couldn't help feeling a little annoyed.

Noticing Yan Jue's worry, Qi Xianqing held her hands behind her back and turned. "Would you like to take a look?"

Yan Jue chuckled. "You should really take better care of yourself."

Qi Xianqing's lips curved as she sat down on a boulder by the path, watching Yan Jue hurry over, crouch down, and start to roll up her pant leg.

Yan Jue had barely lifted it halfway when she caught a glimpse of Qi Xianqing's slender, fair ankle. She suddenly froze.

Perhaps due to the closeness they'd shared recently, Yan Jue had almost forgotten. While they were now semi-officially partners, Yan Jue still found such intimacy a bit too overwhelming.

Qi Xianqing looked down at her, gazing intently, her lips pressed together.

Yan Jue gently placed her hands on Qi Xianqing's knee and massaged it. "Does it hurt?"

It was a technique she'd learned from Song Miyun to help ease the muscles around Qi Xianqing's knee, though she wasn't sure it would work.

Qi Xianqing frowned. "It hurts even more now."

Sitting on the rock with her hands on either side of her, Qi Xianqing observed Yan Jue, who was kneeling in front of her with a serious expression.

Yan Jue was beautiful, with fair skin and a fresh, innocent look, fully focused on her task.

Yan Jue was flustered. "You just said it was only a little painful."

"Want me to carry you?"

Before Yan Jue could say anything else, Qi Xianqing had already swung herself onto Yan Jue's back, wrapping her soft arms around her shoulders.

Thanks to her training on Five Dragons Mountain, Yan Jue was strong, having practiced with weights on her arms, legs, and waist. Qi Xianqing was light, and carrying her felt effortless.