Chapter 241: Is Selling Myself Enough? [Part 8]
With a deep breath, Ye Wenxin began to move quickly. Her newly reinforced bones, thanks to spirit stones, made her much sturdier, no longer the fragile mage she once was. She could now attack and defend, though she still favored long-range combat. In close quarters, she remained at a disadvantage.
"Sister Wenxin, when will you carry me?"
"Sister, can you carry me now?"
Throughout the journey, Qiao Ni's enthusiasm for Ye Wenxin was overwhelming, leaving Ye Wenxin with only a wry smile. Many times she wanted to put down Lady Yu to carry Qiao Ni, but Lady Yu stubbornly refused to let go.
Ye Wenxin understood that Lady Yu feared she might harm her daughter. But what rumors had Lady Yu heard to make her loathe Ye Wenxin so intensely? Or perhaps Lady Yu's neglect by her husband had warped her love for her daughter, leading her down a dark path?
Ye Wenxin didn't want to dwell on it. She noticed Lady Yu watching her, as delicate as ever, her light body fragrant with a unique scent. Whatever perfume she used, it was intoxicatingly pleasant.
"Miss Wenxin, I believe you can manage," Lady Yu encouraged, urging Ye Wenxin to continue carrying her, which she did all the way down the mountain.
Reaching the familiar town and its signs, Lady Yu finally dismounted. Even with her enhanced stamina, Ye Wenxin's arms were weary.
"Sister Wenxin, are you okay?" Qiao Ni asked, worried about Ye Wenxin's exhaustion, trying to approach, but Lady Yu held her back.
"Ni Ni, is there something you'd like?" Lady Yu deftly changed the subject, preventing Qiao Ni from reaching Ye Wenxin.
However, Qiao Ni, oblivious to her mother's intentions, still wanted to be near Ye Wenxin. Her behavior made Ye Wenxin wonder if she had a forgotten tryst that resulted in Qiao Ni, explaining her affection despite her mother's disdain.
"Sister, are you alright?" Huang Hanyan, noticing Ye Wenxin's predicament, moved to help, only for Ye Wenxin to collapse into her arms.
"Ah!" Huang Hanyan, unprepared, blushed at the sudden embrace. Supporting Ye Wenxin, she suggested, "I'll take her to the inn while you shop."
Originally heading to the market, Huang Hanyan had nothing to buy and saw Ye Wenxin's act as a chance for them to be alone.
Sha Nian Nian, unfamiliar with the group, chose to stay at the inn, following Ye Wenxin's lead.
Qiao Ni wanted to join Ye Wenxin but was pulled away by Lady Yu.
"Come, Ni Ni, let's get some snacks."
"But, Mother, Sister Wenxin isn't well."
Tearful, Qiao Ni waved to Ye Wenxin, who returned the gesture, watching Lady Yu lead her away.
Once they were gone, Ye Wenxin remained in Huang Hanyan's arms, teasing, "Sister Hanyan, why don't you carry me to the inn? I'm utterly spent."
Huang Hanyan's cheeks reddened further. Though aware of Ye Wenxin's ruse, she gently set her down, maintaining a distance.
"No worries, she's not from Cangyu Sect. You don't need to be so distant," Ye Wenxin clarified Sha Nian Nian's identity.
