Cuando el amor se acerca, es como la nieve

Capítulo 33

Yun Yiyang did not answer.

He had fainted from anger.

He would never die of illness in front of Xiao Lü; he would definitely die of anger.

"So this is what Yanliang Valley is like." Xiao Lü and I, hand in hand, gazed in amazement at the waterfall before us. It was deep winter, and outside the valley, a biting wind howled, the cold almost freezing water instantly. Yet inside, a gentle breeze blew, as if bathing in spring. Xiao Lü led the way, revealing that behind the thatched mud huts, there was a man-made passage leading directly into the valley. One wonders how much effort and resources it took to carve out this tiny, ant-like path. Hidden mechanisms and secret doors further enhanced this natural barrier. I looked around, nodding in approval. I thought of Xia Yanliang, a woman living alone in this remote valley; without protection, she would certainly be in danger. This was clearly a clever use of the terrain to ensure her safety. The valley was surrounded by mountains; from the outside, it was difficult to tell that anyone lived there. The waterfall cascaded gently down the mountainside, flowing directly into a hot spring below, bubbling and steaming. Unidentified plants grew along the spring's edge, their green leaves quite inviting. It seems that the temperature inside the valley is relatively high, partly due to the surrounding mountains that prevent cold air from penetrating, and partly due to the presence of hot springs in the earth.

Xiao Lü pulled me by the hand and led me to the hot spring. She bent down, scooped up a handful of water, and turned back with a smile, saying, "Sister, after a few more days of rest, you can come here to bathe. This hot spring has the unique effects of dispelling evil and dampness, and smoothing and beautifying the skin. Sister's skin is so fair and tender, after soaking for a few more days, you will definitely be even more beautiful, and you will look even more beautiful in black clothes!"

I chuckled softly, brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, and dipped my hand into the spring water. Steam rose from the surface, a warm breeze caressed my face, and the smell of sulfur filled the air. The water was just the right temperature, smooth to the touch. A thought unconsciously crossed my mind: how wonderful it would be to take a clean bath. These past few days, Xiao Lü has been taking care of my health, and my spirits and complexion have greatly improved. I've had a heart condition since childhood, and I always need to take medicine and ointments for it. I usually seem fine, but when I'm tired or experience a major shock, I feel as if all my strength has been drained. After Xiao Lü prescribed several doses of medicine, I feel my energy gradually increasing, and my complexion has changed from pale and bloodless to having a rosy glow. I also feel more energetic. My heart, which used to ache, now feels much lighter. My hemoptysis has improved the fastest, from coughing up blood once a day to only occasionally coughing up streaks of blood.

But when this ever-changing little green spirit was treating Yun Yiyang, she almost went to great lengths to torment him, employing a constant stream of bizarre and ingenious methods. Even though six-tenths of the bone-corroding poison had been removed, Yun Yiyang was still suffering terribly from Xiao Lü's "treatment." In just one week, he had already experienced "burning," "water soaking," "acupuncture," "ice compresses," and "burying in soil." In Xiao Lü's words, almost all five elements of traditional Chinese medicine had been used on him, yet Yun Yiyang dared not utter a single complaint. Because although Xiao Lü's methods were both laughable and torturous, they were surprisingly effective on him.

"Little Green! Little Green!" We turned around and saw Yun Yiyang running towards us, panting. He caught up quickly, and after Little Green's ordeal, his complexion had surprisingly improved, almost returning to his normal dark black. Only a faint bluish tinge remained between his brows, suggesting the lingering poison hadn't been completely eliminated. Yun Yiyang was breathless, barely managing to squeeze out a few words: "Little Green... good Little Green—no, no, no, Little Green, my little aunt! What did you give me to drink? It's bitter, sour, astringent, and fishy!" He kept exhaling as he spoke, seemingly trying to expel the unpleasant taste from his mouth.

Little Green's bright eyes darted around as she chuckled, "Let me think... This bitterness... it seems like it has three qian of Coptis chinensis powder in it, which clears heat and dries dampness, it's a good thing! What? You can also taste a fishy smell?... Oh, it must have some houttuynia cordata in it, it's for clearing heat and detoxifying! This sourness... right, there's a bit of Cornus officinalis and hawthorn, to regulate excessive sweating... Astringent... oh dear, I can't remember, just give you medicine, why are you being so picky, you big man?"

Yun Yiyang almost shouted out, "I remember honeysuckle can also clear heat and detoxify!"

“They’re all medicine, and their effects are pretty much the same. Plus, it’s more convenient for them!” Little Green made a face at Yun Yiyang’s ashen face.

Yun Yiyang's face flushed red and then turned pale, and he couldn't speak for a long time. Then he saw Xiao Lü making faces at him and suddenly said angrily, "You brat! I'll catch you and teach you a lesson!" He had already taken off and reached out to grab Xiao Lü's sleeve.

I have witnessed Yun Yiyang's speed before. Swift and agile like a leopard. His astonishing speed was already evident when facing the gray-clad assassin; with his tall stature, Little Green's small body would certainly not be able to dodge his grab.

But Little Green managed to dodge it.

If Yun Yiyang's figure resembles a leopard, then Xiao Lü's figure is like a slender willow leaf.

Leopards can catch animals larger than themselves, but it's rare to hear of a leopard catching a green leaf.

With a giggle, Little Green floated up gently as Yun Yiyang grabbed her.

Her movements appeared slow, as if she were being supported by something invisible, floating lightly in mid-air. It was almost as if Yun Yiyang's strength was what made her float. Xiao Lü laughed repeatedly, dodging and weaving in front of and behind Yun Yiyang. Although Yun Yiyang was still recovering from his illness, his agility and steps hadn't slowed down much. He could even block a sword strike from the gray-clad assassin, but his swift footwork couldn't catch this seemingly delicate and agile girl. Xiao Lü's green dress swayed gently in the wind, as if playing a game with Yun Yiyang, yet he couldn't even touch the hem of her dress.

"Alright, I'm not playing with you anymore," Little Green said leisurely, sitting on an old tree branch and looking down at Yun Yiyang, who was panting like a bellows. "You're not fully recovered yet, you can't overexert yourself."

Yun Yiyang shook his head and sat down on the ground in frustration: "I'm so useless! I couldn't even catch a little girl like you!"

Xiao Lü tilted her head and looked at him with amusement: "You think that even if your lightness skill is excellent, you can catch me? Let me tell you, my medical skills are famous, but my lightness skill is even better than my medical skills!" Xiao Lü looked at Yun Yiyang's wide eyes and said slowly: "To tell you the truth! Even if Brother Shaozhang wanted to catch me, it would take him quite a bit of effort!"

"Hehe—the little girl is bragging again." At some point, Young Master Shang appeared not far from the hot spring, arms crossed, looking at the three of us with a slight smile.

When Xiao Lü saw Shang Shaochang, she giggled and said, "Brother Shaochang is the worst! You secretly scared people from behind." Without any visible movement, she suddenly leaped high from the tree branch and floated lightly into Shang Shaochang's arms, giving him a full embrace.

I witnessed this scene and suddenly felt another pang of heartache—no! I take the medicine Xiao Lü prescribed for me every day, so why am I still feeling heartache? This needle-like pain came in waves, and I unconsciously bit my lip... I slowly placed my hand on the big tree and turned my head—Xiao Lü's laughter, Shang Shaochang's soft whispers... I turned my head and slowly walked into the valley.

"Good clothes, are you feeling uncomfortable?" A hand was placed on my shoulder. I didn't need to turn around to know that the owner of the hand was Shang Shaochang.

When he placed his hand on my shoulder, I could already smell his unique fragrance.

Who else but him could casually place their hand on my shoulder? Who else but him could call me "Yi Yi"?

But now I don't like this action, I don't like it at all!

My voice turned icy, and a cold glint flashed in my eyes:

"Let go!"

But the person behind me was like a scoundrel, grinning and saying, "I won't let go!"

"You!—" I turned around angrily and saw a familiar yet infuriating smiling face. This was the face I disliked most right now; he'd shown that same smile to both Xiao Lü and me: "I told you, let go!"

Shang Shao shrugged and chuckled, "Why is Xiao Yiyi so fierce? Back in that temple, you were so well-behaved in my arms—"

"Slap!" Before he could finish speaking, a crisp slap landed on his still smiling face.

Chapter Nineteen: Knowing Your Heart, Just as I Know Mine

Shang Shao shrugged and chuckled, "Why is Xiao Yiyi so fierce? Back in that temple, you were so well-behaved in my arms—"

"Slap!" Before he could finish speaking, a crisp slap landed on his still smiling face.

"Who do you think I am!" My eyes were practically spitting fire as I looked at Shang Shaochang, who was covering his face and staring at me dumbfounded, as if he had swallowed a huge duck egg. All my anger was released with that slap! "Do you think I'm an ordinary woman, someone you can tease and play with at will? Or some ignorant child, someone you can scheme and manipulate as you please?! From the moment I met you until now, you've been using all your cunning, repeatedly... repeatedly... teasing me, taking advantage of me! Do you think I, Baiyi, am a three-year-old? You have done Guiyun Manor a great favor, and you did indeed save Yun Yiyang's life with my help, but that doesn't mean I'll listen to everything you say! That I'll be at your mercy! You knew Xiaolu first, and then you met me. Since Xiaolu loves you so much, you still flirted with other people behind her back, making things unclear! Since you know Xiaolu, why did you lay hands on me?! What do you take me for?!"

Shang Shaozhang covered his face with one hand, staring at me with disbelief. Seeing my anger blazing in his eyes, he rattled off a long string of words, growing increasingly indignant. Yet, he didn't retort, a thoughtful look slowly creeping into his eyes. Seeing Shang Shaozhang like this, I became even angrier and shouted, "You—why are you looking at me like that! What did I say wrong?!"

"Hahaha! -- Good, good, good, of course! Of course! Every word Sister Bai says is absolutely right!" A clear, bell-like laugh suddenly came from above. I looked up in surprise and saw Little Green sitting on a high branch, clapping her hands and giggling as she watched us. Her little feet were sticking up and down. She had probably watched the whole show of me scolding and beating up Young Master Shang from below! But she showed no anger at all and clapped her hands and laughed, "Everyone says that Young Master Shang is the number one assassin in the world, and his martial arts are second to none. But in my opinion, Sister Bai's martial arts are still the best!" She made a face at me and giggled, "If we're talking about the best martial arts in the world, Autumn Water Blade has to take second place compared to Sister Bai's 'Slap Skill'!"

Xiao Lü's attempt to mediate was neither a proper attempt nor a joke. After she finished speaking, even I, who was quick to retaliate, blushed for a moment and scolded her, "Xiao Lü, what are you doing here?"

"Well..." Xiao Lü drawled, noticing the slight blush on my cheeks, and said with a mischievous smile, "I smelled a strong scent of vinegar in the valley, so I came to check..."

After Xiao Lü said a few words to me, I turned cold and said, "Who would get angry over this scoundrel..." My face turned red and I quickly shut my mouth, unable to say the word "jealousy".

"Hahahaha—" Little Green suddenly burst into laughter in mid-air, laughing so hard she was doubled over. Between laughs, she exclaimed, "Oh my… this is so funny! Sister Bai's face is so red! Today must be an auspicious day, to let me see such a good show!" Little Green kept wiping her eyes with her sleeve; tears were streaming down her face from laughing. "Even though Brother Shao Chang is my own brother, I still find it hilarious, hahaha… someone actually slapped him, and he didn't even dodge—hahaha—"

"What?!" I instinctively covered my mouth with my hand. Hearing Xiao Lü say "dear brother" was like a bolt from the blue! I exclaimed in shock, "Xiao Lü—you—what did you say?"

Little Green lightly flicked her toes, gently landing beside Shang Shaochang like a fluttering green leaf. Her bright, large eyes looked at me: "Brother Shaochang is my own brother! Our parents passed away early, and Brother Shaochang has taken care of me since I was little." Seeing me standing there, dumbfounded, she clearly couldn't accept this fact yet. Little Green sweetly hugged me, looking at me with her incredibly innocent and clear eyes, and smiled sweetly:

"Sister in white, don't you believe me?"

"I..." I stared at her smile, and it took me a while to come to my senses. Good heavens! Who would have thought these two siblings were a killer and a master healer! I couldn't help but smile wryly, "I believe you, I believe you!" I took a deep breath, feeling both embarrassed and amused, and said:

"If anyone says they don't believe it, I, Baiyi, will be the first to disagree!"

I stared blankly as Xiao Lü skipped away, still unable to believe my ears. Yet, I couldn't help but believe it! No wonder I had that strange feeling of déjà vu when I first saw Xiao Lü; now everything made sense! It turned out she and Young Master Shang looked so alike, except Young Master Shang had a more worldly air about him, while his features were more refined. The two actually had many similarities. But I had foolishly never doubted it… But… who could possibly connect the world's number one healer with the world's number one assassin?

I thought back to the hard slap I'd just given him and the barrage of angry words I'd uttered… I stole a glance at Young Master Shang ahead of me, my lips moving incessantly, but I couldn't say a word. My usually pale face was now burning red, and for the first time in my life, I felt an urge to run away!