I quickly replied, "I'm serious, I'm not just flattering you."
He walked over with a smile and patted the big bamboo behind me: "This bamboo is really sturdy. It has supported you for so long, how come it hasn't broken yet?"
What kind of talk is that! I glared at him and said, "I just have a round face, am I that fat?" Speaking of this, I feel a little wronged. A round face just doesn't look as slim as an oval face.
He glanced at my waist: "It seems like your waist is round too."
"Nonsense, it's because the clothes are loose!" To emphasize the word "free and easy," the clothes of the Xiaoyao Sect are all made quite loose. So, when I was wrapped up inside, I felt a bit swaying around.
He chuckled, then suddenly reached out and wrapped his arm around my waist.
I was stunned! Something I never even dreamed of happened in broad daylight, like a bolt from the blue!
Before I could react, he quickly let go and said seriously, "Yes, the clothes are indeed loose, and the waist is indeed very thin."
Is this considered indecent assault? I glared at him, gritting my teeth, wondering whether to stomp on his foot or kick him.
He seemed to read my mind, took a step back, and chuckled, "Calm down, calm down. You didn't come here just to watch me practice my sword, did you?"
I remembered the important reason I wanted to see him, so I asked, "Where did you get so many cherry pits?"
He glanced at me, lowered his eyes to wipe the sword in his hand, and said casually, "I've been saving it up for four years."
What? It's been accumulating for four years!
I was instantly moved by him. My prejudice against him was like ice on a river, melting away under the bright sun and flowing away with a splash.
I couldn't help but say, "Jiang Chen, your recovery is actually quite surprising."
He raised his eyes and glanced at me sideways: "I've always been fine, haven't you noticed?"
I nodded and said very carefully, "I feel it occasionally."
He seemed dissatisfied, frowning as he asked, "How often, just once in a while?"
I thought for a moment and replied, "Six months."
He snorted and turned away.
Watching his retreating figure, I secretly regretted my actions. Honesty is a good virtue, but sometimes, telling a white lie is necessary. Seeing my dashing senior brother Jiang stiff as a bamboo pole because of my anger, I felt truly guilty.
That evening, with nothing to do, I carefully opened a small hole in my pillow under the lamp and poured out a few cherry pits. The pits were clean, a pale milky white, like irregular little pearls. Holding them in my hand, I was deeply moved. I had never received such a thoughtful gift in my entire life. My master always said I was easily moved and easily satisfied, and it was true; only in this way could I suppress the hidden pain of my past deep within my heart.
Thinking back over the past few years, Jiang Chen has given me something every year for my birthday. Although it's not valuable, at least he remembers my birthday, while I don't even remember his.
It's only polite to reciprocate; I've been disrespecting him for years, it's time to show some reciprocation.
However, after searching the house for a long time, I found that I had nothing of value and nothing good to give him back.
Finally, my gaze fell on the bundle. I'd been so busy these past two days that I'd completely forgotten about throwing it away. I stared at it blankly for a while, then decided to open it. I figured I might as well give the little gold lock inside to Jiang Chen; it was worth a few bucks.
Actually, I was also very curious about who the person who delivered the bundle every year was, and what our relationship was. The things in the bundle were worth some money, so their family must be well-off. They couldn't have abandoned me because they couldn't support me. Did I have a shameful identity? Was I unacceptable to the world? The thought pierced my heart, and I dared not think any further.
I slowly opened the bundle. On top were four pieces of clothing, which I picked up and put aside. Then there was a box. When I opened it, I found that this year's gifts were more plentiful than in previous years.
Besides the golden lock of peace, there was also a jade hairpin and a sword manual. I wasn't interested in the hairpin, but when I picked up the sword manual and looked at the words on it, I almost cried out. It was the Chongshan Sword Technique! I simply couldn't believe that this sword manual, which had been lost for forty years and was said to be unparalleled in the world, had actually appeared in my hands!
It was nighttime, and I was afraid I was dreaming, so I bit my tongue—it hurt! I rubbed my eyes again and read out each word carefully: "Chongshan Sword Technique." Yes, those were the four words; my eyes weren't playing tricks on me.
I excitedly took the sword manual and went to find my master.
The Xiaoyao Sect has four courtyards. My master and uncles live in the middle courtyard, I live in the back courtyard, and my fellow disciples live in the front courtyard.
I rushed to the central courtyard, pushed open the gate and walked in, when I heard a shrill scream.
In the quiet and peaceful night, such a sound suddenly startled me.
Seventh Uncle said angrily, "Little Mo, why didn't you knock before entering the courtyard?"
I quickly lowered my head. My seventh uncle was covering his chest with his clothes. Sigh, it's only April, and he's taking a cold shower on the well platform with his shirt off. I really admire him!
As I walked toward my master's room with my head down, I didn't forget to kindly say, "Seventh Uncle, be careful not to catch a cold or get rheumatism."
Seventh Uncle snorted, "Little Mo, you are not allowed to come to the Central Courtyard after dark from now on."
"Seventh Uncle, don't worry, I didn't see anything except your teeth. You blended in with the night."
"Xiao Mo, do you think I'm dark-skinned?"
"I didn't say that." I chuckled and ran into my master's room.
Master frowned as he looked at me, both amused and exasperated: "You really know how to bring up the most sensitive topics. Your seventh uncle was just dumped by Lady Lin because he was too dark-skinned, so he went to take a shower to clear his head."
"really?"
"Would I lie to you? Alas, your ten senior uncles are all like ancient iron trees, and now only your seventh uncle still has a chance to bloom, but even he has withered away."
“Master, I feel that you have a higher chance of blossoming.”
To my surprise, I saw that my master blushed. Actually, he wasn't old at all; he was only forty.
When I saw that my master's face was flushed and he looked exceptionally handsome, I continued to fan the flames, saying, "Master, you are handsome and skilled in martial arts. It is a great pity in the martial arts world that you are not married."
The master blushed and looked around, coughing a few times before saying, "You want to see me about something?"
"Master, look at this." Remembering my important matter, I quickly handed the Chongshan Sword Technique to my master.
Master's eyes suddenly lit up, like two small lanterns.
He was so excited he could barely speak: "Where did it come from?"
"It was tucked in my little bundle."