CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: PINKY PROMISE

EDITOR: DRAGON BOAT TRANSLATION

"Little Qingqing, I’m already fine," all of Gu Qingqing’s thoughts were written on her face, and Yue Zhao understood immediately, his heart warming as he quickly said, "How do you feel now?"

While Yue Zhao was speaking, Gu Qingqing carefully observed him and found that he indeed looked fine. When she heard him ask about her, she quickly shook her head to indicate she was okay.

"Little Qingqing, I’m sorry for making you worry last night. Did I scare you?" Yue Zhao reached out and patted Gu Qingqing’s head, his tone much gentler than before, and his gaze toward her was even softer.

Gu Qingqing blinked her eyes. Sensitive to emotions, she clearly felt that Yue Zhao’s attitude towards her was much better than before. This puzzled her a bit, but she didn’t dwell on it too much, just shaking her head to show she wasn’t scared.

"Last night I almost fell into demonic frenzy, and if it weren’t for you, I’d probably..." Yue Zhao looked at Gu Qingqing, finding her unbearably adorable, his voice growing even softer.

Gu Qingqing finally understood why Yue Zhao had acted that way last night; it was because he nearly fell into a frenzy. No wonder he was so afraid. She hurriedly took Yue Zhao’s hand and, after he looked at her puzzledly, slowly gestured.

[That was too dangerous, Second Brother, you must be more careful!]

Gu Qingqing’s expression was very earnest, and her eyes were filled with concern, which warmed Yue Zhao’s heart. He again thought of how reckless he’d been and nearly missed out on such a wonderful little junior sister!

"Don’t worry, Second Brother won’t let that happen again. Second Brother will protect Little Qingqing for a lifetime." Touching Gu Qingqing’s head, Yue Zhao’s eyes were as gentle as if water could drip from them.

But Gu Qingqing didn’t believe him. Tilting her head, she thought for a moment, then suddenly extended her pinky finger, waving it in front of Yue Zhao.

Yue Zhao looked at Gu Qingqing’s hand, then at Gu Qingqing, his face showing a rare expression of puzzlement.

Gu Qingqing took Yue Zhao’s hand, hooked her little finger with his, and then pressed her thumb against his thumb. After completing the pinky promise and the sealing gesture, Gu Qingqing finally nodded with satisfaction.

Yue Zhao allowed Gu Qingqing to move freely, somewhat amused once he realized what she was doing, as he never imagined such a childish trick would apply to him.

Even though it was childish, Yue Zhao had no objections since it made Gu Qingqing happy.

"What are you two doing?" Rong Ye entered from outside, asking curiously as he walked.

Gu Qingqing and Yue Zhao exchanged a glance, sharing a smile that only the two of them understood.

"Nothing," it was nothing to hide from Gu Qingqing, but Yue Zhao didn’t want Rong Ye to know about his childish behavior, so he quickly changed the subject, "What are you carrying?"

"Some medicinal porridge boiled by Old Fourth. It’s good for Little Qingqing’s body." Rong Ye looked at the items in his hands and explained without much thought.

"Give it to me, I’ll feed Little Qingqing." Yue Zhao stood up, attempting to take the bowl from Rong Ye’s hands as he spoke.

Rong Ye quickly dodged Yue Zhao’s outstretched hand, sitting down by the bed. "I’ll do it myself, no need to trouble you."

With that, Rong Ye ignored Yue Zhao’s reaction, picking up a spoonful of porridge, blowing on it, and fed it to Gu Qingqing. Already hungry, Gu Qingqing quickly opened her mouth as soon as she smelled the porridge.

Seeing that Gu Qingqing had started eating, Yue Zhao did not insist and simply flashed a perfect smile behind Rong Ye.

It was a pity Rong Ye didn’t see this; otherwise, he might not have continued to feed Gu Qingqing porridge.

After finishing a bowl of porridge, Gu Qingqing was full. Once Mu Chen confirmed Gu Qingqing was fine, Yue Zhao took her from the fourth peak back to the second peak.

"Little Qingqing, rest for today. We’ll practice again tomorrow." Concerned that Gu Qingqing hadn’t fully recovered, Yue Zhao escorted her back to her room and said.

Unable to refuse Yue Zhao, Gu Qingqing could only agree.

The next day, Yue Zhao continued teaching Gu Qingqing to play the zither; this time, it was clear he was much more earnest and focused than before.

Just like that, Gu Qingqing stayed at the second peak for five days. Since Nan Hua wasn’t around, she first went to Mu Chen’s fourth peak.

...

Compared to the first two peaks, Mu Chen’s fourth peak was much richer in content.

The entire fourth peak was likely the most lushly vegetated area within Spirit Hidden Mountain, with the most diverse range of plant species.

Mu Chen had opened many medicinal fields on the fourth peak with the help of puppets to plant the spirit flowers, spirit grasses, and herbs he needed. He even had Nan Hua set up many arrays to help the herbs grow better.

The fourth peak’s environment was very suitable for a little girl like Gu Qingqing, with air fragrant enough to savor.

Over the past few days, Gu Qingqing had learned quite a few characters, and Mu Chen first gave her a copy of the "Hundred Herbs Collection" to memorize. This book recorded the growing environments, habits, effects, and combinations of many spirit flowers, spirit grasses, and herbs, all very useful for someone new to Alchemy.

Starting the second day, Mu Chen took Gu Qingqing to his medicinal fields to learn, explaining the habits and effects of the herbs while also testing how well she remembered her knowledge. This routine continued until Gu Qingqing left the fourth peak.

After Nan Hua returned, Gu Qingqing went to the third peak. Like Rong Ye at the fifth peak, when Gu Qingqing arrived, they first handed her an introductory book to memorize before taking her to study each thing, and soon, one round passed, and Gu Qingqing returned to the main peak.

During the time Gu Qingqing spent learning with Si Lin and the others, Wen Guiyun wasn’t always at the main peak. After receiving a message, he left Spirit Hidden Mountain and only returned when Gu Qingqing came back to the main peak.

Once back, he called all six of his disciples to the main peak for a meeting.

At the main peak, Gu Qingqing was surrounded by Si Lin and the others with their warmth. Nan Hua and Rong Ye were fine as they had just parted ways with her, but Si Lin and the others were different. When Gu Qingqing went to study at the other peaks, they had their matters to attend to and couldn’t visit her, so when they saw her, they couldn’t let go.

Fortunately, Wen Guiyun entered soon enough, and only then did they stop their questioning, giving Gu Qingqing a chance to breathe.

Wen Guiyun didn’t return alone this time. Behind him followed a boy slightly older than Gu Qingqing.

The boy was half a head taller than Gu Qingqing, with delicate features and very fair skin. If not for the boys’ clothes and hairstyle, people might mistake him for a girl!

He wore a dark robe, with a stern face for someone so young, looking quite dignified.

The most extraordinary feature was his deep blue eyes, unlike anyone else’s around Gu Qingqing.

Yue Zhao and the others had seen much of the world and maintained their composure, but Gu Qingqing was different. It was her first time seeing eyes of such color, especially on a child so good-looking, so she couldn’t help but steal a few glances.

The boy also felt Gu Qingqing’s gaze, his deep blue eyes meeting Gu Qingqing’s. They both froze.