Jiang Huai had no doubt that if an outsider hadn’t been present, Chu Xianning might have picked up her teacup and splashed its scalding contents all over his face.
Wen Wanwan sat obediently to the side, listening to the master and disciple bicker, a little surprised. So, the legendary Iceberg Fairy, Chu Xianning, also had moments of being petty.
Jiang Huai certainly didn’t dare to say another word, only silently picked up his teacup and took a gentle sip.
The fragrance of flowers filled his mouth, the faint floral scent seemingly seeping into his very bones. Jiang Huai blinked innocently at Chu Xianning.
“You’re not allowed to drink anymore,” Chu Xianning’s eyelashes fluttered lightly.
“Why? This flower tea is something I prepared for Master, why are you being so stingy?”
“Brew another pot for yourself.”
“Oh, then I’ll go pick some rose petals too and see if I can make it the same as Master’s…” Jiang Huai said, standing up. However, after taking several steps, he quietly glanced back at Chu Xianning, but saw no hint of guilt in her eyes.
Chu Xianning’s self-control had always been exceptional.
Jiang Huai didn’t tease Chu Xianning any further, but instead softly called out to Wen Wanwan, “Come to my room.”
Wen Wanwan obediently stood up and followed Jiang Huai into the room. As Jiang Huai closed the door, he met Chu Xianning’s cold gaze. He chuckled slightly, then firmly shut the door.
***
“Lie down on the bed,” Jiang Huai turned and looked at Wen Wanwan.
Wen Wanwan obediently sat on the bedside, slightly lifting her leg, and carefully took off her white embroidered shoes. After a moment of hesitation, she also removed her white silk socks. She then lay down obediently on Jiang Huai’s bed. Jiang Huai approached the bedside, gently took her white and tender little hand, and said softly, “There are many acupoints on the human body. The absorption of medicinal liquid requires stimulation of acupoints. Next, I will teach you which acupoints you need to stimulate for Fufu. Feel it carefully.”
Wen Wanwan obediently replied, biting her lips, her body trembling slightly. Before closing her eyes, her gaze was unclear whether it held nervousness, anticipation, or a mixture of both.
Jiang Huai looked at Wen Wanwan’s trembling eyelashes and continued, “If you feel anything strange, you can call out. Don’t suppress it, it’s okay.”
Wen Wanwan let out a soft hum, and then Jiang Huai gently massaged her arm.
Her arm was fine. Wen Wanwan didn’t make any strange sounds. Jiang Huai earnestly explained the function of each acupoint. Soon, Jiang Huai’s fingertips landed on her waist, poking it a few times. Wen Wanwan’s body instinctively arched like a jade bridge, and the delicate toes under her skirt curled up.
“Have you remembered it all? If you haven’t remembered it, we’ll do it again?” Jiang Huai’s voice seemed to carry a hint of playfulness.
“Wanwan… didn’t remember clearly,” Wen Wanwan’s eyes opened, looking at him with watery eyes.
So, Jiang Huai poked a few more times.
Next was her ankle. Jiang Huai gently held the girl’s slender jade foot, his fingertips lightly tapping her soft arch. Perhaps due to its extreme sensitivity, Wen Wanwan accidentally let out a gasp, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, not daring to meet Jiang Huai’s eyes again.
“There are many acupoints on the feet, so this area needs special attention,” Jiang Huai’s voice was undeniably righteous. He played with the girl’s white and tender little feet in his hands for a while. It wasn’t until Wen Wanwan’s hands, which were gripping the bedsheet, lost their strength due to her body becoming soft and weak, that Jiang Huai finally withdrew his hand. He then gently pressed on her leg through her dress skirt, “The acupoints here are also very important.”
Wen Wanwan instinctively dodged, tickled. Jiang Huai looked at her playfully. After a while, Wen Wanwan bit her lips, “Wanwan… will endure it well.”
The air in the room seemed to become more heated.
After a while, when Jiang Huai had finished explaining all the key acupoints to Wen Wanwan, she was already lying on the bed, utterly exhausted and limp like mud. Even when Jiang Huai poked her cheek with his finger, she didn’t react. Jiang Huai was a bit amused, “Then, rest well for a while? Get up and eat after resting.”
“Mhm.”
“I’ll go check on the medicinal refining fire,” Jiang Huai said softly, pulling the quilt over Wen Wanwan and covering her gently. Wen Wanwan obediently grabbed the quilt, revealing only her small head.
Jiang Huai turned and walked out of the room. As soon as the door opened, he saw Chu Xianning practicing her sword in the courtyard with a calm demeanor.
So Jiang Huai paused for a moment to watch.
Sometimes, one could discern Chu Xianning’s mood from her sword. When she was in a good mood, her blade was lively and agile. When she was in a bad mood, it was like now; her blade was decisive and lethal, its chilling sword energy making Jiang Huai’s neck feel a bit cold.
He always had the illusion that Chu Xianning’s sword would pierce his eyes the next second, so he stopped looking and went to the medicine furnace to observe the refining fire for a while. He confirmed there were no problems; the pill would be ready in an hour. He turned around, and Chu Xianning had finished her sword practice.
Jiang Huai pondered for a moment and explained, “I was teaching her in the room about the techniques she should use to massage her sister to absorb the medicinal liquid.”
“Who asked you?” Chu Xianning cast him a sideways glance.
“I’m just saying.” This kind of humiliation no longer bothered Jiang Huai. He went to the kitchen. The Snow Spirit Fish, which had been steaming for a while, was ready to eat. He also prepared two small dishes. He had taken a small piece of the Snow Spirit Fish earlier and steamed it separately. This separately steamed portion was packed into a food container, along with the prepared small dishes. He wanted Wen Wanwan to take them back for her sister to try.
Jiang Huai brought out the finished dishes one by one and placed them on the table. Chu Xianning’s gaze fell on the Snow Spirit Fish. “Did you go to Snow Lake to steal someone’s fish again?”
“I caught it myself, how can it be considered stealing?”
“There’s a piece missing,” Chu Xianning said calmly, looking at the steamed fish.
“I saved a piece for her sister,” Jiang Huai replied softly. “Her sister has been ill in bed all day, she’s quite pitiful.”
“So you’re so kindhearted.”
“It’s all thanks to Master’s good teachings.”
Jiang Huai had a feeling that Chu Xianning’s anger was rising steadily. Perhaps his death would come when Wen Wanwan left the courtyard, but why wasn’t he nervous at all now? In fact, he was a bit expectant?
Huh? Would Master press me to the ground and stomp on my chest again?
Oh no! Little Huai! A strange attribute has awakened!
Jiang Huai got up and went to the room to call Wen Wanwan. Wen Wanwan sat up obediently, her body still a bit weak. Jiang Huai looked at the girl sitting by the bed, squatted down, and began to put on her shoes and socks. Perhaps this action made Wen Wanwan a little embarrassed, and she spoke in a flustered tone, “Wanwan can do it herself, how can Senior Brother Jiang Huai put on shoes for me…”
“It’s alright,” Jiang Huai said with a helpless smile, gently holding her slightly swaying ankle and looking up at her flustered eyes.
“Senior Brother Jiang Huai… is really kind.”
“Wanwan is also very cute.” Jiang Huai finished putting on her shoes and walked out with her, returning to the table.
Chu Xianning didn’t touch her chopsticks, so Jiang Huai didn’t either. Now, he had to avoid any reason Chu Xianning could use to reasonably discipline him. Master Chu Xianning was sometimes quite reasonable; she certainly wouldn’t hit him just because he stepped into the courtyard with his left foot.
This meal was actually a bit late, already around two or three in the afternoon. Wen Wanwan ate only a little, not because the taste was bad, but perhaps because Chu Xianning was present, and she was embarrassed to eat too much.
So Jiang Huai picked up a piece of fish for her.
Wen Wanwan held the bowl, her eyes timid yet sparkling.
Chu Xianning also ate only a little before standing up and saying calmly, “I’ve had enough. You two eat.”
With that, she walked out of the courtyard. Jiang Huai winked at Wen Wanwan, “Eat more, I’ve saved a portion for your sister.”
“Senior Brother Jiang Huai…”
“Hm?”
“I feel… Fairy Chu seems a little displeased.”
“Hm? No, fairies don’t eat mortal food, it’s normal to have a small appetite.” Jiang Huai replied. Wen Wanwan nodded as if she understood, and after eating lunch with Jiang Huai, they both sat on chairs basking in the sun.
Basking in the sun was truly the happiest thing.
After waiting for another half an hour, the pill in Jiang Huai’s medicine furnace was finally complete. He opened the furnace and looked at the golden patterns on the pill. The golden patterns signified Perfect Quality.
Pills of Perfect Quality were considered rare finds, even for the Heavenly-tier alchemists in Medicine Refining Mountain. Yet, Jiang Huai had mastered a method for refining pills with near 100% Perfect Quality. He had some past grievances with Medicine Refining Mountain, so he was unwilling to sell this method to them and kept it for himself, waiting for a suitable buyer in the future. After all, once a method became widespread, it would become less valuable.
As it was, among everyone Jiang Huai knew, no one could afford the price of a technique for refining below-Heavenly-tier pills with 100% Perfect Quality.
Pills were a crucial resource for cultivators on their cultivation journey, but the vast majority of refined pills were accompanied by pill toxins. For example, for Qi Gathering Pills, each Foundation Establishment cultivator could eat at most one per month. Eating more would lead to cumulative pill toxins, which were detrimental to future cultivation. However, if the pill was flawless, eating a dozen would be fine.
“Here are ten pills in total. Give Fufu one every three days. I will refine new ones for her next month,” Jiang Huai placed the pills into Wen Wanwan’s hand. Then, he took out the pre-mixed medicinal liquid. “This is the medicinal liquid for massaging her body. Once a month is sufficient. Her body can only be slowly recuperated, there’s no need to rush. She will definitely be cured.”
As he spoke, Jiang Huai suddenly thought of something and led Wen Wanwan back into the room. He took out a human model from his chest and marked the acupoints for massage on it. After marking, he handed it to Wen Wanwan. “If you forget any acupoint, just follow this model.”
Wen Wanwan was stunned at first, then blinked innocently at Jiang Huai.
Jiang Huai blinked innocently back at her.
Wen Wanwan giggled, and Jiang Huai followed suit.
“Then why did Senior Brother Jiang Huai massage Wanwan’s body first?” Wen Wanwan asked with a laugh.
“Because I wanted Wanwan to get familiar with it first, to ensure there were no mistakes.”
“So that’s how it is.” Wen Wanwan’s smile grew even happier.
“Yes, that’s how it is.” Jiang Huai never blushed when he lied.
