CH 178

Villainous Undercover (17)

The next morning, Song Xu Yi woke up to find that it was already close to noon. She lay in bed for a moment, covering her face, before getting up in a hurry and shouting downstairs for the innkeeper to bring hot water.

Song Xu Yi immersed herself in the bathtub, surrounded by steaming hot water.

Despite her efforts to forget, the scenes from the previous night involuntarily resurfaced in her mind—

A breathtakingly beautiful woman whose allure outshone everything else in the world, a night filled with passionate entanglement that left one both ecstatic and overwhelmed, the memories of which still sent shivers down her spine…

However, as Song Xu Yi glanced at herself from head to toe, she realized that there were no traces left on her body.

Everything seemed like a fantastical dream, but Song Xu Yi couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off. “It all felt too real!” she thought. Moreover, as she recalled the scenes from last night, she realized that she had initially been the one taking the initiative, but eventually, the woman in her dream had taken control. Yet, even in her dominance, there was a gentle tenderness that stirred Song Xu Yi’s heart. If everything from last night had been real, it probably wouldn’t have left any traces…

Song Xu Yi felt an overwhelming sense of shame and couldn’t resist asking the system for answers.

“System, what happened last night after I passed out due to that strange fragrance? How did I end up back in bed…”

The system remained silent for a moment.

In truth, even the system didn’t understand the actions of the villain from last night. After witnessing Song Xu Yi’s reaction, the villain seemed reluctant to be recognized and gritted her teeth before dropping her disguise, revealing her true identity. And then, the system automatically went into sleep mode.

However, this worked out perfectly for the system.

The villain surely wouldn’t disclose everything, and the system had no intention of exposing the truth either. “It appears to be some sort of potent drug,” the system chimed in, its voice tinged with half-truths. “You were rendered unconscious by the drug, but before the intruders outside could break in, Fu Xi Yu arrived just in time and placed you back on the bed—”

“I see!”

Song Xu Yi murmured softly, a hidden sense of relief flooding her heart. Fortunately, everything was just a dream, and she hadn’t shamelessly pursued the enchanting woman, harboring inappropriate desires…

Moreover… upon careful consideration, a woman of such extraordinary beauty could only exist within the realm of dreams. In reality, where could one find such an exquisitely beautiful woman…

Since the system assured her that nothing unusual had happened, Song Xu Yi chose to believe its words and refrained from dwelling on the provocative dream. Instead, she focused her thoughts on the current situation.

Now that Lu Dun had caught up with them, it seemed unlikely that they could escape again. However, compared to the original plot, things had already improved significantly.

Over the past two years, Song Xu Yi had exhausted all tactics of persuasion to no avail with Fu Xi Yu. After careful consideration, she decided to have an open and honest conversation with Fu Xi Yu—telling her that she already knew about Lu Dun’s cultivation of forbidden techniques and trying to convince her to join forces.

Based on the bond they had developed since childhood, Song Xu Yi believed that Fu Xi Yu wouldn’t reject her proposal.

However, when Song Xu Yi went to find Fu Xi Yu, she was nowhere to be found. Instead, she encountered Lu Dun sitting in the living room, sipping tea. He gently raised his eyes upon seeing Song Xu Yi, fanning himself with his folding fan, and softly inquired, “Xu Yi, did you sleep well last night?”

Song Xu Yi was taken aback, sensing a subtle change in Lu Dun’s demeanor towards her. However, she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what seemed odd, leaving her cautious as she replied, “It was decent.”

“I see,” Lu Dun sighed softly, his eyes forming a pattern of layered wrinkles once again, “Are you here to see your senior sister?”

“Unfortunately, she’s not here right now. She’ll be back later—”

“But even when she returns, I don’t think she’ll have time to see you,” Lu Dun interrupted, folding his fan. His eyes appeared warm on the surface, but underneath, there was a sense of inquiry. “You know, your senior sister has health issues and old ailments. She has pushed herself to the limit during her time away, and tonight, I’ll be treating her ailments. She will likely feel uncomfortable afterwards, so I can only entrust the care of your senior sister to you…”

Song Xu Yi’s heart sank to the bottom in an instant—

While there hadn’t been many casualties within the Taiji Sect in the past two years, the Demon Sect had grown rampant, wiping out several martial sects. It was possible that Lu Dun had been involved and had absorbed the inner energy of numerous individuals.

After two years, Lu Dun likely accumulated a significant amount of turbulent chaotic true qi within his body. Could Fu Xi Yu endure its effects?

“Master, usually… whenever Senior Sister falls ill, she is near the Medical Valley. Even if her life is in jeopardy, the skilled healers of the Medical Valley can turn her misfortune into good fortune. However, the distance to the Medical Valley now is too far, and I fear Senior Sister won’t be able to withstand it…”

“But you’re here, aren’t you?” Lu Dun smiled at Song Xu Yi. “Haven’t you spent so many years studying at the Medical Valley? Surely, you must have a way to treat your senior sister…”

Is this something a responsible father would say?

Song Xu Yi bit her lip tightly.

But as fate would have it, Fu Xi Yu promptly walked in through the front gate.

In her hands, she carried a wooden box containing a new set of silver needles. Catching sight of Song Xu Yi, she paused in her steps and her gaze involuntarily shifted towards Lu Dun.

“Master, I’m ready,” Fu Xi Yu said, her voice directed at Lu Dun. “I was just talking with Xu Yi. She was deeply concerned and afraid that you wouldn’t be able to bear it. The two of you have a strong sisterly bond, so it would be better if you personally explain things to her…”

Fu Xi Yu pursed her lips.

She stood in front of Song Xu Yi, and for some reason, whether it was due to her own melancholy or to make a statement to Lu Dun, Fu Xi Yu didn’t meet Song Xu Yi’s gaze as she had in the past.

She lowered her head, and her voice sounded almost as faint as a mosquito’s whisper. “Xu Yi, I’ll be fine.”

Seeing Song Xu Yi frown, seemingly wanting to retort, Fu Xi Yu preempted her. “Tomorrow morning, I want to have yunpian su from Guihua Street.”

There was a famous chef living on Guihua Street, and his yunpian su was renowned throughout the world. However, the chef had a peculiar habit of cooking in the middle of the night and selling the pastries on the spot. Once they were sold out, he would close the shop. To buy yunpian su, one had to queue up at the chef’s doorstep in the middle of the night.

Song Xu Yi felt that this was the hunger marketing of modern society.

Ironically, the nobles in the city fell for it and often sent their servants to wait there all day just to be the first to get the freshly baked yunpian su.

Song Xu Yi knew that Fu Xi Yu didn’t actually want to eat yunpian su. She only mentioned it to distract herself and prevent Song Xu Yi from worrying about her. However, in front of Lu Dun, Song Xu Yi couldn’t object to Fu Xi Yu’s decision and could only nod with a heavy heart.

For the rest of the day, Song Xu Yi paid close attention to Fu Xi Yu’s movements, wanting to find an opportunity to have an open and honest conversation with her. However, for some reason, Song Xu Yi felt that Fu Xi Yu was avoiding her. Not only did she avoid making eye contact, but on the rare occasions when their eyes met, she would quickly avert her gaze as if startled.

What was happening to her? Could she have guessed what Song Xu Yi wanted to talk to her about?

Song Xu Yi couldn’t make sense of it all. However, Fu Xi Yu spent the entire afternoon with Lu Dun in the main hall, listening to storytelling. Song Xu Yi couldn’t find an opportunity to explain his plans to Fu Xi Yu.

Song Xu Yi couldn’t understand the situation at all. However, Fu Xi Yu had spent the entire afternoon accompanying Lu Dun in the main hall, listening to storytelling. Song Xu Yi couldn’t find an opportunity to explain her plans to Fu Xi Yu.

Time passed quickly, as if it had been just a moment, and evening quietly descended.

As Song Xu Yi watched Lu Dun finally rise and saw Fu Xi Yu respectfully following behind him, she couldn’t help but recall the numerous life-threatening situations Fu Xi Yu had faced before. Her heart couldn’t help but tighten.

But Song Xu Yi knew it wasn’t the time to add to the chaos. Even though she wanted nothing more than to wait outside the door for news, she remembered Fu Xi Yu’s request to eat yunpian su. After some thought, Song Xu Yi decided to go to Guihua Street.

Song Xu Yi arrived early, with only a few scattered people in front of her. However, shortly after she joined the queue, a long line of people formed behind her.

Song Xu Yi waited idly in the queue. She was fortunate enough that it didn’t take long before the chef opened the shop and displayed the yunpian su pastries. As the aroma filled the streets, Song Xu Yi suddenly understood why yunpian su had such a renowned reputation in the capital.

With fewer people ahead of her, Song Xu Yi quickly reached the front of the line. However, a dashing young man swaggered from behind and went straight to the counter, bypassing everyone.

Song Xu Yi was taken aback by this blatant act of cutting in line. She couldn’t help but grab hold of his clothes, intending to push him back to the end of the line. But when the young man turned around and saw Song Xu Yi’s face, he widened his eyes in surprise. “Xu Yi?”

Song Xu Yi blinked.

She naturally had some impression of the first patient she had encountered in this world, whom she had used as a practice case.

The face of the young gentleman in front of her merged with a painful face in her mind.

So it was him!

The misfortunate kid who, in their childhood, had no filter and was used by her and Fu Xi Yu to practice needle techniques.

The young misfortunate kid’s name was Li Jin. It was only through Li Jin’s explanation that Song Xu Yi realized it was all a misunderstanding. The pastry chef selling the yunpian su was Li Jin’s distant uncle, and Li Jin had come to invite the chef to his house for a family feast, not to cut in line.

Song Xu Yi felt a sense of shame in her heart, while Li Jin remained as carefree as ever, chatting with her about his experiences over the years and insisting on escorting her back to the inn.

With the warm hospitality and her concern for Fu Xi Yu’s condition, Song Xu Yi could only bring Li Jin back to the inn. However, to her surprise, when they arrived at the inn, Fu Xi Yu had already come out of Lu Dun’s room.

It was the fastest Fu Xi Yu had ever emerged.

Unlike her previous frailty, although Fu Xi Yu’s complexion still appeared extremely pale, it was much better compared to her previous life-threatening situation.

Song Xu Yi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly approached to support Fu Xi Yu.

Just as she was about to inquire about Fu Xi Yu’s condition, Lu Dun, who was behind Fu Xi Yu, suddenly burst into laughter.

“I am Lu Dun. Brother, may I ask where you are from? You seem somewhat unfamiliar.”

The name Lu Dun carried great renown, and his appearance and smile were equally perplexing. Li Jin was taken aback by Lu Dun’s approachable demeanor, but quickly regained composure and replied, “I am Li Jin, a resident of the capital…”

Fu Xi Yu observed the two of them conversing amicably, her lips slightly pursed.

She had almost managed to digest Lu Dun’s chaotic true qi, but in order to avoid arousing suspicion, Fu Xi Yu could only lie and claim that she had learned a needling technique from the Medical Valley.

Fortunately, Lu Dun didn’t doubt her words.

However, Fu Xi Yu did not expect that when she pushed open the door, she would see Song Xu Yi chatting with another man…

How can she smile so beautifully with that man?

She clearly knew she had no right to interfere. Last night would only be seen as a dream by Song Xu Yi, and she herself was just a filthy residue, taking advantage of someone’s vulnerability. Everything from last night should be treated as a dream… However, Fu Xi Yu’s heart uncontrollably filled with bitterness.

Fortunately, in the end, Song Xu Yi didn’t pay any attention to that man and helped Fu Xi Yu back to her room.

Fu Xi Yu didn’t know what was happening to herself. Just a moment ago, her heart was filled with sadness, but now, inexplicably, a sense of joy welled up within her.

If that man were to die, Song Xu Yi would be heartbroken, wouldn’t she?

Fu Xi Yu looked at Song Xu Yi, who was anxiously checking her pulse, and after some contemplation, she finally revealed a discovery she had never intended to share in her lifetime: “Xu Yi, that man just now is likely to be Lu Dun’s next target…”

The author has something to say:

These past few days have been particularly challenging, and I often feel dissatisfied with the initial drafts I produce. As a result, I will continuously revise them after writing. For the sake of a better reading experience, I suggest my dear readers come back in the morning to take a look~