Chapter 32: The Antidote (Part I)

The sun began its ascent, the crisp, cold air of dawn still lingering. A soft, warm light pierced through the clouds, rousing the sleeping world.

The entire campus suddenly came to life.

"Third Brother, still not up? You haven't forgotten we have class this morning, have you?" Zhang Bo ruffled his hair, looking disheveled, though his voice was clear and loud.

"Oh, Third Brother, this is a rarity. You're actually sleeping in?" Zhuge Yun toyed with his own messy hair, his tone mocking. It was well known that Third Brother was always the first one up in their dormitory, with a lifestyle so disciplined it left them in awe.

Did the sun rise in the west today? How could Third Brother be late?

"Third Brother, are you not feeling well?" Zhao Luzheng was a thoughtful boy; his first instinct was that something might be wrong with Third Brother’s health, unlike the other two who were far less sensitive.

Xiao Xiao felt a touch of comfort.

"I’m fine. I think I caught a slight chill yesterday; my head feels a bit heavy. Please help me ask the teacher for a leave of absence."

Once the dormitory door clicked shut, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but groan. "Damn it, why does my head still hurt so much?"

Last night, he had barely managed to crawl back to the dorm before curfew, every step an agonizing effort. It was, quite literally, a story of tears and hardship. Upon returning, he had collapsed onto his bed, his mind a complete fog. Though he was exhausted, the piercing pain in his head made it impossible to drift into a deep sleep, leaving him trapped in a state between wakefulness and slumber. Even after a night’s rest, he didn't feel refreshed at all; if anything, he felt even more drained.

It was infuriating. If he had known the consequences of summoning the Lingyao would be this painful, he would have thought twice! Thinking back now, maybe the Qinyuan or the Ershu could have dealt with the Banzhen—why on earth did he feel the need to use the Lingyao?

*Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut*, he thought, groaning while clutching his head in regret.

Xiao Xiao turned over and felt something under his back. Reaching out to touch it, he knew immediately what it was.

*Huh? Is it my imagination? Does the headache feel a bit lighter?*

Xiao Xiao grabbed the Spirit Mirror, focusing intently. Something seemed to be flowing from the mirror through his fingertips.

It was a cool, subtle sensation that traveled up his arm and into his brain, bringing a faint relief to the agony that had felt like a blade churning inside his mind. Xiao Xiao was overjoyed, gripping the mirror tightly. He had had quite enough of this headache, even if it had only been for one night.

The furrow that had been etched into Xiao Xiao’s brow since last night finally loosened. Even though his head still throbbed, the pain was now within his tolerance. Besides, the Spirit Mirror could probably only help him reduce the pain to this extent. After holding it for a while longer and finding that the pain level remained unchanged, he knew this was as good as it would get.

Even without a complete cure, Xiao Xiao was pleasantly surprised. The Spirit Mirror was truly a treasure. Although it was both the hero and the villain—it had drained his essence, but it was also the one to heal him.

*I suppose that balances things out,* Xiao Xiao thought, a weak smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Finally, Xiao Xiao regained some strength. He climbed out of bed, freshened up, and took out his tea set to brew a drink. His throat felt wretched, dry and constricted, and his voice was brittle and hoarse. At that moment, he desperately needed a cup of clear tea to soothe his wounded spirit.

Xiao Xiao’s family ran a teahouse, and having grown up surrounded by it, he naturally knew how to brew excellent tea. Though the dormitory conditions were limited, he didn't let that bother him.

With the balcony wide open, bright sunlight poured into the room, casting dappled shadows. Xiao Xiao’s face remained pale, as if he were just recovering from a major illness, but his gaze was calm and his focus absolute. His hands moved with the fluidity of flowing water and drifting clouds, natural and graceful, without a hint of hesitation or clumsiness.

A clear, mellow tea fragrance rose, curling into the pale golden morning light, breathtakingly beautiful. In the warm, translucent plum-green tea cup, the apricot-yellow tea broth was clear and bright. The Junshan Silver Needle tea leaves, which had stood upright when first poured, had now settled at the bottom of the cup.

Xiao Xiao sat straight, holding the rim of the cup with his thumb and index finger and supporting the bottom with his middle finger. He took a light sniff, and the aroma filled his senses. Taking another deep breath, he felt a wave of clarity wash over him, as if the pain in his brain had eased even further. He took a large sip, letting the broth linger in his mouth for a moment before swallowing. The initial slight bitterness only made the subsequent sweetness more refreshing.

A sense of vitality rose from his throat, and Xiao Xiao felt truly refreshed, his discomfort largely dissipated.

Only after finishing the entire pot did he set down the cup, still wanting more. Very well, his condition had recovered by about seventy percent. Now, it was time to take care of business.

Yanjing Third People’s Hospital was as busy and bustling as ever. Passing through the noisy crowd, Xiao Xiao no longer felt the irritability he had experienced earlier. Even the smell of disinfectant, which he usually detested, didn't seem so unbearable. The reason was simple: his mood had improved.

"Uncle, Aunt, hello." Finding Lin Zhenzhen’s parents at the door of her ward was no surprise. The faint smile Xiao Xiao had worn since arriving at the hospital deepened.

"Xiao Xiao?" They were quite surprised; he had just visited yesterday, so why was he back today?

"Xiao Xiao, could it be..." Lin’s mother suddenly recalled Xiao Xiao’s words from yesterday—*I will heal Lin Zhenzhen’s face.* She couldn't help but blurt out the question, then swallowed the rest of her sentence. She wanted the answer, but was terrified of hearing a denial. Her heart hammered against her ribs, leaving her breathless.

Lin’s father watched him intently. He was more rational than his wife; in fact, the mother’s concern had clouded her judgment. If he hadn't been certain, would Xiao Xiao have appeared at the hospital the very next day after making such a promise? Still, he found it hard to believe. For a condition the hospital had effectively given up on, one where all the doctors were helpless, could a student really have a solution?

"Yes, I have obtained the antidote."

"The antidote?"

"Yes, the cure for the poison on Lin Zhenzhen’s face."

Xiao Xiao followed them into the ward. Lin Zhenzhen had not been sleeping well, so she opened her eyes the moment they entered. Seeing Xiao Xiao, she paused, then sat up abruptly, staring straight at him.

Yesterday’s promise and yesterday’s tears were still ringing in her ears, vivid in her memory. Lin Zhenzhen’s hands, hidden beneath the quilt, slowly clenched into fists, her fingernails—which she had gnawed down to the quick—leaving deep indentations in her tender palms.

Xiao Xiao did not hesitate. Looking at the girl who had withered away in such a short time, he knew she had suffered enough.

"Drink this."

Xiao Xiao handed Lin Zhenzhen a small glass bottle. Inside was a deep crimson liquid, its surface rippling with shifting hues, a bizarre beauty that inexplicably hinted at something ominous.

This was the tear of the Banzhen.

And it was the cure for Lin Zhenzhen’s poisoned face.