Chapter 065: A Restless Heart and Wandering Thoughts

“Hey, everyone’s gone and you’re still grinning…” Jin’er walked over, looking amused at Liu Ying’s lovestruck expression and reminding her just in time.

Liu Ying snapped back to herself. Seeing Jin’er struggling to suppress a laugh, her cheeks flushed red and she said, a little vexed, “What are you laughing at?!”

“Me? Did I laugh? Weren’t you the one staring at someone’s back, grinning like a fool?” Jin’er looked at her innocently, though there was still a flicker of mirth in her eyes.

“You! I—I’m not talking to you anymore!” Liu Ying, both embarrassed and annoyed, stamped her foot and stormed ahead.

Jin’er smiled silently and hurried to follow.

“Miss, who was that just now?” After a while, Jin’er sidled up to Liu Ying, curiosity brimming in her voice.

Liu Ying looked over at her. Seeing nothing but genuine curiosity, with no hint of mockery, she curved her lips into a smile and replied, “His name is Chu Yifan. He’s my father’s old friend. My father once told me that a few years ago, while doing business out of town, he ran into mountain bandits and nearly lost his life—he only survived thanks to Brother Yifan. He used to visit only occasionally, but lately it seems he’s been helping my father with business, so he comes to the manor more often now.”

“Oh, I see.” Jin’er nodded in understanding.

“He’s very handsome, isn’t he?” Liu Ying suddenly turned and asked in a low, smiling voice.

“Uh, he’s all right,” Jin’er replied with a smile.

“Hey! What do you mean, ‘all right’?? He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen!” Liu Ying protested, clearly dissatisfied.

Jin’er’s eye twitched, and she quickly offered a placating smile. “Yes, yes, very handsome, extremely handsome, ha…”

This girl must see the world through rose-colored glasses, Jin’er thought. Or perhaps she really has only met this one good-looking man. To be fair, Chu Yifan was indeed distinguished, but compared to Ye, Nangong Che, and Mo Yan, whom Jin’er had encountered before, he was a step behind; only Xiao Jiu was perhaps slightly less impressive.

“That’s right. He’s elegant and dashing, skilled in martial arts, capable, and kind. He’s just perfect,” Liu Ying blurted out, voicing her inner thoughts without realizing it.

“Do you want to marry him?” Jin’er looked at her with a half-smile.

“Mm. Wait, huh?” Realizing what she’d just agreed to, Liu Ying quickly turned away, cheeks aflame, and stammered, “What nonsense! I didn’t even hear what you asked. Don’t get any funny ideas.”

Jin’er pressed her lips together, nodding vigorously in feigned seriousness.

Seeing her odd expression, Liu Ying could only roll her eyes helplessly. “Fine, but you mustn’t tell anyone else. Otherwise… I won’t teach you martial arts anymore!”

“Of course not! My lips are sealed.” Jin’er shook her head so vigorously she looked like a rattle-drum.

“Good.” Liu Ying smiled in satisfaction and continued on her way.

When they reached the training grounds, Jin’er practiced horse stance for over half an hour. Then Liu Ying began teaching her some basic fist techniques.

Liu Ying’s moves were all form and no force; to Jin’er, it felt more like learning a set of calisthenics… However, perhaps she could approach this as she had with medicine: master the basics first, then gradually gain deeper understanding, seeking guidance from true experts when the chance arose. With this in mind, Jin’er threw herself into practice with complete concentration.

Liu Ying, watching her “disciple” train so earnestly, nodded repeatedly in satisfaction.

“Well, well, you’re already a master?” came a teasing voice. Liu Ying turned to see Chu Yifan approaching and, a little embarrassed, stuck out her tongue and said, “That’s right! Not too shabby, am I?”

“Mm, your disciple’s quite good,” Chu Yifan replied, smiling as he watched Jin’er train with unwavering focus.

“Hey! Why don’t you praise me instead?” Liu Ying said, a little aggrieved.

“To have a good student, the teacher must be good too,” Chu Yifan said with a smile.

Liu Ying pondered, but she still felt he was praising Jin’er more than her. “By that logic, you’d better teach me well, or else your reputation as a master will be on the line.”

Amused by her mischievous ways, Chu Yifan couldn’t help but tug at her cheek, laughing. “You’re quite the quick learner. Looks like I’ll have to put more effort into teaching my silly student.”

“Who are you calling silly!” Liu Ying protested loudly.

Jin’er, hearing the commotion, finally noticed that Chu Yifan had arrived and that the two were flirting on the side. She smiled to herself, pretending to notice nothing, and continued practicing.

Before long, Liu Ying, who had been sulking, was coaxed back into a bright smile by Chu Yifan. Then, with a graceful leap, Chu Yifan landed beside the weapon rack, casually drew a sword, and vaulted onto the training platform.

“Wow!” Liu Ying watched his elegant, effortless movements, her heart filling with admiration.

Jin’er, knowing her place, stopped her practice and stepped aside to give them space.

Chu Yifan handed the sword to Liu Ying and began teaching her hand-in-hand. The two stood close together, their right hands clasped as one. Liu Ying found her mind wandering, unable to focus at all. Meanwhile, Jin’er watched the sword’s movements intently, committing them to memory.

After half an hour, beads of sweat had begun to form on Liu Ying’s brow.

Chu Yifan stopped and released her hand, smiling. “Well? Did you remember it?”

Liu Ying blinked at him in confusion. “All of it??”

“That’s right.” Chu Yifan raised an eyebrow and nodded.

Liu Ying’s mouth twitched in frustration. “How could I possibly remember so much?? If I had that kind of talent, I wouldn’t still be here.”

“Haha! If you weren’t here, where would you be?” Chu Yifan couldn’t help but laugh at her pouty face.

“I’d be out on the roads righting wrongs and helping the poor!” Liu Ying declared solemnly, her chin raised.

“Haha!” Chu Yifan laughed again. “Ying’er, you don’t need martial arts to help the poor, you know.”

“Oh?” Ying’er looked at him with curious anticipation.

“Just rob your father,” Chu Yifan whispered, barely able to keep from laughing.

“Pfft!” Jin’er couldn’t help but burst out laughing. When the two looked her way, she quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth and fell silent.

Liu Ying ignored her, turning instead to glare at Chu Yifan. “Stop making fun of me! I won’t let you look down on me. Just wait and see, hmph!” With that, she marched off to the side, picked up her sword, and began practicing from memory.

She couldn’t remember everything, but she’d remember as much as she could and ask him to teach her the rest next time.

Chu Yifan smiled, then turned and headed off the platform. Passing by Jin’er, he paused, looked at her, and said with a smile, “Work hard. Next time, I’ll come to check on your progress.”

Jin’er looked at him, puzzled, but he just smiled and brushed past her.

Check on her progress? On what exactly? How strange… Jin’er muttered to herself, then paid him no further mind and returned to her practice.