“Does it hurt?”

“A little. Your head is too hard.” Ling Ai rubbed her forehead.

“Let me take a look.” Zheng Yun moved toward her.

Ling Ai quickly waved him off. “It’s fine, it’s fine. It’ll be better in a moment.”

Zheng Yun stood up first, then offered his hand. Ling Ai hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his palm. He closed his fingers gently, then with one firm pull, hauled her up from the floor.

But Ling Ai stepped right onto a patch of water on the ground. Her feet went out from under her and she lurched forward, tumbling straight into Zheng Yun’s arms.

Zheng Yun caught her, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth, and said nothing.

Ling Ai was deeply flustered and hurried to pull away, but he held her firmly. His arms were like iron, and she had no strength to break free.

“Zheng Yun…”

“Mm?”

She loved his voice. Whenever he spoke, all her resistance simply melted away.

“Go make dinner.”

Zheng Yun smiled. “Are you hungry?”

“A little.” Ling Ai felt the situation was somewhat difficult to handle. She wasn’t exactly hungry — it was more that…

She hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, “Zheng Yun, aren’t we moving a bit fast?”

They had only known each other for such a short time. You could say they had only just confirmed their feelings, yet they had already been holding hands and embracing. The pace of it was moving so quickly it left her somewhat panicked.

“I don’t think so.” Zheng Yun said, “Just let things unfold naturally.”

Ling Ai also laughed. “Are you using that phrase correctly?”

“Let’s just say it’s correct.” He released his arms from around her. “I’ll go make dinner.”

“Be careful not to drop the fish on the floor again.”

“I should really thank that fish.” Zheng Yun raised an eyebrow and walked off with his fish.

Ling Ai stood where she was for a moment before it dawned on her. Her lips curved softly upward, and she smiled.

Zheng Yun made a plate of shredded potato stir-fry and a pot of fish soup — two simple dishes set on the table.

“My cooking is average at best. Make do.” Zheng Yun handed Ling Ai her chopsticks.

“You call this average? How did you get the fish broth to turn milky white like that?” Ling Ai was amazed. “Did you add cow’s milk?”

“My sister-in-law taught me this. Pan-fry the fish on both sides first, then pour in boiling water and cook it on high heat for twenty minutes — and the broth turns this color.”

“Yan Qing’s cooking is wonderful. You should learn from her as much as you can.”

“I will.” Zheng Yun smiled. “Now eat — it’ll be getting dark soon.”

Ling Ai picked up her chopsticks, lifted her rice bowl, and dug in heartily. Every few bites, she would sneak a glance at him over the rim of her bowl, and without fail, every time she looked, she would be met with his calm, warm gaze, followed by a quiet “eat up.” She would break into a small grin and obediently shovel another mouthful of rice.

After dinner, Ling Ai offered to wash the dishes, but Zheng Yun turned her down. “Go take a walk around the courtyard. There are only a few bowls — I’ll be done in no time.”

Ling Ai strolled into the courtyard, and her gaze was drawn to the rack where Zheng Yun kept his spear. Curious, she ran her hand along the shaft — it had been worn completely smooth, a testament to the countless hours of practice he had put into it.

She tried to lift the spear off its rack and was taken completely by surprise at how heavy it was.

“Don’t touch it.” Zheng Yun hurried over. “Be careful, or you’ll hurt your wrist.”

“I had no idea it was this heavy.”

“The shaft is made of dark ironwood — extremely dense. If you dropped it in water, it would sink straight to the bottom.” Zheng Yun extended his long arm and took the spear effortlessly into his hand. “The spearhead is an alloy as well — even heavier than the shaft. The last time my sister-in-law came over, Seventh Brother wouldn’t even let her touch it.”

Seeing him handle the long spear with such ease, Ling Ai’s curiosity was piqued. “Zheng Yun, I’ve never actually seen you practice with your spear. Would you show me?”

“Of course.” Seeing her interest, Zheng Yun agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

When he was at home, he wore only a long robe. Now he hitched it up and secured it, then wiped the spear shaft down with a dry cloth. “These gloves — you gave them to me.”

Ling Ai noticed the gloves he was putting on, and seeing that something she’d given him was actually being put to use made her genuinely happy.

Zheng Yun took the long spear in hand and casually spun it in a flowing flourish. Even that simple opening move was enough to draw a round of applause from Ling Ai.

Zheng Yun glanced at her with a smile, turned, and began to swing the spear.

His steps were as light as a startled swan, his body as lithe as a soaring dragon. The red-tasseled spear whirled in his hands with fierce, commanding energy.

Yan Qing had once said that if Zheng Yun set his sights on a girl, he wouldn’t need to say a word or do a single thing — all he had to do was perform with his spear in front of her, and she would be utterly captivated.

Ling Ai understood that feeling now. The young man before her, so spirited and magnificent, surpassed even her imagination. His movements were fluid and graceful, his expression resolute and unwavering — had he lived in ancient times, he would have been the kind of young general that struck awe into all who saw him.

Just as Ling Ai’s hands were growing sore from clapping, Zheng Yun — his back to her — suddenly executed a dashing spin. His spearhead shot straight forward, and the unexpected reverse strike was executed with elegant precision and commanding flair.

After a stunned moment, Ling Ai clapped even harder, having thoroughly transformed into Zheng Yun’s devoted admirer.

Zheng Yun brought the spear to a crisp halt and casually wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Ling Ai quickly grabbed the towel hanging nearby and ran over to him. “Here, wipe your sweat.”

“Thank you.” Zheng Yun took it and began wiping his face. “Was it all right?”

“It was incredible. I’ve never seen anyone wield a long spear like that. How long have you been practicing?”

“About ten years or so — I can’t remember exactly.” Zheng Yun set the spear back on its rack. “My hometown used to be called General’s Village, named after the several military lineages it produced. Even now, the boys in the village love to practice with staffs and spears. I started training as a child. My two older brothers both know some techniques as well.”

Ling Ai handed him his tea. “You said you’d teach me some self-defense moves — when will you start?”

“If you want to learn, I can teach you right now.”

“Really? I’d love to start right away.”

Zheng Yun glanced at the sky. “Better leave it for today — you shouldn’t be getting home too late.”

“Then I’ll come back tomorrow.”

The moment the words were out, Ling Ai clapped a hand over her own mouth. She was really becoming more and more…

But Zheng Yun just smiled. “I often have to go out to the field. When I’m busy, I can disappear for days. If you want to come, find me at the Military Police Division first — I’d hate for you to make the trip for nothing.”

“Got it.” Ling Ai nodded.

“Then I’ll walk you home.”

“You haven’t finished cooling down from your workout.”

“I’m used to it.”

The two walked toward the gate together, chatting and laughing along the way. Zheng Yun watched until she was safely seated in the rickshaw before reluctantly turning away.

When Ling Ai arrived home and was just about to go inside, someone called out to her from behind.

Recognizing the voice, she did not turn around right away.

“Ling Ai, are you still angry with me?”

Ling Ai exhaled slowly.

Nagase had come to Shun Cheng seeking out Hui Cun. His father had once shared a life-or-death bond with Hui Cun, so Hui Cun treated him almost like a son.

And she too had always thought of Nagase as an older brother from the bottom of her heart. But what Nagase had done this time had sent her good opinion of him plummeting.

She had not told Hui Cun about this. That had been the last shred of face she was willing to give Nagase.

“Ling Ai, I was wrong this time. After you scolded me, I didn’t sleep the whole night.” Nagase’s face was filled with pain. “You were right — no matter how much I love you, I should never have gambled with Uncle’s health. But Ling Ai, please believe me, I would never have truly let anything happen to Uncle.”

“What guarantee can you offer?” Ling Ai turned to face him, her dark eyes burning as she held his gaze. “You know Father’s condition better than anyone. Perhaps you were careful with the dosage — but what if something had gone wrong?”

“Nothing would have gone wrong.”

Ling Ai shook her head. “Nagase, there’s no need to say any more. I won’t tell Father what happened, but I no longer have any trust in you.”

“Ling Ai, we grew up together from childhood. Can you really be so heartless?”

“I could never have romantic feelings for you. Rather than let you hold onto even a sliver of hope, I’d prefer to make it completely clear to you — there is no possibility between us.” Ling Ai sighed quietly. “What I’m saying right now may seem cruel, but Nagase, since there’s no hope, I don’t want to give you even half a chance to believe otherwise. Do you understand?”

Nagase stared at Ling Ai in shock. He hadn’t expected her to deliver such a final, unsparing verdict. His eyes flickered with reluctance, disbelief, and anger.

Ling Ai did not look at him again. She turned and walked into her room, leaving the closed door behind her for Nagase to face.

In Ling Ai’s view, some feelings were best dealt with swiftly and cleanly. Since she had no feelings for Nagase, she owed him a clear answer. Whether he could come to terms with it was his own affair.

She had no desire to guess at Nagase’s feelings. Her heart was full of Zheng Yun now, and she had no room left for anyone else.

When she went to visit Yan Qing, Yan Qing saw through her immediately.

“You’ve been absolutely glowing lately. Something good happen?” Yan Qing plucked a grape and popped it in her mouth.

“A great forensic doctor can read people at a glance. Why don’t you venture a guess?” Ling Ai gave a mischievous wink.

Yan Qing tilted her head and thought for a moment. “You’ve fallen in love.”

Ling Ai nearly choked on her grape, her pretty eyes going wide as saucers. “Are you a divine being or something?”

Yan Qing smiled without saying a word.

“Yan Qing, how could you tell? Am I really that obvious?” Ling Ai panicked. Had her being in love already become common knowledge? Surely it wasn’t written on her face?

Yan Qing said unhurriedly, “Sometimes when dealing with a suspect who doesn’t want to tell the truth, it helps to bluff them a little. You might be surprised what comes out.”

Ling Ai: “…”

It dawned on her then, and she immediately grabbed Yan Qing’s arm and shook it furiously. “Yan Qing, you tricked me! You’re absolutely shameless!”

Yan Qing, growing dizzy from the shaking, quickly cried out for mercy. “All right, all right, stop! I only bluffed you a little — how was I to know you’d confess so easily?”

Ling Ai ground her teeth, refusing to accept defeat. “Fine then — guess who I’ve fallen for.”

—