Yu Jingfeng thought that if he weren’t so strong-willed, he wouldn’t know how many times he’d have already dropped dead.

He reached out his uninjured arm and took hold of Leng Xuepiao’s hand.

“Xuepiao, I wasn’t lying! How could I possibly joke about something like this?”

“You really do like me, I—”

“But I don’t like you!” Leng Xuepiao emphasized again, indifferent as ever.

She casually pulled her hand back, turned, and walked off with unhurried steps.

“The medicine still needs to be ground. You’d better hurry up and get better.”

Yu Jingfeng pressed his lips together in frustration, standing there watching the little girl leave, wanting to cry but unable to shed a tear.

A lifetime of good reputation, and yet the person he liked had misunderstood him so badly?

Marrying someone just to get out of grinding medicine—how could he possibly do something like that? Was he really that kind of casual person?

“Xuepiao.” Yu Jingfeng’s legs were stiff, but he could still force his mouth open.

“You do like me. Otherwise you wouldn’t be so worried about me, right?”

At his words, Leng Xuepiao stopped walking.

She didn’t turn around. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she said quietly, “No, I wasn’t worried about you.”

Leng Xuepiao shook her head, turned, and looked at Yu Jingfeng.

“I heard from Jiu’er that you were hurt. I was worried no one would grind the medicine I’d set aside, so I came to check.”

“I’ll only give you five days to rest. You need to recover quickly—our medicine can’t wait too long.”

Having said what she wanted to say, Leng Xuepiao turned and walked out.

The door opened and closed once, and she was gone from sight.

In the end, Yu Jingfeng didn’t chase after her, and slumped weakly back onto the bed.

He wanted to cry so badly, didn’t he?

Xuepiao was only worried about him because she still needed him to grind her medicine.

He had really thought Xuepiao liked him. He was so outstanding—why wouldn’t she like him?

Di Wu Ya: Weren’t you on leave to get married?

Yu Jingfeng: I’m dying.

His beautiful dream shattered, Yu Jingfeng collapsed limply onto the bed.

He stared blankly at the ceiling without blinking, his eyes utterly empty…

Having taken Huangsong Village, Long Shiyi immediately led the Longwu Army west to find their master.

After two days of cleanup, Chen Hong’s remaining forces in Huangsong Village had been more or less dealt with.

Meanwhile, Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao had spent these two days leading everyone in roughly settling on a plan for producing the antidote.

The herbs were ready; next came trial after trial.

They would be leaving this place tomorrow. Tonight, Feng Jiu’er and the others sat in the hall for dinner.

After the meal came tea, fruit, and pastries.

“Then it’s settled.” Feng Jiu’er, seated in the host’s seat, set down her cup.

“Brother Yue and Sister Hua, the matter of putting Li City in order is entrusted to you two.”

“One more city—what does it matter to us?” Tang Xiaohua took a piece of fruit her man handed her.

Feng Jiu’er looked at the couple, smiled faintly, and turned her gaze to Yang Sheng.

“Yang Sheng, you insisted on heading west with us, so arrange who stays behind in Huangsong Village to grow the medicinal herbs.”

“Alright, no problem.” Yang Sheng nodded.

Tang Xiaohua finished a piece of fruit and stood up.

“Jiu’er, come by my room in a bit.”

“Sure.” Feng Jiu’er nodded in response.

Tang Xiaohua and Yue Jianfei left. Yue Qinchun didn’t leave, but watched the departing couple with a hint of anxiety.

Once they were gone, she withdrew her gaze and looked pleadingly at Feng Yinan.

Feng Yinan met her eyes and blinked.

Yue Qinchun pouted, glanced outside, and then stood up.

“Jiu’er, I’m going too.”

Tossing out that one line, she walked off—but not before turning back for one last look at Feng Yinan.

After Yue Qinchun left, Feng Yinan also stood.

“Jiu’er, I’m stepping out for a bit.”

“Go ahead.” Feng Jiu’er waved a hand.

“Jiu’er, I’d like to step out too.” Yu Jingfeng stood up.

“Go if you want. No need to ask my permission.” Feng Jiu’er waved again.

These fellows—now that they had someone, they were all busy indeed.

Feng Jiu’er wished so much that things could settle down soon, so these couples wouldn’t have to keep facing separation.

After Feng Yinan went out, he saw Yue Qinchun waiting in the courtyard, just as expected.

“Qinchun, what’s wrong?” Feng Yinan walked closer.

“Brother Feng.” Yue Qinchun turned, wrapped her arms around Feng Yinan’s waist, and pressed her head against his chest.

Feng Yinan’s open arms froze. He looked down at the girl in his embrace, wanting to hold her but not daring to.

After finally recovering his composure, he gently patted her back.

“Qinchun, what exactly happened?”

“Brother Feng.” Yue Qinchun sniffled.

“What… happened?” Feng Yinan frowned and asked again.

“My mother wants me to stay behind with her, but I don’t want to.” Yue Qinchun shook her little head.

Passing by, Yu Jingfeng saw the couple not far off and felt a pang of envy.

He didn’t think he was any worse than Feng Yinan—so why wouldn’t his own little lady take the initiative to hug him?

This weather was truly cold!

Still, whatever Yu Jingfeng thought, this matter had nothing to do with him.

Feng Yinan patted the girl in his arms again and, somewhat stiffly, hugged her back.

“You want to head west with us?” Feng Yinan asked softly.

“Mm.” Yue Qinchun nodded. “I don’t want to be apart from Brother Feng.”

This was the first time Feng Yinan had heard such a direct declaration, and it made his body even stiffer.

“You… can’t bear to part with us, is that it?” Meaning everyone—not just him.

“Mm.” Yue Qinchun nodded against his chest like a mortar and pestle.

“Actually, the person I can least bear to part with is Brother Feng.”

Yue Qinchun choked up again, loosened her grip, and looked up at Feng Yinan.

“Brother Feng, I like you. I want to be with you—eat together, cook together, gather herbs together, make medicine together, do everything together.”

“I… don’t want to leave you at all.”

The girl’s tear-filled eyes left a deep impression on the man’s heart.

He couldn’t bring himself to push her away.

“Qinchun, do you know…”

“I know.” Before Feng Yinan could finish, Yue Qinchun hugged him again, burying her head in his chest.

“I know Brother Feng only sees me as a little sister, but I’m not that young anymore. I understand everything.”

“I don’t know if Brother Feng likes me too, but I like you. I know I like you, and I know that being apart from you makes me miserable.”

“I’ll wait. I’ll wait until the day Brother Feng likes me too, and then I’ll marry you and bear your children.”

“Qinchun.” Feng Yinan suddenly frowned and pulled the arms around him outward, putting some distance between them.

He looked down at the startled girl and shook his head slowly.

“I can’t. I’m not worthy of you.”

“You’re the precious daughter of the Yue family. I’m just… anyway, I’m not good enough!”

“Who says a precious daughter has to be matched with a young master?” Yue Qinchun frowned her little brows.

“I like Brother Feng. Even if we just ate sweet potatoes and wild game together, I’d still be happy.”