Chapter 37: Tang Ya's Counterattack

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Jiang Nannan was gentle on the outside yet strong within. She had never told any of her classmates about her family’s circumstances, always bearing everything silently on her own.

But she and Tang Ya were roommates, after all.

After spending so much time together day and night, Tang Ya noticed many times that Jiang Nannan seemed dispirited. And since she was warmhearted by nature and could never stand to see anyone in distress, she pressed Jiang Nannan for an explanation until, in the end, Jiang Nannan told her about her mother.

Jiang Nannan’s mother suffered from a congenital heart defect. In ordinary circumstances, she had to spend a great deal of money receiving long-term treatment at a medical clinic. To cure her completely, she might even need several rare medicinal pills whose value could scarcely be measured in gold.

The price of every one of those pills was far beyond what Jiang Nannan could currently afford.

After hearing about Jiang Nannan’s situation from Tang Ya, Ye Xixuan immediately realized that the melodramatic incident from the original story was not far away.

Now that Xu Sanshi’s family had found him a fiancée, Jiang Nannan—born a commoner—might not even have the means to come into contact with the Xuanming Sect, one of the most powerful soul master clans, without that particular opportunity.

Perhaps it was because he himself had once been caught in the rain.

Since Tang Ya had called Jiang Nannan out today, he was naturally willing to lend her a hand.

The three of them ordered a table beside a barbecue stall, and it was soon covered with all kinds of food.

Tang Ya clutched a skewer in each hand, eating until her lips glistened with grease, an especially satisfied smile on her face.

By comparison, Ye Xixuan’s table manners were far more restrained, a habit he had developed while growing up in his family.

As for Jiang Nannan, she remained weighed down by worry, her brows slightly furrowed as though tangled in sorrow that could never be dispelled. She had not touched the food in front of her at all.

Ye Xixuan took the initiative to speak. “Senior Jiang, Big Sister Ya told me about your mother. There should be quite a few medicinal pills capable of treating a congenital heart defect and improving one’s constitution.”

“But I can’t afford any of them.” Jiang Nannan lowered her head, both hands tightly clutching the hem of the skirt draped over her snow-white thighs. Influenced by her martial soul, her long legs appeared slightly slender, yet were firm and powerful. Her proportions were extraordinarily striking without seeming unnatural.

After all, the core of the Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul’s abilities lay in the legs.

“Being unable to afford them now doesn’t mean you never will.”

At her words, Ye Xixuan gently shook his head.

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“You should have the status of a core disciple in the outer academy’s martial soul department, shouldn’t you? You can apply to the Jubao Pavilion for a certain amount of credit. The Jubao Pavilion is an industry owned by the academy itself, so I imagine it has all sorts of channels for obtaining those pills.”

“My credit limit isn’t high enough...” Jiang Nannan looked increasingly embarrassed, wishing she could bury her head in her chest. It was not that she had never considered this solution; it was simply that, given her talent and potential, the credit limit assessed by the Jubao Pavilion amounted to less than one hundred thousand gold soul coins.

One hundred thousand gold soul coins was clearly not enough to support the purchase of all the medicinal pills she needed.

Ye Xixuan replied with confidence, “All you need is someone to vouch for you. If I remember correctly, before the outer academy begins its next term, the Jubao Pavilion in the city will hold an appraisal fair. I can accompany you there.”

“Mm, mm, mm.” Tang Ya said nothing, merely nodding repeatedly while continuing to chew the food in her mouth.

Jiang Nannan raised her head and met Ye Xixuan’s eyes. Tang Ya often spoke of Ye Xixuan, so she knew that his talent was astonishing. The academy had taken notice of him from childhood, and he had remained on Poseidon Island to cultivate ever since. He certainly had the confidence to make such a promise.

Yet her relationship with Ye Xixuan currently existed only through Tang Ya. Rationally speaking, she knew that she ought not shamelessly accept his help. But this truly was her only hope.

After pressing her lips together and pondering for a long while, Jiang Nannan suddenly rose and nodded solemnly. “Thank you. If you ever need my help in the future, I certainly won’t refuse.”

“Eat something first, Senior Jiang. Otherwise, Big Sister Ya will finish everything in a moment.” Ye Xixuan smiled faintly, teasing her in an attempt to ease the atmosphere. Jiang Nannan’s promise meant little to him, and he did not believe that she would be able to help him with anything in the future.

Besides, he had never acted this way today in hopes of receiving anything in return.

“Hmph, hmph, hmph.” Tang Ya’s hands and mouth were both occupied, so she could only bump her little head against Ye Xixuan’s chest to voice her disagreement and protest.

Ye Xixuan helplessly pressed a hand down on her head, then, as an apology, handed her the food in front of him as well.

Only then did Tang Ya beam and return to her seat, mumbling a few indistinct words.

“Mm, mm, mm...”

Watching the intimate interaction between Ye Xixuan and Tang Ya, a smile finally appeared on Jiang Nannan’s exquisite face, which had been clouded with worry. She could not help secretly grumbling about her good friend.

“You made your move on Xixuan so early, Big Sister Ya. You really are...” As though she had thought of something, a charming flush spread across her cheeks. She then sat down again and pressed her long, straight legs tightly together.

The three of them ate until late into the night before going their separate ways. In the end, Jiang Nannan insisted on paying the bill to show her gratitude.

Since it was already getting late, Tang Ya planned to cultivate in the academy dormitory that night. Having Jiang Nannan with her would make things livelier. Before returning to the dormitory, however, she asked Ye Xixuan to take a walk with her beside Poseidon Lake.

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The reflection of the golden crescent moon hung upon the tranquil surface of the lake. Jiang Nannan stood on the lakeside path, looking at Ye Xixuan and Tang Ya with their backs to Poseidon Lake.

“I’ll head back to the dormitory first.”

“Nannan, I’ll be back shortly.” Tang Ya giggled and waved at Jiang Nannan.

Jiang Nannan then turned and walked toward the dormitory building. With hope of curing her mother at last, even her steps had become noticeably lighter. Just then, she suddenly felt an impulse to glance back—and happened to see Tang Ya throw herself directly into Ye Xixuan’s arms.

She hurriedly turned her flushed face away and could not help letting out a soft scornful click of her tongue.

Ye Xixuan instinctively wrapped his arms around Tang Ya’s soft, delicate body and asked gently, “What’s gotten into you all of a sudden, Big Sister Ya?”

“Xixuan, you’ve really become dependable.” Tang Ya tilted her head back. The two of them were now nearly the same height, their gazes level with each other, her beautiful eyes brimming with laughter.

“Mm. I’ve grown up, too.”

At that moment, the two of them seemed to have returned to the night when they had first met.

Ye Xixuan felt a faint, inexplicable stir in his heart. He took Tang Ya by the hand and led her to sit on a long wooden bench beside the lake.

“Just as you took care of me back then, Big Sister Ya, I want to become someone you can rely on, too.”

“You’re so smooth-tongued. Let your Big Sister Ya give you a kiss. Hee hee.” Naturally slow to recognize such things, Tang Ya still behaved in private with Ye Xixuan as she always had, pecking him on the cheek.

Ye Xixuan froze for a moment, then stared straight at Tang Ya beside him.

Their gazes met once more, but Tang Ya’s eyes were no longer as innocent as before. There was a hint of panic in them, though she was clearly trying to appear calm.

“W-what?”