Chapter 79: So We're Together Just Like That?

Especially when Su Lan met Xia Ningshuang’s gaze, in that instant, it was as if she saw herself from the past. If it hadn’t been for Lin Li, she didn’t know what her situation would be like now.

“Sister Lan, did I frighten you?” Xia Ningshuang, who once enjoyed such glory and admiration, now hurriedly covered her face with a mask upon seeing Su Lan’s expression, then asked in a low voice.

She was afraid her appearance would scare Su Lan.

Su Lan stepped forward, gently holding Xia Ningshuang’s small hand, then shook her head.

“You must have suffered a great deal. Becoming like this was never your wish. But don’t worry—so long as you’re here, so long as we’re alive, no one will ever bully you again.”

Her tone was resolute. She then turned and shot Lin Li a stern look. “Did you hear what I just said?”

Lin Li looked a bit bewildered. The speed at which women make friends is truly baffling. Just a moment ago, things were tense, as if they were facing bitter enemies; now, they were as close as real sisters.

But he had no objection to what Su Lan said.

“Yes, yes, Sister Lan is absolutely right.” He nodded. “From today on, you’re one of us. Rest assured, the Qin family may not be a top noble house or a great power, but at least I can guarantee that within our territory, no one will look down on you or bully you. If anyone even thinks about it, just come to me.”

His tone was firm. He knew, of course, that some people would harbor other thoughts. But if anyone dared try, they would be crossing his line. If he had to skin them alive, it would be entirely justified.

Seeing Lin Li’s earnest expression, Xia Ningshuang smiled and shook her head. “I trust everyone here wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Initially, Xia Ningshuang had been worried that Lin Li’s decision might bring her a lot of trouble, but now the situation left her somewhat puzzled. Everything happening now was quite different from what she had imagined. Lin Li’s status and influence seemed far greater than she had thought. Even the mistress of the Qin family treated Lin Li with remarkable respect, and their relationship seemed...

At this, Xia Ningshuang quickly reined in her thoughts. This was not a topic to dwell on further.

“In short, just regard this place as your home,” Su Lan said earnestly. “If anyone causes you trouble in the future, just tell us. There’s no problem we can’t solve.”

Even knowing that more trouble might come, it was unthinkable to abandon Xia Ningshuang at this moment. What hardships hadn’t they already faced? If they cowered before something so trivial, did they deserve to stand here at all?

Xia Ningshuang was deeply moved by this answer. She had never expected these two to be so open-hearted with her.

“There’s something you should know in advance,” Lin Li said solemnly. “I can indeed treat the scars on your face, but the process may be very different from what you imagine. I have to make this clear before we begin. If you can’t bear the pain, I advise you to give up now.”

He knew what the treatment would entail, and understood what a significant ordeal it would be for Xia Ningshuang. If she could endure the pressure, that would be best; Lin Li just feared she might falter midway.

The Southern Border Gu technique was unlike other treatments. As far as Lin Li understood, once you started, there was no turning back. It required unwavering determination—no matter how much suffering, there could be no retreat. Otherwise, giving up would mean that all previous effort was wasted, and it would hinder his own research into Gu techniques as well.

He had thought Xia Ningshuang might take some time to consider, but to his surprise, she replied without hesitation as soon as he finished speaking.

“I know exactly what this means to me. But no matter how much I have to suffer, it doesn’t matter.”

Her eyes were resolute. She had already considered all the possibilities before making this decision.

Lin Li nodded. “With such resolve, that is for the best. It saves us a lot of trouble.”

The next step was for Lin Li to seek out materials to concoct a remedy for Xia Ningshuang’s scars. These were recorded in the Southern Border Gu texts. However, many things had been lost over time, so he wasn’t sure of his chances. Still, since Xia Ningshuang was prepared, he needn’t worry about future problems.

Fortunately, the Qin family’s large villa had many spare rooms, so Su Lan settled Xia Ningshuang there for the time being. Keeping her close made it easier to look after her and also gave Su Lan a chance to help her heal emotionally. Even if Xia Ningshuang didn’t speak of it, Su Lan, ever perceptive, could easily see that Xia Ningshuang’s spirits were low.

Though Lin Li had helped her greatly along the way, what had happened to Xia Ningshuang was a bitter humiliation—one not easily borne.

But there was little Su Lan could do at the moment.

After entrusting Xia Ningshuang to Su Lan, Lin Li returned to his room and resumed studying Southern Border Gu techniques. As he had expected, though the basics were simple, actually using the techniques proved obscure and difficult. Much was unknown to him, and it seemed he would have to consult Ning Yurou at some point.

Realizing he wouldn’t be able to figure out much in the short term, Lin Li contacted Fang Tai. First, he needed to find people with a basic understanding of Southern Border Gu arts, which was easy to arrange with the Qin family’s connections. It would take only a few days.

He also wanted an update on the recent situation between Ye Aotian and Ning Yurou.

“As you guessed, Ye Aotian is pursuing Ning Yurou quite aggressively, and it seems Ning Yurou accepted his advances without much hesitation.”

So the girl really did intend to take advantage of Ye Aotian. Unfortunately, Ye Aotian was still clueless, even thinking Ning Yurou had truly fallen for him. One could only wonder what he would feel when he finally saw the truth.