Over the next few days, Lin Kun kept a low profile. Aside from classes and necessary work, he spent most of his time in the library, further enriching the Book Spirit's database while consolidating his newly acquired movement technique and Mental Power.
However, the tree might wish for calm, but the wind would not cease.
That afternoon, he was gnawing through a copy of Rare Metal Atlas in a corner of the library when a gentle voice sounded beside him:
"Lin Kun, what a coincidence."
Lin Kun looked up to see Ning Rongrong standing prettily beside him, holding two cups of drinks that gave off a faint floral fragrance. She wore a pale green dress today, making her look even fresher and more charming.
"Ning?" Lin Kun was somewhat surprised.
"I've noticed you often read here. You're really diligent." Ning Rongrong placed one of the drinks before Lin Kun, then sat down across from him. "This is floral tea from my family. It refreshes the mind. Want to try it?"
The cup was exquisite porcelain, the tea clear, with flower petals drifting within it and a pleasant fragrance in the air. It was obviously quite valuable.
"This... is too generous. Thank you, Ning." Lin Kun felt flattered, but he also became wary. Unsolicited kindness...
"It's only a cup of tea. Don't be so formal." Ning Rongrong smiled faintly and took a small sip from her own cup. Seemingly casually, she asked, "Lin Kun, you seem quite knowledgeable about herbs and minerals? You really opened everyone's eyes during the last practical class."
Here it comes! She's probing me! Alarm bells blared in Lin Kun's mind.
"No, no. I just like reading miscellaneous books and happened to remember a few things." Lin Kun kept a low profile.
"Oh? Is that so?" Ning Rongrong blinked her large eyes, leaned forward slightly, and lowered her voice with a hint of mischief in her smile. "Then... do you know anything about poisons?"
"Cough—!" Lin Kun nearly sprayed out his tea. He forcibly swallowed it, only to choke and cough violently. "P-Poisons? Ning, you must be joking. Why would I study something like that...?"
Ning Rongrong tilted her head, her smile unchanged. "But I heard that the Mandala Snake Tang San absorbed was extremely venomous. Grandmaster hesitated again and again at the time, yet you seemed very supportive? You even said... it felt very 'compatible'?"
Cold sweat instantly broke out across Lin Kun's back. Why did this young lady insist on bringing up the most awkward subjects?! And her information network was far too efficient! She even knew about his conversation with Grandmaster back then?
He forced himself to remain calm. "I was just talking nonsense. I only guessed right by chance... Ning, don't get me into trouble. What if someone overhears and misunderstands?" He carefully glanced around.
"It's just the two of us here. What are you afraid of?" Ning Rongrong waved a hand, her tone relaxed, though her gaze sharpened slightly. "I'm just curious. What kind of poison do you think could go unnoticed, take effect slowly, and leave no trace of the cause?"
Lin Kun: ... Big sister! Are you planning a murder?! And why are you asking me?! Do I look like someone who knows this stuff?!
He felt as though the cup of floral tea in his hand had become scalding hot. Drinking it felt wrong, but not drinking it felt wrong too.
"Ning, let's not discuss such dangerous topics, okay?" Lin Kun wore a miserable expression. "I'm just an ordinary work-study student. I really don't understand this stuff. If you want to know, perhaps you should ask Grandmaster?"
"Grandmaster is too serious. He's no fun." Ning Rongrong pouted, seemingly a little disappointed, but she quickly smiled again. "Fine, fine. I won't scare you anymore. But Lin Kun, you really are quite interesting."
She stood up, preparing to leave. When she reached the door, she suddenly turned back and gave Lin Kun a radiant smile, silently mouthing a sentence:
"Your tea... is fine."
With that, she drifted away like a butterfly.
Lin Kun froze where he sat, staring at the cup of fragrant floral tea before him. For a long while, he did not dare take another sip.
Ning Rongrong... had definitely done that on purpose! First, she frightened him with questions about poison, then she implied that the tea was fine? So was it fine or not? This was psychological warfare!
He felt like a mouse being watched by a cat, toyed with in the palm of Ning Rongrong's hand.
"As expected, the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is anything but simple!" Lin Kun still felt lingering fear. "It'll be safer to keep my distance from her in the future..."
He looked in the direction Ning Rongrong had left, then at the cup of floral tea. In the end, unable to resist the temptation, he cautiously lifted it and took a sniff—it smelled incredible! It should... be poison-free, right?
He struggled with himself for a long time, but ultimately did not drink it. Silently, he poured the tea into the potted plant on the windowsill.
"Ugh, I can't go on like this! I still haven't dealt with Tang San, and now an even more devious little princess has appeared! System! I want to file a complaint! This script's difficulty is way too high!" Lin Kun wailed inwardly.
Ding! Detected that the host has encountered an interpersonal crisis. Optional mission triggered: Choice of Factions. Option A: Reveal part of your secrets to Tang San, such as the Book Spirit's sensory abilities, and seek his protection. Reward: Tang San's trust increases slightly, 100 points. Risk: Your secrets may be exposed, leaving you at others' mercy in the future. Option B: Attempt to build a closer relationship with Ning Rongrong and borrow the influence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Reward: Ning Rongrong's favorability increases, 200 points. Risk: Becoming entangled in sect conflicts and possibly dying even faster. Option C: Maintain the status quo, continue lying low and developing, and rely on no one. Reward: 50 points. Risk: You may be suspected by both sides and attacked from front and back.
Lin Kun looked at the three options and felt his headache worsen.
What kind of choice was this? They were clearly three one-way roads leading to different hells!
"I choose... to die!" Lin Kun slumped onto the table, completely devoid of the will to live.
Sure enough, the broken plot would only become more broken. His troubles had only just begun.
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