How Am I the One Being Courted? Chapter 20

Fu Xuan's gaze lingered on him a little longer than it should have. He has a nice build, and somehow he seems sturdier than when we first met?

No, the Xianzhou people's constitution meant that no amount of exercise or training would change the state of their bodies. It had to be an illusion.

Coming back to her senses, Fu Xuan realized Bai Jun was gazing at her gloomily. Her tone could not help turning flustered. "Y-you, why are you staring at me?"

"Do I need to take off my pants too?"

"Take off... wh-what!?" Fu Xuan's face reddened as she realized what Bai Jun had said. Embarrassed and furious, she slapped him across the back. "Be serious, you shameless rogue—!"

Bai Jun immediately sucked in a breath from the pain and quickly behaved himself. Though he had no idea what Fu Xuan intended to do, he truly did not dare say another word.

Fu Xuan leaned forward slightly and placed her small hand on Bai Jun's back. Soon, where her fingertips passed, faint purple light gradually lit up, and crystalline patterns began appearing across his back.

Countless particles drifted through the air, taking the shape of a formation beneath Fu Xuan's fingertips.

As the formation rotated, Fu Xuan formed a hand seal. The Divination Eye on her forehead shone brilliantly, while purple particles swirled around her like misty clouds.

The Path split into countless possible shadows upon every person's soul. The Divination Eye bestowed by Nous allowed Fu Xuan to observe the proper flow of those upon the Path. Every past overlapped within the haze of probability, dreamlike yet real, shifting at the edge of consciousness and stretching into innumerable futures.

She tried her utmost to distinguish them, searching through that vast sea of instants for the branches that had split from Bai Jun's Path. Yet the traces that should have been left by a Path were nowhere to be seen on him. How strange...

Just as she focused entirely on maintaining the formation and searching, the fingertips sustaining it and the Divination Eye examining his Path suddenly felt a scorching, burning pain. Before she could react, the unbearable heat surged over her like a tide.

Fu Xuan felt as though her fingers would turn into flames and burn to ashes at any moment. Instinctively, she wanted to break the formation, but her steadfast diviner's spirit would not allow her to stop halfway.

So she gritted her teeth, enduring the agonizing pain of flames searing her mind as she completed the ritual.

"All right. Put your clothes back on."

Fu Xuan withdrew her fingers as if electrocuted. As the Divination Eye closed, the formation made of purple particles around her swiftly dispersed as well.

Ignoring the cold sweat pouring down her forehead, Fu Xuan grabbed the clothes from the floor and threw them to Bai Jun, who still had no idea what was happening. Then she gave him his marching orders. "I am very tired today. I will not see you out!"

As he was leaving, Fu Xuan suddenly muttered something beside Bai Jun's ear. "Fortune falters and fate is fraught with hardship, yet blessings and misfortunes arise together. Simply wait for destiny to reveal itself."

Then Bai Jun, utterly bewildered, was driven out of the office. He had not even managed to put his clothes on properly, looking just like a pitiful young maiden abandoned after being used.

"So what the hell was that about..."

Bai Jun's mouth twitched. Before he could complain, he caught sight of the diviners coming and going nearby from the corner of his eye. He hurriedly finished dressing, lest some wild rumors start spreading.

Hearing Bai Jun's footsteps outside gradually fade away, Fu Xuan felt as if all the strength had been drained from her body. She braced herself against the desk, resting her forehead on the back of her hand. Sweat soaked through her pink hair, making it cling to her forehead unpleasantly, but she had no mind to care about that now.

She forced herself onto the sofa and rubbed her throbbing brow hard. Every time she closed her eyes, she recalled the flames she had just observed.

They were a radiant mass of light hidden deep within Bai Jun's soul, dazzling like a star. Every strand of light pulsed like raging torrents, or like fierce anger suppressed since ancient times, tearing and growling as though it wished to melt everything away.

"I was right. Bai Jun's origins really are far from simple. That fire was definitely... Ah, it hurts!"

A string of crimson jade beads, severed from its thread, slid down from the wound on her finger and fell to the floor, turning into a vivid blood-red flower. Only then did Fu Xuan realize that something sharp had cut her finger.

"Mmph... Just wait, Bai Jun. I will absolutely have you!"

The normally imposing Lady Fu Xuan buried her head in the sofa and let out an embarrassing sound.

P.S.: Here is the current bounty tally. I owe a total of seven and a half chapters.

Any more votes? I still have plenty of chapters saved up.

Network Messages Cannot Be Trusted

The clouds were so white...

The wind was so cool...

What wonderful weather today...

Gazing at the especially bright afternoon sky, Miss Qing Que—temporarily assigned as the Divination Bureau's gatekeeper, in other words, a security guard—leaned against the wall beside the bureau's entrance. She held a porcelain teacup filled with emerald tea, reddish-brown goji berries floating on top. White steam continuously drifted from the cup's mouth like smoke from a tiny chimney.

"Haaah, that hit the spot~"

Qing Que took a sip of warm tea, then let out an extremely satisfied sigh. She looked exactly like a middle-aged uncle who had just retired, wandering through a park everywhere with a thermos in hand.

Following her parents' expectations, she had entered the Divination Bureau. After enduring several years of the high-intensity misery known as office life and struggling through the endless grind of society, Qing Que had mastered the art of slacking off like an old hand.

Departments had shifted, superiors had changed several times, yet she had remained an immovable diviner at the lowest rank—and seemed to be trending even lower... Her prospects were truly flourishing. Still, standing guard at the entrance day after day was rather unbearable.

Never mind sneaking off to play cards with Bai Jun—even squatting by the entrance for a brief rest would earn her a harsh scolding from the Master Diviner. This life simply was not meant for a bird like her!

It was afternoon. Normally, she should have been finding a comfortable corner in the archives for a nap, then quietly sneaking out after waking up to happily play cards. But all of it had been ruined because of this gatekeeping duty!

Thinking of that, Qing Que could not stop sighing. She had never had this habit before. Sometimes, she wondered whether Bai Jun had influenced her too deeply.

"Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen Lady Fu Xuan today. Could she have gone to a meeting?"

Qing Que's swinging pale legs suddenly stopped. She realized this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so she set down her teacup, straightened up, and looked around.

There were not many people in the Divination Bureau whom Qing Que feared. Fu Xuan went without saying, and the divination official from the Bureau of Insight who often wandered around the Hall of Divination certainly counted as one as well.

Oh, and Divination Official Xisi too. That unabashed pretty-boy fanatic was an even bigger threat. Qing Que seriously suspected that she harbored improper thoughts about Bai Jun.

Those seniors' favorite pastime was finding Qing Que and having heart-to-heart talks with her. After hearing enough of them, Qing Que knew that, just like her former schoolteachers, they only ever repeated a few familiar tunes.

They would begin by calling her "quiet and well-behaved" and "naturally gifted," then complain that "such a good brain is being used in the wrong place," and finally paint a grand picture of how "if she could only apply that cleverness to work, then surely she would..." and so on...

But Qing Que knew better than anyone what kind of life she wanted. Over time, those seniors finally exhausted their patience, leaving behind only a resentful judgment that she would never amount to anything.

After confirming that none of those people were nearby, Qing Que made up her mind. Just as she was about to make her escape...

Tap—

Tiny paws landed on the bluestone pavement with a tap.

A dignified white housecat landed beside her. Its soft fur flowed like clouds reflecting snow, its coloring smooth and lustrous, making it look both handsome and majestic. Yet compared to ordinary large, sturdy housecats, it was especially tiny and delicate.

Ever since Ambrosial Arbor took root, Xianzhou residents had mostly favored pets that were strong and enormous. Qing Que rarely saw creatures so tiny and adorable, and her interest was immediately piqued. But as the little fellow passed beside her, it gave her a remarkably human-like sidelong glance and even let out a disdainful snort through its nose.

"?"

Qing Que did not hesitate. With one grab of her little hand, she caught it in an instant!

"Fine, fine! Where did this little kitty come from, daring to act so outrageously here? I'll let you taste the might of Boss Qing Que! Take this!"

"Meow—!"

Ignoring the fat cat's struggles, Qing Que kept scratching its belly, determined to make it understand the cruelty of reality.

Just as she was having the time of her life, a cool voice came from behind her. "Having fun?"

"Wah! I-I, Lady Fu Xuan, I was wrong! I'll never dare do it again!" Qing Que's tiny body trembled in fright. She released the cat in her hands and instinctively squatted down, holding her head defensively as she pleaded in a trembling voice.

"Uh, is this a special greeting ritual at your Divination Bureau?"

Wait. Qing Que, who was trembling with her head in her hands, froze. That voice sounded extremely familiar. She raised her head and saw Bai Jun leaning by the Divination Bureau's gate, watching her with a teasing grin.

If anyone else dared joke with her like that, Qing Que would have fed their head a few mahjong tiles. Unfortunately, this person was Bai Jun.

His personality was absolutely awful, but his face was simply too good-looking. Even his wicked behavior had its own special charm.

Forget it. For the sake of his face, she would forgive him this time.

Click—

"Ow! Bai Jun, you jerk! No taking pictures at random!"

Qing Que had only just recovered, one hand pressed to her chest, when she saw the Jade Omen in Bai Jun's hand flash with the distinctive light of a camera.

Embarrassed and angry, she jumped up and patted Bai Jun's shoulder several times with her little fists. Then she stood on tiptoe, trying to snatch the Jade Omen from his hand.

Relying on his absolute height advantage, Bai Jun merely lifted his hand slightly. He did not even need to make any deliberate evasive movements. Qing Que, meanwhile, stood on tiptoe and stretched out her pale arms, yet could barely reach Bai Jun's wrist.

"I don't care! Delete that photo right now!"

Realizing that the Jade Omen might as well have been separated from her by an insurmountable abyss, Qing Que immediately changed tactics and began tickling his completely unguarded waist.

"Gah! I surrender! I surrender to the esteemed Miss Qing Que!"

But to Qing Que's surprise, this move was incredibly effective. Bai Jun's pupils abruptly shrank, and he held back his laughter. In less than half a second, he obediently surrendered.

Qing Que proudly raised her slightly flushed little face and huffed. Delighted at having found Bai Jun's weakness, she accepted the Jade Omen he handed over with flattering deference.

She opened the Jade Omen and quickly deleted the photos he had taken of her. Just as she was about to return it to Bai Jun, several messages that suddenly appeared on the screen seized Qing Que's attention.

Silver Hacker: ???

Silver Hacker: Why didn't you reply to my messages last night? Have you gotten tired of me already?

Silver Hacker: If you're still upset about what happened the night before last, I can apologize. After all, the most important thing in these matters is personal experience. I can't just follow my own wishes and ignore how you feel.

Silver Hacker: As compensation, tonight we can play however you want. I can accept any style.

"..."

Qing Que's expression changed drastically. Her face, which had still held a faint blush, instantly turned deathly pale. Yet it was quickly replaced by anguish and indignation at an impossible betrayal, along with jealousy toward the woman on the other end of the Jade Omen.

From Bai Jun's perspective, Qing Que suddenly lowered her head, her soft shoulders trembling slightly.

Perhaps the early spring wind was still a little harsh, but Bai Jun felt an inexplicable sense of unease rise in his heart, as though someone were frantically stabbing him in the back with a knife.

"Uh, Qing Que? Gah—!"

Bai Jun cautiously spoke up, only to be greeted by Qing Que's heavy punch, delivered through tears. Caught completely off guard, he took the full force of it.

"I can do that kind of thing too! Waaah..." The girl covered her face, crying as she ran away.

Bai Jun clutched his heavily injured stomach, wondering what illness this girl had caught now.

It was not until he lowered his head and saw the utterly outrageous words displayed on the lit Jade Omen screen that his face turned even paler than his hair.

The heart that had been hanging in suspense finally died completely.

This One Is Guilty

Knowing Qing Que well, Bai Jun found the tea-haired girl before long in a corner beside a vending machine. She was squatting there, drawing circles on the ground with a wooden stick while muttering some unknown gloomy words.

Bai Jun braced his right hand against the vending machine, lowered his head, and looked helplessly at Qing Que squatting in the corner. He tapped the machine's casing with his fingers and said, "Want a drink? My treat."

"...Hmph."

Seeing her puffed-up little face, Bai Jun sighed. He knew that forcing a conversation now would only bring suffering upon himself, so he bought two cans of chilled drinks from the vending machine. Picking one up, he suddenly pressed it against her cheek.

"Ah! So cold!"

The sudden icy, damp sensation against her skin made Qing Que tremble all over, and she let out a flustered sound like a little rabbit. But she quickly realized she had lost composure and covered her cheek. Her delicate earlobes, red to the tips, betrayed her feelings anyway.

Bai Jun took the chance to stuff the drink into her hand. Then he openly sat down beside her, popped open his can, and began drinking by himself.

"Honestly..." Qing Que turned to look at Bai Jun beside her. Seeing his cornflower-blue eyes and his slightly troubled expression, more than half the dissatisfaction in her heart immediately dispersed.

She said nothing, but quietly scooted a little closer to Bai Jun. Her long, snow-white legs bent together before her, and she wrapped her arms around her knees, burying her face between them as she curled into a tiny ball.

"Who was that person?" After a while, Qing Que suddenly asked in a muffled voice.

"Will you finally let me explain?" Seeing that she had finally regained the ability to communicate, Bai Jun painstakingly explained the entire situation. "...Anyway, that person really is just an online gaming friend I met on the internet. We only play games together sometimes."

It was not until his throat was nearly smoking that he heard Qing Que mutter softly, "Really?"

"Really, really." Bai Jun nodded, thumping his chest as he swore it.

"You answered too quickly... You really are just brushing me off. Sob..." Qing Que hid her smile and rubbed at the corners of her reddened eyes with tender fingers, still pretending to look pitiful.

Hearing that, Bai Jun's vision went dark. He nearly fainted from anger on the spot.

Left with no choice, Bai Jun took out his Jade Omen and deleted the online friend called Silver Hacker right in front of Qing Que. First, to quickly placate Qing Que, and second, to keep Silver Hacker from bothering him again in the future.

"See? I wasn't lying to you."

As Silver Hacker's profile picture completely disappeared, Bai Jun waved the Jade Omen in his hand. But before he could put it away, it chimed, and a very familiar ID suddenly appeared on the screen again.

Silver Hacker: ???

Silver Hacker: Why did you delete me? Have you really gotten tired of me already?

Silver Hacker: Sob, sob, have you forgotten the oath you made when we first met? You said you would worship only me from then on...

Holy crap, this one is guilty!

After seeing the screen, Bai Jun's face nearly turned green. He was clearly terrified. He was certain that he had just deleted Silver Hacker, so where had this come from now...? Oh no, could this really be a hacker?

"Hm? What messages are those now..."