Tang Ya's counterattack

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Chapter 37: Tang Ya's counterattack

Jiang Nannan was gentle on the outside but steel on the inside. She had never told her classmates about her family's circumstances, always bearing the burden silently on her own.

But she and Tang Ya were roommates, after all.

After spending so much time together, Tang Ya had noticed Jiang Nannan's low spirits on many occasions. Warmhearted as she was, she could never stand to see anyone sad. After she pressed her with questions, Jiang Nannan finally told her about her mother.

Jiang Nannan's mother had a congenital heart defect. Keeping her condition stable required spending large sums at a medical clinic, and curing her completely would even require several rare pills that money alone could scarcely buy.

Every one of those pills cost more than Jiang Nannan could currently afford.

After hearing about Jiang Nannan from Tang Ya, Ye Xixuan immediately realized that the melodramatic incident in the original story was not far off.

Now that Xu Sanshi's family had found him another fiancée, that particular avenue was gone. With her commoner background, Jiang Nannan might not even qualify to approach a top-tier Soul Master sect like the Xuanming Sect.

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

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

The three of them took a table beside a grilled-meat stall and covered it with all kinds of food.

Tang Ya held a fistful of skewers in each hand, eating until grease coated her lips, a thoroughly contented smile on her face.

By comparison, Ye Xixuan ate with far more restraint, a habit he had developed in his family as a child.

Jiang Nannan, meanwhile, remained weighed down by worry. Her slightly furrowed brows seemed steeped in sorrow that refused to dissolve. She had not touched any of the food in front of her.

Ye Xixuan spoke first. "Senior Jiang, Sister Xiaoya told me about your mother. There should be quite a few kinds of pills that can treat congenital heart defects and improve her constitution."

"But I can't afford any of them." Jiang Nannan lowered her head, both hands tightly clutching the skirt draped over her snowy-white thighs. Influenced by her own martial soul, her long legs looked somewhat slender, yet were firm and powerful. Her figure had striking proportions without seeming unnatural.

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

"Not being able to afford them now doesn't mean you never will."

Hearing Jiang Nannan's words, Ye Xixuan gently shook his head.

"Senior Jiang, you're a core disciple of the outer court's Martial Soul Department, aren't you? You can apply for a line of credit at the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. The pavilion belongs to the academy, so it should have all sorts of channels for obtaining those pills."

"My credit limit isn't high enough..." Jiang Nannan grew even more embarrassed, wishing she could bury her head against her chest. It was not that she had never considered this option, but based on her talent and potential, the Treasure Gathering Pavilion had assessed her credit limit at less than a hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins.

A hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins clearly would not cover the pills she needed.

Ye Xixuan answered with quiet confidence. "You just need someone to vouch for you. I remember the Treasure Gathering Pavilion in the city is supposed to hold a treasure appraisal fair before the outer court's next semester begins. I can go with you then."

"Mm, mm, mm." Tang Ya said nothing, merely nodding over and over while continuing to chew her food.

Jiang Nannan raised her head and met Ye Xixuan's eyes. Tang Ya often talked about him. She knew he possessed astonishing talent, had been valued by the academy since childhood, and had always stayed on Sea God Island to cultivate. He certainly had the standing to make such a promise.

But her connection to Ye Xixuan existed only through Tang Ya. Reason told her she should not shamelessly accept his help, yet this truly was her only hope.

After pressing her lips together and pondering for a long while, Jiang Nannan suddenly stood and bowed her head earnestly. "Thank you. If you ever need my help in the future, I won't refuse."

"Have something to eat first, Senior Jiang. Otherwise, Sister Xiaoya will finish everything." Ye Xixuan smiled faintly, easing the atmosphere with a joke. Jiang Nannan's promise did not matter to him, nor did he think she would be able to help him with anything in the future.

Besides, he had never done this today to seek anything from Jiang Nannan in return.

"Hmph, hmph, hmph." With both her hands and mouth occupied, Tang Ya could only bump her head against Ye Xixuan's chest to express her disagreement and protest.

Helplessly, Ye Xixuan pressed Tang Ya down a little with his hand, then offered her the food in front of him as an apology.

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

"...Mm, mm, mm."

Watching the intimate exchange between Ye Xixuan and Tang Ya, Jiang Nannan finally smiled, the sorrow lifting from her stunning face. She could not help silently teasing her best friend.

You made your move on Xixuan so early. Xiaoya, you really are... As though something had occurred to her, a charming flush rose to her cheeks. She sat down again, pressing her long, straight legs tightly together.

The three stayed there eating until late at night before parting ways. In the end, Jiang Nannan hurried to pay the bill as a gesture of thanks.

Since it was already late, Tang Ya planned to cultivate in the academy dormitory that night. With Jiang Nannan there, it would feel livelier anyway. Before returning to the dormitory, however, she asked Ye Xixuan to take a walk with her beside Sea God Lake.

The golden crescent moon in the night sky was reflected on the tranquil lake. Standing on the Lakeside Path, Jiang Nannan looked at Ye Xixuan and Tang Ya, who had their backs to Sea God Lake.

"I'll head back to the dormitory first, then."

"Nannan, I'll be back in a little while." Tang Ya giggled and waved to Jiang Nannan.

Jiang Nannan then turned toward the dormitory building. Now that there was hope of curing her mother, even her steps had grown lighter. Just then, she suddenly glanced back on a whim and happened to see Tang Ya throw herself straight into Ye Xixuan's arms.

Her face flushed slightly as she hurriedly turned away, unable to resist a soft tut.

Ye Xixuan instinctively wrapped his arms around Tang Ya's warm, soft body and asked gently, "What brought this on, Sister Xiaoya?"

"Xixuan, you really have become dependable." Tang Ya tilted her head up. They were now close in height, their gazes meeting levelly, and her beautiful eyes brimmed with laughter.

"Mm, you've grown up, too."

At that moment, it was as though they had returned to the night of their first meeting all those years ago.

Something stirred inexplicably in Ye Xixuan's heart, and he drew Tang Ya over to sit on a long wooden bench beside the lake.

"Just like you looked after me back then, Sister Xiaoya, I want to become someone you can lean on, too."

"What a silver tongue. Let your Sister Xiaoya give you a kiss. Hehe." Slow to catch on by nature, Tang Ya still fell into her old way of interacting with Ye Xixuan when they were alone. She pecked him on the cheek.

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

Their eyes met once more, but Tang Ya's gaze was no longer as innocent as before. A hint of panic flickered within it, though she tried to act composed.

"W-what?"

(End of chapter)