Haven't Been a Senior Sister for Many Years - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Liu Sanqi

Lin Mianmian and her grandfather, Lin Chunsheng, were headed to the neighboring town of Ningxiang to visit a friend, Chen Wang. A few days ago, Chen Wang had injured his leg while working in the fields and had been bedridden since. Lin Chunsheng, having some free time these past two days, decided to bring along a cart full of homegrown vegetables and wild game from the mountain to visit his old friend.

Originally, Lin Mianmian wasn’t allowed to come along, but the little girl missed her friend’s granddaughter, whom she hadn’t seen in a while. When she found out they were going to the neighboring town, she clung to her grandfather and insisted on tagging along. Lin Chunsheng doted on his granddaughter, so it didn’t take long before he gave in.

Their mule now pulled a cart not only filled with gifts for Chen Wang but also carrying a small bundle of presents the little girl had prepared for her friend.

“Grandpa, is someone waving at us up ahead?” Lin Mianmian asked as she sat comfortably on a seat her grandfather had crafted by wrapping old fabric and leftover cotton padding—designed so she wouldn’t be jostled around or squished against the cargo. Whenever they went out, this was her favorite spot, where she could enjoy the breeze and the beautiful scenery.

Lin Chunsheng squinted. “Looks like it. Be good and stay in the cart while Grandpa checks it out.”

“Okay! Don’t worry, Grandpa. I won’t get out,” she replied obediently.

“Miss, is there something you need?” Lin Chunsheng asked, pulling the reins and bringing the mule cart to a stop.

The young woman being addressed offered an awkward smile, nervously clutching the strap of the bundle over her shoulder. “Sorry to bother you. I was wondering if you could give me a lift to the next town. I injured my foot, but I have something urgent to handle in Ningxiang. I’ll pay for the ride, of course.”

Lin Chunsheng hesitated. He didn’t like taking strangers along, especially with his granddaughter with him. It wasn’t that he thought badly of the young woman—he just knew the world wasn’t always kind. If he wasn’t cautious, his precious granddaughter could end up in danger.

He politely declined, “Miss, if you’re able to pay for a ride, why not hire a carriage? As you can see, our mule’s already carrying a heavy load. It won’t be comfortable, and with your foot injured, any bumps might make it worse.”

The girl’s smile turned bitter, and she sighed before replying, “It’s not that I don’t want to hire one. But as you can see, I’m traveling alone, I’m a young woman, and with my injury… there’s no telling what dangers I might run into. I wouldn’t be asking if it weren’t absolutely necessary.”

While Lin Chunsheng talked with the girl, Lin Mianmian sat in the back quietly observing her.

The girl looked to be just under twenty, plain in appearance with some harmless sun spots on her face. Her black hair was tied back with a cloth ribbon, and her coarse white robe had two or three patches sewn into it.

Aside from a pair of strikingly bright eyes, she was so ordinary she’d blend right into a crowd and disappear.

Lin Mianmian tugged on her grandfather’s sleeve and whispered, “Grandpa, let’s give her a ride. We’re going that way anyway.”

Lin Chunsheng turned to scold her, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he just glared. “Alright, miss, hop on. But let me make it clear—you’ll follow our rules on this cart. And don’t worry about fare, we’re headed that way anyway.”

“That wouldn’t be right. You’re already helping me. I must at least—”

“Enough. If you insist on paying, I won’t take you,” Lin Chunsheng interrupted.

“Alright then, I’m very grateful.” The girl gritted her teeth and climbed up using her good leg. Lin Mianmian reached out to help her, guiding her to sit beside her.

As the mule cart rumbled toward the town gates, Lin Mianmian curiously asked, “Sister, what’s your name? I’m Lin Mianmian, and that’s my grandpa, Lin Chunsheng. Don’t let his grumpy face fool you—he’s actually really nice.”

“Ahem,” Lin Chunsheng coughed awkwardly, trying to cut her off, but she paid him no mind and continued, “He didn’t mean to make things hard for you earlier. It’s only because I’m with him that he was hesitant.”

The girl chuckled, “My name is Liu Sanqi. I understand why Elder Lin was cautious. It’s my fault for being so abrupt. To be honest, I’ve already been turned down by several others today. I didn’t expect much this time either, so I’m very grateful.”

This girl was, in fact, Chu Zhiqin, once again assuming the alias of Liu Sanqi, now pretending to be a young woman with an injured leg rushing to handle business in the neighboring town.

“Those people are so mean! How could they leave you like that, knowing you’re hurt?” Lin Mianmian huffed, not realizing her words also criticized her grandfather.

Lin Chunsheng couldn’t help but interject, “What do you know? In times like these, you can’t be too careful! How many times has Grandpa told you—when you’re out in the world—”

“Be cautious, don’t let your sympathy take over, and don’t trust strangers too easily. You say that all the time.”

“And yet you never follow it.”

“Hmph! You’re so annoying, Grandpa!”

The two turned away from each other in a huff. From Chu Zhiqin’s perspective, they looked just like a puffed-up little river pufferfish and a grumbling old turtle—adorable in their own way.

“You two have such a wonderful bond,” Chu Zhiqin said with a smile. “It makes me a little envious.”

“No way! I’m not close with that grumpy old man!” Lin Mianmian blushed and protested.

“And I don’t like that brat either!” Lin Chunsheng retorted.

They exchanged a glare and simultaneously turned their heads away.

“Hey! Stop right there! Routine inspection!” Before they knew it, they had arrived at the city gates, where a group of guards and three cultivators stepped forward. One guard barked, “What’s in the cart? Who are these two girls to you? Where are you headed?”

Startled by the harsh tone, Lin Mianmian shrank behind her grandfather, barely daring to breathe. She was used to the kind, familiar faces of neighbors—not this fierce, aggressive attitude.

Noticing the bulging cart, the guard smirked, thinking there might be something worth confiscating. “What’s with the long face? Hiding something in the cart?”

Chu Zhiqin stepped in, pulling Lin Mianmian close and holding her hand comfortingly. “My little sister is shy and doesn’t go out much. She’s just scared—please don’t blame her.” Her warmth slowly calmed the frightened girl, who squeezed her hand back and smiled to show she was okay.

Lin Chunsheng quickly added, “Yes, yes. She’s my granddaughter, and we’re on our way to visit a relative in Ningxiang who injured his leg. The cart just has vegetables and wild fruits from the mountains—nothing valuable, but a gesture of goodwill.”

The guard, unimpressed, used his sword sheath to lift the cloth covering the baskets. As expected, there were only fresh produce and fruits—no meat, nothing fancy.

“Pfft. Poor folk. Alright, move along. I’ve seen enough,” the guard said, stepping aside but waiting for the cultivators’ orders.

One of the cultivators stepped forward, took out a compass, and moved left and right. Finding nothing suspicious, he waved them through.

Lin Chunsheng thanked them and urged the mule forward. In the back, Chu Zhiqin couldn’t help feeling annoyed at herself for thinking these cultivators might have the power to see through her disguise. If Leng Junzhu knew, he’d never stop laughing.

Once they were a good distance from the gates, Lin Chunsheng said, “Mianmian, check under the third basket. There’s a bag of candy. Take it out and share with Miss Liu.”

“Okay!” Now that the fear had passed, Lin Mianmian moved some vegetables aside to reveal an oil-paper-wrapped package. Inside were neatly cut pieces of milk candy.

This kind of candy was delicious but expensive. Her family rarely bought it—only during the New Year or special occasions.

“Miss Liu, here you go! It doesn’t look very pretty, but it’s super tasty!” Lin Mianmian offered it with both hands. “Thank you so much for earlier. I didn’t know what to do.”

Chu Zhiqin popped a piece into her mouth. The rich milky flavor melted on her tongue—light on sweetness, more about the milk’s natural aroma.

“It was nothing. Even without me, you’d have been fine.”

“No, that’s not true.” Lin Mianmian shook her head as she chewed, the comforting sweetness easing her nerves. “If it had been just me, they definitely would’ve questioned us longer.”

“But Grandpa, why were the inspections so strict this time? I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“They’re looking for someone,” Lin Chunsheng replied.

“Looking for who? Must be someone important if they’ve got that many guards,” she said. Normally, only a handful of guards were posted. Today, the numbers had multiplied, and even mystic cultivators were present—intimidating, to say the least.

“I heard they’re after two girls. Something about a righteous sect and the demonic path… I don’t really get it. But honestly, what could a couple of young girls possibly do wrong? If you ask me, they’re probably being framed. Anyway, enough questions. Eat your candy.”

“Grumpy old Grandpa! Miss Liu, don’t mind him. Here, have another,” Lin Mianmian said cheerfully.

“Thank you.” As Chu Zhiqin chewed the candy, her gaze drifted toward the road ahead. What happened to Anning Town… was her fault. It pained her that Lin Mianmian had been frightened just because of her.

She sighed. Hopefully, Anning Town would soon return to peace.

Still, something was bothering her—how had her and Leng Junzhu’s whereabouts been exposed? They’d been cautious, especially in populated areas. Only in remote places had they let down their guard.

She didn’t want to suspect the little snake coiled around her wrist. Her senior sister seemed to have remembered a bit more during this memory cycle. The two “Shimei”s she murmured last night had only confirmed that Chu Zhiqin’s decision had been the right one.

Just five memory fragments left. Chu Zhiqin believed—her senior sister would come back.

“Miss Liu, what’s the urgent business that brought you to Ningxiang?”

“Oh, that? Well, it’s a long story—”

The mule cart rolled along, leaving two narrow tracks behind. Sitting in the back, Chu Zhiqin shared the pastries from her bundle with the curious little girl beside her, as they slowly made their way toward Ningxiang Town.