The Female Lead Always Comes Around [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 9

Li Xiao’s whole body felt stiff, her mind foggy, taking a long moment to recover.

She shoved Ning Shu away and stood, wiping the silver threads at the corner of her mouth. Her cheeks flushed visibly red.

Half-open, Ning Shu blinked at her, dazed. “Sister, you’re so beautiful. I really like you… Will you be my wife?”

She reached for Li Xiao’s hand as she spoke. After all, this was her dream she could do whatever she wanted. Fantasizing about a goddess wasn’t a crime.

Li Xiao, both embarrassed and angry, snatched her hand away forcefully and turned to leave.

Her upbringing wouldn’t let her argue with someone still ill and delirious but Ning Shu’s actions were infuriating.

Back in her room, Li Xiao opened the window and sat on the bed, letting the night breeze wash over her, but nothing could calm the agitation in her chest.

She pressed her tongue against her teeth, still feeling the warmth of Ning Shu’s lips. A gust of wind snapped her back to clarity, and she immediately chastised herself.

Forget it. Forget it.

She repeated the mantra over and over. Ning Shu would forget everything once she recovered, so it was best to pretend it never happened. From now on, just stay away.

Li Xiao was a rational person. She couldn’t, knowing Ning Shu’s affiliation with the demonic sect, continue the same friendly rapport as before.

As the heir of the most prestigious righteous sect, she bore the responsibility of upholding the path of righteousness. Even if open conflict didn’t break out, friction between the righteous and demonic paths was inevitable. When that time came, how could she face Ning Shu with any composure?

It was better to avoid entanglement from the start, ensuring both sides remained steadfast in their roles.

These thoughts passed through her mind as her expression darkened. The wind lifted strands of hair from her forehead, making her silhouette appear even more solitary and fragile.

After Li Xiao left, Ning Shu fell into a deep sleep, enduring a grueling afternoon before waking slowly at dusk.

When she opened her eyes, the pain on her forehead had vanished. Her meridians were fully opened, her two internal energies merged no more internal conflict to torment her body.

She exhaled in relief, lighting a candle on the table, but her attention was drawn to a hairpin on the floor.

It was Li Xiao’s hairpin.

So it hadn’t been a hallucination Li Xiao had really brought her back. Did that mean the rest was real? Had she really kissed Li Xiao?

Ning Shu sank into self-doubt, cursing the mysterious internal energy. If her body hadn’t suddenly reacted, she wouldn’t have been unable to distinguish reality from dream.

Directly asking Li Xiao was impossible. If it hadn’t happened, she’d be exposing her own thoughts. If it had… Li Xiao would surely kill her.

It was a tricky situation.

She sat for a while, unable to devise a solution. Her stomach growled, and she decided to eat first and think later.

Fifteen minutes later, the waiter brought the restaurant’s signature dish. Ning Shu’s fingers twitched, about to dig in, when she suddenly remembered something. “Has Miss Li next door eaten dinner?”

The waiter replied, “Miss Li checked out at the last quarter of Shen hour.”

Ning Shu sprang to her feet, almost overturning her bowl. “Checked out?”

“Yes,” the waiter confirmed.

Ning Shu sank back into her seat, stunned. After a moment, the waiter, seeing no further questions, respectfully closed the door and left.

She had left…

Why would she check out suddenly? The innkeeper had said Li Xiao booked for half a month—why was she gone after just two days?

Ning Shu touched her lips lightly, considering the possibility.

Could it have been a hallucination?

Though absurd, it was the only explanation. Otherwise, how could Li Xiao have left without a word?

Looking at the untouched meal, Ning Shu lost her appetite. She put on her coat and hurried out, walking through the night-lit streets of the capital.

By now, most shops were closed, and the streets were nearly empty. She didn’t know where to find Li Xiao, wandering aimlessly near the inn.

Time passed, yet she found nothing. Dejected, she thought perhaps Li Xiao really didn’t want to see her again.

The deed was done. Even if she didn’t forgive herself, what good would it do to find her again?

The thought weighed on her chest like a heavy stone, suffocating and painful.

Indeed, she shouldn’t have been careless. Karma came too swiftly.

Ning Shu wandered down a narrow path, aimless and lost.

She walked until her toes felt raw, finally stopping to look around. She had reached a desolate area barren trees and mountains, nothing else. If not for the city gate being closed, she might have thought she was on the outskirts.

Sighing, she checked her task panel. Li Xiao’s affection remained at “ten,” the initial value, unchanged over the past two days.

As she turned to leave, a voice suddenly reached her ears. Ning Shu froze, her eyes narrowing.

It sounded like… Li Xiao? Could it be another hallucination?

Li Su stood before Li Xiao, exhausted but defiant, his smile vicious, eyes full of malice and jealousy.

“Cousin, it’s your own fault for being careless. You’re usually so cautious. What made you so distracted today? Lucky for you, you weren’t at your best, otherwise your brother wouldn’t have succeeded so easily.”

Li Xiao’s face flushed, veins red. She planted her sword in the ground, struggling to maintain her stance, eyes icy as she faced Li Su.

“Li Su, for the sake of a sect leader’s position, you’d even harm your own sister. Someone with your vile heart and malicious intent, my father would never hand the position to you.”

Li Xiao regretted showing mercy that day. She should have killed him outright, not let him talk his way out.

Li Su snorted, his face twisted. “That position was mine to begin with! Your father killed mine and took it. Now I’m just reclaiming what’s mine. What’s wrong with that?

Li Xiao, you’re too moralistic. You’ve spared me many times before, but today I’ll show you what it means to ‘cut the grass to the root!’”

He signaled to his men, who restrained Li Xiao. One spoke, “Young master, you said we could… enjoy ourselves first…”

“I speak with authority. Do as you will, but deal with her afterward. Don’t leave me any trouble.”

“Of course, sir. Don’t worry, we’ll handle it.”

Li Su smirked at Li Xiao. “Cousin, see how much your brother cares for you? You’ll get to feel a man’s touch before you die. Not feeling so good now, huh? Enjoy the effects of the soft-bone powder we added, haha!”

He turned to leave, but a sharp figure blocked his path. “What? You want in too?” he sneered.

Ning Shu glanced at Li Xiao, held by the men, eyes blazing with killing intent. She struck without hesitation.

Li Su flew a meter back, crashing to the ground near Li Xiao. The wet earth was gouged deep, his screams shattering the night. Birds took off, scattering feathers in their panic.

Ning Shu stepped forward, snatching a few leaves and flicking them like knives. They pierced their attackers’ wrists. As they cried out, Li Xiao lost her support and collapsed. Ning Shu caught her immediately.

“How did you get here?” Li Xiao’s voice was weak, her breath hot as she spoke.

Ning Shu lent her some internal energy, but it didn’t ease her symptoms. She turned to Li Su, voice icy: “Hand over the antidote!”

Li Su, injured by Ning Shu’s strike, spat bl00d. There is no cure for the Hehuan Powder. Once it takes effect, intercourse is the only way to survive otherwise, the body explodes.