The Love-Hate Relationship Between the Female Lead and the Second Female Lead - Chapter 9

The man turned, surprised to find another girl of equal beauty behind him. His mind instantly reeled, his gaze sweeping Wen Shijun’s body from head to toe with a nauseating mix of lust and greed.

Jackpot! If I sell these two, I’ll be rich again. I’ll win back every coin I lost!

Between the two girls, Ji Zining clearly looked helpless, while Wen Shijun seemed lively and energetic. The man rose, pulled a rope from nowhere, and swaggered toward Wen Shijun.

Wen Shijun took a step back, her eyes darting around for anything that could help her. Her gaze landed on a small axe in a nearby basket.

She rushed over, grabbed the axe, and pointed it at the man. Don’t come any closer! If you do, I’ll kill you!

The man burst into laughter. Go ahead! I’m right here, try and chop me!

He dismissed Wen Shijun’s threat entirely. Hadn’t his own daughter resisted at first? But in the end, she’d obeyed him like a lamb.

The man reached out to snatch the axe, but Wen Shijun swung it down in a swift arc.

Agh—! The man howled in agony, staring at his bleeding hand. His gaze turned furious as he glared at Wen Shijun.

I’ll fucking kill you! he snarled, his eyes burning with rage as he lunged forward.

Behind them, a cold glint flashed in Ji Zining’s eyes. With a subtle flick of her fingers, a tiny needle pierced the man’s artery.

The man felt only a slight twitch in his neck, the pain so insignificant he dismissed it with a shrug. He turned his malevolent, greedy gaze back to Wen Shijun.

Wen Shijun stood his ground, axe raised, swinging forward with clumsy force. The man was wiry and lacked strength, even shorter than Wen Shijun.

Despite this, Wen Shijun, who hadn’t eaten all day and was running a fever, was no match for him. He quickly found himself on the defensive. Just then, the man’s eyes suddenly turned bloodshot, and a trickle of bl00d escaped the corner of his mouth. Seizing the moment of his distraction, Wen Shijun swung wildly, not even seeing where his axe landed. A warm, crimson liquid splattered across his face. He knew he had struck flesh. The sensation sent a chill down his spine, an experience he would never forget.

The man collapsed. Wen Shijun’s hands went numb, and the axe clattered to the ground beside the body. He stared blankly at the pooling bl00d, unsure how to react, until he noticed Ji Zining beside him, her eyes red and streaming with tears.

Wen Shijun stepped over the body and knelt before Ji Zining.

Are you okay? Did he hurt you?

Ji Zining threw herself into Wen Shijun’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Unsteady on his feet, Wen Shijun lost his balance, and they both tumbled to the ground, but neither cared.

Wen Shijun stroked Ji Zining’s hair, murmuring softly, It’s alright, it’s alright. Everything will be okay.

After coaxing Ji Zining for what felt like an eternity, she finally stopped crying. Wen Shijun pulled her up, intending to lead her out of the room.

They couldn’t stay here any longer, not until Huilan returned.

Ji Zining noticed Wen Shijun’s trembling hands and how she avoided looking at the corpse on the floor. Realizing her fear, Ji Zining grabbed Wen Shijun’s hand and threw herself into her arms, clinging to her like a koala.

Feeling the warmth of the person in her arms, Wen Shijun couldn’t help but hug her back, letting her dispel the chill that was creeping through her body.

Can you still walk? Wen Shijun asked.

Yes, I can walk like this, Ji Zining replied.

As they left, Ji Zining glanced back at the figure on the floor. Her eyes were as cold as glacial ice, sending a chill down anyone who met her gaze. This was a stark contrast to the soft, vulnerable little rabbit she had been moments before.

The man’s chest rose and fell faintly, the movements so subtle that an ordinary person standing beside him wouldn’t notice. But Ji Zining saw it all. Her hand moved beneath her sleeve, and a poisoned needle shot out, piercing the man’s body. He immediately went still, dead.

Ji Zining turned away, instantly reverting to her usual guise of a timid little rabbit, clutching Wen Shijun’s hand in feigned fear.

The two women dashed out into the rain, running all the way back to Divine Physician Zhang’s residence.

As soon as Wen Shijun saw the guards outside Divine Physician Zhang’s gate, she knew they were safe. Her vision blurred, and she collapsed into unconsciousness. Ji Zining cried out, Sister! before Wen Shijun lost all awareness.

After days of relentless rain, the sky finally cleared, leaving the air thick with the damp scent of rain-soaked earth. Wild grasses along the roadside dripped with lingering raindrops, and the river flowed with a rushing sound.

Weary travelers paused to rest, while horses quietly chewed on fresh roadside grass.

Zanyue, move aside! What right do you have to stop me from entering?

The peaceful atmosphere shattered with this loud, disruptive voice.

Zanyue sat motionless before the carriage, silent and still, her gaze fixed straight ahead as if no one stood before her.

That’s my young mistress! What right do you have to block me from seeing her? Ling Ling demanded sharply, stepping forward only to be forcefully shoved back by Zanyue.

Despite her slender frame, Zanyue possessed surprising strength, sending Ling Ling sprawling to the ground with a single, effortless push.

Ling Ling glared at the mud staining her hands and dress, her voice dripping with fury. Ji Zining is blocking me from seeing my mistress! Are you planning to harm her? You’re all so vicious!

Enraged, Ling Ling abandoned all decorum, publicly addressing Ji Zining by her given name before the crowd.

No matter how venomous Ling Ling’s words became, Zanyue remained unmoved. Only when she saw the approaching figure did she step down from the carriage and greet her respectfully, Miss.

What’s wrong, Miss Ling? Why are you sitting on the ground? Ji Zining asked calmly, her composure a stark contrast to Ling Ling’s furious glare.

Ji Zining, what are you planning to do to my young mistress? Why won’t you let me see her? Ling Ling demanded loudly.

My sister is still unconscious. Divine Physician Zhang advised complete rest, so it’s best to limit visitors, Ji Zining replied with a gentle smile, her eyes filled with warmth.

This transparent attempt to bar Ling Ling from seeing Wen Shijun only fueled her suspicion.

Ji Zining, you’re a true ingrate! After all my young mistress has done for you! Pfft—

I will always cherish my sister’s kindness, Ji Zining said softly, her eyes brimming with tenderness.

Hah! Ling Ling sneered. Cherish it? More likely you’re plotting against her! The General and Madam should never have taken you in—you ungrateful wretch! You stole my young mistress’s beloved and now you’re trying to harm her too!

Ling Ling was furious. Arguing with Ji Zining and her maid felt like punching cotton—her insults and accusations landed with no impact, leaving her anger to fester in her throat.

Something Ling Ling said must have struck a nerve. Ji Zining’s ever-present smile vanished instantly, and without bothering with pretenses, she ordered Zanyue to drag Ling Ling away.

Zanyue muffled Ling Ling’s loud protests, which seemed designed to alert everyone nearby, and dragged her away. Only then did Ji Zining finally find peace.

Ji Zining stepped into the carriage, which was lavishly appointed with animal furs. A small vanity table stood on one side, while the other was draped with blankets and pillows, forming a makeshift bed. A figure lay sleeping there.

Ji Zining picked up a basin of warm water and moved quietly to kneel beside the sleeping figure.

The person on the bed slept peacefully, their chest rising and falling gently with each breath. Even after days of slumber, their complexion remained healthy, suggesting they were being well cared for.

Ji Zining wrung out a towel and gently wiped Wen Shijun’s face. Gazing at his sleeping face, she murmured, Why haven’t you woken up yet? You’ve been asleep for days, and everything’s fine now.

Ji Zining set down the towel and gently stroked Wen Shijun’s face. How could killing just one person frighten you so badly? Who exactly are you?

Ji Zining gazed intently at Wen Shijun’s face, her eyes filled with confusion, bewilderment, and incomprehension.

Wen Shijun finally awoke after two days and two nights of unconsciousness. Before he could even grasp his surroundings, he heard voices arguing nearby. They seemed both close, as if right by his ear, and distant, their words drifting faintly. As Wen Shijun struggled to sit up, he overheard the conversation outside.

Miss, what are you thinking? After how Su Huai treated you, you’re still taking such meticulous care of her? You haven’t slept a wink these past two days, staying by her side the whole time, Zanyue’s voice was filled with disbelief and incomprehension.

My sister is the kindest person in the world to me. Of course I should treat her well, Ji Zining replied.

Zanyue, who deeply resented Su Huai, spoke recklessly to Ji Zining, her tone laced with mockery. How has she ever been good to you? You’re blinded by her.

Enough! Don’t speak of her like that again, Ji Zining snapped angrily.

Noticing Ji Zining’s anger, Zanyue realized she had overstepped her boundaries. She apologized profusely and only left after receiving Ji Zining’s punishment.

The two outside the carriage believed it was just an ordinary conversation, but Wen Shijun, separated by only a thin partition, felt a complex mix of emotions.

Wen Shijun had been drawn to Ji Zining from their very first meeting. Her appearance and personality perfectly suited his tastes. This attraction wasn’t sisterly affection, but the romantic kind.

Wen Shijun wasn’t surprised by his attraction to women. He had known since adolescence that he wasn’t interested in boys. Though he had never been in a relationship, like most girls, he had often fantasized about his future partner. The difference was that Wen Shijun’s fantasies always featured girls.

Now, the woman in his fantasies had a face Ji Zining.

However, Wen Shijun believed they had no future together. He wasn’t from this fictional world and would eventually return to his own. Ji Zining, on the other hand, only loved Chu Mohuan, willing to sacrifice her life for him.

In the past, Wen Shijun would have applauded such a heart-wrenching love story, moved to tears. But with one of the subjects being the person he loved, he couldn’t bring himself to feel touched. Instead, he adopted a cold demeanor, pretending not to care at all.

Wen Shijun knew there was no future for them, forcing himself to bury the stirrings of affection deep within his heart.

Yet Ji Zining and Zanyue’s conversation had undoubtedly dug a gaping hole in that buried love, one that refused to be filled.

So when Ji Zining entered with the porridge, Wen Shijun didn’t hesitate as usual. He picked up the bowl and began eating without a moment’s hesitation.

This porridge is actually quite good, Wen Shijun genuinely praised.

If Elder Sister likes it, Ning’er will make it for you every day, Ji Zining replied.

You made this? Wen Shijun asked in surprise.

Ji Zining nodded.

Then I’ll have a few more bowls, Wen Shijun said, delightedly scooping up several more spoonfuls.

Just as they were enjoying this harmonious moment, a woman’s weeping suddenly erupted outside, accompanied by muffled words.

The sound of crying immediately gave Wen Shijun a headache. He rubbed his temples and glanced at Ji Zining, noticing her furrowed brows and visibly troubled expression.

What’s wrong? Wen Shijun asked.

Nothing, just a bit noisy, Ji Zining replied, looking visibly annoyed.

I agree. Here, let me cover your ears. Wen Shijun reached out and gently covered Ji Zining’s ears.

The noise did indeed soften, but Wen Shijun’s sudden closeness made Ji Zining feel a little awkward. She was used to being the one clinging to him, and even when he was kind, she could still sense his resistance.

She assumed his sudden affection was due to her recent efforts to win him over, and didn’t think much of it.

Wen Shijun found the crying irritating at first, but the longer he listened, the more familiar the sound became.

Whose voice is that?!

Ling Ling!

Wen Shijun suddenly remembered her. As Su Huai’s personal attendant, it was strange that she hadn’t been seen since he collapsed.

He lowered his hand and stepped out of the carriage.

Ji Zining felt the warmth beside her vanish and a pang of reluctance stirred within her, but she dismissed it and followed Wen Shijun out of the carriage.