The White Moonlight Disdained by the Male Protagonist of Redemption - Chapter 9.2

Ning Yao rolled her eyes. Turning to Feng Jingzhuo, she introduced, “This is Chu Xiao. He’s like a cousin that was removed several times. So, you see, since he’s so distant, he’s quite a handful. Don’t take anything he says seriously.”

Feng Jingzhuo shook his head: “I won’t.”

Chu Xiao asked, “Am I really that much of a handful?” He knew it wasn’t wise to ask Ning Yao, so he turned to Feng Jingzhuo and sincerely asked, “Do you think I’m troublesome?”

Feng Jingzhuo replied, “Chu Brother is straightforward and humorous.”

Ning Yao snorted in the background.

Both men turned to look at her, and Ning Yao waved her hand at Feng Jingzhuo: “It’s not aimed at you.”

Chu Xiao ignored her and turned back to Feng Jingzhuo: “Since you said that, I won’t ask about your exile from Cangyuan anymore.”

Ning Yao elbowed him: “Shut up. Go wait for me with Old Jie. I need to talk to Jingzhuo alone.”

“Okay.” Chu Xiao nodded and left with a grin, still waving at Feng Jingzhuo.

Ning Yao tilted her head and eyed Feng Jingzhuo, but he was as unreadable as usual: “Jingzhuo, what did Chu Xiao say to you? Did he bully you?”

Wasn’t it said that Lady Lianzhen was the best at spreading rumors? That day, even a Taoist from Fengsong Immortal Realm recognized Feng Jingzhuo immediately, showing how much influence Lianzhen has. And with Chu Xiao’s tendency to jump into an argument, it was hard to believe he hadn’t recognized Feng Jingzhuo by now.

He didn’t know how to read the situation and definitely didn’t have boundaries when asking questions.

Feng Jingzhuo replied truthfully: “Chu Xiao only asked about my background and name. He didn’t do anything inappropriate.”

Ning Yao asked, “Then why are your hands all dirty, and your clothes are soiled? Your knees are scratched up so badly?”

She was serious: “Did he kick you?”

“…” Feng Jingzhuo pulled his hand into his sleeve, then said, “It has nothing to do with Chu Xiao. I saw the broken floor tiles and thought I should fix them.”

Ning Yao stared at him in disbelief: “You really have too much energy, huh? Fine, fine, I’ll take you to wash up.”

She turned to leave, but when she saw he hadn’t followed, she turned back, grabbed his sleeve, and gently tugged. He obediently followed her.

Behind the Mountain Master’s residence was a small pond, not very large but deep. It resembled a fish, so their ancestors named it “Muyu Pond.”

The moonlight was bright, and the water was clear. Ning Yao bent by the edge of the pond, pulling Feng Jingzhuo down: “Wash your hands.”

Feng Jingzhuo stared at the pond, hesitant.

Ning Yao watched him and poked him gently.

Only then did she realize his arm muscles were stiff, as hard as stone.

Feng Jingzhuo shrank a little and said, “My hands are very dirty.”

Ning Yao said, “Yeah, I can see that. That’s why I asked you to wash them.”

Feng Jingzhuo slowly rubbed his fingers, cleaning off the dried dirt: “It’s not just because of that. My hands have touched dirty things.”

His voice lowered: “I don’t want to dirty this place as well.”

Ning Yao sighed: “Oh, you look at yourself.” And then she went to wash his hands for him.

She pulled with all her strength, pressing his hand into the water. But she used too much force, and Feng Jingzhuo wasn’t prepared, falling forward into the water with a splash.

Ning Yao thought, Oh no! She quickly leaned down to pull him out: “Feng Jingzhuo, I didn’t mean to!”

But wait, he’s a dragon. Don’t dragons fear water?

Dragons don’t fear water, but they do fear her. Ning Yao didn’t know what exactly triggered Feng Jingzhuo to avoid her; he stepped back, causing the water to splash everywhere.

But soon, he surfaced, cautiously leaning at the edge of the pond. Looking ashamed, he lowered his head: “Ning Mountain Master, I’m sorry.”

Ning Yao shook the water off her head: “I didn’t do it on purpose, but you have to wash my clothes now.”

He nodded: “Okay.”

Ning Yao smiled: “It’s only fair. Since I pulled you in, I’ll wash your clothes.”

Feng Jingzhuo quickly shook his head: “No need.”

Ning Yao insisted: “Yes, yes. This way, it’s fair. Otherwise, it’ll feel like bullying.”

Feng Jingzhuo’s damp lashes fluttered as he looked up: “Ning Mountain Master…”

The moonlight fell on his face, and Ning Yao finally took a good look at him. He was so handsome. No one she’d seen before could compare to him.

“Ning Mountain Master knows that I’m from the Cangyuan Dragon Clan, right?”

Ning Yao nodded.

Feng Jingzhuo lowered his voice, explaining softly: “When I was young, I left Cangyuan. I didn’t learn their cultivation techniques, and I didn’t know anything about the situation there or the affairs of my clan. So, to me, it’s like being from another foreign clan. That’s why I never considered myself a member of the Cangyuan Dragon Clan. It wasn’t intentional not to tell you.”

Ning Yao thought, Well, that’s a good thing. He doesn’t even know the conditions for ascension.

He paused, and his voice became softer than the night breeze: “The reason for my exile wasn’t intentional to hide it. I… I didn’t…”

Ning Yao interrupted him: “You don’t need to explain. I don’t want to know.”

Feng Jingzhuo froze: “Why?”

Ning Yao smiled gently: “Because you don’t want to say it.”

Her smile felt like it carried a power that twisted at his heart, making him gather some courage: “I don’t want to say because I’m afraid the Mountain Master won’t believe me. I was exiled as a sinner, but I was just a child back then. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Even if… even if it was just a consequence of being associated with someone else.”

“Associated with someone else?” Ning Yao asked instinctively, “What happened to your parents?”

“Can you stop calling me “Mountain Master Ning”? Call me Yao Yao instead so were even. Ning Yao blurted out, feeling amused.

Feng Jingzhuo nodded slightly. “Alright, Yao Yao.”

When Ning Yao saw the smile on his face, she felt a surge of warmth inside. She waved her hand. “It’s fine. You should go take a bath and change your clothes.”

Feng Jingzhuo nodded and turned toward the small house. Ning Yao stood by the edge of the pond, watching his retreating figure. An inexplicable feeling stirred in her heart. She knew that this person, who was unwilling to talk about his past, might have found a temporary refuge in this mountain.

She turned her gaze to the reflection in the pond, and her thoughts wandered. No matter the past, everyone would become family here. Every person in Luoxiang Mountain would take care of each other, no longer lonely.

At that moment, Feng Jingzhuo suddenly turned back to look at her, his voice soft. “Thank you, Yao Yao.”

Ning Yao smiled and waved her hand. “You’re welcome. We’re all the same. Just focus on healing, and leave the rest to us.”

As the wind gently blew, the surface of the water rippled, and Ning Yao’s smile became brighter. It seemed that all the unpleasantness and worries had blown away with the wind, becoming trivial and insignificant.