Chapter 1023: Chapter 1023: Childhood Sweethearts
As Qin Sisi spoke, she knelt on one knee before Ru Lin with her head bowed low, humble and respectful. Her apologetic demeanor was quite satisfying to Ru Lin.
Qin Sisi’s apology was sincere; she knew they had truly erred this time. However, she was also gambling that in front of someone she admired, Teacher Ru Lin wouldn’t want to appear too strict, so her punishment wouldn’t be too severe.
At this moment, Ru Lin indeed felt conflicted. These two troublemakers had actually used Invisible Grass to sneak up and peep, which was utterly intolerable.
But Xiao Meng was one of her own from the Muyin family, and Qin Sisi was sensible and well-mannered, also the apple of Ye You’s eye. She didn’t really want to punish them.
Yet, if she didn’t teach them a lesson, they might never learn, and she would also lose face.
Just then, Shuo Yu wheeled himself over, his expression calm. He raised his hand and gently tugged at Ru Lin’s sleeve.
Turning to him, Ru Lin knew he wouldn’t speak in front of others.
Shuo Yu looked up at Ru Lin with his head raised, gesturing with his hands a few motions, meaning: "Just have them clean Tianmu Mountain for you today as punishment!"
After some thought, Ru Lin found the method reasonable—it wasn’t too light or too heavy. The two girls would have a hard time of it, but their backers wouldn’t be unhappy about it, and she could save some face.
And so, Ru Lin coldly told Qin Sisi and Xiao Meng, "Listen well. Your punishment is to thoroughly clean Tianmu Mountain today."
"Yes," Qin Sisi quickly agreed, not considering the punishment too heavy.
Ru Lin glanced at Xiao Meng and opened her palm. The long vine binding Xiao Meng released her body and flew back into Ru Lin’s hands, then disappeared.
Xiao Meng, though sore all over from the binding, also knew she had caused trouble, and said quietly with her head lowered, "Thank you, Teacher Ru Lin."
Standing by, Qin Sisi continued, "Please rest assured, Teacher Ru Lin. We will certainly clean Tianmu Mountain thoroughly."
"Go on," Ru Lin said irritably.
Qin Sisi and Xiao Meng could not have asked for more and quickly walked away. They found a servant from Tianmu Mountain, who helped them get some cleaning tools, and they started to clean earnestly.
After watching Qin Sisi and Xiao Meng leave, Shuo Yu tugged on Ru Lin’s sleeve again, and gestured a few movements, "Is that Qin Sisi the girl Ye You has taken a fancy to?"
Ru Lin glanced at him and nodded.
Shuo Yu continued gesturing, saying through his movements, "That lad is quite brave."
Ru Lin pouted childishly and muttered softly, "Braver than you."
Shuo Yu paused, his expression freezing for a moment before he lowered his head silently, without making any further gestures.
After a long while, he coughed to draw Ru Lin’s attention, then gestured, "I’m leaving; the flying device can’t be delayed too long."
Ru Lin looked at him for a long time before asking softly, "Do you have anything else you want to tell me?"
Shuo Yu’s eyes dodged around, and he uncomfortably shook his head.
Ru Lin sighed and said, "Alright, you can go!"
After saying that, she turned around, staring blankly at the brilliant spring hues of the Luoying Forest, realizing that even plants have their own spring. Yet after so many years, her own spring had never come.
Standing there, Shuo Yu watched Ru Lin’s retreating figure, his throat clogged with many thoughts that he couldn’t voice.
She was so splendid, while he was nothing but a cripple, mute and immobile!
In the end, Shuo Yu did leave. The small flying device slowly ascended, departing Tianmu Mountain and flying towards the center where the device was docked.
Qin Sisi and Xiao Meng, who were cleaning, also saw it. Xiao Meng nudged Qin Sisi’s arm and asked quietly, "Sister Sisi, what do you think is the relationship between him and our teacher Ru Lin?"
Qin Sisi paused before replying, "They’re probably just friends!"
Xiao Meng wasn’t satisfied with the answer: "It can’t be that simple. Look at the way they look at each other; their eyes are full of stars."
Qin Sisi had certainly noticed. Initially welcoming in eighty-one souls, each with its own sorrowful tale, she had sharply sensed the affection and conflict between Shuo Yu and Ru Lin.
It must be a rather sad story, she thought, not wanting to probe deeply or to speak casually behind their backs, even without any malice.
Seeing Xiao Meng’s curious expression, Qin Sisi pondered for a moment and teased, "Whether their eyes have stars, I didn’t notice. But I do know when you see Yun Cheng, your eyes will have stars."
Caught off-guard, Xiao Meng didn’t know how to respond for a moment. But upon hearing Yun Cheng’s name, her heart suddenly softened with tenderness, and her cheeks couldn’t help blushing slightly.
Youths know not of sorrow; their young hearts and emotions brimming with sweetness and romance. Being of similar age, shared interests, equivalent abilities, and matched families, their relationship faced no obstacles, as if preordained by heaven and earth.
However, not every love in this world is so smooth and splendid.
Even for Qin Sisi and Ye You, from their first meeting to finally coming together, they had to overcome mountains and seas, enduring countless hardships.
Shuo Yu and Ru Lin had known each other since childhood, and being childhood sweethearts would not be an overstatement. Unfortunately, no matter how long Shuo Yu’s life may be, he would never have the chance to play with bamboo horses and pick plums.
As a baby, no one noticed anything amiss with him, but as he grew, his differences gradually became apparent.
His father, who had high hopes for him, was shocked and began seeking medical advice. However, after consulting every doctor in Daye City, no one could cure Shuo Yu’s affliction.
With no other options left but unwilling to give up, his father brought Shuo Yu to Biyun City of the Muyin family. Known for their Wood Attribute and proficient in healing, they possess the most exquisite healing magic within the Demon Sacred Realm. Ordinary doctors having failed, Shuo Yu’s father could only pin his hopes on their healing magic.
The Muyin family, compassionate and dedicated, did their best to treat young Shuo Yu but to no significant effect.
Nonetheless, there were improvements. They eventually confirmed Shuo Yu’s hearing was normal, allowing him to learn various knowledge just like anyone else, even magic skills, and not become a completely ignorant deaf-mute.
Additionally, under the influence of magic, although Shuo Yu’s legs could not walk, they did not atrophy. They grew to regular size but were always weak and powerless, unable to support his body’s weight, forcing him to sit in a wheelchair year-round.
Back then, Shuo Yu spent almost half of each year at the Muyin family’s Biyun City. With his father too busy to stay long, it was only his mother who accompanied him in his treatments.
Whenever Shuo Yu reminisced about that period, aside from his gratitude towards the Muyin family, the deepest impression and greatest thanks to the heavens was for knowing Ru Lin.
