The Passerby Female Supporting Character – Chapter 13
by Little PandaHow strange, I’m not sure, let me look again
“You…”
Song Linlin was completely speechless. Had this snake gotten high after feeding on her? Although she’d said she was thick-skinned and unafraid, it still depended on the situation, and besides, her earlier words were just empty talk…
Wait! Song Linlin suddenly remembered something – others couldn’t see Chi Qianning!
That’s what she herself had said, so there shouldn’t be much problem when Ye Tingran comes in. At worst, she’d just notice that her sleeping posture was a bit strange.
A strange posture was better than being seen lying on top of someone else.
Understanding this, Song Linlin relaxed a bit, though she still stubbornly tried to break free from Chi Qianning’s arms.
With a “creak,” the door opened, and Ye Tingran appeared in view. At first glance, she didn’t notice anything on the bed, turning to close the door before walking into the room.
However, after just two steps, Ye Tingran suddenly stopped in her tracks. She saw Song Linlin lying completely outside the blanket on the bed, and in the corner of the bed clearly lay another person.
Song Linlin’s upper body was lying on top of the other person, whose face was hidden behind the bed curtain, with only a pair of arms visible embracing Song Linlin’s neck. The two’s posture appeared quite intimate.
Ye Tingran was confused, doubting her own eyes.
How strange, I’m not sure, let me look again!
This time she observed carefully for several seconds, finally confirming she hadn’t seen wrong – there were indeed two people lying on Song Linlin’s bed.
Momentarily both surprised and confused, Ye Tingran remained silent for several seconds before speaking: “Shimei… you… are there two people on the bed?”
Song Linlin: !!!
Having struggled on the bed for so long, Song Linlin was also shocked. She looked at Chi Qianning, her eyes full of questions:
Weren’t you supposed to be invisible to others?!
However, the only response she got was a crafty smile flickering in the other’s eyes.
Song Linlin finally understood – this fellow had done it deliberately. What a malicious snake, actually wanting to see her embarrassed like this.
Fortunately, after all that struggling, Chi Qianning finally released Song Linlin. She languidly withdrew her arms, knowing that the outsider couldn’t see her face clearly anyway – only Song Linlin would be embarrassed.
The moment Song Linlin was released, she immediately scrambled up. Her previously powerless body suddenly filled with energy as she quickly got off the bed, put on her shoes, and rushed in front of Ye Tingran.
“Shijie, I know you have many questions, but please don’t ask them now.”
Not giving the other person a chance to speak, Song Linlin continued rambling incoherently: “Shijie, you’re still young and inexperienced. What you see isn’t necessarily the truth. The waters here run deep, you can’t handle it, so it’s better not to ask.”
“You know, everyone has their hobbies. As they say, ‘Men die for wealth, birds die for food’ [人為財死，鳥為食亡 | rén wéi cái sǐ, niǎo wéi shí wáng | Chinese idiom meaning people will risk everything for what they desire], ‘Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west’ [三十年河東，三十年河西 | sān shí nián hé dōng, sān shí nián hé xī | Chinese idiom meaning fortunes can change over time]…”
Song Linlin spouted a bunch of irrelevant nonsense until her mind short-circuited, unable to think of any more excuses.
Instead, Ye Tingran, who had been quietly listening to her rambling, remained silent for two seconds before voluntarily saying: “Shimei, I’m not really thinking much about it…”
“Huh?” This time it was Song Linlin’s turn to be confused.
“Although I don’t know the specific situation, it’s not really a big problem.”
Ye Tingran explained unhurriedly: “After all, it’s just a matter of personal preference, like how I enjoy collecting sword manuals and cultivation techniques, Zhiyu likes raising spirit plants, and that Hall Master [堂主 | táng zhǔ | sect leader of a division] of Shuiyun Peak [水雲峰 | shuǐ yún fēng | Water Cloud Peak] changes dao companions [道侶 | dào lǚ | cultivation partner/spouse] every ten years…”
“As long as it’s nothing that goes against heaven and earth, it won’t affect our friendship as fellow disciples.”
“Ye Shijie, you’re such a good person!” Song Linlin said with sincere respect.
Indeed, worthy of someone holding the script of the main female protagonist, with such an open-minded attitude. If some gossipmonger had seen this instead, Song Linlin would’ve lost all face.
Ye Tingran smiled and said: “It’s nothing, just a small matter.”
“I came to remind you that it’s already noon [午時 | wǔ shí | traditional Chinese time: 11 am – 1 pm], time to go down for meal. Later, we’re planning to discuss visiting that person from Luofeng Temple. Will you join us, Shimei?”
“Of course! I must go!”
Song Linlin nodded. She couldn’t possibly miss this – after all, she had worked hard to get this intelligence yesterday.
“Good.” Ye Tingran nodded slightly. Since there was someone else in the room, she didn’t plan to stay long. “Then I’ll take my leave, Shimei. Come down for lunch after you’ve handled your private matters.”
With that, she turned and left decisively.
After Ye Tingran left the room, Song Linlin finally breathed a sigh of relief before turning to look at Chi Qianning, who was still lying on the bed.
At this moment on the bed, Chi Qianning was lounging leisurely on her side, one hand propping up her head, knees crossed, her curvaceous figure perfectly outlined in profile, those alluring eyes gazing at Song Linlin with an amused smile.
Song Linlin, who had been somewhat angry before, turned her head to face such a scene and inexplicably found herself unable to blame her anymore.
Damn it, led astray by beauty!
Although she didn’t blame her anymore in her heart, she still had to put on an act on the surface – otherwise, wouldn’t she appear too casual?
Song Linlin walked to the bedside, sat on the edge, and stared at Chi Qianning, questioning: “Weren’t you supposed to be invisible to others before? You clearly did that on purpose just now!”
“Weren’t you the one who said you didn’t mind?” Chi Qianning replied righteously.
“I was just talking big.” Thinking the other wouldn’t understand, Song Linlin added: “It was just a momentary impulse, I didn’t actually mean it, understand?”
“Oh…”
The other’s light response and obvious tone of not listening made Song Linlin feel like she was dealing with a stubborn child.
This drove Song Linlin a bit crazy, but there wasn’t much she could do about it. After all, she was no match for Chi Qianning in strength – if she made her angry and got slapped to death, that would be quite troublesome.
Forget it, better not talk to her for now.
Song Linlin decided to go wash up first and then head downstairs for food. She had been so tired yesterday that she’d slept until lunchtime, and now she was hungry too.
After putting on her shoes, Song Linlin walked to the washing area. Since Chi Qianning had used the Cleansing Technique on her yesterday, the water prepared by the inn hadn’t been used and could be used now.
After washing her face, she turned around to find Chi Qianning standing not far from her, having approached at some unknown time.
“Wah!” Song Linlin was startled, not having reacted in time. She looked at her with furrowed brows and said: “Do you make any sound when you walk? When did you come over?”
But Chi Qianning didn’t answer immediately, instead waiting several seconds before speaking: “Are you angry?”
“Huh?”
Song Linlin looked at her with a strange expression. Since when did this person care if she was angry or not? Could this Chi Qianning before her be an impostor?!
This made Song Linlin examine Chi Qianning carefully. The person standing before her still had that familiar, flawless face she knew, with silver-white hair falling to her waist, matching well with her moon-white clothes.
Compared to when she first arrived at the inn, her pallid complexion had undoubtedly gained some color, and those red eyes weren’t as cold as usual.
She didn’t look like an impostor.
Seeing Song Linlin not answering for a while, Chi Qianning let out a slight sigh, turned her head, and said somewhat awkwardly: “Then I’ll accompany you tonight.”
“Really?” Song Linlin could hardly believe it, especially since she wasn’t even angry, just slow to respond.
“Why would I deceive you?” Chi Qianning turned back, looking Song Linlin up and down before saying coolly: “Just to prevent certain people from going out and ending up being chased by enemies again.”
Although she was being mocked, Song Linlin didn’t mind, immediately moving closer to Chi Qianning with a smile: “You said it yourself, no taking it back!”
“When I make a promise, I naturally keep it.”
Hearing these words, Song Linlin felt relieved. Given her mercurial personality, Song Linlin had really worried she might suddenly change her mind by evening.
But now that she had said this, surely she wouldn’t go back on her word!
With such a formidable person watching over her, tonight definitely wouldn’t be like last time when she was chased around.
Thinking this way, Song Linlin’s mood improved considerably. Looking at Chi Qianning, she suddenly felt that letting her take a bite occasionally wasn’t such a big deal – at least she became much more agreeable during that period after feeding.
Usually, Song Linlin wouldn’t expect her help at all – it was good enough if she wasn’t being ice-cold.
“Do you want to eat?” Song Linlin asked cheerfully.
Chi Qianning shook her head, showing no interest, “No need.”
“Alright then.”
Song Linlin remembered she had refused the last time she asked too, so she didn’t press further, saying: “Then I’ll go by myself. Later I’ll probably need to discuss things with the others, so I’ll be back a bit late.”
“Go ahead.”
Night fell, the moon hung high in the sky, with few stars visible tonight.
Song Linlin waited until the time they had agreed upon during the day. Having gone to bed early last night and slept through the entire morning, she was still very energetic, showing no signs of fatigue, and even felt somewhat excited.
Times have changed – yesterday I might have been chased by Mu Tong, but today that definitely won’t happen!
Song Linlin stood up. She wasn’t wearing her long sword anymore – after all, the blade was broken, and it would be too embarrassing to carry a broken sword. Better to go empty-handed.
She needed to find time to get a spare sword, but that could wait for now. She’d have to keep it in mind for later.
Seeing Song Linlin stand up, Chi Qianning, who had been leisurely drinking tea while seated, put down her teacup and spoke calmly: “Time to leave?”
“Yes, it’s about time. Someone will probably come to call for me soon, so let’s just head out early,” Song Linlin nodded and replied.
“Mm.”
Song Linlin extended her hand, grinning, “Come on, it’s too far to walk, and I know you won’t want to walk. Let me carry you over!”
“You’re quite eager.”
Chi Qianning didn’t refuse. Her fingers touched Song Linlin’s wrist as she transformed into her snake form, coiling around the other’s arm.
This time, Song Linlin wasn’t as panicked as before, watching the small snake slither around her arm, its scales sliding across her skin creating a strange, cool sensation.
The snake itself possessed an unusual beauty. Song Linlin took the opportunity to stroke it a couple times before pulling down her sleeve.
She then cleared her throat twice and said with a serious face: “I wasn’t deliberately touching you, I was just pulling down my sleeve.”
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