The Passerby Female Supporting Character – Chapter 34
by Little PandaPalm Kiss
Lin Qianqian?
Hearing this answer, Song Linlin’s gaze towards Chi Qianning immediately turned strange. The name sounded fake the moment she heard it. She struggled to control her facial muscles to avoid revealing certain subtle expressions in front of the others.
The character “Lin” (林) was particularly intriguing; Song Linlin naturally associated it with her own name’s “Lin” (霖) at once. However, fearing she might be overthinking it, and with others present, she felt too embarrassed to ask further.
Chi Qianning offered no more explanation after saying that. Song Linlin stepped in front of her, smiling to smooth things over, “This… Lin Qianqian, she’s rather shy and doesn’t usually talk much. Please forgive her, Shijie.”
“No matter.”
Ye Tingran didn’t seem to mind Chi Qianning’s attitude. Her gaze shifted between Song Linlin and Chi Qianning, as if struck by an amusing thought. She chuckled and said, “But Song-shimei’s name is truly similar to this Lin-shimei’s. I suppose this counts as a special kind of fate, doesn’t it?”
Song Linlin gave an awkward laugh twice, unsure how to reply.
Of course the two names are similar, Song Linlin thought. Chi Qianning clearly picked it on purpose.
“It is quite a coincidence…” Song Linlin replied perfunctorily.
“By the way, Song-shimei, do you two have any plans next?”
Zhiyu, still maintaining a smile that felt like bathing in the spring breeze1, looking both dignified and gentle, spoke up, “We and several other shimeis plan to go cultivate in a Spirit Gathering Array2. After all, the first Inner Sect Competition3 is just a month away. This year’s competition is earlier than usual, so there isn’t much time left. Naturally, we must redouble our cultivation efforts.”
“What?” Song Linlin was utterly confused4.
The Inner Sect Competition was a traditional event within the sect, usually held once or twice a year. However, according to past practice, disciples in their first year would only start competing shortly before the next batch of inner disciples was promoted. Song Linlin’s group had only been initiated for a little over half a year; it shouldn’t be held this early.
Seeing Song Linlin’s bewildered expression, Zhiyu likely guessed what was going on. “Song-shimei, you probably haven’t had a chance to see the newly posted notice this morning, have you? The predicted appearance time for the Mirror Moon Secret Realm5 has been moved up this year. The number of spots available to enter the Secret Realm6 is limited, so everyone is working hard to secure a place.”
Song Linlin always arrived at morning classes just barely on time; how would she have had time to pay attention to this? Naturally, she was behind on the news. However, the mention of the Mirror Moon Secret Realm did ring a bell.
Secret Realms were small, separate spaces independent of the real world. Normally, their traces and entrances couldn’t be found; only at specific times would they overlap with reality and open an entrance.
Inside grew many heavenly materials and earthly treasures7 that were hard to find in the outside world, making them veritable treasure troves. However, treasures were often accompanied by danger. Besides guarding against dangerous demonic beasts living within the Secret Realm, one could also encounter various sudden situations at any time.
Song Linlin remembered this particular Mirror Moon Secret Realm quite clearly. It opened once every fifty years. Usually, when such plot points occurred, they were naturally meant to deliver treasures to the female lead, Ye Tingran. This time, the Secret Realm would produce some rare and valuable items, but the danger level would naturally be greatly increased as well.
The number of spots within the sect to go to these places was limited. This time, it was estimated that the competition rankings would determine who could obtain a spot.
No wonder Zhiyu had proactively sought her out to cultivate together. After all, from an outsider’s perspective, the chance to enter a Secret Realm for treasure hunting was an opportunity one could only dream of.
Song Linlin had no interest in such things; she even just wanted to hide from them. In major events like this, she might accidentally become cannon fodder8. Staying safely within the sect was definitely the better option.
Thus, she immediately rejected Zhiyu’s proposal. “Zhiyu-shijie, I have other plans next. Lin Qianqian and I won’t be going with you. You all go ahead.”
“If that’s the case, then alright.” Zhiyu didn’t press Song Linlin. There were others waiting for them outside. “Then Ye-shijie and I will take our leave first.”
Watching Ye Tingran and Zhiyu depart, and making sure they had walked some distance away, Song Linlin finally breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Chi Qianning behind her.
She narrowed her eyes at Chi Qianning, her hand still held by the other girl. Song Linlin whispered resentfully, “Lin Qianqian… Hmph, since when did I know you were also called Lin Qianqian?”
Chi Qianning looked at Song Linlin before her, then turned her head away, ignoring the question. Yet, a sly glint of amusement clearly flashed through those red eyes.
This made Song Linlin unable to resist pinching her waist. Her fingers found not a trace of excess fat there. She didn’t really use force; the resulting sensation was more itchy than painful.
“Hiss…”
Chi Qianning turned her head back to look at Song Linlin. However, Song Linlin had already withdrawn her hand, blinking innocently as if she hadn’t done anything just now. She took Chi Qianning’s hand back into her grasp and smiled, “Alright, Lin Qianqian, let’s go back.”
Most people had already left by now. It would be strange for the two of them to keep standing in the corridor holding hands. Song Linlin didn’t care if the other replied or not and directly pulled her towards the exit.
Outside the morning class location, the sect was bustling in the early morning. This area was inherently a hub of various buildings, with many people coming and going. As soon as the two appeared outside, curious gazes were frequently cast their way.
Those gazes were either curious or amazed. Song Linlin pulled Chi Qianning quickly through the crowd. She glanced at the people nearby, couldn’t help but look back, and teased, “Lin Qianqian, do you think we should find something to cover your face next time before going out?”
Chi Qianning ignored the prying eyes from the outside world. Looking back at Song Linlin, she squeezed her hand, “Don’t mess around.”
“Oh.”
Passing through a more crowded area, Song Linlin stopped and temporarily let go of Chi Qianning’s hand. “Wait here for a bit. I’ll go check what exactly is written on that notice. I’ll be right back.”
Because it was a notice newly posted that morning, most passersby would curiously glance at it. However, Song Linlin hadn’t really paid attention to this area when she arrived, solely focused on rushing to class before she was late.
There were quite a few people. Song Linlin decided it was better to go look herself rather than drag Chi Qianning into the crowd. Chi Qianning nodded and released her hand.
Even from this distance, Chi Qianning could actually make out what was written on it. Song Linlin squeezed closer to look at the newly posted notice, scanned it carefully from top to bottom, and then retreated, uninterested.
She linked her arm through Chi Qianning’s again, continuing towards home. “Let’s go. That notice has nothing to do with me.”
Chi Qianning looked at her and spoke lightly, “Twenty spots, taking the top twenty ranked. You have a good chance of being selected.”
“Huh?!”
Song Linlin was surprised that she could know what was written on the notice from so far away. But Chi Qianning had surprised her too many times already; she was gradually getting used to it.
What puzzled Song Linlin now was why Chi Qianning had so much confidence in her. When she had gone closer just now, she discovered that it wasn’t just her cohort participating in the competition; fellow disciples from the previous cohort who were at the Golden Core stage but still under twenty years old would also be participating.
The pressure instantly multiplied. Song Linlin didn’t think she could beat them at all, not to mention she had absolutely no desire to go to that Mirror Moon Secret Realm. Staying obediently within the sect was the safest.
Song Linlin shook her head faster than a rattle drum, shrinking her neck, and firmly rejected the idea. “No, no, no, I really don’t want to go to that Secret Realm!”
“And… and the main thing is, I might not even be able to beat the others.”
Let whoever wanted to go to that Secret Realm go; Song Linlin just wanted to lie low9 within the sect.
Chi Qianning looked at her pathetic appearance, shook her head, and said helplessly, “You haven’t even tried. How can you be sure you’ll definitely lose?”
“Don’t say any more. Let’s just go back first.” Song Linlin didn’t really want to continue discussing this topic with her.
Once back at their residence, Song Linlin immediately flopped onto the bed again. As if boneless, she sprawled out, pulling out a book she hadn’t had time to read from under her pillow.
Chi Qianning had taken several of her books to read previously, and Song Linlin hadn’t had a chance to look at them yet. Now she finally had some free time.
Chi Qianning sat beside her, watching this person start to slack off10 the moment she returned. She couldn’t help but tug at Song Linlin’s clothes. “Song Linlin, you should go cultivate.”
In the few days since returning to the sect, Chi Qianning hadn’t seen Song Linlin take the initiative to cultivate even once; she basically just slacked off. She felt it was necessary now to urge Song Linlin’s cultivation.
“Huh?”
Song Linlin turned her head, looking at her strangely. She hugged her book tightly, her attitude resolute. “No.”
“There’s still a month. If you start cultivating hard now, you can still catch up to the others.” Chi Qianning assumed she was giving up on herself simply because she felt she couldn’t compare to others.
“No way, I really don’t want to go to that Mirror Moon Secret Realm!”
Song Linlin subconsciously scooted away. Chi Qianning used to be someone who idled around with her every day; why had she suddenly changed?
Chi Qianning also looked at Song Linlin strangely. She didn’t quite understand what the other was thinking. If given the chance, clearly everyone else in the sect would be eager to go, yet Song Linlin only thought of hiding.
“Why not go?” Chi Qianning asked.
Song Linlin twisted her fingers together, looking at her fearfully. “Why go? It’s so dangerous there.”
Chi Qianning remembered that this place was targeted towards cultivators at the Golden Core stage and below. Logically, how dangerous could it be?
“How could it be? So many people go each time, and quite a few come out too.”
Hearing this, Song Linlin put down her book, sat up to face Chi Qianning, and said, “But there are always some who don’t come out…”
“With my level of strength, I’d better forget it. What if I go in and can’t come out? Wouldn’t that be rushing to my death?”
Chi Qianning fell silent. Hearing it like that, it felt like Song Linlin had a point, but upon careful thought, why did it feel not quite right?
Places like Secret Realms, whether due to the various demonic beasts living inside or humans killing each other for treasures, would certainly bring harm.
But these situations didn’t just exist within Secret Realms; weren’t they also extremely common in the outside world?
She had almost been misled by Song Linlin’s words. Now, staring intently at Song Linlin, she stated bluntly, “These are all just excuses for you not wanting to go, aren’t they?”
Song Linlin was indeed extremely unwilling to go. Seeing that she couldn’t persuade Chi Qianning, she could only resort to being unreasonable. She looked pitifully at Chi Qianning, “No, without you accompanying me, I really don’t dare to go.”
“That Secret Realm only allows entry for those at the Golden Core stage and below. How dangerous would it be for me to go alone? I might run into some dangerous situation, and then you’d never see me again.”
Chi Qianning was silent for two seconds, her tone softening slightly, “I will wait for you outside.”
“That’s not okay either. Anyway, I don’t dare to go.” Song Linlin remained firm in her resolve to absolutely not go to the Secret Realm.
Chi Qianning could only sigh softly. She simply couldn’t persuade Song Linlin. She understood now; Song Linlin just wanted to drift along day by day within the sect.
“Do you still remember the sword technique I taught you before?”
“Uh…”
Song Linlin was about to ask what sword technique it was when she vaguely recalled that she had defeated Xing Jiu of Luofeng Temple using the sword technique Chi Qianning had taught her. But she hadn’t seriously memorized it back then, and after that incident, she had almost forgotten about it entirely. Now, her memory was hazy.
“Sorry, I don’t remember it clearly…” Song Linlin said in a small voice.
Since Chi Qianning taught it, it definitely wasn’t some common trash; it felt very powerful. But now she couldn’t recall it at all, which made Song Linlin feel quite embarrassed.
Chi Qianning had expected this. She shook her head, no longer expecting Song Linlin to cultivate diligently. If she was a bit weaker, then so be it.
“Since you don’t want to cultivate, then let’s do something else,” Chi Qianning said lightly, her eyes fixed intently on Song Linlin.
Seeing that the other was no longer fixated on making her go to the Mirror Moon Secret Realm, Song Linlin relaxed considerably. As long as it wasn’t forcing her to cultivate hard, anything else was acceptable.
Song Linlin asked curiously, “What is it?”
“Hold out your hand.”
Song Linlin obediently extended her hand, palm facing up, tilting her head slightly. “And then?”
Cool fingers touched the back of her hand, then slid around to clasp her palm from the side. The icy touch stole some of the warmth from her hand. Then, under Song Linlin’s puzzled gaze, Chi Qianning bent down slightly, lifting the hand she held.
Her head lowered slightly, and her soft lips suddenly pressed against the muscles of the palm before her, feeling the lines etched there.
Song Linlin was too stunned to speak. The kiss landed on her palm. Then, the other person lifted her gaze, red irises looking up, staring right at her, intensely invasive, her eyes holding a hint of intoxicated emotion.
One kiss landed on the outer side of her palm. Chi Qianning tilted her head slightly, and the next kiss landed towards the inner side of the palm. This kiss was clearly firmer than the last, and throughout the process, those red eyes remained fixed on Song Linlin.
“Hiss—”
Song Linlin couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath. She couldn’t quite describe her current feeling; her heart couldn’t help but race.
Then her hand was held and pressed against Chi Qianning’s somewhat cool cheek. She looked at the person before her, “What are you thinking?”
Those eyes were too invasive at this moment. Just one look made Song Linlin feel like she was about to be bewitched. She abruptly snatched her hand back, hastily slipped on her shoes—not even caring if they’d fall off midway—and practically fled in panic11.
“I-I-I… I’m going to the Spirit Gathering Array to cultivate hard!”
After saying that, without caring about the other person’s thoughts, she scrambled out of the room in a fluster.
In short, Song Linlin had shamefully run away.
The author has something to say:
A little snake in heat excessively likes being clingy12.
^o^
Footnotes
- 如沐春风 | rú mù chūn fēng | Lit. “like bathing in the spring breeze”; Describes feeling pleasant and comfortable, often due to someone’s agreeable attitude, kind words, or gentle demeanor.
- 聚灵阵 | jùlíngzhèn | A formation or array designed to gather spiritual energy (qi/lingqi) from the surroundings to aid cultivation.
- 内门比试 | nèimén bǐshì | A competition held among the inner disciples of a cultivation sect.
- 一头雾水 | yī tóu wùshuǐ | Lit. “a head full of fog”; To be completely baffled, confused, or clueless.
- 镜月秘境 | Jìngyuè Mìjìng | A specific secret realm, likely a pocket dimension accessible only at certain times.
- 秘境 | mìjìng | A hidden or pocket dimension, often containing rare resources and dangers, accessible only under specific conditions in cultivation settings.
- 天材地宝 | tiāncái dìbǎo | Rare and precious natural resources, often magical herbs, minerals, or other items, highly sought after for cultivation, alchemy, or crafting.
- 炮灰 | pàohuī | Lit. “cannon ash”; A term, often used in fiction/gaming contexts, for minor characters destined to die quickly or tragically to advance the plot or highlight danger, especially to the protagonist.
- 茍 | gǒu | Internet slang, often used in gaming or web novels, meaning to survive by hiding, playing cautiously, avoiding conflict, or just getting by without ambition. Derived from 苟且偷生 (gǒuqiě tōushēng – live on ignobly).
- 摸鱼 | mōyú | Lit. “touch fish”; Popular internet slang meaning to slack off, goof off, be lazy, or pretend to work while doing something else.
- 落荒而逃 | luò huāng ér táo | Lit. “descend into the wilderness and flee”; To flee in disarray, often defeated or panicked.
- 贴贴 | tiētie | Internet slang, often used in anime/manga/web novel fandoms, derived from Japanese てぇてぇ (tētē), expressing affection, closeness, or the desire for characters to be physically close or intimate. Often implies cuteness or warmth.
Lol, that snek is being clingy and soft when in heat haha