The Passerby Female Supporting Character – Chapter 7
by Little PandaCourting Death
Song Linlin instinctively wanted to ask what “that” referred to, but upon careful reflection, she swallowed the words before they left her mouth.
“Oh.” She nodded, explaining herself: “You said before that mortals couldn’t see you, I thought cultivators would be different, that’s why I acted that way in the urgent situation…”
After listening, Chi Qianning merely turned her head, no longer looking at Song Linlin.
Why was this person so awkward?
Song Linlin recalled her previous actions – she had just covered her with the blanket, nothing else…
Really couldn’t understand.
Perhaps because they had spent some time together and the other party temporarily showed no intention of killing her, Song Linlin suddenly couldn’t resist the urge to be provocative. Since Chi Qianning turned her head away, why not actively approach her!
Song Linlin suddenly took a few steps forward, bending down to bring her face close to Chi Qianning’s, getting very near, saying with a grin: “Do you want to eat something? We can eat together.”
Chi Qianning didn’t answer immediately, instead remaining quiet for two seconds, then her red eyes gradually filled with traces of anger. She reached out and pulled Song Linlin.
The force left Song Linlin no room for resistance. Her feet stumbled, and the next second she fell onto the bed. The other party leaned over her, gaze dangerous, then Song Linlin heard Chi Qianning’s voice, cold yet filled with anger: “Have I been too lenient with you, that you dare to play tricks on me?”
Terrible, she had pushed her luck too far…
This time it was Song Linlin’s turn to be pinned down. She didn’t dare move, and without any hesitation, immediately chose to submit and apologize: “I’m sorry, my lord. I was wrong! I shouldn’t have committed such an act of insubordination, it’s truly unforgivable! I promise to be more careful with my words and actions in the future!”
After saying such a long speech in one breath, Song Linlin didn’t dare make her words too absolute, like saying she deserved ten thousand deaths – what if the other party actually said “then go die”? That would truly be bringing disaster upon oneself.
As for why she didn’t promise to never do it again, that was naturally because she felt she couldn’t accomplish that…
Song Linlin blinked at her, appearing very sincere. Chi Qianning was momentarily stumped – the other party’s admission of fault was too straightforward, giving her a feeling of powerlessness with nowhere to vent.
Finally, she could only give a light snort, offering a mild warning: “Remember what you said. If there’s a next time, you know the consequences.”
Chi Qianning rose, releasing Song Linlin who had been pinned to the bed, and sat up straight. Song Linlin also propped herself up using the bedboard. Her already disheveled clothes were now even more messy, so she stood up to adjust her loose garments.
Carefully glancing at Chi Qianning twice, Song Linlin hesitantly spoke: “If my lord won’t eat, then shall I eat alone?”
“I have long since abstained from grain [辟谷 | bì gǔ | cultivation technique to stop requiring food].”
Generally speaking, when cultivators reached the Golden Core stage, they could practice grain abstinence. With the Golden Core formed within their body, having transcended mortal flesh, they naturally no longer needed to consume ordinary food to maintain vital signs.
Of course, whether to eat or not completely depended on personal preference. Grain abstinence merely meant cultivators wouldn’t starve to death even without eating for long periods. Otherwise, those old fellows who frequently went into seclusion for decades or centuries would have starved to death hundreds of times.
Since she didn’t want to eat, Song Linlin didn’t insist. The portion wasn’t much anyway, just right for one person.
After finishing the meal, she stacked the plates together. Later in the evening, the shop attendants would come to collect the tableware, requiring no effort from the guests.
Chi Qianning was now sitting in meditation with her eyes closed. The room was very quiet. Song Linlin didn’t dare disturb her. Having slept all morning, her mind was now very clear, and she probably wouldn’t be able to take an afternoon nap.
Being truly bored with nothing to do, Song Linlin decided to walk around outside the room. She said to Chi Qianning: “I’m going out for a bit, just within the inn.”
The other party didn’t answer, not even opening her eyes. Song Linlin had probably gotten used to this behavior, taking it as tacit approval. She quietly opened the door and then closed it.
She wasn’t worried about anyone sneaking into the room while she was away, after all, Chi Qianning had said others couldn’t see her, so there was nothing to worry about.
Song Linlin walked along the corridor to the stairway, where she happened to meet Zhiyu coming up from downstairs. Even when dealing with the servants in the inn, Zhiyu maintained a smiling gentle demeanor that made people feel like they were bathed in spring breeze [如沐春風 | rú mù chūn fēng | idiom: gentle and refreshing presence].
Her tone gentle, smile warm, she said softly: “Song-shimei, why have you come out? Your hair isn’t even combed.”
“There was nothing to do in the room, so I came out for a walk,” Song Linlin replied with an equally polite smile.
As for why she hadn’t combed her hair, laziness was one thing, but mainly she didn’t know how to do the hairstyles of this place. Song Linlin was someone whose clumsy hands couldn’t braid any kind of plait, at most she could barely manage a high ponytail.
Zhiyu thought for a moment, then asked: “Ye-shijie notified me to go to her room for a discussion. I thought shimei must be resting so I didn’t call you, but since Song-shimei has nothing to do now, why not come along with me?”
Was this about discussing the training mission?
Of course she couldn’t not go, she even needed to find a way to give them some hints, otherwise this main storyline mission was hell-level difficulty, who knew how many people would die.
After transmigrating into the book, Song Linlin hadn’t had much interaction with these people, only thinking about escaping. Others were just strangers to her, so running away didn’t cause any guilt.
Now after experiencing these events, with everyone still showing such concern for her after her escape attempt, hearts were made of flesh after all [人心都是肉長的 | rén xīn dōu shì ròu zhǎng de | idiom: people have feelings]. Song Linlin really couldn’t bring herself to run away alone anymore.
As the only person who knew the main plot, she naturally needed to make some effort to change the situation.
Song Linlin nodded, “Good! I’ll go with shijie.”
The two arrived outside Ye Tingran’s room. Pushing open the door, they found that besides Ye Tingran, there were two others inside, everyone sitting in a circle.
One of them Song Linlin knew – it was Liu Zhi, the shixiong who had gone with her and Ye Tingran to gather intelligence at Luofeng Temple last night.
After she had run away, this Liu-shixiong had spent the whole night searching for her in that desolate wilderness. As for the other person, Song Linlin wasn’t very familiar with him, only knowing he was also a capable member of the team.
“Song-shimei, why have you come too? How are your injuries recovering?” Ye Tingran turned her head seeing Song Linlin enter with Zhiyu, asking with concern.
Song Linlin smiled politely, “I’m not seriously affected anymore.”
“Mm.” Ye Tingran nodded, “Quickly, sit down.”
The two found seats together. As Zhiyu passed the dressing table, she picked up the comb from it. She moved a stool behind Song Linlin and said very considerately: “Song-shimei, let me help you put up your hair. Though I’ll need to borrow Ye-shijie’s comb.”
Ye Tingran naturally didn’t mind such a small matter. Song Linlin was quite touched – when reading the novel, she had known Zhiyu was a gentle supporting female character, kind-hearted, eager to help others, and well-liked by everyone.
Unexpectedly, meeting her in person, she was several times more gentle and considerate than imagined!
After everyone was seated, Ye Tingran spoke first, “We’ve already discussed this morning – since our previously obtained intelligence was wrong, that person who seemed to fall for our questioning and provided key information must not be simple.”
“This morning, Zhiyu-shimei specifically went to observe him, and he seems unaware that we’ve discovered something amiss.”
“Yes.” Zhiyu said while combing Song Linlin’s hair: “Before lunch, I deliberately passed by him, and that person even took the initiative to greet me. Looking at his reaction, he doesn’t seem to know he’s been exposed at all.”
Ye Tingran continued: “So Liu Zhi-shixiong suggested we quickly capture him and interrogate him for the true situation. Once he knows he’s been exposed, he’ll certainly vanish without a trace, and then catching him will be difficult.”
“Everyone, what do you think?” Ye Tingran took a sip of tea, “I personally strongly agree with this approach.”
After Ye Tingran finished speaking, she looked at the others. Song Linlin naturally expressed support, and everyone else agreed without exception.
“Good.” Ye Tingran nodded, her gaze focusing, “Then shortly, I’ll go with Zhiyu to test his strength and attempt to capture him alive.”
“Ye-shijie! I want to go too!” Song Linlin raised her hand enthusiastically.
For something like this, how could she be left out!
However, seeing Song Linlin actively wanting to join in, the others frowned. Ye Tingran hadn’t expected Song Linlin would want to go, and said: “Song-shimei, you just fought with enemies last night. Going now might get yourself hurt.”
Hearing the other party wanting to refuse her, Song Linlin immediately said: “Ye-shijie, I crossed paths with those people last night, perhaps I can help with some things.”
“And don’t worry, I’ve recovered almost completely. At worst, I’ll just hide to the side when you’re fighting him. I definitely won’t drag you down!”
Song Linlin’s words were reasonable and well-founded. Hearing it this way seemed to make sense. Ye Tingran looked toward Zhiyu, her eyes asking for her opinion.
Zhiyu also shook her head, indicating she had no objections. Only then did Ye Tingran nod, cautioning Song Linlin: “Alright then, when we encounter danger later, Song-shimei, you stay far back. Leave it to me and Zhiyu.”
Afterward, several people discussed some specific strategies and support plans. By the time everyone had mostly decided, Zhiyu had also finished doing Song Linlin’s hair.
She had used just a simple hairpin, styling Song Linlin’s hair in a way convenient for movement. Song Linlin looked in the mirror – although her hair hadn’t been particularly messy before, because it was too long and simply hanging loose, it had been somewhat unkempt and casual.
Now the front hair was pulled back, fully revealing her entire face, looking much more capable and refreshing. With dark blue almond eyes, crescent-moon eyebrows, eyelashes like small fans, and an upturned nose, she did possess some beauty.
Of course, she couldn’t compare to the female lead and important supporting female characters. After all, being just a background character, how good-looking could she be expected to be – probably just village flower level at most.
Walking out of Ye Tingran’s room, Song Linlin still needed to return to report to Chi Qianning first. She gave the excuse of needing to get something from her room, asking the other two to wait for her outside the inn.
Song Linlin happily returned to the room, pushing open the door in one motion. Her sword was placed near the bed, and she needed to wear it before going out.
Chi Qianning naturally heard the door opening. She opened her eyes to see Song Linlin hadn’t closed the door and was walking toward the bed.
Her previously disheveled long hair was now bound up with a hairpin, making her appear much lighter.
Chi Qianning stared at that hairpin – she didn’t remember Song Linlin taking a hairpin when she went out.
“I’m going out with two shijie, might not return to the inn until evening. Do you want to come along?” Song Linlin asked Chi Qianning while picking up her sword and lowering her head to fasten it at her waist.
After securing the sword, she raised her head only to find Chi Qianning propping her chin with one hand, her red eyes narrowed, staring at the top of her head.
“The hair is bound nicely.” Chi Qianning answered irrelevantly.
“This?”
Song Linlin didn’t hide anything, speaking with admiration in her tone: “Zhiyu-shijie helped me style it. She’s such a good person, and the hairpin is hers too!”
“Oh…” Chi Qianning responded faintly, turning her head to look out the window, her voice floating lightly: “Then go by yourself.”
The snek is already showing signs of possessiveness huh? What a bad rope.