At the same time, she was trying to exonerate herself, when in the future if Jun Xie or Fan Zhuo were to hear anything about the vicious things being said about her in the academy, they would just treat them as baseless ramblings.
Ning Xin had always prided herself on her ability to cover all bases when she carried out her schemes, but little did she realise that she was no match for the nimble minded Jun Wu Xie this time.
Jun Wu Xie watched on as Ning Xin played out her role in her act, her eyes chilly with frost. “But what if they said were true?”
Ning Xin froze once more.
“I have never been a nice person.” Jun Wu Xie was taking great delight in taking repeated digs at Ning Xin.
The game had only just started, she wanted to see how Ning Xin would squirm and writhe.
Ning Xin heaved a sigh of relief when she realised that Jun Xie was not talking about her but Jun Xie himself. But even before she could exhale that breath when she suddenly felt uncomfortably stifled and panicked. Who in the world debased themselves like that?
She had already said so many nice things to smoothen the whole situation yet Jun Xie was still unhesitatingly admitting that all that had been said about him was true. What did he expect her to say in reply to that?
Volume 6
Chapter 529: “Sudden Affability (4)”
Ning Xin had always possessed the gift of the gab but when faced with Jun Xie’s unconventional way of speaking, she found herself at a loss and her mind suddenly went blank, not knowing what to say in reply.
Ning Xin suddenly felt that if she was to continue carrying on the conversation with Jun Xie, it would only make things worse. Jun Xie’s undisguised hostility must be due to him still holding grudges against Yin Yan. It seems that she would have to make Yin Yan come apologise to Jun Xie first.
After having decided on her next course of action, Ning Xin no longer persisted on making Jun Xie talk and decided to turn her attention back to Fan Zhuo, putting forth a bashful manner, showing deep concern for his well being, with a series of gentle words.
And Fan Zhuo’s well mannered personality, finally invited Ning Xin to stay longer for some tea.
Ning Xin quickly but unhurriedly took out the snacks that she had prepared, and had seemingly unconsciously prepared some for Jun Xie as well, discreetly trying to close the distance between them.
Jun Wu Xie sat on one side stoically, carrying the little black cat in her arms. Ning Xin’s sudden cordial and affable actions were seen to be a tad bit too obvious. She had stayed here at the little bamboo grove for quite a period but had never seen Ning Xin come anywhere close. And finally just after the Spirit Hunt had ended, she had so eagerly come to their doors, and her words and actions had taken on a stance of familiarity and proximity between them.
If Jun Wu Xie still could not see Ning Xin’s underlying intentions, she would have lived her two lives in vain.
And since someone had been so eager to come and asked to be made to feel uncomfortable, she saw no need to reject such an open invitation, right?
Jun Wu Xie picked up the snack and bit at it indifferently. When Ning Xin saw Jun Xie eat the snack, she allowed herself to relax a little.
Fan Zhuo was the most natural one among the three people there, seemingly oblivious to what was going on, and was just chatting with his housemate and his betrothed over tea.
Ning Xin patiently played along, while she secretly observed Jun Xie.
If it wasn’t for the several purple spirit exponents behind Jun Xie, just the attitude that Jun Xie was taking towards her would be enough to make her flip the table before her and fall out with him.
But in that situation, Ning Xin could only clench her jaw tight and swallow the insult. Forced to maintain an amicable smile on her face, Ning Xin sat through the farce, having no other choice but to tolerate the intolerable tea session.
Ning Xin managed to endure it for almost half a day and could not make herself stay a moment longer. She forced herself to keep up the waning smile on her lips as she bade Fan Zhuo and Jun Xie goodbye. She hurried to escape from the overly stifling bamboo grove, not even bothering to retrieve the intricate lunchbox. Although the rage was threatening to spill out within her as she left, she forced a smile on her face and promised to come visit again soon.
After Ning Xin had left, Fan Zhuo suddenly put down the snack he held in his hand and raised his head, to look at Jun Xie smilingly.
“Little Xie, do you like these snacks?”
Jun Wu Xie replied: “Don’t mind them.”
“If you don’t really like them, then don’t eat it.” Fan Zhuo stretched out his hand as he spoke and took the half eaten piece of snack that Jun Xie held in his hand, to throw it into the lunchbox. He closed the lid tightly and brought it to the kitchen and threw it into a corner. He then brought out some chestnut cake and offered them to Jun Xie for them to share.
Jun Wu Xie observed Fan Zhuo’s actions silently and an odd idea came into her head. She looked at Fan Zhuo’s gentle featured face as the chestnut cake melted in her mouth to flow down her throat.
“You do not like her?” Jun Wu Xie asked suddenly.
Fan Zhuo was rather taken aback, but he said with a laugh: “She’s no good, Little Xie, you should avoid having any contact with her.”
Jun Wu Xie stared at the unlucky youth who had been born inherently weak and with a gentle disposition. She stared for a long while and when saw that the gentle smile on Fan Zhuo’s face still did not fade, she finally turned back, but still did not give Fan Zhuo a reply.
That same evening, as the dark night fell, Fan Zhuo got up. Dressed in his inner robe, he came to the kitchen and lit up the fire in the stove, before he threw the lunchbox into the roaring fire.
Within the flames, a crisp crackling sounded and the red glow from the fire reflected off Fan Zhuo’s handsome countenance. The face bathed in the fire’s light did not show a single trace of its usual gentleness or amicable smile. In that pair of clear eyes, a malicious cold chill shone brilliantly against the warm glow from the fire.
Volume 6
Chapter 530: “Planting the Dove in a Magpie’s Nest (1)”
“What? Ning Xin came to visit?” In the afternoon the next day, Fan Jin had appeared once again to sponge off a meal and he heard from Fan Zhuo that Ning Xin had dropped in to visit him. The sudden news had given Fan Jin quite a rude shock.
If it had been before the Spirit Hunt, that Ning Xin had come to see Fan Zhuo, Fan Jin would have fully welcomed the kind gesture without a moment’s hesitation. But after all that had happened, Fan Jin’s heart was now filled with deep distrust for Ning Xin.
When Nangong Xu got back to the Zephyr Academy, he had reported everything he knew to Fan Qi. But Fan Jin had hidden the details of the assassination attempt on his life completely from him.
For no other reason than the fact that telling his father about the incident would be equivalent to cutting off all ties with Ning Xin. They had grown up together after all and Fan Jin took it as the last time that he would tolerate Ning Xin.
“Yup. Little Xin even brought me my favourite glutinous rice cakes.” Fan Zhuo said with a laugh.
Fan Jin’s expression grew grave. “Little Xie, how is Little Zhuo’s condition recently?” When he recalled the attempt made on his life, Fan Jin asked, his face frowning in worry.
Jun Wu Xie glanced at Fan Jin and carrying both Lord Meh Meh and the little black cat, she said softly: “Good.”
Fan Jin gave a big heavy sigh of relief.
“Big brother. Did you guys happen to meet with any odd or novel encounters in the Battle Spirits Forest?” Fan Zhuo asked with a smile, his eyes fixed on the two tiny furballs in Jun Wu Xie’s arms.
Unlike the little black cat, Lord Meh Meh totally ignored Fan Zhuo. Even when Fan Zhuo coaxed endlessly and tried everything he could to win its favour, he always still ended up facing into the furry buttocks, failing miserably.
Fan Jin was caught by surprise at t
he question and he averted his eyes, before bringing up something inconsequential.
Fan Jin never shared those tiresome matters with Fan Zhuo as he always wanted Fan Zhuo to be able recuperate in peace.
“If I manage to recover properly, I will love to go to the Battle Spirits Academy to take a look.” Fan Zhuo was feeling a little wistful. Due to his ill health, he had almost never stepped out of the Zephyr Academy before, and he longed achingly to see the world beyond the academy.
Now, under Jun Xie’s meticulous nursing, his health had gradually improved day by day. The sights that he had never dared dreamed to see, started to tug and pull at his heartstrings.
The majestic mountains, the meandering rivers, the wonders of nature. He yearned to be free, to see those sights.
When he saw the longing in those eyes, Fan Jin could feel his heart wince in pain. He forced himself to put up a smile and joked a little, trying to cheer Fan Zhuo up, and the whole meal was filled with laughter.
Seeing Fan Zhuo significantly cheered, Fan Jin finally got back his appetite. And he had just picked up his chopsticks when Jun Xie hit them out of his hand, and they clattered loudly on the floor.
“It’s drugged.” Jun Wu Xie narrowed her eyes.
Fan Jin’s expression froze.
The smile faded from Fan Zhuo’s face.
“They used the same things as before. Are they not capable of anything else?” Jun Wu Xie stood up and dropped the whole table of food outside.
Ever since Ah Jing had been driven out, all the three meals at the bamboo grove were prepared and delivered by Fan Qi’s trusted aide. The meals for Fan Zhuo were all medicinal cuisine prepared by Jun Wu Xie and the food sent here usually ended up in Fan Jin’s tummy.
“How did that happen? After I came back, I paid attention to the food that was sent here and saw that there were all prepared in my father’s personal kitchen before they were delivered here.” Fan Jin said, his face dark.
All the people working in Fan Qi’s living quarters, had all been with them for a long time and were absolutely loyal. So how did the fortification medicine get into the food! ?
Who was the person behind it?
“Father would never harm me, so it has to be someone from Father’s personal staff.” Fan Zhuo said, his eyes narrowed.
“Little Zhuo’s meals are all prepared by Uncle Gong personally and no one else would touch it.” Fan Jin said as he pondered the facts repeatedly in his mind. Due to Fan Zhuo’s ill health, they were all very careful with whatever Fan Zhuo ate.
Volume 6
Chapter 531: “Planting the Dove in a Magpie’s Nest (2)”
They had been fearful that the food for his meals would clash with the properties of the medicines and had specially arranged for Fan Qi’s trusted aide Gong Cheng Lei to take personal charge of it. From preparation to delivery, Gong Cheng Lei completed the whole process alone, and no one else would have a hand in it.
Gong Cheng Lei was a man whom Fan Qi saved when he was out on one of his trips. They were both just youths then and Fan Qi was still a disciple under his Master’s tutelage. Since then, Gong Cheng Lei had followed Fan Qi. Over the decades, Gong Cheng Lei had shown himself to be unwavering loyal and had never exhibited a single sign of betrayal.
Fan Jin was most willing to begin to doubt the Uncle who had watched him grow up.
“It might not be him, if someone really wanted to, even the seasonings used can be suspect.” Jun Wu Xie said.
Fan Jin considered all the possibilities but could not come up with anyone else.
Jun Wu Xie continued to stare at Fan Jin, her eyes sparkling clear.
She had a person in mind that she suspected to be the culprit and Fan Jin should be able to identify this person as well, but he seemed still to be lost.
Emotions always has a way of clouding a person’s judgement.
Jun Wu Xie sipped at her tea, thinking whether she should reveal her suspicion to the blockhead in front of her.
“Big Brother.” Fan Zhuo suddenly opened his mouth to say.
“What is it?”
“Over this period, has Father been dining together with Uncle Ning?” Fan Zhuo asked Fan Jin curiously.
Fan Jin nodded and replied easily: “Uncle Ning has not changed his habit of dining with Father all these years. Father has always said that they had been doing that since they had been fellow disciples under their Master. It must be said that the relationship between them is rather close, and Father is always thinking of drawing the two families closer by…..”
As he went on further exhorting on their close relations, Fan Jin suddenly stopped and clamped his mouth shut. His eyes widened and he turned to stare at Fan Zhuo, flabbergasted.
Jun Wu Xie lowered her eyes then, and the corners of her mouth curled up.
It seemed that Fan Zhuo was a little bit more intelligent than his brother.
“I….. I forgot I have something I needed to do. You guys carry on!” Fan Jin suddenly stood up. Fan Zhuo’s words had struck him like a lightning bolt, and cleared up the fog that had so badly clouded his mind.
He had always thought of the culprit as someone who held grudges against the Fan Family. But he suddenly realised that that might not be the case.
In the Battle Spirits Forest, when Ning Xin had tried to kill him, it had planted a seed of uneasiness in him. And Fan Zhuo’s words had suddenly caused that seed to sprout.
There were not many people who were allowed access into Fan Qi’s living quarters. And even less people were able to go into the his personal kitchen. Besides Gong Cheng Lei and Fan Jin, the only other possibility was the person who ate with Fan Qi. Only Ning Rui could possibly have done it!
Since Ning Xin had attempted to get him killed, would Ning Rui be doing it to Fan Zhuo?
Fan Jin did not dare carry on further with that line of thought. He needed to go find Gong Cheng Lei and clarify a few things in detail, to gather a few more clues before he could be sure!
Fan Jin left the bamboo grove in a big hurry, his face ominously darkened. There wasn’t a moment more to lose!
For Ning Xin’s attempt on his life, he had been willing to forget it and scrub the slate clean. But if the father and daughter pair had their sights on doing the same thing to Fan Zhuo, he would never let them off!
As he stared after Fan Jin’s sudden and hurried departure, a slight tinge of a bitter smile appeared on Fan Zhuo’s face as he lowered his head to continue to eat the medicinal cuisine in his bowl.
“Since you have known it all this time, why did you wait until now to say it?” Jun Wu Xie put Lord Meh Meh and the little black cat on the table, her chin rested in her palm, staring at the completely unaffected Fan Zhuo.
Volume 6
Chapter 532: “Planting the Dove in a Magpie’s Nest (3)”
Fan Zhuo’s hand that was holding his spoon froze, and his frail body straightened. He did not lift up his head, but remained silent for a while before he said, his voice sounding a little choked up: “What can I do even if I said it to them? Without proof, my father and brother would never believe it. And if word reached that person’s ears, it would only result in that person becoming more anxious to get rid of me. Wouldn’t it be better if I keep myself alive a little longer and await a miracle to happen?”
Fan Zhuo’s tone of voice was not as carefree as he usually sounded. The repressed and choked up voice made one sad just to hear it.
“Fan Qi trusts that person so much?” Jun Wu Xie asked, an eyebrow raised.
“That person saved his life once, and my father had always put that person’s interest before his own ever since. I knew from long ago that someone was trying to get rid of me, but I did not know where it was coming from. There were no signs, and no proof. Father would not believe it just based on my words alone.” Fan Zhuo finally raised his head. His handsome features did not show his usual gentle smile. In its place, was a chilly countenance, his eyes cold and sharp, with a glint like light on cold hard blades.
“Why then, are you making your move now?” Jun Wu Xie asked.
Fan Zhuo stared at Jun Xie, as his dark countenance suddenly brightened to burst into a gentle and brilliant smile.
“Because I have Little Xie here.”
Jun Wu Xie blinked.
“From the moment Little Xie came into contact with my brother, you have been used as a pawn to smear and damage my brother’s reputation. With your character, you would never allow the culprits to get away with it. I knew you would retaliate one day, and the day you make your move, will also be the day that I would be freed.” Fan Zhuo’s smile was shining brilliantly. The appearance of Jun Wu Xie had allowed him to see a glimmer of hope, hope that one day, he would no longer need to live by hiding.
“You are more intelligent than your brother.” Jun Wu Xie stared at Fan Zhuo. She did not believe that Fan Zhuo would just await his death all this while. He must have something up his sleeve. But his plan must have needed a long time to prepare for and her appearance had just brought everything forward.
“My brother is too kind and a little naive. He always tried to see the good in people. If he does not witness it for himself, he would never believe it, and just brush it off as a misunderstanding.” Fan Zhuo shrugged his shoulders. His brother’s character, he only knew it too well.
“If Ning Xin knows that you stand a chance to fully recover, perhaps she might no longer seek your death.” Jun Wu Xie said calmly.
What the Ning father and daughter seeked, they would be able to receive from Fan Zhuo.
Fan Zhuo’s smile did not change a single bit.
“And if, I am not the real heir?”
Jun Wu Xie was shocked.
Genius Doctor: Black Belly Miss Volume 6 Page 9