So it was about Ye Wangxi.
Now it made sense why Xue Zhengyong did not notify Chu Wanning.
Chu Wanning's anger dissipated into nothing in an instant, replaced by an icy cold feeling that spread into the depth of his heart.
It was not the first time he felt that way, and he disliked it.
Chu Wanning was so busy trying to decipher the reason why Ye Wangxi's presence in Mo Ran's life irked him that he did not hear what Mo Ran said after all.
"Shizun...?"
Mo Ran leaned closer to Chu Wanning. The warmth of the young man's body was too much. The masculine scent that emanated from his sweaty body irked the shizun further. Chu Wanning wrinkled his nose in discomfort. He swiftly put some distance between him and Mo Ran.
Mo Ran, "..."
"Shizun, did I do something wrong?"
Chu Wanning flicked his sleeves and crossed his arms protectively before his chest. As if trying to guard his heart against Mo Ran.
"Do you need me to tell you whether or not you did something wrong???"
Mo Ran was confused. Was that a yes or a no? Why was his shizun still upset? He already told Chu Wanning what the deal was with Ye Wangxi. Should Chu Wanning not forgive him already?
"Oh... Alright, Shizun, please eat the pastries else they will be wasted."
Mo Ran rose to his feet to leave, but Chu Wanning stopped him.
"Wait. You also have not taken your lunch. What are you going to eat?"
"I... I am full, I don't need lunch."
Chu Wanning glared at Mo Ran. "Eat the pastries with me. I am not going to let you slack off in the afternoon!"
Mo Ran was stumped. Did Chu Wanning's work ethics know no boundaries? He actually took the farming job that seriously! Truly, Yuheng Elder lived up to his reputation. If he did not allow himself to relax, naturally he would make sure that his disciples worked as hard!
The disciple did not know that Chu Wanning was just trying to get rid of the sour feeling in his heart.
The pastries were thankfully sweet and delicate. They burst in Chu Wanning's mouth into a cloud of happiness. Eating good food always brightened a person's mood. Chu Wanning was no different. As he ate one pastry after another, he managed to think about the whole situation in a more positive way.
Taxian-Jun used to obsess about Shi Mei and he thus walked the path of destruction, leaving a trail of bloody corpses in his wake.
Mo-zongshi was now a lovesick puppy who was in love with Ye Wangxi. Ye Wangxi was an excellent choice. The young woman unfortunately was tied to Nangong Si. Chu Wanning was not sure how Nangong Si felt about Ye Wangxi, but he remembered that Ye Wangxi harbored deep feelings for Nangong Si.
In short, Mo Ran was trying to steal someone else's bride. This was a love affair among the young people. Chu Wanning as an elder should not interfere.
Dealing with the current Mo-zongshi was a lot easier than dealing with the past Taxian-Jun. Chu Wanning should be grateful. Yes. He had to be a good shizun and support Mo-zongshi with all his heart.
With that in mind, Chu Wanning cleared his throat and started to speak to Mo Ran.
"Mo Ran, affection cannot be forced. You must patiently wait until your beloved has a change of heart."
God forbade that Mo Ran did something obnoxious to Ye Wangxi just to stake his claim. Chu Wanning would not forgive him if he dared to do that.
Mo Ran, on the other side, froze on spot. He turned his head to look at Chu Wanning, his heart was beating so hard against his chest that it might just burst out that very moment.
His beloved?
Did Chu Wanning remember anything by chance?
But Master Huaizui... Did Master Huaizui fail to erase Chu Wanning's memory of the blissful seven days after all?
Mo Ran's hope quickly plummeted when he saw no trace of the little Chu Wanning in the adult Chu Wanning's prim and proper attitude.
It was all just his wishful thinking after all. Mo Ran's shoulder slumped forward in anguish.
"Oh... Yes. Thank you for Shizun's teaching."
Mo Ran continued to eat, but his mind was a complete mess. Chu Wanning on the other side sensed that his sincerity did not reach Mo Ran, so he tried again.
"Love is like a seedling that must be nurtured with a lot of elements such as patience, understanding, and continuous efforts to take care of each other."
"Thank you for Shizun's teaching."
Chu Wanning frowned in displeasure. Still the generic answer. What exactly did Mo Ran want from him???
He did not sign up for this. He only fell in love once, ages ago. And now he was trying to comfort the person he used to love and make him feel better about his new flame. That was a little too much for the aloof Beidou Immortal to handle!
He preferred exorcism to talking about this mushy stuff. And if Mo Ran did not know to appreciate Chu Wanning's efforts, it was even worse!
Chu Wanning rose to his feet and turned away from Mo Ran.
Fuming, he said rather crudely, "Anyway. You can come to me if you have problems. I will listen to you."
Even if Mo Ran only had Ye Wangxi in mind.
Even if Chu Wanning did not know the right thing to say.
Chu Wanning was determined to help Mo Ran in this current life.
He had his back facing Mo Ran, so he was unable to see the gentle smile that spread on Mo Ran's face.
"Thank you, Shizun."
"Mn."
Chu Wanning and Mo Ran continued with the farm work until late in the afternoon. After working hard for a few more hours, they were finally done for the day.
After climbing out of the ridge, Chu Wanning washed his feet with cold water in the washing area just some distance away. Mo Ran approached him and put a brand new pair of white shoes in front of Chu Wanning.
White Haitang flowers with golden frames were elegantly embroidered at the edges of the fabric. It was not too gaudy, but also not too cheap.
"I bought this in town today. Shizun, please check if the size is correct."
Honestly, there was no need to check the size at all. How many times did Mo Ran hold Chu Wanning's feet in his hands in both lives? He knew Chu Wanning's size by heart. The shoes would fit him perfectly.
"Mn. Thank you."
Chu Wanning put a foot into a shoe and hissed from sudden pain. He abruptly took his foot out again to see what was wrong.
Mo Ran widened his eyes from shock.
A thin trail of blood flowed from the sole of Chu Wanning's foot, dripping slowly to the ground...