187 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

"Uh... right, your senior sister and senior brother have been sent back north by my master," Bo Xue nodded. Ning Songwu massaged her forehead, swallowing hard, mumbling to herself, "So... this isn't a dream..." "Your master is really good to you, you know. When you were gravely injured, she was so worried she shed tears. Though she doesn’t speak much, her expression said it all—she was deeply concerned about you. During the two or three days you were unconscious, she held you tightly, feeding you medicine and water…" Bo Xue suddenly grinned mischievously and leaned in to whisper to Ning Songwu, "One time, when I went in to bring medicine, I even saw her sneaking a kiss on you..." "Uh..." Ning Songwu blushed and turned her head away. "And not just that, you nearly got carried away by your senior brother. Ran Fanyin, with her domineering demeanor, just went up and took you back, confidently telling your senior brother, 'I love her', loud and clear..." "You heard that?" Ning Songwu's face grew even redder, her heartbeat quickening. "Not just me—my master, your senior sister, and of course, your senior brother—everyone heard it clearly. Tsk, tsk, who would've thought, with Ran Fanyin being so reserved, she'd do something so earth-shattering..." "Enough!” Ning Songwu wished she could cover Bo Xue's mouth, steadying herself, and shook her head with a smile. She looked at Bo Xue again, "What are you up to?" "I'm going to the kitchen to fetch some food." Bo Xue shook the food container in her hand. "Can I come with you?" "Well... alright. Anyway, your chest wound has scabbed over, and after sleeping so long, getting some fresh air wouldn't hurt. But remember to wear thick clothing and to carry an umbrella. If you get wet from the snow, your master will kill me." Bo Xue pouted and drew her finger across her neck in a mock cutting motion. Ning Songwu carefully fastened her clothes, chuckled lightly, "I got it, let's go." Ning Songwu joined Bo Xue, braving the fine falling snow, trudging slowly through the thick snow toward the kitchen. Bo Xue was surprised to see that Ning Songwu, upon reaching the kitchen, personally prepared several dishes and placed them in the food container. Bo Xue stole a taste and couldn't help but admire how this young girl, despite her age, had such meticulous cooking skills. Chatting idly, Bo Xue and Ning Songwu packed up and headed back. Because of the time spent cooking, it had stopped snowing by the time they returned. Ran Fanyin had already risen and was with Cang Min, clearing snow from beneath a crooked tree outside Huasu territory. They had set up a stove rack, brewing tea and playing chess. As Ning Songwu and Bo Xue carried the food containers toward the crooked tree, Ran Fanyin looked up at Ning Songwu. Her expression remained indifferent, but her ears had turned slightly red. Bo Xue smiled and called out to Cang Min, "Master, the fresh dishes are ready. Ning Songwu made them herself, so stop with the chess and come eat." Cang Min glanced at Ran Fanyin and scoffed, "She cooked? How could I dare eat it? Someone might kill me for it." Ning Songwu couldn't help but twitch her lips, secretly thinking how sharp-tongued this master-disciple duo really was. Ran Fanyin kept her gaze on Ning Songwu and asked softly, "Does your wound still hurt? Why are you roaming in the kitchen instead of resting?" Cang Min tsked twice, "Look at this, she's scolding you—for leaving her after sleeping, not staying to be lovey-dovey..." "Cang Min!" Ran Fanyin’s face darkened, glaring icily at Cang Min. Ning Songwu sat next to Ran Fanyin, her face blushing as she habitually rubbed the thin callus on Ran Fanyin's forefinger, her fingertip gently tracing circles in Ran Fanyin's palm. Ran Fanyin felt a pleasant itch in her palm, lowering her head slightly. "You're only fierce to me. Do you dare be fierce to your beloved? Hmph, you just bully me." Cang Min threw down her chess piece, crossing her arms, raising an eyebrow at Ran Fanyin. With a twitch of her lips, Ran Fanyin flicked her sleeve, sending a burst of energy that shook the tree leaves above Cang Min's head. The gathered snow fell in an avalanche, covering Cang Min completely, making her shiver. "Ran Fanyin!!!" Cang Min stood, brushing off the snow from her collar and hair, growing angrier at Ran Fanyin's calm demeanor. "You’re suppressing a laugh! I know you too well!" Ran Fanyin's lips curved slightly, holding a faint smile, looking steadily at Cang Min. Cang Min huffed, suddenly bent down, swiftly packed a snowball, and plastered it directly onto Ran Fanyin’s face. “Pff.” Caught off guard, neither Ning Songwu, still stunned, nor Ran Fanyin could react, leaving Ran Fanyin with a face full of broken snow. Snowflakes clung to her eyebrows and eyelashes, falling along her face and neck, making her look rather disheveled. Ran Fanyin froze momentarily, then coldly stared at Cang Min, as if her gaze alone could kill. Cang Min involuntarily shrank back. Bo Xue quickly stepped in to mediate, "Alright, alright, if we delay any longer, the food will get cold. Ning Songwu's effort would be wasted." Ning Songwu hurriedly took out a handkerchief to clean Ran Fanyin’s face, helping to pack up the chessboard, and set the dishes on the table. Bo Xue joined them, the four of them crowded around the small table, making the scene warm and lively. As Ning Songwu set the tableware, Ran Fanyin’s cold hand suddenly reached over, holding her hand. Ning Songwu looked quickly at Ran Fanyin, "Master, what's wrong?" Ran Fanyin's expression was awkward, her ears red, and she slightly lifted her body, whispering in Ning Songwu's ear, "Snow got into my collar, but I can't reach it." As Ran Fanyin said this, her expression was solemn, yet her ears were so red that it evoked tender feelings from anyone who saw. Ning Songwu chuckled, putting down her utensils, shuffling her position, and kneeling as she reached forward. She moved Ran Fanyin's dark hair to the front, carefully lifting the fur collar at the back of Ran Fanyin's neck, meticulously brushing out the snow inside. A bit of snow had already melted, leaving the exposed skin, creamy like jade, slightly reddened from the cold. Ning Songwu leaned in and gently blew warm breath onto the back of Ran Fanyin's neck. "Does it feel warmer now?"