Chapter 35 of 100

Chapter 35

12 min read2,876 words

"What happened?" Seeing Weidie with a tear-streaked face, Tang Jie hurriedly went up to her.

He didn't expect that after just a few steps, Weidie actually kept retreating: "Don't come over!"

"What's wrong, Fourth Miss, it's me, Tang Jie!"

"I know... just don't come over, or it will be hard to explain again." Weidie sobbed in response.

What?

Tang Jie was puzzled and didn't dare to approach, so he stood where he was and said, "What exactly happened? Did you do poorly with the flower arrangement and get scolded by the old lady?"

Weidie shook her head: "No, I did very well, but..."

She blushed and recounted the events.

This time, the garden Weidie arranged not only didn't receive criticism but also surprised the guests at the banquet, who all praised it. Weidie truly shone, and even her father, Wei Qingsong, thought his daughter had done a great job and had grown up and become sensible.

However, the more prominent one becomes, the more envy one attracts. Some people, seeing Weidie's success, started to gossip behind her back, saying that the Fourth Miss and a servant were having an affair, whispering sweet nothings to each other.

Because of the selection of helpers for Weidie, she had placed great trust in Tang Jie, treating him as an equal and discussing many matters with him. They were often seen together, which everyone noticed.

This wasn't a big deal, after all, they were working together for the old lady's birthday banquet.

But once the rumors started, even their normal cooperation seemed suspicious and became evidence, spreading quickly.

The rumors had already begun before the birthday, but no one would be foolish enough to say such things to Weidie's face, so neither Weidie nor Tang Jie knew about them.

But this time, with many guests, they didn't have the same reservations as the servants. Someone loudly talked and laughed, and Weidie immediately heard it.

Not only did she hear it, but her father also heard it and immediately scolded her.

Weidie felt wronged and had nowhere to vent her frustration, so she wandered aimlessly and ended up at the Tranquil Heart Garden.

Tang Jie frowned: "Who is so bold as to spread rumors about the Fourth Miss?"

"I don't know," Weidie said, feeling wronged. "The rumors spread like wildfire, and it would be hard to find the source."

"That's true. The initial rumor was probably just a few casual words. The speaker had no intention, but the listener took it to heart. Matters involving the Fourth Miss, though taboo, are even more stimulating, so people naturally add more to the story." Tang Jie smiled.

"You're still smiling, and I'm about to die of worry." Weidie was so anxious that she stomped her feet.

"What can I do by not smiling? Should I cry like the Fourth Miss?" Tang Jie said calmly. "Actually, this isn't a big deal. The Fourth Miss will eventually join a sect and will face all kinds of challenges. This kind of verbal attack is the least harmful. Experiencing this now will make you more resilient in the future. It's better to start with non-fatal attacks than to face fatal ones right away. When that time comes, you should be willing to shed blood rather than tears... Remember, never let anyone see you as weak. Weakness can be pitied, but it will never be invested in."

Tang Jie's words weren't entirely clear to Weidie, but she understood the general idea. Her face turned red: "Yes, I understand. It seems like this is actually good for me."

"From a long-term perspective, it is indeed good for you," Tang Jie replied.

Seeing Tang Jie's calm demeanor, Weidie's anxious heart gradually settled.

Weidie wiped away her tears and nodded seriously: "I understand. What about you? Aren't you afraid the lady will expel you from the estate?"

At this moment, her thoughts were more composed, and she began to consider things more comprehensively, even showing concern for Tang Jie.

After all, the rumors were also detrimental to Tang Jie.

"I'm not worried about that. After all, expelling me would only confirm the rumors. The lady wouldn't do such a foolish thing. Besides, rumors are just rumors, baseless things that can be easily dispelled. Don't worry, Fourth Miss, the sky won't fall."

She bit her lip: "That's true, but what should we do specifically?"

"Since there are rumors, we should clarify them. The simplest way is for the Fourth Miss to find a reason to say I did a poor job, have someone tie me up, and beat me. All the rumors will naturally disappear." Tang Jie said casually, as if the beating wasn't for him. In fact, he wanted to experience the effect of the last whipping again, as there were no opportunities for combat here.

Weidie's face first brightened, then she shook her head: "No, no, that would harm you. Is there any other idea?"

"It's fine, Fourth Miss," Tang Jie said earnestly. "For the Fourth Miss's reputation, it's worth a sacrifice. Just beat me!"

"No, I won't do that! You've helped me, and I won't repay kindness with ingratitude!"

"It's really fine, I can take a beating!"

"Absolutely not!"

"It's fine, I'm willing! Just beat me!"

"No, no, no!" The young girl covered her ears and stomped her feet.

No matter how Tang Jie tried to persuade her, she wouldn't agree.

This made Tang Jie very regretful, thinking that a girl with a good heart wasn't always a good thing.

Since beating him wasn't an option, Tang Jie said, "Since that's the case, there's another method that might turn the situation to your advantage."

"What method?"

"Directly request to join the Heartless Pavilion!" Tang Jie replied. "Originally, you would need to show more effort to gain the Second Master's confidence. But now, with these rumors, separating us is the best outcome. The Heartless Pavilion Master is known for disliking men, so choosing to go there will show your intentions. The Second Master, to clear the facts, will likely accept it."

Weidie's eyes immediately brightened, and she clapped her hands: "That's a good idea! Tang Jie, you have so many good ideas."

What was originally a matter involving a girl's reputation was resolved by Tang Jie's words, and he even used the opportunity to help Weidie join the Heartless Pavilion earlier. Weidie's look at Tang Jie became even more different.

A man who can make a woman feel safe and secure, thinking that nothing is to be feared by his side, has already captured half of the girl's heart.

Originally, she was focused on cultivation and only felt gratitude towards Tang Jie, but now, with the existence of the rumors, she felt a strange sensation when looking at him.

She originally wanted to explain to the whole world that she and Tang Jie had nothing to do with each other, but now she felt a strange reluctance.

She didn't know where this reluctance came from and wondered if she was really starting to like Tang Jie.

Thinking of this, she was greatly alarmed and quickly told herself it wasn't right, that he was just a servant and she couldn't be with him. Another voice in her head said, "Servants are people too. If he enters the academy and becomes a spirit master, he would naturally be a match for me." Then another voice echoed, "But wouldn't that confirm the rumors?" Another voice replied, "So what if it does...?"

She was just a young girl and didn't understand matters of the heart. At this moment, her mind was a mess, and she blushed, lowering her head and not daring to speak.

Tang Jie didn't know about her chaotic thoughts and just said, "However, this method is a bit subtle. Smart people will understand, but fools might not. Considering that people who like to spread rumors are usually not very smart, I suggest you still beat me, using both methods for better effect."

He still hadn't given up on the idea of being beaten.

——

In the end, Weidie didn't have Tang Jie tied up and beaten but followed his advice and went to her father to request permission.

When he heard that his daughter wanted to join the Heartless Academy, Wei Qingsong was initially hesitant but ultimately decided it was a solution to the problem and could also fulfill her desire to cultivate. He finally agreed, though it would take some time to arrange. Despite this, Weidie was extremely grateful to Tang Jie.

Tang Jie didn't care much about this; he was more focused on the Green Bud Spirit in the garden.

Today, Tang Jie got up early and came to the garden, holding leaves of Chinese cabbage, carrots, and other foods, placing them in the garden and then stepping back.

Using food to lure has always been a good method, like nuts for squirrels, bananas for monkeys, and lollipops for little girls...

Tang Jie didn't know what the Green Bud Spirit liked, so he brought a variety to try.

Soon, a small head poked out from the grass behind the flower bed, looking curiously at the food but quickly losing interest, instead focusing on Tang Jie.

Tang Jie was greatly disappointed, clearly, there was no food here that she liked, so he went back to the house to find more. After several attempts, he found nothing she liked.

This made Tang Jie very frustrated.

Although he could forcibly capture the Green Bud Spirit, doing so could easily cause rejection. A newly born spirit is a simple life form; if you treat it well, it will treat you well. Using force from the beginning would only leave a shadow in its heart. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, Tang Jie didn't want to use force.

But what does this little one like?

Tang Jie couldn't figure it out and said, "Hey, what do you like to eat? Tell me, and I'll get it for you."

The little one blinked at Tang Jie, then crawled to a flower, extending her small tongue to lick the morning dew.

"So you like flower dew." Tang Jie smiled, but then his face turned serious. "That's a bit tricky. You can collect it yourself, and I'm not as efficient as you. Tell me, is there anything else you like?"

The little one didn't speak, just sat on the petal, gently swaying her body, looking at Tang Jie.

"Alright, you won't tell me, so I'll guess. Hmm, you're a flower spirit, a plant spirit, so liking water isn't strange. Maybe I should consider your plant nature. Besides water, what else do plants like?" Tang Jie rubbed his chin, then his eyes lit up. "Right, fertilizer. But fertilizer... fertilizer is manure. Do you like manure?"

The little one was first surprised, then furious, placing her hands on her hips and glaring at Tang Jie.

Tang Jie didn't notice and continued reasoning: "Right, flowers are essentially the reproductive organs of plants, so flower dew is the secretion of plants... But that would make you... a meat vessel?"

The last three words slipped out of Tang Jie's mouth.

"Slap!" A blade of grass hit Tang Jie's head, and the little one bared her teeth at him, then darted into the grass, disappearing instantly.

Looking in the direction the little one disappeared, Tang Jie muttered, "Alright, I guessed wrong. It seems you don't like those things."

The first intimate contact, failed!

——