Chapter 049: One Day, I Will Make You Disappear Completely!

“Jin, it’s time to get ready for dinner.” The sudden voice interrupted her tangled and conflicted thoughts.

She turned her head to see Xiaojiu already walking toward her.

She glanced at him briefly, then quickly looked away, lifting her foot to walk past him. She had only taken two steps when he suddenly grabbed her arm.

“Jin, what’s been going on with you lately? Why are you so distant from me?” For over a month he had been suffering, bottling it up, and today he simply couldn’t hold it in any longer. No matter what, shouldn’t she at least give him a reason?

Jin froze in place, bit her lip, then turned to him with a somewhat forced smile. “Nothing at all.”

“Nothing? You weren’t like this before. We used to read together, discuss things, sometimes even chat idly. But now? Ever since that morning, you’ve been cold and distant every time you see me, as if you’re deliberately keeping me at arm’s length. Tell me, what happened?” Xiaojiu’s voice was tinged with pain.

Jin frowned, turned her face away, and said quietly, “You’re overthinking it. I may have to call you senior now, but we haven’t known each other long. It’s normal for there to be a sense of distance. I’m not anyone special to you, so why do you care so much?”

Xiaojiu’s hand, still holding her arm, trembled slightly. He was stunned.

Why did he care so much? Was it just because he wanted to be her brother, one-sidedly? But she had never once indicated that she wanted to see him as her brother. Now that she enjoyed their master’s affection, he shouldn’t feel such a pressing urge to look after her anymore.

While he was still lost in his own confusion, Jin pulled her arm free from his grasp and turned toward the dining hall. After just a few steps, she ran into Qin walking out from the corridor. Jin didn’t even spare her a glance, passing by with a cold expression.

“Hmph! Look at her now that she has the master’s favor,” Qin said loudly, her words dripping with jealousy.

But Jin seemed not to hear her at all, leaving without so much as a backward glance. This left Qin both frustrated and annoyed; after cursing under her breath, she turned and hurried over to Xiaojiu.

“Senior, what’s wrong? Is she still ignoring you?” Qin asked anxiously, slipping her arm through his.

Seeing Xiaojiu frowning and staring blankly at the ground, Qin continued, “Don’t be foolish, senior. She only got close to you before so she could learn things from you. Now that master has taken her as a disciple, you’re no longer of any use to her, so of course she doesn’t care about you anymore.” Her words were full of disdain.

At this, Xiaojiu suddenly snapped back to himself and murmured, “No longer of any use?”

“Exactly. I could tell all along that she’s a calculating girl—not at all worth your kindness,” Qin urged.

Xiaojiu frowned. “That’s impossible.”

“How is it imposs— Hey, senior!” Before Qin could finish, Xiaojiu had already pulled his arm free and turned to walk alone toward the dining hall, leaving her behind, stomping her foot in anger.

Damn Jin! Stupid Jin! As long as you’re here, the days I once shared with senior will never return! Just wait. One day, I’ll make sure you disappear completely!

“Jin, have a little more. You’ve lost weight again.” Just as Jin was about to put down her bowl and chopsticks, Xiaojiu placed another steamed bun into her bowl.

Jin frowned, wanting to refuse, but when she met his eyes, full of genuine concern, she suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Helpless, she ate it in silence.

Seeing her eat, Xiaojiu was overjoyed. Meanwhile, Qin sat fuming nearby, biting her chopsticks so hard she nearly snapped them.