38: Girl Huaichun

After returning from the City Lord's Mansion, Qin Feng's life seemed to return to its previous trajectory. Every day, he rose at dawn to practice, tempering his muscles and bones, polishing his Internal Energy, and cultivating the Primordial Unity Qi Art in conjunction with his newly acquired qi condensing pills. His cultivation steadily consolidated at the Mid-stage Martial Master level. At night, he studied medical texts, identifying the medicinal properties of herbs and gradually integrating the knowledge from "Distinguishing the Nature of a Hundred Herbs" into his very bones.

However, beneath this seemingly calm daily routine, some subtle changes were quietly taking place.

Qin Feng could clearly feel that Xiao Chun's gaze fell upon him more and more frequently, and lingered for longer periods. When he practiced his skills, he could always catch a glimpse of that green-clad figure hiding behind a pillar or a medicine cabinet, peeking at him. When he discussed medical theory with his Master, she would always lean in, seemingly listening intently, but her lively eyes would occasionally drift toward him, filled with a young girl's unique shyness and joy. That gaze was clear and fervent, like the early spring sunshine—warm but not scorching—yet it made Qin Feng's heart feel inexplicably flustered and stirred by an indescribable throb of emotion.

The white intelligence refreshed by the System revealed the girl's feelings even more bluntly:

“[(White) Xiao Chun (Su Yuchun) frequently peeks at the Host while working every day. Her heart is budding with love. Favorability +10. Current Favorability: 80.]”

Eighty favorability points! This had already far exceeded the ordinary friendship between a Senior Brother and Junior Sister, reaching the level of devoted adoration. Qin Feng was not cold-hearted; facing a kind, lovely, and beautiful girl he spent every day with, how could his heart remain completely untroubled? It was just that he carried secrets, his future was uncertain, and his identity as 'Ghost' hung over his head like the sword of Damocles. He truly did not dare to easily indulge in romantic feelings.

Another piece of white intelligence regarding Liu Da made him shake his head inwardly. In order to buy a birthday gift for Xiao Chun, Liu Da actually went to a casino hoping to win back his money, only to lose everything and end up in debt. It was hard to say whether he was devoted or just plain foolish.

And the green intelligence made him reach a decision:

“[(Green) If the Host gives a gift on Xiao Chun's birthday tomorrow, base favorability will increase by +10. If the 'Butterfly Gold and Jade Hairpin' she has always longed for is gifted, favorability will increase by an additional +20.]”

The Butterfly Gold and Jade Hairpin? Qin Feng recalled that once when he accompanied Xiao Chun to the market, she had indeed stopped in front of a jewelry shop for a long time, her gaze lingering longingly on a hairpin. It was exquisitely crafted, with gold wire wound into the shape of a butterfly and adorned with tiny pieces of white jade and rubies. At the time, she had even whispered, "It's so beautiful, but it's just too expensive."

“A green Opportunity... so it was referring to this?” Qin Feng's heart felt complicated. Recalling Xiao Chun's usual loveliness, tenderness, vibrancy, and kindness, and thinking of her undisguised concern and reliance on him, a surge of warmth and responsibility quietly welled up. She was his Junior Sister and his Master's daughter; by any logic or sentiment, it was only right to give her a gift she truly liked on her birthday.

“I'll buy it!” Qin Feng no longer hesitated.

The next day, he found an excuse to go out and went straight to the largest jewelry shop in the south of the city. He spent a full ten gold coins to buy that radiant Butterfly Gold and Jade Hairpin and carefully placed it in a brocade box.

When he returned to the Medical Clinic in the evening, he smelled the aroma of food as soon as he entered. On the stone table in the backyard, a feast of sumptuous dishes was laid out, far more exquisite than usual. Doctor Chu was rarely not in his study; instead, he sat by the table with a gentle smile on his face.

“Haha, you're back? Today is Xiao Chun's birthday, come and sit down,” Doctor Chu called out.

Liu Da was also present, his expression somewhat unnatural. He forced a smile and took out a brocade box to hand to Xiao Chun. “Junior Sister, happy birthday. This... this is a jade bracelet I got for you.” The quality of the jade bracelet could only be considered average; it was clearly something he had borrowed money to buy.

Xiao Chun took it and thanked him politely, but her gaze involuntarily drifted toward the newly seated Qin Feng, her eyes carrying a hint of subtle expectation.

Qin Feng smiled slightly, took out the carefully prepared brocade box from his robe, and handed it over. “Xiao Chun, happy birthday.”

Xiao Chun's eyes lit up instantly, as if filled with starlight. She took the box, her fingers trembling slightly as she opened it with great care. When the gold and jade hairpin—shining brilliantly under the light with its butterfly appearing as if it were about to take flight—caught her eye, she couldn't help but let out a low gasp. She covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes filled with unbelievable surprise and emotion.

“This... this is too precious... Big Brother Qin, you...” She looked up at Qin Feng, her eyes reddening slightly and her voice choking up.

“As long as you like it,” Qin Feng said with a gentle smile.

During the meal, Xiao Chun ate absentmindedly, her gaze almost glued to the brocade box containing the golden hairpin. A trace of irrepressible happiness remained on her lips. Doctor Chu saw all of this, his gaze shifting between his daughter and his Disciple. A hint of complex, unreadable emotion flickered in the depths of his eyes, but in the end, he said nothing and simply drank his wine in silence.

After dinner, Xiao Chun clutched the brocade box as if holding a peerless treasure and ran quickly back to her room. She closed the door and leaned against it, her heart thumping wildly. She opened the box again, gently stroking the cool jade and the exquisite golden butterfly, her face burning hot.

“Big Brother Qin... how did he know... I clearly only peeked at it once...” The girl's heart felt as if it were filled with honey. “Could it be that he has always... been quietly caring about me?” This thought made her heart race like a panicked deer and her cheeks flush crimson. She spent the entire night immersed in immense joy and sweetness.

On the other side, Doctor Chu called Qin Feng to his study.

He didn't mention Xiao Chun or the expensive golden hairpin. Instead, he solemnly took out a yellowed ancient book with worn edges and a thick stack of manuscripts with fresh ink from a hidden compartment in the bookshelf.

“Qin Feng,” Doctor Chu's voice was serious and deep, “you are exceptionally gifted and possess amazing Comprehension Ability. You have made rapid progress in both medicine and the martial path. However, practicing medicine and seeing patients alone ultimately has its limits. Today, your Master shall pass on the Dao of 'Alchemy' to you!”

He pushed the ancient book and the manuscripts in front of Qin Feng. The cover of the ancient book read "Basic Pill Arts," while the stack of manuscripts contained Doctor Chu's years of Alchemy insights and detailed introductory explanations.

“This is merely an introduction to the Dao of Alchemy. Whether you can achieve anything depends on your talent and fortune.” Doctor Chu looked at Qin Feng with a deep gaze, as if seeing some distant past through him. He knew clearly that with this boy's talent and Heart-Nature, his future achievements would be limitless. Passing on the art of Alchemy was both out of appreciation for his talent and perhaps... a bit of a selfish motive for his daughter's future. Looking at this young man who was very likely to become his son-in-law in the future, Chu Yunhe's feelings were complex and hard to describe.

Qin Feng took the "Basic Pill Arts" and the manuscripts with both hands, feeling the weight they carried. A surge of warmth rose in his heart. He understood that this was not just a Legacy, but a heavy burden of trust and expectation.

“Thank you, Master! Your Disciple will certainly do his best and not fail your great expectations!”

He knew that a brand new path, full of infinite possibilities, was slowly unfolding before him.