Yan Jiaojiao suddenly recalled the man from the examination hall. The scene of them fighting side by side was still vivid in her memory. Unfortunately, he failed to make it into the top ten due to the demonic beasts summoned by Yan Ruxue, and she had not seen him since.
Yan Jiaojiao shifted her gaze from the envelope and looked at Xu Changzong again. "How do you have a letter from Pu Zhi for me?"
She had no recollection of them having any prior connection. Did they know each other beforehand?
Xu Changzong immediately provided the answer. "Didn't Headmaster Shangguan promise you that he would send people to treat the students injured in the examination hall? I had some medical knowledge before I joined the sect, so I was assigned to that task. That's how I got to know Pu Zhi during that period."
"So, you've been busy outside the academy for these past few months caring for them?" Yan Jiaojiao understood. No wonder she hadn't encountered Xu Changzong much in Gonan Academy during this time; he had been frequently away.
A hundred days for a severe injury. By calculation, Pu Zhi and the others should be nearing full recovery.
"Yes, they have been leaving one after another as they recovered these past two days. Only then did I have some free time to return. This letter was given to me by Pu Zhi to deliver to you before he left."
"Thank you for your trouble," Yan Jiaojiao said, expressing her gratitude.
Xu Changzong had completed his task and did not linger. He waved goodbye to Yan Jiaojiao and left.
Yan Jiaojiao took the letter back to her room. Wei Congling was already meditating. Yan Jiaojiao sat down at the table and opened the letter.
The letter expressed concern for Yan Jiaojiao, congratulated her on her successful enrollment, and thanked her for fighting for the interests of the students. It also stated that he would work harder in the next assessment, hoping to meet Yan Jiaojiao again in Gonan Academy.
Yan Jiaojiao, of course, understood the subtle youthful feelings expressed, but Pu Zhi was just a passionate child in her eyes, so she didn't dwell on it.
What surprised Yan Jiaojiao the most was that before the signature, Pu Zhi had actually wished Yan Jiaojiao a happy birthday!
Yan Jiaojiao searched through the original host's memories and realized that it was indeed the original host's birthday today. However, the original host's birthdays in previous years had always been perfunctory. Even when Song Zhi was by her side, due to her lack of favor, resources were scarce, and a bowl of longevity noodles was considered good.
Yan Jiaojiao couldn't help but sigh, feeling how lonely it was.
She had lived for too long, and in her past life, she had never cared about birthdays. But in the first few decades of her life, when her master was still alive, Yan Jiaojiao's birthdays were quite enjoyable. She had experienced the liveliness that birthdays should entail.
Yan Jiaojiao couldn't help but think of Dongfang Xu. This child had been imprisoned in the dungeon, his origins unknown. Chen Wenyu and the others would certainly not celebrate his birthday, truly a case of one misfortune after another.
With this thought, Yan Jiaojiao casually stuffed the letter under her pillow. She then picked up a piece of paper from the table and tapped it. The paper transformed into a small paper crane, carrying Yan Jiaojiao's leave request and flying out the window in search of Shangguan Yuan.
Before long, the paper crane flew back and landed on Yan Jiaojiao's table, transforming into a small, exquisite piece of paper with a blue character "通" written on it.
This was Shangguan Yuan's approval of Yan Jiaojiao's leave from the academy, her pass.
Yan Jiaojiao then stood up, took the pass, and headed straight for her own courtyard after leaving the premises.
Having been engrossed in cultivation for these past few months, Yan Jiaojiao hadn't felt time fly. Now, standing before the long-unvisited courtyard, she noticed that the spring ivy flowers in the garden had already climbed onto the wall.
Yan Jiaojiao felt a moment of daze, as if she had unknowingly developed attachments. Yet, this feeling was not unpleasant.
As she stepped through the courtyard gate, she heard Dongfang Xu's milky voice chanting.
Yan Jiaojiao stood at the entrance and listened intently. It was the introductory cultivation method she had found for Dongfang Xu, and the child had memorized it perfectly.
Just as Yan Jiaojiao was feeling gratified, Rong'er came out of the kitchen carrying a basin of dishes. Upon seeing Yan Jiaojiao, Rong'er's face immediately bloomed with a smile, her eyes full of surprise as she exclaimed, "Eldest Miss!"
Dongfang Xu, hearing the commotion from inside the house, immediately ran out. Chanting "Sister" at the top of his lungs, he ran straight towards her. Seeing Yan Jiaojiao standing at the entrance, he was overjoyed and threw himself into her arms.
Yan Jiaojiao lifted him up and then gently put him down, smiling. "Xu'er has grown taller and fatter. Hmm, good. It seems you've been listening to my words and eating well."
Dongfang Xu nodded and said earnestly, "Yes, Sister. When you were away, I remembered your words every day, ate well, and practiced diligently. I will go with Sister to vanquish demons and eliminate monsters in the future!"
Rong'er had already put down her things and walked over. She smiled and stroked Dongfang Xu's head, saying to Yan Jiaojiao, "This child is so endearing. The neighbors also love to tease him. They know Eldest Miss is cultivating at Gonan Academy and always tell Xu'er to follow you. Over time, he also started to act out, always talking about vanquishing demons and eliminating monsters."
"I'm very serious, not acting out!"
"Right, right, Xu'er is serious too. He wears out the cultivation manual you left behind every day. Oh, and..."
Yan Jiaojiao smiled, listening to Rong'er and Dongfang Xu chat about everyday matters. Her eyes were filled with a calm tenderness, washing away the fatigue and hardships she had experienced at Gonan Academy. It gave her a new direction for her efforts, such as protecting the peace of this small courtyard.
Rong'er continued to chatter for a while before realizing Yan Jiaojiao hadn't spoken. She gave an embarrassed smile. "Eldest Miss, look at me, I've been talking so much. Please come in and rest."
"It's fine. I like listening to you both talk," Yan Jiaojiao said, taking Dongfang Xu's hand as they walked inside.
Rong'er added, "I was hoping you might return today. I slaughtered a chicken this morning. It can be stewed into soup now, and we can make you a bowl of longevity noodles for dinner."
Yan Jiaojiao's steps faltered slightly. So, Rong'er also remembered the original host's birthday, and remembered it as a matter of course.
The warmth in her eyes deepened. Yan Jiaojiao said softly, "Make two bowls. Today is also Xu'er's birthday."
Rong'er looked at Yan Jiaojiao, then at Dongfang Xu, and naturally understood the implication. Her eyes suddenly reddened, and then she quickly masked it with a smile. "Yes, Eldest Miss is a blessed person. It is a blessing that Xu'er and Eldest Miss share the same birthday."
Dongfang Xu, however, didn't quite understand the meaning of celebrating a birthday. He was just happy to hear that he would have a bowl of longevity noodles, a new delicacy he had never tasted. He clapped his hands gleefully, showing the innocence and joy of a child. "Oh, I get to celebrate my birthday with Sister, and I'll eat longevity noodles!"
This simple and naive childlike demeanor made both Yan Jiaojiao and Rong'er's hearts ache. They could only hope that in the future, this child Xu'er would suffer less under their protection.