On the first and second days of the trial, Su Luo and his group were battling Lin Xuan.
On the third day, they rested.
By the fourth day, Su Luo and his team had successfully hunted demonic beasts, earning 20 points.
Having more people certainly made things easier.
At that moment, a young nobleman was searching for demonic beasts when he suddenly noticed someone leaning against a tree, severely injured.
The person appeared to be in critical condition, motionless, and the nobleman initially thought they might already be dead.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
As he approached, he was shocked to see that it was...
The nobleman nearly exclaimed, "Li—"
But before he could finish, a sharp sword was pressed against his throat, silencing him instantly.
This was no ordinary injured person—their movements were far too quick.
Li Siyi said, "You're not the one I'm waiting for. Go and bring Su Luo here. And forget you ever saw me here. Do you understand?"
"Understood," the nobleman replied.
He had no choice but to comply, feeling the sharpness of the blade against his skin.
Li Siyi nodded, sheathed her sword, and leaned back against the tree, pretending to be gravely injured.
Li Siyi had come here with the intention of mending her relationship with Su Luo and presenting him with a high-quality medicinal pill to heal his injured left hand.
Although Su Luo had been obedient to her lately, it was all an act. Previously, she had made it clear that she disliked him.
If she suddenly showed affection, Su Luo would find it hard to believe.
So Li Siyi decided to take things step by step, gradually improving their relationship before addressing anything else.
After much thought, she settled on the plan to feign injury here. When Su Luo saw her, he would surely show concern in front of everyone.
And once he showed concern, she could use the opportunity to mend their relationship.
A perfect plan.
Though the nobleman still didn't fully understand Li Siyi's intentions, he followed her instructions.
Returning to the group, he easily led Su Luo in Li Siyi's direction.
And there they found her.
Su Luo was stunned. Why had they run into Li Siyi?
In front of everyone, Su Luo couldn't just ignore her.
He quickly rushed over to check on her.
"Siyi, what happened to you?" he cried out, his voice filled with anguish.
However, upon closer inspection, Su Luo realized her injuries weren't as severe as they appeared. Many of the wounds were exaggerated for effect.
She looked like she was on the verge of death, but in reality, it wasn't that bad.
"I'm injured. Can I stay with your group for now?" Li Siyi asked.
Su Luo was caught off guard by her request.
"No, you're too badly hurt. You need to withdraw from the trial. Someone, call the Li family! Hurry and take Li Siyi back for treatment!"
Su Luo was reluctant. This wasn't part of the necessary plot. If he agreed, he'd have to play the role of a devoted follower in front of his friends for days.
In the past, he had only shown occasional affection, and Li Siyi had never given him a chance. Now that she was offering herself, wouldn't he have to keep up the act for days on end?
The thought alone was unbearable.
"No, let me stay," Li Siyi insisted, grabbing Su Luo's hand and refusing to let go.
The atmosphere grew tense.
No one knew what Li Siyi was up to. Everyone in Autumn Wind City knew she disliked Su Luo.
Now, she was acting completely out of character, actively seeking to stay with him.
But no one dared to question her.
Su Luo's face fell, and under the watchful eyes of the group, he had no choice but to agree.
Li Siyi stood up but then remembered she was supposed to be gravely injured. "Su Luo, help me. I don't think I can walk on my own."
Su Luo: "..."
Your acting is terrible. The way you just stood up didn't look like someone who was injured at all.
But no one dared to point it out.
Su Luo had no choice but to support her.
"Thank you. If it weren't for you, I don't know how I'd survive in the forest in this condition," Li Siyi said, looking at Su Luo with gratitude.
Though her expression was a bit exaggerated.
Su Luo's hands were trembling. Who are you, and what have you done with the real Li Siyi?
"Oh, your hand is injured," Li Siyi said with surprise.
Indeed, Su Luo's left hand hadn't fully healed, but to him, such an injury was trivial and not worth mentioning.
"It's nothing," he said.
"How can it be nothing? I have a Spirit Yang Pill here. Take it. It's very effective for healing."
Su Luo stared at Li Siyi for a long moment, utterly speechless.
Are you even listening to yourself?
Why aren't you taking it, since you're the one covered in injuries?
And the Spirit Yang Pill—do you even know how rare that is? There aren't even ten of them in all of Autumn Wind City.
This was an extremely potent healing pill, something money couldn't buy.
Did you see the shocked expressions on the faces of the other noblemen? They couldn't believe it either.
The Spirit Yang Pill!
This wasn't some common healing pill. Just smelling it could extend one's lifespan.
Of course, that might be an exaggeration, but its value was undeniable.
One of the noblemen couldn't hold back: "Ah, I'm injured too. Is there anyone kind enough to give me a Spirit Yang Pill?"
Others quickly followed suit.
"What should I do? If I don't get a Spirit Yang Pill, I'll die. I wish a kind sister would give me a Spirit Yang Pill."
"I won't eat it. I just want to kiss the pill. That'll be enough for me."
"I just want to smell it. Brother Su Luo, please, I beg you."
Hearing their teasing, Li Siyi blushed and shoved the pill into Su Luo's mouth. "Don't misunderstand. I... I don't have any special feelings for Su Luo."
"It's just that Su Luo has been kind to me before, and I feel bad. This is my way of repaying him. Now we're even, and there's nothing between us. Don't get the wrong idea."
Su Luo covered his face. Stop talking. The more you say, the messier it gets.
For a moment, the noblemen were filled with envy and jealousy, but they forced themselves to maintain expressions of congratulations.
The only one who had seen it all, Wang Mo, looked like he had just eaten something disgusting.
A Spirit Yang Pill? Who doesn't have one of those?
But still!
Don't tell me there's nothing going on between you two!
What do you mean by 'even'? You never accepted any of Su Luo's gifts before. Now you're using this as an excuse? Do you think we're fools?
No wonder my plan to drive a wedge between you failed. You two were just pretending all along. You've been close behind the scenes.
I'm such an idiot for not seeing it sooner.
Wang Mo nearly vomited blood. It turned out he was the clown all along.
After being forced to take the pill, Su Luo felt its effects almost immediately. His left hand healed completely in moments, and the remaining energy from the pill nourished his entire body, leaving him feeling warm and comfortable.
"Alright, let's go. Don't you have things to do?" Li Siyi urged.
And so, the scene unfolded like this:
Su Luo and Li Siyi.
Surrounded by the crowd, with Wang Mo in the mix.
Wang Mo: Why? Even though I'm surrounded by so many supporters, even though I'm the center of attention right now, I can't feel happy!
(╬◣д◢)
The others felt much the same.
Wasn't Su Luo's pursuit of Li Siyi the laughingstock of Autumn Wind City? How did it become real?
How am I supposed to accept this, bro? I don't want this! I'm afraid you'll suffer, but I'm also afraid you'll thrive too much.
However, after spending the day together, Li Siyi soon announced she was leaving.
She knew that mending their relationship couldn't be rushed.
Throughout the day, Su Luo's care and concern for her were no different from before, but now Li Siyi found herself enjoying it, even occasionally joking with Su Luo.
But Li Siyi knew it was all an act. Su Luo was still pretending.
Only when Su Luo dropped the mask would their real relationship begin.
She would take it slow.
After all, someone like Su Luo surely had no one else who liked him.
Childhood friends, matched in status and background.
The advantage was hers.