Chapter 3 A Grand Dream
"Qingfu, I have an idea!"
Only the bleak moon outside sent some light into the dark room, illuminating Qingfu and Jiuxiang"s eyes, which were wide-open and free of sleepiness.
Jiuxiang jackknifed up the bed, turned her head, and shook Qingfu. "Listen to me, my way is definitely the best!"
"Tell me!" Qingfu was affected by her excitement, too.
"On one condition . . ." Jiuxiang pursed her lips, looking a bit shy. "And that is . . . that is . . . Wuzui would . . ."
Qingfu was getting a headache.
She knew Jiuxiang"s conditions had to do with Wuzui.
Who is Wuzui? Technically, Wuzui was Qingfu"s master. Qingfu, being a jade elf, was once the jade pendant worn on Wuzui"s waist. While Wuzui never gave the energy needed for her to become a fairy, and actually bullied her, Qingfu did originate come from him, so they could be considered friends since childhood.
Qingfu understood Jiuxiang"s intention now. Jiuxiang had had a crush on Wuzui for years, which had never amounted to anything, though the two of them became friends because of the Wuzui connection. But, the longer she"d known Jiuxiang, the less Qingfu wanted to entrust her friend to Wuzui.
Wuzui was a cold, uninhibited, and untrustworthy mate. Qingfu didn"t want to ruin her good friend"s life, even if Jiuxiang was obsessed with the man.
"No!" Before Jiuxiang spoke, Qingfu had already refused. "There"s no way I"d get close to Wuzui for you, no matter what."
Jiuxiang bit her lips. The mood felt somber. "Why won"t you understand me . . . ?"
Qingfu felt somewhat guilty, but still remained steadfast.
Jiuxiang sighed. "Fine. How is this? Just say good things about me in front of Wuzui."
Maybe this could work? Knowing Wuzui, even if Jiuxiang was praised to heaven and back, Wuzui wouldn"t be interested in her.
It was doable!
Seeing Qingfu nodding, Jiuxiang said, "Even though Fairy Lord Tianhan has picked me, to be a real ride needs a blood contract, and Heaven"s rules never said we couldn"t give up our slots. What if I gave you my slot, and you go find Tianhan tomorrow? Tianhan couldn"t force me to be his ride, could he?"
Qingfu"s eyes lit up. She tightly hugged Jiuxiang. "It"s an honor to know you!"
By the time Qingfu stood in front of Fairy Lord Tianhan, she was so nervous.
Tianhan seemed surprised to see her. As he put down his white chess piece, he shut down the opposing side. He stood up with his hands behind his back and looked toward Qingfu. When he walked toward the black side of the chessboard, he asked, "Why are you here?"
Qingfu swallowed and nodded stiffly. "Jiuxiang is sick, and asked me to subst.i.tute."
"Subst.i.tute?" Tianhan"s lean fingers tapped the chessboard rhythmically. In a moment, a black chess piece was added to the board.
The white side of the game was losing fast; the black side won.
Tianhan quite enjoyed playing against himself.
His mouth quirked. "I just heard of teachers subst.i.tuting. I never knew apprentices could do the same."
Qingfu chuckled. "It"s happening right now. You"re experiencing it . . ."
Tianhan"s motion stilled. He actually didn"t have a comeback.
Qingfu looked at him as he looked back at her. Finally, he sighed and said, "Well, you might as well stay."
Did this mean he agreed to her becoming his ride?
Qingfu was so shocked she didn"t have a reaction.
"What are you standing there for?" Tianhan glanced at her. "Put away the chessboard. I"ll wait for you on the west side. Come get me when you"re done."
Qingfu was so happy she thought even the apathy on Tianhan"s face was gorgeous.
She quickly put away the chessboard inside its case and rushed toward the west side.
Water flowed. Tianhan stood with his hands folded, seemingly lost in thought. He stared at the rushing river and stayed very still.
Qingfu walked next to him. Before she called him, Tianhan turned and said, "You used to be jade?"
Qingfu nodded. She was afraid he didn"t like her being cold and hard. "Dear Immortal, I could knit a blanket and you won"t feel uncomfortable sitting. You could probably take a nap, like in bed . . ."
Tianhan"s mouth stiffened. "That"s not what I meant. Can you turn back to your original form?"
What did he mean?
Qingfu frowned, a little confused, but she still made a turn, and in a white flash, her human form disappeared, leaving a shiny and smooth piece of jade in its place.
Unfortunately, the jade was not round, but square and full of angles. It looked cold, and felt even colder to the touch.
Tianhan stared for a moment, as if considering something. Then he lightly tapped the jade"s surface, eliciting a crisp sound.
"Fly."
Qingfu was so happy at being caressed by Tianhan that she didn"t hear his command.
Tianhan felt the jade under his hand heating up, surprised. He said again, "Fly."
When Qingfu finally heard the order, she blushed even more, and flew up into the air in a whoosh.
That was no problem. She could fly.
When Tianhan asked her to make a turn, Qingfu stopped in mid-air and refused to move.
Tianhan ordered again, "Fly back."
Qingfu still didn"t move.
Tianhan raised his eyebrows. He seemed to realize something as he asked, "You don"t know how to turn?"
In a flash of white light, Qingfu returned to human form. She fell onto the ground, bruising her face. Her cheeks red, she walked back in silence.
Tianhan"s eyes showed a sliver of amus.e.m.e.nt, but it was missed by the embarra.s.sed Qingfu.
When she looked up, seemingly wanting to justify herself, Tianhan patted her head. She felt a big burst of energy rushing toward her temple, and the world spun as she pa.s.sed out. When she came to, she was back in jade form.
Qingfu wanted to say something, but she could see Tianhan descending on top of her and sitting down.
Qingfu"s body felt hot. She could feel the pressure.
Did she do it?
Qingfu couldn"t believe the sensation of Tianhan riding her. Even though he was a bit heavy, she had to admit, it was pleasurable . . .
Qingfu was lost in the sensation and missed hearing Tianhan asking her to fly. When she finally did, she answered yes.
Use your power.
Use your power again.
Nothing.
Qingfu was mortified. "Fairy Lord Tianhan, did . . . did I fly?"
Tianhan"s face was pa.s.sive. "Not at all."
So awkward!
When Qingfu had trains before, she always practiced by herself, and no one ever rode her when she flew, so when Tianhan rode her and she couldn"t move at all wasn"t that surprising.
Not surprising, but still awkward.
Tianhan got up and tapped her so she could return to her human form. She was too mortified to even look at him. She mumbled, "I"ve never had anyone ride me before . . ."
And she had made being Tianhan"s ride her goal in life?! Qingfu felt ashamed at her fantasy.
Tianhan didn"t seem emotional one way or the other. He said, "It"s not a big deal, if you can"t fly carrying something heavy, then your first lesson should be practicing flying with a weight, and then I can teach you other things."
Tianhan may look distant, but he was actually quite caring!
Qingfu was very touched.
"Highest Immortal, I promise one day I will carry you and fly 1,000 miles an hour! I will work as hard as I can!" Qingfu raised her fist to vow.
Tianhan"s gaze seemed rather complicated. He looked past her, controlled his urge to laugh, and nodded with a sage expression. "All right."
Qingfu started practicing right away. She dug up a few rocks from a nearby stream and moved them onto her back with object-moving magic. Before she could ask Tianhan to encourage her, she saw him frown and wave his hand. All of a sudden, many more rocks were on her back.
Now Qingfu could barely stand up, much less fly . . .
Tianhan nodded with satisfaction. "Practice flying with weights for now. I won"t need you for a few days. If you need anything, find Lotus Fairy. She"s in charge of all apprentices and she"ll let me know."
Qingfu nodded.
Tianhan looked at her happily and turned to leave.
Qingfu watched her crush disappear and sighed, then she squealed.
She had actually become Tianhan"s official ride!
Maybe her dream of being married to Tianhan was not that far off!