Chapter 5: Are You Okay?

“Exactly, exactly! Why is mouth-to-mouth used for saving someone?”

Everyone fell into a chaotic discussion again, until Jiu Jin vomited up his first mouthful of dirty water, and until Jiu Jin's eyes slowly opened. Everyone gathered around Jiu Jin, watching and feeling relieved.

“He’s awake! He’s awake! Jiu Jin is awake! Ah! Thank heavens and thank the Bodhisattva!” Someone began praying to the sky, acting as if this was all the result of the heavens watching over them.

As for A Lin—

Licking her lips, she thought about how she had actually done something so shocking just to save a person... Sigh! She had lost out big time this time.

A Lin lifted her sleeves and repeatedly wiped her lips, as if doing so could wipe away the previous scene and act as if it had never happened; however, even though she was trying so hard to conceal the truth, the group of onlookers would not let her off. One by one, they ran over to offer Jiu Jin their congratulations.

“Congratulations? Congratulations for what?” Jiu Jin was still bewildered. How could these people be congratulating him when he had fallen into the water and met with disaster? Could it be that his reputation in this village was truly that bad?

Jiu Jin blinked his eyes in confusion, while the crowd explained it to him with beaming smiles.

“It’s about how your A Lin just kissed you!”

What?! Jiu Jin was startled. “A Lin?! Kissed me?!”

His gaze shifted toward A Lin with trepidation, and he just happened to see A Lin wiping her mouth, as if she were trying to wipe something unclean away from her lips.

Dragging his still very weak body, Jiu Jin crawled over in shock and fear to ask A Lin, “Did you really kiss me?” How could that be? A Lin had always been harsh and stern with him; she shouldn't like a bumpkin like him! Jiu Jin looked at A Lin.

A Lin, on the other hand, gave him a fierce glare. How could it be that something she wanted to forget was being lectured back to her by him, making it impossible for her to forget!

“I was saving a life, that wasn't a kiss.” She used her eyes to warn him not to talk nonsense and ruin her reputation.

“But they said your lips were pressed against mine—” Jiu Jin pointed his finger at the crowd, then at his own lips. His lips were cold, and A Lin's small, red mouth had just swept over his...

“Don't overthink it!” A Lin shouted forcefully to cut off his wandering thoughts, telling him once again, “That wasn't a kiss.” If it wasn't a kiss, then what was it? Heh. She reiterated it again with a sharp gaze, as if threatening Jiu Jin that if he dared to say one more word of nonsense, she would throw him into the sea and let him drown.

Seeing her fierce expression, Jiu Jin gave an "oh" and didn't dare say anything more.

The idle bystanders hadn't dispersed yet; they were even relentless, chasing Jiu Jin with questions, “When are you going to marry A Lin into your house?”

“Huh? Me?! When did I say I'd marry him!” A Lin protested loudly, but no one paid her any mind, because everyone assumed it was just her maidenly reserve.

“Miss A Lin, don't be shy, it's alright. We will all preside over justice for you: think about it, as a young lady, you gave your most precious kiss to Jiu Jin just to save him. If he is a real man, he should take up the moral responsibility he ought to bear.”

Wha—what are they talking about! She didn't want Jiu Jin to take on any moral responsibility at all! A Lin wanted to protest like this, but—

Really, no one was listening to her!

The crowd continued to surround Jiu Jin, offering congratulations, leaving A Lin to stare at Jiu Jin with bulging eyes. Her expression was as if, if he dared to say one word of nonsense about taking responsibility, then, then—

Then she would have a massive grudge against him!

Jiu Jin had to exert immense effort to temporarily suppress the matter of his marriage to A Lin. However, regarding this "immeasurable merit" he had performed, A Lin had not the slightest intention of being grateful to him.

It was his fault in the first place! Who told him to wade into those muddy waters and cause this scene where she kissed him! She hadn't even blamed him for always causing trouble and making her clean up his messes! Wanting her gratitude? Not a chance!