Chapter 30: You big liar! I'm never talking to you again!

"Stupid Xiao Mo, I don't even know you!"

Bai Ruxue turned her head away and huffed.

"..."

Xiao Mo could tell at a glance that Bai Ruxue was angry.

But it was understandable. He had told her he would come to see her as soon as spring arrived, but he had forgotten to mention that his exams would take an entire month.

On top of that, the local magistrate had delayed things by a few days.

He feared that Ruxue had been waiting for him since the moment she woke from her winter hibernation.

"I see. It seems I have mistaken you for someone else."

Xiao Mo pulled a wooden deer-god hairpin from his sleeve.

Upon seeing the wooden hairpin, Bai Ruxue blinked curiously.

Xiao Mo let out a sigh and said in a disappointed tone, "I originally promised a friend that I would come to see her in the spring. However, participating in the child selection exams did indeed take quite a bit of time, and I was even detained by the magistrate for a meal, which caused further delays. I knew she would surely be angry when I returned. So, in my spare time, I carved this hairpin, hoping to use it as an apology. But looking at it now, she is no longer waiting for me. This hairpin is no longer needed."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Mo raised his hand, pretending he was about to throw the hairpin away.

"Who said it wasn't needed? I want it!"

Bai Ruxue stood on her tiptoes and hurriedly snatched the hairpin from Xiao Mo's hand, playing with it happily in her palms.

"Miss, that hairpin was intended for Miss Bai Ruxue," Xiao Mo said, feigning embarrassment as he tried to take it back.

Bai Ruxue turned to dodge him, clutching the hairpin to her chest. "I *am* Bai Ruxue!"

"But you just said you weren't..."

Bai Ruxue blinked, her peach-blossom eyes as clean and clear as a mountain spring. "Did I ever say I wasn't Bai Ruxue?"

Xiao Mo froze for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "You indeed did not say that."

"That's more like it." Bai Ruxue held the hairpin out with both hands, looking at Xiao Mo expectantly. "Xiao Mo, put it in for me."

"Alright."

Xiao Mo took the hairpin and tucked it into Bai Ruxue's silky hair.

The young girl's eyes curved into crescents. "How is it? Does it look good?"

"Mhm, the person looks beautiful, but this hairpin of mine seems a bit lacking. Perhaps I should practice more and carve a better one for you." Xiao Mo examined his handiwork and reached out to pull it out.

"No! I want this one!" Bai Ruxue hurriedly retreated, protecting her hair.

"Fine." Since Ruxue liked it, Xiao Mo didn't feel right taking it back. "But Ruxue, are you not angry with me anymore?"

Bai Ruxue gave a huff and turned her small head away. "In view of the fact that you gave me a gift, I shall forgive you."

In truth, Bai Ruxue had been very angry.

But for some reason, the moment she saw Xiao Mo, her anger had dissipated significantly.

"This humble scholar thanks you for your magnanimity." Xiao Mo bowed with a cupped fist.

"No need for thanks~"

The girl stood grandly before Xiao Mo, her smile as bright as a blooming flower.

After a moment, as if thinking of something, the girl walked up to Xiao Mo.

She stood on her tiptoes, reached out to measure the height of Xiao Mo's head, and then measured her own.

"How can this be..." A flash of disappointment crossed Bai Ruxue's eyes. "Why am I still not as tall as you? I've clearly grown so much!"

Xiao Mo: "Miss Bai, is it possible that... I have also grown taller?"

Bai Ruxue's eyes lit up as if she had a sudden realization. "Oh! So that's it!"

"..." Xiao Mo was momentarily speechless.

Even though Bai Ruxue had grown into a young lady, she still felt somewhat... not very bright.

"By the way, Xiao Mo, how did your exams go this time?"

Bai Ruxue stopped obsessing over her height. Last time she was a head shorter than him; now she was only half a head shorter. After her next molting, she would surely catch up.

"I passed as a Xiucai."

"Then can you be an official now?"

"I must at least pass as a Juren; passing as a Gongshi is the safest bet."

"Do you still have to take exams?" Bai Ruxue lowered her head, thinking to herself that she would once again go a long time without seeing him.

"The next exam is the Provincial Exam, which is in three years. That's a long way off."

"I see, that is indeed quite early~" Bai Ruxue's mood instantly brightened. She grabbed Xiao Mo's sleeve and began leading him up the mountain. "Xiao Mo, let's go quickly. I'll take you to a place you'll definitely love."

"Then let's go see."

The two walked up the mountain side by side.

Before long, Bai Ruxue led Xiao Mo to an open clearing.

The clearing was filled with Hydrangeas and Qinglong flowers.

Xiao Mo said in surprise, "Why are there so many here?"

"A lot, right?" Bai Ruxue said proudly. "I planted all of these! Once I plant even more and cover the whole mountain, you can have as many as you want. You won't have to work so hard gathering herbs anymore~"

Listening to the girl's words, Xiao Mo lowered his head, his expression turning somewhat heavy.

"Xiao Mo, what's wrong?" Seeing his expression, Bai Ruxue couldn't help but feel nervous.

"Ruxue, I have something to tell you." Xiao Mo looked up, meeting Bai Ruxue's eyes directly. "In the future, I might come up the mountain less often."

"Eh?" Bai Ruxue felt as if struck by lightning, her face turning pale. "Why... why..."

"The new magistrate in our Qingshan City is quite decent. He said the yamen will provide us with financial support every month until we take the next Provincial Exam," Xiao Mo explained to her.

"And the Village Chief said he has nothing left to teach me, so I will need to travel frequently to seek further education. Therefore, I won't be coming up the mountain as often."

To be honest, Xiao Mo did not want to leave Bai Ruxue, especially since he still needed to help her transform into a dragon.

The problem was, as an ordinary person, he had no idea how to help her achieve that.

What he could do now was to earn official status as quickly as possible.

Earning a title and entering the imperial court was not just about completing a task.

This was a world of cultivation, and the State of Qi was the greatest human nation in this world.

The State of Qi had many connections with the various top-tier sects.

Once he attained high status and power, perhaps he would have the ability to help her.

Hearing Xiao Mo's words, Bai Ruxue lowered her head even further.

Xiao Mo was not in a hurry; he simply waited for her to process her emotions.

To her, aside from her younger sister, he was perhaps her only friend.

It was only natural that she found it difficult to accept.

But soon, tears began to fall from the corners of the girl's eyes.

Her fists were clenched tightly at her sides, and her body trembled slightly.

"Ruxue... don't worry, once I have free time..."

Just as Xiao Mo attempted to comfort her, Bai Ruxue suddenly looked up, her peach-blossom eyes misty with tears, like blossoms covered in dew.

"Stupid Xiao Mo! You said you would play with me properly after you came back!"

Bai Ruxue turned around and ran forward, wiping her tears as she went, her sobbing voice echoing through the mountain forest.

"You big liar! I'm never talking to you again!"

(End of Chapter)