Protoganist's Sidekick Fights Back-Chapter 12: Do You Like Someone?

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

The shop lady's words made Bai Yunxi's cheeks flush with warmth.

The jewelry was beautiful, no doubt — but what truly caught her off guard was Su Kang's decision to buy it.

Then, the lady called him her husband.

Bai Yunxi opened her mouth to correct her, but no words came.

Before she could collect herself, Su Kang chuckled — a light, brief sound, almost as if he found it amusing.

"Thank you," he said smoothly, his tone easy. "But we really should be going now."

His fingers closed gently around her wrist, guiding her forward with a soft pull.

"Sorry," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. "It was easier than explaining."

Bai Yunxi glanced at him. His expression was slightly stiff, an awkwardness flickering in his eyes that made her pause.

He really was embarrassed.

She didn't argue. There was no need to make a scene.

They walked through the crowded streets, the festive air wrapping around them like a warm embrace.

Laughter, music, the glow of lanterns in the night — they painted a picture of simplicity, of joy.

Bai Yunxi's heart tightened at the sight. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt that lightness — the freedom to simply enjoy life's small pleasures.

By the time they returned to the spiritual boat, the city lights had faded into distant dots scattered across the vast, dark sky.

Inside, the soft silence enveloped her — a quiet peace that seemed out of place, given all she had lived through.

Her thoughts turned inward, memories drifting back to her childhood in Qin City. She had been happy then.

Then, there was Li Xiao.

Her parents had always believed that marriage was the key to her future. They couldn't help her cultivate, couldn't guide her onto a brighter path.

Marriage to a cultivator seemed like the wisest choice.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

Her husband died within a year. Her parents, soon after — killed by his enemies. Everything they had sacrificed for her — the future they had envisioned — crumbled.

Now, here she was.

A widow at thirty-seven, with regrets that weighed more than she could carry.

Her eyelids grew heavy.

Hours passed, and Su Kang entered her room.

He stood beside her sleeping form, his gaze lingering on her peaceful face. Moonlight traced the delicate curve of her cheek, the faint shadows beneath her eyes.

She looked... beautiful.

A simple thought — emerged in his mind.

He sat down beside her, his hand hovering above her forehead. A faint pink glow flickered at his fingertips — a delicate light that pulsed gently.

He was going to show her a dream — a memory of their first encounter.

The dream unfolded, transporting her five years into the past.

Li Fang had just joined Qingyun Sect, on the brink of competing for the inner disciple position. He was about to turn fifteen.

Bai Yunxi had traveled twenty days to celebrate his birthday, carrying with her his father's robe — a gift laden with unspoken emotions.

Li Fang had been proud of it, but told her not to visit again.

"Mother, it's dangerous to travel like this."

On her way back to Qin City, she stopped overnight in a small town to rest.

Tired, she had asked her maids to prepare a bath. The hot water soothed her travel-weary muscles, easing the tension in her body.

Then — the screams began.

Crashes — sharp and loud — reverberated through the inn. Before she could react, the door exploded inward.

A red fire lizard — a second-level beast — burst through the doorway, jaws gaping, fiery breath crackling in its throat.

Its oppressive aura crushed her, freezing her in place.

"This is how I die."

The thought clung to Bai Yunxi's mind — cold, absolute. All the struggles of her life — the sacrifices, the loneliness — would end here.

Her eyes closed, resignation sinking in.

Perhaps... this was the fate carved for her long ago.

Suddenly, a strong hand gripped her waist, pulling her away from the flames.

The world spun.

Her wet body pressed against something solid, warm — broad.

Her heart raced — a pounding reminder of how close death had been.

The young man carried her effortlessly, halberd gleaming in his other hand. A single stroke — swift, clean — and the beast's head thudded to the ground.

Bai Yunxi's breath caught.

A second-level beast... killed in one strike?

"Strange," he muttered, his voice calm, unaffected by the chaos. "How did it come inside the city?"

His voice was low, steady — as if none of this concerned him in the slightest.

It was only after he killed it that Bai Yunxi realised how little she was wearing — just a damp belly band clinging to her skin. Her bare back pressed against his palm, her chest against his heart.

Heat flooded her face, shame crashing through the lingering fear.

"He... he must have seen everything." Bai Yunxi's face burned at the thought.

The young man seemed to notice too. He quickly set her down, gaze firmly averted.

"Ah... sorry." He apologized, looking around the room — anywhere but at her.

Bai Yunxi didn't know if she wanted to cover herself or crawl into a hole and disappear.

Her maids were huddled nearby — frightened but unharmed.

The city guards rushed in soon after.

The young man floated toward the window, ready to leave without a word.

"Wait... your name?"

The call left her lips before she even realized.

The man paused, his gaze flicking over her flushed face — the trembling hands clutching her exposed skin.

"You're not asking me to take responsibility... are you?"

Bai Yunxi's breath caught.

"I... I wouldn't—"

"I wouldn't mind," he cut in, smirking.

Bai Yunxi's eyes widened, her tongue-tied protest dying in her throat.

Before she could respond, his low laughter echoed — then he vanished into the night, leaving only warmth and unanswered questions behind.

The next morning, Bai Yunxi awoke, the dream still vivid in her mind.

And then it hit her. He was Su Kang.

The young man who had saved her all those years ago.

That was why he felt so familiar.

His teasing. His awkward smiles.

It all clicked now.

Heat crept up her neck as fragments of that night resurfaced.

She should be angry. Maybe even scold him.

But... to do that, she'd have to admit she remembered.

"He mentioned I looked younger compared to before... so shameless."

Her heart fluttered against her will.

The more she tried to suppress the feelings... the more they clung to her heart.

Bai Yunxi stayed in her room all day, using cultivation as an excuse to avoid him.

Su Kang noticed, of course.

"Too soon. I shouldn't have shown her that."

He had only wanted to give her closure — a small, subtle nudge to melt the walls around her heart.

But now, she'd shut herself off entirely.

Every day, Su Kang left meals outside her door, silently waiting for her to emerge.

He never knocked. Never pushed.

The days stretched on in heavy silence.

By the fourth day, Bai Yunxi finally opened the door.

She carried the untouched breakfast tray in both hands, her steps hesitant as she made her way to Su Kang's cabin.

He was sitting by the window, staring at the endless blue skies. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes... distant.

She cleared her throat softly.

"Let's eat together."

"You can eat," he said lightly. "I'll have something later."

Only then did Bai Yunxi notice — there was no food prepared for himself.

He'd only been cooking for her. He didn't even need to eat.

Her heart squeezed.

Without another word, she set the tray down and sat at the table.

Without a word, she sat down and began to eat, the warm food soothing her tense stomach.

Halfway through the meal, she finally broke the silence.

"Maybe... maybe we could stop in a city."

"I'll keep that in mind." His lips curved slightly to form a smile.

They fell into a quiet rhythm after that. For two weeks, they travelled across the land.

Stopping in cities whenever they could. Bai Yunxi found herself enjoying the simple pleasures — strolling through lively markets, tasting local delicacies, losing herself in the bustle of ordinary life.

Su Kang always stayed close, his presence steady and comforting.

And every time, without fail — he'd buy jewelry.

Bai Yunxi always watched in silence, she never asked about this. He never explained.

They would reach Liyun City in few days. One evening, as Su Kang prepared dinner in the cabin, Bai Yunxi sat quietly, watching him from across the table.

A strange thought crossed Bai Yunxi's mind.

If she hadn't known his age... she might have thought he was already in his thirties.

Once the food was served, they ate in companionable silence.

Yet tonight, something lingered in the air — an unsaid question pressing against Bai Yunxi's heart.

She set down her chopsticks.

"Su Kang..."

He glanced up, his gentle black eyes meeting hers.

"Do you have a fiancée? Or... someone you like?"

Su Kang's hand paused, surprise flickering in his gaze before he quickly composed himself.