Chapter 10: Wish-Fulfilling Mudra

The fruit plate on the table was empty, leaving only a few large and small lychee pits.

Three modern commoners and one ancient noble put on a war romance drama in the room, while the other protagonist ate fruit as if it were none of her business.

She knew how to enjoy herself.

Setting aside her character, Gan Xun truly admired Zhao Chiyun’s relaxed demeanor.

Looking at Zhao Chiyun across the table, it seemed like she asked that question out of fear the water was contaminated.

In truth, the teasing hid in a pair of autumnal eyes, shimmering with light.

Gan Xun stared blankly into that gaze, recalling the hug before entering the door, her heart racing super fast.

Not exaggerating, even in the gap while Cui Can and Xu Yanyan argued, she was still thinking about it.

As if entranced.

She said helplessly, pleading, “Don’t gloat. I’ve already washed my hands and disinfected them, or else I wouldn’t want them anymore.”

“Such beautiful hands—how could you discard them.”

Zhao Chiyun finally couldn’t hide her smile, her tone rising and falling with lively inflection along with her expression.

The ice water was delicious; she felt so comfortable that her eyes curved up.

Gan Xun made a “ceasefire” gesture.

Zhao Chiyun asked, “Do you play the qin? These hands of yours are suited for it. Court musicians all have hand shapes like yours.”

Bones like bamboo joints, sinews winding.

They looked strong yet retained feminine beauty.

Her mind was a muddled mess, like being chased and buzzed at by a hundred cicadas.

Gan Xun suddenly tucked her hands under the table, stammering, “I never learned. No money, no artistic talent either.”

“What a pity.”

Though she said that, her expression meant the opposite.

Gan Xun knew Zhao Chiyun was just saying it casually; she didn’t care at all whether Gan Xun had nice hands or learned the qin.

But her brain wouldn’t stop, leaving her restless.

She didn’t know how long she zoned out before suddenly hearing Zhao Chiyun call her.

“Gan Xun!”

“Huh?”

Zhao Chiyun frowned slightly, staring straight at her. “I’m asking you—that Miss Xu, what does she do?”

Gan Xun lacked energy. “Oh, tattoo artist. See the floral patterns all over her neck? Unique taste, right? Cui Can likes them too, but hers are all hidden on her body.”

“The two of them met through tattoos and hit it off after a few encounters.”

“And the red-haired woman?”

“They met on social media, like fellow students. Who knows what she does. She didn’t say anything to you?”

“She did.”

“What did she say?”

“She asked if you and I were a couple.”

“Huh?”

“She asked if I wanted to play with her.”

“Ah!”

Gan Xun’s heart skipped a beat.

Now she felt her kick at Xu Yanyan had been too light—what kind of person had she brought along.

Flustered, she said, “She’s talking nonsense—ignore her, calm down.”

“How did you reply? Did you curse her out?”

Gan Xun asked carefully, trying to appease her.

Zhao Chiyun huffed lightly, knowing she feared trouble.

Composed, she said, “No need to panic. This County Princess didn’t say much. I only told her we’re friends and she wasn’t worthy to be cursed at, so she stopped bothering me.”

“That’s good.”

“If you encounter someone offensive in the future and don’t know how to respond, come find me first.”

“What if I can’t find you? You were pretty busy today.”

“Then ignore them first, give them a look and let them figure it out. There are too many fools around nowadays—you can’t get mad at them all.”

“So people here are all so annoying.”

“Not really. Freaks like Xu Yanyan and the red-haired woman are my first encounter. I’ve never seen the like before.”

As Gan Xun spoke, she glanced at her own hands, wanting to disinfect them again.

But she didn’t fully deny it. “Though with fewer restraints here, unlike your side where one wrong word means disaster. So annoying ghosts are everywhere.”

Like her previous company, where the boss and colleagues were all lunatics.

Zhao Chiyun resolved: “This County Princess won’t stay long. I must return to Mirror Country soon.”

“I hope you leave soon too.”

“This place is a bit complicated.”

Gan Xun thought about going online later to check for precedents for her.

“You want me to leave?” Zhao Chiyun suddenly asked.

“Can’t I want you to leave? You want to leave yourself.”

Gan Xun put on an innocent face.

Zhao Chiyun’s imperial countenance soured greatly. The illustrious Qinghe County Princess had graced the humble abode of the Gan and Cui households—what an honor.

In Mirror Country, wherever she went, the commoners and officials dared not fail to kneel and give thanks.

Yet Gan Xun wasn’t secretly thrilled and even hurried to send her off.

Gan Xun saw it and explained warmly, “I’m thinking from your perspective—you’ll suffer a lot here with us.”

But she didn’t pander either, stating clearly, “Of course you’re right. Even if you were the empress, I wouldn’t feel honored. As I said…”

“Everyone is equal!”

“Everyone is equal.”

They spoke in unison—one displeased, one earnest.

Gan Xun laughed out loud. “Alright, I’m not chasing you away.”

This person wouldn’t flatter or fawn—such a fool. Zhao Chiyun magnanimously let it slide.

Seeing her expression normal, she asked, “Your leg doesn’t hurt anymore?”

“It doesn’t hurt.”

Gan Xun brushed the dust off her pants and lifted them to check the wound. It was fine—no broken skin.

“I forgot to say, thank you, County Princess, for standing up for me.”

She expressed her sincere gratitude.

Used to being a side character, she wasn’t accustomed to being cared for amid the chaos by the person behind her.

Yet she liked it very much and had forgotten to thank her right away.

Zhao Chiyun looked candid. “It wasn’t entirely for you. This County Princess simply dislikes them. Appearance reflects the heart—they look like no good sort.”

“You know physiognomy too.”

Gan Xun asked, “What about me? What features do I have?”

Zhao Chiyun glanced down at her wound, recalled her lecture, then looked up with sarcasm:

“Bodhisattva features.”

Gan Xun felt her wound tingle under that gaze and didn’t dare move.

After a pause, she nodded in acceptance, not spoiling the mood as she mimicked a Buddha statue’s pose.

Zhao Chiyun shook her head. “Not standard. This is the ‘Wish-Fulfilling Mudra’—it should be done like this.”

She demonstrated, and Gan Xun followed along earnestly.

“What does this mudra mean?”

“It signifies compassion, meaning the Buddha and bodhisattvas fulfill the wishes of all sentient beings.”

Gan Xun expressed admiration—ancient people knew everything.

Zhao Chiyun drank two more sips of water; Cui Can still hadn’t emerged.

She hesitated, then asked softly, “They like women, so why would they still…”

She had pondered it for a while; she couldn’t hold back from asking Gan Xun, but saying it made her stop.

Her face heated up, as if all of June’s summer heat poured onto her alone.

Gan Xun knew what she meant from her expression.

Suddenly, it felt like she’d drunk too much coffee—heart pounding, head dizzy.

It was strange. She could chat adult topics with Cui Can anytime, even the deepest ones with jokes.

But when this noble ancient asked her, she inexplicably turned pure and shy.

Perhaps because they’d just been learning about bodhisattvas saving all beings, then switched channels to another kind of position.

Like searching academic databases only to be redirected to an 18+ site.

She fidgeted, scratching her nail-less fingertips into her palm, and explained haltingly, “Everyone’s preferences differ. Some women have those physiological needs. In our era, people don’t like suppressing their true hearts and advocate respecting and understanding others.”

Zhao Chiyun seemed to half-understand. “And you…”

“I don’t!” Gan Xun blurted loudly and quickly.

“Meow~”

With the situation calmed, the two cats finally meowed, jumping onto the sofa to watch them.

Zhao Chiyun gave her a deep look and smiled lightly.

She rose and squatted in front of the sofa. “What a cute little rascal.”

Gan Xun’s mind went blank from her smile; her whole body seemed sweat-soaked. She just wanted to splash cool water on herself to clear her head.

She woodenly followed. “You’re talking about the cats.”

Squatting beside her, she introduced to Zhao Chiyun, “The ragdoll is called Cui Zihan, the big orange is Cui Zixuan.”

As she spoke, she thought of something, grabbed a wet wipe from the table, and cleaned Zixuan’s nose and face.

Squatting close and unsteady, Gan Xun’s knee accidentally bumped Zhao Chiyun’s. Both looked down.

Gan Xun was utterly speechless.

The red-haired woman had been too sloppy—the floor wasn’t cleaned at all!

At the same time, Zhao Chiyun’s left hand pressed down imaginary wide sleeves, while her right pointed gracefully at the two rubber items on the floor. “What are these?”

Gan Xun’s vision went black; she wanted to ascend to heaven right then.