The Journey of Flower

Epilogue 5 – Strike first and gains upper hand
Late at night that day, while Hua Qiangu was sleeping soundly, her quilt was suddenly removed.

“Father, don’t bother me.” Hua Qiangu turned around and continued to sleep.

“Gu Tuo, it’s me.” Donfang Yuqing took out her coat and put on her shoes.

Hua Qiangu was still half-awake, thinking that she was still dreaming.

“Teacher, how did you get in?”

“Don’t bother how I get in, North Dipper and others are drunk. Come, I will take you out to see the stars.”

Dongfang Yuqing picked up the little meatball and flew out of the window. Sheng Xiaomo pretended not to see, hurriedly closed the window and go to sleep.

“I have never seen senior brother lost before. Dongfang I will watch out for you, haha…”

Hua Qiangu tightly wrapped around Donfang Yuqing’s neck, staring at the clouds passing by her in surprise.

“Teacher, I just dreamed of you. How did you come out of my dream?”

Dongfang Yuqing laughed: “Gu Tuo is also my only dream.”

Hua Qiangu blushed at once. What did you mean by that? How can it sound so corny?

“Teacher, are you a deity?”

“No. Don’t call me teacher, call me Dongfang.”

“Oh, Dongfang, where are we going?”

“Stars gazing, of course, we have to go to the Milky Way.”

Dongfang Yuqing took her to fly above the Nine Heaven of Milky Way in one breath. This is the second time they came here.

“I, I must not be fully awake yet.”

Hua Qiangu looked at the boundless stars dumbfounded.

Dongfang Yuqing threw out a folding fan in his hand and immediately became a small boat. Hua Qiangu sits on the side of the boat, taking off her shoes and dipped her feet on the stars in the galaxy. It’s sparkling everywhere.

Dongfang Yuqing reached out his hand to hold her in his arms. Unlike her previous skinny, the chubby her has developed very well. Dongfang Yuqing had to carefully avoid her chest.

Hua Qiangu leaned against Dongfang Yuqing, looking at the beautiful scenery in front of her and took a deep breath making an exclamation from time to time.

All of a sudden, a radish appeared in front of her.

“Want to eat?”

Hua Qiangu took a bite. It was very crunchy.

“Very sweet! Thank you. Dongfang, can you bring me here often in the future?”

“Okay, would you like to be with me forever?”

Hua Qiangu looked at him and nodded shyly. Does the teacher want to marry her? Finally, there’s someone who wants her? Awesome! Father is going to be super delighted! What should she do next, oh right, kissing!

Dongfang Yuqing touched her head, seeing that she closed her eyes slightly and raised her head, he couldn’t help laughing out loud. He took her into his arms and patted her hand twice. Hua Qiangu felt sleepy all of a sudden and before she dozed off she kinda heard Dongfang whispered something in her ear.

“Silly Gu Tuo, you are now is someone else’s wife, how can I kiss you at will.”

“I know you have a lot of things to ask me, It’s not like I don’t want to tell you, but I don’t even know the answer myself. I’m stuck in the infinite of reincarnation and have seen too many things. In fact, I am more ruthless than anyone. Treating you and the Six Realms as the chess pieces. I produced clouds and rain (idiom- creating chaos). What demon god reborn, it was just a game out of my boredom. The result was that I lost and the price I had to pay is my heart and losing you forever. If I can start over again, I would not let you go to Changliu Mountain, nor let you meet him. The bet this time is not to tease you. It takes 15 years to cure your eyes anyway, so instead of waiting, I just want to have some more time with you.”

“You are too kind. No matter how many times I lie to you, you are still willing to believe me and follow me. But I’ve done so many things to hurt you, how can I be selfish separate you from your loved one?”

Dongfang Yuqing caressed her face. Everything was a game to him, only her was real.

“Never leave me any gape to get in, Bai Zihua…..”

Dongfang Yuqing turned his head to look at the dazzling space. Bai Zihua’s figure slowly came out, thousands of stars could not conceal his rays of light. Dongfang Yuqing turned into a green smoke and disappeared.

Hua Qiangu was lying on the side of the boat. When she woke up still feeling in a daze, she did not see Dongfang, but instead it was Bai Zihua who stood beside her and looked at her.

“Teacher, why are you here? Are you also a deity?”

Hua Qiangu looked at him curiously. The teacher’s face seemed colder than usual. Is he angry because of something?

All of a sudden, her waist was caught and lifted up, held closer to Bai Zihua. Those eyes were as deep as the sea, as if looking into the depths of her soul. Hua Qiangu was a little scared. When she was about to speak her mouth was blocked.

It was too sudden. She felt as if she was ignited with firecracker and crackling sounds incessantly exploded in her head. It was like an electric current ran over her body. Bai Zihua’s kiss was very light but strong. He simply pressed his lips on her. The feeling of traveling through the clouds and gazing on the Milky Way a moment ago can’t compare to the wonderful feeling at the moment.

But it’s not right. How could teacher kiss her? This is her first kiss!

Hua Qiangu pinched himself hard forcing herself to wake up and then tried to break free from him. But Bai Zihua hugged her even tighter refused to let go, causing the boat swung violently and flipped over.

Nevertheless, Bai Zihua still continued kissing her and the two slowly fell, surrounded by fireflies like fluorescent light. Unlike the texture of water, she still can breath easily. Embraced by fragments of stars, it seemed to be transformed into one of these billions stars, infinite and beautiful to the extreme.

Bai Zihua’s kiss gradually deepened making Hua Qiangu opened her mouth and gasped hard. She felt that she was going to die. Is this what they called the Western Paradise in Buddhism.

Not far away in the sky, among the Big Dipper Star Lords, the Destroyer of Armies Star Lord and the Propriety Star Lord are scratching their heads and whispering to each other.

“Dongfang, that child is really has a big gut. He actually dare to make us drunk.”

“Well, let’s talk about this later. What can we do now? Changliu High Immortal has violated the rule under our eyes!”

“What if he violated the rule, do you dare to strike him with lightning? Didn’t you see he is angry now? Do you want to die?”

“Ah? Are we gonna let it go just like that? Isn’t that the bet is too unfair?”

“What’s not fair? The person he kisses not someone else’s wife. Anyway, if you want to strike, I let you it.”

“How can I dare to strike!”

“Then forget it. We can pretend not to see it and go back to sleep …”

Hua Qiangu was dizzy from kissing, her entire body turned soft and she could only stretched out her hands wrapped around the opponent’s neck.

Bai Zihua did not understand why always gave up on him every time? He has always fully confident of her love and would not change under any circumstances. But she rather went with Dongfang than stayed with him. She rather die alone than die with him…. If you have a chance to be reborn, are you prefer not to love?

I don’t believe it.

For life after life, you can only love me, only me.

Gap? No gaps! Even if Dongfang Yuqing reincarnates, ten, one hundred, one thousand, ten thousand times! I won’t give him any chance!

Hua Qiangu indulged in his kiss and falling together with the stars.

Waking up the next day, the sun was already riding high in the sky.

Oh no, I am late again! Hua Qiangu quickly sat up, but found her whole body soft and sour. What happened last night came to mind, she face immediately turned red.

What happened next? How did she come back?

No, it must have been a dream, but having such a dream! She pulled her hair and banged her head hard in embarrassment.

She climbed up and sat in front of the makeup mirror, suddenly startled. The chubby little face looks like peach blossoms, the eyes glistening, and the lips red and swollen.

Damn it! It’s true!

“Ah——” Hua Qiangu finally screamed. She was molested by her teacher!

On the way to the academy, she was embarrassed to raise my head. Although it’s shameful, she has to find Bai Zihua and asks him clearly. What does he mean by doing that? He said nothing and abruptly kiss her! Does he want to marry her too? Sigh…it’s actually not bad to marry Bai Zihua! It’s just a little boring. Her life after marriage would be very boring.

After spending a whole day feeling nervous, as a result, in the afternoon, in Bai Zihua’s class, he didn’t even bother to give a glance.

“Qiangu, what’s wrong with you? Why is your face so red?”

“Noth, nothing….” Hua Qiangu bowed her head and took the brush tried to write something on the paper. After writing, she found that all the pages were written the word ‘idiot’. She’s also didn’t know whether she’s scolding herself an idiot, or scolding Bai Zihua.

After class, she rushed to blocked in front of Bai Zihua.

Bai Zihua stopped and looked at her coldly.

“Teach, teacher….”

“What’s the matter?”

“You, why did you yesterday….” Hua Qiangu shuttering for a long time and asked shyly: “Why did you treat me like that?”

Bai Zihua silent for a moment: “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

He then immediately walked away.

Hua Qiangu’s mouth shrunken and tears almost fell. He doesn’t know what she’s talking about? Did he forget it? Or was it really a dream she had?

Since that day, Hua Qiangu has paid special attention to Bai Zihua, keeping her eyes on him during the class, and occasionally following him. She did not believe that what happened that day was not true.

However, Bai Zihua seemed to be indifferent to everything and completely paid no heed to her approached.

She specially made iced plum soup for him to drink, but he just said a word that he didn’t like sour and left. She then could only return in a gloomy mood. Unfortunately, she was seen by several girls in the next class and they relentlessly ridiculed her, saying that she’s like a fat pig that wanted to eat tender grass. Hua Qiangu was so angry that she almost pour sour plum soup all over them. The most annoying thing to her now when she hears people called her fat.

But, when she thought about it again, it’s better not to waste it. She rather brings it back and drinks it herself.

She felt so aggrieved in her heart that he didn’t admit it after kissing her. What an irresponsible man! She’s not necessary forced him to marry her, she just wants to ask for clarity.

Liu Huo saw her gulped down sour plum soup without pausing in the bamboo forest alone, he laughed til his stomach hurt.

“Are you angry about Bai Zihua? Do you want to know why? I can tell you the answer. Follow me.”

Liu Huo led her to the back of a waterfall and took out a huge sky-shaking mirror to cover their heads.

“What are you doing?”

“Just in case, I don’t want to be killed by lightning. You squat down and listen to me quietly.”

Liu Huo waved his hand, Hua Qiangu hurried moved her ear over.

“Not your ear. Give me your hand.”

Hua Qiangu handed her hand in curiously. Liu Huo’s right hand formed a seal with her right hand, she then heard he asking.

“Did Bai Zihua kiss you a few days ago?”

Hua Qiangu was startled: “How did you know?”

“Look at you frighten out of your mind like this, no need to guess! This bet is not fair anyway. Who makes his status special?”

“Bet? What bet?”

“Bai Zihua, Dongfang Yuqing, Sha Qianmu, Mo Bingxian, and the other teachers in the academy have made a bet to see who gets your heart first. Hence, you always have a lot of inexplicable courteous people around you. It’s a pity that people have worked hard for a whole year, but can’t compare to Bai Zihua one kiss and can easily get you.”

Hua Qiangu’s face suddenly turned pale: “What are you talking about?” Is it possible the bet began at the beginning of the school, when they saw her made a fool of herself in public and decided to use her as a bet for fun?

“Isn’t it so? Look at yourself recent actions, don’t you only see him your eyes? Dare to say you don’t like him? He has already won this bet, so naturally ignore you.”

“You are talking nonsense!” Bai Zihua, Dongfang, Mo Bing, and Sha Jiejie, they are not like that at all!

“Hua Qianqiu, when did I lie to you? I treat you as my good buddy, don’t want to see you sad for a man. It’s just a bet. You think about it, you are so fat and stupid, how can there are so many people treated you so good and tried to please you? They did it only for the sake of winning.”

Hua Qiangu couldn’t hold it and started crying. No wonder, Sha Jiejie and Dongfang, all said they want to marry her. She knew based on her appearance, it’s impossible, but she still chose to deceive herself and believe them. No wonder, Bai Zihua ignored her after he kissed her. It turned out it was just a mean way for him to win!

They have gone too far! She’s just a little fat, why everyone dislikes her? Lied to her? Teased her? It turned out that the like she mistook, just a game of joke!

Hua Qiangu’s face was as pale as paper, all of a sudden she felt the world is so gloomy. Liu Huo scratched her head and wiped away tears for her.

“All right, don’t cry. I don’t dislike you! If no one wants you, I’ll marry you as my wife. But of course, whenever I go to brothel and gamble house, you have to accompany me and can’t control me.” Where can I find such a wife, hahaha…..

Hua Qiangu sobbing violently while clenching her fish. Even so, she still wants to ask Bai Zihua. No, she’s going to scold him and all the other people who played her!

Hua Qiangu stopped Bai Zihua at the gate of the other class, stood beside the lotus pond with her hands against her sides and looked very angry. All the people around stop to watch the excitement.

Dongfang Yuqing laughed: “It seems the bet is about to come to an end.” He called a few students to go invite all the other teachers.

More people started to gather around them. Hua Qiangu didn’t care about it. It’s good that everyone is here, she will scold them all. They have nothing better to do and dare to use her a bet. Are they restless from overeating?

Yet, facing a pair of Bai Zihua’s calm eyes, making Hua Qiangu panicked. What the hell, it’s not her that is wrong. Why is she feeling discouraged?

“Bai Zihua! Why did you use me for the bet? As a highly respected teacher, don’t you think you are too inferior! You have made such a mean and despicable method but refused to admit it! I want you to swear to heaven in front of the whole academy today that you didn’t kiss me that night!”

The Dean almost fainted when he heard this. There were also boos and uproars all around and mixed with a few furious indignation at the fouled. Hua qiangu’s heart felt even worse when she hears this.

Bai Zihua silent for a long time and finally speaking.

“Kissed.”

There was another loud booed around. Hua Qiangu widened her eyes in unbelievably thinking that she must hear it wrong.

Bai Zihua raised the corner of his mouth as he looked at her blushing. There was fainted smiled in his eyes.

“What, do you want me to take responsibility?”

“I, I……”

Hua Qiangu was thrown into panic. She didn’t expect, he would admit it all of a sudden.

There was an uproar all around: “Not fair. Honorable Master, you are cheating!” and also seductive. We didn’t expect that you are so cunning.

Hua Qiangu was dumb-struck for half a day. Bai Zihua stepped forward slightly and lowered his head, staring down at her. His eyes were the same as that night, no bright starlight could compare.

“Do you like me?” The voice was a little hoarse, like a magic spell, Hua Qiangu nearly flew away. Her eyes were fixed on his thin lips, and suddenly recalled their intimate kiss that night.

Sha Qianmu was stunned to see this. Shaking his head while stuffing the mung bean cake into his mouth: “Fuck!This old Bai is too awesome. Even employed the beauty man trick, I am willing to admit defeat.”

“Lik, like….”

Seeing Hua Qiangu is about to say it, Liu Huo shouted from behind: “Hey, Hua Qianqiu, has some backbone!”

Hua Qiangu came back to her senses and her face turned very red. She was almost get seduce again. This is so absurd, clearly knew that he’s lying to her. No matter what she can’t let him win the bet!

“I don’t like you! I like Liu Huo! We are getting married soon!”

………..

The whole audience was shocked and silent

The bet is over?

Sha Qianmu was almost choked on mung bean cake. What? What just happened? Which root of green onion and cabbage is Liuhuo?

Everyone else who participated in the game was also confused. Where did this Liuhuo come from? Obviously the game was about to have a happy ending, but came an unexpected character and hastily ended? Bai Zihua lost? And the one that won is not Dongfang Yuqing?

The expression on Bai Zihua’s face became obviously ugly. It was very close only need …even though Hua Qaingu denied it, as a matter of fact, he still considered as a winner, right?

Liu Huo laughed happily and walked forward, patting Hua Qiangu’s shoulder “”Qiangu, good job! But, a good woman will never twice ah…..”

Hua Qiangu were unsteady on her feet and felt many things were coming out of her mind. Her memory began to recover, the eyes were also gradually blurred, unable to see clearly and only faintly seeing Liuhuo face.

“Qiangu, do you still recognize me? In this life, I finally have a face. You have to remember how I look.”

Hua Qiangu seemed to be slammed hard. July flows heat, August brings fresh wind*.

T/N: Liuhuo’s name meaning similar to the heat flow and Shuofeng’s name is similar to fresh wind.

“Shuofeng! You are Shuofeng…. You are back …..”

Uncontrollable surprised were accompanied by dizziness. Because recollection of her memories were too turbulent, her eyes were completely blind again.