Watching the Mountain

Chapter 227: Chapter 154: Supplement: Jiang Ling’Er’s Transformation

Jiang Xiaohui crawled back to his spot, his good deed done and fame shunned. ’The books Teacher Xu gave me are pretty useful,’ he grumbled internally, ’but it’s so hard being a dog who has to worry about this much.’

That evening, Jiang Ling’Er ran to find Xu Ran again.

She stood at the entrance of the Scripture Pavilion, poking half her head in and calling out softly, "Teacher..."

Xu Ran raised his head and saw her sparkling eyes. "What is it?"

"Today... today my seniors praised me," she said, running inside and tilting her small face up at him, her expression practically begging for him to praise her too. "They said I’m really good and that I’ve improved so much!"

Xu Ran chuckled and nodded, indulging her. "Of course. Our Ling’Er has always been amazing. Keep up the hard work, and next time you’ll have Elder Xu praising you too."

"Mhm!" Jiang Ling’Er nodded emphatically. She hugged Jiang Xiaohui’s neck and nuzzled him. "I will, Teacher. I promise."

「The next day, in the Instructor Hall.」

Jiang Ling’Er mustered her courage and, when Elder Xu asked his question, flawlessly demonstrated the Spell.

When she was done, she stood there nervously, fingers clasped tightly behind her back. Her heart pounded in her chest. She stared at Elder Xu without blinking, her wide eyes full of anticipation—the light of someone yearning to be acknowledged, to be praised.

Elder Xu carefully examined the Spiritual Qi she had gathered. Its path was correct, and though it was faint, it was stable.

The muscles on his stern face seemed to relax ever so slightly, and a nearly imperceptible flash of satisfaction crossed his eyes. But when he spoke, his voice was as flat as ever. "Hm. Not bad. Better than yesterday. Remember this feeling, keep practicing, and don’t slack off."

Just "not bad."

The light in Jiang Ling’Er’s eyes visibly dimmed.

She lowered her head and replied in a small voice, "Yes, Elder."

’But I tried so hard.’

After class, she returned to her small courtyard, dejected, and sat on the threshold hugging her knees.

Jiang Xiaohui trotted to her side and nudged her hand with his head. "Xiaohui," she murmured, "do you think Elder Xu still thinks I’m stupid?"

Jiang Xiaohui hopped into her lap and patted her hand with his paw—a gesture he’d learned from watching humans.

"WOOF. No, no, no, Ling’Er, when Elder Xu says ’not bad,’ it means it’s actually really good. You just haven’t seen him scolding other people. Now *that’s* what you call fierce."

"Really?"

"Really," Jiang Xiaohui said, trying his best to sound convincing. "Isn’t it just like Teacher Xu always says? Elder Xu’s bark is worse than his bite. See? He didn’t even glare at you today, and he told you to keep practicing. That’s already huge progress."

Jiang Ling’Er thought of her teacher’s words, and her heart warmed a little. But the longing for Elder Xu’s approval remained just as intense.

She suddenly clenched her small fists. Speaking as much to herself as to Jiang Xiaohui, she declared, "No, I can’t give up. I have to work even harder! I will make Elder Xu praise me, just once. I will!"

Sunlight fell on her newly resolute face. Though the rims of her eyes were still a bit red, her gaze had already brightened.

Watching her fighting spirit reignite, Jiang Xiaohui sighed to himself, but his tail started wagging of its own accord.

’Oh well. It’s good for my master to have a goal.’

’As for me, I still have to go to the Scripture Pavilion tonight to study human culture, local customs, history, and classic literature.’

’After all, who else has a master who’s such a little fool—one you can’t stop worrying about, yet whose innocence makes you want to protect her?’

As evening fell, Jiang Ling’Er went to the Scripture Pavilion again. This time, she didn’t rush inside. Instead, she hid by the door, peeking her head in and calling out softly, "Teacher..."

Xu Ran had noticed her long ago and beckoned. "Come in. How did it go at the Instructor Hall today?"

Jiang Ling’Er shuffled in, head down, scuffing the floor with the tip of her shoe. "Elder Xu... said it was not bad."

Xu Ran saw her expression—obviously disappointed, yet trying to act strong—and understood everything.

He put down his book and said gently, "Ling’Er, do you know what ’not bad’ means when it comes from Elder Xu?"

Jiang Ling’Er looked up, her wide eyes full of confusion.

"Elder Xu has taught many students," Xu Ran said slowly. "Out of every ten, maybe only one ever hears him say the two words ’not bad.’ For every hundred, there might only be one he calls ’good.’ And as for ’very good’..."

He smiled. "I’ve barely heard him say that a few times myself."

In truth, he had never heard it, because he and Elder Xu weren’t acquainted at all. They’d never even had any contact, so how could he have possibly heard it? Therefore, he wasn’t technically lying.

Jiang Ling’Er blinked. "Really?"

"Really," Xu Ran nodded. "So the ’not bad’ you received today already means you’re more impressive than many of your seniors."

Jiang Ling’Er’s eyes began to brighten. The corners of her mouth started to turn up, but she did her best to hold her smile back, asking cautiously, "So, Teacher, was I impressive today?"

Xu Ran couldn’t help but laugh. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "Impressive. Very impressive. That’s my student."

Jiang Ling’Er finally couldn’t hold back her laughter and let out a giggle. She hugged the nearby Jiang Xiaohui, snuggling into his fur, then turned back to Xu Ran, her soft little face full of earnestness.

"Teacher, I’ll keep working hard! Next time, I’ll definitely get Elder Xu to say I’m ’good’!"

"Good." Xu Ran nodded. "I’ll be waiting."

On the way back, Jiang Ling’Er skipped along, humming a little off-key tune.

Jiang Xiaohui trotted beside her. Seeing her eyes shining brightly again, the weight in his heart finally lifted.

"Xiaohui," Jiang Ling’Er said, suddenly stopping and crouching down to look at him. "Thank you."

Jiang Xiaohui froze for a second. "What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for always comforting me, and for helping me talk with my seniors."

Jiang Ling’Er said earnestly, "It must be really hard for you, having Teacher Xu make you learn all those things, right?"

Jiang Xiaohui’s tail wagged even more furiously. He lifted his head, trying his best to look nonchalant.

"I-It’s fine, I guess. After all, I’m going to become the most worldly Spirit Dog there is."

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