The Psychotic Girl’s Revenge

Paige smiled bitterly.

If she could, she would certainly push him away, but his status made that impossible.

Suddenly, her hand was pulled, and she found herself leaning against Enrico’s chest. She was a bit startled, only to hear his deep voice fall softly into her ear, “Paige, I told you I would protect you, and I will. You want to protect everyone first, and that’s fine, but I won’t let you get hurt.”

Resting on his shoulder, the warmth from his embrace made her eyes sting slightly.

Her voice turned hoarse, “I’m sorry, I made the wrong decision.”

She was the leader of *Temple in Heaven*. Every decision was hers to make, and when a mistake was made, it meant putting him and everyone else in danger.

“Paige,” he held her tightly, calling her name.

“Hmm?”

“Your test score is already 99 out of 100. That’s good enough. Let me handle the remaining 1 point.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

He spoke each word with care.

So, don’t bear the burden of that 1 point all on yourself.

Paige didn’t expect to be comforted by Enrico like this. She stood there, listening in a daze, but her heart was secretly filled with joy.

She then lifted her arms, clutching tightly onto the back of his coat.

…

Paige and Enrico eventually made their way down the mountain. The path was lined with vibrant lights, the lively atmosphere in full swing. The surface of the river shimmered, reflecting the soft glow of lanterns, with wine-filled saucers floating downstream, each carrying written blessings.

Paige held Enrico’s arm as they descended the stone steps. She glanced at her watch.

Bobby and Carrie were watching the situation outside River Town, and since there was no news yet, it meant that no large forces had yet rushed toward them. They still had some time.

“How about this one?” Enrico’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

She looked up and saw a bamboo stand next to them, displaying various bamboo lanterns, large and small, all intricately designed and beautiful.

Paige knew they needed to appear relaxed and casual. She smiled warmly at Enrico, “Let’s take a look.”

The two walked over to the stall. As Paige picked out a lantern, she also kept an eye out for anyone watching them. However, River Town was so bustling tonight that even this small stall was crowded with people, making it impossible to discern anything.

“Let’s go with this one,” Paige eventually chose a lantern shaped like a pen holder, carved with delicate bamboo leaves, emitting a soft, elegant glow.

After purchasing the lantern, the two continued to stroll along with the crowd.

The noise and excitement were overwhelming, yet Paige couldn’t immerse herself in the festive mood.

“What’s that over there?” Enrico, appearing calmer than her, asked as though he were genuinely curious about the wine festival.

Paige glanced over. Across a stone bridge were two large platforms, their bases stacked high with wine jars, the air filled with the strong scent of alcohol. Strings of lanterns hung above, lighting the platforms brightly. Below each platform, dense crowds gathered, shouting enthusiastically.

“Those are two River Town customs. On the left, they’re smashing wine jars in a drinking contest. After tasting the wine, the losing side smashes their jars.” Paige explained, “The right side is another custom called *Proposing Marriage with Wine*, where parents bring their daughters on stage during the wine festival to find a suitor.”

Just as Paige finished speaking, a familiar voice rang out from the crowd, “Paige, Paige!”

Paige froze.

*Earl.*

Even though she had considered all possibilities earlier on the mountain, she still didn’t want to believe her teacher had anything to do with this. But now, the normally reclusive Earl had come out to this bustling wine festival and had spotted her among the crowd.

Paige felt Enrico’s grip tighten slightly, and she gave him a reassuring look before turning with a smile.

Earl, supported by his caretaker, was waving at her from afar, his eyes squinting with a cheerful smile as he made his way through the crowd toward her, looking spirited.

Paige smiled back and waved.

Suddenly, countless memories flooded her mind.

“No, you’re not from River Town. I won’t take you as a student. Go, just go.”

“Hey, how did a little girl like you understand all that just by listening for two days?”

“What? You don’t want to learn my skills, but want to heal mental disorders instead? Get out of here! I don’t even know how, how could I teach you?”

“What time is it? It’s late. My library isn’t going to burn down. Can’t you go to sleep first?”

“Are you trying to kill me? Drink this chicken soup. I made it myself!”

“Who are you trying to heal that you’re working this hard? I’m warning you, don’t die before I do, or else the Medicine Curse Sect won’t survive.”

“My greatest achievement in life is taking you, a student who dares to push herself to the limit. Now I can die without any regrets.”

Scenes from her half-year of apprenticeship replayed in her mind.

Paige watched as Earl slowly approached, eventually stepping onto the stone bridge and standing before her. For a moment, she felt disoriented, unsure if the man before her was the strict but caring teacher who had doted on her, or someone else entirely…

“My eyesight’s still good. I spotted you right away,” Earl chuckled.

“Why are you out here? You’ve never liked crowded places,” Paige asked with a smile, revealing nothing.

“I’m here for you, of course!” Earl said, but then his face soured as he glanced at Enrico, attempting to pull their clasped hands apart. “Come with me.”

Paige didn’t move, and Earl grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward.

Enrico’s eyes darkened.

Paige turned and subtly shook her head at him, signaling it was fine.

As Earl dragged her along, he muttered, “You’re being fooled by a pretty face. Let me tell you, looks don’t matter. In River Town, a man with a strong tolerance for alcohol is a real man. Come on!”

Paige followed Earl, her emotions swirling as she stared at the deep wrinkles on his face. When she snapped out of it, she found herself standing on the *Proposing Marriage with Wine* platform.

Earl shoved past the people beside them, grabbed a heavy mallet, and struck the large golden gong at the center of the stage with all his might.

*Bang!* The deafening sound echoed through the night.

Paige winced from the noise and glanced at Earl, who smiled warmly beside her, causing her heart to sink.

Striking the gong on the *Proposing Marriage with Wine* platform signified initiating a marriage proposal.

It wasn’t just her stalling for time; Earl was stalling too, likely afraid she might slip away with her people, forcing him to chase after them.