Chapter 34: Prove It to Me

I, Fang Xiaoyu, am the campus belle of the Archaeology Department in the History College. Coming from a privileged background, I have known how to groom myself since I was a child, always striving to present my best face to the world. Now, having transmigrated to the Eastern Jin Dynasty, I have become Liu Yiqing—a girl who was once pure, lovely, and radiant. But looking at myself now, what am I to do if I cannot recover? Ancient times lack plastic surgery or scar-removal technology. What if these scars follow me back to the modern era? I haven't even married yet; I haven't even had a boyfriend!

"You... your face, how did it become like this?" Ma Wencai tried to turn me back toward him, but I immediately slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me. I don't want anyone to see."

"How can that be? Get up, I'll take you to a physician." Ma Wencai tugged at my arm.

I struggled desperately, my tears seeping into the wounds, though I could no longer feel the pain. "I won't go, I won't go! I don't want anyone to see that I’m disfigured. I haven't dated, I haven't married—if I end up like this, surely no one will want me... I won't go... sob..."

I was truly terrified. I feared that if I returned to the modern world, I would still carry these scars, and then I would truly be unwanted. Subconsciously, I buried myself in Ma Wencai’s chest and wept bitterly. I needed a shoulder to cry on; I needed an embrace to cling to for a moment.

Ma Wencai gently patted my shoulder. After I had cried for a long time, he finally spoke: "That won't happen. You still have me. Even if others don't want you... I will."

What did he mean? I immediately pushed him away and sat alone in the middle of the bed, staring at him in terror through my tears. There was not a trace of humor in his expression. I looked away and lay back down. "Brother Wencai, don't joke."

"I am not joking. I am serious."

I lay on the bed with my back to him, gripping the corners of my robes tightly. What did he mean? Had he discovered my identity? Or was he gay?

Compared to having my identity exposed, everything else seemed unimportant. I struggled to steady my emotions; I could not lose my composure. "Ma Wencai, stop talking nonsense."

Ma Wencai’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Whether I am talking nonsense or not, you know best in your heart."

"What do I know? I know nothing at all. You had better explain yourself clearly." I mustered the courage to sit up and confront him.

"Yiqing, we have lived under the same roof and slept on the same bed for over half a year. I have long suspected that you are a woman." Ma Wencai spoke with conviction, looking at me with a firm gaze.

"Too bad you guessed wrong," I thought, deciding to stick to my story until the end. "Brother Wencai, I don't know what I did or said to cause this misunderstanding, but I am, in fact, a man."

Ma Wencai wore a mocking smile. "A man? Fine. Since you are so certain you are a man, do you dare to prove it to me?"

What trick was he planning? Based on my knowledge of Ma Wencai, he was a man who distinguished clearly between love and hate; he was not someone who enjoyed playing games or using underhanded tactics. I braced myself and asked, "How should I prove it?"

"Heh..." Ma Wencai curled his lips, watching me with an indifferent expression. "Take off your clothes and show me. Then I will believe you."

Damn it, you bastard! Ma Wencai, are you really such scum? No—in the half a year we have spent together, I have never seen him take interest in any woman. He could even turn a blind eye to beauties like Wang Lan. He is not that kind of person. He must be testing me; he must be counting on the fact that I wouldn't dare.

"What? Are you afraid to take them off?" Ma Wencai leaned against the edge of the bed, observing me with a lazy attitude.

I snorted through my nose. "What do I have to be afraid of?" I was gambling. I was gambling that Ma Wencai wouldn't dare. I sat opposite him, stared into his eyes, and calmly grabbed his hand, slowly guiding it toward my chest.

I hadn't been wearing an outer robe since I fell from the academy. If I didn't dare let him check, it would be an admission that I was a woman. Perhaps this was my only hope.

Ma Wencai, I have such faith in your character—please don't let me down.

"What are you doing?" Ma Wencai looked at my hand holding his, appearing visibly panicked.

"Didn't you want proof? I am simply using a more 'authentic' method to prove myself." I kept pulling his hand toward my chest.

"No!" The moment his fingers touched the fabric, Ma Wencai immediately yanked his hand away and strode toward the door. I let out a long sigh and shook my head. Suddenly, the whole world felt clear again. That was too close.

I had completely forgotten about the hideous wounds on my face.

Brother Wencai, I knew I hadn't misjudged you.

"Liu Yiqing, it won't be long before you admit it to me yourself. Xia Yunu understands medicine; I will have her look at your face." Ma Wencai slammed the door and quickly vanished from my sight.

Ma Wencai, as long as you don't dare to touch me, I will never admit it. Let's see what you can do about that. But his gait seemed a bit strange just now—could he have injured his leg as well?

As I was thinking this, Xia Yunu entered, carrying a small box. "Young Master Liu, there is no need to worry. The wounds on your face will heal within seven days."

Seven days? Damn, who are you trying to fool? Even minor cosmetic procedures take longer than that. "Miss Xia, what kind of miracle medicine is this? Will my face truly be fine in seven days?" I expressed my deep skepticism.

Xia Yunu smiled faintly. "Naturally. These are not severe injuries." I had to admit that when she smiled, she looked like a fairy, but her words felt detached from reality. If being disfigured isn't a severe injury, what is?

Xia Yunu brought over a basin, cleaned my face, and applied the medicine with light, graceful movements. If I were a man, I would surely fall for a gentle and beautiful woman like her, rather than someone like Zhu Yingtai, who throws temper tantrums and causes trouble all day long.

Ma Wencai, you have good taste. I support you!

"Miss Xia, what is this medicine? It smells so good." Xia Yunu applied a white ointment to my face. It felt cool and refreshing. The scent was wonderful—elegant and lingering, reminding me suddenly of a flower: the orchid.

"This is 'Qinbi Ointment.' I developed it over many years specifically for treating scars," she said, her eyes filled with a trace of sorrow.

"Is it made from orchids? The scent is very similar." I wondered how ancient ointments were made and if they were truly effective, but the smell was certainly pleasant.

"I don't have orchids here; I only have Qinbi grass. This ointment is not made from just one type of flower." Xia Yunu placed the ointment by my bedside. "Young Master Liu, as for the wounds on your body, I will have Xin'er come to help you apply the medicine."

"No, that won't be necessary..." I immediately refused, then realized I had reacted too strongly. I quickly offered a forced smile and added, "Xin'er isn't needed; I can do it myself."