Chapter 34: A Copycat? Merely a Pure and Pristine Green Tea Blossom

Hearing the words "copycat," Xu Ye couldn't help but glance a few times at the young girl. To his surprise, he found that her dress and hair accessories were identical to Lin Buyu's, not only in style but also in material.

One must understand that, in this world, there are no ready-made clothes—everything is crafted by tailors to order.

"This goes beyond mere imitation," he mused inwardly.

"How have you been lately, Ziqin?" Despite her annoyance, when Bai Ziqin approached, Lin Buyu greeted her politely.

"Very well, very well! The senior brothers at the Sacred Healer Institute take exceptional care of me, especially the eldest. Whenever I don't understand something, he patiently explains it to me," Bai Ziqin recounted to Lin Buyu with great happiness.

"I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your time at the Sacred Healer Institute," Lin Buyu managed a forced smile. She knew Bai Ziqin was deliberately provoking her, but she was powerless to respond.

"Oh, what a coincidence! Sister Buyu is wearing the exact same dress as Ziqin today, even the hair accessories match," Bai Ziqin exclaimed loudly with a look of surprise.

It had to be said, Bai Ziqin's preemptive strike was truly impressive, leaving Xu Ye amazed. With this maneuver, any onlookers ignorant of the situation would surely think Lin Buyu was copying Bai Ziqin's attire.

"Indeed, what a coincidence," Lin Buyu forced herself to smile, suppressing her anger.

Xu Ye observed the scene with perplexity: "This girl is fierce at home, always bristling when talking to me. Why can't she handle even a green tea girl now?"

Unable to bear Lin Buyu's embarrassment any longer, Xu Ye stepped over to her side, smiled, and sized up Bai Ziqin, saying, "Though the dresses are the same, I must admit that Miss Ziqin wears it best."

"You flatter me, sir," Bai Ziqin replied, thinking Lin Buyu's companion was captivated by her beauty. Her heart blossomed with delight, and she covered her mouth with a shy laugh.

Lin Buyu, on the other hand, was fuming.

"And yet, there is but one flaw..." Just as Lin Buyu was about to erupt, Xu Ye turned to Bai Ziqin, half-spoken.

"What flaw?" Bai Ziqin raised her hands and examined her dress.

Xu Ye smiled and pointed at the silk sash around Bai Ziqin's waist. "The flaw is that your sash is embroidered with 'Buyu' rather than 'Ziqin.'"

Bai Ziqin looked down and took up her sash. Her smiling face turned pale in an instant, anger and embarrassment flashing in her eyes.

Lin Buyu glanced at Bai Ziqin's sash, then at her own, and finally realized what had happened. Clearly, this copycat had failed to notice, and had her own name embroidered onto the custom dress instead.

"This fellow's eyes are sharp—if not for his reminder, I would never have noticed," Lin Buyu thought, a smile curling her lips as she looked at Bai Ziqin. "I never expected you, Ziqin, to enjoy having another's name embroidered on your sash."

Bai Ziqin gave an awkward smile and tried to explain, "Sister Buyu, you've misunderstood. The reason for 'Buyu' is merely to remind myself to avoid needless disputes."

Indeed, the little green tea girl had a thick skin.

"So that's the meaning behind 'Buyu.' Miss Ziqin, your mind is truly refined— even a random embroidery carries deep significance," Xu Ye praised her, then stroked his chin thoughtfully and continued, "But... forgive my ignorance, what does the camellia flower embroidered on the back of your dress signify?"

"The camellia..." At his words, Bai Ziqin grew tense, turned slightly, and then blushed again as she replied, "The camellia stands for innocence. I wish to remind myself not to be tainted by worldly concerns..."

Lin Buyu couldn't help but burst out laughing at Bai Ziqin's earnest explanation.

"Sister, why are you laughing?" Bai Ziqin asked, both puzzled and nervous.

"Ziqin, Xu Ye is teasing you—there's no camellia flower on your back," Lin Buyu raised her voice, grinning.

Indeed, there was no camellia on Bai Ziqin's dress; Xu Ye had deliberately baited her, exposing her lie.

At those words, Bai Ziqin was dumbstruck. Lin Buyu had made it clear enough—how could she not realize she'd fallen for Xu Ye's trap?

"Oh, perhaps I misjudged. The temple's lighting is so dim—my apologies, Ziqin," Xu Ye feigned embarrassment, peered behind Bai Ziqin, scratched his head, and repeatedly apologized.

Their voices rang out, and anyone watching, unless utterly oblivious, would understand exactly what had happened.

For a moment, Bai Ziqin stood motionless, her face shifting from red to white, lips tightly pressed, fists clenched, tears glimmering in her eyes.

Lin Buyu and Xu Ye exchanged a glance, as if to say, "Well done."

Their cooperation had indeed been seamless.

"Ziqin!" Just then, a tall, handsome young man strode over to the three. Xu Ye recognized him as Liu Muxuan, the one who had vied to accompany Lin Buyu at the Sacred Healer Institute's entrance.

"Muxuan!" At the sight of Liu Muxuan, Bai Ziqin's angry expression vanished, as if nothing had happened.

"Ziqin, I've been searching for you. I thought you'd already gone into the hall," Liu Muxuan stood beside Bai Ziqin, displaying a refined smile—so different from the way he'd addressed Lin Buyu.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Muxuan. I happened to run into sister Buyu from the Sacred Healer Institute," Bai Ziqin replied, shy and full of charm.

Watching this, Xu Ye recalled a proverb from his hometown: "Green tea and dog, everlasting companionship."

"Oh, Miss Buyu, you're here as well," Liu Muxuan feigned surprise at seeing Lin Buyu, looking at her intently.

Lin Buyu rolled her eyes at him. With the pretense shattered, she no longer bothered to act with these two.

"Thank you, Muxuan, for taking time out of your busy schedule to accompany Ziqin tonight. With a student from the Grand Academy by my side, there's hope for a breakthrough," Bai Ziqin said, gratitude filling her face as she looked at Liu Muxuan.

Clearly, she intended her words for Lin Buyu.

"No matter how busy I am, I can't neglect anything concerning Ziqin," Liu Muxuan replied with a smile, his gaze drifting toward Xu Ye beside Lin Buyu.

"And you, sister Buyu, is this Mr. Xu your companion for tonight's examination?" Bai Ziqin immediately seized the moment, grabbing Lin Buyu's hand just as she was about to leave, her eyes brimming with "sincerity."

It was clear that Bai Ziqin, having lost the previous round, was not discouraged. Instead, she was opening a new front, shifting the battle to Xu Ye.