Chapter 18 - You’re a Legend

The way Yi Ling answered her wasn’t a halfhearted appeasement. Instead, it was said with sincerity and prudence. His resonant voice sounded deeper than usual, a rare kind of tenderness. It was as if he wasn’t referring to a bird when he said “it’s the cutest”, but someone he treasured.

Wu Yaya felt her eardrums tingling.

She came to a devastating realization. After having had several interactions with him, she realized his unparalleled good looks, refined and gentle demeanor, and deep, rich voice were as alluring as his magnificent and mysterious eyes.

All of it combined wasn’t something she could resist. She felt herself melting. To avoid being a limp marshmallow, she crossed her legs, braced her hands against her knees, and straightened her back the best she could.

She opened her mouth to say something, completely unaware she was wearing a miniskirt, and her careless posture had put her on full display.

Yi Ling averted his eyes and stood to look for a blanket.

Only when he’d laid a blanket across the girl’s laps did he sigh a breath of relief.

How could he get this little crow spirit to understand her body was an addictive drug to men with its scrumptious curves?

The doctor was contemplating his words when Wu Yaya asked, “If you like crows that much, why isn’t it a crow for your wallpaper? You’re just lying, aren’t you?”

She started pouting indignantly as she said that.

Her lips were as bright as rose petals, as tender as a strawberry, and as plump as a drop of dew. Anyone would want to take these lips into their own mouth and savour them forever.

The overly indecent thought drifted up from deep within Yi Ling's consciousness and surfaced as a colorful bubble. He had thought he no longer had any earthly desires.

Furrowing his brows at his sudden loss of self-control, he was thrown off-balance so much he nearly forgot what he was doing.

Wu Yaya waited a long time without a reply. She poked at his phone’s screen and mumbled, “Liar!”

The voice full of hurt had driven off any semblance of wayward thought. Dark light gathered in the doctor’s already-clouded eyes.

“Why would I lie to you? I didn’t set that wallpaper. It’s from the default calendar.” He unlocked his phone and handed it to the girl. “This is the wallpaper I’m using.”

It was a red-eyed crow swooping forth out of a grey haze, its ferocity leaping off the page. The artist captured the sharpness of its claws and wings so masterfully, you could almost hear them piercing the wind.

The artist obviously took some creative liberty with this drawing. No crow in reality had this kind of unstoppable aura full of killing intent.

Yi Ling offered, “I drew this. I’ve been using it as my wallpaper for 15 years.”

The little crow cradled the phone as she appreciated the drawing. Then, she turned with sparkling eyes and a voice full of excitement, “Doctor, you’re amazing! The drawing is sooo good! This is exactly how I—how I imagine crows look!”

Even if she almost slipped up about her identity and had to think on the spot, she still couldn’t help but smile brightly.

She had told Daddy Curtain Fig she wasn’t some little sprout—she was a fierce beast. And her true form was finally represented in this drawing!

Doctor Yi understands crows so well! Her fingers kept stroking the screen, and her brightly lit face exuded the air of satisfaction.

Seeing her narcissistic indulgence, Yi Ling discreetly curved his lips.

Of course, he knew his drawing was a glorification of the little crow. In reality, it was a little one, looking like a furball with its round head and body, and nothing like a ferocious bird of prey.

In a sense, someone’s name really can affect their personality and appearance. He felt Wu Yaya’s name was quite suitable. When she was still a little crow, she really was like a tender sprout—the kind that never grew up.

Yi Ling had to press a fist to his lips to hide his soundless laughter.

Wu Yaya returned his phone reluctantly. Her voice betrayed a hint of her pride, “So you really do like crows. You have good taste, I guess.”

“Do you know why I like the crow?” He started directing the conversation.

“Why?” She vaguely knew what he was going to say, and her black orbs shone with anticipation.

Oh, how she loved to hear about her own heroic deeds.

The doctor briefly explained the kidnapping he experienced all those years ago, and then exclaimed, “And so, I wouldn’t be here today if not for that crow. From then on, I became obsessed with crows. I got a doctorate in animal psychology abroad, and threw myself into that field of study, especially around crows. I’ve even attempted to find the evolutionary cause behind the crow’s high intelligence.”

The little crow nodded along throughout his story.

Her big, round eyes narrowed slightly with a secret sense of pride. Hey, it wasn’t that she had evolved super intelligence or anything! She was just a super powerful little spirit!

As Yi Ling spoke, he admired Wu Yaya’s smug expression. After a while, he couldn’t hold himself back anymore and had to turn his head away just to chuckle soundlessly.

“So, does that mean that crow is your savior?” She puffed out her chest proudly when she asked this.

“No,” Yi Ling shook his head.

“Huh?” The little crow’s eyes went wide, and her brows rose, looking ready to admonish his ungratefulness any minute.

The doctor continued without haste, “Not just my savior. More specifically, she’s my legend.”

‘Legend’ was a word with too sacred a meaning. The little crow had only heard it from Daddy Curtain Fig’s apostles. Since ancient times, her all-powerful old man was a legend. Never had she expected that word would be used on herself one day.

“Isn’t that a bit exaggerated?” Her words may be humble, but her black eyes glinted with the desire for him to expand on that.

Once again, Yi Ling was brought to the verge of laughter. Even if he faced everyone with a smile, this was the first time he felt like laughing from the bottom of his heart so frequently.

His eyes lowered with his voice as he told her at a steady pace, “I was only twelve at the time, still a naive boy. I thought that my family was at least peaceful even if it wasn't a happy family. But that day, the naive little Yi Ling died. His life crashed into bits and pieces at the speed of a derailed train.”

The doctor’s lips were curled into a smile, but his gaze held no warmth. “The demons who call themselves my relatives ripped off their warm and welcoming masks and revealed their true forms. My father turned a blind eye to the kidnapping so he could get his hands on my mother’s enormous inheritance. My stepmother was the one behind the incident so her own child could have the best. Everyone else in the family erased the existence of that incident so as not to tarnish the family name.

“I was the victim, but all I faced was endless backstabbing and oppression. That was the day when my sunny life was plunged into darkness.”

This was a heartbreaking tale, yet the storyteller’s eyes softened. “The bird holding marbles in its beak was the only star shrinking in the darkness. When I think of her, my heart is no longer filled with hatred—only gratitude and fondness. She was like a sword of hope at the bottom of an abyss for me, giving me the strength to protect myself. In countless desperate situations where I was on the brink of breaking, I would think, ‘I am blessed by the heavens, which have bestowed upon me a powerful guardian angel.’”

After his soliloquy, he looked at Wu Yaya, unblinkingly, and showed her a truly warm smile.

“That’s why she’s my legend.” He repeated once more, softly, with devotion.

The girl was stunned. She had no idea the trivial little thing she did out of fun could bring about such a change in Yi Ling’s life.

He’s also staring at me so intently with those beautiful eyes! This is the best!

This thought brought out a satisfied laugh from the little crow. Her eyes shone unusually bright, as if happy stars danced within.

Her happiness was apparent to the doctor. He chuckled with her.

“Why did you become so happy?” He asked gently.

“Because I’m happy. It’s great that such a smart and gallant crow showed up for you!” Wu Yaya leaned her body forward, closer to Yi Ling, and emphasized, “Like, really really great! It has to be fate at its finest!”

Knowing that the little spirit is happy about saving him deepened Yi Ling’s joy.

Light flowed in his splendid eyes with the gentleness of the deep sea. “Indeed, I believe it’s fate too. I searched for this little crow every day after I returned from abroad. A crow can live up to twenty years in some cases. She must still be alive.”

“Wait, you looked for m-” The little crow bit her tongue. “You looked for that little crow? That’s a bird, how are you supposed to find it?”

“I bought the mountains behind this building, built a birdwatching tower in an open field, and put food there specially made to attract crows. It’s become a gathering place for them now, with thousands of them visiting every day. I would usually sit there with a jar of marbles, waiting. If that little crow were alive, I’d recognize her right away.”

Yi Ling put out his next lure. “For fifteen years, I’ve been collecting marbles, fulfilling my promise to her. Before I realized, they’ve already filled several boxes. I think a gift like that would make her really happy.”

Slurp. Wu Yaya was practically drooling. She stared at him blankly, already immersing herself in an ocean of marbles in her mind.

The doctor couldn’t keep a straight face and palmed his forehead while chuckling.

She was seriously… so cute. There were no other words for it.

“Apologies, we’re doing a session, but I ended up talking so much.” He checked the watch on his wrist and feigned an apology, “Our time is up. I have to go to the birdwatching tower. Miss Jin, how about we meet again next time?”

“Yeah, of course. Go do your thing.” The little crow waved her hands and shooed him off. She hopped down from the lounge chair and put on her shoes with clumsy fingers.

She was in a rush too! In a rush to get her present from the birdwatching tower!

Bending down to tie her shoes, she missed the pregnant smile on Yi Ling’s face.