Chapter 25: The Unrecognizing Pharmacist

Ruolin paused, a peculiar glint flashing in her eyes. “Lei… Yin…”

Dutaine remained composed. “Pharmacist Lei Yin hasn’t visited the guild in months, and his laboratory has been vacant for just as long,” he stated. “Rather than leaving it unused, I propose Miss Ruolin temporarily borrow it. Once another laboratory becomes available, we can then reallocate it to Lei Yin.”

Risdo scrutinized Dutaine with a chilling gaze. He saw right through the man’s petty machinations. His estimation of Dutaine plummeted even further.

Despite his disdain, Risdo found himself somewhat swayed by the proposal. Lei Yin’s prolonged absence meant the laboratory had sat empty for too long, a truly inefficient use of space.

Sensing Risdo’s hesitation, Ruolin spoke up first. “Senior Risdo, please allow me to use Lei Yin’s laboratory.”

“Should Lei Yin return, I will personally explain the situation to him.”

This turn of events even surprised Dutaine. He had not anticipated Ruolin would be the first to endorse the suggestion. He cast a suspicious glance at the beautiful woman.

Ruolin maintained her serene smile, her thoughts impenetrable.

Risdo nodded reluctantly. “Very well, let’s proceed with that for now.”

Dutaine had intended to follow, hoping to witness the unfolding drama. However, a fierce glare from Risdo quickly dispelled his curiosity, sending him away.

****

“This is it,” Risdo announced. “Grand Pharmacist Lei Yin’s laboratory.”

He had led Ruolin to the threshold of Lei Yin’s laboratory.

“It has, however, been vacant for quite some time and hasn’t been cleaned in ages,” he explained. “It might be a bit disarrayed, so please pardon the state of things.”

“That’s perfectly fine,” Ruolin replied.

“I must now attend to the preparations for the Core Pharmacist Assessment,” Risdo added. “I shall take my leave.”

With those words, Risdo offered no further pleasantries, turning to depart deeper into the guild.

Ruolin smiled faintly, then pushed the door inward and stepped inside.

A soft creak echoed as the door swung open. Immediately, Ruolin’s gaze fell upon a multitude of ancient tomes spread across the central table of the laboratory. Amidst this veritable ocean of books, an unassuming young man sat serenely.

He held a yellowed pharmacopoeia in his hands, utterly engrossed in its contents.

Ruolin stared at the young man, a flicker of astonishment crossing her face.

“…Lei Yin?”

Hearing Ruolin’s voice, Lu Yuan lifted his gaze. “Hm? Are you looking for me? Is there something you need?”

Ruolin’s expression became fraught with complexity. “Didn’t you already… why have you returned?”

‘Hadn’t Lei Yin become a pharmacist reviled by all?’ she had intended to ask. ‘Why would he still return to this place?’ The words, however, caught in her throat.

“Huh?” Lu Yuan asked, a look of utter bewilderment on his face. “Who are you, and what exactly are you trying to say?”

“You… you don’t remember me?” Astonishment surged across Ruolin’s features.

Lu Yuan scrutinized the woman meticulously.

He genuinely had no recollection of her.

Lei Yin’s fragmented memories meant that forgetting individuals with whom he’d had only shallow interactions was entirely natural.

‘Don’t recognize me, my foot!’ Ruolin fumed, practically stomping her foot. ‘I’m your ex-girlfriend’s best friend! How dare you pretend not to know me after you broke up with her!’

Then, to Ruolin’s utter disbelief, the man in front of her, after a few more cursory glances, seemed to lose all interest. He lowered his head, resuming his study of the alchemical arts.

Ruolin’s anger flared even hotter. ‘This man is truly a master of pretense,’ she thought. ‘Am I not, at the very least, a beautiful woman? How can he treat me as if I were merely a passerby?’

‘Could this be the fabled tactic of “playing hard to get”?’

Lu Yuan’s standing in Ruolin’s mind plummeted instantaneously.

As a renowned beauty, Ruolin had encountered every conceivable type of suitor and every trick in the book. In her estimation, Lu Yuan was deliberately feigning indifference.

He was employing this unconventional method solely to capture her attention, hoping to impress her with his aloofness.

Little did he know, she utterly detested such contrived ploys!

“Fine then, if you don’t know me, you don’t!” Ruolin declared. “I need to prepare for the upcoming pharmacist assessment; may I borrow this laboratory?”

“Help yourself,” Lu Yuan responded.