Chapter 23: It’s Simply That I Can’t Bear to See Him Suffer
The Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion truly lived up to its reputation as the largest merchant organization in the cultivation world.
From clothing and cultivation techniques to weapons and magical treasures, you could find almost anything you wanted here as long as you had the money to buy it.
The last time Luo Qiaoqiao dragged him in, they only explored a small corner of the main pavilion. In reality, the main pavilion of the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion was so vast that it would take days, if not nights, to explore it fully.
From the outside, it appeared to be a magnificent and luxurious building, but inside, it was a different world altogether.
As soon as Chen Yin and Xiang’er stepped inside, they were greeted by an enthusiastic attendant. Upon learning that they were looking for clothes, the attendant led them to the clothing section.
Xiang’er’s eyes lit up at the sight of the dazzling array of beautiful clothes.
“Wow! This dress!”
She ran to a blue and white corseted dress, picked it up, and held it against her body, turning to Chen Yin with a playful question:
“Senior Brother, does it look good?”
The dress had a unique design. Compared to traditional long dresses, the skirt was extremely short and had a textured pattern. If Chen Yin had to describe it, it resembled a pleated skirt.
Chen Yin shamelessly wiped a drool from the corner of his mouth and gave her a thumbs up. “I love it.”
“But isn’t the skirt too short?” Xiang’er hesitated, lowering her head. “It feels… a little embarrassing.”
“That’s the point. If the skirt wasn’t short, how would I see your beautiful legs?”
Yu Xiang glared at him playfully.
Chen Yin laughed awkwardly.
Yu Xiang stared at the dress for a while longer, then leaned close to Chen Yin’s ear and whispered:
“But… I can wear it for you back at the inn.”
She winked playfully.
Chen Yin’s heart skipped a beat.
“This one looks good too, and this one… Which one should I choose?”
After browsing for a while, she picked up a dress and went into the fitting room.
While Xiang’er was trying on clothes, Chen Yin aimlessly scanned the surroundings.
Suddenly, his gaze stopped.
Not far away, an area seemed to be automatically cordoned off, as if people were instinctively avoiding it.
A woman in a light blue dress, with a cold and ethereal aura, was browsing through the clothes racks. Her presence was so strong that no one dared to approach her.
…Senior Sister? Chen Yin was intrigued.
It seemed that even a cold and aloof fairy like Shen Shuanglian, who kept everyone at arm’s length, enjoyed shopping for clothes.
But seeing her shopping alone, looking so lonely, made him feel a bit sorry for her.
After hesitating for a moment, Chen Yin walked over and greeted her with a bow. “Senior Sister.”
“Ch-Chen Yin?”
Shen Shuanglian’s eyes flickered with surprise when she saw him. After a moment, she lowered her voice and said, “Wh-why are you here?”
“I’m accompanying my Junior Sister to buy clothes.”
Chen Yin smiled frankly. “What about Senior Sister? Are you shopping alone?”
A faint sadness flashed in Shen Shuanglian’s eyes, and she stammered, “My Junior Sisters… are all busy preparing for the conference, so I came out by myself.”
…That’s a lie.
It seemed that although Senior Sister was popular and highly respected, she wasn’t very good at handling interpersonal relationships.
Unlike Luo Qiaoqiao, who was not only famous but also adored by many disciples within her sect, living a carefree life.
Shen Shuanglian glanced at the space behind Chen Yin and asked casually:
“Where’s… your Junior Sister?”
“She’s in the fitting room trying on clothes. I’ll bring her over to meet you later.”
“I see.” She murmured, her clear eyes lost in thought.
It was unclear what she was thinking about.
Seeing the awkward silence, Chen Yin changed the subject. “Are you looking for clothes too, Senior Sister? Have you found anything you like?”
“Not yet…”
She lowered her head shyly. “I-I’m not very good at picking clothes.”
“I just wanted to relax and browse a little.”
Chen Yin pondered for a moment and picked up a light blue palace dress. “What do you think of this one, Senior Sister?”
“It’s elegant without being too plain, refined yet charmingly graceful. It should suit your temperament well.”
As he enthusiastically recommended the dress, he didn’t notice that Shen Shuanglian was staring at him intently.
“What do you think? Do you like it, Senior Sister?”
“…Do you like me wearing this?”
Chen Yin: “…?”
Shen Shuanglian seemed to realize the ambiguity of her words and quickly lowered her head, blushing.
“I-I mean… Thank you for recommending this dress. I-I also think it’s very beautiful.”
Seeing Senior Sister’s shy and embarrassed expression, Chen Yin couldn’t help but chuckle.
…It turned out that his ice-cold Senior Sister wasn’t as aloof as he had imagined.
She was actually quite cute in her awkwardness.
“I’m glad you like it, Senior Sister.”
Chen Yin scratched his head. “To be honest, I’m not very good at picking clothes for girls either. I don’t have much experience.”
“I hope you don’t mind my straight-guy taste.”
Shen Shuanglian shook her head. “No, I… I really like this dress.”
For some reason, after saying those words, both of them lowered their heads shyly.
Chen Yin found it strange.
Did his Senior Sister have some kind of strange magic or aura? Why did the atmosphere always become awkward and stilted whenever he talked to her?
Especially him, a seasoned flirt and smooth talker, who couldn’t even come up with a single cheesy pick-up line in front of the elegant Shen Shuanglian. He felt an unexpected sense of awkwardness.
Chen Yin couldn’t understand. He should have long outgrown the awkwardness and innocence of first love from his student days. Why did he feel so uncomfortable around his Senior Sister?
He coughed lightly to break the awkward silence and said softly, “Then I won’t disturb you any longer, Senior Sister. I’ll just—”
“You’re not disturbing me.”
Shen Shuanglian looked at him seriously.
…No, I’m just trying to find an excuse to leave. Can’t you tell, Senior Sister? Did you put all your skill points into cultivation and neglect your emotional intelligence?
Chen Yin was caught in a dilemma, but Shen Shuanglian seemed determined to play dumb and wouldn’t let him go.
At that moment, Xiang’er’s cheerful voice came from behind:
“Senior Brother, look, does this look good—”
Chen Yin turned around and saw that Xiang’er, who had been excited just moments ago, suddenly froze when she saw Shen Shuanglian. Her expression changed subtly.
“Ah, Xiang’er, you’re just in time.”
Chen Yin felt like he had been granted a reprieve. He walked over and took Xiang’er’s hand. “You haven’t met her yet, have you? Let me introduce you.”
“This is our Senior Sister from the main sect, the famous Frost Moon Sword Immortal, Shen Shuanglian.”
“Senior Sister, this is my Junior Sister, Yu Xiang.”
After the introductions, Chen Yin realized that neither of them was looking at him. They were both staring at each other.
The strange look in Yu Xiang’s eyes only lasted for a moment. She quickly extended her hand gracefully.
“Nice to meet you, Senior Sister.”
Shen Shuanglian hesitated for a moment, then gently shook her hand. “…Nice to meet you too.”
It was a peaceful handshake, as if nothing had happened.
They let go immediately, and Xiang’er turned back to Chen Yin with a bright smile. “Senior Brother, you haven’t told me if this dress looks good on me.”
“Of course it looks good.”
Chen Yin patted her head dotingly.
Shen Shuanglian was silent for a moment, then bit her lip slightly and said softly:
“You two siblings are rarely able to travel together. I won’t disturb you any longer.”
She turned to the attendant and said quietly, “Please wrap this dress for me.”
She was pointing at the dress Chen Yin had recommended earlier.
After the dress was wrapped, Shen Shuanglian turned to look at Chen Yin one last time before leaving.
Her clear and bright eyes seemed to hold many unspoken words.
But before Chen Yin could decipher them, she had already turned and left.
“Hey, why are you still spacing out?”
Xiang’er’s disgruntled voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “She’s already gone, and you’re still staring at her back like a lovesick fool.”
“Stinky Senior Brother. You’re clearly up to no good.”
Chen Yin coughed lightly and explained seriously, “No, I just thought Senior Sister was shopping alone, so I wanted to say hello. I had no disrespectful intentions.”
“Really? No ulterior motives at all?”
“Really… none at all.”
Seeing the doubt in Chen Yin’s eyes, Yu Xiang pouted with disdain and turned her head away with a huff.
“Men are all pigs.”
Chen Yin couldn’t argue and could only keep his mouth shut.
***
After leaving the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion, Shen Shuanglian paused and looked back wistfully.
Her eyes were still cold and calm, as if she was lost in thought.
After a moment, she asked softly:
“That girl… is she the one?”
The System’s voice echoed in her mind: “According to the plot records, there’s no doubt about it.”
Shen Shuanglian didn’t say anything more, a hint of worry in her brows.
“Are you still worried about that man’s safety?”
“Hmm…” Shen Shuanglian lowered her head silently. “That girl is still too dangerous.”
“It’s a pity he didn’t accept my invitation. If he had come to the main sect, I wouldn’t have to worry so much.”
If he had gone to the main sect, under her watchful eyes, she would have enough time to protect him, no matter what happened in the next five years.
The System sighed. “Why bother? Is this guy really that important to you?”
“I’ve asked you several times, but you won’t tell me. What’s your relationship with him?”
Shen Shuanglian stared blankly for a while, then closed her eyes tightly.
“…Don’t ask.”
“You promised me. As long as it doesn’t affect the plot records, I can handle his matters myself.”
“I don’t really care about the plot records.” The System shook its head. “I’m just curious, is it really worth it for you to go to such lengths for him, silently sacrificing so much?”
“I doubt he’ll ever reciprocate your feelings or appreciate what you’ve done.”
“He might even… forget that you ever existed in his life after five years.”
Shen Shuanglian lowered her eyes and murmured as if to herself:
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Whether it’s worth it or not, what does it matter?”
It’s simply… that I can’t bear to see him suffer.
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