Chapter 92: Stinky Tofu is Delicious
By the time Chen Yin finished the story, it was almost noon.
After much coaxing and persuasion, Chen Yin finally convinced the little foxes to go and have lunch. He, too, could finally leave the room, his back aching from sitting for so long.
As soon as he stepped out, a cold and indifferent voice spoke from behind the door:
“Enjoying being surrounded by a bunch of little girls?”
“It was quite enjoyable,” Chen Yin replied with a grin. “Who doesn’t like being surrounded by adorable little foxes?”
Qingying scoffed. “Then do you know that you’ve been targeted while you were busy indulging in your fox fetish?”
“I know.”
Chen Yin’s straightforward answer surprised Qingying.
“I even know who sent him.” Chen Yin glanced towards the distance, a knowing look in his eyes.
…That Ju Shaohé wasn’t as magnanimous as he pretended to be.
The moment Chen Yin had entered the room, he had sensed the presence of the cultivator following him.
It was obvious that this person was one of Ju Shaohé’s subordinates, sent to investigate him.
But Chen Yin wasn’t worried. Those guys posed no threat to him.
“A spoiled young master. If he had no reaction after being humiliated like that, he would be too easy to bully.”
Chen Yin shrugged. “I’m bored anyway, might as well have some fun.”
“Are you sure you’re not just trying to show off in front of that beautiful physician?” Qingying asked with a playful smirk.
“…You’re mistaken. I’m not that shallow.”
He chuckled. “I have a beautiful woman like you by my side to admire. Why would I bother pursuing a mortal beauty who dislikes cultivators?”
Qingying raised an eyebrow, choosing to ignore his teasing.
“Suit yourself.”
She added, “But I was cautious and left a mark on that guy.”
“And it seems that mark overheard some interesting things. I think you might be interested.”
As Qingying recounted what she had learned, Chen Yin’s initially carefree expression gradually turned serious and thoughtful.
After she finished, Chen Yin closed his eyes slowly and said:
“…So I stumbled upon something important by accident?”
“I can’t guarantee its authenticity.” Qingying said coldly, crossing her arms. “I’m just offering this information as a friend.”
“It’s up to you what you do with it.”
Chen Yin pondered for a moment, then turned to her and asked, “What do you know about the Canghe Sword Sect?”
“I know what you’re going to ask.”
Qingying glanced at him sideways, then turned and said:
“The Sect Master of the Canghe Sword Sect, Ju Canghe, had a son in his old age. Ju Shaohé is his only child and his most prized possession. Everyone in the cultivation world knows this.”
“Figure out the rest yourself.”
Chen Yin’s eyes flickered, and he nodded slowly after a moment.
“…Thanks.”
At noon, Nan Xiaoxiang, dressed in a simple white dress, had just finished preparing medicine and was about to step out for lunch when she saw a man standing at the door, smiling at her.
“Young Master Chen? What brings you here?”
“Miss Nan, you’re quite the joker. Didn’t you invite me to lunch?” Chen Yin asked, feigning surprise.
Nan Xiaoxiang froze, her voice slightly flustered:
“I-I was just being polite—”
“If we’re going to put on a show, we might as well do it properly. We can’t just stop halfway.”
“Besides,” Chen Yin said innocently, spreading his hands, “I spent all my money on travel expenses and can’t afford to eat anymore. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind treating me to a meal, right, Miss Nan?”
Nan Xiaoxiang sighed helplessly, looking at the man with a mischievous grin on his face.
…Compared to Ju Shaohé, she would rather have lunch with this annoying man. At least he was sincere and genuine, and it wouldn’t be as exhausting.
Besides, she was the one who had used him as a shield. So, Nan Xiaoxiang didn’t refuse:
“Alright… then I’ll have the kitchen prepare more food—”
“Hey, it’s not fun to eat at home when you’re on a date.”
Chen Yin started to push his luck. “Didn’t that Ju Shaohé mention a delicious restaurant on the east side of town? Why don’t we go there and try it out?”
Seeing him trying to take advantage of the situation, Nan Xiaoxiang’s voice turned a bit colder:
“Young Master Chen, we at Xiaoxiang Medical Clinic are charitable, but we’re not wealthy. We can’t afford to dine at fancy restaurants on the east side of town.”
“Besides, you’re a cultivator. It shouldn’t be difficult for you to acquire money, right? Why make things difficult for a mere mortal woman like me?”
Chen Yin nodded in mock realization. “Oh, so you’re broke too, just like me.”
Nan Xiaoxiang: “…”
…I’ll let this one slide. Arguing with him would be pointless.
“In that case,” Chen Yin said cheerfully, ignoring the flash of anger on her face, “I know what to eat. Follow me!”
Without waiting for a response, he grabbed Nan Xiaoxiang’s hand and dragged her out of the clinic.
“You!”
Nan Xiaoxiang was both embarrassed and angry, but she was no match for Chen Yin’s strength. Before she could react, she was already being dragged through the streets.
As they left the clinic, Chen Yin discreetly glanced at the corner of the street.
A figure silently followed them the moment they stepped out.
Chen Yin smiled to himself, pretending not to notice, and continued walking.
Nan Xiaoxiang’s stamina was even worse than Chen Yin had imagined. After only a few steps, her face was flushed, sweat dripping from her forehead, and her breath coming in ragged gasps.
She took a few deep breaths to regain her composure, then asked indignantly:
“We have no quarrel, Young Master Chen. Why are you humiliating me in public and ruining my reputation?”
“It’s just holding hands, you won’t get pregnant. How is this ruining your reputation?”
Chen Yin said nonchalantly, “You’re always acting so reserved and ladylike, taking forever to make a move. I couldn’t wait any longer.”
Nan Xiaoxiang gritted her teeth, strands of hair clinging to her sweaty forehead and temples. Her flushed face after the exertion made her look even more delicate and alluring.
She was furious but helpless.
“You’re clearly not someone who lacks manners, Young Master Chen. Why do you keep making things difficult for me?”
She tried to calm her voice. “If it’s still about me using you as a shield, I apologize.”
“Cut the crap.”
Chen Yin grinned and patted her shoulder hard. “I told you, just treat me to a meal, and we’ll forget about it.”
Nan Xiaoxiang clenched her fists tightly.
…They hardened. Her fists hardened.
“What are you taking me here to eat—”
Before she could finish her sentence, Nan Xiaoxiang realized they had arrived at the western market street.
This was where ordinary people bought their daily necessities. There were also occasional gatherings, with traveling merchants selling trinkets and food vendors setting up stalls.
And there, in front of a street stall, stood Chen Yin, grinning at the owner. “Two bowls of stinky tofu, spicy, with cilantro.”
Nan Xiaoxiang couldn’t believe her eyes.
“You… brought me all the way here just to eat stinky tofu?”
“What else?” Chen Yin turned to her, puzzled. “You wouldn’t let me treat you to a fancy meal, are you even willing to eat at a street stall?”
“It’s not that…”
Nan Xiaoxiang blinked her long eyelashes. “It’s just that all the cultivators I’ve met can’t stand the smell of stinky tofu. None of them would ever eat it.”
“Don’t you mind the smell, Young Master Chen?”
“Why would I mind? Don’t be so fussy.”
As they spoke, two bowls of stinky tofu arrived. Chen Yin stuffed his mouth full, mumbling, “As long as it tastes good, who cares about the smell?”
“Those who haven’t tasted this earthly delicacy are missing out.”
He continued to devour the stinky tofu with gusto.
Nan Xiaoxiang was stunned. She had never seen a cultivator so unconcerned about his image, eating stinky tofu like it was a delicacy.
She suddenly found this man less annoying than she had initially thought.
Seeing that she wasn’t eating, Chen Yin asked with his cheeks bulging, “What’s wrong? Can’t you handle the smell, Miss Nan?”
“No.”
Nan Xiaoxiang looked at the fragrant stinky tofu in her bowl and said softly, “It’s the opposite.”
“…I love stinky tofu.” A faint smile appeared on her lips.
She picked up a piece with her chopsticks, her red lips parting slightly as she took a bite.
The rich and savory flavor of the sauce exploded on her tongue, the aroma filling her senses.
The familiar taste brought a wave of happiness.
“I’ve loved stinky tofu since I was a child.”
Nan Xiaoxiang suddenly started talking about her past. “When I was learning medicine from my grandfather, I would get frustrated and give up whenever I couldn’t memorize a prescription or the name of a herb.”
“Then my grandfather would reward me with stinky tofu. If I could memorize it, he would take me out to eat.”
“It was my favorite food as a child. The stinky tofu in our Guyu Town is famous throughout Yanxia Province. You’ll definitely—”
She suddenly stopped mid-sentence and covered her mouth.
…Why am I telling him all this?
Chen Yin, his mouth still full of tofu, was already on his third bowl.
“Hmm? Why did you stop?”
“N-nothing.” Nan Xiaoxiang lowered her head, watching him eat with a satisfied expression.
She silently scolded herself:
…He’s a cultivator. What’s the point of telling him about your mundane life?
While eating, Chen Yin discreetly glanced behind him.
In a hidden corner, a shadow flickered.
Chen Yin pretended not to notice and continued to devour the stinky tofu. After finishing his bowl, he grinned, his mouth covered in grease.
“Boss! Another bowl!”
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