Chapter 121: The Small-Hearted Woman
After returning to the inn, Qingying finally realized they only had one room and frowned.
“Only one room?”
“There’s nothing we can do.”
Chen Yin shrugged helplessly. “We’re lucky to even have this one. That greedy innkeeper charged me 500 spirit stones for one night. Even robbery isn’t this lucrative.” He grumbled, already contemplating opening his own inn and charging exorbitant prices.
Qingying frowned slightly, then said, “I’ll sleep on the roof.”
“Don’t bother.”
Chen Yin pointed at the ceiling. “Plenty of people have the same idea. The roof is crowded.”
“If you don’t want to squeeze in with a bunch of strangers, you’re better off staying here.”
Qingying hesitated, glancing at him, then at Luo Luo.
Sensing her concern, Chen Yin coughed lightly and said with a straight face, “Don’t worry, we’re not going to do anything scandalous.”
…Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t. He was secretly annoyed that Qingying was there, a cold and aloof presence dampening the mood between him and Luo Luo.
His happy evening ended the moment he saw her.
Qingying didn’t say anything more. She simply went to a corner of the room, leaned against the wall, crossed her arms, and closed her eyes.
“…So, the young master, after finally curing his beloved, was once again forced to endure the pain of separation.”
That night, Chen Yin held Luo Luo in his arms, telling her a story. He occasionally glanced at Qingying.
She hadn’t moved an inch since she leaned against the wall, like a statue.
Chen Yin wondered if her legs were numb.
Luo Luo listened intently, nestled against him. Soon, her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted off to sleep.
Chen Yin didn’t disturb her. He carried her to the bed, tucked her in gently, and smoothed her hair.
“…Done with your lovey-dovey moment?” Qingying’s cold voice came from behind him.
“I told you,” Chen Yin turned to her, feigning innocence, “if you’re jealous, you can beg me. I might give you a hug.”
Qingying scoffed and turned away, saying nothing.
Chen Yin sat back at the table, pouring himself a cup of tea to soothe his dry throat. Then he said casually,
“We’re almost at the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain. I’ll ask you one last time. Are you truly prepared to face the news of your brother’s death?”
“…What if he’s still alive?”
“There are no ‘what ifs’.” Chen Yin’s eyes dimmed, his voice quiet.
“Why are you so certain?”
“Because I saw him die with my own eyes.”
Qingying’s eyes widened.
“How—”
“Don’t ask.” Chen Yin raised his teacup and looked away. “You’ll see for yourself when we get there.”
Qingying lowered her gaze, a hint of sadness in her eyes.
“…Couldn’t you…”
She whispered, “Lie to me? Just give me a sliver of hope.”
“Of course I could lie to you. I could tell you that your brother is still alive, that you’ll be reunited with him in the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.”
“Then why don’t you?”
“Because I can actually take you there.”
He said softly, “A lie is only a lie when it’s exposed. Before that, it’s the truth.”
“You don’t want to experience the pain of having the truth crumble before your eyes. It would be even more painful than seeing your brother die.”
Qingying stared at him for a long time, speechless.
“Get some rest. We’ll enter the secret realm tomorrow morning.”
He was about to get up when Qingying called out, “Wait.”
“Can we… stay up a little longer?” she asked hesitantly.
This was the first time Chen Yin had heard such a soft and vulnerable tone from her.
Unlike her usual cold and aloof demeanor, she now looked like a lost and uncertain little girl.
She hugged herself, her gaze fixed on the floor, her long eyelashes lowered.
Chen Yin was silent for a moment, then nodded.
“If you’re too nervous to sleep, you can try what Luo Luo does.”
He said quietly, “I can tell you a story.”
Qingying frowned, as if she didn’t appreciate being treated like a child.
But after hesitating for a moment, she walked over and sat beside Chen Yin, her head propped up with her hand.
“…Go ahead.”
“What kind of story do you want to hear?”
“The one you told Luo Luo earlier.” She blinked. “I want to hear the rest.”
“Alright.”
Chen Yin continued the story. Although the plot was a bit cliché, it was emotionally charged.
Qingying listened quietly, her gaze occasionally lingering on Chen Yin’s face, watching his expressions as he narrated the story. She was suddenly reminded of the past.
…
Inside a dilapidated and leaky temple, a young boy, his clothes thin and tattered, his lips pale and his face flushed with fever, lay shivering on a pile of straw, his voice weak.
“Sister, my head hurts…”
“A’Chen, go to sleep. It won’t hurt anymore when you’re asleep.”
A young girl, equally thin and poorly dressed, bit her lip, unsure how to ease his pain. She forced a smile and stroked his head gently.
“I’ll tell you a story, A’Chen. You’ll feel better after you fall asleep, okay?”
The little boy closed his eyes and nodded.
The little girl began softly, “Once upon a time, there was an oil-paper umbrella.”
It started to rain.
And the oil-paper umbrella opened…
…
The first chirping of birds at dawn startled Qingying awake.
“You’re awake?” A gentle voice spoke beside her.
Chen Yin was sipping tea.
Qingying realized she had fallen asleep, her head resting on his shoulder.
“You!”
“Hey, don’t accuse me of anything.” Chen Yin said innocently. “You were the one who leaned on me. I didn’t do anything.”
“And seeing you sleeping so lightly, I didn’t dare move all night. My body is stiff.”
Qingying’s expression flickered, then she turned her head away, hiding her embarrassment.
Chen Yin sighed dramatically. “I didn’t know you were such a restless sleeper.”
“What did you see?” Qingying asked warily.
“Nothing much. Just some sleep-talking and drooling.”
He glanced at his damp shoulder.
Qingying’s face burned with shame.
“I…”
She finally reached out, her head turned away, and said, “Give me your robe. I’ll wash it for you.”
“Okay.”
As Chen Yin started to take off his robe, Qingying quickly said, “Not in front of me!”
Afraid of waking Luo Luo, who was still asleep, Qingying’s hushed and flustered tone was strangely endearing.
Chen Yin chuckled softly, then teased, “It’ll take you forever to wash it.”
“After Luo Luo wakes up, I’ll change and we’ll enter the secret realm.”
It was still early, the first light of dawn barely visible. They sat in silence.
Qingying couldn’t help but steal glances at him, then finally asked softly,
“What… did I say in my sleep last night?”
“I forgot.” Chen Yin blinked innocently.
“Why… are you still hiding things from me?”
“Wouldn’t you be embarrassed if I told you?”
Qingying bit her lip, her heart filled with anxiety, wondering what she might have said in her sleep.
“Fine, don’t tell me then. Hmph.” She snorted softly.
“It’s not a big deal.” Chen Yin sipped his tea leisurely.
…She had just been crying in her sleep.
The dampness on his shoulder wasn’t drool. It was her tears.
She still hadn’t come to terms with her brother’s death.
Chen Yin didn’t say anything. It was her own personal matter.
He was just there to guide her.
Qingying bit her lip, then stood up to leave. Before stepping out, she reminded him,
“Don’t tell anyone about last night.”
“What if I can’t help myself?” Chen Yin asked with a playful smile.
“Then you’ll never see me in that ridiculous outfit again.”
Qingying glared at him, then left the room.
As the sun rose high in the sky, Luo Luo finally woke up, letting out a soft gasp.
“Ah… Did Luo Luo oversleep?”
“It’s so late already.” She said with a hint of annoyance. “Sister Qingying must be waiting.”
“Let her wait.” Chen Yin smiled and ruffled Luo Luo’s head. “There’s no rush. It’s more important for you to get a good night’s sleep.”
Luo Luo blushed and mumbled softly, “You spoil Luo Luo too much, Young Master. You could have just woken me up.”
“What? You don’t like me spoiling you?”
“I do…” She lowered her head shyly, her cheeks flushed, a giggle escaping her lips.
Chen Yin pinched her cheek gently and gave her a lollipop, then went to call Qingying.
After a quick breakfast, the three of them headed towards the entrance of the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.
The entrance was crowded with cultivators, all waiting to enter the secret realm.
“So many people!” Luo Luo exclaimed, her hand in Chen Yin’s, her eyes wide with curiosity.
“The innkeeper said there have been many auspicious signs in the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain lately, indicating that many opportunities have appeared.”
Chen Yin also looked around, impressed. “There are disciples from every sect here.”
The world is driven by profit. He wondered what motivated these people to risk their lives seeking opportunities.
As he scanned the crowd, Chen Yin suddenly paused.
Not far away, a woman in white stood before the entrance of the secret realm, her brow furrowed in thought.
He never expected to see her here.
…Nan Xiaoxiang.
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