Chapter 112: Two Hundred Years
Chen Yin hadn’t expected this.
Although it wasn’t the first time he had been confessed to, he was still flustered.
The young fox girl, nestled in his arms, had spoken those words so softly, so casually, as if she were talking to herself.
He didn’t know how to respond.
For the first time, he was unsure of his own feelings.
“I…”
Luo Luo, however, seemed unconcerned. She asked softly, “Are you leaving tomorrow, Young Master?”
Chen Yin couldn’t help but lower his head and hummed softly in affirmation.
“That’s a pity. You won’t be able to attend the celebration.”
Luo Luo smiled innocently. “Our Lotus Birth Ceremony is very beautiful!”
“There will be lanterns, fireworks, lotus boats, and so many fun and beautiful things!”
“I really wanted to show you around.” She said, her eyes crinkling with a smile, her lips pursed slightly.
Chen Yin fell silent.
The gentle rain and the misty air filled with the scent of moss.
Luo Luo’s ears twitched, and her bright eyes shimmered like ripples on water.
“Young Master, we’ve reached the end of the Wooden Leaf Illusion Realm.”
“It’s enough that you accompanied me this far.” She said lightly. “I’ll walk the rest of the way myself.”
Chen Yin hesitated, then couldn’t help but ask, “Luo Luo, about what you said earlier—”
“Ah, you don’t have to worry about it, Young Master.”
Luo Luo waved her hands dismissively. “I just thought it would be a pity if you left without me telling you. I would have regretted it.”
“Actually, Luo Luo isn’t as bad as you think. I’m not a spoiled and unreasonable brat.”
“…You don’t have to respond, Young Master.”
“I just wanted to tell you.” She said, her hands behind her back, her eyes as bright as stars.
Chen Yin hesitated for a long time, unsure how to respond.
“Alright.”
Luo Luo suddenly stood up and gently pushed Chen Yin towards the exit of the formation.
“You’ve accompanied Luo Luo this far. It’s enough.”
“I’ll finish the last part of the trial on my own. You should go back now.”
As she pushed him towards the exit, Chen Yin couldn’t help but turn and look at her silently.
“Luo Luo…”
He instinctively reached out and gently pinched her soft cheek.
Luo Luo wagged her tail, her hands cupping his large hand, her eyes closing as she rubbed her cheek against it affectionately.
…It felt so comfortable.
The warmth of his hand made her want to close her eyes and fall asleep.
She wanted to be caressed by him forever.
She didn’t want to wake up.
“I’ll come back for you after the celebration.” He said softly.
“Okay!” Luo Luo replied quietly.
Finally, under Luo Luo’s gentle urging, Chen Yin was teleported out of the Illusion Realm.
Luo Luo stood there motionless, staring at the exit.
“Now you’ve gotten it off your chest.” The System’s voice rang out. “You’ve confessed your feelings. There are no more regrets, right?”
“Yes.” Luo Luo lowered her head, her expression hidden.
“…If you’re sad, it’s okay to cry.”
The System said softly, “No one will come here. You can cry as much as you want, no one will see.”
“No way. Even then, I don’t want to ruin my makeup.”
Luo Luo was smiling, but her smile was filled with bitterness.
“I did well this time, right?”
“Yes.”
“He didn’t notice anything, right?”
“No.”
“I didn’t cry in front of him either.”
“No.”
“See? I did it. Luo Luo is amazing.” She smiled, as if praising herself.
The System sighed helplessly. It wasn’t good at comforting people. It could only agree with everything Luo Luo said.
“It’s okay to be sad, but you need to pull yourself together and prepare for your upcoming bloodline awakening.”
The System said lazily, “Then I’ll finally be free.”
Luo Luo nodded, her voice forcedly calm.
“Luo Luo tried so hard not to make Young Master worry today.”
“Then can Luo Luo… be allowed to…”
“Cry… just a little…?”
Like a drop of ink staining a blank sheet of paper, the cracks in her carefully constructed composure finally appeared, her voice trembling with unshed tears.
“I told you,” the System said impassively, “no one will come here. You can cry as much as you want, no one will judge you.”
Luo Luo crouched down, hugging her knees and burying her face in her arms.
She cried softly.
Her eyes reddened, and her sleeves became damp with tears.
Ripples appeared on the surface of the calm pool.
…Indeed, no one saw her crying.
Qingying lay on the roof tiles, reading a book.
It was her hobby, and also her habit. Due to her training in the secret division, she often couldn’t sleep normally in a bed. The roof and the rafters were her usual resting places.
Even when she wasn’t on a mission, she preferred to stay outside, away from prying eyes, doing what she enjoyed in these secluded spots.
She hadn’t read much when she saw Chen Yin approaching, his expression strange, his demeanor absentminded.
She was intrigued. She jumped down and couldn’t resist teasing him,
“Yo, did you try to hit on a girl and get rejected?”
Chen Yin ignored her.
Qingying pouted. She had thought it was a perfect opportunity to mock him, but he didn’t even react, which made her feel a little frustrated.
“Whatever is bothering you, remember to pack your things. We’re leaving tomorrow.”
She said, her red lips curving into a smile, “I’ve memorized the route to the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain. No more excuses this time.”
But to her surprise, Chen Yin said seriously,
“Luo Luo just confessed to me.”
“Then she must be blind.” Qingying scoffed without hesitation.
Chen Yin was speechless.
“I don’t know… I never expected her to say that.”
He lowered his head, a troubled expression on his face. “This is the first time I’ve been so conflicted about something like this.”
“Conflicted about what? Conflicted because too many girls like you?”
Qingying chuckled, her lips curling into a mocking smile. “You’re truly a hopeless scumbag. Even a teenage girl isn’t safe from your charms.”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“I don’t care what you meant.” Qingying turned away dismissively. “Since Luo Luo confessed to you, she’s clearly ready to focus on the upcoming celebration.”
“It’s a family matter. Don’t interfere. Just pack your things and get ready to leave with me.”
Chen Yin hesitated for a long time, then suddenly frowned and asked:
“Are you hiding something from me?”
“Yes.” Qingying didn’t deny it, admitting it readily.
“What is it?”
“I’m not telling you.”
Chen Yin took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to pin her down and spank her.
Qingying, like a rooster after a victorious fight, raised her chin proudly, seemingly enjoying his frustration.
“I hope it’s not something related to me.”
“Of course it’s not related to you. Don’t flatter yourself.” Qingying scoffed.
Chen Yin decided not to press further. But he couldn’t help but glance towards the distance, a thoughtful expression on his face.
…Forget it.
Since he didn’t know how to respond to her confession…
…He wouldn’t disturb her during the celebration. He thought to himself.
A long night.
It wasn’t as hot and humid as a summer night, but sleep evaded him.
He lay awake until dawn, when his door suddenly opened, and a small, fox-eared girl said timidly:
“Luo Luo, it’s time. Madam Qingmei is waiting for you.”
In the dimly lit room, Luo Luo, curled up in a corner, slowly lifted her head, her ears drooping, her eyes downcast.
“Okay. I understand.”
After the messenger left, she took a deep breath and slapped her cheeks lightly.
“Alright,” she said, trying to encourage herself.
“It’s time for Luo Luo to grow up. I have to become stronger to be worthy of Young Master.”
She looked up at the sunlight streaming through the window.
“You can do it, Luo Luo!”
At the entrance of Qinglian City…
“Thank you for seeing us off.”
“It’s okay.” Ya Ya shook her head, her voice filled with sadness. “We’ll miss Brother Chen.”
“Luo Luo is preparing for the celebration, so she couldn’t come and see you off.”
Chen Yin smiled and ruffled her ears gently. “Don’t worry. I’ll come visit you again after the celebration.”
Ya Ya just nodded silently, her head lowered.
She didn’t dare look up, afraid that Chen Yin would see the sadness in her eyes.
“Alright,” Qingying said coldly, her arms crossed. “Stop dawdling.”
“It’s time for us to leave.”
“Then, goodbye.” Chen Yin waved at the little foxes with a smile.
“Goodbye, Brother Chen!”
The little foxes waved back excitedly. “Next time you come, we’ll treat you to more Rainflower Cakes!”
Chen Yin smiled and nodded, then turned and walked towards the barrier with Qingying.
Just as he was about to step out, he paused.
“Reluctant to leave?” Qingying teased.
Chen Yin was silent for a long time, then shook his head faintly.
“The master-servant contract has been broken.”
“I’m… no longer her Young Master.”
“Luo Luo can take care of herself, even without me.”
“I’ll come visit her again when I have time.” He was about to step out of the barrier,
When he stopped.
From far behind him, faint whispers carried on the wind.
“It’s a pity… It’ll be a long time before we can eat Rainflower Cakes with Brother Chen again.”
“And Luo Luo won’t be able to eat with us either.”
“In two hundred years, we’ll all be old grannies. I wonder if Luo Luo will still remember us.”
“It’s more like whether you’ll still remember Luo Luo. She won’t age.”
As the little foxes chatted and laughed, a figure suddenly appeared before them, startling them.
“Tell me,” Chen Yin said, his eyes fixed on them.
“What’s this about two hundred years?”
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