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  • It turns out, they are the protagonists 139

    Chapter 139: I’m Sorry, Qian’er

    As Bai Ruoxi’s voice echoed through the courtyard, her gaze fixed on him, Mu Zhi’an sighed inwardly, turning to face her. She stood there, her ample bosom straining against her loose white nightgown, her long hair flowing freely, her beauty both alluring and intimidating. Even in casual attire, she was captivating.

    It seems I made too much noise… He met her gaze, sensing something different about her eyes.

    She looked at Ye Lingxuan, her voice soft, a smile playing on her lips. “Sister Lingxuan, why are you here so late? You should have let me know. I would have welcomed you.”

    Ye Lingxuan stood beside him, her purple dress adorned with delicate hydrangea patterns, her hair styled simply, her figure slender compared to Bai Ruoxi’s, but her budding beauty had its own charm. She looked at Bai Ruoxi, smiling. “My servants caused some trouble for Brother Mu tonight. I came to retrieve them.”

    She glanced at Mu Zhi’an, her smile widening. “I’ll be going now, Brother Mu.” She seemed happy, but her gaze, as she looked at him, held a hint of something else.

    Having multiple girls in one place is tricky. It’s too small, and it’s easy to mess things up. He sighed inwardly, forcing a gentle smile. “Let me walk you back…?”

    “There’s no need to trouble yourself, Young Master Mu. Wouldn’t Sister Bai be upset if you did?” She glanced at him, and when he didn’t try to stop her, she looked away, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes, then she left the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

    He didn’t follow her. He turned to face Bai Ruoxi, her gaze fixed on him, and he smiled. “Why are you out so late?”

    She looked at him, her eyes filled with a playful reproach. “If I didn’t come out, how would I know what you were doing outside tonight, Dear?”

    He chuckled. “You seem to have the wrong idea, Ruoxi.”

    “Weren’t you just holding Sister Lingxuan’s hand?” she asked, her voice soft, her pale skin glowing in the moonlight, her beauty almost ethereal.

    He sighed. “Her family sent some people to retrieve her tonight, and they caused a scene here. Didn’t you hear the commotion?”

    Her eyes widened, and she looked at him, her voice filled with concern. “Sister Lingxuan’s family came…? Are you hurt…?”

    He shook his head. “Thanks to Senior Ling Long and the other peak lords, I’m fine. But Lingxuan…” He paused, then sighed. “Let’s not talk about her.”

    But her curiosity was piqued. She looked at him, her eyes soft. “Did her family say something to her?”

    He sat down on a bench, pulling her down beside him, enjoying her warmth and the soft curves of her body, then he sighed. “They want her to return to their clan.”

    “I left the pavilion because of that.”

    She looked at him, her voice soft. “You went to see Sister Lingxuan… tonight…?”

    He placed his hand over hers, seemingly enjoying her touch, but also preventing her from using the Heart-Binding Lock. “I didn’t think she wanted to leave, so I tried to talk to her family. But it led to a conflict.”

    She looked at him, her expression unreadable. “So you went because you were worried about her…”

    He sighed. “Yes, I was worried about her.”

    “But I’m here with you now, aren’t I?”

    She stared at him, her expression softening, the darkness in her eyes fading. He had been worried about Ye Lingxuan, but he had ultimately chosen her. She felt a surge of guilt.

    He pulled her close, his voice reassuring. “Don’t think about it. This is my choice, Ruoxi.”

    She stiffened slightly, but she didn’t push him away, simply leaning against him, her gaze fixed on the moon.

    After a moment, she asked, her voice soft, “Are you upset that I’m so possessive? That I don’t want you to be close to other girls?”

    “It’s just a woman’s natural instinct. It’s normal,” he replied, chuckling.

    She relaxed, relieved. She might seem gentle and understanding, but she’s actually quite possessive, just like Senior Sister Lan. He smiled inwardly, sitting with her in comfortable silence, enjoying the moonlight.

    After calculating the time, he said, “Senior Ling Long just ate an Eight Treasures Crane. I should go clean up.”

    She glanced at him, then nodded softly. He escorted her back to her room, then, after making sure she was resting, he stretched, his gaze sweeping over the courtyard.

    “Mengrou, did you see where Lingxuan went?” he asked.

    She materialized beside him, her arms crossed, her ample bosom straining against her yellow dress, her voice calm. “She didn’t go back to her pavilion. She seems to be heading towards the Pilgrimage Palace.”

    What is she doing there so late…?

    He thought for a moment, then he went to Lin Ling’s room. She sat there, gnawing on a steamed bun, her crimson eyes widening as she saw him, tilting her head.

    “Aaaa?”

    “Senior Lin Ling, I need a favor…”

    He explained his request.

    …

    After making his arrangements, he left her room and was about to head towards the Pilgrimage Palace when Wei Mengrou’s voice, cold and sharp, stopped him.

    “Aren’t you worried Bai Ruoxi will come looking for you?”

    He turned to look at her, smiling. “She already knows.” Women were generally soft-hearted. His words about Ye Lingxuan had moved her, and his choice to prioritize her had given her a sense of security. She was still jealous, but she had allowed him to leave. It wasn’t a bad thing. She had accepted Ye Lingxuan’s presence, her initial resistance fading. They were one step closer to harmonious coexistence…!

    Lingxuan was only at Foundation Establishment. Walking would be much slower than flying, so he caught up to her within ten minutes, finding her on a golden bridge leading to the Pilgrimage Palace, her slender figure moving quickly, her shoulders trembling slightly.

    “Lingxuan, wait!” he called out.

    She ignored him, her pace quickening. But he was flying. He quickly landed in front of her, blocking her path. She looked up at him, her voice cold. “Is there something you need, Young Master Mu?”

    She’s angry…? This isn’t like the elegant young mistress I know… But then again, she’s still just a naive girl. It’s normal for her to be upset. He understood. “Why are you alone? Didn’t we agree to see the blossoms tomorrow?”

    “I’m not going tomorrow. Please leave, Young Master Mu. Sister Bai must be worried,” she said, looking away, her profile delicate and alluring.

    “Ruoxi knows I’m here,” he replied.

    She looked at him, her voice soft. “I don’t need her pity.” She had been raised in luxury and privilege. She might be kind and gentle, but she was also proud. She wouldn’t accept Bai Ruoxi’s charity.

    He didn’t respond, reaching for her hand. But she stepped back, her voice sharp. “Please behave yourself, Young Master Mu!”

    He spoke softly, his voice reassuring. “Let’s go back.”

    She turned away, her voice cold. “Go back where? You can go back to your Sister Bai. Who will I go back to?” She felt a sudden pang of sadness. She would be alone in her pavilion, while he would be with Bai Ruoxi, perhaps even dual cultivating.

    “I’ll go back with you,” he said.

    “Please leave, Young Master Mu. I’m not going back,” she replied, her voice indifferent.

    “Then where are you going?”

    “…To see the peach blossoms.”

    “What about tomorrow?”

    She scoffed. “…I’m not going tomorrow.”

    She’s being tsundere. He smiled inwardly. She ignored him, walking towards the Pilgrimage Palace. She wasn’t walking fast, but he could sense her aura distancing itself from him. And when she finally sensed him flying away, she lowered her eyes, her heart sinking. Women are so complicated. When they’re angry, nothing you say can change their minds. They insist on pushing you away, and then they get even angrier when you actually leave.

    He hadn’t been foolish enough to actually return to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony. He had flown ahead to the Pilgrimage Palace, placing several stone tablets around the peach trees. He channeled his spiritual energy into them, enlarging them.

    He looked up at the moon, calculating her arrival time. Reasoning with an angry woman was often futile. But if he waited for her to calm down, then did something special, it would be much more effective. Not just effective, but doubly so.

    Night fell, the crescent moon shining brightly. Ye Lingxuan arrived at the Pilgrimage Palace. It was late, and the visibility was low. The vast square was deserted. She sat down on a stone bench, resting her chin on her hand, staring at the night sky, her thoughts racing, her heart filled with a mixture of hope and despair.

    A light suddenly fell upon her, and she looked up to see the Pilgrimage Palace bathed in a soft, pink glow. The peach blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, their petals shimmering.

    She looked up and saw Mu Zhi’an approaching from the depths of the palace, his gaze fixed on her. She stared at the glowing peach blossoms, their beauty almost dreamlike. “What did you do…?” she asked, her voice soft.

    He looked up at the sky, sighing. “It’s a shame we can’t see the stars tonight. It would be even more beautiful.” He sat down beside her. Her face, bathed in the pink light, seemed even more delicate and alluring, her usual innocence tinged with a hint of seductiveness.

    She stared at the swaying blossoms, her eyes filled with wonder, and he watched her, his gaze lingering on her beautiful profile. A woman like her, usually so calm and composed, her beauty enhanced by this intoxicating atmosphere… it was captivating.

    “Didn’t you leave?” she asked after a long silence.

    “How could I leave when you’re here…?” he replied, smiling.

    She glanced at him, then her gaze returned to the peach blossoms. After a while, she sighed, her voice filled with wonder.

    “It’s so beautiful…”

    He looked at her, her jawline delicate, her eyelashes long and dark, her eyes bright, her lips full and inviting, and he said, his voice filled with sincerity, “Yes, it is.” But she was referring to the peach blossoms, while he was referring to her.

    She felt a warm hand on hers, his fingers gently intertwining with hers. This time, she didn’t resist, allowing him to hold her hand as she stared at the glowing blossoms, their beauty enhanced by the pink light. She had vowed to ignore him when she had left the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, but now, looking at this scene, feeling his warmth beside her, her heart softened.

    She turned to look at him, her eyes filled with a sudden longing, her lips parting slightly.

    I’m sorry… Qian’er…

  • They All Want to Be My Female Lead 104

    Chapter 104: Changing His Feelings

    “Instructor, how are Meng’er and Senior Sister Xue’er doing?”

    “I talked to them, but it didn’t seem to have much effect. They’re both very determined, and they’re not afraid to act on their feelings. Be prepared for a… different kind of onslaught tomorrow.”

    Instructor Yu Xuan was also troubled. Setting aside her own feelings, as their instructor, she didn’t want her students fighting over a boy, neglecting their cultivation, and disrupting the harmony of their group.

    The problem was, they weren’t just competing with each other. They were also dragging others into their mess.

    In her previous life, she had known that Yan Ruyu harbored a secret crush on Yan Zhen, but her pride had prevented her from expressing her feelings.

    Xiao Xinyan, too, had developed feelings for him after he rescued her. Of course, that was in the past. Now, her feelings were probably far more intense. Her refusal to leave Mi Xue’er’s house, claiming she wanted to live with her instructor, was a clear indication.

    “This is a mess.”

    Yan Zhen was also worried. This wasn’t in the script. He was supposed to reject every girl who pursued him.

    But he wasn’t completely devoid of feelings for them. His cousin, though a bit mischievous, was adorable and affectionate. His senior sister was lively, energetic, and passionate. He genuinely liked them. Rejecting them and hurting their feelings was the last thing he wanted.

    He glanced at Instructor Yu Xuan, wondering if she also desired a romantic relationship with him, a “girlfriend” title.

    She probably did.

    But she never mentioned it. Was she concerned about her reputation as an instructor? Or was she waiting for him to take the initiative?

    She blushed, noticing his gaze. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

    He quickly averted his eyes, his expression flustered. “Because you’re beautiful, Instructor. It’s good for my eyes.”

    As the weather grew hotter, her attire became increasingly revealing. She was currently wearing a pale blue, sleeveless dress, the thin straps barely covering her shoulders. She hadn’t even bothered with a shawl.

    This dress was practically lingerie, similar to a towel, only covering her from her chest to her hips. Her arms and legs were bare, her skin dazzlingly white.

    It was a rather immodest outfit for an instructor, but everyone in the house dressed like this. No one seemed to care, except for him.

    Because it was too sexy.

    The other girls were fine, but Instructor Yu Xuan’s mature beauty was incredibly alluring. Her skin was so smooth and delicate, it seemed as if it could burst with a single touch, like a ripe, juicy fruit waiting to be plucked.

    And yet, she possessed such a refined and elegant aura. It was clear she came from a scholarly family. Whether she was wearing her oval-shaped glasses or not, she exuded an air of intelligence and sophistication.

    “Flatterer~” she chided, but her lips curved into a sweet smile.

    She wouldn’t have dressed like this before, but she was trying to be bolder, to showcase her charm, to capture his attention. She had packed away all her conservative, old-fashioned nightgowns.

    It was working. He was captivated. Her efforts had paid off.

    As she basked in his admiration, her gaze fell on his… arousal. Her heart skipped a beat. “Are you having naughty thoughts again, Yan Zhen?” she asked, her voice a soft whisper.

    He blinked, realizing his body had betrayed him once more. He quickly turned away, his back to her.

    “It’s just the aftereffects of the soup. A normal reaction. It’ll subside soon.”

    His flustered demeanor made her feel a pang of resentment.

    He made it seem like she was the one who couldn’t control herself, forcing him to… perform. He was the one with raging hormones! She was simply trying to help him, as his instructor, preventing him from making a mistake.

    He didn’t appreciate her good intentions at all…

    “I’m going back to my room. Remember to lock your door. Don’t let them sneak in on you.”

    “Uh, they wouldn’t do that, would they?”

    “Better safe than sorry. Meng’er and Xue’er are capable of anything. Especially Meng’er. She’s so comfortable with you. I wouldn’t be surprised if she crawled into your bed one day.”

    “…”

    As soon as she left, he bolted his door, then reinforced it with a sturdy stick. He checked the windows, ensuring his room was a secure fortress before finally relaxing and climbing into bed.

    …

    He managed to survive the night undisturbed. However, the next morning, things took a turn for the strange, starting with breakfast.

    Mi Xue’er, who usually sat with Yan Ruyu, had moved her chair to sit beside him.

    “Senior Sister Xue’er, there’s no room for Cousin Yan Zhen to sit!”

    “Then move to Ruyu’s side, Meng’er! You’ve been hogging him long enough! You always cling to him during meals! It’s my turn now!”

    “But I’m his cousin! What’s wrong with clinging to him? You’re the one who has no right to sit next to him!”

    “It’s my house! I can sit wherever I want! Hmph!”

    Glares intensify.

    Yan Zhen sighed. “Can someone please let me in?”

    They both jumped to their feet, their voices overlapping.

    “Cousin, I’ll let you in!”

    “Little Brother Yan Zhen, I’ll…”

    They glared at each other again.

    Yan Ruyu lowered her head, as if to say, “I’m not associated with these embarrassing creatures.” However, she couldn’t help but sneak glances at them. Xiao Xinyan, too, was watching the drama unfold, her gaze occasionally flickering towards Yan Zhen.

    Instructor Yu Xuan’s expression was even more exasperated than his.

    He finally managed to squeeze between them, but he felt trapped, their bodies pressing against him.

    Breakfast was dumplings. He had barely picked up his chopsticks when a dumpling, dipped in vinegar, appeared before his mouth.

    “Cousin, your favorite pork dumplings! Say ah~”

    Before he could open his mouth, another dumpling appeared.

    “Little Brother Yan Zhen, these seafood dumplings are delicious too! Say ah~”

    He blinked, opening his mouth hesitantly. Both dumplings were shoved inside, his cheeks bulging.

    “Senior Sister Xue’er, stop copying me!”

    “I’m not copying you! I’ve been wanting to feed Little Brother Yan Zhen for ages!”

    He didn’t even touch his chopsticks during the entire meal. They kept feeding him, one after the other, their competition escalating.

    He didn’t understand the point of this.

    After breakfast, they sandwiched him between them again, practically herding him to the academy.

    They attracted a lot of attention along the way. Everyone was gossiping about the two academy flowers fighting over the top-ranked student. The rumors became increasingly outrageous.

    Some claimed Yan Zhen was two-timing them, and they were forcing him to choose.

    Others claimed they were both pregnant with his child and were vying for his responsibility.

    Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan were furious.

    Some gossip-hungry students even dared to interview the three involved parties. Yan Meng’er, blushing, replied, “We haven’t reached that stage yet, but I’m working on it!” Mi Xue’er chimed in, “We’re planning to get engaged! We’ll think about children later!” Yan Zhen, however, simply glared at them, and they wisely retreated.

    Thankfully, they parted ways at the academy gates.

    He followed Instructor Yu Xuan to the training grounds for their combat practice session.

    — Ahem, this time, it was actual training.

    The Mystic Academy had a graduation assessment. The graduating students had to spar against their instructors. The purpose was to instill humility and remind them that there would always be someone stronger.

    Of course, the instructors would suppress their cultivation to match their students’ level. However, their mastery of Mystic Power and understanding of Mystic Techniques were far superior.

    The Dean and Vice Dean would personally oversee the assessments. The instructors couldn’t hold back. Those who did would be disqualified.

    Students who defeated their instructors would receive generous rewards.

    Likewise, the instructors also received rewards if they won.

    It was a battle between master and disciple.

    …

    On the training grounds, Instructor Yu Xuan suppressed her cultivation to the One Star Mystic Scholar realm and sparred with Yan Zhen.

    Even Xiao Mie, who had been suppressing his cultivation for so long, was no match for her. She effortlessly unleashed a variety of Water Mystic Techniques, her movements fluid and graceful, pushing him back relentlessly.

    Her archery skills, in particular, were far more terrifying than Lan Ke’s Ice Silkworm Gloves. Even a grazing blow from her water arrows caused a searing pain. He couldn’t afford to get hit directly.

    He realized she was even stronger than described in the script.

    It made sense. In her previous life, she had reached the Mystic Ancestor realm. Her experience and knowledge far surpassed that of a mere Mystic Master.

    However, he was also stronger than described in the script. If all went according to plan, he would be able to defeat her, a One Star Mystic Scholar, once he reached the Eighth Star Mystic One rank.

    …

    During lunch break, they stopped training and returned to her office to eat.

    The four girls soon arrived.

    Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er, each carrying a lunchbox, spread out the dishes before him, a feast for the eyes.

    “Cousin, I made your favorite dishes! Try them!”

    “Little Brother Yan Zhen, I ordered a lot of meat dishes from the best restaurant in the city! You’ll love them!”

    Once again, he didn’t touch his chopsticks during the entire meal. He didn’t even have a chance to scoop his own rice. They kept feeding him, one after the other.

    He didn’t understand. Was this their idea of pursuing him? Treating him like an invalid and spoon-feeding him?

    It felt more like a competition between them.

    Is this really okay?

    After lunch, they reluctantly said their goodbyes and returned to class. He resumed his combat training with Instructor Yu Xuan.

    …

    That afternoon, to avoid the two girls, she ended their training session early. They left the academy and headed to the market to buy groceries.

    He was still young, shorter than her, and their appearance, walking side-by-side, resembled siblings rather than lovers.

    She was quite well-known in Silver Moon City. Many people recognized her. Therefore, she couldn’t link arms with him like the other girls. She settled for holding his hand, hoping to appear more intimate, which only made them look even more like siblings.

    She chuckled, introducing him as her younger brother to anyone who greeted them.

    He remained silent, simply nodding along.

    …

    Back at the house, the four girls had also returned from the academy. Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er, ignoring their other duties, clung to him, their ample bosoms pressing against his arms as they glared at each other.

    Dinner was a repeat of the previous two nights. He was trapped between them, their hands clinging to his, as they spoon-fed him.

    This continued for three days.

    …

    On the third night, Xiao Xinyan, having received a warning from Instructor Yu Xuan, waited outside Mi Xue’er’s room. She pushed her back inside as she emerged.

    Mi Xue’er glared at her, hands on her hips. “Xiao Xinyan, what are you doing? Don’t stop me from seeing Little Brother Yan Zhen!”

    “Haven’t you two caused enough trouble?” Xiao Xinyan retorted. “Can’t you see he doesn’t like being treated like this?”

    “He… he never said he didn’t like it.”

    “Because he’s being polite! When he finally snaps, you’ll regret it.”

    Mi Xue’er bit her lip, unable to argue. She realized she had gone too far.

    This wasn’t a genuine pursuit. It was just a petty competition with her friends. Yan Zhen was the innocent victim.

    At the same time, Yan Ruyu intercepted Yan Meng’er as she was about to head to Yan Zhen’s room.

    “Don’t go, you silly girl! He’ll just yell at you!”

    Yan Meng’er pouted. “But what if Senior Sister Xue’er gets there first? I don’t want to lose Cousin Yan Zhen!”

    “Lose him? If you two keep this up, he’ll run away! Haven’t you noticed how annoyed he looks during meals? He’s incredibly patient. If it were me, I would have snapped by now.”

    “Ugh…”

    Yan Ruyu sighed, massaging her temples. “This isn’t something you can rush, Meng’er. You should know that. Why do I have to explain this to you?”

    Yan Meng’er eyed her cousin. “Senior Sister Xue’er is openly pursuing Cousin Yan Zhen! Aren’t you worried at all?!”

    “What good is worrying?” Yan Ruyu lowered her voice. “He’s not easily swayed.”

    “Cousin, how can you be so calm?! Senior Sister Xue’er is nothing! The real problem is… that woman is coming soon! And she’ll take Cousin Yan Zhen away! We’re running out of time!”

    “That woman? Who?”

    An image of a beautiful, fox-like woman flashed through her mind, making her head spin.

    “That foxy Head Shopkeeper from the Gold and Jade Chamber of Commerce!” Yan Meng’er, no longer bothering to hide her feelings, decided to come clean. “When she comes to inspect the branch, she’ll take Cousin Yan Zhen with her. They’ll be gone for three months! He won’t be back until graduation! And by then, the National Preceptor will have stolen his heart! We won’t stand a chance!”

    Yan Ruyu blinked, confused. “The National Preceptor? What does she have to do with this?”

    “Is that the point?! The point is, we’re running out of time, Cousin!” Yan Meng’er was exasperated. “I can’t win him over on my own! We need to work together!”

    Yan Ruyu’s resolve crumbled. “I… I can’t! I’ll die of embarrassment!”

    “Better to die of embarrassment than regret!” Yan Meng’er rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to end up alone! I want to be with Cousin Yan Zhen! Don’t you?!”

    “But…” She was speechless. After a long silence, she mumbled, “What should we do?”

    “Hmph! I’ll use my breasts, and you use your butt! We’ll seduce him until he’s putty in our hands! Then we’ll devour him!”

    Yan Ruyu stared at her, her expression flat. She grabbed her cousin’s cheeks and pulled.

    “Stop talking nonsense! Be serious!”

    Yan Meng’er swatted her hands away. “I am being serious! He only sees us as family right now! We need to use… physical intimacy to change his feelings!”

    Besides, marriage between cousins was allowed in their kingdom. It wasn’t taboo.

  • They All Want to Be My Female Lead 103

    Chapter 103: A Shocking Discovery

    According to Mystic Academy regulations, students who reached the Ninth Star Mystic One rank and secured a position on the Nine Star Rank were exempt from attending classes. They could choose to study under their instructors or cultivate independently, their schedules more flexible.

    Therefore, Yan Zhen spent the entire afternoon in Instructor Yu Xuan’s office, engaging in a… marking session.

    She sat on his lap, her arms around his neck, leaving a trail of love bites on his cheeks, neck, collarbone, and even his chest.

    One kiss, one mark. Then, she would gently lick the mark with her tongue, infused with Water Mystic Power, erasing it completely.

    She seemed addicted to the process, unable to stop. She had transformed the “Sage Yan Zhen” into “Dragon Yan Zhen,” then played the role of the merciful Guanyin, subduing the dragon and pacifying the pearl.

    Her beautiful face, flushed with passion, held a hint of resentment, as if to say, “Your instructor is angry. You need to appease me.”

    This was Instructor Yu Xuan. Usually gentle and forgiving, but once her temper flared, she expressed her displeasure in her own unique way, far more difficult to appease than Yan Meng’er and the others.

    However, once her anger subsided, she realized she had gone too far. Her cheeks burning with shame, she climbed off his lap and dabbed at the dampness on his skin with a handkerchief.

    “I’m sorry, Yan Zhen. I… I lost control. Are you alright?”

    Yan Zhen, who had experienced an afternoon of both pain and pleasure, slumped in his chair, his eyes glazed over as he stared at the imaginary starry sky above. He felt enlightened, on the verge of transcending his worldly desires and embracing a life of monasticism.

    Free from all earthly lust.

    After a while, he recovered, gazing at her with a hint of reproach. “You’re a lecher, Instructor.”

    Her face burned even brighter. She bit her lip, her voice a soft whisper. “It’s all your fault.”

    The atmosphere turned intimate once more.

    Fortunately, the four girls returned from class, their arrival breaking the spell. Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er, competing for his attention, each grabbed one of his arms and dragged him out of the office.

    Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan, embarrassed by their behavior, wanted to distance themselves, but they also feared those two troublemakers might do something drastic. They reluctantly followed.

    Instructor Yu Xuan, having regained her composure, her face serene once more, joined them.

    The sight of the four academy flowers and the top-ranked student walking together was already eye-catching. Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er’s blatant jealousy only added to the spectacle.

    Students stopped to stare as they made their way from the office to the academy gates, their gazes following them until they disappeared from view.

    The gossip-loving students knew this was big news!

    The others, consumed by envy, were practically in tears.

    That damn Yan Zhen! Making two academy flowers fight over him! It’s so unfair!

    *Handkerchief-chewing intensifies*.

    There were also those who were busy shipping couples:

    The childhood-friend cousins? The older-woman-younger-man dynamic of Senior Sister Xue’er and Yan Zhen? There were even those who shipped Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er.

    Yan Zhen, sandwiched between his cousin and his senior sister, their arms clinging to his, felt their bodies pressed against him.

    Yan Meng’er’s bosom was more ample, while Mi Xue’er’s was firmer.

    However, he was currently in “Buddha mode,” his eyes vacant, his reactions muted.

    They finally released him when they reached the house. He quickly retreated to his room, bolted the door, and escaped to the Crystal Stone Space.

    He hadn’t visited his Beautiful Sect Master last night, but he had informed her beforehand.

    He stepped onto the altar platform, the disorientation brief and familiar.

    “Master.”

    Chen Xi opened her eyes, a smile forming on her lips as she saw him. Then, she noticed his pale complexion.

    “Zhen’er, what’s wrong?”

    “Huh? Nothing’s wrong.”

    She frowned. “You look pale, and your aura is unstable. Don’t tell me you actually… did something with that Xue’er girl?”

    Oh, no. He had indulged in three or four rounds of “treatment” that afternoon and hadn’t fully recovered.

    “No, Master! I just… I was just…”

    He couldn’t bring himself to say it. Damn you, Instructor Yu Xuan! How am I supposed to explain this to my master?

    “Just what?” She eyed him strangely. “It’s normal for a young man your age to… relieve himself. But you need to know your limits. Depleting your vital energy will affect your cultivation.”

    “I’m sorry, Master. I’ll be careful.”

    “Good. Come rest for a while. We won’t cultivate today.”

    She clapped her hands, and the stone beneath them rose, forming a bed. Then, with a flick of her wrist, she conjured curtains, a mattress, a blanket, and pillows, her Spiritual Power shaping the air itself.

    He climbed onto the bed, lying down obediently, his head resting on her lap.

    “Are you tired, Zhen’er?”

    “A little.”

    “Let me massage you.”

    “Thank you, Master~”

    He drifted off to sleep, lulled by her gentle touch. He didn’t wake until nightfall.

    …

    His stomach growling, he went to the kitchen and ate the leftovers before heading to the bathroom for a bath.

    When he returned to his room, he found Instructor Yu Xuan waiting for him. He nearly turned and fled.

    “Instructor, I… I’m not up for it today.”

    Her face flushed crimson. He makes it sound like I’m the one who can’t control herself! She would never!

    “I’m just here to bring you some soup.”

    She opened the lid of the container. The aroma of herbs and meat filled the air, making his mouth water. She had clearly put a lot of effort into the flavor.

    “I was wrong this afternoon. It won’t happen again. Please don’t be angry.”

    — You said that last time too.

    He grimaced inwardly. She might appear pure and elegant, but when it came to… intimacy, she was surprisingly passionate, even more so than him.

    If he had known his instructor would also be…

    Well, he was feeling a bit drained. A nourishing soup wouldn’t hurt.

    “I’m not angry, Instructor,” he said with a smile. “It was my fault. I shouldn’t have provoked them.”

    Her smile returned. “Good. Now drink your soup. I adjusted the recipe. It shouldn’t be too bitter this time.”

    “Really? You’ve gone through so much trouble.”

    “Do you want me to feed you?”

    “Ahem, I can manage.”

    He drank the soup, the warmth spreading through his body, chasing away his fatigue. He even broke out in a light sweat.

    It’s so effective… She’s not even a Mystic Refiner, but she’s so good at making these medicinal soups. She must have done a lot of research.

    Did she learn all this because she knows she’s a… “juice extractor”?

    — A shocking discovery.

  • Dear, it’s time for your medicine! 50

     Chapter 50: Shaye’s Test Subject 

    Augustus, the Pope!

    That damned bastard was the most likely culprit.

    His position granted him unrestricted access to the Holy See. The barrier wouldn’t stop him, and the Holy Knights wouldn’t dare question him. He could move freely within the complex, his authority unquestioned.

    He had the opportunity.

    And his power surpassed hers. It was plausible that he could disable her wards.

    He had the ability.

    Most importantly, he had promised Angelica that he would reinvestigate the cursing incident during the Holy Maiden selection, ensuring her ascension to the position.

    Her term as the Holy Maiden wasn’t over yet. To replace her, Augustus needed a valid reason, a justifiable cause. He couldn’t simply remove her on a whim.

    He needed to find something incriminating, something to discredit her.

    He had the motive.

    Motive, opportunity, and ability… Loseweisse was convinced that Augustus was the thief.

    But did he think he could easily remove her from her position?

    She wasn’t one to sit idly by. She had cultivated her own network of influence within the Holy See, her power rivaling the Pope’s. If Augustus truly intended to challenge her, he would learn the extent of her influence.

    She looked at her reflection in the mirror, her face contorted with rage, her eyes blazing with fury.

    No, this wouldn’t do.

    She was unsightly, her anger marring her beauty.

    Jie Luo would be disappointed if he saw her like this. She picked up his photograph, holding it close, her eyes softening with longing.

    A figure entered the room.

    He gasped as he saw the disarray. “Lady Loseweisse, what happened here?”

    Loseweisse glanced at him. It was Douglas, the Cardinal in charge of the Holy Inquisition, the second most powerful figure in the Holy See, his authority exceeded only by the Pope. Officially, his position was equal to hers, but in reality, he wielded far more power.

    But for some reason, he treated her with utmost respect.

    They were supposed to be allies, but he seemed to consider himself her subordinate.

    “It’s nothing…” she said, forcing a smile. “I was just… looking for something. Cardinal Douglas, is there anything I can do for you?”

    He eyed her skeptically. Her room didn’t look like someone had simply been searching for something.

    But he wouldn’t question her.

    He was her loyal follower, obeying her every command. She possessed a unique bloodline, a lineage that commanded his respect.

    “It’s about Maggie and Sana…”

    “They’re dead…”

    What?

    Loseweisse’s anger, momentarily subdued, flared up again. She shot to her feet, her face twitching.

    Damn it! Today was truly a disaster.

    …

    Meanwhile, at the training grounds, Qin Chu, who had been meditating, opened his eyes.

    He dismissed his illusion, his true body taking its place.

    It had been a busy day.

    But productive.

    And he had another task to complete: Ekaterina.

    He stood up, suppressing his power, projecting an aura of slight improvement, as if he had made a small breakthrough during his afternoon training session.

    As he approached the training grounds’ exit, the guards sensed the faint heat emanating from his body.

    “Congratulations, Hero-sama, on your progress.”

    As expected of the Hero. He had achieved a noticeable breakthrough in a single afternoon. Unlike them, who had struggled for almost a month just to sense elemental energy.

    Qin Chu scratched his head, feigning embarrassment. “It’s all thanks to Lady Ekaterina’s guidance. And I’m just getting started. I still have a long way to go… By the way, where is Lady Ekaterina?”

    He knew the answer.

    “She said she had some… important business to attend to… Has she not returned yet?”

    The guard’s expression turned strange. “Uh, if you’re looking for Lady Ekaterina, you might find her at the tavern…”

    Seeing Qin Chu’s confused expression, he added, “For Lady Ekaterina, drinking at the tavern is the most important business.”

    “I’ll gather my brothers and accompany you…”

    “No need. I’ll go alone this time,” Qin Chu said, shaking his head.

    The guard was alarmed. “But Hero-sama, what if…”

    “I’ve eliminated all the Demons from the city. And I’ll be with Lady Ekaterina. She’ll protect me. I’ll be fine.” Qin Chu stretched, his muscles relaxing. “You know, I’ve been cooped up in here all afternoon. I just need some fresh air…”

    “Besides, the city is patrolled by the Knights. If anything happens, I’ll call for help.”

    “Oh, and…” He pulled out a one-thousand-Mana bill, handing it to the guard. “You’ve been standing guard all day. You deserve a treat.”

    The guard’s eyes widened at the sight of the bill.

    Qin Chu saw his throat bobbing, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to control his excitement.

    One thousand Mana… Though the Royal Guards received a higher salary than ordinary soldiers, this amount was equivalent to his annual income.

    “Hero-sama, you’re here to save our world. We should be the ones paying you…”

    But despite his words, he couldn’t resist pocketing the bill.

    “There’s a small gate on the left side. The guard there… his wife is giving birth today. He’s not on duty…”

    “And I’m not done with my shift yet. I’ll be here until midnight.”

    Qin Chu smiled, his expression sincere. “Thank you, sir. Your dedication is admirable. You’re a good man.”

    He left the training grounds, following the guard’s directions, heading towards the small gate under the cover of darkness.

    He glanced up at the night sky, his thoughts drifting towards the visions he had witnessed when he had touched Loseweisse’s scrolls.

    What secrets lay hidden within the vast expanse of the cosmos?

    Would he, even at his peak strength, be a match for those entities?

    He didn’t know. It was a realm beyond his comprehension, a world of darkness and chaos.

    But he knew that strength was the foundation of everything.

    “Shaye, is Stunning Love ready?”

    “Just finished. It’s a special, modified version. Slightly different from the original…”

    “I think Ekaterina will be an excellent test subject…”

    I’m so brilliant!

    Shaye praised herself, eager to see how Ekaterina would be transformed.

     

  • The Number One Good-for-Nothing in the Celestial Realm 10

    Chapter 10

    Undefeated hovered in front of them.

    Its sword intent hadn’t even been unleashed, yet it already made the Vermilion Birds flinch.

    In the Heavenly Court, there were Heavenly Immortals and Human Immortals. Although there was no explicit distinction between their superiority, the Heavenly Immortals considered themselves a cut above, subtly looking down on the Human Immortals. When Ming Jian Su first ascended to the Immortal Realm, she was just an unremarkable little immortal. After registering with the Heavenly Mechanism Department, she was assigned menial tasks like cleaning and sweeping. Later, when conflicts arose between the Immortal and Demon Realms, she was sent to the battlefield because she had no backing and no valuable Cinnabar Jade to exempt her from duty. It was during that time that she made a name for herself with her swordsmanship, striking fear into the hearts of countless demons.

    The Heavenly Emperor wanted to promote her, but all the important positions were already occupied by Heavenly Immortals. No one was willing to give up their seat. At that time, the position of East Abode Master was vacant, but there were countless contenders, and none of them wanted Ming Jian Su to take the lead. However, Ming Jian Su simply unsheathed Undefeated, silencing all those who doubted her. Even Chang Li, the South Fire Lord, commented, “She cannot be stopped.”

    Ming Jian Su had fallen, but her reputation remained, and her sword had gained sentience. Who knew if she had left behind any secret techniques?

    “Elder, yesterday the Heavenly Emperor decreed that we should avoid conflict with Dong’e Mountain.”

    The Vermilion Bird Elder finally found a way out, but his expression remained stern. He glared at Feng Chiyue and said coldly, “Three days. If you don’t return him by then, I will have to report this to the Celestial Pivot Department.”

    Three days? Was he implying that it would take her three days to repair “Understanding”? Feng Chiyue stared at the Vermilion Bird Elder, finding him utterly repulsive. “I’ll release him tomorrow,” she said impatiently. She didn’t linger in Danxue Mountain. Grabbing Zhu Huai Xuan, she turned and left.

    Meanwhile, Zhu Wan had just found Feng Yao and rushed to the south of Kunlun, panting heavily. When she saw the sky ablaze, her face turned as pale as a ghost. It wasn’t until she saw Feng Chiyue walk out unharmed that she snapped out of her frozen state. In just three days, her heart had become a bucket constantly swinging between hope and despair. She didn’t understand before why her Master, who also ascended from the mortal realm, was so far ahead, beyond anyone’s reach. Now she understood. Her Master’s heart was stronger than anyone else’s.

    Feng Yao was concerned about something else. Seeing Feng Chiyue, she hurriedly asked, “You set fire to Danxue Mountain?”

    Feng Chiyue glanced at her. “Is there a problem with that?”

    Feng Yao: “…” Danxue Mountain was their ancestral land! Didn’t this Phoenix have any respect for their ancestors? She couldn’t help but voice her thoughts.

    Feng Chiyue laughed mockingly after hearing her words. “Let me ask you, how many years has it been since the Phoenix was driven out of their ancestral land?” When she said this, the gentleness on her face disappeared, replaced by a sharp, cold glint in her eyes. “A thousand years. You haven’t returned to your ancestral land for a thousand years, yet you still have the gall to claim it as yours? If you don’t have the ability to take back Danxue Mountain, don’t tell me what to do.”

    Feng Yao’s breath hitched, and a chill ran down her spine.

    Feng Chiyue continued coldly, “You call it ‘biding your time,’ but a thousand years have passed. Tell me, what has your ‘biding’ achieved? Are you still pinning your hopes on the Phoenix Sovereign, believing that she still has a chance, waiting for her to lead you out of this predicament?”

    Feng Yao’s expression turned completely cold. She stared at Feng Chiyue and said, her voice icy, “You have no right to lecture us. What have you done for Phoenix Mountain? All you do is cause trouble for us.”

    “No, I haven’t,” Feng Chiyue retorted, her expression changing rapidly. The coldness vanished, replaced by a carefree smile. “I cut ties with Phoenix Mountain long ago. Did I ask you to come? Should I be grateful to you?”

    “Master Feng!” Zhu Wan exclaimed, frowning. She thought Feng Chiyue’s words were too much. Feng Yao came here with good intentions, yet not only did she not appreciate it, but she also had to rub salt in her wounds. Phoenix Mountain was already in a difficult position. She really felt that Feng Chiyue was hopeless. Besides her Master, who would put up with her? “Since you’ve already borrowed a Vermilion Bird, let’s return to Dong’e Mountain.”

    “Yes, let’s go back.” Feng Chiyue smiled in response, not sparing Feng Yao another glance. She had enough materials to repair “Understanding,” and now she had the fire source as well. She could finally fall asleep listening to Ming Jian Su’s voice tonight. It didn’t matter if Ming Jian Su didn’t come back. All she needed was that familiar voice to lull her to sleep.

    Back in Dong’e Mountain.

    Chang Huai didn’t dare to wander around. She sat in place, fiddling with the black box. That Master was actually going to capture a Vermilion Bird. Was that even possible? Not to mention the numerous formations in Danxue Mountain, those Vermilion Birds were all fierce and powerful. Could she really succeed? If the East Abode Master was still around, she wouldn’t have to worry about such things. But now there was only Master Feng… She regretted it. She should have just said she needed phoenix fire. Just as she was feeling uneasy, Feng Chiyue and Zhu Wan returned.

    Chang Huai set the black box aside and said obediently, “Master, Master Chu Yi came earlier.”

    “Ignore her.” Feng Chiyue tossed Zhu Huai Xuan onto the ground, not in the mood to deal with Chu Yi. “Hurry up and fix it,” she urged Chang Huai.

    Chang Huai: “…” She glanced at Zhu Huai Xuan on the ground cautiously and asked sincerely, “Young Master, may I borrow some fire?”

    Zhu Huai Xuan was filled with resentment and anger. After hearing the conversation between Feng Chiyue and Zhu Wan, he already knew their purpose. They wanted him to activate his Vermilion Bird divine fire? Dream on! Zhu Huai Xuan raised his chin, ruffled his feathers, and ignored Chang Huai.

    Chang Huai turned to look at Feng Chiyue. “Master?”

    Feng Chiyue raised an eyebrow. “Can we use the Vermilion Bird’s inner core to activate the fire?” Without waiting for Chang Huai’s answer, she continued, “We can cut him open, take it out, keep him alive with medicine, and put it back when we’re done.”

    Chang Huai’s face paled, and she tried to find a hint of a joke in Feng Chiyue’s expression. But the person in front of her looked as if she didn’t realize the cruelty of her words. She spoke casually, as if she was merely picking a flower or brushing away a speck of dust.

    It was Zhu Huai Xuan who was truly afraid.

    He wouldn’t die, but if he wanted to further his cultivation in the future, it would be impossible. Having his inner core removed was a cruel torture, and with Feng Chiyue’s arrogance and absurdity, she was definitely capable of doing it. When that happened, the Elder might not stand up for him. After all, the Elder had insisted that he couldn’t be taken away from Danxue Mountain. Weighing his options, Zhu Huai Xuan decided to swallow his pride. “What kind of fire do you need?” he relented.

    Chang Huai breathed a sigh of relief. If the Vermilion Bird and Feng Chiyue clashed because of him, she, a small fry from the Dragon Cauldron Palace, would definitely be the first to be sacrificed. After all, she was also abducted in broad daylight, and yet, the Dragon Cauldron Palace acted as if nothing had happened, which was enough to show her insignificant status.

    With Zhu Huai Xuan’s cooperation, repairing the black box became much easier.

    She had ascended from the mortal realm and specialized in the art of refining tools. She believed that her skills were no worse than those Heavenly Immortals from the Dragon Cauldron Palace. She had thought that ascending would bring her fame and fortune, that immortals would flock to her for her treasures, and that she would enjoy endless blessings. But in the end, she was just working diligently day after day. In the mortal realm, as a master craftsman, she was at least admired. But now, all that was left was a sigh of “don’t mention past glories.” If she could still contact the mortal realm, she would definitely leave behind a message written in blood: “Don’t ascend. Life after ascension is worse than that of a pig or a dog.”

    Seeing that Chang Huai and Zhu Huai Xuan were both working, Feng Chiyue smiled in satisfaction. Leaving Zhu Wan behind to supervise, she returned to her inner chambers to sleep.

    With Undefeated around, she probably wouldn’t need to do things herself in the future, right? Even if it wasn’t exactly like having Ming Jian Su by her side, it was at least a quarter as good, wasn’t it?

    —

    Elsewhere.

    Chu Yi stormed back to Qingjun Palace, fuming.

    Not catching up to Feng Chiyue was already bad enough, but seeing those ridiculous rumors on the Chaos Mirror fueled her anger even further. As if that wasn’t enough, she had originally planned to wait for Feng Chiyue to return to Dong’e Mountain, but her mother summoned her back and asked if she was interested in marrying the East Sea Dragon Princess. She had only glanced at Ying Cunxin once and didn’t even remember what she looked like! And those immortals on the Chaos Mirror dared to gossip about her!

    Just as Chu Yi was about to vent her anger, a soft chime sounded from the Chaos Mirror. She channeled her energy into it and saw a request to exchange name seals. On the Chaos Mirror, if immortals wanted to contact each other privately, they could exchange name seals. Who would send her a random request? Chu Yi frowned and looked closely. The name seal clearly read “Ying Cunxin.”

    A glint flashed in her eyes. Chu Yi accepted Ying Cunxin’s request and immediately sent her an invitation to the “Ethereal Spirit Realm.” The Ethereal Spirit Realm was a part of the Chaos Mirror. By channeling one’s energy into it, they could manifest an illusion of themselves and engage in combat. This method wouldn’t harm their real bodies, so immortals would often enter the Ethereal Spirit Realm to hone their skills. However, Chu Yi rarely entered it because she believed that knowing her own limitations and knowing that there was no real danger made it difficult to push herself to her full potential. The only true test was on the battlefield. As for the Ethereal Spirit Realm, it was just a game for her amusement.

    Since Ying Cunxin wanted to be her Dao companion, she should at least have some skills.

  • The Number One Good-for-Nothing in the Celestial Realm 9

    Chapter 9

    Ming Jian Su didn’t harbor too much resentment towards being deceived. After all, she and Feng Chiyue were both birds of a feather. She wasn’t shameless enough to confront Feng Chiyue about it. The thought of being tricked only lingered in her mind for a moment before drifting to other things.

    — How much grievance did Feng Chiyue suffer to go to the West Sea alone?

    — She had only been away from the Heavenly Court for three days, and she was already worrying about Feng Chiyue?

    — She refused to go back. With Feng Chiyue’s personality, she wouldn’t apologize at all. She would only drag her onto the bed and into a daze of endless passion.

    Ming Jian Su, Ming Jian Su, have you forgotten your aspiration before ascending? Didn’t you ascend to escape from endless troubles? How did you end up deeply mired in them again? Raising her hand to rub her forehead, Ming Jian Su let out a sigh and slammed the Chaos Mirror face down on the stone table. “You’re a real piece of work,” she muttered, cursing Feng Chiyue. If it weren’t for the Chaos Mirror, she could have remained blissfully ignorant, her self-deception reaching new heights.

    She stared at the Chaos Mirror for a long time, but instead of looking at the messages, she reached out and grabbed something in front of her. A six-foot-long sword, its entire body flowing with a pale blue light, slowly materialized. The sword wasn’t forged from meteor iron or some rare stone, but from two black and white branches, intertwined like vines. This was the divine wood that Ming Jian Su had found after traveling across the four seas during her time in the mortal realm.

    The natural intertwining of yin and yang formed a perfect sword. She hadn’t used heavenly fire to refine it, but purely her own magic power. It took three years to complete, and she named it “Undefeated.” With this sword in hand, Ming Jian Su had never lost a battle. After becoming the East Abode Master in the Heavenly Court, Undefeated rarely left its sheath.

    “Go!” Ming Jian Su commanded.

    The East Abode Master had fallen, but her sentient sword returned to its former home, Dong’e Mountain. This made perfect sense.

    With Undefeated there, there shouldn’t be any more blind immortals looking for trouble, right?

    —

    Feng Chiyue had no idea that Ming Jian Su was thinking about her even in “death.”

    Her heart was set on the black box, and she wished she could hear Ming Jian Su’s voice at that very moment.

    Danxue Mountain was located south of Kunlun Mountain, adjacent to South Li Mountain. There was no South Li Mountain originally. After Chang Li became one of the Heavenly Emperor’s generals, she used her magic power to move a mountain and named it “South Li,” residing alone on its peak. Unless absolutely necessary, she would never set foot in Danxue Mountain.

    Chang Li’s absence from Danxue Mountain gave Feng Chiyue an opportunity. As a phoenix, her connection to her ancestral land was extremely strong. The formations and barriers set up by the various races couldn’t stop her. She found the place where the Vermilion Bird clan resided and barged in, uncaring of the shocked gazes of the Vermilion Birds. She found Zhu Huai Xuan, slapped him back into his true Vermilion Bird form, grabbed him by the wings, and prepared to leave.

    “T-That’s a Phoenix?” Since they occupied Danxue Mountain, they hadn’t seen a Phoenix for a thousand years. There used to be many murals of phoenixes in their ancestral land, but now they had been destroyed one by one, replaced by the glorious history of the Vermilion Bird lineage.

    “F-Feng Chiyue? What is she doing here?” The Vermilion Bird stammered, staring blankly at Feng Chiyue as she strode away.

    “She took Zhu Huai Xuan!” After a while, the Vermilion Bird finally snapped out of its shock, its face changing drastically as it transformed into a stream of light and shot forward. The Vermilion Bird cried out, and balls of fire fell from the sky like meteors, instantly sealing off the area around Danxue Mountain.

    Feng Chiyue stopped in her tracks.

    She looked down at the hostile Vermilion Birds and frowned.

    “What is Master Feng planning to do?” The Vermilion Birds didn’t attack directly. After all, Zhu Huai Xuan was still struggling in Feng Chiyue’s grasp like a captured pheasant. They had long been enemies with the Phoenix lineage and had initially waited to see Feng Chiyue’s downfall. However, after the incidents at the Supreme Palace and with the West Sea Dragon Prince, they had to reevaluate this “good-for-nothing Phoenix.” Whether she was truly powerful or had inherited treasures from the East Abode Master, the current Feng Chiyue wouldn’t be easily defeated and humiliated as they had imagined.

    Feng Chiyue explained casually, “He insulted my disciple from Dong’e Mountain. I’m taking him to apologize.”

    The Vermilion Birds: “…” So what if he insulted a disciple from Dong’e Mountain? Even Feng Chiyue herself had been insulted countless times. The entire Immortal Realm was filled with rumors of her wickedness. Was she feeling cocky after defeating the West Sea Dragon Prince and looking for trouble? Even Phoenix Mountain wouldn’t dare to be so arrogant, so what made this fallen Phoenix think she could get away with it?! The Vermilion Bird Elder sneered and said, “You have no proof, Master, don’t spout nonsense. For the sake of the East Abode Master, we will overlook your intrusion into Danxue Mountain. Now, please release our clansman.”

    Feng Chiyue glanced at the Vermilion Bird Elder in confusion, wondering if he knew the meaning of “daydreaming.” However, since they wanted evidence, she could be generous, just this once, for the sake of accumulating good karma for her black box. She had sealed Zhu Huai Xuan’s mouth before, but now she released the restriction. Zhu Huai Xuan immediately regained his ability to speak.

    “Feng Chiyue, you’re nothing but a deceitful and seductive villain, a disgrace to the Phoenix race!”

    His words didn’t faze her in the slightest. She was beautiful, unlike some people. Besides, couldn’t it be Ming Jian Su who was serving her? However, their personal matters were none of these outsiders’ business. She cast another spell, sealing Zhu Huai Xuan’s mouth once more. She raised an eyebrow at the Vermilion Bird Elder, her gaze seemingly saying, “The evidence is right here.”

    The Vermilion Bird Elder: “…” This idiotic child, even if he wanted to curse Feng Chiyue, he should at least wait until he was free! Now, he had vented his anger and made himself feel better, but he had also put him in a difficult position. Stroking his beard, the Elder said, “This junior is disrespectful. I will discipline him properly when we return.”

    Feng Chiyue raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “I’m afraid you’ll be biased. He’s so unruly, he should come to my Dong’e Mountain to be disciplined. As for the cost of his discipline, considering the Vermilion Bird lineage’s servitude a thousand years ago, I’ll waive it.” She deliberately poked at their sore spot. After breaking away from the Phoenix’s command, the Vermilion Bird had always wanted to sever ties with the past. Now that they were above the Phoenix and occupied their ancestral land, they were secretly pleased. However, they couldn’t escape their roots. The more they tried to avoid something, the more it would become a nightmare.

    The Vermilion Bird Elder’s expression turned cold, the gentle smile on his lips vanishing. He looked at Feng Chiyue, his voice cold. “Is Master Feng determined to take our clansman away?”

    Feng Chiyue retorted, “Is there a problem with that?” She shifted her gaze to the Vermilion Bird Elder and said slowly, “What a pity.”

    She was already tired today and didn’t want to fight. Why were these people so unaccommodating? She just wanted to repair her “Understanding Words,” was that such a big deal? They wouldn’t even lend her a Vermilion Bird, so what about the fact that the Vermilion Birds had occupied Danxue Mountain for so long? A faint smile appeared on her lips. The beauty’s smile held no threat, only gentleness and tranquility. The Vermilion Birds easily associated her with the title of “Most Beautiful Woman in the Immortal Realm” and began to wonder if the incidents at the Supreme Palace and the West Sea were just fabricated jokes. Did Feng Chiyue really have the ability to do such things?

    “Feng–”

    “Quiet, please?” Feng Chiyue interrupted the Vermilion Bird Elder’s rebuke. Fire descended upon the mountain, and clouds of fire erupted, as if two blazing flames were enveloping Danxue Mountain. The Vermilion Bird lineage was naturally adept at manipulating fire. When the heavenly fire descended, they just sneered, unconcerned. They channeled their magic, and power surged towards Feng Chiyue like a tidal wave. Feng Chiyue lowered her eyelids and used Zhu Huai Xuan as a shield. If that dragon-like magical attack landed, this Vermilion Bird would surely die! How could the Vermilion Birds allow that to happen? In a moment of desperation, they stopped their attack and cursed at Feng Chiyue, “Shameless!”

    Feng Chiyue snorted lazily. She opened her eyes and looked at the burning Danxue Mountain with interest. It wasn’t just the Vermilion Birds, but also the Golden Pheasant, Swan Goose, and Bifang, the other three lineages occupying Danxue Mountain, who flew out. Their faces were grim, their eyes filled with anger and killing intent as they glared at Feng Chiyue.

    All birds pay homage to the Phoenix.

    She should be close to these birds, so why did she feel only disgust and murderous intent when she saw them? The malice that welled up inside her almost burst forth like a raging river. Just as Feng Chiyue moved her right hand, about to draw her sword, a whooshing sound rang out. A cold light appeared out of thin air and suddenly landed in front of her.

    At first, Feng Chiyue thought someone had drawn their sword. But she quickly noticed something strange about this cold light. It was a long sword, emanating a bright light, that leaped out. Raising an eyebrow, the killing intent in her eyes dissipated slightly.

    Feng Chiyue drawled, “Undefeated.” She paused, then added, “Isn’t it ‘As the master lives, so lives the sword; as the master dies, so dies the sword’? How come my dear sister is dead, but you’re still alive and kicking?”

    The Undefeated sword trembled, its humming fading.

    Undefeated, the East Abode Master’s sword.

    No wonder she could deal with the Supreme Palace and bully the West Sea Dragon Prince. So that was it.

    It was all thanks to the East Abode Master’s deterrence, to the sword intent of the ruthless magic sword.

    The Vermilion Bird Elder suddenly understood.

  • The Number One Good-for-Nothing in the Celestial Realm 8

    Chapter 8

    Feng Chiyue had no idea that she had disrupted the marriage alliance between the West Sea and the East Sea, and had even affected the Four Seas Alliance.

    She went to the courtyard where the immortals of the Dragon Cauldron Palace resided, her arms full of treasures. After a quick glance around, she pulled out a female immortal who looked pleasing to the eye and seemed skilled. Without a word, she whisked the woman away. Thinking too much would only give her a headache, and the process wasn’t important – she preferred to focus on the results.

    If Ming Jian Su knew about this, she would definitely have something to say. But Ming Jian Su was nowhere to be found. She had promised to stay by her side, but she turned out to be a liar. What right did she have to judge Feng Chiyue’s actions? She didn’t care about right or wrong. Anyone who stood in her way could just die. After all, no one cared about her anymore.

    The female immortal, who had been abruptly captured by Feng Chiyue, was named Chang Huai. Faced with the overwhelming aura of the Phoenix, she felt as insignificant as an ant. She didn’t dare to move, her gaze fixed on the hem of the vibrant red dress. It wasn’t until they reached Dong’e Mountain that she snapped out of her daze, stealing glances at the plants and trees in front of the palace.

    “Master!” Zhu Wan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Feng Chiyue unharmed. Heaven knew how nervous she had been when she discovered Feng Chiyue was gone. In the past, when her own Master was still around, Feng Chiyue wouldn’t even step out of the palace, even going out to play on the swings required coaxing and carrying from her Master. Zhu Wan used to secretly despise Feng Chiyue’s laziness, but now she wished that she was truly bedridden.

    But Zhu Wan’s relief was short-lived. When she saw the female immortal being deposited in front of her, her smile froze on her face. Her eyelids twitched violently, and her fingers trembled uncontrollably. The female immortal was dressed in a simple, light blue Daoist robe, her hair in a Daoist bun fastened with a wooden hairpin. On her waist hung a jade tag inscribed with the character “Cauldron.” If she wasn’t mistaken, this was from the Dragon Cauldron Palace, wasn’t it? “M-Master?” Zhu Wan stammered, her tongue tied in knots.

    Feng Chiyue glanced at Zhu Wan. “I borrowed her from the Dragon Cauldron Palace.”

    “Borrowed” or “abducted”? Zhu Wan felt dizzy. If she stayed on Dong’e Mountain any longer, she feared she would die young!

    Feng Chiyue waved her hand, tossing a Qiankun bag to Chang Huai. Then, she took out her precious black box and pointed at Chang Huai. “Fix it.”

    As the opening of the Qiankun bag loosened, the dazzling dragon scales inside stunned Chang Huai. There were silver, black, gold – all kinds. Even the Dragon Cauldron Palace didn’t have such a vast inventory. Unable to resist, she reached out and touched them. Besides the scales, she also saw neatly bundled dragon tendons and even dragon bones… Could this Master have raided a dragon tomb? It took a while for Chang Huai to tear herself away from the mesmerizing sight and turn her attention to the ordinary-looking black box.

    Feng Chiyue asked impatiently, “What? Can’t you fix it?”

    “It’s not that.” Chang Huai shook her head and said earnestly, “I’m missing some materials.”

    Feng Chiyue lowered her eyelashes and asked Zhu Wan, “Were there any phoenix feathers among the things sent from Phoenix Mountain?”

    Zhu Wan nodded. “Yes.”

    Chang Huai added, “I also need fire.” She looked at Feng Chiyue. “How about I take these back to the Dragon Cauldron Palace?”

    At the thought of the black box leaving her sight, a wave of anger surged through Feng Chiyue like a volcanic eruption. The smile vanished from her face, replaced by an oppressive aura that pressed down on both Zhu Wan and Chang Huai, making them dizzy and nearly forcing them to their knees.

    Chang Huai hurriedly said, “We don’t have to go. Phoenix fire can be used in place of earth fire.” She muttered to herself, Feng Chiyue’s true form is a phoenix, she couldn’t possibly lack a bit of phoenix fire, right?

    Feng Chiyue frowned. “Besides phoenix fire?”

    Chang Huai replied, “Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Chongming, Bifang… as long as it’s from the Eight Lineages of the Feathered Race, it can replace earth fire.” The Eight Lineages of the Feathered Race referred to the Phoenix, Azure Dragon, Mandarin Duck, Chongming(Mytical Bird), Vermilion Bird, Golden Pheasant, Swan Goose, and Bifang.

    A thousand years ago, they were all under the rule of the Phoenix Sovereign. However, after the “Fall of the Phoenix”, Phoenix Mountain was divided. The Vermilion Bird, Golden Pheasant, Swan Goose, and Bifang broke away from the Phoenix and occupied the ancestral land of the Phoenix race, Danxue Mountain. They were close to the Heavenly Emperor, and their situation was completely different from the four races in Phoenix Mountain.

    Feng Chiyue smiled at Chang Huai. “Then let’s use Vermilion Bird fire.”

    Chang Huai’s eyelids twitched. The Vermilion Bird lineage was extremely powerful now. Their leader, Chang Li, was the South Fire Lord, one of the Four Generals of the Heavenly Court. Touching the Vermilion Bird was equivalent to declaring war on the South Fire Lord. Phoenix Mountain had hated the Vermilion Bird for a thousand years, but they still hadn’t made a move. Could this Master be delusional, thinking she could just ask the Vermilion Bird to provide fire?

    Zhu Wan also thought that Feng Chiyue was daydreaming. She stared at Feng Chiyue, afraid that she would disappear in the blink of an eye and cause more trouble. Their relationship with the various departments of the Heavenly Court was already delicate, did they really need to offend everyone? She didn’t expect Feng Chiyue to offer her own phoenix fire. An idea came to mind, and she resignedly said, “I’ll go ask Master Feng Yao for help.”

    Feng Chiyue didn’t answer. She crossed her arms and asked, “Do you have a grudge against any Vermilion Birds?”

    Zhu Wan shook her head. “No.” She was always cautious in her actions, how could she possibly make enemies? If she had to say, it was Feng Chiyue who had attracted all the trouble.

    Feng Chiyue smiled and said gently, “Think again.”

    Zhu Wan: “…” There was no one! It wasn’t like she could just come up with a name. But when she looked up, she inadvertently met Feng Chiyue’s deep gaze. Zhu Wan felt a chill run down her spine, and goosebumps erupted all over her body. This was a demand for a name. Zhu Wan racked her brains, and a name suddenly popped into her head. It wasn’t a deep grudge, but that Vermilion Bird had once insulted her. Under Feng Chiyue’s imposing gaze, the three words “Zhu Huai Xuan” tumbled out.

    Feng Chiyue nodded in satisfaction. “Very good.” With a flick of her sleeve, she turned and left.

    “Master, where are you going?” Zhu Wan panicked. She regretted her words as soon as she spoke.

    Feng Chiyue turned her head, her smile radiant and dazzling like a hundred flowers blooming, captivating and alluring.

    But her words were not so charming.

    She said, “I respect the elderly and cherish the young. I’ll avenge you.”

    Zhu Wan didn’t feel the slightest bit of concern. Instead, it was as if she had been struck by lightning, her face etched with despair as if facing impending doom.

    “Master, why didn’t you take Master Feng with you when you left? What am I supposed to do?” Zhu Wan muttered to herself.

    —

    In the Asura City.

    After hiccuping, Ming Jian Su continued to watch plays on the Chaos Mirror.

    In just three days, she had gotten used to being talked about. Let them talk. It wouldn’t be long before everyone forgot about her. After all, the traces of the “dead” faded with each passing day.

    In the middle of a play, Ming Jian Su suddenly felt a wave of discomfort.

    The “drunken stupor” she had once longed for wasn’t as enjoyable as she had imagined.

    She turned off the play and instead browsed through the messages left by other immortals on the Chaos Mirror. In their spare time, everyone liked to discuss the Dao and gossip about recent events. For instance, at this moment, a wandering immortal who lived by the sea mentioned the “Four Seas Alliance.” There were many comments below, mostly left by wandering immortals from the islands in the sea.

    In the past, the Dragon Palace had competed with them for the ownership of the islands, but eventually gave up due to their combined strength. But if the Four Seas Alliance was established and the water tribes joined forces to drive out the wandering immortals from the islands, the situation would become quite unfavorable.

    — Good news, the marriage alliance between the West Sea and the East Sea is off. Rumor has it that the West Sea Dragon Prince was defeated by a good-for-nothing from the Immortal Realm. The East Sea Dragon Princess looked down on him and declared that she would only marry an Emperor’s daughter.

    Ming Jian Su was sensitive to the words “good-for-nothing.” Her eyelids twitched, and a sense of foreboding arose in her heart. It couldn’t be… Feng Chiyue was lazy to the extreme. How could she possibly travel thousands of miles from Kunlun to the West Sea? She suppressed her chaotic thoughts and continued reading. As expected, someone who didn’t know the details asked for more information. The original commenter hesitated for a moment before vividly describing the battle that took place at sea. It was normal for conflicts to arise between immortals, but the fact that the immortal who set the West Sea ablaze was Feng Chiyue felt off.

    — Perhaps the East Abode Master left her some life-saving means before her passing.

    Ming Jian Su: “…”

    It wasn’t me, I didn’t.

    Her heart ached.

    So the incident at the Supreme Palace before wasn’t Jing De Immortal Monarch lying for the sake of her seniority, but Feng Chiyue actually beating people up.

    If she hadn’t faked her death, wouldn’t she still be kept in the dark? What other surprises did Feng Chiyue have in store for her?

  • I Don’t Want to Be Reborn With You 12

    Chapter 12: What’s Your Relationship?

    As life gradually settled into a routine, it dawned upon me that the world hadn’t actually stopped spinning for me. Humans tend to be narcissistic, not only exaggerating their own importance but also attributing success to themselves and failure to external factors. The results of the challenging mock exam were finally released on the third day. Many students sighed and lamented, blaming the exam setters for their lack of empathy, yet they conveniently overlooked Lu Li’s top score.

    It’s better this way, less attention on me, Lu Li consoled himself. Their attitudes towards him were genuine. While they admired his academic achievements, their backgrounds prevented them from befriending an orphan who could barely afford to eat.

    A steed of a thousand li* is common, but a discerning judge is rare, he thought to himself, not without a hint of narcissism.

    (T/N): Many talented individuals

    But there was one discerning judge: Chu Jingyi. After retrieving a copy of the results from the office, the class monitor excitedly grabbed Lu Li’s shoulders, congratulating him on his transformation. In her eyes, Lu Li going from his usual lackadaisical self to achieving first place was nothing short of a metamorphosis. Although her words stung a little, Lu Li still smiled and nodded.

    The class elections were also held over the past two days, and unsurprisingly, Chu Jingyi was elected as class monitor.

    During her speech, she was dignified, articulate, and sincere, a stark contrast to her usual self. Lu Li even wondered if she had a split personality, switching to her “serious mode” with a hidden button on her chest – or perhaps “cyber girl” was a more fitting description.

    Yeah, the “class monitor” and “cyber girl” personas went surprisingly well together. She’d fit right into a holographic projection, appearing with the flick of a switch and announcing, “Greetings, I am Artificial Intelligence Unit Chu Jingyi, at your service.”

    Lost in his thoughts, Lu Li suddenly felt An Baili playfully pinching his left earlobe.

    “What are you doing?” He frowned, feigning annoyance. As expected, An Baili withdrew her hand and retreated.

    “I’ve been having stomachaches at night. Can you accompany me to the hospital this weekend… I’m scared to go alone…”

    Lu Li gave her an amused smile. You’re scared? You were ready to die together with me, but you’re afraid of a little hospital visit? He didn’t bother responding. Silence was a hundred times better than outright rejection in this situation. In the end, An Baili was just clinging to his care. With enough consistent coldness, he could make her give up.

    He wasn’t fond of using the silent treatment, as it fundamentally damaged relationships. Interacting with loved ones was an exchange of emotions. If one party remained indifferent, it was no different from having a relationship with a fictional character. At least those characters could still utter heartwarming lines under the direction of their creators.

    “I was thinking of going to the tech mall this weekend. Want to come along?”

    To the hospital one minute, to the tech mall the next. You sure are versatile.

    Seeing Lu Li remain stubbornly silent, his gaze fixed elsewhere, An Baili whispered, “If you spend the weekend with me, I’ll spend the night with you. I’m still a virgin, you know, and quite young…”

    Lu Li couldn’t bear to listen any longer. He felt like An Baili was degrading herself.

    He abruptly stood up and walked out of the classroom, bumping into the approaching class monitor.

    Chu Jingyi was carrying a stack of test papers, her slender, fair arms a stark contrast to the yellowed paper. It was evident that she was struggling with the weight. In this situation, Lu Li should have offered to help. It was a perfect opportunity to get closer to the innocent girl.

    But he didn’t. He didn’t want to escape An Baili’s vortex only to get caught in another uncontrollable entanglement. So, he simply feigned ignorance, mumbled a greeting, and continued walking towards the door.

    The class monitor, with her simple mind, couldn’t comprehend Lu Li’s complex thoughts. She just wondered if he was skipping class again.

    “Lu Li, where are you going? Class is about to start. We have a pop quiz next period.”

    “I’m going to the computer lab.”

    “Hey, you can’t skip class.”

    “Thanks, class monitor!” Lu Li waved goodbye with a smile. He knew that deep down, Chu Jingyi was a soft touch, just like him. Even if she didn’t verbally condone his truancy, she would still turn a blind eye when it came to attendance. After all, hadn’t he gotten away with it last year? It was all about knowing how to handle people.

    Being “handled” wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. It gave others the illusion of control. At least in Lu Li’s eyes, the class monitor was partially controllable, while An Baili was not. That was why he preferred being around Chu Jingyi.

    Upon arriving at the computer lab, he was greeted by blessed silence, save for the sound of a prematurely balding programmer typing away. Noticing Lu Li’s arrival, Mr. Chen scoffed, “His Majesty, gracing us with his presence again? Skipping class, I presume?”

    Although his teacher, Mr. Chen wasn’t that much older. He had just graduated from university, and his relationship with Lu Li was more akin to that of bickering friends. Mr. Chen was socially awkward, timid during computer class but surprisingly aggressive in private. What baffled Lu Li was how such a man could have a girlfriend.

    Lu Li pulled up a chair and sat beside Mr. Chen. “What are you working on, Mr. Chen? Another auto-reply program for your girlfriend? She didn’t dump you last time?”

    Mr. Chen flushed, suddenly resembling Kong Yiji from Lu Xun’s stories. Lu Li thought he’d look quite fitting in a faded indigo robe.

    “This is serious business. I’m working on a project. If it goes well, I might get hired full-time.” Mr. Chen grumbled. “Then I won’t have to teach you lot anymore. How do you even get away with skipping class all the time, Your Majesty? Aren’t you afraid of getting expelled?”

    “His Majesty” was just Mr. Chen’s sarcastic nickname for Lu Li, alluding to his seemingly untouchable status in school. Despite constantly skipping class and scaling the school walls, he remained unscathed.

    Of course, Lu Li wouldn’t be expelled. He had his dear class monitor to cover for him. Using the right people in the right places – that was what made him clever. Human society was like a spider web, with each node made up of people. It was impossible to achieve anything without navigating these human connections. This was something that Mr. Chen, with his social anxiety, struggled with immensely.

    “You focus on your work. I’m going to use that computer. Can you grant me access?” Lu Li picked up his external hard drive from Mr. Chen’s desk drawer.

    Speaking of which, this hard drive was one of Lu Li’s few valuable possessions – at least more valuable than his 100 yuan outfits. It contained a backup of his game’s demo version, along with some other things that any hot-blooded young man might possess. Lu Li had decided that if he were ever to die suddenly, he would crawl back home and format the hard drive before breathing his last. Only then could he rest in peace.

    He had completed the game’s framework last year, using a free engine. As a solo developer, the optimization was poor, and the asset utilization was low. His main goals for this year were to flesh out the story and improve the underlying code. Of course, he planned to freeload off Mr. Chen for the latter.

    Lu Li rewrote the first chapter of the story. After repeated revisions and testing, the demo version was finally starting to look decent, except for the free assets that clashed with the game’s style.

    Thinking about the art style reminded him of Wen Hupo. He had asked around at school, but there was no one by that name, or rather, no Shirley Amber. Perhaps she was still overseas, receiving an elite education. He still couldn’t comprehend what had caused their falling out in his past life. He vaguely remembered commenting on her recent use of color, and the usually quiet Wen Hupo had suddenly erupted, unleashing a torrent of insults before packing her bags and leaving the next day.

    Had he done something wrong?

    Lost in thought, Lu Li was startled by two small heads poking through the doorway like curious kittens, their eyes darting around. Chu Jingyi and An Baili’s suspicious lurking finally caught Mr. Chen’s attention. He looked up at Lu Li, who was sitting at the back. “Your Majesty, you have visitors!”

    Only then did Lu Li notice the two girls looking at him with a mix of apprehension and hope. He walked over with a wry smile. “Come in, it’s alright. Mr. Chen doesn’t bite.” He directed his words at Chu Jingyi, pretending that An Baili didn’t exist.

    Chu Jingyi, still holding An Baili’s hand, entered the lab and politely greeted Mr. Chen.

    The trio reached the back of the lab where Lu Li’s computer screen displayed the game interface. Chu Jingyi excitedly moved the mouse. “Can I try it?” She looked like a child who had just received a new toy, eager to play but unsure how to start.

    Looking at Chu Jingyi’s profile, Lu Li couldn’t help but find the class monitor’s naiveté endearing.

    While he observed Chu Jingyi, An Baili was observing him. Just as he admired the scenery, he too was part of someone else’s landscape. However, An Baili’s heart was far from at ease. She felt a pang of jealousy. She hated it when Lu Li looked at others with such tenderness. The thought of it would keep her up at night, a sharp pain stabbing at her heart.

    She was deeply insecure, perhaps due to her low self-esteem or her timidity. There was no such thing as “yandere” in the real world, only antisocial personality disorder. People would steer clear of such individuals in real life. However, when an extremely timid person finally snapped, that was when their “illness” manifested.

    And An Baili was ill.

    Subconsciously, she sought her cure. Her hand reached out for Lu Li’s, desperate to hold onto him, to act coquettishly like she used to, demanding his attention. However, her hand froze midway, stopped by Lu Li’s icy glare. She withdrew it, like a child caught misbehaving.

    Don’t be like this… Please…

    “It’s just a demo version. There are still many rough edges,” Lu Li explained to the class monitor. “Are you classes over?”

    It should be “your” classes, not “you” classes… An Baili corrected him internally. She knew Lu Li was doing this on purpose. They were once husband and wife, after all. His deliberate coldness only convinced her further that he still cared.

    “Yeah, we came here as soon as class ended. We have a free period next, so I brought Baili along to check it out.”

    Chu Jingyi, please stop smiling, stop chatting so happily with my Lu Li… An Baili felt increasingly uncomfortable. The two of them looked so well-suited, laughing and talking. The boy was handsome and clean-cut, the girl beautiful and elegant. They were dazzling, their light so bright she could barely keep her eyes open. It was as if she were the outsider.

    Driven by a sudden urge, An Baili desperately needed to reaffirm her place in Lu Li’s heart. With an air of reckless determination, she grabbed his hand. It was as warm as she remembered. Just holding his hand brought her a sense of comfort, like snuggling under a warm blanket on a winter day or being wrapped in a cozy duvet with the air conditioner on full blast during summer.

    However, Lu Li’s reaction was startling. He abruptly pulled his hand away, his voice sharp. “What are you doing?”

    An Baili’s eyes welled up, but she remained silent, standing there looking utterly heartbroken.

    Chu Jingyi was stunned. “What’s wrong, Lu Li?”

    Lu Li realized he had overreacted. An Baili’s sudden gesture didn’t warrant such a drastic response. His exaggerated reaction had even alerted Chu Jingyi.

    Never treat others like fools, for it only makes a fool of yourself. Chu Jingyi was no fool. Her voice was sharp as she asked, “What… is your relationship?”

  • I Don’t Want to Be Reborn With You 11

    Chapter 11: Buying a Computer

    “Lu Li, are you going to buy a computer?”

    Lu Li’s hand trembled, almost dropping his pen. “What? Did you say sell a kidney? I’m not selling a kidney.”

    Chu Jingyi was so angry she pinched the back of his neck, making Lu Li grimace in pain. Do all girls have a natural talent for pinching? Either the back of the neck or the soft flesh around the waist – it’s like they were born knowing how to inflict pain. No wonder Wing Chun Kung Fu flourished under their influence.

    “I said buy a computer! Buy! A! Computer!” Chu Jingyi yelled into Lu Li’s ear.

    “Alright, alright, I heard you.” Lu Li impatiently pushed her away. “For me, buying a computer is basically the same as selling a kidney. How could I possibly afford one? I’ll just have to make do with borrowing one from the computer lab.”

    Hearing this, not only An Baili but even Lu Li’s nameless female deskmate couldn’t help but cover their mouths and chuckle.

    “You don’t have to sell a kidney!” As others laughed, Chu Jingyi’s ears turned pink, making her look even more adorable. “I’ll give you one… Of course, it’s to help you with that game, nothing else.”

    Give me one? Lu Li raised an eyebrow. A gentleman wouldn’t accept charity. He hadn’t done anything to deserve it, so what gave Chu Jingyi the right to offer him a computer?

    His expression turned serious. “Class monitor, I may be poor, but I have my pride. There’s no need for your pity.”

    Pity was always the privilege of the strong. When one person showed pity towards another, they were already placing themselves on a higher pedestal. Lu Li recalled a time in third grade when he received a poverty subsidy and had to stand in front of the entire school during morning exercises, giving a “heartfelt” speech. The stench of adult pity that permeated that experience had left a deep psychological scar.

    He hated it when people treated him with sympathy or pity. He had two hands, two feet, and a healthy body. He could support himself. Why should he be looked down upon?

    When anxious, Chu Jingyi resembled a deer, a sika deer to be precise, dashing about in a frenzy.

    “I’m not pitying you. It’s just that… well…” Chu Jingyi looked pleadingly at An Baili, hoping she would speak up on her behalf.

    An Baili would be thrilled if Chu Jingyi and Lu Li had a falling out. There was no way she would intervene. She simply looked back at Chu Jingyi with a dull expression, playing the part of the quiet, introverted girl from the countryside.

    “That’s not what I meant.” Sweat beaded on Chu Jingyi’s forehead. “We’re friends, aren’t we? I just wanted to give you a gift…”

    Friends… This word made Lu Li pause. Friends were a luxury he couldn’t afford, and Chu Jingyi’s offer of friendship seemed a bit too casual. He always felt that they were just ordinary classmates, far from being friends. However, he was adept at adapting to different situations.

    “Is that so?” He feigned confusion, his previous anger vanishing like an illusion.

    Chu Jingyi, unable to see through Lu Li’s act, quickly nodded upon seeing his confused expression. “It’s normal for friends to give gifts. That’s what my mom told me. Once you make friends, you should stay in touch and give small gifts. That’s how friendships last.”

    That’s what your mom told you… Right. An Baili chuckled and asked curiously, “Jingyi, do you have many friends?”

    Chu Jingyi’s face flushed even redder. She was embarrassed to admit that she had very few friends, if any at all. Every time she met someone new, the first month was always harmonious. However, once they learned about her family background, they would become distant and gradually cut off contact.

    Within the circle of wealthy kids in Chuanhai City, Chu Jingyi’s status was obviously too high, or rather, her father’s position was too prominent. Everyone had their own circles, and forcing oneself into another’s only led to awkwardness for everyone involved. Therefore, she rarely talked about her family and even deliberately downplayed her background.

    She wanted friends. Not the kind who flattered and put on a show, but genuine friends.

    Lu Li gradually understood. Chu Jingyi was also a bit of a problem child. It seemed like she had serious issues with social interaction. No wonder she was so eager to give him a computer just days after they met. The gesture reeked of trying too hard.

    “Sorry for the misunderstanding…” Chu Jingyi lowered her head, her pitiful appearance evoking sympathy.

    Lu Li wasn’t actually angry. He had merely put on an act. “It’s okay. Thank you for offering me a gift. It’s just that it’s too expensive for me. We’re friends, of course, and friends can’t be bought with money, right?”

    His voice was gentle, as calm as he appeared.

    Chu Jingyi was touched but still a little uneasy. “But wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to be your friend without doing anything in return?”

    Lu Li couldn’t help but take a closer look at her. In his past life’s memories, Chu Jingyi was like Wang Xifeng, always acting high and mighty. However, as they got closer in this life, he realized that deep down, the class monitor was actually a kind soul. People were always complex and contradictory. If it weren’t for the inability to handle close relationships, who would want to be a cold and distant class monitor all day long?

    “Then let me ask you for a favor, okay?” Lu Li smiled gently, captivating An Baili, who was watching from the sidelines. Back then, An Baili had fallen for this man’s smile, and that one smile had lasted them over twenty years.

    “Ask me for a favor?” Chu Jingyi tilted her head in confusion.

    “You know I often sneak off to the computer lab, right? I miss a lot of assignments the teachers give. Chu Jingyi, could you please help me write down the teachers’ assignments in the future?” The essence of social relationships was mutual indebtedness. The more you owed each other, the closer the relationship became.

    He added, “This is really important to me. Please!”

    Chu Jingyi’s eyes sparkled like a hero receiving a king’s command. She pumped her fist with excitement. “Okay, leave it to me!”

    For a problem child like her, she had been showered with love from birth: her parents’ adoration, her classmates’ respect, and her teachers’ affection. The saying was true: love always flowed to those who didn’t lack it.

    All she craved was to be needed, to be the one giving love, not just receiving it.

    Lu Li noticed the dimness in An Baili’s eyes, a stark contrast to Chu Jingyi’s excitement. An Baili, on the other hand, had always yearned for love. Chu Jingyi’s joy only served as a reminder of painful memories. The girl from the countryside slumped over her desk, staring blankly into space.

    Lu Li’s lips twitched as he suppressed the urge to speak. He had to admit, for a fleeting moment, he felt a pang of sympathy for An Baili.

    The day of the first mock exam after the class reshuffle arrived.

    Such exams were a piece of cake for Lu Li. Although he felt a bit rusty at first, as his muscle memory and knowledge returned, his speed increased dramatically. With time to spare, he observed An Baili and Chu Jingyi.

    The former was biting on her pen, looking drowsy.

    The latter sat upright, her pen flying across the paper.

    These two ending up as deskmates was like the sun rising from the west, Lu Li thought to himself with a hint of malice.

    As the day’s exams concluded, the sophomores were understandably exhausted. They gathered in small groups, discussing the answers. Lu Li abhorred this practice. Besides messing with their mental state, it served no purpose. Yet, ordinary people loved to engage in pointless post-mortems. Of course, Lu Li wasn’t just talking about exams.

    Chuanhai No. 1 High School prohibited students from working part-time during the school year. Otherwise, Lu Li would have taken on at least two jobs. With nothing else to do after school, he ambled towards the computer lab. As for An Baili? She was being lectured in the teacher’s office for handing in a blank exam paper.

    Chu Jingyi watched Lu Li’s retreating figure, hesitating to speak. However, her thoughts came too slowly, and Lu Li walked too fast. By the time she made up her mind, he was already out of sight. With a sigh, she walked to the school gate, took out her transportation card, and prepared to take the subway home.

    Just then, the class monitor spotted her father’s inconspicuous car parked at the entrance. The license plate hadn’t been changed yet and still bore the white government plates. The parents who came to pick up their children obediently parked their cars far away. A few pot-bellied middle-aged men, cigarettes dangling from their lips, tried to approach the car but were driven back by the glare of Chu Jingyi’s father’s secretary.

    Chu Jingyi greeted Secretary Long before turning to her father in the back seat with an annoyed expression. “Dad, why are you here to pick me up again? Didn’t we agree that I’d go home by myself?”

    Her father leaned forward apologetically. “My bad, my bad. I finished work early today and thought I’d pick up my little princess on the way.”

    Secretary Long, a man in his thirties, was like an uncle to Chu Jingyi. When she was little, she often caused a ruckus at her father’s workplace, and it was always Secretary Long who took care of her. Back then, she had innocently declared that Secretary Long was her real father, nearly scaring the young man, whose hairline hadn’t even started receding at that time, to his knees.

    He chuckled and said, “Jingyi, Mr. Chu even pushed back several meetings today.”

    “Don’t you start.” Chu Father laughed and opened the car door for his daughter. “Get in the car. Forgive your dad, just this once, okay?”

    Only after Chu Jingyi got in did Secretary Long get into the driver’s seat and start the car.

    As Chu Father and his daughter chatted about school life, they naturally touched upon the matter of Chu Jingyi wanting to give Lu Li a computer. Upon hearing his daughter’s account, Chu Father exchanged a surprised look with Secretary Long through the rearview mirror.

    “Is that what Little Lu really said?” Chu Father asked with a chuckle.

    “Yes. I know he was just trying to comfort me by asking me to help him with the assignments, but I’m still really happy.” Chu Jingyi had always been open with her parents and hid nothing from them. “Dad, I think Lu Li is amazing. He’s great at writing scripts and really caring. It must be wonderful to be his friend!”

    Secretary Long’s eyes widened in amusement, trying his best to stifle a laugh. Chu Father, on the other hand, laughed freely. He stroked his chin and said, “Tell you what, you pick out a computer for Little Lu and tell him it’s from me.”

    “Huh?” Chu Jingyi’s eyes widened in surprise.

  • They All Want to Be My Female Lead 102

    Chapter 102: Instructor Yu Xuan, the Wicked Woman

    As their instructor, she was aware of her students’ affections for Yan Zhen in her previous life. However, the current situation had exceeded her expectations.

    Mi Xue’er’s confession had triggered Yan Meng’er’s competitive spirit, inadvertently exposing Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan’s hidden feelings. She felt her own position becoming precarious.

    If they discovered she had seduced her own student, how could she face them?

    Anxiety gnawed at her as she watched Yan Zhen, trapped between Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of jealousy and apprehension.

    But as their instructor, she couldn’t ignore their conflict.

    “Ahem, Meng’er, Xue’er, that’s enough. Yan Zhen is trying to eat. How can he use his chopsticks if you’re clinging to his arms? Sit down.”

    Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er, realizing their mistake, blushed. We’ve already lost points for our first impression! This is not how it’s supposed to go!

    They quickly released him.

    “Sorry, Cousin! I didn’t mean to! I just got carried away~”

    “Yan Zhen, I’m sorry. You can have my abalone.”

    He didn’t respond, silently continuing his meal. He seemed to be angry.

    Flustered, they returned to their seats, their faces burning.

    Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan breathed a sigh of relief.

    Those two troublemakers… dragging us into their mess… How annoying!

    They glanced at Yan Zhen, who was calmly eating, seemingly unfazed by the girls’ shocking declarations.

    This made them even more anxious. If they angered him, their competition would be pointless.

    However, they were unaware of the turmoil within him.

    What is going on? “Cousin Yan Zhen belongs to me and Cousin Ruyu”? “You’ve been giving him strange looks lately”? Don’t tell me Cousin Ruyu and Miss High-and-Mighty are also interested in him?

    It was absurd! He and Yan Ruyu were constantly bickering, their relationship more akin to enemies than lovers. And he barely interacted with Xiao Xinyan, apart from that one treatment session and the time she lent him money. How could there be any talk of liking or disliking?

    They must be making things up…

    He was baffled.

    This was supposed to be a “no-female-lead, wish-fullfilment” story! How had it turned into a harem story?

    His acting was flawless! Where had he gone wrong?

    Being sandwiched between Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er, their arms clinging to his, was a classic harem protagonist scenario.

    He was reminded of the time Huangfu Wenqing had come to “break off their engagement.” He had been similarly trapped, Yan Meng’er sucking on one finger while Huangfu Wenqing licked the other. It was straight out of an adult manga.

    How was he supposed to salvage this chaotic plot?!

    — No matter what! I can’t let my protagonist persona crumble! I have to stay strong!

    Their thoughts and actions were irrelevant. He was simply an emotionless, power-hungry protagonist.

    He pretended nothing had happened, focusing on his meal with an air of indifference. Chomp, chomp, chomp!

    He finished eating, wiped his mouth, drank his tea, and burped.

    Instructor Yu Xuan, watching him, couldn’t help but feel a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

    “Alright, everyone, back to class. We’ll discuss this at home tonight.”

    The girls, obediently, rose from their seats and left the office.

    Yan Zhen followed them, eager to escape, but a firm grip on his collar stopped him. He turned to see Instructor Yu Xuan smiling at him, her eyes narrowed.

    “Yan Zhen, stay here. I need to talk to you.”

    His scalp tingled. Before he could retract his foot, she pulled him back into the office, slamming the door shut.

    Alone with him, she leaned against the desk, her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on him as he sat obediently in her chair. She resembled a police officer interrogating a suspect.

    Gone was her usual gentleness. Her voice was cold and sharp. “Yan Zhen, tell me the truth. What did you do to Xue’er while you were pretending to be her boyfriend?”

    He felt a wave of guilt. “I… I didn’t do anything! We just… slept in the same bed. That’s all.”

    “Don’t lie to me!” She frowned, her voice laced with accusation. “If you didn’t do anything, why would she suddenly confess her love for you?”

    In her previous life, Mi Xue’er hadn’t been so bold. Something must have triggered this sudden change.

    “I don’t know! I’m just as confused as you are!”

    He had promised Mi Xue’er he wouldn’t reveal her… accident.

    Her eyes narrowed. “You’re not going to talk, are you? Then don’t blame me for forcing it out of you.”

    He felt a sense of dread. “Instructor, what… what are you going to do?”

    She retrieved a rope, swiftly tying him to the chair, immobilizing him. Then, she covered his eyes with a blindfold.

    “It’s been a while, hasn’t it? You must be feeling restless. Is that why you made a move on Xue’er?”

    Plunged into darkness, he realized the horrifying punishment that awaited him. He pleaded for mercy. “Wait, Instructor! Don’t… don’t– Ah!”

    …

    By the time his body relaxed, his defiance had vanished. He confessed everything.

    She untied him, listening patiently as she cleaned him up, her touch as gentle and caring as a newlywed wife tending to her husband.

    …

    His confession, however, had an unintended side effect.

    She resumed her “treatment,” soothing him until he calmed down. Then, she stood up, pouring herself a cup of tea to soothe her own throat.

    “That Xue’er’s mother… how could she drug her own daughter? That’s outrageous! What if something had actually happened…?” She sighed, settling onto his lap.

    He felt the soft weight of her hips against his, but he didn’t dare move, leaning back to avoid any unnecessary contact.

    “Instructor, what should I do? It seems Senior Sister Xue’er isn’t giving up. And now Meng’er’s involved too! This is giving me a headache!”

    She leaned back against his chest, her hand gently caressing his face. “Aren’t you happy that such a beautiful girl likes you?”

    The soft pressure of her breasts against his chest made him swallow hard. He kept his gaze fixed straight ahead. “I… I just want to focus on my cultivation right now. I don’t have time for romance.”

    “Then why are you provoking them, you little rascal? A girl’s body is not something to be trifled with!” She scolded him playfully, then sighed. “There’s nothing we can do now but wait and see. We’ll deal with it as it comes. Hopefully, they won’t do anything too drastic.”

    Gazing at his handsome profile, a possessive desire stirred within her. She leaned closer, her lips capturing his cheek, sucking gently as she pondered her next move.

    — I’m such a wicked woman… stealing a man from my own students…