Xiao Jingting stood outside the door, watching as Mu Yun emerged with a grim expression.
Mu Yun spotted him. “Why are you here?”
“Manager Qiu summoned me.”
Mu Yun nodded. “I see.”
“Manager Qiu said he had a guest earlier and asked me to come later. That must’ve been you.”
Mu Yun sighed. “Probably.”
“How did your talk go?” Xiao Jingting asked curiously.
Mu Yun smiled bitterly. “Not well.”
Xiao Jingting patted his shoulder reassuringly. “Senior Mu, take it slow. Things will work out.”
“Junior Xiao, you and Xu Mu’an have such a good relationship. Any secrets?”
“Secrets? Nah. We’ve been married for years and have three kids. Hard to stay mad, you know?” What’s the saying? Couples fight at the head of the bed but make up by the foot. Why? Because they roll from one end to the other and reconcile! But Mu Yun—this virgin—doesn’t even know how to get into bed! No wonder he can’t handle relationships.
Mu Yun looked envious. “I see.”
“Senior Mu, don’t overthink it. Let things take their natural course.”
Mu Yun’s smile was pained. “I wonder if I made a mistake. To pursue Nascent Soul, I gave up too much.”
Xiao Jingting lowered his head, rubbing his nose. So he regrets it now. Does he wish he’d taken Cheng Yishu when he had the chance? Should’ve separated cultivation from pleasure. Instead, he dragged his feet and ended up a virgin with fire poison.
Rumor has it Mu Yun can’t even have s*x now—his poison would burn his partner to ashes. Poor guy.
Mu Yun forced a smile. “I’ve taken enough of your time. I’ll go now.”
Xiao Jingting waved. “Take care!”
Watching Mu Yun leave, Xiao Jingting entered Qiu Yun’s courtyard.
“You’re here.” Qiu Yun said.
Xiao Jingting nodded. “Yes.” His eyes flicked to the ring in Qiu Yun’s hand. “Isn’t that Senior Mu’s?”
Qiu Yun tossed it lightly. “His entire fortune. Now he’s penniless.”
Wow. The man’s willing to spend. “Senior Mu is… generous.”
“They are just junk, that can’t be considered generous.” Qiu Yun said disdainfully.
Xiao Jingting: “…”
“How is the Jade Peach King?”
Xiao Jingting scratched his head. “One was almost ready, but after Senior Mu’s episode, the trees wilted. The Jade Peach King too.”
Qiu Yun frowned, sighed after a while, and said, “Forget it. He dug his own grave.”
Xiao Jingting studied Qiu Yun’s conflicted expression. These two are a mess.
—
Xu Mu’an looked up when Xiao Jingting returned. “You saw Qiu Yun?”
Xiao Jingting nodded and said tiredly, “Yes!”
“How did it go?” Xu Muan asked.
“Senior Mu Yun seems to have given all his fortune to Senior Qiu Yun.”
Xu Mu’an’s eyes widened. “That’s… sincere.”
Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “I thought so too.”
Xu Mu’an: “…”
“But at this point, even his entire fortune might not be enough.” Xiao Jingting shook his head and sighed.
Xu Mu’an sighed.
Xiao Jingting rubbed his temples. They say love is the most exhausting thing in the world. Turns out, watching other people in love is even worse—especially when both could crush me with their cultivation.
“Mu Yun won’t leave, and Xie Wanran’s sticking around too.”
Xiao Jingting nodded. “Xie Wanran keeps pushing despite Qiu Yun’s hostility. By the way, why did Qiu Yun call you over?”
“To ask about the Jade Peach King. They were fruiting well until Mu Yun’s episode ruined everything.” Xu Mu’an said with some regret.
Xiao Jingting nodded, “Yes”
“With Mu Yun’s poison so severe, even the Frostbloom Pill might not save him.”
Xiao Jingting waved a hand. “Not necessarily. The one Qiu Yun took was low-grade. If we use a Jade Peach King, we could refine a high-grade version. Though given Mu Yun’s condition, he’d need several doses.”
Xu Mu’an hummed. “Speaking of which, Qiao Xiang is here.”
Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “I heard about it.”
After Chen Xu’s return, the Wushuang Sect had tried repeatedly to meet with Chen Lifeng, only to be refused. Chen Lifeng doted on his grandson like a treasure. Though there was no direct evidence linking Qiao Xiang to the incident, Chen Lifeng wasn’t taking chances.
“Do you think Chen Xu’s matter is related to Qiao Xiang?” Xu Muan asked.
Xiao Jingting shrugged. “Hard to say. Fifty-fifty? A single spiritual root genius like Qiao Xiang probably resented his marriage being treated as a transaction.” Rumors say Qiao Xiang only agreed due to sect pressure. No wonder Chen Lifeng canceled it.
“Or another faction might’ve interfered to prevent an alliance between the Wushuang Sect and Chen Lifeng.”
Xu Mu’an nodded. “Either way, Qiao Xiang’s here for Chen Xu. But…”
“But what?” Xiao Jingting asked curiously.
“Chen Xu’s been spending a lot of time with our son. They get along well.” Xu Muan said.
“Xiaofan?” Xiao Jingting asked.
Xu Mu’an shook his head. “Xiaodong.”
Xiao Jingting blinked. “Xiaodong? How?”
“It’s definitely Xiaodong.”
Xiao Jingting: “…”
Xu Mu’an rested his chin on his hand. “I think Xiaodong might… like him.”
“How do you know?”
“I asked Xiaodong what he thought of Chen Xu.”
“And?”
“He said, ‘Soft. Cute.’”
Xiao Jingting: “…” Xiaodong called someone cute?
—
“Fresh spirit peaches. Try one.” Xiao Xiaodong pushed a plate toward Chen Xu.
“Thanks!” Chen Xu bit into the fruit eagerly.
The flower-patterned chicken clucked noisily beside them.
Xiao Xiaodong watched Chen Xu devour the peach, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Back in the mines, Chen Xu was like this—obedient, adaptable, eating whatever was given. Back then, he was covered in soot, skinny as a refugee. Now, he’s plumped up nicely. Quite… cute.
Tang Yunjie hurried over. “Qiao Xiang is here.”
Xiao Xiaodong’s fingers tapped the table. “Invite him in.”
Tang Yunjie glanced between Xiao Xiaodong and Chen Xu. “Young Master Chen, you…”
Chen Xu frowned. I still don’t know if Qiao Xiang was involved. I don’t want to wrong him, but I can’t risk getting close either.
“Let’s meet him.” Chen Xu said.
The Wushuang Sect had been relentless. If he didn’t face Qiao Xiang now and make things clear, the pestering would never end.
Qiao Xiang entered, his gaze immediately locking onto Chen Xu. The flower-patterned chicken yawned, unimpressed.
“Junior Brother Chen, it’s been too long. I was worried sick after hearing you’d been captured by the Blood Demon Sect.”
Chen Xu smiled politely. “It’s over now.”
Xiao Xiaodong observed Qiao Xiang. Handsome. Like Mu Yun—troublemaker looks, good talent. No wonder the Wushuang Sect picked him for the marriage alliance. A sheltered dual-gender like Chen Xu wouldn’t stand a chance against such charm. But after what happened, Chen Xu won’t be fooled again.
“I heard someone lured you out using my name.” Qiao Xiang said.
“It’s all in the past. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” Chen Xu said with some resistance.
Qiao Xiang leaned forward. “But Junior Brother, I’ve always admired you. When you disappeared, I searched everywhere. Now that you’re back—”
Chen Xu cut him off. “I know you went to great lengths to find me, and I’m grateful. But after this ordeal, I’ve realized my cultivation is too weak. Even with Grandfather’s protection, my inadequacies only burden others. So I’ve decided not to consider marriage for now. I apologize for disappointing you.”
No matter how Qiao Xiang pleaded, Chen Xu remained unmoved. Eventually, Qiao Xiang left in frustration.
Once alone, Chen Xu twisted his sleeves anxiously.
“What’s wrong?” Xiao Xiaodong asked.
Chen Xu shook his head and said, “It’s okay.”
“Can’t bear to leave him?” Xiao Xiaodong asked.
Chen Xu shook his head. “I know he never liked me. He only pretended because of Grandfather.”
Xiao Xiaodong: “…” Sharper than I thought.
“How do you know he doesn’t like you?” Xiao Xiaodong asked curiously.
Chen Xu thought for a moment. “When someone truly likes you, it’s like your father and mother. No grand gestures or flowery words, but you can feel they have a good relationship.”
Xiao Xiaodong: “…”
Thank you so much for support ♡(´･ω･)(･ω･`)♡ :Ko-fi – Patreon
“Soft. Cute.”
Xiaodong, I cant !!!!!!