Chapter 40 [Why Don’t You Try Again?]
Taking a taxi to the city center, they searched for a large shopping mall in a commercial district. Chen Yan led Lu Sisi directly into a brand’s down jacket store.
It wasn’t a luxury brand—Chen Yan wasn’t actually wealthy, and the money in his card today would have to account for tens of thousands for compensating someone’s house.
Stuff like Canada Goose was out of the question.
He chose a mid-range brand, went inside, and had the shop assistant recommend a suitable down jacket for Lu Sisi.
Lu Sisi blushed and declined repeatedly. Chen Yan said softly, "You owe me your life several times over, what’s one more piece of clothing? You can pay me back when you start earning money in the future."
Upon hearing this, Lu Sisi quieted down, looking at Chen Yan with a complicated gaze, then obediently went to try on clothes in front of the mirror.
They picked out a cream-white down jacket for Lu Sisi to wear while she packed her original light-yellow jacket away in a bag.
Buying the clothes only cost less than a thousand yuan.
Then Chen Yan found a small hotpot restaurant and treated Lu Sisi to a meal.
At the table, Chen Yan casually pushed a plate of fatty beef into the pot while chatting casually with Lu Sisi, "Your exams are done. You should be going home for winter break, right? Your family is in Jinling Prefecture, so you don’t need to stay at school anymore."
Lu Sisi thought for a moment, "Mom and Dad are playing with my younger brother in Port City. No one is at home. It’s meaningless for me to go back."
Chen Yan paused, "Last time we met on a plane from Port City to Jinling Prefecture..."
"Hmm, that time I was following my family back to pay respects to our ancestors. I wasn’t eligible to enter the Yang Family’s ancestral hall, so I followed along but only paid respects on the roadside. The next day, I bought a plane ticket and came back."
Hearing this, Chen Yan frowned while looking at the delicate girl in front of him.
Lu Sisi, however, smiled lightly, her smile very calm. She said softly, "I’m fine, Chen Yan. I’ve always been accident-prone, so my family is used to avoiding me. I’m used to it already."
"From now on, everything will be normal. Your family will gradually treat you better."
"..." Lu Sisi gently shook her head, "I don’t really care about that anymore."
"It’s impossible to truly not care." Chen Yan sighed lightly, "People’s hearts are made of flesh. No one can be entirely indifferent to how they’re treated. Remember, even if others treat you poorly, be good to yourself."
Lu Sisi bit her lip lightly and said in a soft voice, "Chen Yan, I feel like what you’re saying seems to come from real experience?"
"I have no parents; my grandmother raised me." Chen Yan smiled lightly.
Lu Sisi was stunned, her mind turned, and when she looked at Chen Yan again, there was another layer of emotion in her eyes.
Chen Yan nodded, reached over with his chopsticks, and tapped the bowl in front of Lu Sisi, "From now on, you’ll be normal. No need to be so careful every day. Smile more often."
Upon hearing this, Lu Sisi gave Chen Yan a gentle smile, showing her white teeth, and asked, " smile?"
"Hmm, smile just like that! It’s a good-looking smile."
"Okay, I will smile more." The girl nodded vigorously.
She thought for a moment and added, "Actually, the past few days have been very relaxing for me. I don’t worry or fear every day. Walking on the road, I feel very free. Sometimes sitting by the roadside, looking at people coming and going, I feel, for the first time in my eighteen years, that the world is indeed very good..."
Saying this, she stared into Chen Yan’s eyes, her tone very serious, "Thank you!"
Chen Yan picked up a few pieces of fatty beef for the girl, then remarked, "Didn’t you want to travel? If you have time during the winter break, you can go for a trip. Start by exploring nearby places, not too far."
"Make more friends at school too. You’ve suppressed yourself too much before."
"Hmm, okay, I’ll remember that."
Chen Yan nodded in satisfaction. He had been very stressed the last few days, so now he indulged himself, eating an entire plate of fatty beef plus two plates of lamb rolls.
Lu Sisi ate elegantly as usual. Chen Yan specifically ordered a grilled fish for her, and the girl picked out the fish bones with her chopsticks, eating happily.
When Chen Yan was about ninety percent full, he put down his chopsticks, took a sip of water, and quietly looked at Lu Sisi, his expression becoming serious.
"There’s something I need to ask you... Do you remember the name of the master who charted your life chart and sorted your Eight Characters in Port City?"
Lu Sisi thought seriously and shook her head, "That happened when I was five. I don’t remember his name. But... his appearance is somewhat memorable."
After pausing, the girl said, "He had very thick eyebrows, like two big brushes, very distinctive."
"You haven’t seen him since you were five?"
"No." Lu Sisi shook her head. "Such masters charge very high fees in Port City. My family doesn’t like me and wouldn’t spend money to hire such an expensive master for me."
Chen Yan pondered for a moment and slowly said, "When you go back, ask your parents about the name of that master in Port City. If you can find out, tell me... but don’t ask too deliberately."
Lu Sisi frowned at Chen Yan, "Is there a problem with that person?"
Chen Yan smiled, not wanting to explain too much to the girl and make her worry, so he vaguely said, "I suspect he was a fraud. There might have been an issue with the Eight Characters he charted for you. It’s nothing serious."
"Okay, if I find out I will tell you."
Chen Yan added: "Recently, try not to go to Port City. If... and I do mean if, that master seeks you out, inform me immediately."
"...Okay, I’ll listen to you." Lu Sisi was as docile as a little kitten.
At first, Chen Yan just wanted to change Lu Sisi’s fortune.
He accomplished it secretly, using the Fake Death Technique to fool the Heavenly Dao and remove Lu Sisi’s bad luck without alerting the "master" in Port City.
But as the two grew closer during those days of casting, Chen Yan decided to help this pitiful girl remove all future troubles!
It wasn’t an impulse driven by lust or feelings, but... the girl’s gentle and adorable nature stirred compassion and sympathy in him.
You could call it chivalry.
Men, especially young guys in their twenties, always have a heroic spirit within them.
It’s said that only young people have such heroic thoughts.
If you were a bit older, worn down by the world, you would become increasingly indifferent.
Although Chen Yan felt he acted cautiously, what if the guy in Port City noticed?
What if he continued to exploit Lu Sisi’s life chart?
Having decided to intervene thoroughly, he also aimed to help Lu Sisi tackle potential threats from Port City.
First, though, he wanted to learn that master’s name and gauge his abilities indirectly.
Given Chen Yan’s prudence, he carefully probed Luoyun House for a day before getting involved, and he never showed his face.
The guy in Port City must also have genuine skills and Tao Practice.
Although Chen Yan’s cultivation had skyrocketed recently, he might not be on par with the master.
If you can trick someone, don’t confront them head-on.
After the meal, Chen Yan called a car for Lu Sisi at the roadside.
Before getting in the car, the girl suddenly turned around, approached Chen Yan, and hugged him around the waist.
Chen Yan was stunned!
Before he could react, Lu Sisi already blushing, tiptoed and kissed Chen Yan lightly on the cheek.
Blessed by heavens, as a 22-year-old single man, Chen Yan’s body went stiff.
Lu Sisi’s face was so red it seemed blood would seep out. She murmured quickly, "This is my first kiss... You’ve done so much for me, but I have nothing precious to give you.
Actually, I had... another idea...
After I woke up that day, I planned to stay the night and give myself to you... But you left.
I realized you wouldn’t accept even if I offered myself.
So I kept thinking during our meal today what to give you...
Chen Yan, if you dislike me bothering you, you must tell me. I promise not to pester you.
The girl spoke hesitantly, then dashed into the car like a frightened rabbit and sped away.
Clutching his face, Chen Yan stood there for a few seconds before coming back to his senses.
His first thought was: In my 22 years, I’ve just now learned what it feels like to be kissed by a girl... A girl’s lips are so soft.
His second thought was...
Damn it, do I still have time to regret? Don’t say I won’t accept! Don’t make it too sure! Why don’t you try again? I don’t have such strong willpower! How about I call her back now? Anyway, this is the city center; there are hotels everywhere. Take her back to the villa then? Damn, that’s too shallow. My image would be ruined! I set myself up too high and can’t come down!
Feeling a bit frustrated, Chen Yan wandered the roadside, ready to call a taxi home.
Enough of roaming the city for today... Going home!! Suddenly, the phone rang.
Chen Yan saw the caller ID, Hu Licking Dog.
Answering the call, Chen Yan said, "What’s up Lao Hu, any news about the house compensation?"
"Not yet. I plan to get an estimate first and then meet the owner," Hu Licking Dog’s tone was cautious and hesitant, "I just encountered something else. I thought I should tell you."
"I passed Extreme Internet Cafe earlier. The cafe was closed. The owner of the neighboring roasted chestnut shop mentioned the cafe’s owner had some family trouble."
Chen Yan’s playful expression turned serious, "Then what?"
"The police went to the cafe last night and took the owner’s brother away. That’s all I know," Hu Licking Dog said slowly. "I know you have good relations with the cafe owner. She’s fond of you too, so I thought I should tell you."
[Do recommend tickets~]