“I’m truly sorry! I really had no idea you were inside!” Ye Chu said to Tan Miaotong. When he spoke those words, his heart was completely at ease, because he genuinely had not known it was Tan Miaotong in there. Moreover, she shared the same habit as Qing Wenting.
“It’s… it’s fine!” Tan Miaotong’s pretty face was flushed so deeply it seemed as though blood was seeping through her skin. Her eyes darted away from Ye Chu’s gaze, not daring to meet it. Believing that Ye Chu had not done it on purpose, she did not blame him at all. She only regretted her own laziness, forgetting to lock the door, and sleeping so soundly that she had not even heard him knock.
Pang Shao, standing to one side, widened his eyes in realisation. Only now did he understand what had caused that earlier scream. He stared blankly at Ye Chu, truly feeling that he himself was utterly pathetic in comparison. What did it mean to be a beast? This was the real beast!
He had seen everything, yet nothing happened to him at all. Pang Shao felt that it made perfect sense he could never outplay Ye Chu, because he simply could not match Ye Chu’s level of shamelessness.
“And that’s it? Just like that?” Ye Jingyun had no idea what she was thinking. She rolled her beautiful eyes and smiled at Ye Chu. “Even if it was an accident, surely you should offer some compensation?”
Ye Chu had known all along that this woman would not stay quiet. Though he did not understand what she was scheming, he had no intention of playing along. “Of course. If Miaotong needs me to do anything, I will naturally do my part.”
He emphasised the name “Miaotong” heavily, making it clear to Ye Jingyun that this was a matter between him and Tan Miaotong alone, and had nothing to do with her.
Ye Jingyun acted as though she had not heard him. She smiled at Tan Miaotong. “Didn’t you say you wanted to eat fish from Cold Lake? Perfect timing. There’s a ready-made labourer right here. Let him go into the lake and catch a few.”
Ye Jingyun spoke with a charming smile, as though she were suggesting something trivial. But Ye Chu could not help drawing in a sharp breath of cold air. He thought to himself: this woman is truly ruthless. Sending me into the lake to catch fish? Does she think I’m a fish too?
“Miaotong wouldn’t be that cruel, right?” Ye Chu smiled at Tan Miaotong. He had noticed that the blush on her face had not faded since she came out. She sat there quietly, shy and alluring. He thought to himself: such a wonderful person should not listen to Ye Jingyun. She should not be as vicious as her.
“Then how about you help me buy a few instead?” Tan Miaotong spoke for the first time. Her voice was clear and bright, carrying the fresh purity of a spirit in an empty valley.
Ye Chu wanted nothing more than to pull this wonderful woman into his arms and kiss her a few times. He thought to himself: indeed, she is a kind-hearted and charming woman. He had already prepared himself to be deliberately troubled, yet all she asked was for him to buy a few fish.
Ye Jingyun felt a surge of frustration at Tan Miaotong’s softness. She knew her friend’s gentle nature too well and could say nothing more.
“Pang Shao!” Ye Chu turned to Pang Shao. “Go buy a few authentic Cold Lake fish, and find a proper chef to cook us a meal. This task shouldn’t be too difficult for you, right?”
Pang Shao wanted to refuse, but seeing the sharp look in Ye Chu’s eyes, he swallowed the words and quickly stood up with a forced smile. “Of course! It’s a small matter. Leave it to me!”
“You’re letting him off that easily? You’re too soft-hearted!” Qing Wenting hugged Tan Miaotong and giggled. “You wouldn’t have taken a liking to Ye Chu, would you? Let me warn you: although he’s not as bad as Pang Shao, he’s hardly a good person either. Don’t let him deceive you. I’m telling you now, when he lies, he doesn’t even blink.”
“What nonsense are you talking about!” Tan Miaotong anxiously tried to explain, reaching out to cover Qing Wenting’s mouth.
“Giggle…” Qing Wenting burst into laughter. Of course she knew Tan Miaotong’s personality too well to think she would truly fall for Ye Chu. She simply could not resist teasing her friend.
Ye Chu watched the two women playfully tussle. From time to time, various alluring glimpses of spring scenery appeared, leaving him unable to look away. Such a beautiful sight was probably a rare treat for anyone else.
“What are you doing in Yao City this time?” Ye Chu asked Qing Wenting. “You didn’t come all this way just to find me, did you?”
“In your dreams!” Qing Wenting rolled her eyes. “If I hadn’t run into Pang Shao by chance, this Saintess would have almost forgotten who you were. I did hear, though, that your reputation in Yao City is absolutely terrible. You’ve practically become public enemy number one?”
“Who’s been ruining my name?” Ye Chu thought to himself that when Pang Shao returned, he would make sure the man ate fish bones. “My reputation in Yao City is excellent. I’m known as a true gentleman of our time, an unparalleled good man.”
“Pfft…” Ye Jingyun could not hold it in. A mouthful of tea sprayed straight towards Ye Chu. Fortunately, Ye Chu reacted quickly and jumped aside, avoiding the spray.
“You still have the face to say that?” Ye Jingyun’s beautiful eyes flowed as she looked at Ye Chu. “Shall I recite your glorious history one item at a time for everyone to hear?”
With that, she stared at Ye Chu with a playful, mocking gaze.
“Feel free.” Ye Chu was completely unfazed by Ye Jingyun’s threat. He shrugged. “The world may be muddy, but I alone remain clear. Do you really think someone as upright and proper as me can be slandered by you?”
“Ch…” Ye Jingyun let out a scornful laugh. “This young lady has no interest in listing your disgusting deeds one by one. But your cousin Ji Die hasn’t forgotten you, you know. Giggle… I can’t guarantee I won’t feel like mentioning a few things when I return to the Ye family and I’m in a bad mood.”
Ye Chu ignored the woman and turned to Qing Wenting. “If you hadn’t come, I was planning to leave Yao City in a few days anyway.”
“Leave Yao City for where? Back to the mountain?” Qing Wenting’s eyes lit up as she looked at Ye Chu. “How about taking me up there too?”
“If you’re not afraid of being thrown into a snake pit, then sure, I can take you.” Ye Chu shrugged.
Those words immediately deflated Qing Wenting. “Forget it then. A bunch of lunatics. Just seeing them might drive me mad too.”
Her words, however, caused Ye Jingyun and Tan Miaotong to look at Qing Wenting in confusion. With Qing Wenting’s status, where could she possibly not go? Yet she wore such a helpless expression.
Especially the implication in her words: she wanted Ye Chu to take her up there. What kind of place was it that even she could not enter on her own, yet Ye Chu had the ability to bring her?
“I need you to help me with a small favour.” Ye Chu said to Qing Wenting. He took a piece of paper from his robe. “Can you help me find this item?”
Qing Wenting took it. The other two women also leaned in curiously.
“Extreme Intent Jade!”
Those three small words caused all three women to freeze for a moment. None of them came from ordinary backgrounds, so they naturally knew what this item was.
But why did Ye Chu need something so precious?
Only Qing Wenting seemed to understand. “You’re finally going to break through?”
“More or less. You know I’m a bit special. To break through, I need this item to assist. Can you help me get it?” Ye Chu looked at Qing Wenting. If she could not obtain it, he would have to find another way. With this item, breaking through would be much easier. Otherwise, it would carry some risk. After all, he was different from ordinary people!
“My sect does have some, but I don’t plan to return to the sect anytime soon.” Qing Wenting looked a little troubled. “I’ll try. If I can get it, I’ll have Pang Shao contact you!”
Ye Chu was not surprised by Qing Wenting’s answer, but Ye Jingyun was utterly shocked. Forget the rarity of the Extreme Intent Jade for a moment. The fact that Ye Chu had only to make a request and Qing Wenting would take it so seriously was beyond belief. Since when was Qing Wenting so obedient? She was a lofty Saintess, after all.
“Wenting! You’re really agreeing?” Ye Jingyun could not help reminding her.
“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?” Qing Wenting looked at Ye Jingyun in confusion, wondering why she was asking such a strange question out of the blue. It was just a small request from Ye Chu. What was there to agree or disagree about?
Seeing Qing Wenting like this, Ye Jingyun’s doubts grew even stronger. She could not stand by and let her friend be deceived by such a scoundrel. She pulled Qing Wenting aside.
With Ye Jingyun dragging Qing Wenting away, Ye Chu was more than happy. Now only Tan Miaotong remained in front of him. His gaze could not help drifting towards her.