Chapter 51: You’re Finally Back
For a moment, Chen Yin didn't know what to say.
Luo Qiaoqiao remained silent as well. She propped her chin on her hand, gazing at the stream by her feet. After a long pause, she suddenly kicked off her little shoes and dipped her bare feet into the water.
The cool, clear stream flowed between her pristine, delicate toes, bringing a refreshing sensation.
"Mm… so comfortable," she murmured in satisfaction.
Chen Yin, on the other hand, couldn't stop staring at her feet.
"What are you looking at? Are they that nice to look at?"
"They really are," Chen Yin replied earnestly.
Luo Qiaoqiao's eyes sparkled mischievously as a smile played on her lips. "Do you like them?"
"If you want, I wouldn't mind letting you touch them~"
Chen Yin immediately put on a serious face. "I'm not that kind of shameless person."
"…But your hand's already on them."
Chen Yin looked down and realized that, at some point, his fingers had lightly rested on her delicate bare foot.
Beneath the hem of her crimson skirt, Luo Qiaoqiao's long, shapely legs were propped against the rock, their pale, smooth skin as flawless as polished jade.
Chen Yin couldn't help but gently squeeze her ankle, making her blush and exclaim softly, "You naughty boy! You really don't have any proper thoughts, do you?"
"Well, it's because Sister Qiaoqiao's body is just too irresistible," Chen Yin teased, scooping up a handful of water and carefully pouring it over her foot. His touch was gentle, almost reverent.
"…I don't need you to think I'm more important than you," he said softly.
"I'm not that important. I shouldn't come before your parents or your sect."
"Spend more time with your family. Don't waste so much energy on a scoundrel like me."
Luo Qiaoqiao curled her toes slightly, her expression tinged with annoyance.
"Why? I'm just worried about you."
"Thank you, but there's no need to worry."
Chen Yin flicked the water from his hands, chuckling. "I'm actually a big coward. I'm too scared of dying to do anything reckless."
Luo Qiaoqiao stared at him, a little dazed. After a long silence, she whispered, "What kind of scoundrel are you? If all the scoundrels in the world were as timid as you, there wouldn't be so many heartbroken women."
"Haha, same goes for you, Ms. Femme Fatale."
Chen Yin quipped, "Don't force yourself to act the part. If you're not cut out for it, don't pretend."
"Pfft. What femme fatale? That sounds so awful."
She pouted and retorted stubbornly, "What's wrong with just seeking a little pleasure for a night? It's mutual consent—what's with all this talk of being a scoundrel?"
Chen Yin laughed, "Sister Qiaoqiao, that wasn't exactly how you reacted that night, though."
"Someone got kissed on the forehead and immediately started blushing and breathing hard. I won't name names."
Splash! She kicked him straight into the stream, her face red with embarrassment as she glared at him. "Don't say it!"
It took Chen Yin a while to climb out of the water, drenched and looking utterly disheveled.
"…Couldn't you go easier on me?"
"Serves you right for teasing me."
Luo Qiaoqiao huffed, then asked, "So, what are you planning to do next?"
"I'll probably stay in Xiang City for a while," Chen Yin replied thoughtfully. "If you find out anything from your parents, just come find me there."
Luo Qiaoqiao's face lit up when she heard he wasn't leaving. "Great! You promised, so don't run off!"
Chen Yin nodded earnestly.
"Can I come find you to hang out whenever I want?"
"Of course."
"Yay!" She beamed, her eyes narrowing with delight. "Then I'm going to find my mother right now!"
"Make sure you clean yourself up and wait for me in Xiang City!"
With that, the vibrant red of her dress flickered through the bamboo grove a few times before her figure gradually disappeared into the distance.
Chen Yin hadn't expected the girl to be so impulsive and decisive, leaving as quickly as she spoke. He stood there stunned for a while before a soft chuckle escaped his lips.
—What a pure and straightforward girl.
<+>
He's walking through the streets of Xiang City again.
The Heavenly Beauty Summit was over, and compared to his last visit, the city seemed quieter, though still bustling with people coming and going.
Chen Yin strolled leisurely along the familiar streets until he came across a street vendor selling candied hawthorn skewers. After a moment's thought, he spoke up:
"Give me a bag of those."
"A bag? You mean all of them, sir?"
"All of them," he repeated.
After buying the skewers, he also picked up some pastries and candied fruits. He kept buying until his hands were full of bags and boxes, then turned back toward the inn he had stayed at previously.
It seemed to have rained not long ago; the stone steps were wet, and the vibrant green moss clung to them, exuding a faintly damp fragrance.
Pushing open the inn's door, Chen Yin was greeted by the innkeeper, who blinked in surprise upon recognizing him. The man quickly approached with enthusiasm.
"Oh, sir, you've returned! Staying with us again this time?"
"I'll take the same room as last time."
"Right away, I'll have it prepared."
As the innkeeper went to prepare the room, Chen Yin sat in the main hall, sipping tea and listening to the idle chatter of the patrons.
"...What a letdown. In the end, they didn't even declare the Most Beautiful Woman in the Cultivation World."
"Exactly! The tournament was so lively, and yet it ended so ambiguously. Wanxiang Pavilion hasn't issued a public explanation, so all we can do is guess."
"Do you think that rumored demonic witch actually exists?"
"I doubt it. Probably just the elders of Misty Spirit Sect throwing a tantrum. Seeing their top disciple about to lose, they stepped in and disrupted everything!"
"Not necessarily. I heard that mysterious dark horse, Miss Yin, has an extremely enigmatic background. No one had heard of her before."
"Who cares? What does the immortals' business have to do with us?"
...
Chen Yin listened with interest.
—So the events of the Heavenly Beauty Summit had spread so widely that even the common folk were talking about it?
However, from their conversations, it seemed like there was no mention of him. Could it be that Wanxiang Pavilion had deliberately suppressed the information?
As he pondered, the innkeeper returned to inform him that his room was ready. Chen Yin ascended the stairs at a leisurely pace.
Inside the room, surrounded by the familiar furnishings, he sank into the chair by the table and let out a long sigh of relief.
Taking out a skewer of candied hawthorn, he dangled it in the air, his tone light and teasing:
"Candied hawthorn delivery! Sweet and sour, no charge!"
"Whoever grabs it first gets to keep it~"
Before the words finished echoing, a ripple formed in the air. A pair of fluffy fox ears peeked through, and in the next moment, a white figure darted forward excitedly.
Just as Chen Yin was about to toss the skewer into her mouth as usual, the snowy figure bypassed the treat entirely and dove straight into his arms.
"Whoa—"
Chen Yin started, looking down at the soft, fluffy fox tail swishing in front of him. After a moment, he sighed and reached out to gently ruffle her hair.
"Alright, alright. You must've been waiting impatiently."
The little fox nestled in his arms slowly lifted her head. Her eyes were red, glistening with unshed tears, and her voice carried a pitiful, trembling tone:
"Young Master… you're finally back."
"Luo Luo was so worried about you."
<+>
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