Chapter 16: Did I Allow You to Leave?

Xiao Chen hadn't seen Shen Qinghe for three months, and after some time had passed, he found her beauty to have grown even more splendid.

At the sight of her, his mind wandered in a daze.

During these three months, he had grown increasingly closer to Nan Sheng and even felt he had fallen for her. He had nearly forgotten the existence of a person named Shen Qinghe.

But now, faced with Shen Qinghe's countenance, he was irritable and restless.

Not wanting to confront Shen Qinghe, he turned and grasped Nan Sheng's wrist, "Shengsheng, there's no need to get angry over someone insignificant."

Rong Yu hadn't expected Xiao Chen to be so heartless. Just now, when she kissed Xiao Chen, he clearly didn't dodge. How had she suddenly become someone insignificant to Xiao Chen?

"Big Senior Brother also likes me, he didn't reject my kiss just now..."

Rong Yu hadn't finished speaking when she saw Xiao Chen suddenly kiss Nan Sheng on the corner of her lips, effectively silencing Rong Yu.

Shen Qinghe was too late to avert her gaze and caught the whole scene. What puzzled her was, although Xiao Chen was kissing Nan Sheng, his eyes fixated on her the entire time.

Xiao Chen's intense gaze made her scalp tingle.

She quickly had a revelation.

If Shen Zhiyao knew that Xiao Chen had kissed Rong Yu and then kissed Nan Sheng, would she give up on Xiao Chen for good?

Recalling that Shen Zhiyao had given her several Shadow Capturing Talismans, she recorded the scene of Xiao Chen kissing Nan Sheng under the watch of Xiao Chen, Nan Sheng, and Rong Yu.

Xiao Chen's expression was indescribable; he never expected Shen Qinghe to react this way upon seeing him kiss Nan Sheng, and in a moment of extreme agitation, he laughed spitefully, "Qinghe, do you enjoy watching me kiss Shengsheng that much? Do you want to keep the footage to study at your leisure?"

"Big Senior Brother and Miss Nan are both good-looking, the image is pleasing to the eye. If Big Senior Brother doesn't mind, perhaps you could kiss Cultivator Rong Yu again?" Shen Qinghe returned a counterfeit smile to Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen's complexion turned unsightly in an instant, and he let go of Nan Sheng, quickly approaching Shen Qinghe.

Shen Qinghe felt a numbing sensation in the palm of her hand, and the Shadow Capturing Talisman was now in Xiao Chen's hands, instantly turning to ashes.

Nan Sheng, having been close to Xiao Chen for several months, understood his temperament to some extent. This man was genuinely good-natured, always the epitome of gentle, refined, and courteous—a perfect gentleman. Moreover, with Xiao Chen's flawless handsome face, he could easily ignite her strong possessiveness.

However, precisely because Xiao Chen was so well-mannered and patient, almost to a point of seeming unreal, she was eager to see how he would lose control and go mad for her.

This was the first time she saw Xiao Chen wear his emotions so openly, but it was all over Shen Qinghe.

She disliked Shen Qinghe, solely because of what she had witnessed on the Mid-Autumn Festival night. In that encounter, she was utterly defeated by Shen Qinghe.

She had even resolved that, no matter what, she would suppress Shen Qinghe's momentum in the future to ensure that Shen Qinghe never got a chance to turn things around.

Yet, following that night, Shen Qinghe seemed to have vanished, leaving her without even a reason to confront Shen Qinghe, until Shen Qinghe suddenly reappeared today.

Seeing that the Shadow Capturing Talisman was gone, Shen Qinghe felt it was a pity, but given the current development of the plot, with Xiao Chen, Nan Sheng, Yan Changsheng, and the addition of Rong Yu, their relationship had evolved from a love triangle to a love square. She was confident she could spread the news of their entangled affairs in another manner.

With that thought, she found relief, "Big Senior Brother and Miss Nan, please continue, I won't disturb you anymore."

Just as she was about to leave, Xiao Chen suddenly grabbed the collar of her dress and, with a grim tone, whispered in her ear, "Did I say you could leave?"

Shen Qinghe's brows furrowed slightly, not understanding the outburst from Xiao Chen.

Nan Sheng, witnessing this scene, clenched her fists tighter, sensing that Xiao Chen was on the verge of losing control, unlike when he was composed around her.

At that moment, she even had a strange delusion that Xiao Chen cared more for Shen Qinghe than for her.

Yet during this time, Xiao Chen had clearly been very kind to her, and she even felt that he liked her to some extent; otherwise, he wouldn't have opposed Changsheng and deliberately provoked Changsheng's jealousy.

"Big Senior Brother, where are you taking me?" Shen Qinghe was twisted in Xiao Chen's grasp as they rode on the sword. She could only twist her neck to question Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen was close to Shen Qinghe and felt that the fresh grass scent on her was even more intense than before. So much time had passed, and he had clearly forgotten about her, then how could it be clinging to him like a burrowing parasite, causing a lump to roll in his throat?

At this moment, Nan Sheng chased after them, riding her sword: "Brother Xiao, where are you taking Qinghe?!"

Xiao Chen only sped up his sword, taking Shen Qinghe to his residence at the Spring Breeze Pavilion.

When Nan Sheng caught up, she protected Shen Qinghe behind her, her voice tenderly coaxing, "Brother Xiao, why bother taking issue with Qinghe? She's ignorant, just indulge her a little more."

She did not want to see Xiao Chen and Shen Qinghe entangled in ambiguity, and she liked it even less when Xiao Chen paid too much attention to Shen Qinghe.

Being shielded by Nan Sheng, Shen Qinghe found this scene somewhat peculiar. Nan Sheng and she did not get along, so why would she help her? Something was amiss.

She was quite happy to spend a bit more time around Xiao Chen and Nan Sheng, as this could allow her to gather more spiritual energy for her cultivation needs.

However, Xiao Chen did not waste words, pushing Nan Sheng aside and dragging Shen Qinghe into the room.

When Nan Sheng saw this and tried to follow, she discovered an invisible wall blocking her way.

Her expression changed subtly, not expecting Xiao Chen to lock her outside the barrier for Shen Qinghe's sake. Her cultivation base was far inferior to Xiao Chen's, and naturally, she had no way to break Xiao Chen's barrier.

But didn't Xiao Chen like her? Why leave her out here? What did he want to do to Shen Qinghe?

Shen Qinghe felt inexplicable, too.

She could sense Xiao Chen's dislike of her, but she did not remember offending Xiao Chen, nor had she had any recent interactions with him.

Xiao Chen was one of the male leads, and she as a minor character really did not want to offend him.

"May I know why Big Senior Brother brought me here?"

Xiao Chen himself was somewhat impulsive in bringing Shen Qinghe to the Spring Breeze Pavilion. Seeing this woman irritated him, but having brought her here, he was reluctant to let her leave just like that.

"I want to meditate. You'll be my protector," Xiao Chen found an excuse on the spot.

Shen Qinghe furrowed her brows and asked, "Are you sure you want me to be your protector, Big Senior Brother?"

How could she, someone who had only reached Foundation Establishment, act as a protector for a Nascent Soul stage cultivator like Xiao Chen?

A cold look from Xiao Chen swept over her, and Shen Qinghe felt the threat. She complied amicably, "Alright, I'll be the protector for Big Senior Brother."

Afterward, Xiao Chen ignored Shen Qinghe and concentrated on his meditation.

With the presence of a male lead beside her, the spiritual energy in Shen Qinghe's birthmark quickly became abundant. She seized this rare opportunity to also begin cultivating.

A night passed, and when Xiao Chen opened his eyes to see Shen Qinghe meditating not far away, his expression soured.

To think he asked her to be his protector and she took it upon herself to cultivate. How could there be such a carefree woman?

Unwittingly, he got out of bed and walked over to Shen Qinghe, staring intently at the girl's blossom-like, delicate red lips…