Chapter 123: She Was Mocked by the Male Lead

For the first time, Yan Shu began to doubt what the "Day Trip System" had told her.

But the question remained: why would the system lie to her? What could she possibly have that would make it worth deceiving her? Furthermore, why lie specifically about the male lead's feelings? What could be the goal? Surely it couldn't be to play matchmaker between her and the male lead?

Yan Shu didn't think she was that conceited. Besides, she had read the original novel. If it weren't for her frantic efforts to boost the male lead's favorability, everything would have followed the original plot—a narrative in which the male lead truly possessed no romantic subplots whatsoever.

Yan Shu steadied herself, looked at Xiao Jihan, and probed, "What is our relationship?"

"What kind of relationship do you want it to be?"

Xiao Jihan didn't answer but asked instead, his phoenix eyes fixed on her with a faint chill. "Master and disciple? Fellow disciples? Is there anything beyond that?"

Yan Shu: "..."

She had been mocked by the male lead.

Looking at the trembling favorability score that had finally climbed back up to 20, Yan Shu decided never to let her imagination run wild again; it made her seem far too narcissistic and prone to wishful thinking!

What kind of ulterior motives could a cold, pure male lead have? It was nothing more than the fact that they had slept together for ten years and he had grown accustomed to it! It was no big deal; it wasn't as if they hadn't shared a bed before. If the pure and icy male lead didn't mind, why should she?

Moreover, the male lead was a red-blooded man. Having grown up in the depraved environment of the Yuwen royal family and endured experiences where he was nearly toyed with, he surely wouldn't mistake two people lying on a bed for *that*. Ten years had passed, and he hadn't done a thing. It must be because he found her comfortable to sleep with...

Ah, phooey! It was just that sleeping beside her felt pleasant! Perhaps she had triggered some hidden plot, like the male lead harboring a dark, brooding heart that found peace and stability only when near her. That’s how it was always written in novels! *The Tyrant's Beloved*, *The Tyrant's Favorite Concubine*, *The Tyrant's Cure*, *She Was Pampered to Heaven by the Villain*—she had read plenty of those!

Xiao Jihan watched as her expression shifted from shock to worry, and finally to calm acceptance. He let out a cold laugh. "Heh."

Yan Shu: "..."

One must have self-awareness. Having been mocked by the male lead like that, if she continued to harbor wild fantasies, she would truly be shameless.

With that, she entered the room, closed the door, and said, "Let's sleep."

Xiao Jihan watched her. He used a cleaning spell to freshen the room and himself, removed his shoes and outer robe, climbed onto the bed, and lay down obediently. He pulled up the quilt, closed his eyes, and the coldness in his phoenix eyes gradually faded.

Even for cultivators, sleep is occasionally necessary, much like eating is still required despite the ability to survive on energy alone. However, Xiao Jihan’s habit of sleeping was one he had only developed during those ten years in the Medicine King Valley. Since becoming a cultivator of the Xuantian Sect, he had not rested a single day; sleep was a luxury he couldn't afford.

With the faint, clean fragrance of Yan Shu lingering at the tip of his nose and the sound of her soft, rhythmic breathing in his ears, Xiao Jihan opened his eyes and turned his head slightly toward her.

In the Medicine King Valley, the Medicine King had prepared a bridal chamber for them. Even though no ceremony had been held and no partner’s oath had been sworn, they had shared a bed for a decade; they were, for all intents and purposes, a married couple.

It wasn't that he hadn't thought about fulfilling her wish and becoming a true cultivation partner. But the valley was too humble, and he had yet to gain the approval of her senior brothers. She had been raised by them since childhood and shared deep bonds with them. Even if only for the sake of her having been willing to sacrifice her life for him, he could not treat her so lightly.

He had planned that after leaving the valley, he would declare his intentions to her senior brothers. In the past, he might have been unworthy of her, but now his spiritual roots had fully transformed, he was on the verge of entering the Nascent Soul stage, and he was an eighth-rank alchemist; he should be enough for her. Furthermore, the Xuantian Sect struggled with its finances, and with his ability to refine eighth-rank pills, he could easily assist them, making it easier to win the approval of her brothers.

Once he gained their recognition, he could focus on refining pills to sell, using the spirit stones to provide her with a grand wedding. He remembered that in the illusion created by the demon cultivator, they had a child named Yu'er. Once he had taken his revenge, it wouldn't be bad at all to have a child like Yu'er with her and live a happy life on Wushang Peak.

But he never expected that after leaving the valley and meeting her senior brothers, she would change completely. Her eyes no longer held only him; indeed, for a long time after her brothers appeared, she didn't even look at him. And those brothers of hers were not as reasonable as he had imagined—even after he had made his intentions clear, they played dumb and still tried to drive a wedge between them.

Thinking of the time outside Fantian City, when Shi Wanqing had shouted, "He can forget it!", Xiao Jihan's phoenix eyes chilled. No wonder she hadn't dared to say a word about their relationship in front of those four, acting as if she had done something wrong. Though he felt angry, he realized upon reflection that it was not entirely incomprehensible.

Xiao Jihan reached out, gently tucking a stray lock of hair away from her forehead. Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, his furrowed brows slowly smoothed out.

Yet, the relaxation lasted only a moment before they knitted together again, and a flicker of irritation welled up in his heart. They could not stay in the Xuantian Sect like this forever. It was true that Yan Shu loved him and doted on him, but those senior brothers were far too important in her heart. If they remained on Wushang Peak, with her brothers constantly interfering, it was hard to say what might happen over time.

Xiao Jihan did not want to test the human heart with such things, for he knew that her senior brothers held a place in Yan Shu's heart no less significant than his mother’s held in his. He could make her cut ties with everyone else—after all, she loved him enough to disregard her own life, so she would naturally listen to him on such small matters. But her brothers were the exception.

Since that was the case, there was no need to stay in the Xuantian Sect. Rather than staying here, it would be better to take her out into the world; perhaps other opportunities awaited them. Besides, it was time to take her back to see his mother.

Thinking of this, all sleepiness vanished. He rose gently, dressed, and walked into the outer room.

Yan Shu was awakened by the aroma of food. The moment she opened her eyes and saw the meal spread out on the wooden table, her mouth began to water uncontrollably. Heaven knew how long it had been since she’d had a proper meal!

—Extras—

Yan Shu: "How could the male lead possibly like me? He is the cold, pure, and emotionless male lead! I must be overthinking it; it's definitely just me overthinking."

Xiao Jihan: "Although we are already partners, a wedding must still be held. I'll take her to see my mother first; we can earn some spirit stones along the way. Once I have my revenge, I will give her a grand wedding. I've even thought of names for our children. If it's a girl, we'll call her Yu'er. If it's a boy, we'll name him whatever. If worse comes to worst, I’ll just toss him to those senior brothers of hers as compensation."