Chapter 17: 16. Deciding to Move

16. Deciding to Move

Soon, Chen An returned home.

Just as he entered the house, he saw Song Huaying and Gu Xinyue watering the vegetables in the front courtyard.

The two women were chatting intermittently, and their relationship seemed much more familiar.

However, this "much more" was relative to before.

Although the two were said to be chatting, in reality, Song Huaying would say ten sentences, and then Gu Xinyue would coldly reply with one or two.

But regardless, it was still much better than before.

It was a good sign.

"Husband!"

Seeing her husband return, Song Huaying immediately put down the water ladle in her hand with great joy and went to greet him.

Gu Xinyue stood still, just quietly watching Song Huaying throw herself into his arms, her face expressionless, showing no sign of emotional fluctuation.

However, when Chen An glanced at her, she immediately lowered her head in a panic, her pretty face feeling a wave of heat, and she silently lowered her head to water the vegetables as a cover.

Ever since she was cherished by Chen An last night, a thread of affection for him had sprouted in her heart; she was very concerned about his every move and felt absent-minded.

Chen An saw all of Gu Xinyue's reactions.

A cold personality?

It doesn't matter; affection grows with time.

After all, even dripping water can pierce a stone; should he be afraid of failing to pierce a piece of ice like her?

If it really doesn't work, he would use his Golden Finger to poke.

He would always be able to poke open her heart.

Soon, the three of them went to the hall to eat.

The meal was very sumptuous.

Eight dishes and one soup, five meat and three vegetable dishes.

Song Huaying's beautiful eyes curved slightly, and she said with a cunning look:

"Husband, among the dishes tonight, one was made by Sister Gu. Guess which one it is."

"It must be this plate of cucumber salad."

"Eh, Husband, how did you guess it?"

"Guess?"

"Husband, you're annoying~"

Song Huaying pouted her cherry lips and acted spoiled, skillfully flirting with Chen An.

Chen An felt his heart itch, wishing he could pin this tea-like little vixen onto the dining table and deal with her right there, to see if she would still dare to use that affected, cutesy voice to act spoiled.

But unfortunately, there was a third person in the house now.

When the day comes that everyone can truly be open and honest with each other, perhaps there will be a chance to try that classic scene from a certain movie: No, you came at just the right time.

"Husband, stop teasing me and hurry up to taste Sister Gu's cooking."

As Song Huaying spoke, she picked up a piece of cucumber and put it into Chen An's bowl, urging him to taste it quickly.

Gu Xinyue still didn't move, but her attention was entirely on Chen An, and she was very much looking forward to his evaluation.

Under the expectant gaze of the two women, Chen An picked up the cucumber and put it in his mouth to taste.

The texture was good, quite crisp and refreshing.

But the flavor, to be honest, was very average.

It was mainly because the dressing wasn't seasoned well.

Although that was the reality, Chen An's eyes lit up, and he pretended to be pleasantly surprised, saying:

"Sour with a hint of spice, spicy with a hint of sweetness, and the texture is crisp and refreshing. I have never eaten such delicious cucumber salad; Yue, your skill is truly excellent."

"Husband, this is the first time Sister Gu has made cucumber salad."

"Yue is truly a genius!"

"I am not..."

Gu Xinyue was very embarrassed by the praise and subconsciously lowered her head, a faint blush appearing on her fair, pretty face, mixed with a trace of joy so subtle it was hard to detect.

【You praised your wife Gu Xinyue as a culinary genius against your better judgment. She is very happy to receive your recognition, marital affection +1.】

【Wife: Gu Xinyue】

【Attributes: Pure and Chaste, Loyal and Unwavering】

【Affection: 1 Star (1/100)】

【Divine Sense Strength Provided: 15】

Hmm? Affection increased?

Could it be that this cheap concubine of mine is someone who has lacked self-confidence since childhood and deeply craves recognition from others?

Chen An suddenly felt he had grasped the strategy point for Gu Xinyue.

He thought about praising her during their intimacy tonight to see if there might be an unexpected surprise.

After the meal.

The three of them walked around the courtyard to digest their dinner.

Taking advantage of the beautiful moonlight.

Chen An took out the two Hairpins he had bought from the Market today, presented them out of thin air as if performing a magic trick to his wife and concubine, and smiled slightly:

"Come, these are gifts I carefully selected and bought for you today. The one inlaid with the pink pearl is for Ying, and the one inlaid with the Blue Gem is for Yue. Do you like them?"

"Husband, these two Hairpins are so beautiful, I like them so much!"

Song Huaying jumped up excitedly, staring at the two Hairpins with eyes full of excitement.

Gu Xinyue, standing to the side, was actually also somewhat excited and really wanted that Blue Gem Hairpin, but she did not reveal too much on her face.

"Come, let your husband help you put them on."

"Husband is so kind!"

"Hmm..."

One wife and one concubine; one revealed her affection without any concealment, while the other was so reserved she was sparing with her words.

Song Huaying was the legal wife, and their feelings were deep, so Chen An put the Hairpin on her first.

This was a very natural and expected gesture.

But Gu Xinyue, watching from the side, still inevitably felt a small sense of loss in her heart.

Although it was very unreasonable, she truly wanted Chen An to put the Hairpin on her first.

"Husband, Ying loves you the most!"

After the Hairpin was put on, Song Huaying couldn't help but stand on tiptoe and kiss Chen An; afterwards, she involuntarily looked toward Gu Xinyue at the side, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Chen An kissed her back in return.

Gu Xinyue, watching from the side, felt very envious; she also wanted to be kissed, but was too shy to show it.

Chen An picked up the Blue Gem Hairpin, walked in front of Gu Xinyue, and said with a smile:

"Yue, shall your husband help you put this on?"

"I'll trouble you, Husband."

Gu Xinyue was no longer sparing with her words, and one could clearly see a faint blush rise on her face.

Chen An took the Hairpin and put it on for her after styling her hair.

During this, it was inevitable that there would be some physical contact, such as touching her ears or neck.

At this moment, Chen An noticed her pretty face becoming increasingly flushed, and every time he accidentally touched her, her body would involuntarily tremble.

Is this a cold personality?

Are you sure it's not sensitivity?

Is it not a lack of eloquence?

Chen An gained more insight into Gu Xinyue, and the desire in his heart to conquer her became even stronger.

He thought about making her become more proactive in the future, turning her into a goddess of contrast—a cold and aloof high-mountain flower in front of others, but a passionate, uninhibited red rose when with him.

Just thinking about this contrast between how she acted in public and in private was very stimulating.

"Husband, do I look good wearing this?"

Gu Xinyue's pretty face was flushed red, her voice as thin as a mosquito's, and she looked exceptionally charming.

Chen An and Song Huaying were both stunned after hearing this.

What is going on?

This taciturn ice-block would actually take the initiative to ask such an ambiguous question?

Time passed in a flash.

Before he knew it, it was already the Hour of the Dog (7 PM - 9 PM).

Chen An, as usual, boiled a large tub of hot water and took a mandarin duck bath with Song Huaying in the room.

He had asked Gu Xinyue if she wanted to bathe together.

The answer he received was: "No."

After finishing his bath with Song Huaying, he did not give up and ran to ask Gu Xinyue once more: "Yue, shall we bathe together later? Just the two of us."

The answer he received was: "Hmm."

Chen An was overjoyed.

He knew that this cheap concubine of his truly wanted to integrate into this family.

Moreover, she had chosen the path that was most difficult for her—starting by pleasing her husband.

This was enough to show her determination.

Two joss sticks of time later.

【You engaged in deep interaction with your wife Gu Xinyue, making efforts to spread your branches and scatter your leaves; affection +1, Divine Sense strength +1.】

【You used your Dharma Spell ultimate technique, Golden Finger, on your wife Gu Xinyue, opening her eyes to unprecedented pleasure; affection +1, Golden Finger Proficient +1.】

"Yue, do you like your husband?"

"I like you."

Gu Xinyue also let go of some of her reserve, snuggling into Chen An's arms with a flushed face as she whispered.

Chen An felt immense satisfaction in his heart.

In every day that followed, he treated both his wife and concubine equally, without the slightest bit of favoritism.

Every day was the same, sharing his rain and dew evenly.

Half a month later.

On this day, Chen An opened his eyes and woke up, sat up from between his wife and concubine, and carefully browsed the notification messages before him.

【You carefully and gently engaged in deep interaction with your wife Song Huaying, making efforts to spread your branches and scatter your leaves; Alchemy Experience +2.】

【You engaged in deep interaction with your wife Gu Xinyue, making efforts to spread your branches and scatter your leaves; Divine Sense strength +1.】

【You... Divine Sense strength +1.】

【You... Divine Sense strength +1.】

【...】

【You praise your wife Gu Xinyue, saying "Yue, you are truly capable," saying "Yue, you are truly amazing," husband-and-wife affection +1+3+1+4+5+2+0...】

【You cast the Dharma Spell unique skill Golden Finger on your wife Gu Xinyue, Golden Finger proficiency +1.】

【You... Golden Finger proficiency +1.】

【You... Golden Finger proficiency +1.】

【...】

After browsing through it, Chen An moved his thoughts to open his own panel.

【Name: Chen An】

【Cultivation: Qi Refining Fourth Layer】

【Alchemy: First-tier Intermediate (414/500)】

【Divine Sense: First-tier Primary (77/100)】

【Golden Finger: Entry (99/100)】

【Wealth: 404 Low-grade Spirit Stones】

【Spouse: Song Huaying, Gu Xinyue】

【Offspring: Gestating (7 months)】

"The Golden Finger is only 1 point of proficiency away from breaking through to the Proficient realm, and I have also saved over 400 Low-grade Spirit Stones. It won't be long before my Alchemy Dao realm can also break through to First-tier Advanced. It is time to move to the Core Area."

Chen An made his decision in his heart; he would move to the Core Area to live in a few days.

The reason forcing him to make this decision was that the relationship between the Bamboo Leaf Gang and the Black Iron Villa had become increasingly tense recently, and there had already been several conflicts.

Although these were all minor skirmishes between Qi Refining early-stage cultivators and did not involve key figures from either side.

But in Chen An's eyes, the situation was already very pessimistic.

He knew that these so-called minor skirmishes were just mutual probing by both sides before the start of a great war.

It is estimated that it won't be long before the big one comes.

He must move house as soon as possible.

Thinking this, Chen An looked at Gu Xinyue, who was still fast asleep to the side, and silently gathered the Spirit Power within his body onto his fingers, emitting a faint Gold Light... Hmm, it was time to break the Golden Finger through to the Proficient realm.

PS: Setting out the bowl, begging for monthly tickets and recommendation tickets!