Chapter 622: Nine times out of ten, it

This invitation seemed ordinary, yet given the late hour, the implication was quite clear; it was both an excuse for Ren Ling to stay behind in a logical manner and an opportunity to push her toward Li Chen.

She had been lonely for so many years, and Li Chen was currently in his prime—it was like dry tinder meeting a raging fire.

It wasn't that Ren Ling didn't like men; it was that no man had ever satisfied her.

The fact that she had just expressed envy toward Tuoba Anyu for having a good husband showed that she actually had a favorable impression of Li Chen.

Upon hearing this, two blushes instantly flew across Ren Ling's cheeks, whether from the alcohol or shyness, it was hard to tell.

She lowered her head slightly, her eyelashes fluttering. After hesitating for a moment, she finally nodded gently, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum: "Mm, then I shall impose upon you, Sister, and Master Cheng."

On the way to Li Chen's small courtyard, the night breeze was slightly cool, yet it could not disperse the heat on Ren Ling's face.

Her heart hammered like a deer in a cage; as she walked, she struggled inwardly: Is this too fast? As a widow, is this too unreserved?

But the moment she thought of Li Chen's heroic bearing and words from earlier, that admiration overcame her trepidation.

Upon arriving in Li Chen's room, the furnishings were simple yet tidy, carrying the distinct crispness of a soldier.

Ren Ling stood in the room, somewhat at a loss, too shy to raise her head to look at Li Chen, so she had to make small talk, asking in a low voice: "Master Cheng, where is that wine Sister Anyu mentioned?"

Li Chen looked at the mature beauty's shy and flustered demeanor, a playful smile curling the corner of his lips. He stepped closer to her, his low voice carrying a hint of seduction: "Wine? It's on me. I'll make sure you have your fill tonight, Shopkeeper Ren."

Hearing this, Ren Ling's ears turned completely red. Her body trembled slightly, but she did not dodge, only burying her head lower.

The next day, when Li Chen went to work, Ren Ling still hadn't recovered; she had never seen such a powerful man in her entire life.

She also hadn't expected the two of them to progress so quickly. Would Li Chen think she was too easy?

Just thinking about these things showed that her heart had already been conquered, and she had begun to consider Li Chen's feelings.

Li Chen naturally didn't need to soothe these concerns; he knew Tuoba Anyu would handle the aftermath, and he was only responsible for the pleasure.

The first to arrive at Hantie Pass was naturally the head of the Chu family from the Imperial Capital, Chu Jingsong.

A figure of his status and standing appearing in person at the border immediately alarmed all the high-ranking dignitaries of the region.

Whether they were cultivation clans or wealthy merchants, they all came to welcome him. For a time, the city gate was bustling with carriages and horses, crowded with the elite.

In the eyes of these local clans, Chu Jingsong was a top-tier dignitary from the Imperial Capital, and the Chu family was a behemoth that could rank among the top clans.

Inside the Chu family courtyard, Chu Pengzhan had long been waiting with a group of retainers and maids, bowing in anticipation.

Seeing Chu Jingsong's carriage drive into the courtyard surrounded by guards, he hurriedly piled on a fawning smile and stepped forward. He was just about to speak some flattering words, not even having had the chance to report the matter of his nephew Chu Xiang being bullied.

"Bang!"

Without a word, Chu Jingsong raised his leg and kicked Chu Pengzhan hard in the chest!

The force of this kick was immense. Chu Pengzhan was caught off guard and flew backward, crashing heavily onto the bluestone floor with a muffled groan.

Everyone present was stunned. For a moment, there was dead silence; people looked at each other, none knowing why this head of the Chu family was in such a rage.

Chu Jingsong's face was livid. He didn't even look at the fawning dignitaries around him, only glaring at the disheveled Chu Pengzhan on the ground, squeezing an order through his teeth: "You, come into the inner courtyard with me! I have things to ask you!"