Chapter 41: {Low Standards, But They Exist!}

Back inside, Chen Yan and Lu Sisi both felt awkward.

[1] Back in the room, Chen Yan and Lu Sisi both felt awkward.

Chen Yan said nothing, moved the table to the side of the bed, and set out the food.

[2] Chen Yan said nothing, moved the table to the bedside, and set out the food.

Lu Sisi sat on the edge of the bed, Chen Yan sat on the chair, and they ate in silence.

[3] Lu Sisi sat on the edge of the bed; Chen Yan sat on the chair. Both ate in silence.

Chen Yan had eaten cafeteria food for four years; these dishes were still quite tasty, and more importantly, consistently reliable.

[4] Chen Yan had eaten the school cafeteria’s food for four years; these dishes were decent, and their quality was consistently steady.

Chen Yan ate heartily, while Lu Sisi ate with delicate grace—Chen Yan had nearly finished his portion of braised pork ribs while Lu Sisi had barely finished her first one.

[5] Chen Yan ate heartily, while Lu Sisi ate daintily—he’d nearly finished his portion of braised pork ribs before she’d even finished her first one.

“Why… are our school cafeteria dishes not good?” Chen Yan asked.

[6] “Why… is the cafeteria food here that bad?” Chen Yan asked.

“No, it’s not that,” Lu Sisi blushed. “I’ve always eaten slowly—I’m afraid if I eat too fast, I might choke or get something stuck.”

[7] “No,” Lu Sisi blushed. “I always eat slowly—I’m afraid if I eat too fast, I’ll choke or get stuck.”

“I once choked on food and nearly died—it got stuck in my windpipe—so for all these years, I’ve eaten very slowly.”

[8] I once choked on food and nearly died—it blocked my windpipe. So for years now, I’ve eaten very slowly.”

Okay, just a few sentences, but brimming with sorrow.

[9] Okay—just those few sentences carried a deep sadness.

Chen Yan sighed.

[10] Chen Yan sighed.

“Just now, outside—that classmate who gave you something…” Lu Sisi suddenly blushed and spoke up.

[11] “Just now, outside—that classmate gave you something…” Lu Sisi suddenly blushed and spoke through gritted teeth.

“Don’t mind him—he’s just my friend acting out of foolish imagination,” Chen Yan quickly distanced himself. “I had no idea he’d do something like this.”

[12] “Don’t mind him—he’s my friend, always daydreaming and causing trouble.” Chen Yan quickly distanced himself. “I had no idea he’d do something like this.”

“Mm,” Lu Sisi lowered her head. “I know… you’re not a bad person.”

[13] “Mm.” Lu Sisi lowered her head. “I know—you’re not a bad person.”

Raising her head, the girl looked at Chen Yan with serious eyes, her tone equally earnest: “I believe you!”

[14] She looked up, her eyes earnest, her tone equally serious: “I believe you!”

You really shouldn’t believe me so easily… just now, when that fat guy gave me the thing, I almost gave in.

[15] You shouldn’t believe him too easily… just now, when Fatty gave me that thing, I almost wavered.

Chen Yan muttered inwardly, forcing a dry smile on his face.

[16] Chen Yan silently grumbled, but forced a stiff smile.

Quickly change the subject!!

[17] Change the subject fast!!

He thought hard, then blurted out: “After everything’s settled the day after tomorrow… have you ever thought about it? Your life will change a lot. What’s the one thing you most want to do?”

[18] He thought for a moment, then blurted out: “After the matter’s settled the day after tomorrow, your life will change a lot. Have you thought about what you most want to do?”

Hearing this question, Lu Sisi’s eyes suddenly lit up.

[19] Hearing this, Lu Sisi’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Whether it was an illusion or not, at that moment Chen Yan felt this girl was suddenly brimming with life!

[20] Whether it was an illusion or not, at that moment Chen Yan felt this girl was brimming with vitality!

He had never seen her like this since he met her.

[21] He had never seen her like this since meeting her.

Until now, Lu Sisi had always given Chen Yan the impression of being cautious, trembling, and fearful.

[22] Until now, Lu Sisi had always seemed cautious, trembling, on edge.

To put it bluntly—she was lifeless!

[23] To put it bluntly—she was lifeless!

But now, her eyes had suddenly become lively.

[24] But now, her eyes suddenly sparkled with life.

“I… I want to study hard!”

[25] “I… I want to study hard!”

“…Huh?”

[26] “...Huh?”

Are you really that morally upright??

[27] Are you this morally upright??

Chen Yan was stunned.

[28] Chen Yan was stunned.

“No… not what you think,” Lu Sisi blushed.

[29] “No… not what you think,” Lu Sisi blushed.

Then the girl let out a quiet sigh.

[30] Then the girl sighed softly.

“Actually, I’ve always had a natural talent for studying. I pay close attention in class, understand what teachers teach quickly, and solve difficult problems easily.

[31] “Actually, I’ve always had a talent for studying. I pay close attention in class; I grasp what the teachers teach quickly, and I can solve difficult problems easily.”

But… I’ve always had terrible grades.

[32] But… I’ve always had terrible grades.

I kept getting injured or sick, had to take leave, either in the hospital or at home.

[33] I’d get injured or sick all the time, take leave, either in the hospital or at home.

My studies were always interrupted, so I never did well on exams.

[34] My studies were always interrupted—I never managed good grades.

I’ve always envied classmates with good grades—everyone likes such kids, teachers love them, classmates admire them, parents are proud…

[35] I… I’ve always envied students with good grades. Everyone around them likes such kids—teachers, classmates, parents all do…

All my life, I could’ve been an excellent student, yet I’ve never once earned good grades.

[36] All my life, I could’ve studied well, yet I’ve never once earned good grades.

I’ve always envied them.”

[37] I’ve always been envious.”

Lu Sisi whispered softly: “I want to study hard once, and then… get first place.

[38] Lu Sisi whispered: “I want to study hard just once… and get first place. Just once.”

Yeah, even just once—that’s enough.”

[39] Yeah—even just once would be enough.”

Chen Yan listened quietly, then asked: “Any other dreams?”

[40] Chen Yan listened quietly, then asked: “Any other dreams?”

“I want to travel,” the girl’s eyes sparkled with longing. “I’ve seen so many interesting places online.

[41] “I want to travel,” the girl’s eyes shimmered with longing. “I’ve seen so many fascinating places online.”

I want to climb mountains, see the sea, dive, bungee jump…

[42] I want to climb mountains, see the sea, dive, bungee jump…”

I never dared before—I knew I’d be in danger if I went.

[43] I never dared before—I knew I’d face danger if I went.”

But… I really, really want to try.”

[44] But… I really want to try.”

Chen Yan could understand this desire.

[45] Hmm—Chen Yan understood this desire.

“I also want to eat so much food—I, I…” the girl blushed. “I want to eat fish—I’ve loved fish since I was a child, especially fish.

[46] “I also want to eat so many things—I… I want to eat fish. I’ve loved fish since childhood, especially fish.”

But I always get fish bones stuck in my throat—I’ve been hospitalized twice because fish bones cut my esophagus and caused bleeding—after that, I never dared eat fish again.”

[47] But I always choke on fish bones—I’ve been hospitalized twice after fish bones cut my esophagus and caused bleeding. After that, I stopped eating fish entirely.”

As he listened, Chen Yan suddenly looked up and realized the girl had been crying silently.

[48] As he listened, Chen Yan suddenly looked up and saw the girl had been crying silently.

“Ah…”

[49] “Sigh…”

Chen Yan sighed and handed her a tissue. “Why are you crying all of a sudden?”

[50] Chen Yan sighed, picked up a napkin, and handed it to her. “Why are you crying all of a sudden?”

Lu Sisi lowered her head, wiped her tears, and softly said: “Chen Yan, I’m sorry.”

[51] Lu Sisi lowered her head, wiped her tears, and softly said: “Chen Yan, I’m sorry.”

“Huh?” Chen Yan was puzzled.

[52] “Huh?” Chen Yan was puzzled.

Saying thank you would make sense—but why apologize?

[53] Saying thank you made sense—but why apologize?

“I just realized—I asking to stay here has actually been a burden to you.

[54] “I just realized—I asking to stay here was a burden on you.”

If I hadn’t insisted on staying, you could’ve gone home to rest… so…

[55] If I hadn’t insisted on staying, you could’ve gone home to rest. So…”

I’m sorry.”

[56] “I’m sorry.”

Lu Sisi whispered: “I’ve never had friends since childhood, rarely interacted with people—I didn’t think things through.”

[57] Lu Sisi whispered: “I’ve never had friends, rarely interacted with people—I didn’t think things through.”

Chen Yan looked at Lu Sisi, smiled gently, and softly said: “Alright, eat your food before it gets cold.”

[58] Chen Yan looked at Lu Sisi, smiled gently, and said: “Enough. Eat while it’s still warm.”

·

[59] ·

That night, they slept on the same bed, fully clothed.

[60] That night, they slept on the same bed, fully clothed.

·

[61] ·

The next morning, Chen Yan woke up, washed up, and Lu Sisi rose blushing, carefully tidying the bed.

[62] The next day, Chen Yan woke up and washed up; Lu Sisi rose blushing, then carefully tidied the bed.

For the entire morning, Chen Yan sat meditating and practicing.

[63] For the entire morning, Chen Yan sat in meditation, cultivating.

Lu Sisi pulled out a book and began reading.

[64] Lu Sisi pulled out a book and read.

She’d read for a while, sneak glances at Chen Yan, then read again, then sneak another glance.

[65] She read a while, stole glances at Chen Yan, read again, stole more glances.

In the afternoon, Chen Yan performed the ritual again, just as he had the day before.

[66] In the afternoon, Chen Yan performed the ritual again, just as he had the day before.

This time, no gauze was used, and Lu Sisi firmly followed his instructions—silent, eyes closed, motionless.

[67] This time, no gauze was used; Lu Sisi firmly followed Chen Yan’s instructions—silent, eyes shut, motionless.

Until she fainted, her senses sealed, consciousness lost.

[68] Until she fainted, her senses sealed, consciousness gone.

This time, the effect was still excellent—Lu Sisi’s dark aura of bad luck had diminished further.

[69] The effect was still strong—the dark aura of Lu Sisi’s misfortune had further dissipated.

When she woke up, the misfortune was reduced to less than a third.

[70] When she woke, the misfortune was reduced to less than a third.

Chen Yan was certain: one more session would completely eliminate it.

[71] Chen Yan was certain: one more time, and it would be gone completely.

That night, Lu Sisi became unusually quiet, speaking little, simply passing the hours in silence.

[72] That night, Lu Sisi grew quiet instead, speaking little, spending the hours in stillness.

But she didn’t sleep a wink.

[73] But she didn’t sleep a wink.

·

[74] ·

The third afternoon.

[75] The third afternoon.

Third ritual completed!

[76] The third ritual was complete!

Chen Yan, drenched in sweat, put away the final talisman and sat down, breathing heavily.

[77] Chen Yan, drenched in sweat, gathered the final talisman and sat on the chair, breathing softly.

After meditating briefly to restore some energy, he spread his energy throughout his body and carefully examined the still-unconscious Lu Sisi.

[78] He meditated briefly, regained a little energy, then spread his Qi through his body and carefully studied the still-unconscious Lu Sisi.

Her third eye glowed bright—no trace of black aura remained!!

[79] Her third eye glowed clear—no trace of black aura remained!!

Success!

[80] It worked!

Chen Yan felt a surge of excitement.

[81] Chen Yan felt a surge of excitement.

This was his first major, highly difficult spell completed entirely on his own!

[82] This was the first time he’d successfully completed a major, highly difficult spell!

He had personally carried it out from start to finish, pouring in immense effort and dedication.

[83] He’d done every step himself, pouring in immense effort and focus.

And now, having succeeded, Chen Yan was overjoyed.

[84] The success filled him with joy.

Moreover… he had truly, completely changed the fate of a kind-hearted person.

[85] And… he had truly, completely changed the fate of a kind person.

Fang Zong doesn’t count… that fat guy Fang—when Chen Yan first met him, he’d already used his aura-reading technique and knew the man wasn’t virtuous.

[86] Fang Zong didn’t count… that fat Fang—he’d used the Qi-sight technique the first time he met him; the man was no good soul.

After resting a bit, Chen Yan took out two more talismans for exorcism and good fortune, gently lighting them beside the bed.

[87] After catching his breath, Chen Yan pulled out two talismans for warding off evil and inviting fortune, and lit them gently beside the bed.

This time, the talismans burned slowly, not flaring up and vanishing instantly.

[88] This time, the talismans burned slowly—no sudden flash, no instant ash.

Because… the bad luck was gone!

[89] Because… the misfortune was gone!

Only then did Chen Yan finally relax.

[90] Only then did Chen Yan finally relax.

Glancing at Lu Sisi on the bed, Chen Yan paused, then took out paper and pen from his bag and quickly wrote a few lines.

[91] He glanced at Lu Sisi on the bed, paused, then took out paper and pen from his bag and quickly wrote a few lines.

·

[92] ·

When Lu Sisi woke up, she didn’t hear Chen Yan’s voice—the previous two times, as soon as she awoke, Chen Yan had sensed it and greeted her immediately.

[93] When Lu Sisi woke, she didn’t hear Chen Yan’s voice—last two times, as soon as she opened her eyes, he’d sensed it and greeted her.

She sat up abruptly, only to find the room dim, the chair empty—where was Chen Yan?

[94] She sat up abruptly—the room was dim, the chair empty, Chen Yan nowhere to be seen.

Lu Sisi hurried off the bed, called out—no answer—then spotted a piece of paper on the table.

[95] Lu Sisi hurried off the bed, called out—no answer—then saw a sheet of paper on the table.

Scrawled on it were a few lines:

[96] Scrawled on it were a few lines:

“The ritual is complete. From now on, you may live the life you’ve always wanted.

[97] “The ritual is complete. From now on, you may live the life you’ve always wanted.”

May we meet again!”

[98] May we meet again by fate!”

Lu Sisi froze.

[99] Lu Sisi froze.

Hmm, the character for “fate” was misspelled, then crossed out and replaced with the pinyin “yuan.”

[100] Hmm—the character “yuan” was misspelled, then crossed out and replaced with the pinyin “yuan”.

Lu Sisi couldn’t help but smile faintly, then let out a soft sigh, silently sitting at the table, clutching the paper in her hand as tears streamed down without a sound.

“I originally… planned not to leave tonight either.”

·

Chen Yan returned to his villa, locked the door, and went straight upstairs to his room.

He took off his clothes and took a brisk shower.

Then he flopped onto the soft bed, arms and legs spread wide!

Catch up on sleep!!

·

Over the past two days, Chen Yan hadn’t really closed his eyes.

Every night, he lay on the same bed with a beautiful young girl.

Which man could truly sleep?

And Chen Yan wasn’t stupid!!!

That day, the little fatty had slipped him that box—Lu Sisi had clearly seen it.

Yet she said nothing and retreated into her room.

That attitude was highly telling.

Chen Yan was ninety percent sure that if he had truly tried to do something with the girl at night, she wouldn’t have objected.

Precisely because of this, Chen Yan had run away.

It wasn’t about doing good without expecting return—he wasn’t that noble; he believed in what the Old Grandma’s book said: take money, deliver service.

Since he’d delivered service, receiving payment was only right.

But…

Using his favor to sleep with a young, innocent, pitiful girl? Exploiting her bridge effect? Leveraging her sense of gratitude?

That would be inhuman.

Chen Yan’s Dixian wasn’t high, but he still had one.

·

He slept until midnight, then woke up feeling heavy, utterly lacking the usual sense of vigor and vitality after waking.

His head was foggy; he got up and went to the bathroom.

As he stepped out, his foot suddenly slipped, and he tumbled backward.

Fortunately, his body had been nurtured by Qi for many days—his strength and agility now far surpassed that of an ordinary person.

In the moment of imbalance, he forcibly arched his waist, then shoved one hand against the floor, landing firmly.

But as he lay on the ground, cold sweat suddenly broke out all over his body!

The sharp corner of the bathroom’s glass door was less than five centimeters from his forehead!!

“…”

Chen Yan’s heart skipped a beat; he slowly got up, rising inch by inch with deliberate care.

Leaving the bathroom, he entered the bedroom and sat on the soft bed. He took a deep breath, circulated his Qi—and immediately felt icy coldness throughout his body!

Though the room was sealed, with underfloor heating and air conditioning, he sensed a faint, chilling wind seeping into the very crevices of his bones.

He shuddered violently!

“This is bad!”

·

【Please collect, please vote, monthly votes are optional, but recommendation votes would be appreciated?】

·