Chapter 47

Took a taxi to the city center, found a large shopping mall in a commercial district, and Chen Yan led Lu Sisi straight into a branded down jacket store.

It wasn’t some luxury brand—Chen Yan wasn’t truly wealthy, and the money in his card still had to cover tens of thousands in compensation for the house damage.

Don’t even think about something like “Goose Down.”

They picked a mid-range brand; upon entering, Chen Yan called over a salesperson who recommended a down jacket suited to Lu Sisi.

Lu Sisi blushed and kept refusing, but Chen Yan whispered, “You owe me your life several times over—what’s one more jacket? Pay me back when you start earning.”

Hearing this, Lu Sisi fell silent, gazed deeply at Chen Yan with a complex look, then obediently went to try on the coat before the mirror.

They chose a beige down jacket for her to change into, and her old milk-yellow one was packed into a bag and carried away.

The clothes cost less than a thousand yuan.

Chen Yan then found a small hotpot restaurant and treated Lu Sisi to a meal.

At the table, Chen Yan casually scooped a plate of beef slices into the pot and chatted with Lu Sisi: “You’ve finished your exams—shouldn’t you be going home for winter break? Your family’s in Jin Ling; there’s no reason to stay on campus.”

Lu Sisi thought a moment: “My parents and brother are traveling in Hongcheng. No one’s home—I’d just be bored if I went back.”

Chen Yan paused mid-motion: “Back when we met on the plane from Hongcheng to Jin Ling...”

“Yes, that time I went with my family to pay respects at the ancestral shrine—but I wasn’t allowed into the Yang family ancestral hall. I just bowed by the roadside. The next day I bought a ticket and came back.”

Hearing this, Chen Yan frowned at the delicate girl before him.

Lu Sisi smiled lightly, her expression calm, and whispered, “It’s fine, Chen Yan. I’ve always had bad luck, so my family got used to avoiding me. I’m used to it.”

“From now on, things will be normal. Your family will treat you better gradually.”

“...” Lu Sisi shook her head gently. “I don’t care about these things anymore.”

“You can’t truly not care,” Chen Yan sighed softly. “Hearts are made of flesh. Who treats you well, who treats you poorly—no one can truly remain indifferent. Remember: even if others treat you badly, treat yourself better.”

Lu Sisi bit her lip softly. “Chen Yan, why do I feel like you’re speaking from experience?”

“I had no parents. My grandmother raised me.” Chen Yan smiled.

Lu Sisi froze, her thoughts shifting; when she looked at Chen Yan again, her eyes held something new.

Chen Yan nodded, tapped her bowl lightly with his chopsticks: “From now on, things will be normal. You don’t need to be so careful every day. Smile more often.”

Lu Sisi smiled gently at Chen Yan, revealing her white teeth, then asked: “Like this?”

“Yes! That’s the smile! It looks good.”

“Alright, I’ll smile more.” The girl nodded firmly.

She thought a moment more. “Actually, these past few days have been easy. I don’t fear or worry anymore. When I walk down the street, I feel free. Sometimes I sit by the roadside, watching people pass by—I’m eighteen years old, and for the first time, I feel the world is truly, truly good...”

She fixed her gaze on Chen Yan’s eyes, speaking seriously: “Thank you.”

Chen Yan picked up a few slices of beef and placed them in her bowl. “You wanted to travel, right? Use the winter break to go somewhere. Start close by—don’t go too far at first.”

“Mm.”

“Also, make more friends at school. You’ve suppressed yourself too much.”

“Mm, okay. I’ll remember.”

Chen Yan nodded in satisfaction. He’d been worn thin these past few days; now he feasted, eating an entire plate of beef and two plates of lamb rolls himself.

Lu Sisi ate with her usual grace. Chen Yan specifically ordered her a grilled fish; she carefully picked out the bones with her chopsticks, clearly enjoying herself.

When Chen Yan was nine-tenths full, he set down his chopsticks, drank some water, and stared quietly at Lu Sisi, his expression turning serious.

“I need to ask you something... Do you remember the name of the master in Hongcheng who cast your birth chart and calculated your destiny?”

Lu Sisi thought hard, then shook her head. “It was when I was five—I don’t remember his name. But... I still recall his face.”

After a pause, the girl added: “His eyebrows were very thick—like two big brushes. Very distinctive.”

“You never saw him again after age five?”

“Never.” Lu Sisi shook her head. “Those masters in Hongcheng charge exorbitant fees. My family didn’t like me—they wouldn’t spend that much on me.”

Chen Yan pondered, then spoke slowly: “When you go home, ask your parents the master’s name. If you find out, tell me—but don’t make it obvious when you ask.”

Lu Sisi frowned at Chen Yan. “Is there something wrong with him?”

Chen Yan smiled, not intending to explain in detail—he feared she’d worry. “I suspect he’s a fraud. The birth chart he gave you back then was flawed. Nothing serious.”

“Alright. If I find out, I’ll tell you.”

Chen Yan added: “Try not to go to Hongcheng for now. If—just if—that master tries to contact you, tell me immediately.”

“...Okay. I’ll do whatever you say.” Lu Sisi became as docile as a kitten.

At first, Chen Yan only wanted to reverse Lu Sisi’s bad luck.

He’d hidden in the shadows, using a deceptive death technique to fool Heaven—just removing her misfortune without alerting the “master” in Hongcheng.

But as they spent those days together during the ritual, their bond grew closer—and Chen Yan now wanted to eliminate all lingering threats for this poor girl.

It wasn’t lust, nor romantic feeling—it was simply... her gentle, endearing nature, so fragile and pitiable, stirring his sympathy and compassion.

It was justice, seen on the road.

At his age, what young man doesn’t harbor a hero inside him?

They say youth is fiery—perhaps only the young still carry such heroic thoughts.

If he were older, worn down by the world, he’d grow colder and colder.

·

Chen Yan thought he’d been careful—but what if the man in Hongcheng sensed something?

What if, after stealing Lu Sisi’s destiny, he planned further moves?

Since he’d decided to intervene fully, Chen Yan also wanted to resolve the Hongcheng threat for Lu Sisi.

But first—he’d find out the man’s name, then subtly gauge his abilities.

With Chen Yan’s caution, even when dealing with Luo Yunzhai, he’d spent a full day casing the place without showing himself.

The man in Hongcheng surely possessed real skill and cultivation.

Though Chen Yan now had his reward package and his cultivation had surged several-fold—he still might not be a match.

Proceed with caution.

If you can ambush, don’t fight head-on.

After the meal, Chen Yan saw Lu Sisi to the roadside and hailed her a cab.

Before getting in, she suddenly turned, stepped close, and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Chen Yan froze!

Before he could react, Lu Sisi, blushing furiously, rose on her toes and pressed a light kiss to his cheek.

Heaven help him—a twenty-two-year-old lifelong virgin, Chen Yan’s body went rigid.

Lu Sisi’s face burned crimson, as if bleeding, and she whispered quickly: “This is my first kiss... You’ve done so much for me, yet I have nothing precious to give you.”

“Actually, I originally had another thought...”

“The night I woke up, I planned to stay—not leave. I was going to give myself to you... but you left instead.”

“I realized then—even if I offered, you’d never accept.”

“So... during dinner, I kept thinking—what could I give you?”

“Chen Yan, if you don’t like me bothering you, tell me—I promise I won’t cling.”

“I—I’m going...”

The girl finished haltingly, then darted into the cab like a startled rabbit and sped off.

Chen Yan stood frozen, hand over his face, stunned for several seconds before coming to.

First thought: At twenty-two, I finally know what it feels like to be kissed by a girl... Her lips are so soft, so soft.

Second thought...

Is it too late to regret?

Don’t say I didn’t accept!

Don’t be so sure!

Why not try again?

My willpower isn’t that strong anyway!!!

Should I call her now and ask her to come back?

This is the city center—there are hotels everywhere.

Why not take her back to the villa?

Damn, that’d be too obvious—completely destroy my image!

I’d raised my stance too high—I’ve trapped myself!

·

With a touch of regret, Chen Yan shuffled along the roadside, preparing to hail a cab home.

Enough for today—let the shopping end here...

Go home! Go home!!

Suddenly, his phone rang.

Chen Yan checked the caller ID: Hu Tiantou.

He answered: “What is it, Hu? Any progress on the house compensation?”

“Not yet. I’m planning to get an appraisal first, then meet the owner.” Hu Tiantou’s tone was cautious, almost hesitant. “But I just ran into something else—I thought I should tell you.”

“What happened?”

“I passed by Extreme Internet Café—it’s closed. The guy selling roasted chestnuts next door told me the café owner’s family had some trouble.”

Chen Yan’s playful expression vanished; his face grew serious. “And then?”

"They say last night, the police came to the internet cafe and took the boss lady’s younger brother away. Beyond that, I don’t know anything else," Hu Tiantou said slowly. "I know you’re closer to the boss lady than any of us, and she’s always been good to you, so when I heard about it, I thought I should let you know."

·

【Please give some recommendation votes~】

·