Chapter 1409: Fantasy Antique Shop Work Log 43

Ying Wu Shu naturally had excellent talent, and with Jin Chen often teaching him orthodox ghost‑catching techniques and mental secrets, combined with the exceptional conditions inherited from Ling Qing Du, in just a few months he already had the qualifications to take the Heavenly Master's Register examination.

This also meant that Jin Chen would take him back to the secluded Splendid Gate, where besides the examination he would have to stay for a while.

"It's the fifth day since Wu Shu left, I'm so bored."

Luo Qiu leaned on the counter, propping his face with his hands, unable to muster interest in the movie he usually loves.

"It must be winter coming soon, I guess I'm about to go into hibernation." Luo Qiu muttered, then yawned.

Just then Ying Wu Shu suddenly sent a message; Luo Qiu slumped back into the rattan chair, stared at the message for two seconds, then sprang up.

"Paid leave, and he's letting me eat at a five‑star restaurant!"

"Since Wu Shu fell in love, he's become more and more generous, aw!"

Half an hour later.

"Since Wu Shu fell in love, he's become more and more over the top, aw!"

"He's actually helping Gu Cun keep it a secret!"

Luo Qiu stood in the center of the whole rented‑out open‑air restaurant, blankly watching Gu Cun play the piano.

The candlelight on the long table beside him flickered, the silverware looked beautiful.

How cliché.

Luo Qiu sniffed, feeling chilled by the outdoor breeze.

What's the point!

He hadn't prepared at all! He came over wrapped like a steamed bun turned essence, just to eat, while Gu Cun himself showed up in a suit, looking all proper!

Luo Qiu puffed out his cheeks, annoyed.

Gu Cun walked over holding a rose, like a prince charming from a fairy tale, with a gentle smile.

"Xiao Qiu… aw!"

His handsomeness lasted less than three seconds before Luo Qiu's knuckle‑cracking flick broke it; Gu Cun helplessly covered his head, wondering why Xiao Qiu was angry again.

He was just following the online confession tutorial!

"I'm just here to eat, what are you doing!"

Gu Cun feared he'd get it wrong if he kept talking; a flash of inspiration struck him and he blurted: "I… I like you!"

As soon as he said that, both of them were stunned.

Luo Qiu hadn't expected Gu Cun to be so blunt and quick; it seemed the earlier buildup was just for this sentence.

Gu Cun, meanwhile, felt full of regret, having clearly drafted many lines beforehand, yet not a single one was used.

Gu Cun simply stopped overthinking, slightly excited, he steadied Luo Qiu's shoulder and said earnestly and nervously: "I… I don't know if this will seem too sudden to you."

"But before today I'd already made many preparations; Jin Dalao said if you like someone you should tell them, even if you're rejected it's better than constantly worrying, so…"

Luo Qiu, seeing how nervous he was, couldn't help but say: "So you specially booked an outdoor restaurant on a freezing night just to let me catch a cold?"

Gu Cun froze, his ears and neck turning red; he shoved the flower into Luo Qiu's hand and then led him inside.

"Sorry… I didn't think that much."

The Young Master's confession was still as pure‑hearted as ever.

Luo Qiu also felt a little embarrassed, but he couldn't lose his momentum; he cleared his throat and asked: "What do you like about me? I thought…"

"You actually just see me as a friend."

The latter half of his sentence was too soft, the night wind too loud, so Gu Cun didn't catch it and only replied: "When you saved me the second time."

"That early!"

Luo Qiu stared wide‑eyed, took a few seconds to react, then suddenly his mind went blank, he touched his own cheek.

"Turns out I also have the qualities to make someone fall for me at second sight."

Gu Cun immediately chuckled, without hesitation: "In my eyes, Xiao Qiu is the best‑looking."

He then went on to analyze how he'd fallen for Luo Qiu, talking and talking until he teared up, sniffling under Luo Qiu's helpless gaze.

"Xiao Qiu, I really like you."

Luo Qiu: "……"

"If he refused, would Gu Cun really turn around and jump off a building?"

Luo Qiu blinked, his eyes also a little misty.

"Okay."

Luo Qiu's voice was soft, but this time Gu Cun heard every word.

"I guess I also kind of like you."

Gu Cun suppressed his joy, voice trembling as he asked: "So Xiao Qiu… did you accept my confession?"

Luo Qiu plucked at the rose petals, "The flowers are all yours, what do you say… hey! Put me down!"

Gu Cun hugged him, overjoyed, like a worried little dog that had finally waited for the person he wanted to protect.

Luo Qiu couldn't help laughing, pinching Gu Cun's face dissatisfied: "I'm starving! If this candlelit dinner isn't tasty, I'll have Wu Shu dock your pay when we get back!"

"No, I'll settle accounts with Wu Shu when he returns too."

Luo Qiu thought, after all these years of friendship he never told me anything! Even if I can't beat Jin Chen, I'll still settle the score!

——

Feeling that someone was keeping tabs on settling accounts, Ying Wu Shu sensed something, and while waiting for Jin Chen to arrive he opened his friends circle and scrolled—sure enough he saw Gu Cun's public announcement.

Ying Wu Shu liked it, pretending not to see the various voice messages Luo Qiu had sent in the private chat window.

Suddenly a familiar scent embraced him from behind; Ying Wu Shu instinctively wanted to turn his head, but Jin Chen covered his eyes.

"Wait a moment." Jin Chen said gently, hanging the passed Heavenly Master's Register on Ying Wu Shu's waist.

Ying Wu Shu felt the weight, took Jin Chen's hand off and looked delighted: "It came down this fast—wasn't I supposed to wait three months after the exam?"

This talisman plaque means he is no longer a half-baked celestial master, and Ying Wu Shu is very pleased.

Jin Chen naturally sat beside Ying Wu Shu, pulled him into his embrace, and said with a smile, 'Internal family members are, of course, different.'

Anyway, the wife's evaluation has already taken the lead; using the back door to pre-order the talisman plaque just moves things forward.

Ying Wu Shu hearing this answer, his heart involuntarily softened into a ball; though it was clearly early winter weather, he only felt the warmth welling up inside, and he softly leaned against Jin Chen.

"Father wants to invite you to join the sect as a guest elder; what do you think, Wu Shu?" Jin Chen lightly stroked his brows and eyes as he asked.

Ying Wu Shu pondered for two seconds, then shook his head.

"I have to go back."

Becoming a Heavenly Master is his wish, but truly putting up a plaque to serve as a guest elder means something else entirely.

Spirit Clear Pass never gets too involved with other sects; his and Jin Chen's love is already hard‑won, and he cannot leave a hidden danger for their descendants' heirs.

"Wait a few years, and I will take on a disciple to be the next boss."

Jin Chen heard the meaning in his words, which counted as a clear refusal.

"Then we'll pack up tomorrow and prepare to head back."

Ying Wu Shu turned his head in surprise and looked at him, "You don't want to stay a few more days?"

"Father is busy; if I stay, I'll only be treated as an errand boy." Jin Chen pinched Ying Wu Shu's cheeks, his thumb lightly stroking the corners of his eyes.

"It's better to go home and keep you company."

In that instant, Ying Wu Shu's brows and eyes softened with a smile, he kissed Jin Chen's lips, and said, "Home."

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +3, total 100!】

——

The day they arrived home happened to be the winter solstice.

Luo Qiu bustled about buying dumpling filling, early on preparing it and placing it in the kitchen waiting for the two chefs to return.

Gu Cun also contributed by making his first‑ever kitchen appearance for this dumpling meal.

Of course, less than five minutes later Jin Chen kicked him out, his face covered in flour.

Ling Gun Gun laughed "wow wow" from the side, mocking, then bounced onto Luo Qiu's shoulder to beg for snacks.

Luo Qiu held it with a tearful face: "Gun Gun, my snacks are about to be eaten up by you."

"Wow wow!" Ling Gun Gun patted his shoulder, then bumped his head against Gu Cun.

Hey, looking for the protagonist to attack, huh? He's not going to let this money go to waste!

The next second Jin Chen grabbed him by the neck, lifted him up, and swung him in the air, saying, "Still eating snacks? Be careful, I'll go tell on you."

Ling Gun Gun: "……"

"Not like this!"

What's wrong with the Auspicious Beast eating more?

Impurities can be spit out! Just like the milk‑cat across the street spitting up hairballs!

Why go telling on him?! The boss should be scolding it!

Internally he raged and complained, externally he was all yes‑yes.

"Wow~"

【Host, rest assured, I guarantee I won't eat any snacks for the next three days!】

Jin Chen: "……Should I praise you for lasting this long?"

Ling Gun Gun nodded his head, waiting for praise.

Jin Chen casually tossed it, and Ying Wu Shu caught it again.

Ying Wu Shu stroked Ling Gun Gun's long fur, "All right, if you go out and play more you won't get fat."

"Wow!"

The Main God is right!

Dumplings, here I come!

Relying on Ying Wu Shu's presence, the fearless Ling Gun Gun successfully ate a huge pot of dumplings on the winter solstice.

The next day Jin Chen hung it on the signboard of Spirit Clear Pass as a lucky mascot for wealth, round and plump, swaying back and forth there.

The Main Gate was pushed open, and visitors entered.

Ying Wu Shu looked outside, calm and unhurried: "Welcome to Spirit Clear Pass."

Jin Chen, walking out of the storeroom, handed him a talisman, also glanced toward the door, and continued the conversation.

"Feel free to pick anything; pawn it for goods in exchange."

…

【Congratulations Host, mission completed, reward 4000 points, total now 68500!】

【Transferring to the next world……Transfer successful!】