Chapter 30: Lin Ke’er Eavesdropping

Today, Lu Jing pulled out all the stops and prepared a lavish meal for Ye Chen, ensuring he enjoyed himself thoroughly. Afterward, as the room grew warm, they sat beneath a large tree in the courtyard, lounging in chairs to cool off.

Ye Chen occasionally glanced at Lu Jing. She was dressed lightly today as well, and now lay back unguarded, her graceful form especially enticing.

Ye Chen couldn’t help but notice her well-maintained skin, flawless to the point where not even pores were visible.

During this time, to prevent herself from being swayed by any rumors, Lu Jing had been exceedingly generous, more so than game developers in his previous life.

However, Ye Chen could tell that she was merely stringing him along, allowing him small liberties but never intending to take their relationship further.

Ye Chen understood her strategy well. After all, the nature of a simp required a constant tease to keep them engaged. If a simp’s desires were completely satisfied, they’d feel content and lack further motivation to give gifts.

After enjoying the view for a while and noting the sun setting behind the mountains, Ye Chen decided it was time to leave. He sat up, pulled out a gift he had prepared earlier, and said, “Thank you, Fairy Lu, for your warm hospitality. Please accept this small token of my gratitude!”

Lu Jing’s eyes lit up at Ye Chen’s words, initially expecting another batch of elixirs and preparing her polite refusals. However, her gaze sharply focused when she saw what was in Ye Chen’s hand—a small blue cloth bag, no larger than a palm, adorned with cloud patterns that lent it a mysterious air.

At first glance, Lu Jing recognized it. She had seen one like it hanging from the waist of the steward at Li Family Talisman Shop—it was a storage bag, the cheapest of which cost at least fifty low-grade spirit stones.

Lu Jing had always envied such an item. Carrying belongings was cumbersome, and a backpack could become a liability. Valuable items were difficult to carry safely and leaving them at home risked theft. A storage bag could solve these daily annoyances and even make moving house easier.

Lu Jing had worried that Ye Chen might reduce his gifts or skip a week due to the swirling rumors. Yet not only had he maintained his generosity, he had also brought her a delightful surprise.

“This is a one cubic meter storage bag from the Green Cloud Shop, priced at one medium-grade spirit stone,” Ye Chen continued. “However, you should be careful not to expose it to magical attacks as it could break.”

Ye Chen emphasized its value, knowing that the higher it was, the more delighted she would be, increasing the chance of an extraordinary reaction.

Indeed, learning of its size and worth—a whole medium-grade spirit stone—Lu Jing’s excitement was palpable. A flush of pleasure colored her mature, pretty face, her expression awash with surprise. The joy Ye Chen brought her was immense. Her worries had been for naught.

How could someone like Ye Chen be swayed by mere gossip? If he were so easily influenced, wouldn’t he have changed long ago?

Overjoyed, yet mindful of the bag’s value, Lu Jing felt it shouldn’t be accepted too hastily and so began the customary dance of polite refusal and humble acceptance. They went through the motions, with Lu Jing eventually accepting the gift.

Given the captivating view of her ‘southern hemisphere,’ Ye Chen was all too happy to indulge in this little charade with Lu Jing.

…

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“Hah, finally back…”

“Although the mountain offered great earnings, life there was hardly fit for a human. One careless move, and a mere insect almost crippled my arm!”

“This time, I’ve made a small fortune. Beauties, I’m coming for you!”

“I’m going to find Fairy Yue. No one is allowed to steal her from me.”

The group reached the entrance of the Silver Moon Market, their voices filled with excitement as they shouted.

Though the mountain had been lucrative, living amidst its dangers—where even a peaceful night’s rest was a luxury—had taken its toll. Even cultivators could not bear the constant tension, and their spirits had grown heavy under the strain.