Chapter 55: Lu Jing’s Plans for a Free Gift

Looking at Lu Jing, who stood at the door with a slightly flushed face, Ye Chen couldn’t help but feel that her fear wasn’t the issue here.

Lu Jing wasn’t afraid at all. She was clearly eyeing him. It didn’t matter if she was truly scared or not. The fact that she had come to his door so late at night carried a different meaning altogether. Indeed, Lu Jing’s eyes met Ye Chen’s with a mixture of hesitation and determination.

Lu Jing was different from Lin Ke’er. She wasn’t fond of conflict, nor did she seek out an exciting life. Lu Jing only wanted to live a peaceful, stable life. To her, marrying a man who could offer her protection and a comfortable life was the ideal.

Before, Ye Chen’s cultivation was too low for her to feel secure in him. But now things had changed. Ye Chen had made breakthrough after breakthrough and was now far more powerful than she was. And his wealth… that had far exceeded her expectations.

Magical tools, protective charms, and various kinds of gifts—he had showered her with them nonstop. This suggested that Ye Chen’s standing in the Ye family was no doubt exceptionally high. While there might be more talented cultivators in the Silver Moon Market, would any of them treat her the way Ye Chen did? Would they be as generous, as willing to share their resources with her? It was clear that none of them would.

After thinking it over, Ye Chen seemed like the best choice. However, Ye Chen’s tendency to spread his affection around left Lu Jing feeling conflicted. At first, it was just Lin Ke’er, and that was manageable. But now, rumors were circulating that Ye Chen had also developed an interest in the daughter of the Green Cloud Shop steward. He had been throwing around wealth, buying her extravagant gifts, and courting her lavishly.

This, of course, made Lu Jing disdain Ye Chen’s lack of loyalty in relationships, but it also increased her sense of urgency. Lin Ke’er was different; they were both loose cultivators. Lu Jing felt confident in her ability to compete with her.

But the Green Cloud Shop steward’s daughter was another matter entirely. If she couldn’t compete with her, if Ye Chen truly devoted himself to the other woman, what would happen to her then? Where would she go to cry?

So, Lu Jing no longer minded Ye Chen’s flirtations. She had decided to take the initiative. Even if Ye Chen remained fickle, it mattered little to her. What she wanted was for Ye Chen to take her to Green Cloud City.

Green Cloud City lay right next to the Green Cloud Sect, a place where even the mighty Golden Core Ancestor presided. No cultivator dared act recklessly in Green Cloud City. Lu Jing truly did not wish to remain in Silver Moon Market any longer.

The Ye family resided in Green Cloud City. If Silver Moon Market fell into turmoil, the Ye family would undoubtedly send someone to retrieve Ye Chen. She, too, wanted to leave! Thus, she had arrived tonight.

Lu Jing had steeled herself. With a hesitant gaze, she looked at Ye Chen. “Fellow Daoist Ye, I’m a little afraid… would it be possible for me to sleep in your room tonight?”

Ye Chen smiled softly. “It’s fine, but I only have one bed in my room…”

Lu Jing’s fair face flushed a deep red. “If there’s only one bed, then there’s nothing to be done… Fellow Daoist Ye has been so kind to me. I trust you completely! You wouldn’t do anything, would you?”

Though her words were gentle, they rang hollow. Could it really be this simple? Sleeping in the same room—how could nothing happen? It was just like the theory from her past life, where beasts were still beasts, but some were even worse. Most men would certainly act like beasts.

But Ye Chen was different. With Silver Moon Market in chaos and perhaps the death of the Mo family’s ancestor, Ye Chen, too, harbored thoughts of leaving. Once back in Green Cloud City, he might never see Sun Ruoxin again. He had no idea what Lin Ke’er would choose.

But Lu Jing’s personality might just lead her to follow him. If he could win over Lu Jing, there would be no further complications—an outcome that carried its own risk. How long would it take to find someone suitable in Green Cloud City? For now, he could only play the part of the beast. But, if they were to share the same bed, it was only right to enjoy the benefits. After all, they would both find joy in it.

Thus, Lu Jing settled into Ye Chen’s room.

…

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The night passed without incident. Outside, no chaos arose as anticipated. Ye Chen, too, was uninterested in stepping out. He simply rose and began his cultivation. As for Lu Jing, her cheeks were still flushed as she returned to her own room. She had barely slept a wink.

Meanwhile, Lin Ke’er had risen early, practicing her swordplay in the courtyard. When she saw Lu Jing emerge from Ye Chen’s room, her eyes widened in shock. A woman, leaving a man’s room so early in the morning—it was clear she had spent the night there…