Chapter 47: Chapter 43: The Opposition of the Eight Characters Chapter 47: Chapter 43: The Opposition of the Eight Characters When Shizi asked Yu Qing, “Are you afraid of Zhan Ze?”
Yu Qing remained silent for a while before answering, “A bit.”
“Why?” Shizi was somewhat puzzled.
“I can’t really say why, perhaps he’s just too childish.”
“Too childish! Aren’t we children too?”
“He’s younger than us.”
“You didn’t change your mind, did you?”
“What nonsense! How could I change my mind? I’ve never engaged my heart, and now you say I have changed?”
After hearing this, Shizi let out a sarcastic chuckle.
“Never engaged your heart.”
Shizi laughed falsely again, speaking straightforwardly this time, “Move that barbecue grill over here.”
“It feels like tonight is a matchmaking session for me, had every person here to inspect me. I’m the only one on the display, like a bride-to-be,” Qing’er commented.
“Hehe, you might be willing, but Zhan Ze may not!”
“So, have you all decided that Zhan Ze and I are a pair?”
“Most people think so.”
Yu Qing shook her head upon hearing this, she wanted to say something.
“What’s the matter? Isn’t a handsome guy like Zhan Ze your match?”
“If this continues, I must figure out a way to leave Immortal City.”
“What do you mean! If you leave, then I’ll tell Zhan Ze to get ready to go with you.”
“You really don’t mind causing me trouble. You would love for me to share a bed with Zhan Ze tonight, wouldn’t you?”
“Great! Then it’ll solidify your relationship, it’ll herald good fortune, and everyone can live on peacefully.”
Shizi continued, “Hurry up, a lot of people are coming tonight.”
“To see me, the showpiece,” Qing’er said disdainfully.
“What’s wrong with being a showpiece, it’s meant to be appreciated.”
“I don’t want to be a showpiece.”
“Some people want to be showpieces but they don’t have the qualifications. You do but you’re not appreciative.”
Yu Qing gave a cold smile, “That isn’t pleasant to hear.”
“Just sit, I’ll arrange everything.”
“Do whatever you want.”
“Hey, I’ve taken great care in setting this up for you.”
“Like putting me on a grill for all to taste.”
“Hehe, why would you think that way.” Shizi yelled again, “Bi Chun, quickly help prepare Yu Qing, I want her to stand out tonight. I want everyone to understand what a heavenly beauty looks like.”
Luo Rui said, “Yu Qing is already beautiful without having to prepare.”
“Even so, her clothes can’t be too common.”
Before they knew it, dusk had fallen. In the courtyard, Ye Chen was reading two books given to him by He Weng. These books could give him a rapid accumulation of knowledge in a short amount of time. Although not classified as secret manuals, they were excellent for fundamental learning.
At that moment Yuan Jingxing entered, yelling, “Ye Chen, are you going to keep lazing around or are we going to leave?”
Ye Chen looked up. Jingxing was already at the door, “Isn’t it still early?”
“Hehe, who do you think you are? Do you think everyone will wait for you? You think the party won’t start until you arrive?”
“Hmm, okay, let’s go.”
“Are you going dressed like that?”
“What’s wrong, these clothes don’t look good?”
“Don’t you have something better? Something a bit more clownish?” Jingxing said sarcastically.
“I’ve turned my wardrobe inside out for these clothes. This is the best, I can’t find anything better.”
“You’re doing it on purpose! Why don’t you just wear something with holes in it.”
“Nice suggestion, but it would be impolite.”
“At least you know it would be impolite.”
“Stop it, it looks pretty good, it’s mature.”
“You look more like an old man.”
Ye Chen chuckled, “It’s not as exaggerated as you’re making it out to be. Come on, let’s hurry.”
“You really don’t get it.”
“What’s wrong with looking handsome and mature?” He seemed to have forgotten something and called, “Wait a second, I still have to get something.”
Ye Chen quickly came back out with a white bottle, not disclosing its contents.
“What’s that?” Jingxing asked.
“Isn’t it customary to bring gifts?”
“What on earth could you have which would qualify as a gift in that white bottle? Some sort of miracle elixir?”
“A miracle elixir can’t compare with the meaning behind the content of this bottle. This is exclusive to me, unforgettable for life.”
“What meaningful, unforgettable thing that’s exclusive to you could you possibly have in there!”
“A fart.”
“Stop messing around.”
“I’m just joking!” Ye Chen started laughing.
The two of them whisked away, heading in the direction of the Jingyue Pavilion.
After a few days of absence, there was indeed a lot that had changed about Jingyue Pavilion. From afar, they could see crowds of people flocking at the entrance.
Ye Chen was shocked, saying, “There are many people!”
“Yes, indeed a big crowd to make it lively!”
“I do not know many of them.”
“No problem, but I believe they know you.”
“Know me, you’re joking.”
“The heroic act you performed that night saving the beauty, who doesn’t know about that.”
“I really wish this event could pass quickly, as if it had never happened.”
Jingxing laughed and said, “You’re worried about Zhan Ze misunderstanding, aren’t you?”
Ye Chen gave a slight smile.
Jingxing said: “Don’t worry, although Zhan Ze is indeed a bit impulsive normally, that’s because of Yu Qing. However, he still knows right from wrong, you shouldn’t dwell on the last incident.”
Ye Chen smiled again slightly.
Everyone was getting closer. Most of them were peers, a large group, standing at the door chatting. The entrance was adorned with red lanterns and the hubbub of the conversations could be heard before stepping foot inside, and it was still only twilight.
The scent of barbecue wafted out.
Ye Chen patted his stomach, saying, “I need to eat something first.”
“Didn’t you have dinner?”
Ye Chen shook his head and laughed, “I knew there would be food tonight. Why would I have dinner? I have to save my appetite for a good meal.”
“Typical of you. Aren’t you afraid of starving yourself to death?”
“Alright, I won’t chit-chat with you anymore. I need to eat something first.”
“Fine, come find us after you eat.”
“Alright.”
Ye Chen went where the aroma was coming from. There were at least fifty or sixty people gathered in the courtyard. There was plenty of delicious food, which was overwhelming people as they wondered where to start.
He didn’t recognize any of these people.
It seemed like everyone around his age in Immortal City had gathered here.
After a round of food collection, his plate was full.
He wasn’t in the mood for a chat and found a quiet place to eat in silence.
Jiang Shizi was hosting inside. Yu Qing had not come out yet, so Shizi was busy entertaining the guests. Even though she had two maids helping her out, she still found it hectic and muttered to herself, “If I had known it was going to be this tiring, I wouldn’t have taken up this task.”
Ye Chen quietly enjoyed his food, but the courtyard seemed a bit cramped, perhaps not because it was small, but because there were too many people. He was constantly looking for a quiet place.
At a corner, someone bumped into him in a rush.
The collision made Jiang Shizi almost lose her bearings. She wanted to yell, “Who is so careless?” The sudden bump almost knocked her over. Ye Chen grabbed her clothes and ripped a piece off inadvertently.
She was so infuriated but when Jiang Shizi got a good look, it turned out to be Ye Chen, the one Qing’er had often mentioned recently.
She glanced at her torn dress, which she had carefully picked for this night to show off a bit. Now, it was ruined by him and she felt a surge of anger rising.
Ye Chen, who was still holding his plate of food, quickly said, “I didn’t do it on purpose.” Seeing that it was no one else but Jiang Shizi, he felt somewhat relieved.
Shizi, afraid of causing a stir in the backyard, pushed him to a corner and exclaimed, “You glutton, you only cared about your food and not the path ahead.” She lashed out with a swift kick while saying, “I spent a lot of effort preparing this dress, but you’ve ruined it.”
“I truly didn’t do it on purpose,” Ye Chen replied, continuing to eat his food.
“Did you target me from the beginning, wanting to embarrass me? Plus, why don’t you just tear my trousers already?”
“Good idea, I’ll aim for the trousers next time.” Ye Chen laughed in a low voice and continued eating.
“You’re still eating? In a few days, we meet and the first thing you do is tear a girl’s clothes.”
“I was afraid that you would fall.”
“Did you only put on this for tonight?”
“What’s wrong with it? It has character, doesn’t it?”
With a smack on Ye Chen’s head, she said, “I’ll settle the score with you later.”
Ye Chen replied, “Wait a moment, I have a gift for Qing’er.”
“A white bottle was taken out from his pocket.”
“What’s this, a sprain medicine? Her ankle is already healed.”
“No, it’s something else.”
“It’s sealed so tightly.”
“Please don’t open it.”
“Can it fly?” she did not open it.
Ye Chen gave a faint smile.
“You’d better give it to Qing’er by yourself.”
“No,” Ye Chen explained, “The gifts that others have given are all valuable, and mine is not worth mentioning. It’s embarrassing to present it, so please don’t make it difficult for me.”
“So, you know that you’re embarrassing yourself.” Jiang Shizi looked at her already tattered dress.
“I know, I’ve caused trouble. My dear sister.”
“I’m not that old.”
“Then my dear younger sister, don’t embarrass me.”
“This dress took me three days to pick, and I wanted to show it off, but you managed to tear it.”
“Hmm, or should I give you mine?” He looked down at himself.
Shizi pouted, felt like slapping him again, and exclaimed, “We must be incompatible. Whenever we meet, it ends in embarrassment.”
“Right, I’ll return it to you,” said Ye Chen.
“Hmm, I was going to ask you for it.”
“You don’t lack the money, I can understand.”
People started calling for Jiang Shizi again, it seemed like Yu Qing was about to come out. Shizi answered and had no time to linger with him.
“Could you give it to her for me, and tell her that I was here?”
“Are you planning to run away?”
“No.”
“If you’re planning to run away, you should give her this yourself.”
“No, I will definitely not run away. Alright then, thank you, my dear sister.”
“I’ll deal with you later, and let me tell you, you really ate a lot.”
“I haven’t had dinner tonight.”
“Why didn’t you also skip this morning’s breakfast?”
“Actually, I was planning on that.”
Shizi went to another side.
Ye Chen still felt a bit of pain in his foot. He looked down at his clothes. To be honest, he indeed didn’t pick them carefully. He wore his usual clothes. He thought there was no need to wear more formal ones. The simpler, the better. If he shows he doesn’t care, Zhan Ze wouldn’t overthink things. This was his thought process.