Chapter 045
Chapter 45: She Might as Well Just Die
Watching the pitiful, aggrieved figure before her, Shi Zi Chu gently lifted a hand with a tender smile.
Jiang Wan Sheng leaned forward and lightly pressed his face into her palm, softly rubbing against it. His long hair slid from behind him, and the small braids adorned with silver ornaments nearly touched Shi Zi Chu’s face.
Seeing this, Jiang Wan Sheng bent his knees, about to kneel.
Shi Zi Chu quickly reached out to stop him, glancing briefly at the empty seat beside her.
In private, she didn’t mind how he behaved. But now they were in the city lord’s mansion, and someone from Lake Heart Pavilion could appear at any moment.
Jiang Wan Sheng obediently sat down, gazing at Shi Zi Chu with wet, pleading eyes.
“As long as Sheng Sheng behaves, I will never abandon you,” Shi Zi Chu reassured him softly, her cool palm gently caressing his breathtakingly beautiful face.
How could she bear to discard such an obedient, useful weapon?
“I will behave,” Jiang Wan Sheng said softly, tilting his head submissively against Shi Zi Chu’s palm, yet his eyes stared intently at her, filled with a twisted obsession.
A mad dog disguised as a gentle puppy.
“I know.” Shi Zi Chu patted her thigh, smiling gently as she asked, “Would you like to take a short nap?”
Without a hint of hesitation, Jiang Wan Sheng lay down immediately.
His head rested upon her soft, enticing thighs, and the delicate scent of jasmine gently surrounded him.
If he simply turned his head, his cheek could press against her soft belly.
Jiang Wan Sheng grew so excited a thin blush appeared at the corners of his eyes, charming and enchanting.
Seeing him this way, Shi Zi Chu lightly laughed.
Her clear laughter only deepened the alluring redness spreading across Jiang Wan Sheng’s pale skin.
Even a rabbit could bite when cornered, let alone this mad dog. After laughing for a short moment, Shi Zi Chu gradually quieted, turning her gaze toward the peaceful scenery of the lake.
The calm, peaceful atmosphere did not last long.
Ye He Qi leisurely approached, immediately noticing Jiang Wan Sheng had already sat up properly to one side.
After exchanging brief nods, Jiang Wan Sheng quietly rose and left.
Ye He Qi came forward and sat down beside Shi Zi Chu, holding out a butterfly jade pendant between his pale, elegant fingertips.
Shi Zi Chu stared, puzzled.
“What is this for, Clan Chief Ye?” she asked, reaching out a finger to lightly poke the butterfly jade pendant.
This magical artifact could house souls and steady spirits; it had to be at least heaven-ranked.
For him to offer something so valuable, he must be scheming again.
Observing Shi Zi Chu’s cautious expression, Ye He Qi slowly explained, “Preparing an escape route for my ally.”
Shi Zi Chu raised her eyebrows slightly.
Ye He Qi looked at Shi Zi Chu’s smiling face and softly reminded her, “Soul possession.”
According to his information, the Shi Zi Chu from age twenty-two to twenty-six was completely different from the current Shi Zi Chu.
It wasn’t surprising if people suspected her of soul possession.
“Me?” Shi Zi Chu pointed at herself. Seeing Ye He Qi nod, she immediately burst into laughter.
Her clear, bell-like laughter was very pleasant.
Ye He Qi watched her quietly, a gentle smile lingering on his lips.
“Oh no, Clan Chief Ye has discovered I’m just a wandering ghost who has possessed another’s body,” Shi Zi Chu joked lightly, taking the butterfly jade pendant and intentionally making a cold expression as if preparing to silence him permanently.
This jade pendant was beneficial for the soul, so she accepted it without hesitation!
Ignoring Shi Zi Chu’s deliberately evil expression, Ye He Qi spoke gently, “Tell me your birth details. I’ll prepare another body for you.”
Shi Zi Chu raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Was he turning over a new leaf?
“If your current body isn’t ideal, we can just find a better one,” he continued lightly.
Shi Zi Chu genuinely couldn’t grasp Ye He Qi’s intentions and earnestly asked, “Clan Chief Ye, what exactly are you after?”
If she really were a ghost who had taken possession, given Xing Lan’s protective nature, she would suffer a tragic fate.
The cost Ye He Qi would pay to protect her from Xing Lan would be extremely high—a decidedly unprofitable move.
He should be lying low instead of coming here and making such foolish moves that did him no good.
Facing Shi Zi Chu’s curious and confused eyes, Ye He Qi calmly replied, “Because you’re wicked enough, ruthless enough. With a little training, you could become my most trusted ally.”
Admiration and disgust were not contradictory for him.
He admired Shi Zi Chu’s deep scheming and vicious methods, yet hated that she was so perceptive nothing could be hidden from her.
Likewise, he wanted Shi Zi Chu dead, yet couldn’t bear to lose her either.
As for Xing Lan, Ye He Qi had his own methods for deceiving him. The losses he suffered now would eventually be repaid twofold by Shi Zi Chu herself.
After a moment of silence, Shi Zi Chu quietly replied, “If you want to praise me, just praise me. Why insult me in the process?”
Speechless, Ye He Qi instantly reached out to retrieve the jade pendant in disgust.
Shi Zi Chu moved aside quickly, laughing playfully, “Once something is in my hands, it’s mine! There’s no way I’ll give it back.”
“Bandit.”
Shi Zi Chu waved the butterfly jade pendant lightly, teasing, “Is it really alright to backstab your own little sister like this?”
The only person targeting her this way would be Chu Zhi Rou, along with Chu Zhi Sheng, Yu Wen Wan, and a soul master of considerable strength.
This afternoon wouldn’t be dull.
Provoked once more, Ye He Qi reached directly for the pendant.
She might as well just die.
Shi Zi Chu swiftly stood, dodging his grasp, then raised an eyebrow at Ye He Qi, playful and defiant.
Ye He Qi’s gentle voice turned poisonous, “You really are asking for trouble.”
Shi Zi Chu proudly shook her head, causing the tassels on her hairpin to sway charmingly with the movement.
Ye He Qi couldn’t help but smile at her childish arrogance.
Noon sunlight poured down on the pair, so gentle and bright it seemed even the sun favored them.
One teasing, the other laughing—the warmth between them was impossible to interrupt.
Suddenly, a chill, ghostly aura wrapped around Shi Zi Chu.
Like a phantom, Jiang Wan Sheng appeared behind her, one arm wrapping possessively around her waist, the other reaching toward her hand holding the butterfly jade pendant.
Shi Zi Chu gracefully turned away, escaping his hold, and gazed toward the lakeshore at Ming Xi Su.
The man in green disciple robes stood upright like a pine, handsome and refined.
At this hour, why was her third junior brother visiting the city lord’s mansion?
Following her gaze, Jiang Wan Sheng glanced over briefly, then gripped Shi Zi Chu’s chin, gently forcing her face toward him.
Just an ugly man, nothing compared to him.
Shi Zi Chu withdrew her gaze, gently patting Jiang Wan Sheng’s arm, “That’s my third junior brother.”
She freed herself from his embrace, watching as Ming Xi Su approached from the bridge.
Ming Xi Su strode swiftly into the Lake Heart Pavilion, greeting Ye He Qi politely, “Clan Chief Ye.”
Dressed elegantly in dark blue robes, Ye He Qi rose slowly and responded with a gentle smile, “Daoist Ming.”
Seeing the young man practically glued to Shi Zi Chu’s side, Ming Xi Su offered a polite greeting, “Young Master Jiang.”
Jiang Wan Sheng nodded slightly, then stepped closer behind Shi Zi Chu.
Having finished greetings, Ming Xi Su reluctantly turned his attention toward Shi Zi Chu, whom he deeply disliked.
Yet the graceful, radiant woman standing there was exquisitely beautiful.
A brief flicker of astonishment passed through Ming Xi Su’s eyes, quickly replaced by cold detachment as he questioned stiffly, “Why are you here?”
“Does it concern you?” Shi Zi Chu replied with a faint smile, her calm gaze tinged with icy disdain.