Chapter 149
Chapter 149: She Wants It All!
Looking at that beautiful face flushed with a faint red, Shi Zi Chu smiled lightly, a touch of cruel charm on her lips. “Why is Sheng Sheng turning this around? You were the one who forced me into the river first.”
At that time, Jiang Wan Sheng was reclusive and dark, the poison markings on his face making him especially cautious. He didn’t believe that someone like him, marked by those sinister patterns, could be accepted without proof. But how could he prove it?
On a cold winter day, he turned and jumped into the river.
It was a desperate move. Success or failure depended on it, but he couldn’t fail now. Gritting his teeth, he had no choice but to follow through.
Luckily, Aunt Lin found him just in time; otherwise, he might have drowned.
Since then, he had changed. Even when tricked into climbing a mountain and pushed into a wild beast’s pit, he told Aunt Lin he had fallen by accident.
At the thought of this, Shi Zi Chu couldn’t help but look up.
When they were young, Sheng Sheng was already a madman—wild, ruthless—but with a bit more innocence and gullibility. His methods were still naïve.
Jiang Wan Sheng took a deep breath, staring directly at Shi Zi Chu with an unmasked, shadowy gaze. “I thought Qing Qing volunteered.”
Forced? He didn’t like the sound of that word. It wasn’t Shi Zi Chu who had forced herself into his world—it was more like a sudden invasion! He had only set a few small tests.
“I have never despised Sheng Sheng,” Shi Zi Chu said, lifting a hand to poke his cheek gently, her voice tender and indulgent. “But Sheng Sheng doesn’t trust me.”
Jiang Wan Sheng puffed out his cheeks, only for Shi Zi Chu’s finger to poke them down, leaving a small indentation.
No, it wasn’t about despising him—it was about feeding him toxic herbs, removing star-gem scales, pushing him into rivers… so many things, countless.
Thinking back on his childhood, Jiang Wan Sheng couldn’t help but feel a little amazed at how lucky he had been.
But one thing was undeniable: ever since Qing Qing came into his life, everything had changed.
Shi Zi Chu’s persistent pokes were like a playful pet to her, as if she had found a cherished toy.
Jiang Wan Sheng’s sharp, shadowy brows softened, his gaze full of helpless indulgence.
While poking Jiang Wan Sheng’s cheek, Shi Zi Chu teasingly asked, “How would Sheng Sheng know if I didn’t volunteer?”
When Jiang Wan Sheng was younger, he might have been tricked, but now, after all those years of struggles within the Jiang Clan, he was far too aware.
But even knowing the truth, what did it matter?
“Liar.” Jiang Wan Sheng muttered lowly.
Though he claimed to be so important to her, when it came to their conflict, he would strike with more cruelty than anyone.
Shi Zi Chu seemed to not hear him clearly, arching an eyebrow as she spoke softly, “Hmm?”
Jiang Wan Sheng, defeated, lowered his head and admitted, “I was wrong.”
Let her lie—at least Qing Qing cared enough to spend her time on him.
“Wrong about what?” Shi Zi Chu asked, lightly scratching his chin as if teasing a cat.
Jiang Wan Sheng pretended to lower his head to bite her.
Shi Zi Chu slapped his face lightly, “You really are a dog, aren’t you?”
The fragrant scent of jasmine from the slap filled the air, and Jiang Wan Sheng turned his head, his eyes downcast, looking like a wronged puppy. “I was wrong to be so childish, testing Qing Qing again and again when I was younger.”
“But Qing Qing, I don’t feel safe,” Jiang Wan Sheng looked up, his eyes full of vulnerability. “I’m afraid you’ll despise me, that you’ll stop wanting me.”
Jiang Wan Sheng knew well his advantages, and he made full use of them.
Shi Zi Chu looked at him. Even though he was taller, he acted like a clingy dog at her feet, with big, wet eyes, nuzzling her legs in a spoiled, helpless manner.
“I won’t stop wanting you,” Shi Zi Chu’s fingers brushed through his long hair. “Sheng Sheng, you mean a lot to me.”
No one could wield a blade like Sheng Sheng—sharp and precise. She wouldn’t give up such a perfect weapon.
Jiang Wan Sheng lowered his gaze.
After a moment, he suddenly spoke. “Then, may I offer myself as a pillow for Qing Qing? Would you despise me?”
Shi Zi Chu raised an eyebrow, her eyes showing a flash of surprise.
Seeing that Shi Zi Chu had not responded, the seemingly harmless Jiang Wan Sheng suddenly became dangerous.
His tall frame leaned in, exuding an overwhelming pressure as he closed the distance between them. His voice was cold and tinged with jealousy. “Qing Qing, why does he get to have you, but I don’t?”
Without giving Shi Zi Chu a chance to speak, he moved closer still. “He’s old, but I’m still young.”
Shi Zi Chu almost jumped out of her skin, “Are you trying to kill me?”
At this proximity, who knew if Master would hear them? If Xing Lan heard this…
She shuddered at the thought of Xing Lan’s abilities. She didn’t want to be locked in a room for the next ten days or more.
Jiang Wan Sheng’s hand slid around Shi Zi Chu’s back, patting her gently in a familiar, comforting way.
But Shi Zi Chu wasn’t comforted at all.
She was terrified of Xing Lan showing up suddenly. If these two clashed, she would be in big trouble.
Suddenly, a cold, low voice rang out from a distance.
“Jiu Jiu.”
A tall, dignified figure appeared a few steps away, exuding an oppressive, noble presence.
Jiang Wan Sheng’s hand on Shi Zi Chu’s back pressed down, pulling her into his embrace.
His beautiful eyes lifted, his cold, dominant gaze locking on Xing Lan without backing down. The tension in the air grew thicker, the atmosphere sharp like a blade.
A sweet, familiar scent filled Shi Zi Chu’s nostrils, and she immediately noticed a pair of piercing eyes fall on her, like a sharp needle against her back.
This was it!
She wished she could bury herself in Jiang Wan Sheng’s arms and pretend to sleep, but she couldn’t.
Shi Zi Chu grabbed Jiang Wan Sheng’s arm and pulled herself out of his embrace, turning to face Xing Lan.
Her expression was calm, though inside, she felt uneasy. She spoke slowly, her voice gentle. “Master.”
Xing Lan raised his hand.
Shi Zi Chu took two steps forward, still holding Jiang Wan Sheng’s arm, then raised her right hand to meet Xing Lan’s.
She wanted it all!
Of course, she hoped both of them would take a step back, so she could play the fool and get away with it.
Xing Lan’s fingers curved around her hand tightly.
Jiang Wan Sheng twisted his arm, pulling it free from Shi Zi Chu’s grasp.
Xing Lan raised an eyebrow, about to pull Shi Zi Chu closer, but Jiang Wan Sheng moved.
His palm came up to gently support Shi Zi Chu’s delicate hand, his fingers slipping between hers, locking them together.
Let go?
Impossible!
Jiang Wan Sheng, his fingers intertwined with Shi Zi Chu’s, raised his eyebrows, looking at Xing Lan with an arrogant, carefree expression.
Shi Zi Chu looked between them, unsure of what to say.
Wow?
She didn’t know what to do for a moment.
Jiang Wan Sheng’s gaze fell on Shi Zi Chu. “Qing Qing, you can’t play favorites.”
If she wanted both, she had to treat them equally!
Xing Lan’s cold, deep voice showed no trace of emotion. “Jiu Jiu, a man with such low cultivation is of no use to you.”
His patience had limits—he had already allowed Jiang Wan Sheng to live; anything beyond that was unacceptable!
Jiang Wan Sheng let out a cold laugh, aiming straight for Xing Lan’s chest with his words. “I’m young, I’m pure.”
Seeing Xing Lan’s expression darken, Shi Zi Chu quickly grabbed his hand, speaking softly. “Master, sending those venerable ones to Senior Uncle Meng is inappropriate.”
Sheng Sheng’s mouth—
If he kept talking, Master would surely slice him in half with a sword.
Xing Lan’s sharp gaze fell on their locked hands as he spoke coldly. “Come with me.”
Shi Zi Chu lightly shook his hand, acting coy. “Ruo Ruo has ascended to Nascent Soul. It’s only right I go congratulate her.”
Xing Lan acknowledged her request and then waved his hand, sending a wave of spiritual power to forcibly take Jiang Wan Sheng away.
In that case, no one would be left to cling to Jiu Jiu.