Chapter 39: Farewell, Lu Si Si
Two hours later, a taxi bearing the insignia of Hui Prefecture rolled into the outskirts of University Town, slowing to a halt by the roadside near the cluster of short-term rental houses. The night was cool, the air still heavy with the scent of rain from the previous days.
Stepping out, Chen Yan moved toward the rentals. Even from a distance, he could see Hu Shang Ke crouched on the edge of the rubble, his figure hunched in dejection, smoke curling from the cigarette between his fingers. Several cigarette butts lay scattered around his feet, silent markers of his turmoil.
As Chen Yan approached, Hu Shang Ke suddenly looked up. His eyes widened before he sprang to his feet and rushed over, seizing Chen Yan by the shoulders with trembling hands.
“You—you—you…”
“Hold on, Old Hu, take a deep breath first.” Chen Yan remained calm, pulling Hu Shang Ke aside gently. “I’m not running anywhere, and I’ll take full responsibility for this.”
“Then tell me—what the hell happened to the house?! Why is it in ruins?!”
Hu Shang Ke’s eyes were red, genuine panic flashing behind them.
—
That morning, Hu Shang Ke had come with the intention of reclaiming the rental. Chen Yan had only paid for seven days, but nine had already passed. If Chen Yan no longer needed the place, Hu Shang Ke figured he could lease it again before the Spring Festival rush.
But when he arrived—
It wasn’t just the house that had collapsed.
For Hu Shang Ke, it felt like the heavens themselves had crumbled!
This particular house had been secretly sublet by a senior-year civil engineering student without the landlord’s knowledge. Hu Shang Ke had acted as the middleman.
Now, the house had collapsed.
There was no way that civil engineering student could escape blame, and neither could Hu Shang Ke. They were both tangled in this mess, each responsible in their own way.
How could he not be frantic? This wasn’t a missing bicycle. It wasn’t a stolen phone.
It was a damn house!
How much would it cost?
Selling himself wouldn’t even come close to covering the losses!
—
“Didn’t an earthquake hit a few nights ago?” Chen Yan carefully chose his words. “I think the house must have… well, maybe it was already too old, and the quake just—”
“Look around you!!” Hu Shang Ke cut him off, voice sharp with disbelief. “Earthquake?! Do you see any other buildings that collapsed?! Every single one of them is standing tall! And you want to tell me the quake took down just your rental house? Who the hell would believe that?!”
Chen Yan glanced around.
Sure enough, the surrounding houses stood intact, untouched by disaster.
Alright, this was a tough one to explain.
Before coming here, Chen Yan had already checked the Jin Ling Prefecture earthquake reports.
There had indeed been an earthquake that night—
But it was nothing more than a distant tremor, an aftershock of a much larger quake centered more than 200 kilometers away. By the time it reached Jin Ling Prefecture, the seismic waves had weakened significantly. Official records confirmed that the tremors in the city hadn’t exceeded 3.8 magnitude.
To put it bluntly, such a mild tremor couldn’t even topple a stack of bricks, let alone bring down an entire house.
Most locals hadn’t even realized there had been an earthquake until they read the news the next day.
Chen Yan sighed.
This was Heaven’s cruelty.
Had he not sought refuge in this house, had Heaven’s will not marked him for elimination, then this house would still be standing today.
The landlord had done nothing wrong. They had neither provoked nor offended anyone. Yet, through no fault of their own, their house had been reduced to rubble.
And in this world, most ordinary folk did not bother purchasing disaster insurance for their properties. When calamity struck, they had no choice but to bear the full brunt of their losses.
Chen Yan refused to turn a blind eye.
“Old Hu, no more arguing. I’ll cover the cost of the house. If needed, I’ll pay for a full rebuild. Is that acceptable?”
Hu Shang Ke was momentarily stunned. The fire in his eyes dimmed slightly. “You’ll pay? You’ll rebuild the house? You swear?”
“Yes. I swear.” Chen Yan nodded firmly. “It’s just a single-story house. How much could it possibly cost? A hundred thousand? Two hundred thousand? Three hundred thousand? I’ll take care of it.”
Hu Shang Ke let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “It’s not just about the money. Do you think rebuilding is that easy? You think you can just throw up a new house overnight?”
He paused, realizing that Chen Yan had no understanding of these matters. So, he patiently explained:
“Even the wealthiest people, those who own mansions, can’t just tear them down and rebuild as they please. They already own the land, yet they still have to follow regulations.”
“For your case, first, we need to get officials from the Housing and Urban Development Bureau to inspect the site. They must confirm that the collapse wasn’t due to intentional destruction and issue an official report stating that the house fell due to structural failure during the earthquake.”
“Next, we must retrieve the original property records from the Land Registry Office. Only then can we apply for a reconstruction permit, which must match the original size and layout of the house.”
“After that, we need an accredited construction firm to handle the rebuild—no hiring some random crew off the streets.”
“And even then, construction must follow the approved plans. You can’t just build however you want. Once it’s done, the Housing Bureau has to inspect and approve it. Only then will the Land Registry Office grant a new property deed.”
“Otherwise, any house you build will be deemed illegal. It won’t even have a property certificate.”
Chen Yan was dumbstruck.
Rebuilding a house…
Wasn’t as simple as stacking bricks.
Hu Shang Ke’s face bore the unmistakable expression of “I don’t understand” in bold letters.
So many bureaucratic offices, so many verifications, approvals, proofs, and formalities—just hearing about them made his head spin.
Chen Yan’s heart stirred, and he cast a serious glance at Hu Shang Ke. They were classmates, after all, and he understood this guy well enough.
Hu’s only flaw was his tendency to be a bit of a bootlicker, but as for his character, it was trustworthy.
“Old Hu, let’s get straight to the point. If I leave this matter in your hands, can you take care of it?”
“I can’t.” Hu Shang Ke shook his head honestly. “I’m just a newcomer in this industry. I might know the ins and outs, but for handling something like this? I don’t have the connections. Only our manager might be able to do it—he’s helped rich folks rebuild villas before and has some connections.”
Chen Yan changed tactics. “I want you to approach the owner first. If they want money, negotiate a fair compensation price. If they want a new house, then get your manager to handle the matter.
Between these two options, you help me set the terms. You’re the expert here—you know these tricks better than I do.
I’m willing to compensate, even more than necessary, but I don’t want to be fleeced like a fool. You get what I mean?”
Hu Shang Ke suddenly understood. “Oh, now that makes sense. But…”
Chen Yan waved his hand. “I won’t have you working for free. I’ll pay you ten thousand as a service fee. Is that acceptable?”
Hu Shang Ke was about to say, “It’s just running errands, you don’t need to pay that much,” but Chen Yan silenced him with another wave.
“Take ten thousand for yourself. I’ll also give another ten thousand—for you to pass on to the tenant, that civil engineering junior.
The house is ruined. He’ll need to find a new place to live, and the landlord will likely keep his deposit. He didn’t have much in the house—just a few old clothes.
I’ll cover his losses with this ten thousand. Consider it a full settlement.”
Hu Shang Ke nodded. “That’s more than enough. His lease had a few months left, and for that rundown place, the remaining rent and deposit wouldn’t total more than six or seven thousand. Ten thousand is generous.”
“Then let the extra count as compensation for his trouble.”
Chen Yan transferred twenty thousand on the spot—ten thousand as Hu Shang Ke’s fee, and ten thousand for the civil engineering student.
“You handle the negotiations. Once you get a result, tell me. I’ll see it through to the end.”
With that, he left the mess to Hu Shang Ke and walked away.
—
He originally planned to take a cab back to the villa, but since he was already in University Town, he recalled the messages that Lu Si Si, that little lass, had sent earlier…
Chen Yan hesitated briefly before deciding to head over. He intended to go straight to Lu Si Si’s school but halfway there, he suddenly remembered that Little Zhao had messaged him two days ago asking for his address. Was there something he needed?
Since he was already here, he might as well meet up with Little Zhao first.
Chen Yan wasn’t the type to prioritize romance over friendship, so he went back to his own university first.
—
Just as he approached the men’s dormitory, he spotted Little Zhao loitering near a utility pole, pacing in circles, his expression as conflicted as if he were suffering from severe constipation.
Chen Yan strode over and gave him a solid pat on the shoulder.
Little Zhao jolted, turned around, and upon seeing it was Chen Yan, didn’t even wait for him to speak—he immediately clapped a hand over Chen Yan’s mouth and dragged him behind the dormitory building.
“What’s with the sneaky act?”
“Shhh!”
Little Zhao took a deep breath, his face looking rather awkward.
“What’s going on?” Chen Yan’s curiosity grew.
Little Zhao pointed toward the road near the girls’ dormitory and whispered, “Look!”
Chen Yan leaned out and took a glance.
There, on the roadside beneath the girls’ dormitory, stood two young women. It was the classic “Red Flower and Green Leaf” duo so often seen on campus.
One of them had a well-proportioned figure, long flowing hair, and delicate features—she was at least in the “petite beauty” category.
The other? Well, she didn’t need much description.
By tradition, in a “Red Flower and Green Leaf” pairing, the friend of a beautiful girl was often either a tank, a tomboy, or both.
Chen Yan smirked and asked outright, “Which one do you like?”
Little Zhao glared at him. “What do you think?”
Chen Yan chuckled. “Then go strike up a conversation.”
“…I don’t know how.” Little Zhao hesitated for a long moment, his face flushing red before finally squeezing out, “Brother, teach me.”
Chen Yan fell silent for a moment. “You think I know? I’ve never had a girlfriend either.”
“Lies! Keep lying!” Little Zhao scoffed. “Little Fatty told me everything after delivering something to your place—he said there was a gorgeous girl in your room.”
Chen Yan shook his head. “We were studying together. I was tutoring a freshman junior.”
Little Zhao gave him a look of sheer disappointment. “Brother, did you forget that you’ve already graduated?”
Chen Yan: “…”
“And even if you hadn’t, brother… you’ve failed more classes than I have. What could you possibly tutor her in?”
Chen Yan’s face darkened. “Do you want my help or not?”
“I do!”
Chen Yan spoke slowly, his tone measured like a master imparting wisdom to a disciple, “Just walk up there. Remember—your stance must be confident, composed, and, if possible, a touch carefree. First, capture their attention, then, without hesitation, add them on Mystic Scroll. Once that’s done, you can chat at your leisure when you return.”
Little Zhao frowned, contemplating the task ahead. “Confident, composed, carefree… How do I accomplish all three and draw their attention?”
Chen Yan leaned in and whispered something into his ear.
Little Zhao’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Brother, I haven’t read as many scrolls as you, but don’t try to fool me!”
Chen Yan responded with unshakable conviction, “Have you forgotten? I was locked in a chamber with a young maiden from the first year. If you don’t believe me, so be it.”
Little Zhao took a deep breath, struggling with hesitation before finally gritting his teeth and stepping forward with resolute determination.
As he approached the two young women, he deliberately halted, coughing loudly.
The two maidens, engaged in lively conversation, turned their heads, their gazes drawn to the unexpected sound.
And then—
Little Zhao suddenly sprang into the air, executing an Ethereal Throw as if casting an unseen celestial relic into an imaginary hoop.
“Swoosh!” he exclaimed.
The first maiden: “……”
The second maiden: “……”
A brief silence fell over the scene, but then, in an instant, laughter erupted like a rushing mountain stream. The more stunning of the two bent at the waist, nearly collapsing to the ground in mirth.
Little Zhao stood frozen, his mind blank. Instinctively, he turned to look at Chen Yan for guidance—
But Chen Yan had already turned and fled at full speed!
·
Hmph, that’s for calling me a failure in my studies!
·
Chen Yan sprinted over two hundred paces away, his body, now nurtured by the foundation of Vital Qi Cultivation, making him faster and stronger than before. Even if Little Zhao sprouted two extra legs, he wouldn’t be able to catch him.
Glancing back, Chen Yan saw that Little Zhao had given up the chase after a few dozen steps, instead raising a single finger in a universally understood gesture of exasperation.
Satisfied, Chen Yan turned his steps toward Lu Si Si.
Wait—why had he sought out Little Zhao in the first place?
…Ah, never mind. If he couldn’t remember, it must not have been important.
Just as he rounded a corner, passing behind the Men’s Disciples’ Hall, his gaze landed upon a lone figure seated on a wooden bench by the roadside.
She wore the same soft yellow cloak, but now a scarf encircled her slender neck. The winter chill had painted her cheeks a delicate shade of red.
·
Lu Si Si sat lost in thought when she felt a light tap on her shoulder.
Startled, she turned swiftly, only to be met with Chen Yan’s familiar, teasing smile.
“Such a cold day, and yet, who in their right mind sits here, absorbing the chill like a wandering sage?” Chen Yan remarked as he casually perched beside her, his movements natural and unforced. After all, they had already shared the same bed for two nights before—though under circumstances far from romantic.
Lu Si Si’s eyes lit up with a gleam of surprise and joy. She glanced at him, lips pursed as if hesitating to speak.
Chen Yan chuckled. “What brings you to my school?”
“I was just… bored and went for a walk… and somehow ended up here,” she murmured, voice soft, head lowered, cheeks still rosy from the cold—or perhaps, something else.
Of course, it wasn’t a mere casual stroll.
Ever since their last parting, she had carried thoughts of this man in her heart, waiting for a reply to her messages on Mystic Scroll—yet none had come. Unable to bear the distance any longer, she had wandered into the campus he once called home.
Even knowing he no longer studied here, she couldn’t resist the strange comfort of seeing the places he once walked, as though the lingering presence of his past might ease the longing in her heart.
Chen Yan could more or less guess her thoughts. Yet, when faced with such a moment, words did not come easily to him. He truly hadn’t lied to Little Zhao earlier—when it came to speaking with women, he was no expert.
He fell into brief silence, then his eyes landed on her pale yellow cloak.
If he recalled correctly—she had been wearing this very same cloak since their reunion at the Cloud Pavilion Healing Hall.
Though it was winter, and many people wore their outer robes for days at a time, young maidens—especially those of Lu Si Si’s charm—usually had more than a few to rotate through.
Noticing his gaze, Lu Si Si’s face grew even redder. “I… My other cloak… was ruined…”
She cast him a gaze filled with grievance.
Chen Yan froze, and then—realization struck.
That day… when she had met misfortune due to The Drowning Omen!
He had kicked her straight into the Spirit Fountain Pool!
And if he recalled correctly, she had been wearing a differently colored cloak at the time.
“I… I ran out of living expenses after buying a new Celestial Echo Talisman, and I didn’t dare ask my family for more, so…”
As she trailed off, explaining in a whisper, Chen Yan’s heart tightened.
He remembered what she had told him before—that her fate was a cursed one, bringing misfortune to those around her. Even her own family kept her at a distance.
A girl of her age, especially one with such natural beauty, should have been doted upon, with a wardrobe filled with fine garments. And yet, here she was—reduced to alternating between only two winter cloaks.
Without hesitation, Chen Yan grasped her wrist and pulled her to her feet.
“Come!”
Lu Si Si blinked in surprise, but instead of resisting, she simply lowered her head and softly replied, “Oh.”
And just like that, she obediently followed behind Chen the Great Philanthropist.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation