Chapter 30 [VIP]

With nothing to do, Jiang Zhuochen decided to go to Qingle Village at the foot of the mountain for a couple of days. He returned to his room for the first time and packed his bags.

The moonlight outside the window was cold and clear, and a gentle breeze made the candlelight on the table flicker. A dark shadow slowly swept past, and Jiang Zhuochen looked up, then grinned.

He opened the door, his voice cheerful. "Why has Master come?"

The thin, almost silvery moonlight bathed Xu Xing, carrying the coolness of the late night. "Are we going to Qingle Village tomorrow?"

Jiang Zhuochen obediently sat down next to him. "Did Senior Brother tell you?"

Xu Xing glanced at the haphazardly placed packages on the ground. "Others go down the mountain to cultivate themselves, but you're just playing around."

"Will Master give it to me?" Jiang Zhuochen asked in a low, pitiful voice.

"Hmm." Xu Xing couldn't possibly refuse. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Seemingly surprised by Xu Xing's words, Jiang Zhuochen's eyes lit up, but then the light dimmed again. He certainly wanted to, but his master had so many things to do every day. Usually, playing in Wangxian Valley wouldn't take up much time, but once he went out, things could get unpredictable.

If he comes back then and the elders and teachers can't stand it and bring up the rules of the sect, wouldn't he be a sinner?

He fiddled with his sleeves and said slowly, "I can handle it myself."

Xu Xing lowered his eyes, watching as someone unconsciously gripped and tugged at the hem of his clothes. He helplessly moved the corners of his mouth: "Really don't want it?"

When a person's will is not firm, they cannot withstand repeated questioning. Jiang Zhuochen opened his mouth, then lowered his head and muttered in a self-deprecating tone, "I do want to. But I'm too embarrassed to keep bothering you; they'll all laugh at me..."

The last sentence was murmured to himself, so low it was almost inaudible, yet it reached Xu Xing's ears precisely. His heart was enveloped by the deep dependence in the words, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of tenderness.

"Why be embarrassed?" Xu Xing gently lifted Jiang Zhuochen's cheek, making him look up. "I haven't said anything yet."

Jiang Zhuochen was drawn to the temperature covering him. Strangely, even though he was only slightly colder than the average person, why did he feel inexplicably shiver?

“But I can’t be so selfish.” Jiang Zhuochen unconsciously rubbed his hand against his. “Master will also be talked about behind his back.”

Xu Xing's brows relaxed, and against the moonlight, he resembled a dazzling treasure from an ancient secret realm, his very bones radiating a clear light. "Hmm, indeed not good."

Seeing Jiang Zhuochen's shoulders slump, he gently ran his fingertips across the other's face. "How was your day? I'll be back tonight."

After saying that, to put his mind at ease, she added, "Nothing major has happened in Wangxian Valley recently, so don't worry about wasting my time."

"Okay." Jiang Zhuochen finally smiled.

The road to Qingle Village is not easy to travel. It is said that in the past, there were always ordinary people with ulterior motives who tried to sneak into the mountain and stay there. Therefore, many mazes were set up on the whole mountain, and you could easily go the wrong way if you were not careful.

However, Jiang Zhuochen didn't even need to walk when he was following behind Xu Xing; they arrived at the village entrance in the blink of an eye.

Looking at the bustling market scene around him, with the lively shouts of vendors filling his ears, his appetite was immediately whetted.

Putting everything else aside, the food in Wangxian Valley is indeed only suitable for cultivators who are focused on their studies; anyone with distracting thoughts will find it unpalatable.

His master would secretly give him extra meals, but it was never as good as eating freely.

He led Xu Xing to a small shop on the roadside that was doing good business, and the shopkeeper's cheerful greeting immediately filled their ears.

The other person draped a towel over their shoulder and rubbed their hands together with an amused expression. "Two esteemed immortals, are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"

Jiang Zhuochen turned his head slightly, and Xu Xing stood quietly beside him. Although he had changed into a more understated outfit to go down the mountain, it couldn't hide the aloofness that had accumulated over the years. The wide hem of his robe hung to one side, untouched by a speck of dust.

A thought flashed through his mind, and a sly glint appeared in the corner of his eye. He pulled Xu Xing inside without hesitation.

"Let's eat. Bring out all your restaurant's signature dishes and drinks."

Xu Xing pulled him back, stopping him, saying, "The dishes are fine, there's no need for wine."

"Alright, please wait a moment, you two immortals!"

Jiang Zhuochen chuckled, and then he couldn't stop, even his hand trembling as he poured tea.

"What are you laughing at?" Xu Xing asked, puzzled.

"Let's use tea instead of wine." He couldn't understand why he was so happy, but the surrounding noise and the aroma of food and wine wafted around him, softening his aloofness and making him seem less unapproachable. "Congratulations to our master on his descent to the mortal realm."

Xu Xing pursed his lips almost imperceptibly, a soft, tacit approval flashing deep in his eyes. He looked at the teacup that was steadily handed to him, opened his mouth slightly, and took a sip in that position.

Jiang Zhuochen suddenly sat up straight, his clear mind thrown into disarray by the other person's action. No, is this right?

He suppressed his racing heartbeat and put down his teacup as if nothing had happened. The finger that had unintentionally brushed against the other person's lips curled up, burning his heart.

Jiang Zhuochen then behaved himself and stopped moving around. His gaze was somewhat dazed as he looked out into the distance, and he missed the faint smile that the other person was suppressing at the corners of his mouth.

As the food was served one after another, the lingering sense of unease in Jiang Zhuochen disappeared, and he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat heartily.

As usual, Xu Xing only picked up a bite of each dish with his chopsticks, and spent the rest of the time waiting for Jiang Zhuochen to finish eating. Occasionally, he would notice that Jiang Zhuochen had ate a certain dish more often, so he would set out the food for him.

As the waiter brought out the last dish, the faint sound of firecrackers began to ring out outside, and the crowd grew increasingly noisy.

"It's quite a coincidence," the waiter explained enthusiastically. "Today is the wedding of Master Sun's son. It's a grand affair, and many people have rushed over early this morning to join in the fun. If you two immortals have some free time, you might as well go and take a look."

"Getting married..." After the waiter left, Jiang Zhuochen chewed his food absentmindedly.

"Eat first." Xu Xing leaned closer and straightened his body.

"I've never seen anyone get married before." Jiang Zhuochen put down his chopsticks with great interest. "Master, shall we go and take a look later?"

"Can."

As the two walked out, a large number of people had already gathered on the street, and the flow of people ahead was so strong that Jiang Zhuochen was squeezed and had nowhere to put his feet.

The wedding procession appeared around the corner, accompanied by a deafening cacophony of gongs and drums. Handfuls of candy mixed with coins were scattered everywhere, and the cheers nearly drowned out the firecrackers. The arms waving high with astonishing force were used to shove those around them without hesitation for a few coins.

Xu Xing almost instinctively pulled Jiang Zhuochen into his arms, stopping him from retreating helplessly.

Jiang Zhuochen was caught off guard and fell into a familiar embrace. The other person's hands were steady and strong, and through the thin, wide-sleeved clothes, they were held at his waist. He was so close that he could feel the warmth of his master's chest and the faint vibration of his heartbeat through the clothes.

It felt a little different from when he actively clung to her, but Jiang Zhuochen couldn't quite put his finger on the difference.

They followed the wedding procession to the Sun residence. The best viewing spots at the gate were already taken, so Jiang Zhuochen settled for a spot under a tree next to the Sun residence.

The two stood one behind the other, their bodies inevitably pressed tightly together due to the narrow and cramped space. Xu Xing's gaze fell on Jiang Zhuochen's face, and he subtly tightened his arms around Jiang Zhuochen's waist.

Every time Jiang Zhuochen moved his hand, it brushed against Xu Xing's hand, and his chaotic heartbeat rose higher and higher in sync with the beating of the drum.

The scene of the bride stepping over the fire pit drew cheers from the crowd. Jiang Zhuochen looked over and couldn't help but turn his head as his fingers brushed against the back of her hand once again.

He froze abruptly. Xu Xing's extremely handsome face was so close; if he had made any bigger movements as usual, he probably would have kissed him by now.

"What's wrong?" Xu Xing's eyes moved to the other person's slightly parted lips.

Her breath brushed against the fine hairs on Jiang Zhuochen's face, tickling him. His mind was a complete mess, and he stammered, "Xin... the bride is very beautiful."

Immediately afterward, he heard an indistinct laugh. He instantly looked up and met Xu Xing's gaze, the upward curve of the laugh still lingering on his lips.

I really laughed.

Although his master would smile at him from time to time, he could only hear it a few times.

"What are you laughing at?" Jiang Zhuochen asked, sounding somewhat weak.

The bride, being ushered in, held onto her maidservant's hands and carefully took steps forward. Her red veil stood firmly on her head, unmoved by the wind.

I don't know who they're referring to as "good-looking".

After the bride entered the house, no outsiders were allowed to enter except for the guests. The cheers of the onlookers subsided, and soon they dispersed in small groups.

A narrow path gradually appeared nearby, and Jiang Zhuochen noticed someone coming out of the Sun residence. The person walked straight towards them and bowed with a smile.

"You two must be immortals from the mountain. Our master heard of your esteemed arrival and has prepared a special seat for you. Would you do me the honor of entering the mansion?"

Jiang Zhuochen asked in surprise, "You know us?"

The maidservant slightly raised her eyes and quickly lowered them again, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. "Of course I recognize you. Many people remember you passing through this place in the past when you and other immortals were wearing the Wangxian Valley school uniform."

Jiang Zhuochen pressed his hand on his waist, belatedly realizing that his master hadn't let go yet, and at the same time subconsciously wanted to explain.

He would only occasionally drag his fellow students down for a walk when he was tired; he wasn't lazy or fond of playing around, nor did he linger for very long.

"You guys have really good memories," Jiang Zhuochen replied dryly.

"Qingle Village's prosperity is largely due to your patronage, and we will never forget it." The maid gestured towards the Sun family, "Please take a seat, Immortal."

Jiang Zhuochen didn't dare to look Xu Xing in the eye, so she just nodded vaguely and pulled Xu Xing to follow the maid into the mansion.

The Sun family patriarch and patriarch took a moment out of their busy schedules to exchange a few pleasantries with the two of them before hurriedly leaving. Not long after, the wedding ceremony began.

Red curtains were hung high, red carpets were laid out, and the matchmaker moved in front of the newlyweds, her joyful and penetrating voice ringing out.

"I bow to Heaven and Earth!"

"Bowing to the parents twice!"

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

The newlyweds bowed deeply to each other. Amidst loud shouts, the groom took his wife's hands, held them tightly with excitement, and then turned to the guests with a silly grin, which made everyone's shouts change and they all burst into laughter.

Amidst the noise, Jiang Zhuochen involuntarily glanced at Xu Xing beside him, and the other man, as if sensing his presence, turned his gaze as well. Xu Xing's pupils were deep, filled with a dark hue that Jiang Zhuochen couldn't discern, giving him a sense of panic, like prey falling into a trap.

Jiang Zhuochen frantically poured water down his throat, trying to drown his pounding heart.

"Send them into the bridal chamber—"

As soon as the last word was uttered, all the guests stood up in a noisy uproar. Jiang Zhuochen, not understanding why, stood up straight without thinking.

After taking a few steps, her wrist, which was hanging by her side, was grasped, and her cool fingertips slid across his palm. Her unsteady steps were gently pulled, and her back bumped into someone's chest.

"Others go to make a ruckus in the wedding night, what are you going there for?"

Jiang Zhuochen silently made way and followed the servants to the banquet area.

He frowned inwardly, his mind a complete mess, while the culprit still wouldn't let go of his hand.

When Jiang Zhuochen arrived at the table, he had already eaten quite a bit, so he could only manage to stuff a few bites down as a token gesture.

When Mr. and Mrs. Zhao had a free moment, they walked over in high spirits. Noticing that the food on the table hadn't been touched much, they asked with concern if it wasn't to their liking.

Jiang Zhuochen quickly waved his hand to explain and dispel their concerns.

Madam Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, her face beaming with smiles, and took the small red cloth bag from the maid and handed it to Jiang Zhuochen.

"There are two copper coins, longan, and peanuts in here. These are common gifts given at weddings in our village. They symbolize the union of two families, a happy reunion, and the early birth of a son. Although cultivators do not concern themselves with worldly affairs, we still hope you can share in this joy and have all your wishes fulfilled in the future."

"Thank you." Jiang Zhuochen touched the red cloth bag and sincerely thanked Madam Zhao.

After finishing their conversation, Master Zhao and his wife went to greet the guests at the other tables. Jiang Zhuochen turned around and met Xu Xing's gaze as he looked at the red cloth bag in his hand.

"Master wants it too?" Jiang Zhuochen reached out his hand towards him.

"Need not."

Xu Xing's tone remained unchanged, leaving Jiang Zhuochen completely bewildered, and he withdrew his hand.

The banquet ended in the evening, and Xu Xing accompanied Jiang Zhuochen to find an inn to stay in.

Jiang Zhuochen was distracted and dawdled for a long time before finally choosing a room. When he looked up, it was already dark.

He pulled up a stool and sat by the window, quickly glancing at the closed door. The incessant noise subsided, making the room, where he was alone, seem exceptionally empty.

All the worries that had been deliberately suppressed suddenly surged up, buzzing around like flies, making him feel annoyed. He glanced at the door again.

They just left like that.

Even though he felt a little uncomfortable being alone with the two of them, wanting him to be there but also wanting him not to be there, he still felt a little sad when Xu Xingzhen left. He had never felt this kind of abandonment before.

Isn't it said that a day shouldn't include the evening?

Jiang Zhuochen was listlessly plucking at the branches outside the window when there was a sudden knock on the door behind him.

He opened the door in confusion, and the person he had just been talking about suddenly appeared in front of him.

A note from the author: