Chapter 188: Everything is a predetermined "fate" that cannot be changed

Ling Rui looked at Sheng Ran with his ears drooping, and was not comforted by her words.

He still said: "It's the same these days. I can't help at the store at all."

"Who said you can't help?" Sheng Ran's voice was filled with a hint of laughter.

"You chop wood so quickly and abundantly, there's never a shortage of firewood in the kitchen. You help the cats familiarize themselves with the chores of the Shangshifang, teaching them how to move things effortlessly. When I stand guard at night, you always stand closest to my room... There are always many ways you can be of use."

Ling Rui suddenly looked up, his eyes full of surprise: "That...that's what I should do..."

"And there's more." Sheng Ran continued, her fingertips gently stroking his palm, "You rushed into battle when an accident happened, and you helped people repair roofs and put up window decorations and couplets on New Year's Eve... I remember all of this."

Ling Rui's ears slowly stood up, no longer drooping like before, and the loss in his eyes was gradually replaced by light.

He subconsciously rubbed Sheng Ran's palm, his movements showing a bit of feline instinct.

His entire body seemed to be limp, completely different from his usual unruly appearance. "Really? Did you see all of this?"

"Of course." Sheng Ran nodded and said with a smile, "You have so many advantages. You are quick to react and are always the first to protect me when I'm in danger; you are strong and never let me do anything when lifting heavy objects; and..."

She paused deliberately, looking at Ling Rui's nervous eyes, "You're so cute when you rub my palm."

Ling Rui's face flushed instantly. He subconsciously wanted to withdraw his hand, but he couldn't bear to do so. He could only hold Sheng Ran's hand and soften his voice: "Wife..."

Under Sheng Ran's gentle gaze, Ling Rui finally couldn't resist and revealed his heart.

"When I was a child, I was picked up. I was afraid of being abandoned, so I squeezed my throat and imitated the cat's meow. I learned it for a month. I had to walk softly, eat slowly, and even dared not laugh loudly."

He let go of her wrist and clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white. "Later, my adoptive parents said they loved me, but I was still afraid. Now that I'm with you, I'm afraid too. I'm afraid it's useless, I'm afraid you won't like me."

Sheng Ran's fingertips trembled slightly. Looking at the watery light in his eyes, she shook her head seriously, "Ling Rui, you don't have to compare yourself with others."

"You are very important to me, uniquely important."

Ling Rui stared at her blankly, the panic in his eyes gradually faded away, replaced by a burning light.

He suddenly took a step forward, placed his hands on the door beside Sheng Ran, and held her in his arms.

The distance between them was instantly shortened. The smell of alcohol on him mixed with the breath of youth hit Sheng Ran's face, burning her heartbeat faster.

"My dear wife..." His voice trembled, his eyes fell on her lips, and his Adam's apple rolled again.

I have wanted to kiss my wife for a long time...

But he was afraid of being too aggressive and being disliked, so he never dared to do so.

Ling Rui looks brave and courageous, but he is actually a very timid person.

He is always cautious, especially towards the people he cares about the most.

He must get explicit permission before taking the next step.

But at this moment, he was probably blinded by alcohol, and threw all caution to the wind, just wanting to follow the most desired thoughts in his heart.

Sheng Ran could already see the fiery emotions in his eyes, and the thoughts that were about to act were becoming more and more obvious.

The tips of her ears turned completely red, and then he held her waist.

His palm was hot, and she could feel the warmth through the fabric of her clothes, which made her stiffen all over.

"I..." Ling Rui wanted to say something, but his mind was blank. He just felt that the person in front of him was very good-looking and wanted to get closer.

Sheng Ran couldn't help laughing, held her breath, and waited for his reaction.

He leaned over, his movements clumsy and impatient, and the tip of his nose touched Sheng Ran's cheek first. He groaned in pain, but did not move away.

Then, his lips pressed against hers, with a little force, yet cautiously, as if afraid of breaking a treasure.

Sheng Ran's fingertips touched his chest. Ling Rui's heartbeat was so fast that it seemed like it was about to explode, and his body was trembling slightly. He was obviously more nervous than her.

Ling Rui kissed lightly, but with the impulse of a young man. He only kissed once and quickly let go.

He rested his forehead against hers, breathing rapidly: "Wife... I'm sorry, I..."

Sheng Ran teased him deliberately, "Have you drunk too much?"

"I didn't say much." Ling Rui immediately retorted, stubbornly turning her face, his eyes frighteningly bright, "I've wanted to kiss you for a long time."

Sheng Ran's heart beat faster. Looking at his red eyes and serious expression, she raised her hand and gently touched the corner of his mouth: "You are so stupid. You even touched it crookedly."

Ling Rui's face instantly turned crimson, and his ears were red as blood.

He suddenly let go of her, took a half step back, clenched his fists, and stood there at a loss, like a child who had done something wrong: "I... I didn't mean to..."

"I know." Sheng Ran's voice trembled a little, but she took a step forward and gently took his hand. "Ling Rui, you don't have to worry about not being good enough, and you don't have to be obsessed with envying or imitating others."

Ling Rui suddenly lowered her head and looked at the two people's clasped hands. Her fingertips were slightly cold, but very soft.

Sheng Ran continued, "In my eyes, you are also the one who is loved. So you can be arrogant, you can be unscrupulous, and you can be yourself."

No matter which family it is, they will open their arms to embrace him.

Sheng Ran's actions and words were like spring cotton wool, instantly soothing all the uneasiness in Ling Rui's heart.

He clenched his hands back and gently stroked her palms with his fingertips. His Adam's apple rolled and his voice was hoarse with the husky feeling that had just faded away.

"Wife, I understand. From now on... I won't envy others anymore."

Sheng Ran smiled and nodded. Snowflakes were still falling outside the window. The light from the lantern shone through the window lattice onto the two of them, making them so warm that they didn't want to move away.

After that night, Ling Rui was no longer nervous and felt more at ease when helping to run Shangshifang.

Occasionally, when Sheng Ran was settling the bill, he would secretly hand her a piece of roasted sweet potato, and the light in his eyes was warmer than the charcoal fire.

From New Year's Eve to New Year's Day, public opinion in the central city quietly changed.

Tu Shanyi used the Jiuyao Chamber of Commerce's channels to have his men spread the news in teahouses and markets.

Some people said, "After drinking the medicinal food from Shangshifang, the aftereffects of the plague were all cured." An old orc in the west of the city even used a cane to show off his improved legs and feet in the square of the central city, praising everyone he met that it was Miss Sheng who saved them.

Some people also mentioned the fire on Danxue Mountain, saying that the fire "burned only a piece of land, not the grass or trees, and it even emitted a golden light at night. It must be a divine revelation, not a calamity."

Even the nobles in the central city who had previously believed in Sheng Jieyue began to discuss privately that "maybe Miss Sheng was the true messenger of God."

These sounds seeped into every corner of the central city like spring rain. Sheng Jieyue sent people to suppress them, but they became more intense.

The people have seen the good in Sheng Ran, and when they see Sheng Jieyue only acting like a saint, the balance in their hearts has already tilted.

I even wondered in my heart, why did no one question or expose the Saint's disguise in the past, which was always exposed at a glance?

It was as if there was a mysterious force pulling their thoughts, stripping them of their consciousness, and making them believe in the Holy Female unconditionally.

Some even say that everything is a predetermined "fate" and cannot be changed.

How is this possible? This is too weird.