Chapter 76

The teahouse attendant listened to Zhang Tianyuan's words and left thoughtfully.

Liu Mengxun, however, kept staring at Zhang Tianyuan, seemingly sensing the helplessness and unwillingness in his words.

Her face turned a bit red, and she felt a bit shy when she thought that one of Zhang Tianyuan's goals in becoming rich was to pursue her.

The sun rarely appeared in the early morning, and its rays shone on the teahouse, making the ancient village appear even more mysterious and solemn.

People who were going to work had already arrived, and there were figures working in the distant vegetable fields. Birds chirped on the branches, and dogs barked in the streets.

Zhang Tianyuan and Liu Mengxun each poured a cup of tea and drank it, but they both remained silent.

At this moment, a white shadow suddenly flew in through the window, breaking the deathly silence.

It was the young eagle Shen Luo.

The awkward atmosphere was broken, and Zhang Tianyuan spoke first: "I heard your family called you to go back?"

Liu Mengxun nodded, her face showing more worry. She sighed and said, "That's right. Grandpa's health has taken a turn for the worse, and the family is urging me to bring the Sanqing gold statue back as soon as possible. Also..."

Here, Liu Mengxun paused, seemingly unsure how to continue.

Zhang Tianyuan picked up the thread: "Let me be frank, don't take it the wrong way. The Sanqing gold statue and yang energy might be real, but it's not easy to improve your grandpa's health in a short time."

"I know. My family knows it too, but they just want to show their filial piety," Liu Mengxun explained. "So... to make Grandpa happy, my family has arranged a match for me and wants me to get married soon... But, I won't agree. I won't agree to a marriage without feelings. You believe me, right?"

For some reason, Liu Mengxun felt an urgent need to clarify her thoughts to Zhang Tianyuan. It seemed she really cared about him.

"Maybe... maybe I really like him?"

Liu Mengxun and Zhang Tianyuan were different. Zhang Tianyuan's goal was clear: to pursue Liu Mengxun, with no confusion. But Liu Mengxun wasn't so clear about her own feelings. After spending some time with him, she always felt safe and happy around Zhang Tianyuan, and even a bit reluctant to leave.

They say women are emotional creatures, and it seemed to be true.

Zhang Tianyuan wasn't surprised to hear about Liu Mengxun's arranged marriage. In such a large family, it would be strange if they didn't arrange a marriage. Whether it would work out or not was up to Liu Mengxun.

"I just hope you don't compromise yourself because of your grandpa's illness. If that's the case, I can tell you that I might be able to cure your grandpa's illness and even remove the root cause. But I need something, and I'll find it as soon as possible," Zhang Tianyuan said calmly, though he was actually a bit anxious. He was genuinely afraid that Liu Mengxun would compromise because of her grandpa.

"Really? What do you need? I can help you find it!" Liu Mengxun said.

"Relics!" Zhang Tianyuan said. "I've already investigated. Your grandpa has been tomb raiding for years, and yin energy has entered his body. While the Sanqing gold statue can suppress yin energy, it can't remove it. To remove it, we need relics as a catalyst and a special method. I can't tell you the method, but I can assure you that I can do it!"

According to Buddhist scriptures, relics are formed through the "Six Perfections," which are the practices of bodhisattvas and the virtues of "precepts, concentration, and wisdom." They are rare and highly respected.

To this day, the scientific community has no definitive definition of relics. Simply put, they are the crystalline remains of a Buddha after cremation, also known as "indestructible seeds."

Buddhist teachings have the power to remove all karmic obstacles and evil spirits. Therefore, relics, as the essence of the virtues of Buddhist teachings, are undoubtedly effective. With the guidance of earth energy, curing Liu Mengxun's grandpa should not be a problem.

Hearing about relics, Liu Mengxun fell silent. Such things were extremely precious and couldn't be bought with money. She didn't have them, and neither did her family. It would take a lot of time to find them, so it seemed she could only take the Sanqing gold statue back for now.

"You don't have to worry. There will be a large market day in Nandu City soon. It's a festival for antique dealers from all over the world. Anything could appear there, including things that can't be traded openly. So, relics should be available. I'll try to get them," Zhang Tianyuan said, seeing Liu Mengxun's silence.

"Why...?"

"Why am I so proactive about your affairs?" Zhang Tianyuan smiled. "Because I like you."

This was the first time Zhang Tianyuan had said such a thing directly. Since they might not see each other for a long time, he felt that if he didn't say it now, Liu Mengxun might misunderstand his intentions, and he would regret it if he missed the opportunity.

Liu Mengxun was stunned for a moment, then turned her head to look outside. She wasn't particularly happy, and even looked a bit annoyed.

Zhang Tianyuan, not knowing what he had said wrong, heard Liu Mengxun's voice: "Do you know? I hate hearing that the most. My parents said they liked me, but they only cared about their work. I saw Grandpa more often than them when I was young. Those so-called well-matched young men said they liked me, but behind my back, they talked about whose family had more assets and who would be a better son-in-law. My classmates in college said they liked me, but behind my back, they slandered me, saying I was arrogant because of my money and that I liked to show off to men."

"Now you say you like me, what do you mean by that?" Liu Mengxun suddenly raised her voice.

Zhang Tianyuan just looked at Liu Mengxun, his eyes clear of any impurity. He didn't answer but asked instead, "What do you think?"

Her words left Liu Mengxun speechless. "You're so cunning, always throwing the hard questions back at others."

"Do you lack confidence in yourself?" Zhang Tianyuan asked again.

"What do you mean?"

"If you had confidence in yourself, you would understand that those people liked not only your family's wealth but also you as a person. Those classmates who spoke ill of you were just jealous. They might not really dislike you! Why make life so difficult for yourself?"

"I..." Liu Mengxun didn't know what to say. Clearly, she was no match for Zhang Tianyuan in a verbal sparring match.

The teahouse was quiet, with a gentle breeze blowing outside. In the distance, a few clear bird calls could be heard, and someone was singing in the fields.

Suddenly, Zhang Tianyuan took a step forward and pressed his lips to Liu Mengxun's.

Liu Mengxun struggled symbolically but couldn't push Zhang Tianyuan away. She gradually became lost in the deep kiss.

"Ah, why did you bite me!" Zhang Tianyuan suddenly cried out, jumping up with a bleeding lip.

"Hmph, I want you to remember, I'm not someone to be bullied. Don't always try to take advantage of me!" Liu Mengxun coldly said, running down the stairs. At the bottom, she turned around and said, "Remember what you said. My grandpa's illness is up to you, and my future is up to you too!"

With that, Liu Mengxun hurriedly ran down the stairs.

Zhang Tianyuan touched his bleeding lip with a bitter smile, but his heart was sweet.

He knew that although he had been a bit rash, he had at least made the right bet. Liu Mengxun had a good feeling for him; otherwise, she would have beaten him up for his actions.

If they had never spoken again, it would have been a missed opportunity. Since Liu Mengxun had asked him to go to the island to treat her grandpa, it meant she had accepted him from the bottom of her heart.

It wasn't her first kiss, but it felt like one!

...

A Rolls-Royce was driving on the highway in Nandu City, with Zhao Liangde, Xu Gang, She Lin, and Zhang Tianyuan inside.

Oh, and the eagle on Zhang Tianyuan's shoulder.

Mou Ying and Liu Mengxun had already left Nandu by plane the previous evening. This time, they didn't take the high-speed train because it was too urgent.

Zhang Tianyuan and Xu Gang had seen them off at the airport. Before leaving, Liu Mengxun had given Zhang Tianyuan a kiss, but only on the cheek.

After the morning's events, their relationship had become much closer, but it was a pity that they had to part ways just as they were starting to feel something.

Lan Fenghuang stayed in Wudao Village. The girl from the mountains felt she couldn't do anything, so she asked to stay in Wudao Village to learn some knowledge and skills, hoping to help Zhang Tianyuan one day.

She Lin now felt like he was Zhang Tianyuan's bodyguard. He didn't seem to mind. Before going to Shen Luo Valley, they were basically rivals, and Xu Gang even suspected that She Lin might harm Zhang Tianyuan. However, the adventure in Shen Luo Valley had built a deep friendship between the two men.

Of course, it wasn't as strong as the brotherly bond between Xu Gang and Zhang Tianyuan, but it was better than the awkwardness they had before.

"Liange, are you sure you know the way? I heard this is your first time participating in such an event," Zhang Tianyuan asked Zhao Liangde.

Xu Gang was driving, acting as if he had never seen a Rolls-Royce before and insisting on driving it. Zhao Liangde had no choice but to let him, as the Zhao family was wealthy and didn't care about the car. If it got damaged, so be it.

"Don't worry, Brother Zhang. It's my first time participating, but I've been here with my father before. We just wandered around and didn't get involved, so it doesn't count as participating. But I do know the way," Zhao Liangde explained. "But, Brother Zhang, we need to be low-key. The market day is a good day, but it's also chaotic. Black market deals and other shady activities often happen."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of anyone who comes," She Lin said coldly.

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