Chapter 95: Night Market

Seeing the girl about to cry again, this time Shen Chen was smart enough to quickly step forward to comfort her, feeling guilty and saying, "Nizi, don't cry, I know I was wrong. This was indeed a momentary lapse on my part. Let's talk it through and see if there's any way to make it right, okay?"

"There's no way out. This matter is likely very difficult to resolve," Dantai Wannings pouted, her mood very low, and said softly, "Hanyan is so much like her mother, equally gentle and obedient, and equally determined. Once she sets her mind on something, she won't change it. She mustered the courage to make that decision, and she's putting everything on the line, leaving no room for retreat..."

"Ahem... But I clearly explained to her just now. I was just in a momentary mood last night, it can't be taken seriously..." Shen Chen stroked his chin and coughed dryly.

"Brother Shen Chen, did you refuse Hanyan in person just now?" Dantai Wannings asked, her beautiful eyes wide open.

"Yes, I was very direct, afraid that the girl might not understand!" Shen Chen thought the girl was secretly pleased and felt quite pleased with himself. After all, in this world, there might be no other man who could refuse someone as beautiful as Liu Hanyan in such a way...

"You, you, you..." Unexpectedly, the girl almost burst into anger, her forehead almost smoking, and she pointed at him, unable to speak.

"What's wrong with me?" Shen Chen spread his hands, looking innocent. What's wrong with the girls in this world? Why are they all so troublesome? Is there something wrong with politely refusing someone?

"Hmph! You're so stupid, it's hateful, it's hateful!"

Dantai Wannings was already so angry that her beautiful eyes were wide open. She clenched her fists and rushed forward, pounding on Shen Chen's chest like a little lioness, but despite the lack of pain, Shen Chen felt extremely frustrated.

Seeing Shen Chen almost driven mad, Dantai Wannings finally stopped her fists, glared at him, and said angrily, "If this were Wannings, I would have already drawn my purple crystal sword and killed someone. How could Brother Shen Chen be so irresponsible? The girl already showed great courage to stand before you, and you still refused her in person. Isn't that the same as humiliating her in public?"

"It can't be that serious, right?" Shen Chen's face showed shock, and he swallowed hard. Recalling the moment, the girl seemed truly heartbroken after hearing his "explanation," and Shen Chen still remembered her tearful face...

Thinking about it, Shen Chen felt extremely regretful, wishing he could slap himself. How could he, who prided himself on being extremely smart, not consider such a subtle detail?

"Even if Hanyan is gentle, she still has the pride of a young girl. That pride is what makes her stand up and take responsibility. The more you say such things, the less likely she is to turn back..." Dantai Wannings said angrily, and Shen Chen didn't realize that she seemed more concerned about this matter than he was...

"Then, how about you go and try to persuade her? Maybe she will listen to you and stop纠缠 this matter..." Shen Chen said cautiously. At this point, he could only pin his hopes on this girl, as the latter had always been good friends with Liu Hanyan.

"I won't go!"

However, Dantai Wannings seemed ungrateful and unwilling to help. She huffed, pouted, and turned her head away.

In fact, it wasn't that Dantai Wannings didn't want to help, but the girl's thoughts were something Shen Chen, this blockhead, really didn't understand.

At this point, if someone else tried to persuade Liu Hanyan, she might listen, but if this girl, who had been close to him these past two days, were to intervene, it would not only be ineffective but might even backfire, making Liu Hanyan think the girl was jealous.

Dantai Wannings was so smart that she wouldn't do such a thankless task. Moreover, if things went wrong, it could easily create a rift between her and Liu Hanyan, which she didn't want to see.

Furthermore, the situation had reached this point, and the girl was also feeling a bit resentful...

"Ahem... Then what about this jade pendant..." Shen Chen, not knowing what the girl was thinking, felt extremely awkward, holding the white jade pendant in his hand, feeling very uncomfortable, as if he were holding a hot potato, wishing he could throw it away!

Of course, such a thoughtless action was just a thought. Shen Chen wouldn't actually do it, or else, not only would the girl next door come to fight him, but this little girl would also go berserk.

"Alright, this matter won't have a good solution for a while. Let's wait and see if Hanyan can change her mind later!"

After her anger subsided, Dantai Wannings could only sigh with a bitter face.

Then, she glanced at the white jade in Shen Chen's hand and threatened him fiercely, "Brother Shen Chen, you must take good care of this jade. If you lose it, not only will Hanyan be angry, but even Wannings will make you pay, as it is a relic from Lin's mother, and Hanyan values it more than her life!"

"Okay!" Shen Chen didn't know what to say, and with a wave of his sleeve, he carefully stored the jade pendant.

This matter had become so complicated, and he never expected it to reach this point.

According to Shen Chen's memory from his previous life, such words would usually earn a cold stare, and a response like "foolish dream" would be given. But now, it seemed to have become a solemn vow, each word precious, and even a joke couldn't be made. Shen Chen had no choice but to accept the reality helplessly...

...

In the night market of Qingyuan County, two figures walked slowly, both lost in thought, silent.

Along the way, vendors on both sides of the street continuously called out, and the various goods on the stalls were dazzling, making people's eyes spin.

The night market of Qingyuan County was particularly lively tonight, with people coming and going on the stone paths. After walking for a long time, Lin Chen gradually noticed something unusual.

"Hey? The streets are decorated with lanterns tonight, and there are occasional firecrackers. Is there some kind of event happening here?" Shen Chen looked surprised, noticing that the atmosphere seemed unusually festive, reminiscent of the New Year celebrations in his previous life.

"Yes... Brother Shen Chen, don't you know? Tonight is the annual Qingyuan Festival in Qingyuan County, where nearby residents release river lanterns to worship the gods," Dantai Wannings, who seemed very low-spirited, said absentmindedly, "I originally wanted to invite you and Hanyan to watch the river lanterns, but who would have thought things would turn out like this..."

"Oh..."

Shen Chen nodded in understanding and then patted the little girl's head, comforting her, "Forget it, don't worry too much. It's not a big deal. After we reach Ye City, I will set out alone, and I may never see that girl again. Over time, she will naturally forget this unnecessary promise..."

Hearing Shen Chen say he would leave, Dantai Wannings suddenly lifted her head from her dejection, a look of concern appearing on her face, and she said softly, "Brother Shen Chen, do you really have to go? You know how hard it is for us to meet now..."

"Um!" Shen Chen's eyes were deep, and he nodded slightly, then sighed, "I also want to stay and play with you for a few more days, but there are some things I must do, no matter what..."

In fact, the appearance of this little girl had always made Shen Chen feel very conflicted and complicated. They had grown up playing together since childhood, and to say he had no feelings for this increasingly beautiful little girl would be a lie. However, the current situation left little room for Shen Chen to consider these matters.

The little girl would soon leave for Luoyun Sect. With her prestigious status and outstanding talent, joining Luoyun Sect was a certainty. But what about himself?

Thinking about this, Shen Chen couldn't help but laugh at himself. Now, he could be called restrained, but if he were to be blunt... he wasn't much better than a stray dog.

The destruction of Liuyun Sect had already sounded the alarm for Shen Chen. He didn't want similar things to happen again, and he also didn't want this little girl, who had grown up with him, to be too concerned about him in his current unstable state. Perhaps, some things were better left buried in his heart for now...

Seeing that Shen Chen seemed determined, a trace of resentment appeared in Dantai Wannings' beautiful eyes.

She also wanted Shen Chen to join Luoyun Sect with her. That way, with the vast resources of Luoyun Sect, Shen Chen wouldn't have to worry about being hunted by the Yuming Palace scoundrels!

But the difficulty of joining Luoyun Sect...

Dantai Wannings felt very uncomfortable, knowing how hard it was to stand out among a group of talented young people. She understood the concerns of Old Stone, and if it were someone else, she might have let them try, but thinking about this long-desired Shen Chen, she lost her confidence, feeling very disheartened. She really didn't want to see the young man humiliated by those talented young people...

Unconsciously, the atmosphere became cold again, and the street seemed particularly long. The two walked in silence, lost in thought.

Shen Chen was always a broad-minded person, and such an atmosphere made him very uncomfortable. After a long time, he took a deep breath, then, regardless of whether the little girl had grown up, pinched her soft cheek as he used to, and reached out to grab her wrist, suddenly speeding up.

"Little girl, you said there are river lanterns to see tonight. Let's go and see them. I'll catch the biggest and most beautiful lantern for you later!"

Shen Chen laughed carelessly, instantly dispelling the previous unhappiness, and pulled the little girl towards the Qingyuan River not far away.

Feeling the young man's rough and impolite behavior, Dantai Wannings felt a warmth in her heart. Back then, this guy would always drag her hand and run around, causing a commotion in Mojing City!

Childhood memories flashed before her eyes, and the corners of her mouth, hidden by a light veil, curved into a beautiful smile...

However, neither of them noticed that after they left, a few figures slowly emerged from the street corner.

"Master, is the girl with the light veil the one you're looking for?" A servant, his eyes gleaming, looked at the white-clad man with a fawning expression.

"Hehe, indeed, it is her. I have a keen eye for beautiful girls. I can smell their fragrance even with my eyes closed. Although the girl is veiled, I can tell she is a beauty of the world," the white-clad man opened his fan, a light, lecherous smile on his face, and a greedy look in his eyes, "I noticed this beauty on the high platform earlier. It would be a waste not to enjoy such a