Reversed Fate in the 70s: Marrying the Factory Director rather than Rough Man

Chapter 261: Cannot Travel Together.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she herself froze. Oh my, this wretched tongue of hers! How could she just blurt out the speculation in her heart?

Sure enough, You Ying’s face instantly turned even paler upon hearing this. She swayed slightly, as if these words had sharply struck a hidden pain within her.

Xiao Lie, standing nearby, also widened his eyes, looking at Shen Ci and then at You Ying, his face clearly expressing, “Is that something you can just ask directly?”

Only Da Hua remained unfazed, rolling her eyes in exasperation. She poked Shen Ci’s arm and said, “I told you to stop reading all those nonsensical storybooks!” Look at you, daring to ask anything!”

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Shen Ci quickly tried to make amends: “Sorry, Miss You Ying. Sometimes I speak without thinking. Please don’t take it to heart.”

You Ying slowly shook her head, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “It’s alright. What you said… isn’t wrong. I do… harbor inappropriate feelings for my master.”

Her blunt admission left Shen Ci and the other two momentarily at a loss, unsure how to respond.

“Ahem!” Da Hua was the first to react. She quickly raised the Hundred Flower Dew in her hand and called out cheerfully, “Come, come, the Hundred Flower Dew is getting cold!” It tastes really good—you should all try some!”

Shen Ci promptly seized the opportunity to lighten the mood, smiling in agreement. “Yes, I didn’t expect Miss You Ying to not only brew excellent tea but also prepare such a refreshing and delicious Hundred Flower Dew.””

Only Xiao Lie remained oblivious to the subtle shift in atmosphere. After taking a sip of the Hundred Flower Dew, he frowned—he didn’t care for overly sweet flavors.

A-Ci’s roast chicken is much better! he thought to himself, his gaze already drifting toward the kitchen.

“Oh, right, A-Ci,” Xiao Lie suddenly said, as if remembering something important. “In a couple of days… I need to return to the Snowy Domain for a while.”

Shen Ci’s heart tightened abruptly, and the words spilled out before she could stop herself: “What? Brother Xiao, you’re going back? Then… will you come back?”

Seeing her agitation, Xiao Lie clumsily tried to reassure her. “You—you don’t worry! I’m just going back to let my mother and… and my younger brother know I’m safe. I’ll return very soon to stay with you!”

Afraid she might not believe him, he thumped his chest firmly and vowed, “Before the Treasure Appreciation Fair, I—I will definitely be back!”

Hearing this, Shen Ci’s anxious heart eased slightly. She let out a soft sigh of relief. “That’s good then. I’ll prepare some food for you to take back for your mother and brother to try. Logically, I should go with you to pay my respects, but…”

She glanced at the unfinished garden plot in the courtyard and thought of the still-unfound Fleeting Life Spring. “Once we find the Fleeting Life Spring and everything is settled, I will definitely go back with you to formally meet them.”

“Alright!” Xiao Lie grinned widely.

“You… are going to the Treasure Appreciation Fair?” You Ying suddenly asked softly from the side.

“Mm-hmm!” Shen Ci nodded without hiding the truth. “I need to find something important there.”

You Ying lowered her head and remained silent for a long while. Then, as if having made a decision, she lifted her head, her eyes pleading. “Could… could you take me with you?”

She had heard about the Treasure Appreciation Fair before and knew it was a place where rare treasures from all directions gathered. She wanted to search for any precious items or spiritual medicines that could heal her damaged meridians. Otherwise, in her current condition, if she were to encounter that person again…

She would likely face certain death.

Shen Ci looked at her and suddenly let out a soft chuckle, her tone gentle yet carrying a clear sense of boundaries: “Where you go is your freedom; I have no right to interfere. If you wish to attend the Treasure Appreciation Fair, you may naturally do so.”

A glimmer of hope had just risen in You Ying’s eyes as she prepared to express her gratitude, but then she heard Shen Ci continue:

“However, I’m sorry—we cannot accompany you.”

Shen Ci’s gaze remained calm and clear. She had long made it clear that if one sought her protection, they must not set foot beyond Shura Mountain. Otherwise, the agreement would be void. She had no desire to invite unknown troubles for herself and those around her without cause.

Beside her, Da Hua secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, A-Ci, though soft-hearted, was not without principles. You Ying’s origins were mysterious, and her enemies were fierce. If they traveled together, they might easily be drawn into unnecessary conflicts.

The smile on You Ying’s face stiffened slightly before gradually fading, replaced by a trace of bitterness: “I… understand. I was asking too much. That you saved my life is already more than I could ever repay.”

Yet, this Treasure Appreciation Fair… she had to attend, even if she had to go alone, facing an uncertain path ahead.

Shen Ci nodded, her tone still composed: “It’s good that you understand. There are still over ten days until the Treasure Appreciation Fair. You may rest and recover peacefully at Shura Mountain. When the time comes…”

She paused briefly before offering what help she could: “I will prepare some protective talismans and healing pills for you, just in case.”

You Ying looked at her, complex emotions swirling in her eyes, eventually settling into a soft reply: “Mm, thank you… A-Ci.”

…

Deep within the Fallen Star Secret Realm, ancient trees towered into the sky. Ling Yimian lounged lazily against the gnarled trunk of an old tree, her light purple dress untouched by a speck of dust.

She raised a delicate eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over the two travel-worn men before her. Her red lips parted, and a clear, crisp voice emerged:

“Oh? An alliance?”

“Exactly!” Jiang Yan cut in, his tone brimming with provocation. “Sect Leader Ling, as the esteemed leader of your sect, you’ve come here personally. You must be determined to claim the Heavenly Ladder Law! Besides, you’re well aware of how troublesome that Shixin Zunzhe, Ye Mingshuang, is. There’s no need for us to elaborate!”

Jun Quxiye stepped forward, his expression solemn as he added: “Indeed. A few days ago, we battled him for three days and three nights, yet his energy showed no sign of faltering. Facing such a formidable opponent alone would make victory difficult. Why not join forces temporarily to eliminate the greater threat first?”

Ling Yimian twirled a strand of her hair around her finger, her eyes shimmering as if weighing the proposal. After a long moment, she suddenly let out a light laugh:

“That sounds… rather interesting.”

“However,” Ling Yimian tapped her chin lightly, a hint of slyness flashing in her eyes, “how can I trust the two of you? What if… after dealing with Ye Mingshuang, you team up to bully a weak woman like me? What would I do then?”

Jiang Yan rolled his eyes in exasperation at her words: “Oh, come on! A weak woman? Besides, can’t you trust the character of me, Jiang Yan, and Jun Quxiye?”

Ling Yimian lowered her head, covering her lips with a soft, almost imperceptible laugh. When she looked up again, her eyes were clear and resolute: “True. One is the honorable Jun Family Young Master, and the other is the straightforward and righteous heir of the Jiang Family… I suppose you wouldn’t stoop to such dirty tricks as kicking down the bridge after crossing it.”

With a light flick of her sleeve, she gracefully descended from the tree branch: “Very well. I agree to this alliance.”

Jun Quxiye and Jiang Yan exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other’s eyes. They hadn’t expected the notoriously unpredictable sect leader of Luoying Zong to agree so readily.

In truth, even Ling Yimian herself felt a flicker of astonishment. When had she become so accommodating? Yet somehow, facing these two individuals—one steady and dignified, the other sincere and passionate—she inexplicably felt an unwarranted fondness and trust, making her reluctant to refuse.