Chapter 122: What Is He Doing?!

At this moment, the ten points of affection hovering above Xiao Jihan’s head trembled uncertainly, clearly about to rise or fall depending on what she was about to say.

“We are one,” those five words sounded strange to Yan Shu no matter how she heard them.

She thought to herself with a hint of self-mockery: if he weren’t the male lead, if she didn’t know he would never have romantic feelings for any woman, she might have foolishly convinced herself that Xiao Jihan had taken a liking to her!

Uh… but liking her didn’t make sense either. Who casually says “we are one” to the woman they fancy? Saying something like that sounded like a sure way to get beaten.

As the male lead, what other thoughts could he possibly have?

Without hesitation, Yan Shu nodded in agreement: “Yes, he’s right. We are one!”

Affection: 12 (Acquaintance)

Affection: 14 (Acquaintance)

So stingy—ten points lost at a time, but only four points gained at a time.

Yan Shu sighed deeply in her heart and decided never to squander affection points so freely again.

Liu Zhiqing looked at Yan Shu’s calm demeanor and strangely felt she had overthought things. They must be talking about the relationship between master and disciples or senior and junior disciples. After all, Xiao Jihan’s alchemy required Yan Shu’s spiritual plants, so weren’t they basically one?

Relieved, Liu Zhiqing smiled at Xiao Jihan and said, “I won’t bother with formalities. From now on, we’re family!”

Xiao Jihan nodded and gave a perfunctory “hmm.”

Liu Zhiqing didn’t notice the half-heartedness and was secretly ecstatic!

Wonderful! Xuantian Sect just gained another free laborer! And an eighth-rank alchemist at that. With him around, Fourth Junior Brother wouldn’t have to spend years sweeping through various secret realms, nor would he have to endlessly practice refining pills he was long tired of.

His alchemy had stagnated for too long, all because of the hardships of life.

Not to mention Second Senior Brother and Senior Brother.

The more Liu Zhiqing thought about it, the happier he felt, and he couldn’t help but turn to Yan Shu, saying, “You better tend the fields well—don’t hold back our Xiao Han.”

Yan Shu: …

She must be a fake group favorite, right? Right?!

Just then, Wen Youhe, Bing Shien, and Shi Wanqing approached with dark expressions.

Liu Zhiqing was too excited to notice their grim faces and eagerly stepped forward, whispering to them words only they could hear about Xiao Jihan’s “family” talk.

Hearing this, the trio’s faces immediately became complicated.

Yan Shu stood far away, unable to hear what they said, only catching their occasional glances.

She looked at Xiao Jihan and quietly asked, “What do you think Third Senior Brother and Senior Brother are whispering about?”

Xiao Jihan glanced their way but was about to speak when Shi Wanqing suddenly shouted, “He won’t get away with this! Don’t think I don’t know what he’s up to!”

Xiao Jihan narrowed his phoenix-like eyes and sneered coldly, “Hmph!”

Yan Shu looked at the fuming Shi Wanqing, then at Xiao Jihan’s cold smile, utterly baffled.

Though Yunzhou was controlled by Wen Youhe, the journey still took all night, and by dawn, they finally arrived at Xuantian Sect.

Throughout the trip, Yan Shu felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. The senior brothers seemed clueless about what was going on; they either stared at her or at Xiao Jihan.

Especially when looking at her, their gazes seemed to accuse her of betrayal.

When looking at Xiao Jihan, their expressions were clenched with resentment. Even Wen Youhe, who usually showed no emotion, was grinding his teeth in silent hatred, uncertain how to deal with him.

Seeing their behavior, Yan Shu feared they might forcibly steer the story, so as soon as the flying boat landed at Xuantian Sect, she quickly grabbed Xiao Jihan and flew away on a sword.

Only upon returning to the Supreme Peak, surrounded by familiar grass and trees, did she finally breathe a long sigh of relief.

Yet a new awkwardness arose.

Seeing the Supreme Peak reminded Yan Shu of that soul-testing illusion, set against this very background. In that illusion, "Yan Shu" and Xiao Jihan had a child named Yuer, living together as husband and wife for decades.

Yan Shu wasn’t sure if Xiao Jihan felt awkward, but she certainly did.

She tried to appear normal, glanced at Xiao Jihan’s old, dilapidated straw hut, and cleared her throat: “Your house hasn’t been repaired for ten years; it’s quite run down. From now on, you should move into the main hall.”

Actually, as a direct disciple, Xiao Jihan should have moved to the main hall long ago. Yan Shu was just looking for an excuse to get things back on track.

Affection: 16 (Acquaintance)

Affection: 18 (Acquaintance)

Affection: 20 (Acquaintance)

Affection rose six points at once. Yan Shu beamed with joy and cheerfully led the way into the main hall.

Xiao Jihan followed behind her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

The main hall was vast, with countless rooms. Yan Shu diligently introduced them to Xiao Jihan.

Watching her smiling face, Xiao Jihan listened quietly until finally speaking: “Have you forgotten? I’ve always been responsible for cleaning the main hall.”

Uh…

Caught in a compliment, Yan Shu quickly said, “You don’t have to clean anymore. I’ll do it from now on.”

“No matter.” Xiao Jihan said calmly, “It’s only right that I clean. It’s late; rest early tonight. Let’s go.”

Seeing him like this, Yan Shu stopped being polite and smiled at him, “Alright then, you rest early too.”

Hearing this, Xiao Jihan was slightly surprised but said nothing, only nodding in agreement: “Okay.”

Yan Shu went toward her room but noticed Xiao Jihan still following. At first, she thought he’d chosen the room next to hers. But when she reached the master bedroom and opened the door, he showed no intention of leaving.

She was puzzled: “You… want to sleep in this room?”

Xiao Jihan’s expression turned cold: “Is that not allowed?”

“Of course it’s allowed!” Yan Shu hurriedly said, “It’s just…”

She needed to switch rooms. To be honest, after living there so long, she was a bit attached.

“There’s no ‘just’.” Xiao Jihan stepped inside first, his gaze falling on the single bed, then reached out and folded it away.

Next, he took another bed from the mustard seed pouch and set it up — the very bed Yan Shu and he had used in the Medicine King Valley.

After arranging the bed, he put away the small woven mats on the side, replaced them with the two mats they had used in the valley, and turned to Yan Shu: “There. Sleep.”

Yan Shu stared at the double bed in the room, then at the two mats by the wooden table, and only then realized with surprise: “You… you want to live with me?”

Xiao Jihan frowned: “Why not?”

“It’s fine, of course,” Yan Shu said quickly, “It’s just…”

“There’s nothing to ‘just’ about.” Xiao Jihan said coldly. “Don’t worry. This is Supreme Peak. It’s just the two of us here. Your senior brothers won’t come unless there’s something important.”

Yan Shu didn’t know how the senior brothers had come into the conversation again.

She and he had lived nearly together for ten years, but that was out of necessity in the Medicine King Valley due to lack of rooms. Now back at Supreme Peak with plenty of rooms, living together felt a bit improper.

She vaguely felt something was off. The male lead knew full well about the distinctions between men and women—what exactly was he up to?