TVIRAD – Chapter 49

Arc 4
Ten Years Lanterns (7)

A bonus chapter thanks to WillieCoyote!

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Everyone was floored by her words. A moment later, Shen Jingfeng chuckled, “This is Mo-gongzi’s servant?”

Mo Xingchen salvaged what he could and instantly clarified, “Yes. This is my servant. He bought a roast duck and passed by the Yao Wang Valley door. You beat him to this point when you went out. Shouldn’t you give an explanation?”

“Do his injuries really come from you?” Ye Chen whispered cautiously. Shen Jingfeng nodded, “Yes.”

“How come…?”

“Suspicious appearance. Lingering outside the valley. He doesn’t look like a good person in the slightest.”

That was reasonable. Ye Chen tilted her head toward Mo Xingchen, “What are you guys doing waiting outside the valley?”

“We did not!” Mo Xingchen defended, “We are just passing by!”

Ye Chen peeked at Shen Jingfeng. Shen Jingfeng ignored them and said directly, “Guniang, let’s go back.”

Shen Jingfeng drove the carriage to leave. Lao San suddenly fell down and shouted, “Ouch! Ouch! I’m dying!”

Ye Chen remembered the task of “Preach about Good Karma” and stopped Shen Jingfeng, “Wait, Jinfeng, this won’t do. We have to be kind. As decent people, we should actively help others when we see someone injured. Come on, Jingfeng, you help Mo-gongzi lift the injured man up. Let’s bring him into the valley, okay?”

Shen Jingfeng frowned and wanted to say something, Ye Chen cut in before he could, “Jingfeng, we must be kind.”

“That’s right,” Mo Xingchen lifted Lao San to the side of the carriage. His eyes twinkled like stars. Staring at Ye Chen, he said, “What Guniang said is right. Now, if Guniang will make some way, I’ll lift him myself. Don’t need to bother Shen-gongzi.”

Mo Xingchen lifted Lao San up and Ye Chen hurried out of the way. Ye Chen examined Lao San when he was placed in the carriage. She then conveyed Lao San’s injuries to Mo Xingchen. Shen Jingfeng had a smile on his face, but his eyes were cold.

After returning to the valley with Mo Xingchen and his people, Ye Chen dedicated herself to treating Lao San.

Lao San was beaten twice and she could discern the injuries didn’t come from the same person. Ye Chen furrowed her brows and asked Mo Xingchen, who was looking at her with his chin propped up on the opposite side, “He was obviously beaten twice. Why did you say that he was beaten like this by Shen-gongzi?”

“I never say he beat Lao San by himself,” Mo Xingchen reckoned Ye Chen’s face to be very pleasing to his eyes. The whole person was beaming, “He was one of the people who beat him. I merely intercepted him when I noticed it.”

“Then what about the other perpetrator?”

“I don’t know…” Mo Xingchen felt a little empty in his heart. He changed the subject and asked, “Guniang, how long will it take for him to recover from this injury?” ”

“Don’t worry,” Ye Chen assured, “I have good medical skills. He will be fine in three days.”

“No!” Mo Xingchen exclaimed, “Treat him throughout to avoid the root cause of the disease! Treat it for three months! It’s alright, right?”

Ye Chen blinked and hesitatingly stated, “The medication fee…”

“I can pay it,” Mo Xingchen replied at once, “Guniang, I am rich. I can pay it.”

Ye Chen：“……”

She seemed to be able to see the word “Stupidly Rich” as clear as day plastered on his face. She coughed softly, “As a matter of fact, the treatment doesn’t need to take that long…”

“No, Guniang,” Mo Xingchen closed to Ye Chen, his eyes full of affection: “Guniang doesn’t know, but it is my dream to stay with guniang, being able to stay by Guniang’s side is something I have longed for. I’d surrender everything I have, including my wealth, just to be with you day and night.”

Ye Chen was dumbfounded. Mo Xingchen’s face was close at hand. He had a pair of tender eyes. When he looked at her, it appeared as if there was only her in his eyes and he loved her so.

The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. The cicadas were constantly ringing around. Ye Chen stared at those eyes and felt she was hit by a dizzy spell. Mo Xingchen slowly leaned over and was about to kiss when a voice abruptly interrupted him, “Guniang.”

Ye Chen twisted her head at the voice. Her face unperturbed, “Ah, Shen-gongzi.”

Shen Jingfeng stood there without a sound, carrying a bowl in his hand.

“Guniang, Qiusheng told me that she has prepared the steamed pear with rock sugar and asked me to bring it to you.”

He spoke plainly, with a smile on his face all the time. It was unknown whether he noticed the scene just before. Though, Ye Chen had a guilty conscience on her heart for some reason. She bid goodbye to Mo Xingchen and rose to her feet. She accepted the bowl from Shen Jingfeng’s hand and tugged his sleeve, leading him to his room.

Mo Xingchen stood behind them, propping his chin, and watched them disappear.

He noticed the young man turned his face sideways. Beneath the light, his pair of blind eyes appeared to be able to see, sending a chill down his spine. 

Mo Xingchen was taken aback for a moment, then he laughed out loud.

Ye Chen was holding Shen Jingfeng’s sleeve and led the way for him.”How can you come just for this kind of thing? Is Qiusheng lazing around again?”

“She has patients to treat,” Shen Jingfeng explained, “I have nothing to do. It’s only appropriate for me to at least do something for Guniang.”

He listened to the voice around him and leaned closer to Ye Chen’s face, “Will Guniang treat Mo-gongzi‘s servant?”

“Ah, yes.”

Ye Chen really didn’t know where her little guilt came from. Her mind sped up to think about preaching goodness to the Villian, “I think, the world is full of love. Shen-gongzi, as the people in the Jianghu, when we see injustice, we should draw our sword to help. Don’t you think so too?”

“What Guniang said is right.”

Shen Jingfeng smiled lightly. At that, 38 notified, “Favorability -2. Current Favorability is 25.”

Ye Chen froze. His favorability trickled up only by 0.1 each time, yet when it fell, it plunged down so fast without warning? Did the system not know how hard it was for her to brush those 2 points?!

Shen Jingfeng didn’t catch Ye Chen’s expression. He proceeded to his room and curtsied, “Guniang, go to your room and eat. Now, it’s late at night, Jingfeng will withdraw.”

“Wait!” Ye Chen pursed his lips, feeling wronged. “Why are you upset?”

“Mn?” Shen Jingfeng blinked his eyes, as if a little puzzled, “Why does Guniang think I’m upset?”

His reply was calm and had no misgiving. Ye Chen immediately doubted 38. “38, are you broken? It doesn’t look like I lose his Favorability?”

“Don’t believe him,” 38 rebuked. “My monitoring of the Villain Favorability is upgraded to the highest level. There is no mistake.”

Ye Chen heaved a sigh from 38’s words. She opened the lid and scooped the steamed pear. She then delivered the steamed pear to Shen Jingfeng’s lips. 

Shen Jingfeng stared blankly at her. Nevertheless, he entertained the kind gesture and ate the steamed pear. Then, with uncertainty, he asked, “Guniang?”

“Is it sweet?”

“Sweet.”

Shen Jingfeng couldn’t follow Ye Chen’s train of thought. Ye Chen fed him another bite and asked seriously, “Since it’s sweet, don’t be upset anymore, okay?”

Shen Jingfeng didn’t reply. He only lowered his eyes.

A sound prompted in her mind, “Favorability Value +2. Current Favorability is 27”

He didn’t know the reason why Ye Chen did it. But, after Ye Chen heard the prompt, she fed him the pear one after another. The sweetness of the pear seemed to melt his heart. The pain and bitterness from before dissipated in just a blink.

At this time, he really wanted to see the appearance of the person in front of him. He even felt that he could sketch the outline of the person in front of him.

He also really wanted to ask her, is everyone the same for her? Will she rescue whoever fell in front of her? Will she treat them with great care? Will she hold their hand while they walk in the dark like this? 

However, these questions weren’t something he could ask. 

He could only bury these questions at the bottom of his heart and quietly wait for her. 

Ye Chen fed him a bowl of steamed pear with rock sugar with joy and was very pleased with herself. Soon afterward, she tugged his sleeve and led him back to his room.

Truthfully, he no longer required her to lead him like this. It’s just, Ye Chen learned the Favorbility would rise faster when she did this. Thus, she always spared no hesitation to brush the Favorability in this way.

The two strolled for a while. Ye Chen honestly wished to ask him why he was upset, but she sensed Shen Jingfeng wouldn’t give her an answer, so she held back her curiosity and didn’t ask him. She sent Shen Jingfeng back to his room and turned to leave. From behind, Shen Jingfeng suddenly opened his mouth, “Is Guniang going to see Mo-gongzi?”

“See him for what?” Ye Chen was perplexed. Shen Jingfeng only smiled, “A’San and Mo-gongzi were both injured. Mo-gongzi hasn’t been treated yet. So I thought Guniang will go back to look at him.”

“There is nothing wrong with him,” Ye Chen waved, “He is in good spirits. Tomorrow, we are going to eat the tofu by the stone bridge together.”

Shen Jingfeng nodded, “Then, Guniang, good night.”

Ye Chen replied and left.

Just after a few steps, 38 voiced, “Favorability Value -2. Current Favorability is 25.”

Ye Chen, “……”

The heart of a man; The needle in the bottom of the sea^[1]. She was foolish enough to believe she could see it through.

Facing such an unreasonable Shen Jingfeng, at this late night, she resolved to… go to bed first.

During Ye Chen’s visit to A’San today, Ye Chen made an appointment with Mo Xingchen. Mo Xingchen was familiar with the surrounding food stalls. After the two exchanged their recommended food places, they decided where to go.

The next day, after Ye Chen treated A’San, she prepared to go out of the valley with Mo Xingchen. The moment she reached the gate, she saw Shen Jingfeng waiting there. He walked near the carriage and called out softly, “Guniang.”

A prick of cold entered Ye Chen’s heart. She composed herself, “What is Shen-gongzi doing here?”

“Last night, Guniang said she is planning to eat the tofu by the stone bridge. I informed Chunsheng and Qiusheng about it, but they both have patients today and can’t go out of the valley. So, I will be your driver to protect Guniang. Is Guniang leaving now?”

“Shen-gongzi doesn’t have to follow us,” Mo Xingchen came out from behind. He shook his fan and said, “I am here. Shen-gongzi can rest assured.”

“It’s precisely because Mo-gongzi is here that I can’t rest assured,” Shen Jingfeng frankly said with a soft smile.

Mo Xingchen, “……”

He didn’t give him any face. This was too excessive ah.

Though, he also understood Shen Jinfeng’s stance on this. If he were Shen Jingfeng, he also would guard her closely. 

Hence, he only snorted at him and hopped into the carriage.

Shen Jingfeng stood on the side of the carriage and stretched out his hand to Ye Chen. Ye Chen put her hand on Shen Jingfeng’s hand and got into the carriage. Shen Jingfeng leaped to his position and drove the horse forward.

Ye Chen and Mo Xingchen sat inside. Perhaps because Shen Jingfeng was also there, the atmosphere was rather awkward. Quick on his steps, Mo Xingchen adjusted his state and began to chat with Ye Chen.

Mo Xingchen was very talkative. Their topics changed from one to another without hitch. The laughter behind the curtain could be heard from the outside. 

Shen Jingfeng drove the carriage wordlessly. His keen ears caught every word inside. He listened to the silver bell-like laughter. In a trance, he recalled that she never laughed like this in front of him.

The girl inside the carriage was particularly soft and gentle as if she was suppressing her nature and treating a stranger politely.

The tugs on the corner of his lips were hard to restrain. He smiled and listened carefully to the other voices.

Ye Chen and Mo Xingchen ate all kinds of delicious food all around the place in only a few days. Shen Jingfeng would always drive the carriage when she and Mo Xingchen went to eat.

At the outset, the three people situation made them quite restrained. After a few more times, Ye Chen and Mo Xingchen let go. From south to north, they tasted all the delicious food.

Mo Xingchen deemed that Ye Chen suited his taste very much. With Ye Chen, he relaxed in a way he had never before. He especially liked to watch Ye Chen eat. She was clearly a beauty, but she was as lively as a little hamster; He also liked to watch Ye Chen treating others with her skill, it made him feel that, turned out, in this Jianghu, a kind of tranquility like this still existed. 

If he initially took a fancy to her because of her beautiful appearance, now, after their acquaintance and the more they got closer, the more he couldn’t resist the feeling that this person is really good.

Consequently, Mo Xingchen couldn’t help but soften his tone every time he was with her and acted more appropriately. 

Ye Chen’s dense mind couldn’t detect Mo Xingchen’s intention. She only thought that Mo Xingchen was pretty good, especially when he gave her a few pig trotters!

Ye Chen may be dense, but Shen Jingfeng was not. He was clearly aware of it. 

Mo Xingchen would stretch out his hand in advance when Ye Chen got on the carriage. He would take the initiative to pass the chopsticks to Ye Chen. He would pick the scallions for Ye Chen when she ate noodles.

These things were originally done by him. Mo Xingchen was gradually replacing him.

Shen Jingfeng couldn’t describe the feeling he got when he looked at someone who resembled him doing something that he would usually do. 

In a similar manner, he was a patient rescued by her from the roadside. He was put in the Yao Wang Valley for treatment. Afterward, he stayed by her side. 

She couldn’t perceive the changes of the people around her, nor could she understand their thoughts. She was so simple, the only thing in her mind was treating her patients and enjoying delicious food.

And he… once thought that he was special for her at a certain moment, but in the process of monitoring Mo Xingchen, he gradually realized, it seemed he wasn’t so special. 

Probably, all was because this person had always been such a good person.

She was a doctor who saves lives. As simple as that. 

Such a person was so beautiful, so far away from him that Shen Jingfeng dared not to get close to her. Hence, he merely watched her from the side. If Mo Xingchen talked with her, he would never interrupt them; If Mo Xingchen passed chopsticks for her, he would never compete for it. He only did what Mo Xingchen didn’t do; He silently backed away when Mo Xingchen did.

A’San’s injury was not serious. Still, Mo Xingchen lived in the Valley for two months. Letters from the Demon Sect kept coming, urging him to return. In particular, Yue Sheng. As the Saintess, she was currently in charge of the Demon Sect’s affair when he was away. She sent letters to Yao Wang Valley every day, nudging him to return.

Mo Xingchen was displeased with their urging, so he simply cut off his contact with the Demon Sect. He planned to return when he was sure he could take Ye Chen back with him.

During this period of time, Shen Jingfeng’s eyes began to get better. He started to be able to see some things vaguely, but when Ye Chen asked him about it, without him knowing the reason why, he would conceal his condition.

In that way, Ye Chen kept holding his sleeve with peace of mind and led him to stroll around every day.

This was his unique privilege. This tenderness that Ye Chen gave to him. The unique tenderness that belonged to him and him only. 

He couldn’t tell what was in his heart and he didn’t want to delve into it. He only intended to wait for his eyes to completely recover and fulfill his promise to cook Ye Chen a meal. 

Soon, it was autumn. On that day, the rain drizzled. The pitter-patter of the drizzle lingered in Yao Wang Valley, notifying everyone of the coming of autumn.

At night, the sound of the rain became louder. Lao San came back from outside the Valley, bringing along a letter with him. He knelt at Mo Xingchen’s door and whispered, “Jiaozhu, something happened, something big happened.”

“Mn?”

“Our branch in the Western Regions has been taken over by the Holy Sect^[2]! The Saintess urged you to return and deal with this important matter. ”

Mo Xingchen’s complexion changed as soon as he heard it. He pursed his lips and eventually said, “You go and make arrangements for it. We will prepare to return right away.”

On the other hand, Shen Jingfeng also received a letter from Yue Shan Sect. The Yue Shan Sect’s disciple respectfully knelt, “The Sect Leader said that if Shixiong‘s eyes are better, it’s best to go to the Western Regions with him. The Demon Sect and Holy Sect will clash this time. We won’t interfere in their affairs, but we’re afraid that both sides will slaughter each other’s cities in order to vent their anger. We have to evacuate the people in advance to avoid hurting the innocent. However, the Sect Leader also said that this is not a big deal. Shixiong may go if he wishes to, and if Shixiong doesn’t wish to, the Sect Leader won’t insist on it.”

Shen Jingfeng nodded. He lifted his hand and set the letter on the candle. The fire devoured the letter. Shen Jingfeng’s expression was indifferent and his voice was steady, “I understand. Let me discuss it with Ye-guniang first.”

With that, Shen Jingfeng got up to look for Ye Chen. At this time, Mo Xingchen had already been waiting for Ye Chen at the door of the Medical Hall.

When Ye Chen was treating a patient, she never let anyone disturb her. Thus, Mo Xingchen just stood by the window and quietly studied the girl inside.

Jianghu was turbulent, only this place was tranquil.

His eyes fell on her and he was unable to tear it away. After waiting for a long time, Ye Chen finished treating the patient and stepped out of the Medical Hall.

When she noticed Mo Xingchen, she was taken aback, “Why are you here?”

“I am waiting for you,’ Mo Xingchen smiled and pointed to the corridor, “Can I have the honor to invite Guniang for a night stroll?”

“Of course, you can.” Ye Chen sensed Mo Xingchen had something to say to her, so she walked along the corridor with him.

The maple leaves turned red. Under the light, Mo Xingchen vaguely saw light cast upon those bright red colors. Mo Xingchen patted his palm with a small fan and said with deliberation, “It has been more than two months since I came to Yao Wang Valley. Guniang must have also been aware that I am not here to seek medical treatment. ”

Ye Chen nodded. If he merely wanted to seek medical treatment, he would have taken A’San away long ago. 

Seeing her indifferent look, Mo Xingchen wrung out a wry smile, “Guniang is not curious about the reason?”

“Provided it’s not detrimental to the valley, I won’t stop you from coming for sightseeing. “Ye Chen glanced at him and said softly, “I can tell whether there is any malice or not, after all.”

“Guniang can see whether there is any malice or not? Then, can Guniang see it, whether there is love or not?”

Ye Chen’s mind was blank and she froze in her steps. She moved her gaze up at Mo Xingchen.

Her beautiful and exquisite face was warm under the light. The water-drop earrings made of pearls swayed gently beside her ears.

Her gaze was like a clear spring in a mountain stream, so clear that you could see the bottom. It was without the slightest impurities.

He could notice the little surprise in her eyes and Mo Xingchen understood the girl’s thoughts at once. Before Ye Chen could react, he had hugged her and lowered his head to kiss her.

His kiss, with the coolness of autumn, descended gently on her lips. The next second when Ye Chen was aware of what was happening, he had backed away in a flash. 

“Ye Chen,” He confessed earnestly, “I want to marry you. When I come back, I’ll propose to you myself, okay?”

Ye Chen’s pupils dilated. At that moment, there seemed to be something moving around. The red maple leaves rolled down. Ye Chen and Mo Xingchen snapped their heads in that direction at the same time and only saw a cat fleeing away.

And behind the tree, Shen Jingfeng also fled on impulse. 

He didn’t know why he wanted to flee, let alone why he wanted to hide in the first place. However, at that moment, he felt his mind buzzing.

Leave. He wanted to leave. He wanted to go back to the Yue Shan Sect.

38 then roared.

“Shit! Favorability Value -10!!!”

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Footnotes

1. 海底针 – hǎi dǐ zhēn. It’s hard to see the needle in the bottom of the sea. An unpredictable mind. Difficult to understand. Subtle hints.↵

2. 圣教 – shèng jiāo. lit. Holy Church/Sect, the opposite of Demon Churct/Sect. (魔教 – mó jiào). It is different from Righteous Sect.↵

Ry’s Corner

The Male Lead really should stop falling for Ye Chen. Do your job properly and fall for your Female Lead ah. Shoo. Shoo.

Tsk. In terms of OG!Male Lead, none could best Xie Wushuang.

Bonus Chapters:

3 out of 10 done.

Please consider checking ‘The Memory Lost in Space‘ in case you like a good read(feels)! I’m gonna always put this here because I’m obsessed with it! No thanks needed.

If you like what I do please consider buying me ko-fi! Who needs sleep, anyway. I don’t offer Advanced Chapters like Lyre yet, but you are free to water this thirsty cat!

Words count (excluding title, footnotes, TL’s corner): 3725

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