Chapter 27 - 27 I Don’t Believe It
Mistaken identity?
Zhao Qin turned her face to look at Lin Yao.
But unexpectedly, the male cultivator whom Lin Yao called “Jiang Cheng” suddenly strode away, attempting to escape.
What was even more unexpected to Zhao Qin was that Lin Yao seemed to have a lot of experience, as she anticipated Jiang Cheng’s movements, promptly releasing their interlocked hands and instantly grabbing Jiang Cheng’s arm.
So now, the scene had become: Zhao Qin standing aside, watching Lin Yao holding a male cultivator’s arm with both hands.
Zhao Qin’s slender fingers lightly covered her surprised mouth.
In modern Liang Kingdom, although male-female relationships were more open than before, they were far from casually embracing each other. A female cultivator holding a male cultivator’s arm like this usually only happened in two situations.
The first was when they were close siblings, typically with the sister sweetly holding her brother’s arm.
The second was couples or quasi-couple relationships, usually young people in love who would be this intimate.
However, it was clear that Lin Yao and Jiang Cheng belonged to neither category, yet they had engaged in an action similar to that of a couple.
This situation was a bit of a challenge to Zhao Qin’s psychological defenses.
Although Lin Yao was very popular among male cultivators, she was actually a person who cared about face and had never done anything to demean herself.
Her initiative to hold Jiang Cheng was the first time she had contacted a male cultivator so intimately.
Lin Yao knew this was inappropriate but, in order to regain her face in front of Zhao Qin after being hung up on last time, she simply refused to let go.
Even if it might tarnish her reputation, she didn’t care.
As long as she could toy with Jiang Cheng’s feelings, sacrificing something was no big deal to her.
Last time, in front of Tang Qian and Zhou Yiwen, she let Jiang Cheng go. After returning home, she regretted it for a long time. She thought that if she had not let go at that time, Jiang Cheng would definitely have succumbed to her.
This time, having finally encountered him again, she would not let Jiang Cheng get away so easily!
As Lin Yao refused to let go, Jiang Cheng felt his scalp tingle even more.
Lin Yao was undeniably beautiful, and the soft sensation of her holding his arm was quite wonderful; all this Jiang Cheng wouldn’t deny.
But Lin Yao being very beautiful ≠ Jiang Cheng liking her.
Enchantress or not, Jiang Cheng simply did not want to get mixed up with these troublesome beings!
At least Liu Qing had come to the mortal realm incognito, without causing any disturbance. In the future, she would quietly resign and leave, and once Jiang Cheng settled her wages, no one could fault him for anything.
But it was different with Lin Yao – she had a Natural Charm Body, which was very appealing, making her stand out wherever she went!
Being with Lin Yao, putting aside whether he could have peace, once she was discovered by the Demonic Tao, transformed into an enchantress, and became infamous in the Immortal Sect, all of Jiang Cheng’s lifelong efforts to maintain his integrity would be utterly useless!
“Miss Lin, you really have the wrong person,” Jiang Cheng said with a stiff face.
Lin Yao simply wouldn’t let go: “Jiang, you’re talking nonsense! If you don’t know Yao’er, how can you know Yao’er’s last name is Lin?”
Jiang Cheng and Lin Yao were pulling and arguing, and the passing crowd on the street gradually gathered to watch the excitement.
Some even began to goad: “Young man, is there anything that you and your missus can’t talk over?”
“Yes, your girlfriend is so beautiful.”
“Man up, big guy, why are you being so stubborn with a young girl? Just give in to her.”
“If I had such a beautiful girlfriend, I’d wake from my dreams laughing.”
Jiang Cheng was already sweating profusely.
That’s why they say enchantresses are outrageous.
It was clearly Lin Yao who wouldn’t let go of him, yet in the eyes of the onlookers, it seemed as though he was bullying Lin Yao!
Now it was only the early stages of the plot!
If in the later stages this enchantress acquired powerful magical abilities from the Demonic Tao, just picture the disaster she could bring upon the Immortal Sect – Jiang Cheng didn’t even dare to think of it!
“Lin Yao, let’s go somewhere less crowded to talk,” Jiang Cheng said calmly.
No matter what, he must minimize the impact of the enchantress!
Having been eluded by Jiang Cheng once, Lin Yao naturally became more cautious.
“How can you assure me you won’t run away?” she asked.
“I always keep my word; if I promise you something, I will abide by it,” Jiang Cheng replied.
Lin Yao pressed further: “If you do run, then what?”
Jiang Cheng frowned, thinking of a persuasive solution: “I’ll write you a promissory note.”
Upon hearing the words “promissory note,” Lin Yao’s mood instantly brightened, and even her expression became much more triumphant.
The very first time Jiang Cheng had wounded her pride was by asking her to write a promissory note; now, she felt like she had gotten her revenge!
She glanced at Zhao Qin as if to flaunt: Look, he’s writing me a promissory note!
Lin Yao released her grip, letting go of Jiang Cheng, but still stood very close to him.
Neither of the two principals noticed this detail, but it was caught by Zhao Qin, who had been observing the entire battle.
Feigning magnanimity, Lin Yao said: “Forget the promissory note. Where are you going? I’ll go with you.”
Jiang Cheng felt the pressure on his arm ease as Lin Yao let go. He quickly withdrew his arm, fearing the enchantress would continue to besmirch his purity.
“There’s a milk tea shop on the left, let’s talk inside the shop,”
Jiang Cheng casually chose a place with few people.
“Ok.”
Lin Yao readily agreed and pulled Zhao Qin to follow behind Jiang Cheng.
Feeling embarrassed to occupy the milk tea shop’s seats for nothing, Jiang Cheng bought them a cup of lemon water.
Because Lin Yao and Zhao Qin, the pair of beautiful sisters, indeed drew attention, the occasional customers in the milk tea shop couldn’t help but glance over at Jiang Cheng’s direction now and then.
The milk tea shop employees were wondering what background this young man had, to be so fortunate and be able to hang out with two beauties.
A new Rich Second Generation? They hadn’t heard of him before.
Lin Yao was in a good mood, smiling radiantly at Jiang Cheng.
Unable to withstand the enchantress’s gaze, Jiang Cheng took the initiative and asked, “Lin, what exactly do you want?”
Just then, Lin Yao felt her face flush, sensing a great advantage over Jiang Cheng, and without realizing it, the arrogance she once had in front of Jiang Cheng returned.
“Jiang, Yao’er doesn’t want anything in particular, I just want a word of truth from you. As long as you are honest with Yao’er, I promise I won’t bother you again in the future.”
“What truth?”
“Naturally, the truth you hold in your heart about Yao’er.”
Jiang Cheng looked puzzled, for he had never heard such a strange request before.
“If that’s the case, then I’ll really speak my mind.”
Lin Yao curled up the corners of her mouth, tossed her head back, and puffed out her chest, looking like she had the situation well in hand.
Come on, hurry up and tell me how much you like me!
She could almost see Jiang Cheng professing his love to her again and, after being sweet-talked by her, joyfully playing with her emotions at her will!
This time, she definitely wouldn’t reject Jiang Cheng directly!
She wanted to seize the opportunity, to give Jiang Cheng a sliver of hope about becoming her Dao companion, and then bit by bit erode his emotional defenses, until he completely let down his guard and willingly, wholeheartedly fell in love with her!
Come on, hurry up and speak!
Jiang Cheng cleared his throat and revealed his thoughts, “Lin Yao, I won’t deny you are beautiful and excellent, but I really don’t like you, and I wish you would stop pestering me. Can we just be the most ordinary of junior brothers and sisters?”
Lin Yao stood stunned.
Zhao Qin, too, was shockingly looking at Jiang Cheng.
She had previously guessed that the relationship between Lin Yao and Jiang Cheng was not simple.
Most likely it was a turbulent love-hate relationship.
But she never expected Jiang Cheng to be so decisive!
To reject Lin Yao outright, how much courage must that take?
“You’re lying!” Lin Yao snapped back to reality. She had almost been fooled by Jiang Cheng!
This guy was definitely affirming her beauty while firmly denying any feelings for her, which was clearly contradictory! Since Jiang Cheng admitted she was beautiful, how could he possibly not like her!
Such a pathetic show of defiance!
Naturally, Zhao Qin took her best friend’s side.
She wasn’t sure about Jiang Cheng’s actual feelings towards Lin Yao, but she could feel that Lin Yao truly cared about Jiang Cheng. She had no reason not to help Lin Yao.
“Jiang, even if you want to get Yaoyao’s attention, you don’t have to say such hurtful things, right?”
Jiang Cheng answered truthfully, “But she’s the one who asked me to speak my heart.”
Zhao Qin refused to back down, “You’re just using your words to provoke her. Look at Yaoyao, do you dare say you don’t like her?”
Lin Yao gently tilted her head up, locking eyes with Jiang Cheng.
Her exceptionally stunning beauty was enough to stir an undeniable impulse in anyone’s heart.
Sundry glances were cast their way from around the milk tea shop: some filled with envy, some as if looking at a scoundrel.
The pressure on Jiang Cheng was becoming unbearable.
What to do if speaking the truth isn’t believed?
Just then, the communication charm in his pocket rang.
Jiang Cheng promptly answered the communication charm.
“Alright, I’ll be there immediately,” he said. “Miss Lin, the headmaster has asked me to go to the Tongtian Sect Task Hall right away. If fate allows, we shall meet again.”
“Stop right there!” Lin Yao blocked Jiang Cheng’s path, “Even if the headmaster is looking for you, it should be at the senior high school; how could it possibly involve going to some great hall? Your excuse to leave is too poorly crafted!”
Jiang Cheng didn’t know how to explain it, he himself found it strange, but the truth was as it was: “It really is the headmaster who asked me to go.”
“I don’t believe you!”
“Fine, suit yourself,” Jiang Cheng didn’t want to deal with her any longer.
Lin Yao wasn’t about to take Jiang Cheng’s word for it; she had to expose his lie herself: “I’ll go with you!”