“I really can’t take responsibility for you.”
It wasn’t like he had slept with her. Why would Yan Zhen need to take responsibility? Besides, there was no such plot point. Randomly altering the script wasn’t a good idea!
But seeing her reluctant to give up, Yan Zhen felt he should say something.
“To be honest with you, I… I might soon become the live-in son-in-law of the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce.”
“What did you say?” Yi Xian’er frowned in surprise. “A live-in son-in-law?”
“That’s right. You must have heard about it. The Chief Manager of the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce is suffering from a strange illness that has stumped countless divine physicians. But I can treat her. The treatment method involves Body Fusion Dual Cultivation with her. You know what that means, right?”
Yan Zhen put on an air of importance as he continued.
“It means I’ll become the Chief Manager’s man, the male master of the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce. Beauty and wealth, all in one package. I’m warning you—don’t ruin this for me, okay~”
He made it sound so real… If Yi Xian’er hadn’t known about Yan Zhen’s relationship with Ji Ya, she might have actually been fooled by his vivid performance.
“There’s no treatment that absolutely requires Body Fusion Dual Cultivation.” Yi Xian’er snorted. “I’ve heard about Chief Manager Ji’s illness. It’s true that dual cultivation with an alchemist who possesses Extreme Flame is needed to cure it, but it doesn’t have to be full fusion. You just need to prepare a Medicine Pool, have both parties enter it, and press palms together to simulate the qi circulation path of dual cultivation.”
What?! Yan Zhen was stunned. She actually knew this method?
“How do you know about that?”
Yi Xian’er blinked.
“I read about it in an ancient text. I was planning to use it to approach Chief Manager Ji and exchange it for some money.”
Yan Zhen’s eyes lit up.
Just when all paths seemed blocked by endless mountains and rivers, the willows parted to reveal a blooming village ahead!
The formula he couldn’t get from his beautiful master was right here with Yi Xian’er.
Was this the protagonist’s luck? Yes! Awesome!
In his excitement, Yan Zhen hugged Yi Xian’er.
“Come with me! From now on, I’ve got your back! Oh, right, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Yan Zhen! Fire’s Yan, pure’s Zhen! No smoking, no drinking—I’m a model student!”
Yi Xian’er was a bit dazed from his embrace, her cheeks flushing again because she still wasn’t wearing a top.
Once they left the clinic, Yan Zhen followed the same path back to the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce and collected his mission reward along the way.
【Special Trump Card: Madam, You Wouldn’t Want…】
【Married Woman Affinity Card. When activated, married women or women with married woman attributes will completely obey the host for a short time.】
【Note: Effect is enhanced after activating ‘Special Trump Card: Heroic Stance’.】
—Hey, System-chan, this doesn’t seem like a card a protagonist would use, does it?
【Host, you are mistaken. As the protagonist, maintain the right mindset and be flexible with your methods.】
—But I’m a pure and innocent kid. This card doesn’t match me at all.
【Ding! System scan complete: Host is not a pure child.】
—H-How dare you slander my good name out of nowhere!
After bickering with the System, Yan Zhen spotted Good Big Sister Ji Ya coming downstairs with the Twin Bodyguards, drawing plenty of attention from the guests.
“Sister Ji Ya.”
Yan Zhen pushed through the crowd and walked over.
Seeing him, Ji Ya’s expression softened slightly. She took his hands and chided him affectionately.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, where have you been? I couldn’t find you for half the day.”
Yan Zhen chuckled sheepishly.
“I just went out for a stroll.”
“And who’s the girl behind you?”
Ji Ya tilted her head slightly, her puzzled gaze sliding past Yan Zhen’s shoulder to land on Yi Xian’er.
Yi Xian’er had changed into a rice-white dress. No one knew what technique she used, but it concealed her massive peaks, leaving only a modest curve at her chest. A light green silk ribbon cinched her waist, accentuating its slender grip, like a delicate willow in the breeze. Her long legs stretched straight and sleek beneath the skirt hem, making her seem less petite overall.
She gave off the impression of a “slender and fragile beauty,” but stripping away those clothes would reveal a “grand” surprise.
Of course, whether in his past life or this one, only Yan Zhen had ever enjoyed that surprise.
Her face showed no particular expression, and her eyes were indifferent—completely different from when she’d been alone with Yan Zhen in the room earlier. It was as if even her smiles were reserved solely for him.
Ji Ya felt like this girl looked familiar.
“She, she’s…”
Yan Zhen didn’t know how to explain. Yi Xian’er took the initiative beside him.
“Hello, Sister Ji Ya. I’m Yi Xian’er.”
Yi Xian’er? Ji Ya froze for a moment, then a more familiar name flashed in her mind: Thousand Fiends!
—This girl was Thousand Fiends? Wait, why was Thousand Fiends here? Had she already met Little Brother Yan Zhen at this point?
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, do you two know each other?”
Yan Zhen felt a twinge of guilt.
“Uh, we just met. She’s an alchemist with solid skills. She says she can be my assistant and help treat you, Sister Ji Ya.”
Yi Xian’er nodded in agreement with his words, indicating her capabilities.
“I’m one of only two alchemists in Greenwater Town. I’ve long heard about Chief Manager Ji’s illness. If you don’t mind, please let me join the treatment.”
Ji Ya suddenly had a bad premonition. She quickly pulled Yan Zhen aside and whispered.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, did you tell her the treatment method?”
Yan Zhen shook his head rapidly.
“No, I didn’t. She already knew it herself—and it’s a method that doesn’t require Body Fusion Dual Cultivation.”
“What?” Ji Ya nearly cried out, her heart leaping to her throat. She probed cautiously. “Is she really that capable? She doesn’t look it.”
“She’s just okay.” Yan Zhen pursed his lips, looking a bit displeased. “I know the method too—it uses a Medicine Pool instead of fusion—but knowing the method alone isn’t enough. You need the formula to prepare the pool. Without it, you’re stuck.”
Eh? Ji Ya blinked her beautiful eyes and asked again.
“So, does that mean we still have to do Body Fusion Dual Cultivation?”
Yan Zhen sighed.
“Exactly.”
At first, when Yi Xian’er said she knew a way to treat Ji Ya without Body Fusion Dual Cultivation, Yan Zhen had been thrilled for a moment. But she didn’t know the exact formula, so it was useless. It annoyed him so much he nearly wanted to strip her again, tie her up, and leave her there for some playtime.
Ji Ya breathed a sigh of relief.
She could have used other excuses to avoid a non-fusion method, but the absence of such a method was naturally the best outcome.
She just didn’t understand why Yan Zhen didn’t know about the non-fusion option.
Had Master Chen Xi not told Little Brother Yan Zhen about it because Ji Ya had shown no aversion to fusion?
No matter what, she needed to solidify their relationship and status first. Having been reborn, she didn’t want to miss her chance again.
“So, is there any point in having her help?”
Not in the slightest. Yan Zhen wanted to say that, but doing so would let Yi Xian’er expose his earlier rogue behavior.
She had actually recorded the part where he pinned her down and groped her. Just as the script described, she was sharp and full of tricks!
“Better than nothing. Having an assistant might help if something unexpected comes up.”
