Thinking about the future

When Ying Huaixu saw that Ye Ningshuang had arrived and was even going to cook, he quickly got up to help.

Ye Ningshuang hurriedly said, "No, no, I can do it myself. I understand that a gentleman should stay out of the kitchen!"

Ying Huaixu had wanted to say that he didn't insist on such things.

But when he saw Ye Ningshuang's serious gaze, he gave up.

Then Ying Huaixu grew a little bored.

All he could do was wait for the food.

Of course, with time on his hands, Ying Huaixu was still thinking about something.

Although this world was now real,

there was one thing Ying Huaixu wasn't quite sure about: whether the game's main storyline would still unfold as it normally did.

If the main storyline proceeded normally, he would have to seriously consider what sort of relationship he should have with Ye Ningshuang.

After all, the woman before him was the future leading heroine, the empress who would overthrow the Demon-Purging Dynasty, sweep away the Demon Court, and bring the Eight Desolations to heel.

The ending sounded pretty badass.

But getting there was fucking hell.

Although she needed the player's help along the way,

to be honest, the player was really just a bystander-a camera witnessing the heroine's rise and all the hardships she endured.

The most disgusting part was that players initially thought Ye Ningshuang was their cultivation partner, only for the developers to take a massive dump on that idea.

Ye Ningshuang was paired with another character, the Pure Yang Sword Immortal, leaving the player looking like a clown.

The arguments over that had been endless back then.

Female players loved the pairing, while male players found it utterly revolting.

Ying Huaixu himself had been thoroughly disgusted at the time, as if he'd somehow been made a cuckold out of thin air.

But then again,

this wasn't a game anymore. It was a real world.

Would Ye Ningshuang still end up with that Pure Yang Sword Immortal?

If so, he could only treat Ye Ningshuang as a passing acquaintance.

Yet there was still one unavoidable problem.

If Ye Ningshuang continued to follow the game's main storyline, he would have to accompany her.

After all, the main quests were what he would rely on to grow stronger in the future.

He couldn't avoid spending time with her, only to watch her get together with the Pure Yang Sword Immortal in the end?

That was a little hard to stomach.

"No, wait!"

Ying Huaixu suddenly remembered something.

According to the game's storyline as he knew it, whether or not he contributed to the later events,

Ye Ningshuang would resolve all the problems that lay ahead.

So if the main quest really did trigger, couldn't he just tag along and reap the benefits, acting as a camera?

That reminded Ying Huaixu of a comment someone had made about another game.

"You people don't get it. All I have to do is take a nap, and everything's solved when I wake up. Doesn't that make me badass?"

Ying Huaixu suddenly grinned like an idiot.

Despise the camera, understand the camera, become the camera!

Ying Huaixu's spirits suddenly lifted.

If he took that approach, he only needed to be acquainted with Ye Ningshuang, not become close to her.

When the main quest triggered, he could just tag along!

Perfect!

"Food's ready!"

Ye Ningshuang's lovely voice rang out.

Ying Huaixu hurried over to eat.

While he ate, Ye Ningshuang stood to one side.

Ying Huaixu: "???"

"Come eat with me!"

Ye Ningshuang quickly shook her head.

"That wouldn't be appropriate..."

Ying Huaixu shook his head. "Come on. If you won't eat, neither will I. I'll throw it all away!"

Ye Ningshuang hurriedly waved her hands.

"We can't waste food!"

Then she sat down a little awkwardly and took small bites, glancing at Ying Huaixu as she ate.

Ying Huaixu, meanwhile, ate without any reservations.

Ye Ningshuang's face flushed slightly.

Mainly, it was because she hadn't felt this sense of home in a long time, ever since her parents had passed away.

And Ying Huaixu was so different from other men.

She felt completely at ease around him.

That feeling actually made Ye Ningshuang grow attached to him.

As he ate, Ying Huaixu said, "After we finish eating, I'll find an inn to stay at. After all, we're an unmarried man and woman staying under the same roof. If word gets out, it won't be good for your reputation!"

"And thank you for taking care of me these past few days!"

Ye Ningshuang froze for a moment, then lowered her head.

"But... but have I done something wrong?"

Ying Huaixu shook his head. "Of course not. I'm worried about damaging your reputation!"

But immediately afterward, Ying Huaixu sensed something was wrong.

He looked at Ye Ningshuang.

He saw large tears rolling down her face.

Ying Huaixu was at a complete loss.

"Um, don't cry. I won't leave. I won't leave, all right?"

Ye Ningshuang looked at Ying Huaixu with tear-streaked cheeks. "Really?"

Ying Huaixu took a deep breath.

What a fucking mess. This never happened in the game.

Ying Huaixu nodded. "Since I've said it, of course I won't leave. But your reputation..."

Ye Ningshuang immediately said, "You're my benefactor. Everyone in town will understand if you stay here. Peaceful Town believes in repaying kindness. If you leave, it'll make it seem like I haven't treated you properly... Of course, I'm not trying to force you to stay, young master... Oh, I just..."

Ye Ningshuang gradually began to stumble over her words.

The more she tried to explain, the less she knew how.

Ying Huaixu fell silent.

Judging by the situation, there was no way he could move out.

This really was... worrying.

But inwardly, Ying Huaixu told himself,

I mustn't have any other feelings for Ye Ningshuang. I mustn't have any other feelings for Ye Ningshuang...

Ying Huaixu kept repeating it to himself.

His expression grew increasingly composed.

In fact, it began to look a little cold.

Ye Ningshuang gradually fell silent as well.

After dinner,

Ye Ningshuang went to wash the dishes.

Once she finished, she began arranging Ying Huaixu's bedding.

Perhaps because Ying Huaixu had said earlier that he wanted to move out, Ye Ningshuang became even more attentive.

She wouldn't even let Ying Huaixu do anything, truly waiting on him as if he were the master of the house.

Ying Huaixu could do nothing about it.

He could only sit in the courtyard, looking up at the stars and that absurdly large moon.

It truly was a beautiful night!

Ying Huaixu also noticed something else.

The air in this world really was wonderful.

It was late spring now.

Not only was the weather pleasant, but the air was also filled with the fragrance of flowers.

"Young master, have some tea!"

Ye Ningshuang brought over a tray with a cup of tea on it.

Ying Huaixu smiled faintly, then picked up the cup.

After just one sip, Ying Huaixu froze.

Milk tea?

And it tasted even better than milk tea.

It was just a little salty.

Ying Huaixu said, "I prefer this kind of tea sweet!"

Ye Ningshuang gave him a sweet smile.

"I'll buy some tomorrow!"

Ying Huaixu murmured his assent.

Then he took another look at the night sky.

Ying Huaixu decided to go to bed.

Without a phone, he was really bored. Besides, he was eager to find out whether there would be more daily quests tomorrow!

Seeing that Ying Huaixu had gone to bed, Ye Ningshuang carefully blew out the candle.

But when Ye Ningshuang quietly returned to her own room, her expression couldn't help falling.

Does he... dislike me a little?