NOVEL WEB Chapter 106: Though Beautiful, the Rainbow Fades; Though Swift, the Meteor Passes
Chapter 106: Though Beautiful, the Rainbow Fades; Though Swift, the Meteor Passes
After the White Fox Quarry Patrol Inspector left, Xu Lian returned to his main residence, lay down to sleep, but found himself unable to fall asleep. Perhaps it was due to the eight days of unconsciousness he had just endured, leaving his spirit unusually vibrant.
He decided to check his attribute panel and take inventory of his current cultivation resources.
[Name: Xu Lian]
[Rank: Bright Strength Rank, sixth stage]
[Skills: Breaking Wind Sword Technique (Volume 1,2,3), Seven Styles of Primordial Gang (Complete)]
[Items: None (1-star longsword not equipped)]
[Note: You currently have no progress points. Please acquire some]
As for his cultivation resources, he had:
Over 600 Spirit Stones
Over 280 Condensation Pills
Four Heavenly Serpent Grass
One small vial of Nine-Turn Detoxification Pills
Nine hundred Spirit Stones stored in his White Cat avatar.
The Purple Jade Token and the Blue Rain Token were not counted as cultivation resources.
That was about it…
While it didn’t seem like much, each Hevenly Serpent Grass was priceless. In truth, his actual net worth had already surpassed that of all the cultivators in Pingyang County.
However, the Heavenly Serpent Grass couldn’t be sold… so having them was almost like not having them at all.
This left Xu Lian feeling a bit frustrated, as though he was sitting on four golden mountains but couldn’t mine them.
After pondering for a while, he came up with a clever use for them.
“The Sky Serpent Grass can be used as a trump card. If I encounter an enemy I can’t defeat, I can throw a crystal sphere at them. The enemy won’t know what it is, and if they punch it and it explodes… instant death”.
Of course, destroying the Sky Serpent Grass would also leave him heartbroken, as if he were killing a thousand enemies at the cost of a billion… or more.
“Could the Sky Serpent Grass really be worth more than a billion Spirit Stones?”
Thinking of this possibility, he wasn’t sure if he would be willing to use them in a dire situation.
After half an hour of aimless thoughts, he still couldn’t fall asleep.
Xu Lian decided to get up.
He left his main residence and headed toward a side room.
He vaguely remembered that the tallest woman seemed to live in this room.
He knocked gently on the door and found that it wasn’t bolted shut.
So, he walked in and closed the door behind him.
The woman was sleeping soundly when she suddenly felt someone’s presence. She woke up, was dazed for a moment, and then exclaimed in surprise, “Master?”
Xu Lian just hummed in acknowledgement.
The woman immediately understood and began to cry with joy. “Thank you, Master, for your kindness.”
Xu Lian asked, “What’s your name?”
“My name is Caixia.”
“Caixia? What is your family name?”
“My parents said that women don’t need a last name. Without one, it’s more intimate and easier to win a man’s favor, so they never gave me one.”
Xu Lian was aware of this custom in Green Bamboo Town, where many women didn’t have a surname. “Then I’ll just call you Caixia.”
After chatting for a while, everything naturally fell into place.
This wasn’t because Xu Lian was impatient, but because she was eager – eager to gain the master’s recognition and secure her position in this large estate. After all, it was a matter of practicality.
The next day at noon, Xu Lian woke up and immediately checked the affection meter.
There was no sign of affection!
This left him speechless.
It meant that the level of affection was below 50/100, making it invisible.
“Indeed, this method may yield many ‘fish’, but they are far from the carefully selected ones I would have caught myself.”
Xu Lian finally understood why some people preferred fish they caught themselves. There was some truth to it.
During lunch, Caixia deliberately styled her hair in an elaborate bun. Already the tallest among the women, this made her appear even more statuesque, like a proud peacock. She confidently sat next to Xu Lian.
Her body constantly leaned toward him, and she frequently served him food and exchanged a few words with him, showing great intimacy.
For the sake of affection points, Xu Lian couldn’t refuse her advances. He responded with occasional smiles and small talk as they ate.
The other women naturally looked on with envy, their eyes practically red with jealousy.
Meanwhile, Wang Cuiyun concentrated on devouring a steak, unconcerned. She knew that no matter what these women did, as long as Xu Lian still loved her daughter, her position was unshakable. After all, she was the one who had mastered the art of fishing.
After finishing lunch, Caixia gently held Xu Lian’s arm and said, “Husband, I feel a bit bloated from eating. I’d like to take a walk around the estate. Would you accompany me?”
Xu Lian smiled and replied, “Sure.”
So she led Xu Lian on a stroll through the estate, but she always steered toward areas where there were more people, clearly showing off her status.
Xu Lian didn’t point out her intentions, allowing her to have her way.
There were two reasons for this:
To increase her affection points.
To test her temperament and see if she was worthy of becoming the mistress of the estate, following in the footsteps of Sister Xiya and Chan’er.
Almost the entire afternoon was spent accompanying her, letting her flaunt her status throughout the estate.
Naturally, he spent it with her that night as well.
The next morning
[Name: Xu Lian]
[Rank: Bright Strength Stage, 6th Layer]
[Skills: Breaking Wind Sword Technique (Volume 123), Seven Styles of Primal Gang (Complete)]
[Items: None (1-star longsword not equipped)]
[Note: Caixia’s affection for you is 50/100.]
Xu Lian was pleasantly surprised.
What did it mean?
It meant that the method was effective, which made things much easier.
So, he decided to completely indulge her!
From that day on, Xu Lian began to fulfill Caixia’s every wish.
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5… Caixia’s affection points skyrocketed.
[Note: Caixia’s affection for you has increased from 50/100 to 60/100.]
[Note: Caixia’s affection for you has increased from 60/100 to 70/100.]
[Note: Caixia’s affection for you has increased from 70/100 to 80/100.]
Half a month later, Caixia’s affection had reached 80, just one step away from 90.
However, during this half month, Caixia had become increasingly arrogant. She frequently berated and scolded the other women, treating them almost like servants. She had fully convinced herself that she was the mistress of the estate.
She demanded that Xu Lian buy her many beautiful clothes, cosmetics, and jewelry.
She also insisted that Xu Lian promote her father to the position of overseer at the quarry.
Even worse, she had a major argument with Wang Cuiyun, pointing her finger at Wang Cuiyun’s nose and shouting, “Who knows where your daughter ran off with some random man? You old hag, you still have the nerve to stay in my house!”
Wang Cuiyun was so furious that her face turned green, and her body trembled. She rushed into the kitchen, grabbed a kitchen knife, and was about to slash Caixia’s face.
But then, Wang Cuiyun suddenly regained her composure. She glanced at Xu Lian who was standing nearby, carefully protecting Caixia. There was something wrong with Xu Lian’s behavior lately – he was far too lenient with Caixia.
This wasn’t Xu Lian’s usual style. Could there be some deeper meaning behind it?
Wang Cuiyun calmed down and decided not to argue with Caixia anymore. Instead, she even forced a smile and apologized to Caixia, going out of her way to flatter her.
This further solidified Caixia’s position as the mistress of the estate, and her arrogance reached an almost unbearable level. In the estate, she was second only to Xu Lian, and even Xu Lian sometimes had to yield to her as though he were a henpecked husband.
A few more days passed.
[Note: Caixia’s affection for you has increased from 80/100 to 90/100. You have gained 1 Progression Point, which can be applied to your rank, skills, or items.]
Xu Lian was overjoyed, almost moved to tears. During this time, he had endured a lot, all for the sake of those affection points.
Of course, none of that mattered.
For a progression point, it was all worth it.
Therefore, Xu Lian became even more indulgent with Caixia, fulfilling her every request.
As per Caixia’s demands, he promoted her father to the position of assistant manager at the quarry.
Pu Ling was directly replaced by Caixia’s father, who took over the management of the quarry.
This left Pu Ling feeling quite frustrated, but he didn’t say anything. He just continued to work diligently, waiting for Xu Lian to give him a more important role.
[Note: Caixia’s affection for you has increased from 90/100 to 91/100. You have gained 1 Progression Point, which can be applied to your rank, skills, or items.]
The results were very effective.
Xu Lian was delighted.
He wanted to see how far Caixia’s affection could go and how much her arrogance would grow.
So, Xu Lian decided to reveal his identity as a cultivator to her.
As expected, Caixia immediately asked him to join her in his cultivation. She wanted to attain immortality and eternal youth!
Of course, Xu Lian couldn’t teach her proper cultivation techniques, but he used his internal energy to gently massage her meridians, making her look radiant and healthy.
Feeling the changes in her body, Caixia mistakenly believed that she had become a cultivator herself…
A few days passed, but Caixia’s love points did not increase.
This made Xu Lian feel disappointed.
He had to come up with another plan. He subtly hinted at his background and connections.
Upon learning this, Caixia immediately demanded that Xu Lian use his influence to appoint her father as the overseer of a new quarry, allowing him to manage it independently.
Xu Lian agreed and allocated a batch of funds and workers to her father, instructing him to set up a new quarry in some remote valley… though it was, of course, a fake quarry.
After this, no matter how much Xu Lian indulged Caixia or how diligently he “worked” to please her, her affection points remained stuck at 91/100.
It seemed that 91/100 was the limit of Caixia’s affection.
However, her arrogance knew no bounds. She ruled the estate with an iron fist, scolding and beating the other women at will, even pushing Wang Cuiyun around a few times. She also demanded that Xu Lian massage her meridians every day to improve her physique.
Xu Lian had completely lost his patience with her.
That evening
There were still three tables in the dining hall, but Caixia and Xu Lian sat alone at one table, while the other women were crammed into two tables. They were all forced to stand and could only eat after Caixia had finished her meal.
The food on the tables was also very different. Caixia and Xu Lian’s table was filled with lavish dishes, while the other two tables had only meager, servant-like meals. This was one of Caixia’s demands, claiming that a proper household had to follow strict rules.
“You dared to look at the food on my table?”
For no apparent reason, Caixia suddenly flew into a rage while eating, slamming her chopsticks onto the face of a particularly beautiful woman.
The woman began to cry, but she dared not sob loudly, only choking back her tears.
The other women were all terrified, their faces pale and their heads down, staring at their feet.
“Enough!”
Xu Lian knew that the time had come. He shouted loudly.
With a loud “slap,” he suddenly struck Caixia across the face with a forceful slap.
Caixia was knocked off her chair and fell to the ground. She stared blankly, covering her face, unable to comprehend why Xu Lian, who had always indulged her, would suddenly strike her.
The other women were also stunned.
Only Wang Cuiyun’s wrinkled face showed a knowing smile. She wasn’t too surprised, as she had long suspected that Xu Lian was deliberately indulging Caixia for some deeper purpose. She had just been waiting for this moment.
Coming to her senses, Caixia became furious. She scrambled to her feet and lunged at Xu Lian, trying to strangle him.
Her arrogance had grown to such an extent that she no longer resembled the Caixia from before.
With another loud “slap,” Xu Lian struck her again, sending her sprawling to the ground.
This time, Caixia was completely dazed. Her face bore a deep red handprint, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
When she finally regained her senses and saw Xu Lian’s calm, expressionless face, she finally realized the gravity of the situation. A cold sweat broke out on her body, and she was filled with fear. She hurriedly crawled to Xu Lian’s feet, hugging his leg and crying, “Master, I was wrong”.
Xu Lian asked, “What was wrong with you?”
Caixia sobbed, “I shouldn’t have insulted you, Master. You are the heaven of this household, and I broke the rules.”
Xu Lian continued, “Anything else?”
Caixia looked at the other women tearfully. “I… I shouldn’t have scolded and beaten the sisters.”
Having reached 91/100 affection points wasn’t easy, and Xu Lian didn’t want to discard her so quickly. He decided to give her one last chance. He helped her to her feet and spoke gently, “As long as you know that you were wrong, that’s enough. Now, let’s eat.”
Caixia sat down and started to eat while crying.
“Alright, alright, it’s alright.”
Xu Lian picked up some food for her and glanced at the other women. “You should sit down and eat as well. Bring over some of the food from my table. From now on, all three tables will have the same food.”
The other women looked at each other, still afraid of Caixia’s previous authority, and hesitated to move.
It was Wang Cuiyun who took the initiative, smiling as she cheerfully carried away most of the dishes from Xu Lian’s table.
After dinner, Xu Lian held a brief “family meeting,” urging the women to live in harmony. The main message was directed at Caixia, hoping that she would truly reflect on her actions and change her ways.
When it was time to rest, Xu Lian spent the night with Caixia, working tirelessly to soothe her emotions.
The Next Morning
Xu Lian received a message about affection points.
[Note: Caixia’s affection for you has dropped from 91/100 to -10/100. The affection points are too low and will no longer be displayed.]
Xu Lian’s eyes widened in shock. This was the first time that he had seen negative affection points.
What did this mean?
It meant that not only had Caixia not repented, but she had also developed resentment toward him!
This left Xu Lian feeling utterly disappointed in her.
During breakfast, Xu Lian suddenly stood up and bowed to the women, apologizing, “I have been too lenient with Caixia, causing you all to suffer. Although I reprimanded her last night, the rift between her and you has already been created. She is no longer fit to remain in this household.
Therefore, I have decided that effective immediately, Caixia will move out and live in one of my other estates, where she will live alone and reflect on her actions.
Those who make mistakes must be punished. Effective immediately, Caixia’s father will be stripped of his position as overseer of the new quarry”.
Like a bolt from the blue, Caixia was struck dumb. She slumped in her chair, her face pale, and slowly slid to the ground. Sobbing and crying, she clung to Xu Lian’s leg, pleading, “Master, I truly know I was wrong! Please don’t expel me!”
The other women were overjoyed, their eyes red with excitement. They felt a sense of vindication, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Manager Xu had finally come to his senses.
Wang Cuiyun’s wrinkled face was filled with an especially bright smile. She leaned down and looked at Caixia and said, “You insulted me and pushed me around, didn’t you? Well, now you’re going to get your just deserts. You don’t know my place in Master’s heart. He told me again and again, ‘A family with an elder is like a treasure.’ I am Master’s treasure, do you understand?”
At Wang Cuiyun’s words, Xu Lian almost choked on his breakfast.
He had lost his appetite and pulled Caixia away from the dining hall.
No matter how much Caixia cried or begged, Xu Lian remained firm. He escorted her into a horse-drawn carriage with a canopy and drove her out of the large estate to a vacant residence. After all, he owned many properties.
“You will stay here and think about your actions. I will have Yang Ye bring you food, supplies, and necessities from time to time. You don’t need to worry about your livelihood. As for your father, if he wishes, he can return to my quarry and work as a stone carrier.”
Xu Lian helped her out of the carriage and into the house.
Caixia knelt on the ground, clinging to his leg like a weeping mess. “Master, I was wrong. I really know I was wrong!”
Xu Lian pried her hands off his leg, turned around and paused for a moment before continuing, “I will visit you once next month and then once every month after that. If you truly repent, I will know.
Remember that I am a cultivator. If I find that you haven’t changed after three visits, then I will have no choice but to let you go.”
With that, Xu Lian closed the door and drove the carriage away.
In truth, he felt a little bit uneasy. After all, Caixia’s affection for him had once reached 91/100, which indicated that she had genuinely cared for him during his extreme indulgence of her. This was undeniable. Unless it was absolutely necessary, he didn’t want to give up on her.
Hopefully, Caixia would truly repent. However, as the saying goes, “It is easy to go from simplicity to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to simplicity.” Those who have experienced glory and reached the peak of their lives often find it hard to adapt to a life of mediocrity.
Xu Lian didn’t know if Caixia would be able to adapt, but he could only leave it to time to reveal the answer.
When he returned home, it was clear that the atmosphere without Caixia had lightened significantly. Her presence in the large estate had been like a meteor – rising quickly, shining brightly, and then disappearing just as quickly. It had a bit of the flavor of palace intrigue.