Chapter 303: 0195 Under the Clouds of Chang'an
"I'm a bad guy, and that makes you so happy?" Xu Chang'an's self-reflection was suddenly interrupted by Yun Qian's spellcasting. He was momentarily stunned, a bit amused, and confused.
"It does make me happy." Yun Qian tiptoed, but soon that trace of happiness completely vanished.
This was sweet talk, not the truth.
Because the person in front of her had never done anything truly bad.
However, even if it was just sweet talk, she liked it.
Xu Chang'an didn't quite understand, but he wasn't planning to enjoy the back-treading service from the lady. The guilt in his heart was hardly enjoyable... Moreover, after making such a scene, Yun Qian's interest likely diminished quite a bit.
"Forget it, I may as well get up and prepare dinner. Just in time... I'll take out the wine to let it chill," Xu Chang'an said and was about to stand up.
But surprisingly, a gentle force from his shoulder pushed him back down.
"..." Xu Chang'an froze for a moment, not turning around to look, but he already knew what had happened. His attention naturally focused on his back where he quickly felt a gentle force.
Outside the window, it was dark, with a few twinkling stars in the distance.
Yun Qian was treading on him.
Only heaven knew why such a thing would occur.
To be precise, not even heaven knew why such a strange thing would occur.
"Is it okay?" Yun Qian carefully stood on Xu Chang'an's body, recalling how he massaged her, and adjusted her steps.
"It's perfectly fine." Xu Chang'an rested on his arms, speaking in a muffled tone after a while.
This was really quite perfect.
"That's good then." Yun Qian seemed relieved, then remembered something and said seriously, "I said earlier, whether it's the desire for taste or a love for spicy food, having desires is a good thing."
If he truly didn't have anything he wanted to do, if he had no attachment to this world — what then?
She didn't know.
Anyway, for him, for the world, for Yun Qian, it wouldn't be a good thing.
Hearing this, Xu Chang'an was silent for a while, then smiled, speaking with a hint of complaint, "Young Lady, you're always like this, how can I not like you?"
It seemed he was always indulging Yun Qian, but only he knew he gained more from her.
"Why do you want to dislike me?" Yun Qian's foot, which was treading on his back, paused, shaking her head lightly.
She didn't really understand why Xu Chang'an would not like her, but such things kept happening.
"Exactly, there's no disliking, only liking more," Xu Chang'an exhaled a breath of warm air, slowly closing his eyes.
Yun Qian appeared indifferent, but in reality, she was always calm and gentle, like a tranquil pool on an island warmed by the sun.
The young lady is like the water that allows this rootless wanderer from an otherworld to settle here peacefully.
So how could he not like her?
Overall, Yun Qian's sentence, "Having desires is a good thing," reflected a level of acceptance that caused Xu Chang'an significant emotional turmoil.
It was quite a blow, actually.
"I really like my water attribute talent, just like the water and clouds that cloak Miss," Xu Chang'an said slowly.
As an outsider incompatible with the world, it was Yun Qian who gave him a sense of "home."
Perhaps for this reason, he always felt that doing something for the young lady was inappropriate, utterly wrong.
"It's good that you like it." Yun Qian shuffled a bit on Chang'an's waist, thinking whether his water attribute talent was arranged by the system? If so, they did a really great job.
"You can use a bit more force," Xu Chang'an suddenly said.
Previously feeling guilty, now he put forth a demand, because as Yun Qian said, it's a good thing.
Moreover, Yun Qian was serious about this task, and giving her a half-hearted response would only dampen her enthusiasm.
But Yun Qian shook her head, "But I'm already… up here."
"Then come down and tread with more strength," Xu Chang'an acted as if he hadn't realized how awkward his words were, speaking earnestly, "Or… hop a bit?"
"Should I try?" Yun Qian hopped once on Xu Chang'an's waist, "How does it feel?"
"…Young Lady, try a different spot," Xu Chang'an sighed, holding his forehead.
"Oh." Yun Qian nodded, stabilizing herself on the couch, grabbing the window frame with one hand, and forcefully stepping on Xu Chang'an's shoulder.
"Bang."
With a muffled sound, Yun Qian looked at Xu Chang'an, only to see him burying his head in laughter.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing, just confirming my thoughts," Xu Chang'an raised his head and said, "It feels like the old days when I used to sit in a massage chair. What can I say... after starting cultivation, with my back meridians open... treading on my back or massages don't actually feel comforting anymore. To be honest, it's a bit disappointing."
"That's a pity then." Yun Qian mused.
"That's right."
"But since it doesn't feel good, why are you still smiling?" Yun Qian asked in confusion.
"Hmm... although treading doesn't provide a massage effect anymore, the thought of the young lady treading on me is quite delightful."
"…?"
"Alright, just kidding." Xu Chang'an rubbed his shoulder, "Merely because it makes me happy that the young lady listens to me like this."
Yun Qian started to understand a bit, but she was more concerned about other things, asking, "Your back meridian is through, what about the rest?"
"The rest?" Xu Chang'an pondered and replied, "It's related to the Elixir Field. I've opened the Qi Sea Acupoint which connected a portion of the meridian, as for the rest, I suppose it will complete after opening the Middle Elixir Field and the Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness."
"Okay, I'll try again." Yun Qian lifted her foot, stepping on Xu Chang'an's head.
"..."
——
At this moment, in front of the lacquered wooden door, Li Zhibai put down the token in her hand. As Xu Chang'an's teacher, she had long obtained permission to enter here since Xu Chang'an was the Patriarch.
Li Zhibai found it odd, clearly sensing Xu Chang'an inside. When she knocked... why was there no response?
Could it be... Xu Chang'an meant for her to use the "token" to enter by herself?
After all, only guests need the host to open the door, but among family, there's no need for such formalities, as she had already mentioned she'd be coming over.
Was Xu Chang'an suggesting she should not be a "guest"?
"This child..."
Li Zhibai shook her head, choosing to be tolerant of Xu Chang'an's whim this time.
But as she stepped into the courtyard and passed through the eerie Moon Sect, she stopped in her tracks.
She could see some silhouettes against the windows.
This wasn't something indecent to see, plus Li Zhibai was assigned a special identity arranged by Heavenly Dao.
Therefore, Yun Qian didn't mind her presence, but Li Zhibai couldn't disturb Xu Chang'an's enthusiasm, hence the unheard knocks.
——
The ghastly light from the large lantern fell on Li Zhibai's face, making her... twitch her mouth slightly twice, then she quietly turned to leave, planning to return later.
As she left, she was pondering a matter.
Had she really gotten old?