Chapter 236: Crying on Command |
The confrontation ended with Yu Ling’s complete victory. The teenagers cheered and dispersed, but Yu Ling called Chen Yin aside.
“Hey, you. Stay here.”
Chen Yin walked over to her obediently.
“Explain yourself,” she demanded, hands on her hips. “What was that all about?”
“Well,” Chen Yin hesitated, “I told you my parents were reclusive cultivators, but they’re actually quite powerful—”
“I don’t believe you! That wasn’t a living being!”
“Why not?” Chen Yin tried to argue. “Don’t say that about him, he’s my—”
Yu Ling pinched his cheek. “I couldn’t sense any life force! Take me to meet him! I want to spar!”
Chen Yin chuckled awkwardly, realizing she was more sensitive to life and death than he had thought. “Fine… I was just trying to scare them.”
“A doll.”
“What kind of doll?”
“Um… it’s hard to explain.” He was suddenly sweating. The System Shop’s description had been rather explicit. It was a sex doll, customizable with different outfits. He had chosen a female version and given it his own face from his previous life.
“It’s… like a puppet. For protection.”
“Really?” Yu Ling’s gaze was still suspicious.
“Really.”
“Impossible!” She drew her sword and pointed it at him. “A ten-year-old with such cunning? You’re either reincarnated or hiding something!”
Chen Yin looked at her, his expression shifting from surprise to sadness, then to a childish pout.
“Don’t you want me anymore…?” he whispered, his eyes welling up with tears.
“Tell me the truth! Who are you?!”
Chen Yin’s face crumpled, and he burst into tears.
“Waaaaah! Big Sister doesn’t want me anymore!”
Yu Ling panicked. She dropped her sword and rushed to comfort him. “Why are you crying?! You’re faking it!”
“Waaaaah! You called me a brat!” He cried even louder.
Yu Ling, just sixteen herself, had no experience with crying children. Those brats wouldn’t dare cry in front of me! She frantically wiped his tears. “Okay, okay, I want you! Just stop crying!”
“Really?” He stopped crying instantly, his eyes clear and bright as he looked at her.
Yu Ling’s face was red. She wanted to punch him, but she couldn’t.
“Thank you, Big Sister.” He smiled and hugged her gently.
Yu Ling’s anger melted away, but she still grumbled, “Don’t think you can get away with this. If you’re lying, I’ll spank you.”
Chen Yin smiled innocently. “I wouldn’t dare, Big Sister… I would never lie to you.”
It was their most celebratory feast yet. Even Si Qing and Hua Yulian were slightly tipsy. Yu Ling, surrounded by empty wine jars, raised her cup. “Drink! Cheers!”
Chen Yin sat quietly, sipping his wine and watching them. Without his worries, the teenagers were having a great time.
Si Qing, her cheeks flushed, approached him. “Chen Yin, are you drinking alone again?”
“I’m not good with crowds.”
“Me neither… but they forced me to drink with them.” She leaned against the windowsill beside him, her eyes slightly unfocused.
“They’re not that bad. Their intentions are quite obvious.”
“I… I know…” Si Qing lowered her head. “But I don’t know how to respond.”
“If you like them, tell them. If you don’t, also tell them. Do you like them? Or is there one you like more?”
“I just see them as friends.”
“Then tell them.”
Si Qing nodded, then asked, “What about you? Do you have a girl you like?”
“I’m only ten. Isn’t it a bit early?”
“But you don’t seem like a ten-year-old. You seem so mature… you even make me feel safe.” She looked away shyly.
Chen Yin shook his head. “You’ve had too much to drink.”
“So what?” She leaned closer. “Tell me, what kind of girl do you like? Someone like Sister Hua? Or me? Or… like Big Sister?” She glanced at Yu Ling, who was still drinking merrily.
“…Maybe someone like Big Sister.” Chen Yin smiled faintly.
Si Qing’s head drooped slightly, then she said, “That makes sense. Big Sister is so amazing. If I were a boy, I would definitely like her too.”
“I was just joking,” Chen Yin chuckled. “I’m not actually pursuing her.”
“You’re only ten.” Si Qing smiled and pinched his cheek. “Maybe you’ll change your mind when you’re older.”
Before he could react, she kissed him quickly on the cheek and ran away, waving at him.
“Chen Yin! I’ll come find you when you’re older!”
Chen Yin touched his cheek and smiled. “Young love. So innocent.”
“Sister Hua isn’t old either,” he said, turning to Hua Yulian. “Didn’t you have a first love?”
“If I said I fell for a ten-year-old boy, would people call me a cradle robber?” she teased.
“…Stop teasing me, Sister Hua.”
She giggled and leaned against him. “But Qingqing was right. You don’t seem like a ten-year-old.”
“Then just treat me like someone your age.”
“I can’t do that.” She leaned closer, her eyes twinkling. “What if… I fall for you too?”