Chapter 267-268 On How to Conquer System Fairies and Make Them Your Wives 267-268 |
After Si Qing left, Hua Yulian approached Chen Yin, a playful smile on her lips.
“Such a sweet girl. If I were you, I wouldn’t be able to resist her. Don’t you enjoy a good cuddle?”
Chen Yin sat up straight, his expression serious. “I’m a one-woman man. I can’t help it.”
Hua Yulian giggled, swirling the wine in her cup, her long, slender legs crossed elegantly.
“I wish you weren’t so devoted. I’d love to give every good girl in the world a home,” Chen Yin sighed dramatically. “But I’m afraid I wouldn’t survive.”
“You’re just afraid of Little Ling’er.”
“It’s not fear, it’s… consideration for her feelings.”
Hua Yulian leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“You and Little Ling’er…” she asked casually,
Chen Yin almost choked on his wine. He chuckled awkwardly and wiped his mouth.
“I knew you had ulterior motives, Sister Hua. But I didn’t expect such a direct question.”
“Don’t be shy,” she grinned, pinching his cheek playfully. “I’m an adult. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“But I’m still a child.” Chen Yin feigned shyness.
“So, did you?”
“…We did.”
“I see.” Hua Yulian’s eyes lowered slightly, but her smile remained.
“Congratulations. I wish you happiness.”
Chen Yin thought for a moment. “If you’re interested, I wouldn’t mind adding another person to the mix.”
“Oh really? Make sure you can handle both of us, little brother~” she said playfully, making a “grrr” sound. “Mature women like me can be quite… demanding.”
“…On second thought, maybe I need a little more time to… grow up.”
They exchanged smiles.
Hua Yulian didn’t know why she was so comfortable joking with this much younger boy.
But his presence was strangely calming.
“Have you achieved your goal, Sister Hua?” he asked.
“Yes,” she nodded, a triumphant grin on her face. “I defeated all my Senior Sisters! They can’t call me a flower vase anymore!”
“Impressive.” Chen Yin gave her a thumbs-up.
“But now that I’ve achieved it, it feels… anticlimactic. My mother and my sisters… they look at me differently now. It’s not the same pampering and indulgence as before. It’s… respect and admiration. I thought I would be happy, but I’m not.” She blinked, her eyes dimming slightly. “It feels like something’s missing.”
“What’s missing?”
“Someone to share my joy with.”
She looked at him intently.
“…You’ll find someone,” Chen Yin said softly.
“Yes, perhaps I will.” Hua Yulian smiled and stroked his hair gently. “Who knows, maybe I’ll find someone before your wedding with Little Ling’er.”
“If you want to celebrate, this cup can be our wedding toast.”
Chen Yin raised his cup.
Hua Yulian paused, then smiled faintly.
“…You’re truly…”
“…too clever for your own good.”
She drained her cup in one gulp, then tilted her head slightly, her eyes twinkling.
“Can I have another hug?”
Chen Yin hesitated, and she pulled him into her arms, her hand gently stroking his hair.
Normally, he would have taken advantage of such an opportunity, a beautiful woman practically offering herself to him.
But this time, he just relaxed in her embrace, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her hair.
“It’s good to know that Little Ling’er will have you by her side. She won’t be lonely anymore… I can finally rest easy now,” she murmured, her eyes half-closed.
Chen Yin, although he found her words a bit strange, couldn’t resist teasing her.
“You overestimate me, Sister Hua. I’m just a kid.”
“Don’t play coy with me,” Hua Yulian chuckled and patted his head. “You’re hiding a lot of secrets, little brother. But as long as you don’t hurt Little Ling’er, I don’t care.”
Chen Yin was about to retort when a sudden commotion interrupted them.
“Ah~!”
“No… stop it!”
Before he could react, Yu Ling, her eyes blurry with drunkenness, had pushed him away from Hua Yulian and was now clinging to him, her arms wrapped tightly around him, a possessive look on her face.
“N-no… you can’t have him!”
“He’s mine! Even Sister Hua can’t have him!” She hiccuped, clutching him like a child protecting a precious toy.
Everyone in the room, drunk or sober, stared at them.
“Uh… Big Sister?”
Chen Yin asked hesitantly.
“What?” Yu Ling turned to him, her eyes narrowed, her cheeks flushed.
“You’re drunk. Let’s go to bed.”
“I-I’m not!” she protested, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m not wrong! Chen Yin is mine! No one can have him!” She hugged him tighter, her voice almost a sob. “He can’t leave me! He has to stay with me forever!”
Chen Yin was silent.
The others started cheering and whistling.
Hua Yulian smiled at him knowingly, her eyes twinkling.
…She’s jealous. Go and comfort her.
Chen Yin didn’t know what to do.
She was too drunk to listen to reason.
She was clinging to him like a lifeline, her eyes pleading.
He knew he had to do something.
He gently cupped her face in his hands.
Yu Ling’s eyes, blurry and unfocused, blinked at him, as if she didn’t understand what he was doing.
Then, he kissed her.
“Whoa!”
The cheers and whistles intensified, drowning out all other sounds.
Chen Yin couldn’t even hear his own heartbeat.
Yu Ling’s face turned crimson, and she struggled in his arms.
After a long moment, he released her, and her eyes cleared slightly. She lowered her head and mumbled,
“You… you actually kissed me…”
“Why not?”
Chen Yin smiled and gently stroked her hair.
“Don’t worry.”
“I won’t leave you.”
Yu Ling’s heart skipped a beat.
She couldn’t hear the cheers and jeers around them, her eyes only seeing him.
She leaned against him, her head resting on his chest, and whispered,
“Okay.”
“…Don’t lie to me.”
The cheers grew louder.
Hua Yulian smiled, a bittersweet expression on her face.
…Holding hands.
Growing old together.
How wonderful.
Yu Ling couldn’t remember how she woke up the next morning.
She opened her eyes to bright sunlight and realized she was still in the same place,
Chen Yin’s arms around her, their bodies tangled together.
She rubbed her head groggily, and his familiar voice echoed in her ears.
“Awake?”
“…Yes,” she mumbled, her voice soft and sleepy.
“Does your head hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Will you drink so much again?”
“…Yes.”
Chen Yin sighed. She was incorrigible.
He handed her a cup of hangover soup, which she drank obediently. “What time is it?” she asked.
“Still early.”
“Did those brats see me like this?”
“…Guess.”
Yu Ling didn’t answer.
Last night’s memories came flooding back.
She groaned and covered her face with her hands.
“I’m ruined… what did I do last night… My image as Big Sister is completely shattered…”
Chen Yin chuckled. “Why don’t you ask them yourself?”
Yu Ling looked up and saw Luo Xiaoxiao, Hu Li, Si Qing, Hua Yulian, and a few other teenagers standing there, watching them.
She coughed awkwardly, trying to maintain her composure.
“You’re up early. Eager to start your cultivation?”
“Big Sister,” Luo Xiaoxiao said, his voice unusually serious.
Yu Ling sat up straight, sensing something was wrong.
“Last night’s dinner… consider it our farewell gift.”
“Actually…” he hesitated, his expression a mixture of sadness and regret.
The others looked equally somber.
“We…”
“…are here to say goodbye.”
Yu Ling stared at them, her expression surprisingly calm.
Luo Xiaoxiao, flustered, quickly explained, “W-well… our cultivation has improved a lot, and we’re no longer seen as useless brats by our families and sects. After the Immortal Disciple Competition, they even praised us… and… they want us to come home.”
The other Yu Alliance members lowered their heads shamefully.
They weren’t truly alone and without support like Yu Ling. They had families and sects, obligations and ambitions. They had joined the Yu Alliance out of youthful rebellion, wanting to prove themselves.
But now that they had achieved their goals, their loyalties returned to their families and sects.
Yu Ling had been a “good friend” who had taken them in when they were lost and confused, a powerful and talented leader who had guided and supported them.
They were grateful, but it was time to go home.
Time to say goodbye.
Chen Yin glanced at Yu Ling. Her expression was surprisingly calm as she looked at their faces, saying nothing.
The silence was heavy and awkward. Luo Xiaoxiao, nudged by Si Qing and Hu Li, spoke up again.
“Big Sister, please don’t misunderstand! I-I don’t want to leave! Life in the Yu Alliance has been so carefree and fun! You’ve been so kind to us, we don’t want to leave you!”
The others murmured in agreement.
“But…” Luo Xiaoxiao hesitated, “I haven’t been home in a while. My parents must be worried… and I miss them.”
The others nodded, their expressions mirroring his.
They had to go home eventually.
…It was unfair to Yu Ling, as if she was just a tool.
Yu Ling remained silent, her calmness an oppressive weight in the room.
“Big Sister, just hit me! I’ll feel less guilty!” Luo Xiaoxiao blurted out.
“Yeah, beat us up!” the others chimed in.
Yu Ling didn’t move.
Si Qing and Hua Yulian took her hands, their voices comforting. “Big Sister, don’t be sad. It’s not your fault. We’ll always be members of the Yu Alliance, no matter where we are!”
“That’s right! We’re like a fire, even when scattered, we still burn brightly!”
Yu Ling’s eyes lowered, then she snorted. “What’s the big deal? You’re all going home! Thank goodness! I’m tired of babysitting you brats! Go on, get out of here!”
She waved them away and turned to leave.
Chen Yin and the teenagers exchanged glances.
“…Chen Yin,” Luo Xiaoxiao approached him cautiously, “I know. It’s time for us to go home. And Big Sister is smarter than you think. She knew this day would come.” He looked at Yu Ling. “She just doesn’t want to show it.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her.”
They hugged Chen Yin.
“Good brother, you’re a true friend. I respect you. Big Sister and you… you’re both amazing. If you ever need anything, just ask.”
“…Take care.”
“Take care.”
Chen Yin would never forget them. Hu Li and the others also hugged him goodbye.
“This isn’t a final goodbye,” Luo Xiaoxiao said before leaving. “We’ll meet again in a year. Don’t tell Big Sister. It’ll be a surprise.”
Chen Yin nodded. …Take care.
—
After they left, Chen Yin went to Yu Ling’s room.
She was sitting at the table, sipping tea.
“You didn’t leave with them?” she asked casually.
“I have to go home too. My wife is waiting,” Chen Yin said seriously.
Yu Ling blushed. “Who’s your wife? I’m not taking care of any more brats.”
“…Are you angry?”
“Angry? Why would I be angry? I’m glad they’re gone! I can finally do what I want! I can finally afford more wine!” She laughed, trying to appear nonchalant.
But her laughter faded, and she buried her face in her arms, her body trembling slightly.
Chen Yin sat beside her and gently put his arm around her.
“Get off me!” she snapped, pushing his hand away. “Are you pitying me?! I’m happy!”
“Tell the truth.”
Yu Ling looked up at him, tears in her eyes, but her chin raised defiantly.
“I’m not happy,” she said, her voice trembling. “They just left… It’s not fair… I finally made some friends…”
Chen Yin gently stroked her hair, seeing the vulnerability she was trying to hide. They had used each other, but the teenagers still had their families. Yu Ling had always been alone.
“But why so soon…?” She buried her face in her hands.
Chen Yin pulled her into his arms. “You’re not alone. You have me.”
Yu Ling looked up, her eyes shining through her tears. “…You’re not leaving?”
“I’m not leaving.”
“You’ll stay with me?”
“Always,” he said seriously, “until I die.”
Yu Ling sniffled and buried her face in his chest.
“Don’t leave me alone. I’m afraid of being alone…”
Chen Yin kissed her forehead and her ear, his gaze soft.
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t dream of leaving you.”