After Breaking Off the Engagement, I Started Pursuing My Master - Chapter 198

Chapter 198: Too Deliberate

The sound of rain was gentle.

Jiang Huai wrapped himself in a silk quilt and tossed and turned in bed.

It wasn’t that he had any worries that kept him awake, but he couldn’t help but speculate about Chu Xianning’s thoughts.

What exactly did Chu Xianning mean?

Even after more than a decade of being together, perhaps he still hadn’t fully grasped her thoughts.

What else could he do?

Open up Chu Xianning’s heart to take a look?

Suddenly, a ding sounded in Jiang Huai’s ears.

【Chu Xianning has been with you for a long time, and her feelings for you are complex. For six hundred years, she has always been alone, never knowing what love tastes like. Lately, she’s been suffering from insomnia. Whenever she thinks about stepping back, she stops herself, but when she wants to take a step forward, it feels like she’s shackled. Now she’s caught in a dilemma, and this is your chance to take advantage of her wavering Dao Heart and win over your master.】

【Tomorrow evening, when the rain is slanted and the breeze is gentle, the air fresh and pleasant, it will be the perfect opportunity to get drunk with your master. They say a man is most vulnerable when he’s three sheets to the wind. Play on your tears, and while drunk, reveal your true feelings to your master. Use your best ‘wronged baby’ act to evoke her guilt, break through her restraints, take a step forward, and embrace your master, tasting the sweet nectar at the corner of her lips.】

【Reward: high-grade experience scroll*5.】

Jiang Huai glanced at the message and casually dragged the system notification into his to-do list.

Drinking was fine.

But if he were to take advantage of Chu Xianning while she was drunk again, that was something he probably, maybe, possibly… couldn’t do anymore.

After kissing Chu Xianning’s lips that day, Jiang Huai Jr.’s conscience ached for three whole days. He was constantly worried that Chu Xianning would find out, yet also worried that she wouldn’t.

In such worries, he tossed and turned, torturing himself.

It was too painful, too painful!

Jiang Huai wrapped himself tightly in a small blanket, deciding not to think about these things. It was time to sleep.

The sound of rain was soothing, and mist rose outside the window.

He had a dream.

…

“Brother, I don’t want to go to college anymore.”

“Why are you suddenly saying this?”

“Because…”

In the scorching summer season, a girl in a thin white camisole leaned against the fan. The wind blew her black hair, and beads of sweat glistened on her collarbone as they trickled down. She turned her face, her skin so white it seemed to glow.

“Don’t think about that. I’ve saved up for your tuition and living expenses for the first two years of college. It’s not much, so you’ll have to be a bit frugal, but you definitely have to go to college. Otherwise, what was the point of those three years of high school? You worked so hard every day, you were more exhausted than me working part-time jobs. Now that the good days are here, why wouldn’t you enjoy them?”

He drank a big gulp of ice water, finally dispelling some of the summer heat.

“I don’t want to…”

“You’re not a burden, you’re my sister. Besides, you’re so pretty. What else would you do at this age if not go to college? Don’t get tricked by someone.”

“What about you? Brother.”

“What about me?”

“You’re already twenty-two, brother.”

“So what if I’m twenty-two? I’m not some old man in his forties or fifties. I’m full of energy every day, delivering food and waiting tables isn’t hard. I’m planning to get a welder’s certificate, which might make things easier later on. You’ve always been sensible and haven’t wasted money, so why worry? I can support you.”

“Have you ever thought about getting a girlfriend?”

“That’s where you don’t understand men. With games to play and anime to watch every night, why would I need a girlfriend?”

“But I clearly saw a girl you were chatting with online the other day who wanted to meet you… You not only rejected her, but you also deleted her.”

“You think you know everything from a chat history? That girl had princess syndrome. Besides, she was just an online friend, there’s no need to meet. Meeting would only lead to disappointment, so it’s better not to meet at all.”

“Brother, have you really never thought about getting a girlfriend?”

“Why, are you going to introduce one of your friends to me?”

“One of my friends really likes you, she’s been pestering me for your contact information for a long time, but I refused to give it to her, hmph.”

“Who?”

“You’ve met her, I only have two or three friends, the one with the biggest chest.”

“Oh…”

“So, do you want me to give her your contact?”

“No, I can’t keep up with you guys. I’m an old man who can’t keep up with the times, what would we talk about?”

“You’re only two years older than me, brother… Should I introduce her to you?”

“Ssshh, no, when would I have time for that? Besides, you’re all college students now, it’s a different world. Right, when you get to college, keep your eyes peeled. Although I didn’t allow you to date in high school, it should be fine in college, but still be careful. Men are no good…”

“Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m not planning on dating either.”

“Why, do you like women?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Are you joking or serious?”

“Serious, serious. Especially those with big chests, it’s so comfortable to nuzzle against.”

“Then suit yourself… But even if it’s a woman, you still need to be careful. I’ve seen so many pufferfish online that are like monsters and demons. I heard you guys have a serious obsession with academic credentials, so you really should go to college.”

The dream was filled with these odd and trivial conversations.

But everything in the dream seemed so real: the shabby, low-rent house, the slightly shaking fan, the girl’s clear skin, the sweltering weather that always made one sweat profusely. She fanned her collar to cool down, though she was always demure and modest in front of others, at home she didn’t care at all. She wore short skirts and crossed her legs, the white lace hem of her skirt peeking out several times without her noticing.

He vaguely remembered an evening, the time unclear, only the burning sunset clouds, the girl in the house holding a six-pack of ice-cold beer, looking at him expectantly.

He carried pork head meat and pig ears from the cold dish stall, along with some vegetables. They drank all six cans of beer, and then she climbed onto his bed, her cheeks resting on his chest, about to whisper secrets when he had already fallen into a deep sleep due to exhaustion.

“Brother… I was actually lying to you during the day.”

“I only like you.”

…

Jiang Huai woke up from the dream in fright.

It was too terrifying, too terrifying. Watching his sister say such strange things from a third-person perspective in the dream scared even the current him.

Ah Mumu had written all sorts of strange plays in three books, but never about siblings, because he really had a sister. Sisters are the most terrifying, most demonic creatures in the world; they will shatter all your beautiful illusions about women.

In his previous life, he died at twenty-four. His parents had passed away early, leaving him with a sister and no house. They relied on relatives to finish high school. The relatives hinted that it was time for him to take a class, as they couldn’t afford to send him and his sister to college anymore. So he started working early, doing various part-time jobs, and saved up a sum of money for his sister’s college tuition and living expenses.

His death was quite unexpected. In winter, while delivering food, he saw a child accidentally fall into a lake. He and his sister had grown up by the water and were excellent swimmers. After calling for rescue, seeing the child struggling to hold on, he eventually took off his clothes and jumped into the water. But the icy lake water caused his legs to cramp, and he gradually lost consciousness and drowned. Indeed, those who drown are often good swimmers.

In the moment before his death, he truly regretted it.

Fortunately, his sister knew all his bank account passwords, so the inheritance transfer shouldn’t be too troublesome. He didn’t have any private savings, and he hoped his sister would help him delete his browser history. She knew all his social media passwords and could even post an obituary for him. The girl had a strange voyeuristic desire, always wanting to know all his social accounts as a boring pastime. If he didn’t give them to her, she would act spoiled and shake his arm until he gave in. His sister had a cute face since she was young, and Jiang Huai would soften at the sight of her.

But the cuter the woman, the more demonic she is. Jiang Huai understood this from a young age!

It’s been almost twenty years since then; she should be doing well, right? After all, she was so smart and beautiful, and she never really needed Jiang Huai to worry about her. Even if she was sad for a while because of his death, after twenty years, the pain should have healed.

Jiang Huai hadn’t thought about the past for a long time. He had gradually forgotten his previous life and was trying to live a new one well.

But dreams are so terrifying; they can quietly make you remember those you’ve tried so hard to forget.

Jiang Huai got out of bed, rubbed his eyes, and sighed lightly as he looked out at the dense fog outside.

Occasionally, there was still a little bit of longing.

…

Jiang Huai naturally got up early to practice his fist technique, and the courtyard was filled with a series of crackling sounds. When Chu Xianning woke up, there was already steamed lotus leaf sticky rice chicken on the table. She sat in the chair, picked up her chopsticks, and began to eat breakfast while watching Jiang Huai practice his fist technique.

When Jiang Huai, panting, finished his training and turned to look at Chu Xianning, he was startled.

“When did you buy this cheongsam?”

At this moment, Chu Xianning was wearing a white cheongsam embroidered with magnolia flowers. The cheongsam was tailored to fit perfectly, highlighting her graceful figure. Jiang Huai’s gaze inadvertently moved down, and he could faintly see the traces of ultra-thin white silk stockings on her ankles. She was also wearing a pair of silver-like peep-toe high heels. Jiang Huai was somewhat puzzled.

He would have liked to give Chu Xianning a makeover, but she mostly preferred her plain white Taoist robe. The clothes he gave her were mostly unaccepted, and the few she did accept on a good day were rarely worn.

“Someone else gave it to me.”

“Who?”

Jiang Huai immediately became alert, then a moment later, he couldn’t help but knock on his own head.

The protective little dog was becoming his conditioned reflex.

If someone else gave it, then someone else gave it. Why care so much?

Wouldn’t that make you seem like a little scoundrel?

So Jiang Huai quickly added.

“I was just asking casually, I’m not really that concerned.”

No, that sounded too forced.

Jiang Huai was momentarily tongue-tied, so he simply turned his face away, sulking and refusing to speak or ask any more questions. After two seconds, Chu Xianning replied softly.

“When I went to Ziyun Pavilion last time to look for you, I owed them a large amount of spirit stones. They insisted on giving me this dress, so I accepted it since I owed them a favor.”

“Oh, I see,” Jiang Huai turned his head to look into Chu Xianning’s eyes.

For a moment, he felt a strange illusion, as if Chu Xianning’s eyes were no longer as cold as before.