After the Fairy Maidens Fell to Darkness, They Captured Me to Ruthlessly "Repay" Their Gratitude - Chapter 288

Chapter 288: Pipe Dreams and Promises

“Could it be… he likes me?”

This thought gradually took root in Yan Ruyu’s mind.

To be honest, she had never seriously considered it before.

She had visited He Yuan late at night purely out of admiration for his character, reluctant to see a good man like him fall victim to Chen Sheng’s schemes.

_”He Yuan, I… I advise you not to get the wrong idea!”_

The White Dragon Saintess clenched the hem of her dress, her cheeks flushed red.

_”I know you’re a good person, but you’re still a demonic cultivator! I’m the Dragon Dynasty’s saintess—we walk different paths!”_

_”There’s no future for us!”_

Her words were firm, principled, and thoroughly considered.

But to He Ange, they sounded a little strange.

He hadn’t expected his casual teasing to spark such elaborate imaginings in her mind.

First, she handed him a good person card.

Then, she declared their impossible future…

But the key point was—

He hadn’t even confessed?

Was she being presumptuous?

Not entirely.

Her blushing embarrassment was genuine.

This was just the overactive imagination of an innocent maiden.

Honestly, He Ange couldn’t bring himself to crush her hopes.

If he said something like—

_”It was just a joke, why are you getting so worked up?”_

—she might actually burst into tears from mortification.

So instead, He Ange played along.

He lowered his gaze, sighing with feigned disappointment.

_”My apologies. I overstepped.”_

His demeanor was that of a rejected suitor.

Because as long as he acted embarrassed, she wouldn’t have to be.

For a moment, Yan Ruyu froze.

Staring at the “heartbroken” man before her, she suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

Even… a hint of regret.

This feeling was strange.

It was like pouring cold water on her own head.

If she had played along a little longer, if she hadn’t been so quick to reject him…

Tonight could have been something straight out of a romance novel.

But no—

Out of all the heart-fluttering possibilities, she had chosen the most boring option.

And now, with He Ange’s apologetic sigh, all those beautiful daydreams vanished into thin air.

“Yan Ruyu!

No wonder you’re still single!”

She couldn’t help but mentally scold herself.

She could’ve given a vague answer instead.

She could’ve tested the waters, seen what He Ange really meant, and gently turned him down later if necessary!

Why did she have to break his heart so bluntly?

Her emotions were tangled.

As the White Dragon Saintess, she knew she shouldn’t get too close to a demonic cultivator.

That’s why she had drawn the line.

But deep down, she regretted it.

After all, she was still a young girl in her prime—

She had never experienced romance before.

Of course, many dragons had come to propose marriage.

But those were formal arrangements, discussed by elders in stiff ceremonies.

None of them had ever made her heart race like this.

And now, just as she had started to enjoy that fluttery feeling—

Poof!

It was over.

_”Saintess Ruyu, I’ll be careful about Lady Sheng’er from now on.”_

He Ange spoke gently, subtly hinting it was time for her to leave.

He admired Yan Ruyu—truly.

But he also understood the divide between their paths.

Since Yan Ruyu had made her stance clear, he wouldn’t push further.

Appreciating beauty didn’t mean possessing it.

He didn’t crave her the way he did An Luo Yi.

Being friends was fine too.

Yan Ruyu had helped him in the Fox Clan.

If she ever needed aid in the future, He Ange would gladly repay the favor.

And as the White Dragon Saintess, she could also serve as leverage in his dealings with the Empress…

As for the soul poison he had planted in her before?

He wouldn’t activate it.

Back then, he had seen her as an enemy.

But now?

She clearly bore him no ill will.

She was kind, pure-hearted—

Why would he corrupt her for no reason?

He wasn’t that much of a villain.

_”I… I don’t think there’s anything else.”_

Her voice was hesitant.

She knew He Ange was politely asking her to leave.

But she didn’t want to go yet.

She was leaving the Fox Clan tomorrow.

She wanted to say a proper goodbye.

Seeing her linger on his bed, He Ange raised an eyebrow.

_”Something else on your mind, Saintess Ruyu?”_

_”He Yuan… Will we meet again?”_

She lowered her head, fingers fidgeting.

He Ange pondered briefly, then smiled.

_”Of course.”_

_”Though next time, we might be enemies.”_

_”If the Empress orders you to kill me… I hope you won’t hold back.”_

_”…!”_

Her dragon eyes widened in disbelief.

At the thought of such a cruel future, her eyes glistened with tears.

_”If that day comes… I’ll let you escape.”_

_”Aren’t you afraid the Empress will punish you?”_

_”I am…”_

Her voice trembled.

She had always been the perfect saintess, beloved and trusted by the Empress.

In all her years of service, she had never once been reprimanded.

_”But I still… couldn’t kill you.”_

Especially not after his confession.

_”Don’t worry. I’ll make sure that day never comes.”_

He Ange comforted her softly.

He had only been hypothetical, but Yan Ruyu was already on the verge of tears.

_”Really?”_

_”Really.”_

_”Maybe one day, the Empress will realize killing me isn’t worth it.”_

_”Maybe she’ll even agree to sit down and talk.”_

He said it with complete seriousness.

But Yan Ruyu just gave him an amused look, her eyes twinkling.

She reached out, booping his nose playfully.

_”Oh, He Yuan~ Stop boasting!”_

She knew better than anyone how ruthless the Empress was toward the Phoenix Clan.

A feud spanning millennia—

How could a mere mortal like He Yuan possibly resolve it?

So in her eyes, he was just spinng tall tales to cheer her up.

But that was fine.

Even if it was just a fantasy, his intentions were sweet.

And she appreciated that.

She’d happily indulge him.

_”Haha…”_

Seeing her disbelief, He Ange chuckled wryly.

He cupped her face, his smile turning darkly amused.

_”Saintess Ruyu, whether I’m boasting or not… we’ll see.”_

_”When the time comes, I’ll personally request you to sit by my side.”_

_”And together, we’ll have a nice long chat with Her Majesty.”_

_”Deal!”_

She giggled, her voice bright.

_”If you somehow end up sitting across from the Empress in the Dragon Palace…”_

_”Then I, Yan Ruyu, will put on a maid dress!”_

_”I’ll serve you tea in front of the entire court!”_

Her laughter was warm, carefree—

Like she was humoring a daydreamer.

It was absurd, yes.

But as a lighthearted joke, why not?

He had comforted her.

Now, she could play along with his fantasy.

But while Yan Ruyu saw this as a game…

He Ange’s abyssal eyes held real schemes.

_”Then it’s a promise.”_

He smiled.

And so, they spent the night in harmonious banter.

—

The Next Morning

Yan Ruyu bid He Ange farewell.

Amidst the cheers of the Fox Clan, she transformed into a white dragon and soared into the clouds, leaving the secret realm behind.

—

Meanwhile—Dragon Dynasty’s Sacred Court

Qin Shiyan had returned.

Summoned by the Empress, she stood before the golden throne, meeting the gaze of the woman seated atop it.

[The Celestial Empress]

As regal and imposing as ever.

Her gold-embroidered dragon dress clung to her voluptuous curves.

One leg crossed over the other, her snow-white thighs peeking through the slit in her black silk skirt.

Her long golden hair cascaded over the throne like a waterfall.

Her eyes—sharp, dragon-like—bore into Qin Shiyan with knowing amusement.

After listening to Qin Shiyan’s report, the Empress uncrossed and recrossed her legs, her voice dripping with lazy authority.

_”Shiyan, I’ve always known what’s in your heart.”_

_”After a century together, do you really think you can hide things from me?”_

Her tone was almost disappointed.

Qin Shiyan’s forehead beaded with sweat.

But the Empress didn’t press further.

_”I know he’s your disciple. You want to protect him.”_

_”This time, he did well. So I’ll let it slide.”_

_”Next time, just tell me directly.”_

_”I’m not as easily fooled as you think…”_

_”Nor as heartless.”_

_”Th-Thank you, Your Majesty.”_

Qin Shiyan bowed, grateful yet awed.

Just as she relaxed—

_”Shiyan.”_

The Empress’s voice turned icy.

_”Don’t let there be a next time.”_

_”…Understood.”_

—