Chapter 517: 517, is the declaration of power, as well as a provocation (second update)

"Wow, I absolutely adore this room, the balcony, and this hammock chair, Jin, did you plant all these flowers and greenery? They’re so beautiful; you’re really incredible," Mo Qingyi was completely captivated by the stunning view from the balcony and couldn’t tear herself away.

Chu Jin smiled lightly and said, "I don’t have that kind of talent; I bought these at the flower and bird market. I just make sure to water them."

Mo Qingyi lingered among the flowers, "Even so, that’s pretty impressive."

"Compared to you, who can’t even keep a cactus alive, Jiujie is indeed much more skilled," Duanmu Zhe chimed in leisurely.

Mo Qingyi immediately rushed over and kicked Duanmu Zhe hard, "Duanmu Xiaosi, will you die if you don’t talk?"

Their teasing banter once again kicked off.

They were truly a matched pair of nemesis, Chu Jin shook his head helplessly.

Even Mo Zhixuan, who usually preferred solitude, rubbed his forehead in annoyance, as he couldn’t stand overly noisy voices.

"Let’s go for a walk," he said as he stepped forward, took Chu Jin’s hand, and headed out the door.

After greeting Mo Qingyi, Chu Jin left with Mr. Mo.

Huagui Park was a rather old villa neighborhood with an exceptional green environment, although some of the buildings were quite ancient. It was just around evening, and there were many people out for a leisurely stroll.

The area was bustling with activity, which was worlds apart from the tranquil Phoenix Manor.

The two of them wandered aimlessly, hands clasped, when suddenly, Mr. Mo spoke slowly, "Have you really not considered moving to a different house?"

Why bring this up again? Chu Jin was puzzled; Mr. Mo seemed a bit strange today.

Chu Jin looked up at him and calmly uttered two words, "Reason."

From her angle, due to the difference in their heights, she could see Mr. Mo’s smoothly contoured exquisite jawline and his slightly protruding sexy Adam’s apple. The top button of his white shirt was undone, allowing a glimpse of his collarbone, suggesting a sense of restrained desire.

Chu Jin was momentarily transfixed, then quickly snapped back to reality, seduced by beauty!

Mr. Mo’s thin lips parted, his sexy Adam’s apple moved twice, and in a low voice he said, "It just feels like the house is too small, somewhat beneath you."

"Heh, keep making it up," Chu Jin continued, "It’s not your first time at my house, so why didn’t you find it small before?"

Mr. Mo definitely harbored secrets in his eyes, otherwise, he wouldn’t be so eager to get her to move.

Moreover, the villa wasn’t small at all; it could easily accommodate a family of three.

Most importantly, this villa was the last memento left to her by her father, Chu Liyan, on this earth, and naturally, Chu Jin had no intention of moving out.

Unnoticed, the two had arrived at the C District of the villa neighborhood. Compared to her B sector, the residents of C District had more status and wealth, the space between villas was wider, and moreover, all the villas here were three-story high, each boasting a sizable backyard garden.

Ever since she stepped into C District, Chu Jin had felt a strange sensation, as if a pair of unseen eyes were watching her.

"How did we end up here? I know there’s an artificial lake over there with a flock of white swans; it’s quite a nice environment. Shall we take a stroll there?" Chu Jin pulled Mo Zhixuan in another direction.

Mo Zhixuan, holding her wrist, pulled her in forcefully and steadied her by the waist, "Let’s just stay here, I don’t like places with lots of people."

From behind, the posture of the two was extremely intimate, resembling a kiss.

Chu Jin frowned slightly, "But I feel something strange about this place, do you feel it?"

Mo Zhixuan didn’t directly answer her question but said instead, "There are bad people everywhere, what are you afraid of with me by your side?"

Who knew what kind of mystery Mr. Mo was hiding!

Tip-toeing, Chu Jin reached out and prodded Mr. Mo’s head, "Daddy Mo, did you forget to take your medicine when you left the house today?"

Mr. Mo looked down at her, a trace of a smile forming on his lips, barely there, "Wouldn’t you know, I really did." His voice was still as deep and chillingly pleasant as ever.

In fact, if only Chu Jin were to look up right now, she would see before the balcony door on the third floor of the adjacent villa, a tall figure standing and looking their way. In his hand, he held a wine glass filled with red liquid that glistened brilliantly under the sunlight, looking quite attractive.

He was clad in a black coat, his head covered by a black hat, the broad brim concealing his features. Although his expression was obscured, one could still sense the sorrow emanating from him.

Behind him stood a woman in a blue dress, her eyes filled with distress as she gazed at his back.

"Xuanyuan, let’s go back, don’t torture yourself here," Ling Que stepped forward, approaching Xuanyuan Shangchen, before she spoke, "Junhuang is very happy now, she does not need your protection anymore."

Without a word, Xuanyuan Shangchen watched the couple below as he downed the liquid from the glass, then suddenly crushed the stemware in his hand, the blood instantly staining his palm red.

As though oblivious to pain, he clenched his fist tighter, the shards of glass embedding into his flesh, blood dripping drop by drop to the ground.

"Xuanyuan, are you alright? Let go," Ling Que, her eyes turning red with urgency, quickly checked Xuanyuan Shangchen’s wounded hand.

Xuanyuan Shangchen pushed Ling Que away coldly, shouting, "Don’t touch me!"

His strength was immense; Ling Que staggered several steps before steadying herself. Xuanyuan Shangchen was such a heartless person; besides Junhuang, he never allowed anyone to touch him.

Even Ling Que, a dear friend who had been with him for a millennium, was no exemption.

Ling Que struggled to calm her emotions, taking a deep breath before looking at Xuanyuan Shangchen with a hoarse voice, "Xuanyuan, let go. Junhuang is very happy now, she is very happy with Mo Zhixuan. You have done everything you could for her; you owe her nothing now! Please, listen to me, leave this place, forget about Junhuang, and start your own life. Wouldn’t that be better?"

Xuanyuan Shangchen had lived for Junhuang all along; he had saved her life after life, yet Junhuang had long forgotten Xuanyuan Shangchen’s existence, betraying him life after life.

Xuanyuan Shangchen looked up at Ling Que, his voice lowering, "Remember, I live only for Junhuang, I live only for her."

Each word, icy and decisive, sent Ling Que plummeting into the abyss of hell, beyond redemption. Unable to control her overwhelming emotions, her tears gushed forth.

She knew well that loving Xuanyuan Shangchen was a road of no return, yet she willingly embarked on this path, regretting nothing in this life, believing that someday her devotion would yield a beautiful love, a lifetime of togetherness. Sadly, things did not turn out as she wished. Her love for him was steadfast, but his love for Junhuang was no less intense than hers for him.

All along, Ling Que had never broached the subject with Xuanyuan Shangchen, but today, she could no longer hold back; she had to make everything clear to him.

She had to let Xuanyuan Shangchen understand the significance of her existence.

"And what about me?" Ling Que looked up at Xuanyuan Shangchen, her voice breaking with tears, "Xuanyuan, you say you live only for Junhuang, then what am I? Am I a joke to you?"

All this time, how could Xuanyuan Shangchen not have known about Ling Que’s feelings? It was precisely because of this that he’d always kept his distance and never given her any false hopes.

"You will always be my best partner," said Xuanyuan Shangchen, his voice undisturbed by any ripple of emotion.

"Hah, haha," Ling Que let out a self-deprecating laugh. She hadn’t expected that her years of waiting and watching would only yield this response. She should have seen it coming, shouldn’t she?

"You know that’s not the answer I want."

"I’m sorry," Xuanyuan Shangchen sighed, speaking wearily, "This is the only answer I can give you." As he finished, he turned and headed towards the door.

In this life, apart from Junhuang, there was no one else who could enter his world.

"Xuanyuan Shangchen, stop right there!" Ling Que yelled at his retreating figure.

It was rare for Ling Que to call him by his full name; she must have been extremely upset. Xuanyuan Shangchen paused in his steps—some things are better cleared up for everyone’s sake.

"Xuanyuan Shangchen, I like you, I love you, from beginning to end, I only loved you. Why can’t you see me, why?" Ling Que rushed over and hugged Xuanyuan Shangchen’s waist unexpectedly, burying her face in his back, her tears soaking his trench coat.

For the first time, she had finally taken this step, and on him lingered the scent that haunted her dreams.

Xuanyuan Shangchen did not expect Ling Que to make such a move, and he froze for a moment before he began to peel off her fingers one by one, utterly merciless.

In a panic, Ling Que tightened her arms, holding Xuanyuan Shangchen even closer, pleading, "Can’t you just not reject me? Please give me a chance, I promise, I won’t be worse than Junhuang. Since she doesn’t love you, let me love you instead, isn’t that alright?"

In reality, love is never something that can be begged for—Ling Que had it wrong from the start.

Xuanyuan Shangchen let out a sigh, then said with firmness, "I’ve told you, I live this life only for Junhuang. I only love her. I’m sorry, I don’t deserve this from you, let go."

Even after he said this, Ling Que still didn’t want to give up. She continued, "But Junhuang doesn’t love you, she loves Mo Zhixuan! She has long forgotten you!"

At her words, Xuanyuan Shangchen’s lips curled into a bitter smile, his voice hoarse as he said, "It doesn’t matter, I love her and that’s enough. I am willing to protect her forever. Do you understand now?"

His expression was as serious as his tone.

Ling Que’s heart grew colder bit by bit. She pressed her face to Xuanyuan Shangchen’s back and began sobbing heavily, crying out loud without any concern for her dignity.

Xuanyuan Shangchen just stood there, still being hugged by Ling Que. After a moment, he pried off her hands and left without looking back, walking downstairs.

"Xuanyuan Shangchen, tell me, besides this face, in what way am I inferior to Junhuang?" She had given so much for Xuanyuan Shangchen, but in the end, she still lost to Junhuang, the one who had betrayed him in several past lives! She couldn’t accept being defeated by Junhuang!

Hearing her, Xuanyuan Shangchen stopped, lifted his eyes to look at Ling Que, and said, "Even if you were ten times better than Junhuang, you are still not her." And I, love only her.

That sentence was so cold, so cold; it hurt so much, as if her heart had been ruthlessly torn to shreds.

Ling Que wiped the tears from her face, grasping the stair railing tightly, trying to calm herself down. She looked at Xuanyuan Shangchen and said, "Alright, I’ve got your answer. Don’t worry, I won’t entertain those impossible thoughts anymore. Pretend I never said anything today, and we can still be the best partners, right?"

As she spoke that last line, a smile tugged at the corner of Ling Que’s mouth, her eyes full of hope as she looked at him.

Even if Xuanyuan Shangchen truly didn’t love her, if his eyes saw only Junhuang, she still wanted to stay by his side.

As long as she could keep staying by his side, there was still one in ten thousand chance.

Xuanyuan Shangchen took Ling Que’s words as real resignation and said nothing, simply nodding lightly before turning and continuing downstairs.

Only when Xuanyuan Shangchen’s figure was completely out of sight did Ling Que collapse along the stair railing, eventually slumping to the ground, covering her face with her hands and weeping softly.

Outside, Chu Jin and Mr. Mo were still wandering around C District, holding hands as the sun stretched their shadows long.

Behind them, followed a figure in black, keeping a far distance with light steps and even lighter breaths.

Just then, Chu Jin’s phone buzzed, and she took it out to see a message from Mo Qingyi asking what to eat tonight.

Chu Jin turned her head to look at Mr. Mo and asked for his opinion, "Qingyi is asking what we’re having for dinner, do you have any preferences?"

Mr. Mo wasn’t particularly fussy about food, "Whatever, as long as you’re happy."

Chu Jin shook her head slightly and said, "Old men really are clueless about romance."

Mo Zhixuan: "..." For the Nth time, Mr. Mo, who someone constantly mocked for being old, was actually at a loss for words and couldn’t retort.

At that moment, a rich aroma of grilled meat wafted through the air, mingled with the light scent of cumin, likely coming from someone grilling by the lake.

It smelled too delicious.

Chu Jin’s eyes lit up as she immediately suggested to Mo Zhixuan, "How about we have a barbecue tonight? A DIY, do-it-yourself kind."

As she spoke, Chu Jin picked up her phone and shared her plans with Mo Qingyi, who was very supportive on the other end of the screen.

A DIY barbecue did sound very interesting.

Mo Zhixuan, still not out of his sulking, replied indifferently with two words, "Fine." After he finished, afraid of being seen as unromantic by someone, he quietly added, "I quite like grilled meat too, but, do you know how to grill?"

Anyway, he didn’t know how, and Duanmu Zhe and Mo Qingyi were even less likely to.

While heading back with Mo Zhixuan, Chu Jin said, "We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. The important thing is the process. Plus, even if we’ve never eaten pork before, haven’t we seen pigs run? Grilling is simple, just make sure it’s cooked, and add some seasoning; that’s all. Let’s hurry back home and prepare the tools."

Both were only focused on each other and didn’t notice that, the moment they turned around, the figure that had been following them swiftly hid behind a dense bamboo grove.

Xuanyuan Shangchen had promised Mo Zhixuan that he would leave Capital City, but he hadn’t kept his word. At the moment, he naturally couldn’t let Mo Zhixuan discover him.

However, what Xuanyuan Shangchen didn’t know was that Mo Zhixuan had sensed his presence almost as soon as he entered Huagui Park, which was the reason he had been insisting on changing houses.

But unfortunately, he couldn’t win against this ancestor of his.

As they passed the bamboo grove, Mo Zhixuan suddenly took Chu Jin’s hand.

The occasional passerby gazed at them with interest.

Xuanyuan Shangchen could barely control himself, his body trembling slightly, his hands clenched into fists, and fresh blood once again dripping from his palms onto the ground, staining the earth red.

His Feng’er was no longer his.

He had thought he didn’t care about these things, that as long as Jun Feng was happy, that was enough, but seeing it all with his own eyes was something he just couldn’t bear!

Mo Zhixuan took Chu Jin’s hand, contentedly saying, "Let’s go, we’re going home."

Just as they were about to leave the bamboo grove, Mo Zhixuan glanced back and locked eyes with Xuanyuan Shangchen. He slightly curved his lips in a cold sneer, his eyes full of chilling light, a declaration of power and a challenge.

This was the gaze between two strong figures.

Neither showed any sign of weakness.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read