Chapter 96: I’m Learning How to Please You

Chapter 96: I'm Learning How to Please You

Only to find Shen Lian biting his lip, the corners of his eyes flushed red.

Shen Lian said icily, "Don't fight him."

That Lu Zheng was an Earth Immortal, after all, yet he was crushed by Yan Huaixuan like an ant.

He Ci and the others were no match for him at all.

As the words fell, Shen Lian glanced at Yan Huaixuan—it was clear the man had no intention of leaving.

He took a deep breath and said to He Ci, "Sorry for troubling you these past few days. I'll leave Floating Cloud Mountain, but I'll still join the demon-extermination team every day."

He Ci was about to speak when Shen Lian interrupted, "He Ci, you should seriously reflect on your recent actions."

Seeing He Ci's dejected expression, Shen Lian sighed. He had always treated He Ci like a younger brother, so when he saw He Ci rushing into a trap even though he knew it was one, he felt a mix of anger and disappointment.

But in the end, he couldn't bring himself to say anything reproachful.

"He Ci, you need to learn to change. The situation is getting more tense by the day, and the demons are all treacherous sorts—you have to be on your guard."

Hearing that Shen Lian was still willing to talk to him, He Ci rallied. "Okay."

Shen Lian said, "Don't worry."

He sneered. "He wouldn't dare touch me."

But even if he wanted to, the entire Floating Cloud Mountain couldn't hold him back. Rather than wait for Yan Huaixuan to throw another fit, he might as well stay away from Floating Cloud Mountain.

He Ci looked at Shen Lian and murmured, "Alright."

After bidding farewell to He Ci, Shen Lian didn't spare Yan Huaixuan a glance before turning and walking away.

Yan Huaixuan followed him at a distance.

Shen Lian stopped, turned around to face Yan Huaixuan, and said, unable to contain himself, "You're not even bothering to pretend now? You're going to pester me relentlessly?"

Yan Huaixuan looked at him. "Anyway, I won't give up."

Shen Lian sneered. "Let's see how long you can hold out."

Yan Huaixuan said, "If a day isn't enough, then a month. If a month isn't enough, then a year—until you forgive me."

Shen Lian choked up.

This Yan Huaixuan used to be like a mute, not saying a word, as if saying a few extra words would kill him.

Where did all this talking come from all of a sudden?

But still, Shen Lian turned around with a blank expression. "Suit yourself."

Anyway, he wasn't going to forgive Yan Huaixuan.

Shen Lian found a place to stay in Floating Cloud City. Though for him, it didn't really matter where he lived.

Shen Lian closed the door and stared at Yan Huaixuan. "If you dare come in again, I'll really find someone to sleep with."

That cold, otherworldly face of Yan Huaixuan finally shifted slightly. "Shen Lian."

Shen Lian, however, was in a good mood. He slammed the door shut.

And Yan Huaixuan was left standing in the courtyard, staring at the closed door.

The next morning, after Shen Lian's meditation and rest, the aroma of food drifted in from outside.

Shen Lian paused, then pushed open the door. In the courtyard, a table stood with various dishes laid out—all of them things he'd loved in the mortal realm.

And now, in the Primordial Realm, where cultivators rarely ate, there was no way Yan Huaixuan could have bought them. That left only one possibility: Yan Huaixuan had made them himself.

Yan Huaixuan appeared at that moment, with his lips pressed together. "I remember these are all things you love to eat. I made them according to the cooking methods you mentioned when you told me."

"I don't know if they'll still suit your taste."

Shen Lian looked at him. "What's this for?"

What was he doing?

Somehow, Yan Huaixuan thought of He Ci's words.

He looked at Shen Lian. "I'm trying to win you over."

Shen Lian had been about to mock him—his lips were already curling into a sneer—but at those words, the curve paused.

Then he said flatly, "I don't care for them anymore."

Yan Huaixuan's gaze shifted, and he quickly said, "I can make whatever you like. What do you like?"

But Shen Lian just walked past him.

The next morning, when Shen Lian got up, there was another table of good food outside. Yan Huaixuan pressed his lips together, watching him.

Shen Lian ignored him as usual.

On the third and fourth days, Shen Lian clenched his fist.

He turned back to look at Yan Huaixuan.

And Yan Huaixuan, who had gotten used to Shen Lian ignoring him and walking off, saw Shen Lian turn around for the first time.

Light flickered to life in his eyes, little by little.

But Shen Lian's tone was purely mocking. "Yan Huaixuan, look at yourself now. Aren't you the top genius? And now you're making these things for me. What use are they? Besides adding to my burden, they just make me take an extra digestion pill."

Yan Huaixuan said softly, "I was just thinking—back in the mortal realm, what kind of mood were you in every day when you cooked?"

Shen Lian was taken aback.

Yan Huaixuan looked at Shen Lian softly. "I truly don't understand love. But I'm learning now."

Years later, their roles had swapped, and only now did he realize—

"I never took the things you made for me seriously, thinking anyone could make them."

But only later did he realize that Shen Lian had put his heart into every meal, infusing each one with love.

He recalled the time he had casually released his Spiritual Sense, letting it drift over the kitchen.

There he saw Shen Lian cooking, the corners of his eyes and brows curved in a gentle smile.

And so even the food he made carried a beautiful, loving aura.

Yet back then, Yan Huaixuan hadn't cherished it, nor had he understood.

Now, thinking back, Shen Lian's eyes had been full of nothing but love.

Yan Huaixuan paused, then spoke softly.

"I'm sorry."

But he knew no matter how many times he said sorry, it wouldn't matter.

Shen Lian looked expressionless, but his hands were clenched tight beneath his sleeves. He cut Yan Huaixuan off, "Shut up! Who do you think you are? I was faking everything."

Yan Huaixuan pursed his lips.

He'd seen it with his own eyes—how could it be fake?

He was the one who had hurt this person too deeply.

But Yan Huaixuan couldn't just give up.

That morning when Shen Lian woke up, he found Yan Huaixuan hadn't made those dishes this time.

When he turned his head, he saw Yan Huaixuan holding a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Shen Lian was silent for a moment, then something suddenly flashed through his mind.

—"Your Highness, this is a custom from my hometown. For someone you like, you give flowers," Shen Lian had said, holding a bouquet he'd picked from the imperial garden, arranging it carefully before offering it to Yan Huaixuan.

What had Yan Huaixuan said in response?

"The flowers are blooming so beautifully on the branches—why pick them?"

Now, looking back, Shen Lian could see how pitiful the forced smile on his own face had been.

Seeing Shen Lian wasn't moving, Yan Huaixuan couldn't help but speak up, "A Lian?"

Shen Lian came back to his senses, "The flowers are blooming beautifully on the branches—why'd you pick them?"

Yan Huaixuan: "These were picked off the ground in the Demon Beast Forest."

Shen Lian: "..."

His forehead twitched hard, "I said from the branches, so they're from the branches!"

Yan Huaixuan was taken aback, but quickly replied, "Alright, they're from the branches. My bad for upsetting you again."

Shen Lian's anger faded. He looked at Yan Huaixuan.

His expression was flat, and then he suddenly spoke.

"Idiot."

With that, Shen Lian brushed past him.

But Yan Huaixuan stood there, and after a moment, the corners of his lips couldn't help but lift.

Compared to being ignored by Shen Lian, he would rather have Shen Lian call him an idiot.

At least it meant he was still willing to talk to him.