Chapter Thirty-Eight: Beneath the Starry Sky

Hearing Sun Yiyuan speak, everyone present was momentarily stunned. Once Sun Yiyuan’s identity as a fake Taoist was confirmed, no one paid him any mind. Chen Siyang had once respected Sun Yiyuan, but after witnessing his behavior, he simply ignored him.

“You’re going to handle it?” Shen Chang’an asked curiously, uncertain where this old Taoist found such confidence.

Sun Yiyuan nodded, saying, “Don’t judge me by my lack of mastery in spells—within the world of cultivators, I still possess some connections. I’ll contact someone from the authorities to come and do an appraisal, and after that, everything will be settled.”

Shen Chang’an’s brow arched slightly. So, the authorities did have arrangements for such matters. However, if even someone like Sun Yiyuan could get involved, it seemed the cultivation world in the modern era had truly fallen into ruin.

“Forget it, you all deal with these matters yourselves. They have nothing to do with me.”

“Wait! Fellow Daoist Shen, hold on a moment,” Sun Yiyuan hurriedly stepped forward to stop Shen Chang’an, smiling as he said, “Since you possess magical abilities, why not register with the state? In the future, you might be…”

Shen Chang’an quickly waved his hand, declining, “Let’s talk about it another time.”

Though Sun Yiyuan wanted to stop Shen Chang’an, there was no way he could. With a gentle push, Shen Chang’an sent Sun Yiyuan’s body aside, and the two parted ways.

Shen Chang’an strode away, and Sun Yiyuan, knowing he couldn’t stop him, could only sigh helplessly.

As Shen Chang’an departed, Chen Mengchen immediately stood up to leave. Seeing this, Chen Siyang asked, “Where are you going?”

“Me? I… I need to go home, too. Chang’an’s headed my way, I’ll give him a ride.”

“You don’t even have your car…” Chen Siyang hadn’t finished his sentence before Chen Mengchen had already dashed outside, leaving him awkwardly behind.

“This kid must have bewitched my sister somehow…” Chen Siyang frowned, but couldn’t be bothered with Chen Mengchen’s affairs—there was still a heap of trouble in the mall to deal with. Since Sun Yiyuan claimed he had a solution, Chen Siyang was happy to let him handle it.

…

“Chang’an, slow down a bit.”

Hearing Chen Mengchen’s voice, Shen Chang’an slowed his steps.

“What now?” His tone was tinged with impatience and irritation.

“You seem upset. I was worried about you, so I followed to check on you.”

Her words startled Shen Chang’an, calming him instantly.

“Sorry, I… I was just…”

“Are you still troubled by what happened earlier?”

Shen Chang’an didn’t deny it, nodding slightly with a sigh. “I thought my powers were rare in this world. I believed I could handle the injustices around me… but when the moment came, I couldn’t even save a young girl…”

Chen Mengchen quickly said, “Don’t think that way. You’re actually amazing. Didn’t you save Qiqi? If it weren’t for you that day, me, Qiqi, and Su Hongyi might not have survived.”

Shen Chang’an managed a faint smile and nodded, “Yes, at least I could save you all…”

Seeing he was still dispirited, Chen Mengchen thought for a moment and suggested, “How about this: come with me today, I’ll take you out for some fun.”

“Fun? Where?”

“Just follow me.”

Shen Chang’an’s heart was unsettled, his mind too clouded for other ideas. Chen Mengchen’s invitation to go out was met with rare acceptance.

The two hailed a cab and headed straight to the largest amusement park in the city.

“To the amusement park?” Shen Chang’an was curious. He’d been to amusement parks before, but his mood now was hardly suited for such places.

“Let’s rest here for a while first. The place I really want to show you is only accessible at night.”

He was puzzled, but Chen Mengchen had already taken his hand and pulled him into the park.

It seemed Chen Mengchen enjoyed VIP treatment here—neither of them had to queue, and they went on all sorts of rides one after another.

From roller coasters to giant swings, from haunted houses to carousels, they didn’t pick and choose, simply following the park’s path and enjoying each attraction in turn.

At first, Shen Chang’an felt awkward and out of place. But as Chen Mengchen held his hand, her smiling face somehow brought him peace. In that brief moment, he felt his heart released, the troubles in his mind fading away, countless thoughts spinning and then rising skyward, crystallizing into Chen Mengchen’s visage in his mind.

When he returned to himself, it was already six in the evening.

“Let’s go. There’s a restaurant here with pretty good food.”

Shen Chang’an nodded, unconsciously holding Chen Mengchen’s hand. Realizing what he’d done, a faint blush spread across his cheeks.

Chen Mengchen acted as if she hadn’t noticed, leading him straight to the restaurant.

“Welcome, may I take your order?” The server, dressed in the park’s theme attire, trotted over.

“You choose,” Shen Chang’an said, not wanting to experiment.

“In that case, give me Set A and Set C.”

“We actually have a couple’s set. Would you like to try that?” the server asked with a smile.

Chen Mengchen’s face flushed immediately, about to say something, but Shen Chang’an had already replied, “We’re not a couple.”

Hearing this, Chen Mengchen’s expression dimmed.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize…”

Before the server finished, Shen Chang’an interrupted, “She’s actually my girlfriend’s best friend.”

“Huh?” The server was confused, unsure what Shen Chang’an meant. “So, are you two…”

“Oh, we’re eloping.”

“What?!” The server’s eyes widened in astonishment, glancing at Chen Mengchen—such a beautiful girl, coming to steal someone’s boyfriend?

Chen Mengchen’s face turned crimson. “Don’t listen to his nonsense, he’s doing it on purpose…”

“Yes, I was just joking. Give us the couple’s set.”

“Ah, right, right. Haha, you two are so sweet, playing these little jokes. Please wait a moment.”

The server hurried off, while Chen Mengchen stared intensely at Shen Chang’an, making him uneasy.

What’s going on? Was her sadness just an act? Did I misread everything? Am I imagining things? I went all out today, hoping to give Lady Chen a chance to get me drunk, and already I’ve messed up?

“Why are you staring at me?” Shen Chang’an asked nervously.

“The couple’s set doesn’t taste good…” Chen Mengchen said airily.

Damn! That’s what you’re concerned about?!

Shen Chang’an rolled his eyes, but couldn’t help but smile, saying softly, “Mengchen, thank you.”

“No need to hurry. Tonight, I’ll take you to that special place…”

Chen Mengchen maintained her mysterious air, her face full of smiles.

Shen Chang’an sighed helplessly. No matter where they went tonight, his heart was already calm. Though he was reluctant to admit it, Chen Mengchen truly was a charming person; being with her always made time fly…

As Chen Mengchen predicted, the couple’s set was rather bland. Shen Chang’an resorted to his fasting skill, rapidly digesting everything and leaving his plate spotless in accordance with the “clean plate” pledge.

After their meal, the restaurant hosted some light entertainment. The two chatted idly as they watched the performances, and by the time they left, it was already nine at night.

“Alright, now it’s about the right time. Chang’an, follow me!”

Chen Mengchen was about to grab his hand, but he took her hand first, making her smile as she led him, running lightly.

Under the starry sky, the two young people crossed the amusement park and headed toward a small hill, entering the woods and passing through, finally arriving at a low-lying valley.

“There’s a place like this here?”

Shen Chang’an looked around, feeling as though he’d entered another world. Unlike the noise outside, this valley was filled with tranquility.

“This is it!” Chen Mengchen smiled, rummaging through her bag to pull out a folded waterproof blanket.

She spread it on the ground and lay down.

“Come, lie down with me.”

Shen Chang’an hesitated, unsure of her intentions.

“Hurry up,” she urged.

With a sigh, he lay beside her.

The blanket was obviously meant for one person, and Shen Chang’an found it cramped. He considered lying half off, but Chen Mengchen grabbed his hand and moved closer, leaving barely a centimeter between them.

Looking at her face up close, Shen Chang’an realized how attractive she truly was.

The evening breeze lifted her long hair, revealing her delicate features. The summer heat gathered beads of sweat on her brow. Perhaps it was the closeness, but her cheeks glowed rosy, and her body trembled slightly against his—was it joy, or fear?

“Ah!”

A drop of dew fell from the treetops onto her neck, its cold touch making Chen Mengchen gasp and press herself entirely against Shen Chang’an.

Suddenly, his senses were overwhelmed, a thousand thoughts flickering through his mind. The softness of her body nearly shattered his composure.

“Look…”

Her voice whispered in his ear. Shen Chang’an paused, and saw her pointing to the sky.

It was—

A sky full of stars, countless points of light twinkling across the vast heavens, forming a breathtaking celestial map. Each one shone like a string of pearls, the deep, dark backdrop making the scene even more beautiful.

Shen Chang’an was speechless. He’d seen starry skies before, but never stars as gorgeous as these.

Was it the beauty of the night sky, or the beauty of the person in his arms?

“When I was young, I wandered off while playing and got lost, ending up trapped here,” Chen Mengchen whispered in his ear. “I was so scared, I cried and cried… until I was exhausted and collapsed, only then did I see this beautiful sky.”

“Afterward, my father brought people to rescue me. But I loved this starry sky so much that I often came back to watch the night here.”

“Do you know? You’re the first person I’ve brought here… Not even my parents or brother know about this place…”

As she spoke, Chen Mengchen suddenly rolled over, straddling Shen Chang’an.

She lowered herself, her body pressing closer, stopping when their noses were just a centimeter apart.

“Mr. Shen…” she suddenly used the title from their first meeting, then softly said, “I like you…”

Shen Chang’an felt as if electricity surged through his entire being, from body to soul, an indescribable sensation spreading from deep within.

It was a feeling beyond words, as if a crack had opened in his soul, and something was about to burst forth.

“Do you… like me?” Chen Mengchen closed her eyes, her lips slowly nearing his.

That single centimeter felt like a century.

Just as she was about to touch him, Shen Chang’an suddenly hugged her waist and pulled her away.

Chen Mengchen was startled, and heard a cold shout in her ear: “What are you trying to do?!”

She managed a bitter smile, about to speak, when Shen Chang’an threw a talisman, which burned in midair, and a fierce specter appeared!

Chen Mengchen froze, and Shen Chang’an’s face turned dark. That feeling of electricity in his soul, that sense of something erupting—damn it, it was all real!

The evil spirit had sprung directly from the depths of his soul!