My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 886 - 528: I Like You the Most (Double-Length - )

After she finished speaking, she saw Chen Yi unexpectedly glance at her.

"So proactive? Usually, when I ask you to go out, you have to consider it a few times."

Yin Tingxue felt somewhat regretful after hearing this.

She realized she might have been a bit anxious, always thinking about how to get closer to Chen Yi and bring him back in.

He likes to bully people, and when one's intentions are too straightforward, they'll be played by him. Yin Tingxue dislikes this about him, but there's nothing she can do since they are married.

Chen Yi lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment. Right now, they were waiting for Su Hongtao to take action. Taking this opportunity to stroll around with her was fine, especially since he was going to meet Zhu E tonight to discuss the next steps.

"Alright, let's go out then."

Yin Tingxue was a bit surprised, not expecting him to agree so quickly, but she still showed a smiling face.

...…

After taking a short break, they went out for a walk. Yin Tingxue wasn't sluggish; she tidied up in front of the mirror, wrapped herself in a coat, and went out. The two of them walked down the street, their heights complementing each other harmoniously, no wonder the street vendors previously mistook Little Fox for a daughter.

During their travels, whenever they had free time, Chen Yi would always take Yin Tingxue out for a stroll. It wasn't that men don't like shopping; they just don't like the hassle. Shopping is neither good nor bad in itself, much like eating, it's all about whether the lady by his side is pleasing to the eye.

Unlike other women, Yin Tingxue didn't find strolling around enjoyable. Raised in an inner chamber, she preferred staying in comfort, only going out during festivals like the Lantern Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival once a year. Right now, going out with Chen Yi was just an attempt to ease the awkwardness between them and bring his heart back a bit.

She just wanted him to like her second best.

They strolled casually, passing through bustling markets, picking and choosing a few items, but Yin Tingxue was absent-minded, several times wanting to speak but stopping short.

Chen Yi seemed not to notice.

The Old Saintess was eager to say something, a bag of old bones, growing impatient.

This man, how could his heart be so cold.

After a long while, Yin Tingxue couldn't hold it in any longer and softly said, "Chen Yi, these past few days… I was a bit jealous of you."

Chen Yi was slightly surprised, looking down to see her beautiful nose quivering slightly. This Little Fox was usually so gentle; her straightforwardness now was so rare that it was quite amusing.

Yin Tingxue looked up at him again and asked, "Aren't you happy?"

"Happy, I said before that I'm happy when you are jealous."

"Oh… But your reaction is quite indifferent."

"Indifferent?" Chen Yi smiled, "Perhaps a bit indifferent, but who asked my Little Fox to be so cunning."

Yin Tingxue's shoulders slightly shrank; after all, she had been discovered, and she suddenly lost her words, feeling a bit guilty.

After a while, she forced herself to be calm, "You've called me Little Fox, how could I not be? Don't you like someone who's clever?"

"Alright, I don't like you anymore."

"Then how about I give you a little of my affection?"

Chen Yi paused slightly, glanced back at her.

His gaze was so calm it was intimidating. Yin Tingxue shrank back, but remembering last night, she mustered her courage and said:

"I like you the most, as long as you like me second best."

"Look at the way you say it, can't I benefit quite a bit?"

"No, isn't that okay?" She squeezed her sleeve, feeling a bit uneasy.

"There are many women who like me," Chen Yi pondered and said, "Is third place alright?"

"Ah?"

"You see, I mustn't mention my master, and then there's Yin Luanhuang. She is no less beautiful than you, and her figure is better, and she and I are the golden boy and jade girl."

After thinking for a moment, Yin Tingxue said, "Then third is fine."

After a few steps, Chen Yi suddenly said, "Is fourth place alright?"

Yin Tingxue was taken aback.

"Aside from them, there's also Qin Qingluo, who bore children for me. How could I neglect her? Even if I did, could you bear to see me neglect her?"

Yin Tingxue thought so too and could only grudgingly say, "Then fourth is fine."

"I'm afraid even fourth won't do," Chen Yi slapped his forehead as if remembering something and said, "I'll like you fifth best."

Yin Tingxue's eyes widened.

"Min Ning and I have known each other longer than you, and she's sort of like a half-master to me. Thinking about it that way, Zhu E has helped me a lot too, and will look after the kids... is seventh okay to like you the seventh best?"

Yin Tingxue was silent for a moment.

Chen Yi waited a while but didn't get a response, thinking he might have been too harsh on her.

At times like this, anyone would reach for a lady's hand and murmur sweet nothings, and Chen Yi could not avoid the norm. Just as he reached out, Yin Tingxue pulled away, hiding her hands behind her back.

Chen Yi was taken aback but prepared to chuckle it off, but the young lady kept retreating.

Yin Tingxue took a deep breath and said quietly:

"Lady Lin is introverted and it would be difficult to bring her into the household without a bit extra affection, so is eighth fine? Consort Dong is a Goryeo person, unfamiliar with the Central Plains, and might be treated lightly, so how about ninth... Chen Yi, you might as well not like me at all!"

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly.

These days he's been kind, and yet she has a bit of firmness now.

He coldly laughed and said, "Then I won't like you anymore, and from now on, I'll treat you as a maid on our journey."

"Mm." Yin Tingxue nodded.

"Making you serve tea, fetch water, massage shoulders and knead back." Chen Yi said coldly.

"Mm, I can do all that."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow, "As long as I want, I'll bully you however I wish."

"Mm, I'm willing to be punished."

"Tsk, what makes you so stubborn? I'll be thorough with you then."

"Mm," the young lady hesitated but stood her ground, "I've experienced this."

Chen Yi didn't say more, with people bustling about, steam from the sticky rice cake stalls wafted, and children ran past with pinwheels. He continued on his way, with Yin Tingxue follow closely behind, not willing to concede.

He ignored her, while her eyes turned slightly red, feeling a bit hurt inside.

The couple stayed in this little impasse.

They walked past the market entrance, where a straw stick covered in sugar-coated haws caught the eye.

The usually assertive man suddenly halted, pulled off one haw, tossed a copper coin, then turned around with a laughing expression:

"Have a candied haw; don't be mad at me."

Covered in sugar, ruby-like, it looked sweet and sour. Yin Tingxue stopped, and after a while, she said:

"I knew it..."

"Knew what?"

Yin Tingxue smiled through tears and said, "I knew when you say you don't like me, you like me the most."