Chapter Eighty-One: Keeping the Appointment

Xie Jinchuan glanced helplessly at the butler, then shook his head and said, “No, it’s fine. I’m heading out for a while.”

“Then you’d better get going,” the butler replied, turning on his heel and leaving immediately.

Xie Jinchuan was left speechless.

This house would eventually belong to Shen Qingli, he thought.

No sooner had Shen Qingli left than Gu Qingming, as if he had installed a surveillance device on her, called at once. “Sister Shen, did you see what I sent you? Let’s have dinner here tonight. Are there any foods you don’t eat?”

She had just been busy moving her things and hadn’t checked her messages yet, but that didn’t stop her from telling a white lie. “I saw it. I’m not picky—just order whatever you think is best. I’ll be there soon.”

“All right, I’ll wait for you!”

After hanging up, Shen Qingli frowned slightly. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Gu Qingming’s attitude toward her was oddly intense. She asked Lush Cilantro, “Did Gu Qingming ever have any entanglement with Shen Qingli before?”

Lush Cilantro had no idea. If it did, it wouldn’t have to worry about its immortal host being outshone by a human.

“I don’t know either… Maybe you could try asking him?”

It could eavesdrop and then report back to the immortal!

Shen Qingli mulled it over, recalling how Gu Qingming had said she’d find out eventually, but finally shook her head. “Forget it. I’m not especially curious anyway.”

Lush Cilantro let out a disappointed sigh and silently lit a candle for Xie Jinchuan in its heart.

Immortal, this is as far as I can help you. The rest is up to you.

After moving her clothes back into the small cottage, Shen Qingli checked her messages. The dinner was at a restaurant called “Encounter,” reputed to be excellent, though she’d never been before.

There was only an hour left until the scheduled time. If she hurried, she’d be able to leave directly.

She should make it in time.

Shen Qingli quickly took a shower, changed clothes, and even added a light touch of makeup.

Seeing this, Lush Cilantro sensed danger.

If she wasn’t going out with someone she liked, why would she be putting in so much effort?

“Host, do you have feelings for Gu Qingming?” Lush Cilantro asked.

A shadow flickered in Shen Qingli’s eyes before she answered directly, “I do. After all, there’s no way things will work out with Xie Jinchuan. Since I can’t find another way to ascend for now, I might as well see if something happens with someone else. Maybe I can experience a love affair in the human world.”

Lush Cilantro grew anxious. “But maybe the immortal has something he can’t say—he’s so good to you, you should trust him!”

“Trusting him is one thing. Him having someone he loves is another. You can’t expect me to be a stand-in, to intrude on someone else’s relationship, can you?”

Lush Cilantro wanted to explain that Xie Jinchuan was doing all this for her, but then remembered his warnings and swallowed the words.

Never mind, this is not my place. Let them sort it out themselves. I’ll just act like an invisible system.

With Lush Cilantro silent, Shen Qingli’s confusion only deepened.

What could be happening that always made Lush Cilantro clam up at the crucial moment?

Judging by how much it defended Xie Jinchuan, everything he did was probably for her sake. But she didn’t need someone to shelter her—she wanted to stand by his side, not be some parasitic flower twining around him.

Once she’d finished getting ready, Shen Qingli left for the restaurant. As soon as she arrived, a waiter came up to her and asked, “Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes, under Gu Qingming.”

The waiter’s eyes flashed with surprise, but he kept his composure and led her to a private dining room.

Gu Qingming hadn’t arrived yet, for reasons unknown.

As the waiter left, he closed the door behind him and hurriedly rushed to the back.

He hadn’t expected the famous Gu Qingming to invite Shen Qingli—the very same Shen Qingli who’d divorced Xie Jinchuan! It was his first time seeing her in person, and she was truly beautiful. No wonder both Gu Qingming and Xie Jinchuan liked her—she had a charm that could captivate anyone.

Compared to her, Rong Qiaoyi really wasn’t much at all.

Gu Qingming arrived soon after. At the sight of Shen Qingli, he paused for a moment, then broke into a smile and handed her a bouquet of roses. “Sister Shen, these are for you.”

The roses were fresh, their blooms lush and dewy, with a subtle fragrance.

Shen Qingli was delighted. She held them close, breathing in their scent for a moment before smiling at Gu Qingming. “Thank you, I love them.”

“As long as you like them,” Gu Qingming replied.

He’d worried she might not accept them, but she had, much to his surprise.

With Gu Qingming’s arrival, the dishes began to appear, each one exquisitely presented, appealing to every sense—though taste was yet to be determined.

Shen Qingli quickly tried a dish, her eyes lighting up. She looked up at Gu Qingming and asked, “How did you manage to get a reservation here? I’ve been trying for ages with no luck.”

If not for Gu Qingming, she might never have tasted this food.

Gu Qingming’s expression softened, his gaze brimming with affection as he looked at her. “The owner of this place is a fan of mine. I used to come here often, so we got acquainted and he gave me his contact.”

“If you like the food, just tell me anytime. I’ll make the reservation for you.”

Shen Qingli’s eyes sparkled, though she replied politely, “That’s all right. If I ate this kind of cuisine every day, I’d soon get tired of it. It’s only special if you enjoy it once in a while.”

Gu Qingming nodded in eager agreement.

Meanwhile, Lush Cilantro seized the chance while Shen Qingli and Gu Qingming were talking to rush off and find Xie Jinchuan, reporting everything that had happened that evening—including the fact that Shen Qingli was planning to give up on pursuing him.

“The host said that since you have someone you love, she can’t intrude and has to let you be. Besides, her goal in the beginning was just to achieve immortality by winning your heart. Now that she can’t, well…”

Lush Cilantro trailed off, seeing that Xie Jinchuan’s face was growing darker by the second. If it kept talking, it might not survive much longer.

Xie Jinchuan rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. He’d never imagined things would turn out this way, leading Shen Qingli to draw such conclusions.

This was bad. If Shen Qingli stopped pursuing him and ended up with Gu Qingming, what then?

“Immortal, maybe you should end your cooperation with Rong Qiaoyi as soon as possible. If this goes on, the host is bound to pick Gu Qingming.”

Lush Cilantro hastily offered advice.

It was genuinely worried that Shen Qingli might really end up with Gu Qingming. If Xie Jinchuan lost his mind, she’d be the first to suffer for it.

“Not yet. Let me think.”

He took a deep breath, leaning back in his chair, turning over his options in his mind.