If Liao Tingyan were a career-focused female protagonist, she might use Sima Jiao’s help to improve her cultivation, diligently practice daily, and actively seek various heavenly treasures and secret realms to hone and elevate herself. She could learn alchemy and artifact forging, study formations, make inventions, and lead a great reformation in the cultivation world, helping Sima Jiao avenge grievances and settle scores, leveling up while slapping faces, eventually reforming him, and together rebuilding the post-disaster Gengchen Immortal Mansion, reaching the pinnacle of life.
If Liao Tingyan were a fragile romantic female lead, she might perform a cat-and-mouse drama of captive love with Sima Jiao. Fearing him yet irresistibly drawn to him, trying to escape only to be caught again, meeting others to be misunderstood by Sima Jiao, having her identity exposed leading to misunderstandings, being driven apart causing even more misunderstandings. The two would perform fifty episodes of deep, torturous love over “You Believe Me, You Don’t Believe Me.”
But the real Liao Tingyan was just a corporate slave with no interest in career or romance. Life’s charm might lie in climbing to the top through one’s efforts, in passionate emotional collisions, or certainly in passing ordinary but satisfying days.
Rise and strive? Possible, but unnecessary. If it made life more convenient, she’d be willing to learn a few useful minor spells, like cleaning and dust-prevention techniques, plus a couple of defensive techniques—three per day maximum, no more. She refused daily cultivation, seclusion, or exploring the great Dao.
Entangled in romance? That too was somewhat unachievable. In modern society, her classmates and friends all just settled for partners who seemed decent enough, divorcing if things didn’t work out, after all, love only occupied one-fifth of life at most. So Liao Tingyan had little reaction to relationship issues with Sima Jiao; thinking about it exhausted her, and she could only set it aside.
Fortunately, Sima Jiao wasn’t love-brained either, and wouldn’t press her with questions like “Do you like me or not.” He was busy handling his affairs, only having time to collapse beside her after work.
Yes, unconsciously, he had also learned to “collapse”—that posture devoid of survival instinct. Liao Tingyan suspected he might have been infected with laziness after staying in her spirit mansion for too long.
The patient was currently in good spirits, with depression and self-isolation gradually diminishing, even his dark circles showing improvement.
When Sima Jiao went about his business, Liao Tingyan spent her time attending classes to learn basic knowledge, casually learning a couple of small spells, and going out to forage for food. Just like weekends in her original world, she’d visit markets to replenish some daily necessities and enjoy good food.
She wandered the surrounding market districts alone, stocking items she liked in her spatial storage, in case she was forced to wander some remote place without food or drink. Given Sima Jiao’s unpredictability, this was entirely possible. She wouldn’t be surprised if he woke her in the middle of the night saying he wanted to dig coal in the desert.
Besides daily necessities and things she liked, she also stored food. The joy of shopping without financial concerns was something she couldn’t have imagined before, but now she felt it, making each shopping trip extremely satisfying.
Occasionally, Liao Tingyan would take Yongling Chun’s maids out with her, so she’d have people complimenting her when trying on clothes. The fragrance of flattery filled the surrounding air, greatly enhancing her purchasing power and happiness.
If she brought the full guard detail, she could enjoy the pleasure of showing off. However, Liao Tingyan usually preferred going out alone. That way, she could find places to eat, like an extra meal every few days.
Dressing pleasingly and trying new delicious foods was a way to pamper herself.
Sometimes when she found food that suited her taste, she would return several times consecutively. When craving something at Chen Academy, she would have servants specially deliver takeout.
Although classmates at Chen Academy still looked at her oddly and intentionally isolated her, Liao Tingyan lived quite comfortably, reminiscent of her university days—probably the most carefree and happy period in her first twenty-some years of life.
She increasingly felt that Sima Jiao’s presence at Chen Academy under someone else’s identity was largely because of her.
Previously, Liao Tingyan wouldn’t have been so self-centered, but now she slowly realized this possibility was the highest. Though Sima Jiao seemed fearless, doing things according to his mood, acting impulsively without regard for others, in reality he thought everything through clearly and made the best arrangements.
The academy was ultimately less utilitarian and chaotic than other parts of Gengchen Immortal Mansion. Life here could be described as leisurely—meaningless to Sima Jiao, but significant to Liao Tingyan.
Lately, she often felt Sima Jiao’s “pampering,” not just emotionally, but in his actions.
Previously at Three Saints Mountain, even before they were so close, he would make sure to keep her with him before fighting others, preventing her from being affected. This habit of protecting his own had intensified; she now remained far from his battlefields, experiencing peaceful days against what should have been a backdrop of bloody storms.
This man, Sima Jiao, couldn’t be contemplated deeply—dwelling on him too much risked being deeply mired.
During the summer solstice, the heat was difficult to dispel. Although cultivators didn’t fear heat much, daily naps remained essential. Summer without naps would be like a person without a soul.
Thanks to Liao Tingyan’s sleeping habits, Sima Jiao had also grown accustomed to daily rest. However, he preferred soaking in pools to rest. Considering the summer heat, Liao Tingyan accompanied him in the water.
According to Sima Jiao’s unrefined habits, he would simply dig a rectangular pool, fill it with water, and lie down. But Liao Tingyan wouldn’t have it.
She found a secluded pebble beach along a stream, solving the venue problem. The stones on the beach had been washed smooth and round, feeling warm and jade-like to touch. The stream was clear and cool, with fine sand and pebbles glistening in the water. Dense green tree shade covered the stream, allowing a few brilliant spots of light through. The green and summer’s unique blue sky with white clouds induced drowsiness.
Liao Tingyan quickly went from reluctantly accompanying the ancestor to soak in water for sleep to actively going for midday naps. She even made a floating bamboo tray with fruit juice elixir, cut watermelon, and created ice cubes for chilling. Drinking iced water and eating melon after waking was simply heavenly.
After waking, Liao Tingyan didn’t feel like moving, squinting at the branches overhead. A green leaf fell, landing on Sima Jiao’s hair.
Liao Tingyan reached out and picked it up, studied the leaf’s veins for a while, then set it aside, letting it flow downstream. Past their tranquil section, the stream became quite rapid. The miniaturized black snake that had been coiled at the bottom of the stream swam up, pushed the leaf with its head, and nudged it back to Liao Tingyan’s hand.
This little black snake was increasingly dog-like, particularly resembling a husky, especially in its fondness for retrieving things they threw away, making it impossible for Liao Tingyan to discard trash in its presence.
Red flower petals washed down from upstream, stopping beside Sima Jiao, adorning his black sleeves quite beautifully.
After Liao Tingyan gazed long enough, Sima Jiao opened his eyes and looked at her.
He pulled her to his side, held her waist, and closed his eyes again.
Liao Tingyan: …That wasn’t what I meant.
Sima Jiao: I heard you.
Liao Tingyan: …What did you hear? I don’t even know myself, yet you know.
…
Sima Jiao hadn’t returned for three days. On a not-so-quiet night, Liao Tingyan sat by the window in her nightgown watching a livestream. Beautiful young ladies danced on the screen, their smiling faces like flowers, twirling with skirts blossoming like flowers.
Laughter came from nearby classmates’ courtyards outside, probably having a gathering, rather noisy.
Liao Tingyan watched the dancing livestream for a while, then shifted her gaze to the night sky outside the courtyard. Seeing it was late, the noise from the neighboring courtyard diminished, perhaps the gathering had ended. The ladies in the livestream mirror had long stopped dancing, each accompanying guests with conversation and drinks, couples flirting with each other.
She changed channels, but couldn’t find anything she liked. The kitchen where food was prepared was dark with no one there. The bustling market street was sparse with few people. The bird’s viewpoint hadn’t moved for a long time; it remained quietly in its nest, without wife or children—possibly a single bird.
Liao Tingyan extended one hand out the window, resting her head on her arm, fingers moving idly.
Suddenly, a cold hand touched her hand’s back, like a snowflake falling.
Liao Tingyan looked up to find Sima Jiao had returned. He held her hand that was stretched out the window, “Why aren’t you sleeping.”
This should have been a question, but he didn’t use a questioning tone. His expression showed a penetrating smugness, particularly like an elementary school kid.
No, what are you smug about? Liao Tingyan stared at him through the window for a moment, declaring: “I wasn’t waiting for you.”
Sima Jiao leaned in to kiss her.
In the dim light, Liao Tingyan saw his lips had lost their bright red color, appearing pale. But his tone and demeanor remained as usual as if nothing had happened.
Then he didn’t go out for half a month, seemingly becoming an unemployed vagrant, idle daily, hugging Liao Tingyan and stroking her belly, making her suspect every day that she might be pregnant.
“You’re not going out anymore? Finished your business?” Liao Tingyan couldn’t help asking.
Sima Jiao: “No, letting them live a while longer.”
Liao Tingyan inexplicably felt the guilt of “from then on the king no longer held morning court.” But she couldn’t encourage him to go out—that would mean deaths—so she remained silent.
Regarding why he let them live longer, Liao Tingyan didn’t ask, and Sima Jiao didn’t answer. He only asked if she liked lively places.
Liao Tingyan: “I quite like them.” Thinking to herself, could it be the ancestor had an epiphany and was planning to take her on a date to some lively place?
With that thought, she felt a little anticipation. The little deer in her heart went pitter-patter.
But Sima Jiao said: “In a while, Gengchen Immortal Mansion will be very lively. I’ll take you to see the liveliest moment in Gengchen Immortal Mansion’s tens of thousands of years.” He said this with a smile—a very frightening smile. It was related to the major events he had been orchestrating recently.
Liao Tingyan: “…” The little deer went splat and died.
Sima Jiao suddenly burst into laughter, shoulders shaking, startling the little black snake into raising its head and looking around.
Liao Tingyan realized this ancestor was using his heaven-defying mind-reading technique again. He must have heard the little deer go splat and die, otherwise he wouldn’t be laughing like he was having a seizure.
“We agreed you would only clearly hear my thoughts when I was particularly emotional!” Liao Tingyan exclaimed.
Sima Jiao: “Don’t you think you were emotional just now? Your heart was racing.”
Liao Tingyan didn’t want to look at him anymore and took out a mirror to watch live streams. But as soon as she opened it, she saw a fearless couple in the Three Saints Mountain palace engaged in secret intimacy, smearing her face with a live spring scene.
The discarded livestream mirror was diligently retrieved by the little snake. Sima Jiao looked at Liao Tingyan, who had placed both hands on her abdomen in a position of euthanasia, and reached out to take the mirror, asking: “You’re not watching anymore?”
Liao Tingyan: “Hello, I am already asleep, please leave a message after the beep.”
“Beep—”
Sima Jiao: “Hahahahaha!”
This person’s humor threshold was low.
Liao Tingyan played the aloof beauty for two days, but the straight man Sima Jiao seemed completely oblivious to her strategic testing anger hidden beneath her saltiness.
But one day he suddenly asked with his truth buff: “What’s your favorite thing to do?”
Liao Tingyan looked confused, not yet processing the question, but her mind had already unconsciously given a crisp, forceful answer.
—”Slacking off.”
As a corporate slave, everyone understands: which office worker doesn’t love slacking? Without slacking, work would lose its greatest joy.
But Sima Jiao didn’t understand. After getting his answer, he directly took her to a heavily guarded, spirit-rich, uniquely scenic white lake.
Pointing at the ice-blue small fish swimming in the transparent lake water, Sima Jiao said: “Go ahead.”
Liao Tingyan: …Go your sister, do you think I’m a Pokémon?!