Chapter 195: I've Become Bad

Chapter 195: I’ve Turned Bad

“They really just settled in Tai’an City?”

There was indeed a route from Qinghe to Langya that passed through Mount Tai, though it was unclear whether Cui Yuanyang had originally planned to take that road or intended to stop and rest there. In any case, after meeting Zhao Changhe, Cui Yuanyang lost all desire to hurry. She rushed to check into an inn in the city ahead, clinging to her Zhao Gege and refusing to let go.

Because on the road, Zhao Changhe, in front of the entire Cui family, absolutely refused to get into the carriage with her for a private chat, insisting on walking outside. The young girl was eager to find a place to rest.

Zhuque, also staying in the city, listened to her subordinates’ reports, dumbfounded.

Was this a direct provocation? Did they really think the Four Symbols Sect was just here to scare them for fun? Knowing full well we’re here, they still chose to stay right next door!

Xia Chichi, punished to kneel nearby with her hands on her head, saw Zhuque’s irritation and smiled appeasingly: “The girl knows what she’s doing. She understands we won’t go all out to kill her—there’s no need, right?”

“And whose fault is that?” Zhuque didn’t know where her temper came from. She grabbed a feather duster and smacked Xia Chichi on the bottom: “I told you to seize the chance to assassinate, but you just smiled and chatted. Now others think the White Tiger is a kitten, and in her eyes, am I, Zhuque, just a little bird?”

Xia Chichi yelped: “Even if I had the chance to strike, I couldn’t escape. Did you really expect me to trade my life for hers? That little waste isn’t worth it…”

Zhuque knew she had a point. She didn’t know why she was so angry either. If anything, the most irritating image was the moment Zhao Changhe held the girl tightly in his arms, treating her like a great enemy.

One moment he was speaking kindly, trying to recruit you into the sect; the next, he was on high alert against you. Who wouldn’t be annoyed by that?

And he said he was afraid of me.

At that moment, I should have slapped him on the back and made him cough blood for ten days to teach him a lesson!

Zhuque forgot that when she tried to recruit him, she hadn’t been all that kind either—proud and cold, dragging him along, exuding demonic might, intimidating everyone from the start. It was only natural for him to guard against her. It wasn’t like he was dealing with Yi Huo Snake; in fact, it was precisely because he truly feared her.

But Zhuque felt her goodwill had been taken for granted, and she was thoroughly displeased. Seeing Xia Chichi’s expression of “I was right, and I’d do it again” only made her angrier. She nearly broke the feather duster, sneering: “Let’s set aside Cui Yuanyang for now. With your behavior, if you claim there’s no lingering affection, you’re really taking me for a fool, aren’t you?”

Xia Chichi’s eyes darted around, knowing it was hard to argue. Though she could force an explanation, Zhuque wasn’t stupid.

So she decided to admit part of it: “Well, it’s only been a little over half a year. If I were completely heartless, would the Venerable really trust someone so ruthless? I admit there’s still a bit of old feelings—just a bit. It’ll fade later…”

Zhuque glanced at her pitifully kneeling there with her hands on her head. Despite her anger, she sighed: “As you said before, he’s entangled with other women. Shouldn’t your old feelings make you hate him more? Instead, you’ve gone soft on his other women. Women… this is why we can’t give in to emotions—they only bring heartache.”

Xia Chichi pouted, thinking to herself: Isn’t this all your fault? If the sect didn’t have those damn rules, he and I would be together, and no woman would dare come near him. I’d fight them all—do you really think I wouldn’t tear that fake-cute little bitch apart?

But now? I have no standing. I was the one who couldn’t be with him first, so why should I expect him to wait for me?

I’m the one who’s wronged…

Zhuque could see Xia Chichi’s thoughts and paced back and forth, troubled.

After getting to know Zhao Changhe, she found his ideals, combat skills, and character quite admirable. Coupled with his unique value, she genuinely wanted to recruit him into the sect. But Zhao Changhe was mistaken in thinking that recruitment would allow him to continue his relationship with Xia Chichi. On the contrary, their past ties made it even more unsuitable to have them under the same roof—it would truly defile the altar.

So it wasn’t like Zhao Changhe imagined, where things would work out in his favor, with Xia Chichi seducing him into joining.

But she had to admit, since she admired him, she no longer wanted to kill him just because of his old feelings. The option of murder had long been discarded. Zhuque’s headache was how to find a solution that satisfied everyone.

Then she realized that Xia Chichi’s own idea was the most correct.

Let him find other women; the old feelings would naturally fade. That would truly be the best of both worlds.

But Cui Yuanyang was still young, and Cui Wenjing’s three-year declaration was out there. Even if he regretted it now, he couldn’t go back on his word in front of the world. Were they supposed to let this ambiguity drag on for three years?

Now there were only two and a half years left… Ridiculous, wasn’t it?

Xia Chichi, reading her expression, asked: “Does the Venerable intend to recruit Zhao Changhe?”

Zhuque said sternly: “Don’t even think about suggesting you seduce him. That’s not happening. Even if I give up on Zhao Changhe, I won’t let our Saintess act like a slut. Drop it.”

Xia Chichi’s joy froze in her belly, and she nearly sobbed.

What an old-fashioned rule!

“The Saintess serves the gods. If you keep this up, my punishment won’t just be a feather duster. Don’t push your luck.”

“…”

Zhuque paced a few steps, muttering to herself: “Aside from the Saintess, others might be fine. I think I’ll pick someone to try…”

Xia Chichi grumbled: “The Venerable mentioned Yi Huo Snake earlier—a newcomer? I recall our Yi Huo Snake position has been vacant.”

“That’s right, a newcomer. What of it?”

“What does she look like? I think she could give it a try.” Xia Chichi said: “Since she’s a snake, she’s probably slutty enough. It’s just giving away a newbie… Ouch…”

Xia Chichi didn’t know why she had to get hit again. This proposal was already a sacrifice on her part—she’d have to deal with a new little vixen later, and it was her own idea!

Even this got her beaten. The Venerable was truly unpredictable.

…

While Xia Chichi was getting beaten, in another corner of the city, Cui Yuanyang leaned happily in Zhao Changhe’s arms as they sat in the courtyard admiring flowers.

Such small intimacies had been common back then by the river at the Cui family ranch. Cui Yuanyang always found it comfortable to lean in Zhao Changhe’s arms—his broad frame was like a custom-made human armchair, far better than any expensive lounge chair.

It meant Zhao Gege’s embrace was tailor-made by heaven for Yangyang to lie in.

Unfortunately, back then, Zhao Gege was always in a hurry—learned horseback riding and wanted to leave. But this time, he seemed a bit different, quieter, speaking less, yet without that restless air. He was gentler and more serene.

Girls were sensitive to such things.

“Zhao Gege.” Cui Yuanyang nestled in his arms, asked softly: “Why aren’t you talking much? Is it because you just saw Sister Xia?”

“Huh.” Zhao Changhe snapped out of his daze.

This time, it wasn’t really because of Chichi. She herself kept telling him to let go of the dam, and dwelling on it would only make him seem pretentious to her.

After going south of the river, he had essentially made his pursuit of Yue Hongling clear, and he had also developed feelings for Tang Wanzhuang—though he hadn’t said it, he knew it was no longer just talk. The innocent Zhao Changhe of the past was long gone; he had turned bad. Even holding Yangyang no longer felt awkward, but rather joyful—the little girl hadn’t forgotten him…

The real reason for his silence was Yangyang herself. He used to think her feelings were mostly impulsive, not true love, but this reunion showed her affection was still strong, even fiercer after their long separation. It moved him deeply.

Where could he find such a good girl?

“Yangyang, you haven’t changed at all. Seeing you suddenly, I felt a bit distant. Didn’t you feel any strangeness seeing me? My appearance and demeanor now are quite different from before.”

“A little.” Cui Yuanyang smiled: “Mainly, your hair used to be half-long, wild and messy like a lion’s mane. Now it’s longer, tied up elegantly—I almost didn’t recognize you at first. But soon I felt, this is the Zhao Changge in my heart all along. He was never truly a bandit. Especially…”

She paused, lowering her voice: “Especially when you held me tightly in your arms in front of Zhuque. At that moment, I felt all the anxiety of these past months vanish. That was the reunion I had dreamed of, even better than I imagined.”

Zhao Changhe couldn’t help but laugh: “How many reunion scenarios did you imagine?”

“Promise you won’t laugh at me.”

“I’m professionally trained. No matter how funny, I swear I won’t laugh.”

“Then I’ll tell you.” Cui Yuanyang stammered: “The Wang family wanted to test their swords against the Hidden Dragon, right? I thought, if they challenged you, I’d kick the door open and say, ‘What stray cats and dogs dare challenge my Zhao Gege? Defeat me, Cui Yuanyang, first!’ Then you’d turn around, see the heroic and dashing Yangyang, and be stunned—‘Is that the Yangyang I haven’t seen in so long? She’s so cool now!’ And then you’d fall in love with me.”

“Pfft…” If not for the last line, it would have been a decent teenage fantasy entrance. But that last bit nearly made Zhao Changhe burst his gut laughing: “No wonder your brother said you never admired Chief Tang’s demeanor—you wanted to be like Yue Hongling.”

“You promised not to laugh!”

“Alright, I won’t laugh.” Zhao Changhe coaxed her like a child: “You don’t need that kind of scene. Zhao Gege has always admired Yangyang.”

Cui Yuanyang said softly: “But… I know in Zhao Gege’s heart… the one you truly admire has always been Yue Hongling…”

Zhao Changhe froze, his smile fading.

He looked down at the girl’s flushed face. She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with complex emotions: “Otherwise, when you hold me, why does it always feel like you’re holding your little sister… In your heart, you’ve never really seen me as a woman, have you…”

Zhao Changhe took a deep breath and suddenly said in a low voice: “Little girl, do you know what I was worried about a few days ago?”

“Huh?” Cui Yuanyang blinked, confused.

“I regretted not sealing the deal earlier.” Zhao Changhe slowly leaned down: “Little girl, you haven’t changed, but I’ve turned bad. Back then, I was afraid you were too young and would regret it. Now, I just want to take advantage of your youth and naivety to make sure you never have a chance to regret.”

Cui Yuanyang’s heart skipped a beat.

But her mind suddenly went blank, as she watched him scoop her up horizontally, lower his head, and fiercely kiss her tender lips.

Cui Yuanyang instinctively grabbed his arm, her eyes still wide open, completely unaware of what she was thinking.