Chapter 147: Is She... Is She Pretty?

True love in this world ultimately becomes a bond of siblings.

This phrase had once been the curse Jiang Lin hurled wildly on Valentine’s Day. But a day ago, he suddenly devised a plan and felt this saying might truly hold some power.

For Lianhua, from a young age, she longed for “care and protection.”

This was only natural—after all, Lianhua was a courtesan’s daughter, raised in a brothel, deprived of love and, more so, security.

Jiang Lin believed that when he redeemed Lianhua’s contract, all her subsequent behaviors stemmed from this deep-rooted insecurity.

Having been redeemed, subconsciously Lianhua considered herself his possession, and from then on, only he could protect her.

Yet, she feared losing this protection.

Though the Spring Breeze House had indeed been her sanctuary, Lianhua knew it was no permanent refuge; one day, her youthful beauty would fade.

As a traditional woman, she hoped to find a good family to entrust her life to. Although a courtesan could not become a legitimate wife, being taken as a concubine was acceptable.

After that, Jiang Lin entered her life.

With his handsome, refined demeanor and affluent, high-status image—the very embodiment of a high and mighty gentleman—Lianhua was caught in the illusion that perhaps she could entrust her life to him.

After all, which young woman is immune to romantic yearning?

Thus, when Jiang Lin, with the commanding presence of a domineering CEO declared, “I want your redemption contract,” the gentle and timid Lianhua agreed.

But agreeing only deepened her inner insecurity.

Having lost the Spring Breeze House, Jiang Lin became her sole sanctuary—only he could provide her safety.

So Lianhua sought ways to win Jiang Lin’s favor and affection, to prove her worth, hoping only that he would never abandon her.

Gradually, this insecurity and dependence, coupled with Jiang Lin’s handsome and refined image, led Lianhua to mistake these feelings for love.

Therefore! Jiang Lin intended to transform this misplaced affection into a sibling bond!

Sibling affection is, in many ways, far more stable than the elusive whims of love.

After learning from Aunt Wang about the seven black birthmarks on Lianhua’s leg and other signs, and after winning Aunt Wang’s cooperation, Jiang Lin set out to convince Lianhua.

With his acting skills worthy of a best actor award, Jiang Lin was confident that Lianhua would be moved by his sincerity and accept him as her brother...

This was the entire scheme behind Jiang Lin’s arrival at the Spring Breeze House...

Yet, what Jiang Lin did not expect was to be undone by a scar on his shoulder!

“Am I really too inexperienced? Or is Lianhua a seasoned expert...?”

If given the choice, Jiang Lin would prefer to believe the latter.

...

Sitting in the courtyard, watching Lianhua shut herself away, Jiang Lin felt heavy-hearted.

Perhaps he should have just let that scoundrel Wu Ke come himself?

But having promised Wu Ke to bring Lianhua back, how could he break his word?

Sigh... In the end, it must be because he’s too handsome...

“Lianhua...” Jiang Lin scratched his head, climbed the bamboo stairs, and knocked on Lianhua’s door.

As expected, no reply came from within...

But Jiang Lin knew she was surely listening.

No matter. It was time to lay his cards on the table... If it didn’t work, at least he had tried.

“Miss Lianhua, actually, you’ve misunderstood me all along. I’m not a Confucian scholar, though I’ve had nine years of compulsory education, endured three years of college entrance exams and five years of mock tests. In truth, I’m a disciple of a demonic sect...”

“I’m unmarried, still single, a lone wolf. I admit, Miss Lianhua, you are indeed beautiful, kind, gentle, and considerate, but I really don’t harbor romantic feelings for you... Moreover, I already have a daughter—though not my biological child...”

“Wait! Miss Lianhua, don’t misunderstand—I haven’t been cuckolded.”

“I came here mainly to resolve a matter in Donglin City, and on a friend’s request, to find someone named Lianhua.”

“Then at the Spring Breeze House, I met you, Miss Lianhua.”

“My friend’s name is Wu Ke. Rest assured, though Wu Ke often behaves lecherously—I’ve warned him countless times to stop lurking on street corners watching girls, but he won’t listen—he’s still a good person.”

“I believe you and Wu Ke might know each other. The redemption was on his behalf.”

“If you don’t mind and can trust me, I would like to take you to the Sun Moon Sect, just to look around once. After that, whether you choose to stay there or return to the Spring Breeze House is entirely your decision. I...”

“Bang!”

Before Jiang Lin could finish, the door swung open. Lianhua stood there, head bowed.

“Miss Lianhua?”

Her cheeks tinged with pink, she bit her softly tinted lips, as if summoning great courage, then raised her eyes to meet Jiang Lin’s gaze.

“Why are you telling me all this?”

“Because I’m honest!”

“Are all the things you just said true?”

“Hmm?”

“You mean everything you just said! You’re not lying to me?”

“No! It’s all the truth! I, Jiang Lin, swear this with all my heart!”

“You really don’t like me?”

“Uh... to be honest... Miss Lianhua, we really aren’t suited. It’s definitely not that you are lacking; it’s that I am unworthy of you!”

“...”

Lianhua was silent for a moment, but it was clear from her face she no longer bore the heaviness, nor the previous sorrow or forced cheer.

Jiang Lin’s guess was correct.

For Lianhua, as a courtesan’s daughter, insecurity was deeply entrenched.

Especially after Jiang Lin redeemed her contract.

If the Spring Breeze House was once her safe harbor, now that harbor had become Jiang Lin himself. She feared he would abandon her.

When Jiang Lin claimed to be her brother, at that moment, a flicker of joy and hope lit within her.

Especially after hearing his words just now.

Lianhua did not believe he was deceiving her—he genuinely wanted her to choose and truly respected her.

For a woman of the world, such respect was exceedingly rare...

Looking at Jiang Lin, Lianhua gently loosened her grip on her skirt.

“If I still don’t wish to go with Master Jiang?”

“Uh... then I suppose I’ll return to the Sun Moon Sect first... I’ll wait for Wu Ke to come see you in person. That’s all I can do.”

“You won’t forcibly knock me unconscious and take me back? After all, the redemption contract is with you, and you’re a cultivator. Such actions would be justifiable. Even I wouldn’t blame you.”

“No, no.” Jiang Lin quickly waved his hands, speaking firmly.

“Though that might be thrilling, I, Jiang Lin, have my principles!”

[Wow! So there’s that move too! Why didn’t I think of this simple solution earlier? Lianhua makes a good point.]

“Miss Lianhua.”

Bowing slightly with hands clasped, Jiang Lin decided to appeal with reason before resorting to coercion.

“I earnestly implore you to visit the Sun Moon Sect once. My friend may be reckless, but I believe you and he are truly important to each other.”

Watching Jiang Lin bow, Lianhua bit her red lips delicately, her expression shifting. After a long moment, she slowly spoke:

“I am willing to go with Master Jiang.”

“Really?!”

Jiang Lin nearly cried. Could this girl truly understand him?

“Really! But I have one condition!”

“Please, Miss Lianhua, speak!”

“If I do not know this Mr. Wu, I wish to serve you.”

“Miss Lianhua... Actually, I don’t need servants. But I could hire you at our Twin Pearl Peaks. If my master agrees, you might even become my fellow disciple.”

“Of course, if you prefer to live at the Sun Moon Sect, I can help arrange that. Though it’s called a demonic sect, everyone there is very kind, sweet-tongued, and talented.”

“In that case...”

Clutching her skirt tightly, listening seriously to Jiang Lin’s words,

“Then I will go with you.”

“But I have one question.”

“Please.”

“Master Jiang... is your master a woman?”

“Yes, she is.”

“Is she... beautiful?”

“???”

...

...

[Feeling a bit off lately, I, the lazy fish, pondered left and right, consulted some veterans, and they all advised that when stuck, one must write even more! I wholeheartedly agree—only through continuous writing and reading can one improve. I’ve decided: starting tomorrow, three updates a day! Bald is strong!]