The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 29: Humph! You Are So Annoying!

Humph! You Are So Annoying! . . .

"Hmm? Can't I come?" Su Ye-Yue's tone carried a hint of irritation upon hearing Cha-Eun Xiao's words. She wrinkled her petite nose and continued, "Sooner or later, this will be my house too! I'll be the vice-chairman here! I'm just checking out my future residence in advance. Is that a problem? It almost sounds like you don't want me here, deep down in your heart."

She let out an indignant huff and playfully twisted the whip in her hands. Her narrowed eyes seemed to convey a clear message: "Cross me, and you'll regret it."

However, her attempt at a menacing demeanor came off as endearing rather than threatening to Cha-Eun Xiao. He had not been in the best mood, but her spirited entrance had genuinely amused him. Phrases like 'will become my house too,' 'the vice-chairman,' and 'checking my residence in advance' struck him as rather comical.

"Heyyy, what are you talking about?" Cha-Eun Xiao tried to reassure her, his tone affectionate. "How could I not welcome you? I'm thrilled that you're here. Well, our house."

"Humph!" Su Ye-Yue embraced her newfound role as the boss of the house, circling around Cha-Eun Xiao with her nose in the air. She sniffed playfully and remarked, "Oh, Xiao-Xiao, why do you smell so nice? What's that fragrance you're carrying?"

"What are you talking about? I don't have anything on me!" Cha-Eun Xiao protested, though he was well aware of the source of his pleasant scent.

The reason behind his delightful fragrance was quite simple. After undergoing two sessions of purifying his muscles and bones, his body had rid itself of most impurities. His physique was now as pure as that of a newborn child, which naturally led to a pleasant scent.

"Yes, you definitely do!" Su Ye-Yue asserted with confidence, leaning closer to Cha-Eun Xiao to investigate further. She muttered to herself in confusion, "It's not a girl's perfume, and it's not a floral scent... Oh? Oh!!"

Suddenly realizing how close she was to Cha-Eun Xiao, Su Ye-Yue looked up to find him wearing a smug smile, his soft eyes locked onto her. His face was just inches away from hers, and she could even feel his breath.

Startled, she let out a shriek and jumped away, her heart pounding. Her cheeks flushed red, and she felt a mix of embarrassment and awkwardness. The instinct to flee crossed her mind, but her legs seemed rooted in place. In that moment, she realized she'd rather stay than leave.

Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but feel his heart warm at the sight. He spoke softly, "You're such an adorable young lady."

Su Ye-Yue's face grew even redder, and she struggled to form words. "Y...you're...barely older than me! How dare you talk to me like an elder! If you...if you address me like that again, I...I'll punch you!"

Cha-Eun Xiao laughed heartily, thoroughly delighted. The sound of his laughter only quickened Su Ye-Yue's heartbeat, and her blush deepened, making her look even cuter.

It suddenly struck her that this man would be her husband in the future—a realization that both surprised and embarrassed her. She had always thought of Cha-Eun Xiao as a childhood friend and an unfortunate engagement, a result of her parents' wishes. That was the extent of it, until now.

She lowered her head, lost in thought for a moment. When she finally looked up, she found Cha-Eun Xiao seated across from her, engrossed in a book.

Finally relaxing in Cha's presence, Su Ye-Yue couldn't help but feel fortunate that he didn't seem to notice her. However, a subtle unease began to creep in as she wondered why he wasn't paying any attention to her.

Unable to resist her curiosity any longer, she took a few cautious steps forward and softly seated herself in front of him. She observed his striking face for a while, the room enveloped in a contemplative silence.

Cha, engrossed in his book, eventually paused to rest, and it was only then that he realized Su Ye-Yue had remained with him. Looking up, he found her resting her elbows on the table, chin in her hands, gazing at him in a tranquil and thoughtful manner.

Perplexed by her behavior, he asked gently, "Is everything alright?"

Perhaps it was the gentle tone of his voice that kept her from being startled. She remained calm, slightly absent-minded, as she murmured, "Cha-Xiao... You've changed a lot recently..."

"I have changed? Really?" Cha raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued.

"Yes, you have," she affirmed, tilting her head as she sought the right words to convey her feelings. After a moment, she continued, "Your physical appearance is the same, but you used to be incredibly annoying, and I often felt like punching you. Now... that annoyance is gone. Instead, you appear... composed and trustworthy. It's strange. You seem to have many thoughts and stories in your mind. It's weird."

Cha couldn't help but smile at her astute observation.

Changed? Of course, he had changed. It would be bizarre if he hadn't. The Cha of the past was not the same as the Xiao Monarch he had once been.

Nonetheless, he recognized the perceptive nature of women's instincts. Su Ye-Yue's irritation with the old Cha was a natural reaction any girl would have towards a foppish fool.

Cha came to the realization that even minor actions could reveal his altered personality. He decided he needed to give this serious consideration.

In his previous life, he had roamed the world freely, alone, and carefree. But everything was different now. He couldn't reveal the personality of the Xiao Monarch in his current life; that would raise too many questions. It was essential to maintain his disguise.

Furthermore, despite his longevity, he still felt he had not grasped the essence of life. He was often perplexed, wondering if he needed to endure countless trials and tribulations before achieving true success.

So he contemplated, "Perhaps I should consider being in a relationship."

The reason he had refrained from relationships thus far was his dedication to the Pure Yang Martial Arts.

Su Ye-Yue voiced her concerns, stating, "The trouble you've stirred up this time is quite serious. Even though you didn't kill Mu Cheng-Bai, all the available evidence points to you."

Su Ye-Yue hadn't previously given much thought to Cha-Eun Xiao's predicament. Frankly, she had little reason to care whether he lived or died; at most, she might have felt a slight twinge of pity. However, her sentiments had undergone a subtle transformation.

Even she couldn't fathom why or how her feelings had changed. Someone she had once disregarded had suddenly become important to her. How had this shift occurred?

"You're in a truly perilous situation," she said, gazing affectionately at Cha.

"Yes, I know," Cha replied, his expression grave. "I'm afraid I've indeed stumbled into a perilous position. The princes vie for the throne, the noble clans meddle, the supreme dan beads have surfaced, and the reclusive martial sects re-enter the world. My situation has become entangled in all these events, making me the potential catalyst for a major conflict."

"That's true," Su Ye-Yue conceded. "So what's your plan now? I can request my father to dispatch a team of guards to protect you and guide you out of the capital, heading north. You can distance yourself from this chaos."

After pondering for a moment, Cha replied, "A man should stand firm in the world. How can I keep running from trouble? The more dangerous the situation, the more it can serve as a crucible for my growth. If I can overcome this, it will be a profound transformation for me. Danger presents an opportunity. If I fail to conquer it, I'll live a life devoid of significant achievements—a useless fool who can't protect those who care for him and whom he cares for."

He smiled faintly and continued, "I'm still young and haven't experienced anything I'd regret upon my death. So if I die, then so be it."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but recall a pair of eyes he had seen before—eyes that resembled the ones currently fixed upon him.

A sense of melancholy washed over him, and he let out a sigh.

Su Ye-Yue's face suddenly flushed again. She mused, "What does he mean by 'getting through this'? That part is clear enough. But 'can't get through'... 'the one who he cares for and who cares for him'... Who could he be referring to? 'Too young'... 'haven't been through anything that...' What is he talking about? Could it be... Could it be me?"

A rush of emotions surged within her, mingling shyness, happiness, and sweetness. She hurriedly tried to suppress them, clearing her throat and speaking with feigned annoyance, "Oh, please. This has nothing to do with me, I suppose... You're just spouting nonsense again... Come on! I'm leaving. I won't listen to your nonsense. You're so irritating!"

With that, she stood up and practically skipped towards the door.

In reality, it appeared as though she was... fleeing!