At this very moment, Zhang Yuanqing’s state of mind could probably only be described by two words: "Holy shit." The old crone hadn't returned to the Spirit Realm; she was actually sitting in his home, eating away?
He thought to himself: *You're a dignified Mountain God Empress; how could the coarse food of my humble abode possibly catch your divine eye? Please, hurry up and get the hell back to the Spirit Realm!*
Truth be told, even though Lady Sandao had displayed the conduct expected of a true, righteous deity, Zhang Yuanqing remained intensely wary of her, instinctively nervous and constrained in her presence.
On the one hand, it was an inferior's instinctive dread before a superior. On the other, prior to the killing trial, Zhang Yuanqing had harbored a deep fear of the old crone, treating her as an imaginary foe.
And even now, he had only met the old crone three times. That wariness wasn't something that would vanish so quickly.
This Mountain Goddess was an ancient Day Wanderer devoid of modern values, and Zhang Yuanqing lacked the confidence of a "star student" before her, unlike how he felt around Elder Dog.
As a rising star of the Five Elements Alliance, even if he vigorously ruffled the Elder’s canine head in a fit of pique, the Elder would tolerate it a bit.
But try ruffling the old crone’s head, and she’d smash your skull in with a backhand strike.
Seeing Yuanzi’s suddenly frozen expression and the way he halted in the entryway, too terrified to step inside, the family seemed to understand something. They thought: *Don't tell me this kid is two-timing?*
As the true successor to the family scoundrel, pulling off something like this didn't seem all that surprising.
The first-generation family scoundrel looked at the aloof Blood Rose, then at Guan Ya, whose face had instantly fallen, and finally at Zhang Yuanqing, saying in disbelief:
"B-Both of them are your girlfriends?
"Impressive! You truly are my successor, showing the style I had back in the day!"
"The style you had back in the day? What style? Spell it out clearly!" Aunt glared, her eyes widening.
"Just kidding, just kidding..." Uncle folded instantly.
*Girlfriend? Uncle, what kind of joke is that? How could your nephew ever deserve a girlfriend like her? If we have to drag romance into this, I’m at best her male paramour...* Zhang Yuanqing’s heart clenched. He instinctively glanced at the old crone, terrified that Uncle’s loose lips might anger her.
Fortunately, Lady Sandao had already withdrawn her gaze and continued enjoying her food, saying indifferently:
"No need to be nervous. I shall depart once I finish my meal."
She was reassuring Yuanshi Tianzun.
Yet in the family’s ears, those words sounded like a high-level girl issuing a quiet, subtle warning. For a moment, the atmosphere grew even more awkward.
*She's leaving once she finishes eating...* Zhang Yuanqing felt slightly relieved. Giving a loud cough, he introduced:
"Grandfather, Grandmother, this is my girlfriend, Guan Ya."
At the same time, he realized why the atmosphere at the dining table was so awkward: his family had mistaken the old crone for his girlfriend.
Guan Ya forced a smile and said, "Grandfather, Grandmother..."
Her eyes swept over Yuanshi’s family, and when she saw Jiang Yu'er with her plump, sweetly charming face, her expression abruptly froze.
She knew this girl. They had crossed paths at Pingtai Hospital’s obstetrics and gynecology department... Guan Ya suddenly felt an urge to bolt out the door, but Zhang Yuanqing held on to her tightly.
—Zhang Yuanqing clearly felt Guan Ya's hand stiffen, quietly exerting force as if trying to wrench free and storm off.
Grandmother glanced at Guan Ya, gave a stiff "Mm," and spoke in a tone that said, *I'm too embarrassed to know how to react, so I can only be cold*:
"Sit down. Let's eat."
With that, she vaguely felt that her grandson's second catch looked somewhat familiar, though she couldn't place her right away.
Grandfather's wrinkled old face was expressionless. He nodded with a stern countenance as a greeting, then inconspicuously shot his grandson a glare radiating pure murderous intent.
The righteous retired old inspector was already contemplating how to clean house after dinner.
Jiang Yu'er puffed out her cheeks, casting a deep look at Guan Ya.
She lowered her head to shovel rice, her eyes darting quickly, seemingly plotting something.
*What on earth is this mess? My life mentor never taught me how to handle a situation like this...* Zhang Yuanqing took a deep breath, firmly pulled Guan Ya to take a seat, and said to Aunt:
"Auntie, Cousin's promotion last time—it was Guan Ya who helped out."
Upon hearing this, Aunt's attitude underwent a complete turnabout. So this was the girl who had helped her son! She had actually harbored a slight hostility toward Guan Ya just moments ago.
"Guan Ya, is it? I'm Yuanzi's aunt. Oh my, what a pretty girl! You and our Yuanzi are such a good match."
Aunt warmly dished food onto Guan Ya's plate, showering her with attentive inquiries. This made the veteran driver feel a bit better, and she managed a faint smile.
With the atmosphere warming up slightly, Zhang Yuanqing seized the opportunity to say:
"Guan Ya is my real girlfriend. This one... this one..."
He glanced at the old crone and explained to the family:
"This one is just a friend."
A friend who came over for dinner without a word? Who could even enter the house and knew the door code? Grandmother didn't believe a word of it, only giving her grandson an icy look.
Inspector Grandfather obviously didn't believe it either.
The old crone, who had been chewing slowly and savoring her food, set down her chopsticks. She turned to Zhang Yuanqing, frowning:
"What does 'girlfriend' mean?"
Though she had remained silent, the shifting expressions of these mortals had not escaped her eyes.
*Huh? She doesn't know what 'girlfriend' means?* Zhang Yuanqing was stunned. This wasn't what he had expected.
If the old crone understood the concept of "girlfriend," clarifying the interpersonal relationships would pose no problem.
Conversely, if she learned that a "girlfriend" was essentially a fiancée, an ancient like her—a lofty Mountain Goddess—would surely take deep offense.
—*These common mortals dare think this seat is the fiancée of that ant Yuanshi Tianzun? What utter humiliation! Exterminate the clan!*
*Well, the old crone probably wouldn't go that far, but displeasing her is deadly in its own right...* Zhang Yuanqing explained earnestly:
"A female friend with whom one shares a deep bond."
The old crone gave a slight nod and resumed enjoying her evening meal.
Zhang Yuanqing turned toward Guan Ya and ran through an entire workout of facial gymnastics.
He planned to placate Guan Ya first, signaling Blood Rose's true identity to dispel the veteran driver's displeasure.
*If Yuanshi were secretly having his yin corpse pose as his girlfriend behind my back, or really had some unusual relationship with that spirit servant, there would be no reason for him to invite me home for dinner, let alone cause such an awkward blunder... His series of expressions tells me he has a secret he can't speak of. He is deeply wary—no, terrified—of his own yin corpse, but that makes no sense...*
Guan Ya silently read Yuanshi's micro-expressions, using her Insight ability to analyze the situation in her mind.
*Let's hear how he explains it later.* Guan Ya was clearly not an unreasonable woman. Taking a deep breath, she smiled and said to Aunt:
"It was merely a small effort. Inspector Chen is exceptionally competent at his work; his promotion was due to his own abilities. I only lent a minor hand."
"That's still incredible." Aunt was all smiles. "By the way, what does your family do—"
Before Guan Ya could reply, Aunt glanced at the old crone across from them. Remembering her earlier response, Aunt hastily changed the subject:
"Eat, eat, let's eat."
Zhang Yuanqing chimed in: "Yes, eat, eat..."
He wanted to wait until the old crone had eaten and drunk her fill and returned to the Spirit Realm before explaining things to Guan Ya and his family.
Though the old crone's unexpected presence at the dinner table had caught him off guard, all in all, the damage was manageable.
Just then, Little Aunt, who had been holding her rice bowl in silence the whole time, looked at the old crone and explained with utter seriousness:
"A girlfriend is a lover. A fiancée."
The old crone's chopsticks paused in midair, her expression turning slightly frosty.
"!!!" Zhang Yuanqing stared at Little Aunt with a deadpan expression. *We're aunt and nephew! Did you really have to backstab me like this?!*
He peered nervously at the old crone.
*Yuanshi seems terrified...* Guan Ya glanced at him, her heart jolting. Although Yuanshi hadn't explained the situation, she could already tell something was amiss with this dinner, and the anger in her chest dissipated.
Jiang Yu'er seemed oblivious to her nephew's pale face as she turned to Guan Ya and said in surprise:
"Oh? I've seen you in the obstetrics and gynecology department before. You even asked about how to prepare for pregnancy! I haven't heard Yuanzi mention wanting children so soon..."
The moment those words were spoken, everyone except the old crone turned to stare at Guan Ya.
Grandfather and Grandmother's faces darkened.
Chen Yuanjun looked astounded; he never imagined the goddess of the Kangyang District Public Security Bureau was a woman with such a promiscuous private life.
*Been to obstetrics and gynecology, and asked about preparing for pregnancy... Yuanzi only recently started dating this girlfriend...* Aunt quietly withdrew her smile as well.
"!!!"
Guan Ya sat frozen in her seat, her fair face turning red and white by turns. Furious and flustered, she wanted to defend herself, but had no idea how to explain it. Besides, with a matter like this, any defense from the person involved would only make things look guiltier.
In just a single sentence, Yuanshi's aunt had utterly destroyed her reputation.
In all her twenty-odd years of life, Guan Ya had never encountered anything so mortifying.
Zhang Yuanqing had just breathed a sigh of relief because the old crone hadn't lost her temper, but at those words, he turned a dumbfounded gaze back toward his aunt. *We're aunt and nephew! Did you really have to backstab me again and again?!*
Amid the dead silence, the old crone set down her chopsticks, gracefully rose to her feet, and said in a cool, aloof voice:
"Thank you for the hospitality. The mortal fare was quite delicious, and this seat is most satisfied. I shall take my leave."
Zhang Yuanqing didn't have time to comfort Guan Ya. Hurrying to his feet, he stammered:
"The door is this way. I... I'll see you out..."
He didn't want his family to see the old crone walk into his bedroom to return to the Spirit Realm.
The old crone shot him a detached look. "Very well!"
Zhang Yuanqing immediately bolted into the bedroom, pulled open a drawer, snatched the Demon-Subduing Pestle, and shoved it deep into his pocket. Under the bewildered gazes of his family, he opened the security door and gestured for her to proceed.
With light, graceful steps, the old crone crossed the living room and entryway, stepping out of the apartment.
Zhang Yuanqing led her down the stairwell to a blind spot out of the security cameras' view. He let out a long breath:
"Respectfully seeing off Your Ladyship."
Lady Sandao looked at him silently. "It seems this seat has brought you trouble."
Lowering his head, Zhang Yuanqing answered repeatedly:
"It was a joy and an honor! Truly my absolute pleasure!"
Lady Sandao gave a slight nod. The next second, golden light surged from Blood Rose’s body, illuminating the dark stairwell. Then, like a cresting wave, the brilliant gold light rushed into the Demon-Subduing Pestle and dispersed, plunging the stairwell back into darkness.
*Whew, finally got rid of her...* Zhang Yuanqing muttered inwardly. He ordered Blood Rose to stand on standby in the stairwell, then returned home with the Demon-Subduing Pestle.
He had just opened the security door, barely putting half a foot into the living room, when he heard Grandmother say:
"Guan Ya, I remember now. Back during Ah Bing's disappearance, you were the one who came by to take our statements, right? You and Yuanzi started back then..."
Grandmother didn't finish her sentence, but her face was full of distrust, screaming: *How could a working adult woman like you root up our family cabbage? He's still a boy!*
Guan Ya remained silent for a moment. Unable to endure staying any longer, she stood up and said:
"My apologies, something has come up. Let's have dinner another day."
Maintaining her last shred of composure, she nodded to the two elderly elders, then picked up her handbag and quickly brushed past Zhang Yuanqing, walking out of the Chen household.
The family made no move to stop her, only staring silently at Zhang Yuanqing.
Zhang Yuanqing stared silently at Little Aunt. After a long moment, he gritted his teeth and ground out:
"What a sin~"
He spun around and rushed out the door to chase after Guan Ya.
"What in the world is all this?!" Grandfather slammed his chopsticks onto the table in anger.
The whole family wore grim expressions, except for the heartless Jiang Yu'er, who beamed and urged everyone to eat:
"Eat, eat! Mom, the soup you stewed today is delicious."
The night was deep. The sun had just dipped below the horizon, and the evening air still carried the lingering heat of the day.
"Sister Guan Ya, Sister Guan Ya..."
In front of the blue sports car, Zhang Yuanqing grabbed hold of Guan Ya, who was furious, embarrassed, and mortified. "Hear me out—"
Guan Ya angrily threw off his hand, her eyes glaring at him.
"Explain what? Explain why you had your yin corpse pose as your girlfriend at the dinner table? Explain why your aunt is targeting me? You don't need to explain anything. What kind of relationship do we even have? I don't need your explanations!"
Under the dim light of the community's streetlamps, her bright, limpid eyes shimmered with tears as if she were about to cry. Mingled with her anger and humiliation were resignation and a faint touch of grievance.
Zhang Yuanqing was stunned. He was used to seeing her play the veteran driver with a teasing smile; used to seeing her handle affairs with crisp maturity; used to the strong, independent woman she portrayed in daily life...
To suddenly see her display the fretfulness and vulnerability of a young girl made his heart soften without reason.
Without needing any guidance from his life mentor, he understood that this was the feeling of being in love.
Love is that burst of tenderness when your heart softens for a girl.
When a woman rich in life experience and worldly knowledge reveals the vulnerability of a young girl before you, how could you not fall for her?
After waiting for so long without getting an explanation, Guan Ya's heart sank, and she snapped:
"Get lost!"
She forcefully yanked her hand free, opened the car door, and ducked into the vehicle.
Zhang Yuanqing scrambled into the sports car after her. Talking inside the car was far better than out in the open.
Chapter 295