Chapter 572: Ji Xiaolin is Overjoyed, Zhang Zhiyun Turns Vile!
Half an hour later, Shen An stopped the Rolls-Royce Phantom in front of an antique building within the Taishan Scenic Area, resembling a classical garden with pavilions, terraces, towers, ponds, courtyards, and fragrant lotus flowers.
At the entrance, a pair of valets in sharp, traditional attire stood ready. The sight of a Rolls-Royce Phantom gliding to a silent halt barely caused a ripple in their professional composure. They moved with practiced grace, one opening the door while the other prepared to courteously guide the vehicle to its designated spot. This place radiated an aura of old money and deep-rooted influence.
Ji Xiaolin's gaze was immediately drawn upward to the elegantly carved plaque bearing the name: YUHE Pavilion. Her beautiful eyes, already bright with excitement, couldn't help but sparkle with newfound wonder. An enchanting aroma, a delicate fusion of braised meats, simmering herbs, and fresh pastries, drifted from within, a tantalizing promise of the culinary artistry that awaited. Even before stepping inside, she felt a pang of hunger, her cravings stirred by the masterful scent alone.
Just as she was about to unbuckle her seatbelt, a familiar warmth filled the space beside her. Shen Anyu leaned across the console again, his arm brushing lightly against hers as his fingers found the release button. The crisp scent of his cologne, a subtle mix of sandalwood and citrus, momentarily enveloped her.
A hot blush instantly stained Ji Xiaolin's cheeks. She still wasn't entirely accustomed to these casual, intimate gestures that sent her heart into a frantic rhythm. Yet, beneath the fluster, her mood was soaring. Her thoughts raced, a giddy, hopeful whirlwind. 'Could it be? Does he… like me? Even without his memories of what happened between us, is he still drawn to me?' A peculiar sense of pride blossomed in her chest. It felt like a small, personal victory, a validation that the connection she felt wasn't just one-sided.
"Let's go," Shen Anyu said, his voice a low, pleasant murmur beside her ear. He pulled back, a faint smile playing on his lips. "This YUHE Pavilion is a century-old establishment. Being able to operate within a national scenic area like this means it's not a place just anyone can walk into. The chef's skills are legendary; this trip will definitely be worth your while."
"Have you brought Zhou Luyao here before?" Ji Xiaolin asked suddenly. Her voice was a little softer than intended, and her eyes flickered, betraying a fragile mix of anxiety and desperate expectation as she looked at him. The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning.
Shen Anyu met her gaze and shook his head, his expression open and honest. "I haven't been here with Luyao yet. This is my first time, too."
[Ding! Detected Destined Heroine Ji Xiaolin's favorability +1, plundering +3000 destiny value!]
The relief that washed over Ji Xiaolin was immediate and overwhelming. A radiant smile broke across her face, chasing away the last shadows of her insecurity. "Hehe, then let's have a good taste," she chirped, her voice brimming with delight.
She practically bounced out of the car, her movements light and carefree, like a young deer exploring a spring meadow. The high ponytail she wore swayed with every joyful skip, and her long, slender legs, clad in stylish knee-high boots, were particularly eye-catching as she moved toward the entrance.
Shen Anyu's eyes darkened for a fraction of a second as he watched her, a predatory glint deep within their depths.
"Sir, madam, just the two of you?" a female attendant in a neat black uniform asked politely as they approached the doorway.
Shen Anyu was about to answer when his senses picked up a familiar, unwelcome presence approaching rapidly. The corners of his mouth curved into a subtle, knowing smirk, and he deliberately paused, letting a second or two stretch into a telling silence.
Right on cue, the jarring squeal of tires cut through the tranquil ambiance. A taxi skidded to a halt just behind the Rolls-Royce. The door flew open, and Zhang Zhiyun scrambled out, his expression a frantic mix of desperation and forced confidence. He waved, his voice a little too loud. "Xiao Lin, wait! Let me treat you instead."
The joyous bubble around Ji Xiaolin popped instantly. Her smile vanished, replaced by a mask of pure irritation. "Zhang Zhiyun, can you stop following me!" she snapped, her voice sharp as ice.
Zhang Zhiyun plastered a sheepish grin on his face, trying to appear charming but only managing to look pathetic. "I'm your fiancé," he insisted, puffing his chest out slightly. "I just spoke to your uncle. He specifically told me to take good care of you and protect you."
Mentioning Zhang Tianen was the worst possible move. Ji Xiaolin's simmering anger boiled over. "That old man! He does nothing but cause me trouble!" she seethed.
The very thought of her uncle arranging this disastrous engagement sent a fresh wave of fury through her. It was because of her connection to Zhang Zhiyun that she had been targeted by his enemies from the Wan Fa Sect. It was because of him that she was kidnapped, entrapped, and ultimately lost her most treasured possession. The memory of that dark, cold basement was a scar on her soul.
Although that catastrophe had, by a twisted stroke of fate, led her to Shen Anyu—the man she now genuinely liked—the bitterness remained. The precious gift she had saved for her wedding night was stolen from her under the most horrifying circumstances. And now this man, the root cause of all her suffering, had the audacity to keep interfering, spoiling the one good thing that had come from the ordeal. It was difficult enough to find a moment alone with Shen Anyu as it was.
"Shen An, let's go. Ignore him!" Ji Xiaolin spun around, decisively grabbing Shen Anyu's hand. Her grip was firm, her palm warm against his as she pulled him forward. She turned to the attendant, her voice clipped and clear. "Two people."
The attendant was already thoroughly bewildered, her professional facade barely concealing her shock. 'What in the world is this drama? The fiancée is having a meal with another man, and the actual fiancé is chasing them down like this?'
Suppressing the powerful urge to gossip, she quickly composed herself. The staff at YUHE Pavilion were all rigorously trained to handle the eccentricities of the rich and powerful. With practiced politeness, she bowed slightly. "Right this way, please." She respectfully led Shen Anyu and Ji Xiaolin into the restaurant's serene interior.
[Ding! Child of Destiny Zhang Zhiyun's jealousy is raging, plundering +19999 destiny value!]
Zhang Zhiyun stood frozen, watching his fiancée proactively hold another man's hand and lead him away. The sight was like a physical blow, knocking the air from his lungs. An inferno of envy and jealousy erupted in his chest, so potent it felt like acid burning through his veins. The killing intent in his heart, once a mere spark, now roared into a blazing fire.
'Shen An, you have chosen the path of death!' he thought, his mind twisting with rage.
He had initially dismissed the connection between them, foolishly believing Shen Anyu was merely the boyfriend of Ji Xiaolin's best friend. A harmless bystander. Now, seeing them together, seeing the way she looked at him and touched him, the truth was obvious. Their intimacy was a flagrant betrayal.
A dark, murderous glint flashed in Zhang Zhiyun's eyes as he stared daggers at Shen Anyu's retreating back. He was a Heavenly Master, a master of Daoist arts. He had a hundred different ways to kill a common mortal without leaving a single trace. A subtle curse, a summoned spirit, a manipulated accident—it would be trivially easy.
'I'll make my move after they part ways,' he vowed silently, the decision solidifying like ice in his soul.
Refusing to be cast aside, Zhang Zhiyun followed them in and took a seat at an adjacent table, his gaze fixed on them like a hawk, not even bothering to blink.
Shen Anyu, for his part, completely ignored Zhang Zhiyun's oppressive presence. He handed the ornate menu to Ji Xiaolin, his smile warm and unperturbed. "This YUHE Pavilion is a century-old establishment," he said, his voice easily carrying over the quiet ambiance. "The tranquil environment is one thing, but the breakfast here is absolutely exceptional. Even something as simple as their steamed buns and soup dumplings are crafted to perfection in color, aroma, and taste."
"Hehe, then I must try them carefully." Ji Xiaolin's mood, buoyed by Shen Anyu's presence, recovered instantly. She treated Zhang Zhiyun like thin air, her focus entirely on the menu as she excitedly pointed out her choices.
"This, this, and this one too," she murmured, her finger tracing the elegant calligraphy. She looked up at Shen Anyu, her eyes shining. "Shen An, what do you want to eat? I'll order for you."
"Anything is fine with me; I'm not picky," he replied smoothly, a charming smile gracing the corners of his mouth. His eyes held hers. "And with such beauty before me, any breakfast tastes delicious."
The undisguised compliment sent a fresh wave of heat across Ji Xiaolin's face, a pretty blush coloring her cheeks.
CRACK. The sound of Zhang Zhiyun's knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists was almost audible. His eyes flashed with a venomous light. If Ji Xiaolin wasn't sitting right there, he would have already unleashed a lethal hex.
'Hmph, Shen An,' he snarled inwardly, 'once you and Xiao Lin are separated, I, Zhang Zhiyun, will let you know what it means to be devoured by evil spirits!'
The gloom in his eyes grew thicker, a evident miasma of hatred. He was even considering using high-level Daoist techniques like Soul Capture and Spirit Command on what he perceived to be an ordinary person. In his perception, Shen Anyu's aura was utterly unremarkable; he was neither a cultivator nor a martial artist. Just a common man who had dared to touch what was his.
[Ding! Child of Destiny Zhang Zhiyun has undergone initial blackening after multiple setbacks from the Host, plundering +50000 destiny value!]
Shen Anyu's eyes flickered, his peripheral vision catching the dark shift in Zhang Zhiyun's demeanor. A secret, triumphant smile played on his lips.
Zhang Zhiyun, the Child of Destiny, the mighty Heavenly Master descending from the mountain to conquer the mortal world. His path was supposed to be paved with glory and fortune. But after Shen Anyu's meticulous interventions, it had become a highway to hell.
He was nearly slaughtered by the Master of Myriad Dharma Sect. Though he managed to survive by a hair's breadth, his body and spirit were ravaged by the thousands of malicious curses embedded within the Myriad Curses Sword, subjecting him to unimaginable, constant torment.
And now, his Destined Heroine, the woman he fell for at first sight, had not only lost her purity but was now happily sharing an intimate breakfast with another man, treating him, her supposed fiancé, as if he were nothing.
Blow after blow had shattered Zhang Zhiyun's pride and righteousness, grinding him down and slowly twisting him into something dark and vengeful. The blackening had begun.
'Heh, this is just the beginning. He's not blackened enough yet. I look forward to the moment you pick up the Yin Corpse Devil Sword!' Shen Anyu's eyes held a playful, predatory glint~
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