Chapter 88: Interrogations and Dual Cultivation Excuses

“So, you and Chief Su are actually childhood sweethearts? Were you introduced by your families?”

Lin Yueyao’s eyes shone brightly, and she pursued relentlessly, much like a squirrel discovering a nut.

“Hmm… something like that.”

Ye Xingchen explained patiently.

“Actually, our parents have always been very close, and since we lived nearby, we grew up playing together.”

Their relationship was more than just good; it was excessively so.

Shortly after their births, they were betrothed in a childhood engagement.

Even more preposterously, their monthly allowances were decided jointly by both families and then entrusted to Su Liyue’s management, as if grooming the future mistress of both households to handle their finances.

Though these funds ultimately found their way into Ye Xingchen’s pockets, given that Su Liyue was, in essence, his other self.

Yet, reflecting on how their parents allotted “Su Liyue” 20 silver coins a month while “Ye Xingchen” received a paltry 10, he couldn’t help but grumble about the unfairness:

‘The disparity was simply too stark, as if perfectly embodying the ancient adage: “Girls are to be raised richly, boys meagerly.”’

Lin Yueyao’s expression shifted to one of sudden realization. “So, you certainly have an advantage over other suitors. But that alone isn’t enough, is it?”

She suddenly leaned closer, her gossip-fueled soul burning brightly.

“Quick, tell me, what kind of gifts did you give Chief Su when you were pursuing her?”

“Gi… gifts?” Ye Xingchen’s expression abruptly turned peculiar. ‘Give myself gifts? That seems a bit too fantastical.

Even the Yaochi Saintess, the foremost beauty of the immortal realm, was the one giving him gifts; he had never taken the initiative himself.’

Lin Yueyao clasped her hands over her heart, her eyes sparkling.

“Exactly! Like romantic surprises for Valentine’s Day! When Chixiao was pursuing me, he gave me a bouquet he wove himself, and hidden inside was an earth-element magic necklace. Though the craftsmanship was crude… it was incredibly touching!”

“Well… it seems I’ve never really given any special gifts…” Ye Xingchen awkwardly scratched his cheek.

Throughout their three years at the academy, he had either been tinkering with alchemy or researching spacetime tunnels, while Su Liyue had dedicated herself to studying magic and poring over books.

‘Valentine’s Day? That was merely a mark on the lab calendar. Besides, giving gifts to himself—no matter how he thought about it—felt utterly bizarre.’

“Never given any?!” Lin Yueyao’s jaw nearly hit the floor.

“Then what on earth does Chief Su see in you?!” Her worldview was rapidly crumbling.

Even with a childhood engagement, for that lofty, unapproachable beauty to fall for him, despite his utter lack of even the most basic romantic gestures? What unique charm did this underachiever possess?

Feeling acutely uncomfortable under her scrutiny, Ye Xingchen let out two dry laughs. “Perhaps… she was moved by my sincerity?”

“Sincerity?” Lin Yueyao narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced.

“Don’t tell me… you have some terrible leverage over her?” Her imagination began to run wild. “Like, did you secretly watch her bathe when you were little? Or did you use your engagement to force her into some unspeakable contract?”

Ye Xingchen listened, utterly dumbfounded.

‘If this girl’s wild conjectures were penned into a novel, it would undoubtedly sweep the academy’s romance section! As for Su Liyue bathing, he had indeed seen her since childhood, but that wasn’t “secretly watching.”

It was, after all, his own body; he was merely “openly observing.” As for coercion or seduction, why would he threaten himself?

What position couldn’t he achieve? And that? Nonsense! His study materials from his previous life weren’t for naught!’

“You’re overthinking it. My relationship with Yueyue is very pure,” Ye Xingchen stated, his expression serious.

“Pure enough to hide and kiss while on midnight patrol?” Lin Yueyao immediately delivered a fatal blow.

“Th-that was… the moonlight was too beautiful… an accident!” Ye Xingchen wasn’t sure if he was ashamed or angry, only that his face flushed instantly.

***

Just as Ye Xingchen was enduring Lin Yueyao’s “torturous interrogation,” Su Liyue, on her end, was also facing Mu Wanqing’s soul-searching questions.

“Yueyue~” Mu Wanqing linked arms with Su Liyue, her eyes sparkling with gossip.

“Last time you said you weren’t considering having children yet, so how did things get… so intense with Ye Xingchen in the blink of an eye?

And… my mother always said that getting pregnant before marriage isn’t good for a girl’s reputation. What if he gets tired of playing around…”

‘What kind of predatory words are “tired of playing around”? Am I playing with myself?’

“Qingqing!” Su Liyue stamped her foot in exasperation, her fair cheeks instantly flushing crimson.

“We were truly just… just…”

She was suddenly sidetracked by Ye Xingchen’s conversation from next door, and blurted out:

“Dual cultivation!”

The words were barely out before she regretted them, quickly correcting herself:

“Pah! It was magic cultivation! Pure magic cultivation!”

Mu Wanqing blinked, a cute smile spreading across her face. “Oh~ so you call kissing ‘dual cultivation’? It seems Student Ye is quite knowledgeable~”

“Qingqing, we really are doing proper magic cultivation!” Su Liyue’s small face was flushed with urgency, as a cluster of shimmering blue energy condensed in her palm. “Feel this, isn’t my magic different from before?”

Mu Wanqing cautiously extended her hand, and as her fingertips brushed against the magic, her eyes widened involuntarily.

Though both were apprentice mages, Su Liyue’s magic was as pure as a mountain spring, and its potency far surpassed others at their level.

What truly astonished her was the incredible explosive power contained within this magic—it was clearly a reserve capable of sustaining large-scale spells!

“So… you really were just cultivating?” Mu Wanqing withdrew her hand, her tone still laced with a hint of suspicion.

“Truly, truly just cultivating!” Su Liyue emphasized twice, as if repeating the words would lend them more credibility.

Mu Wanqing narrowed her eyes. “Then just now, under the moonlight, you were practically draped all over Ye Xingchen, kissing him so passionately that even silver threads… was that also part of your cultivation?”

“Th-this is actually crucial to our families’ engagement…” Su Liyue’s voice trailed off, her cheeks faintly flushed.

“Our families have inherited a secret art that requires both a man and a woman to cultivate together to enhance their magic. That’s why our parents arranged our engagement shortly after we were born. During these past three years of schooling, Xingchen and I have been studying separately, and it’s been a long time since we cultivated together…”

As she continued speaking, the words flowed more smoothly. ‘The “Yin-Yang Qiankun Art” technique left by Master Xuantian was, in essence, a dual cultivation method, so this excuse served perfectly to cover her tracks,’ she thought.

“This night presented a rare opportunity. We were thinking that since we’re fighting magical beasts tomorrow, we could dual cultivate today to boost our strength. But this technique has a peculiar requirement… the magic can only be circulated through kissing…”

The last few words were almost swallowed by her lips.

Mu Wanqing pouted in disappointment. “What a letdown! I thought I’d be a godmother soon!”

“Qingqing!” Su Liyue stomped her foot in exasperated embarrassment. “Whose side are you on, anyway?”

Mu Wanqing suddenly clasped her hands together, batting her large, glistening eyes.

“Of course, I’m on the side of your future baby~”

She tilted her head playfully. “After all, the more ‘diligently’ you cultivate, the sooner I’ll become a godmother!”