Bei Yin was closing the door and preparing to undress for bed when the door suddenly swung open. Just as Bei Yin was about to scold the intruder, he looked up and saw it was none other than the Emperor of the Eastern Peak.
He hurriedly threw on the outer robe he had just removed and knelt on the floor. “Your Majesty visiting so late at night, may I ask what matter brings you here?”
Dong Yue looked at Bei Yin kneeling before him, recalling how when he first arrived in the Netherworld, he had been a lowly mortal soul just like Ni Chang.
Only because he had accumulated virtue and done many good deeds before death did his ascension to immortality and divinity come much faster than other ghosts of the same rank.
“You should know why I’ve come to you today. Have you thought about how to answer me? If there’s even a single false word, you know the consequences.” Dong Yue spoke with deliberate calm.
Having served for many years, Bei Yin knew Dong Yue’s temperament best – the calmer he appeared on the surface, the greater the turmoil within.
Knowing he couldn’t hide the truth from Dong Yue, Bei Yin confessed everything in detail, even repeating every word Ni Chang had said before jumping off the cliff without omission.
Upon hearing this, the teacup in Dong Yue’s hand fell to the ground, soaking a large portion of his trousers. He slightly supported his forehead with his hand, remaining silent.
After a long while, he stood up and walked to the doorway before stopping. “All matters in the Netherworld are entrusted to you. You must not leave your post even momentarily. If any major events occur, use this to summon me.”
Bei Yin looked at the bone whistle that had appeared in his hand, gazing in the direction where Dong Yue had disappeared, pondering for a long time.
Then he went directly to the cabinet and with a light flick of his finger, the cabinet door immediately opened.
Inside, a heart was beating rhythmically, enveloped in immortal aura to preserve it.
Indeed, this was exactly the heart of Ni Chang that Dong Yue had been looking for. He wouldn’t surrender it easily – he wanted to return it to Ni Chang personally, hoping she would understand his deception.
Several days later, early in the morning, Ni Manxin was sleeping soundly when noisy voices suddenly came from next door.
Tossing and turning in bed unable to sleep, she finally couldn’t bear it any longer and quickly changed clothes to investigate.
Opening her door, she saw that the originally narrow street was blocked by numerous cargo trucks.
Piece after piece of furniture and belongings were being carried past Ni Chang’s eyes, with endless noise and commotion.
What did this mean? Were they getting new neighbors?
“Hey, could you keep it down early in the morning? It’s so noisy! Are you even letting people sleep?” Ni Manxin couldn’t help but complain.
“If I’m not mistaken, miss, it’s currently ten in the morning. Would you still consider this early?”
A red-haired man emerged from the car, glanced at his watch, and answered her expressionlessly.
Ni Manxin felt she had seen this man somewhere before. After thinking for a long time, she realized this was none other than that Dong Yue whom the entire school couldn’t stop talking about. Why was he here? Could it be…
As she looked at him, a sudden pain shot through her chest. Why was this happening? Beads of sweat densely covered her forehead, and her complexion grew increasingly pale.
Dong Yue, who had seen Ni Chang perfectly fine just moments before, quickly stepped forward to support her swaying body, his eyes revealing unconcealed concern. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Ni Manxin: “Don’t hold me. I should be fine after going back to rest.” Having said this, she turned to leave.Dong Yue followed her inside and walked to her bedside, saying, “I worked as an attending physician at X Hospital for several years. Let me examine you!”
Ni Manxin felt completely weak. Dong Yue noticed her drooping right hand, paused for a moment, then picked up her left hand and carefully took her pulse.
This time was entirely different from before—the previously steady and strong pulse now jumped erratically.
Dong Yue quietly used magic to make her fall into a deep sleep, opened her collar, and took out the pendant hanging around her neck.
At that moment, the pendant rested in Dong Yue’s palm: slightly warm, with a faint glow emanating from the red hair inside. Dong Yue immediately understood—it was his own hair calling out to him.
He cast a spell on the strand of hair so that it would no longer cause Ni Chang pain.
Ni Manxin’s pale complexion gradually returned to normal, and her breathing shifted from rapid to calm.
Dong Yue gazed at the sleeping Ni Chang and said, “Neighbor, I’ll have to trouble you to look after me from now on.” With that, he vanished.
Not long after, Ni Manxin woke up again, feeling much more at ease and noticing the pain in her chest had disappeared. It seemed the newly moved-in neighbor Dong Yue’s medical skills were quite impressive!
She couldn’t understand why, after meeting Dong Yue twice, her chest would grow hot and painful. It had never happened before—was there something wrong with her heart? No, she decided she would drag Fang Yi along to the hospital for a check-up another day.
Ding-dong… Ding-dong…
Ni Manxin pressed the doorbell at Dong Yue’s house. He opened the door and saw Ni Chang standing at the entrance, looking at him.
This was the first time Ni Manxin had seen Dong Yue in loose sleepwear, his well-built chest exposed to the air. She couldn’t help but swallow hard.
Dong Yue: “What’s up?”
Ni Manxin: “Thank you for treating me this morning. To… to show my gratitude, I… I mean, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”
Dong Yue looked at the blushing, stammering Shen Nichang—how had he never noticed before how adorable she could be?
Imitating Ni Manxin’s stammer, he said, “You… you just said… said you’d treat me to dinner?”
Furious, Ni Manxin turned to leave. How could this man be so mean? She had just started thinking he was decent, and in the blink of an eye, he turned into this. She had wanted to thank him with a meal, but it seemed she could save the money now—not a bad outcome after all.
With a thud, she bumped into something and fell to the ground. Rubbing her forehead, she wondered—was there a wall blocking the hallway? Looking up, she saw Dong Yue standing right in front of her.
Ni Manxin stared in disbelief, pointing behind her, then at the man before her. What kind of person was he? How could he move so fast? He had just been standing at his doorway, and now… And when had he changed into this casual outfit?
“You said you’d treat me to dinner. Are you regretting it now?” Dong Yue teased.
Ni Manxin’s cheeks puffed up with anger. “Do I look like a stingy person? I was just going back to change my clothes. You wait right here!”
Honestly, this man changed clothes faster than a ghost. Afraid of keeping him waiting, Ni Chang hurriedly changed and got ready to go.
Just then, Ni Manxin’s phone on the bed rang—it was Fang Yi. She had completely forgotten about their noon plans to watch a movie and have dinner together. What was she going to do now?After a long while, a knock came from the door. Ni Manxin spoke into her phone, “I won’t talk to you anymore, let’s meet another time!” After saying this, she hung up and went to open the door.
On the other end of the line, Fang Yi—no, Princess Long Chuyao—stared fiercely at her phone. It seemed Dong Yue had already begun to take action regarding Ni Chang.
Then perhaps she should also speed things up, taking advantage of Ni Chang’s ignorance to quickly drive them apart, or else the consequences would be endless.
Long Chuyao thought that the dessert shop owner seemed to have some intentions toward Ni Manxin. Maybe she should test the waters first before making a decision.
She looked at the girl in the mirror, touched her face, and sneered coldly, “This mortal woman’s appearance is nothing special. It just so happens I can use this disguise to get close to them.”
Ni Manxin, having prepared everything, was about to take Dong Yue to an ordinary restaurant downstairs for a meal. But as soon as they stepped out of the residential complex, she saw Fang Yi approaching. Ni Manxin was puzzled—hadn’t they agreed to meet another day? Why was she here now…
Dong Yue immediately recognized the person standing before him as Long Chuyao, whom he had expelled from the Grand Dusk Palace. What was she doing here? Did she plan to repeat her old tricks?
“Fang Yi, what brings you here?”
Ni Manxin walked up, smiling, and grabbed her arm to ask. After a moment, she remembered Dong Yue was behind her. Ni Manxin thought for a bit—since Fang Yi was already here, they might as well have a meal together.
“Um, Dong Yue, how about we eat here?”
Ni Manxin asked cautiously. She knew Dong Yue usually frequented high-end restaurants and wouldn’t normally eat at such an ordinary place.
But she couldn’t afford those expensive places either! Her mind was in turmoil.
Dong Yue understood exactly what Ni Manxin was thinking. Without a word, he led the way into a three-star restaurant. Ni Manxin and Fang Yi quickly followed behind.
While Ni Manxin was washing her hands, Dong Yue spoke coldly, “Why are you here? You shouldn’t be showing up.”
Fang Yi replied, “Sir, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Could you explain more clearly?”
Dong Yue narrowed his eyes, pressed his lips tightly, and stared at her intently for a long time.
“Long Chuyao, you might fool Ni Chang, but do you think you can deceive me? Are you being naive, or have you forgotten who I am?”
Long Chuyao’s heart sank. Knowing she could no longer hide the truth from Dong Yue, she immediately put on a pitiful, delicate act, hoping to win the Emperor’s sympathy. But she had forgotten who she was facing.
“I don’t want to see you here. Leave at once.”
Fang Yi said sorrowfully, “Your Majesty, am I, Long Chuyao, so unworthy in your eyes? Ni Chang is just a lowly soul—is she worth you coming to this mortal world in person?”
Dong Yue picked up his teacup, took a sip, and calmly looked in the direction where Ni Manxin had disappeared. “Whether she’s worth it is for me to decide. As for you… disappear right now. Do not appear before Ni Chang again, do you hear me?”
Seeing that Dong Yue remained unmoved, Fang Yi’s gaze gradually turned cold, and a ruthless look slowly surfaced. Unfortunately, by then, Dong Yue had already shifted his attention to Ni Manxin’s return, ignoring Long Chuyao’s presence.
From a distance, Ni Manxin watched Dong Yue and Fang Yi sitting by the window, sensing an indescribable tension between them, as if they had known each other long ago.
But upon careful reflection, how could they have met before? Dong Yue had just returned from abroad not long ago, and with him managing so many domestic and international companies, how could Fang Yi have possibly met him even once? If they had truly met, it probably would only have been that one time at school!
She laughed at herself mockingly. Was it because she had been working too hard lately that her mind was acting strangely today?
Ni Manxin walked to the dining table and sat in the seat opposite Dong Yue, smiling as she said, “I’m so sorry, I went inside to wash my hands and forgot to introduce you two.”
Dong Yue frowned slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Fang Yi. “Just now, this lovely Miss Fang Yi and I have already gotten to know each other. Isn’t that right, Miss Fang Yi?”
Long Chuyao, hearing Dong Yue say this, couldn’t help but nod in agreement.