Today’s dinner gathering resolved the doubts in Ni Manxin’s heart.
No wonder she kept feeling the atmosphere was somewhat strange earlier—it turned out the usually aloof Fang Yi had developed feelings for someone.
When she first approached them, she sensed an indescribable tension between them.
Throughout the entire meal, Fang Yi’s gaze never left Dong Yue for even a moment. The usually playful and lively Fang Yi was unusually quiet today, occasionally casting flirtatious glances at Dong Yue. Meanwhile, Dong Yue continued eating from his bowl as if nothing was happening, paying no attention to her.
Driven by curiosity and gossip, Ni Manxin finally pulled Fang Yi’s hand and took her to the restroom to get to the bottom of things.
“Fang Yi, Fang Yi?” After calling her name twice, Ni Manxin teased with a mischievous grin, “Is our Fang Yi falling in love?”
Long Chuyao noticed that Ni Manxin had misunderstood the relationship between her and Dong Yue, secretly delighted. Turning around, she shyly took Fang Yi’s hand and said, “Can you help me?”
Ni Manxin watched as Fang Yi looked at her with sincere eyes, not hiding her fondness for Dong Yue in the slightest, which truly made Ni Manxin view her in a new light.
She had only met Dong Yue today, yet she was already so infatuated. What would happen over time? As a friend, Ni Manxin naturally wanted to do everything possible to support Fang Yi’s devotion, though for some reason, she couldn’t shake off a sense of unease.
To help her friend, the only solution was to let Fang Yi move into her house. This would perfectly create opportunities for them; otherwise, how would Fang Yi ever get to see Dong Yue?
“Fang Yi, I happen to have an empty room at my place. Why don’t you stay with me? Dong Yue comes back almost every night.”
“Really, Manxin? Is that convenient? Wouldn’t it be too much trouble for you?” Fang Yi asked, feigning extreme excitement as she grabbed Ni Manxin’s hand.
“Don’t be so polite! What’s our relationship? Just go ahead and pursue him boldly. As for my dad, he comes home late every day, so don’t worry—he won’t say anything!”
Long Chuyao had originally thought she would need to go to great lengths to insert herself between them, but she never expected it to be this easy. She found it utterly unbelievable.
The next afternoon after school, Fang Yi stood at the entrance of Ni Manxin’s house with her luggage. Looking at the two-story villa and its spacious courtyard, it was hard to imagine that all of this was left by her mother before she passed away.
Thinking about her own living situation at Fang Yi’s house, it was downright repulsive. When had she, a princess, ever endured such humiliation—cramped year-round in a narrow, dim space? One bedroom housed a family of four, and even meals were eaten holding bowls in the hallway outside.
Now, looking at Ni Manxin’s home and then at the standalone villa next door, Fang Yi couldn’t help but feel a surge of jealousy. Dong Yue had gone to great lengths to get close to Shen Nishang.
What a pity…
By now, Shen Nishang had already forgotten Dong Yue and everything about the Netherworld.
If Dong Yue found out she had moved into Nishang’s house, she wondered how he would react. It seemed the path ahead would be quite interesting.
Nishang, our rivalry is just beginning. Everything you took from me, I will snatch back from your grasp, bit by bit. Just you wait!That evening, because Fang Yi was staying over, Ni Manxin couldn’t help but cook a few more of her specialty dishes. She packed the prepared food into a preservation box and brought it to Fang Yi, who was sitting by the tea table watching TV while cracking melon seeds. She said to her, “Fang Yi, please deliver this meal!”
Deliver a meal? How dare this Ni Chang order me around and make me work? Is she looking for death?
“Fang Yi, Dong Yue should be back by now. Go check on him. If he hasn’t returned yet, I’ll reheat the dishes later and trouble you to make another trip. If you’re unwilling…”
Ni Manxin only felt a gust of wind sweep past her face. The previously displeased Fang Yi and the meal box tossed in front of her had vanished without a trace. Since when had Fang Yi become so fast? The power of love was truly…
Dong Yue had just finished showering when he heard urgent doorbell ringing outside. Checking the time, he thought it should be Ni Manxin coming to deliver his meal.
He had originally wanted Ni Manxin to cook here so they could eat together, but she complained the place was too clean and refused no matter what. Left with no choice, she had to cook at home and deliver the food here.
Dong Yue opened the door, his initially relaxed expression immediately darkening upon seeing Fang Yi.
“What? Seeing it’s me, are you very disappointed?”
Fang Yi pushed past Dong Yue blocking the doorway, placed the meal box on the tea table, and scanned the room. “Just as expected of your consistent style – simple and cold. I bet these cabinets are all empty! Doesn’t Ni Manxin feel there’s not a trace of human warmth here?”
As she spoke, Fang Yi continued looking around.
“Then again, someone as clueless as her wouldn’t notice. Like today with the meal delivery – she asked me to bring it over. She knows I like you and conveniently played matchmaker.”
“You’re saying she asked you to come?” Dong Yue immediately felt uncomfortable upon hearing this.
Fang Yi stood before Dong Yue, gazing at him affectionately. “Dong Yue, look, even Ni Chang is helping us get together. Why are you still keeping me out? As the Daughter of the Jade Emperor, am I really not as good as that Mortal Soul Ni Chang?”
Dong Yue immediately stood up, grabbing Fang Yi’s hand with one hand while opening the door with the other. “Don’t appear before me again. I didn’t pursue the matter of you digging out Ni Chang’s heart before, but that doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate you interfering between us. If you remain obstinate, don’t blame me for being impolite.”
Standing at Dong Yue’s doorway, Fang Yi noticed from the corner of her eye that Ni Manxin’s door wasn’t completely closed. She figured Ni Manxin must be secretly watching them from inside. Taking advantage of Dong Yue’s momentary inattention, she quickly kissed his lips.
Before he could react, she pulled away and jogged over to Shen Nishang’s house.
Pushing the door open, she indeed saw Ni Manxin watching her with a mischievous smile. She’s misunderstood – good, that’s exactly what I wanted.
Meanwhile, Dong Yue sat fuming in the living room, annoyed that Ni Chang would play matchmaker like this.
Compared to now, it seemed there was truly no place for him in Ni Manxin’s heart anymore. But he wondered if she could remember anyone else besides him.
Dong Yue stood in the main hall of the Grand Dusk Palace, watching Yan Lie, son of King Yama, kneeling in the center of the hall, and walked toward him step by step.Dong Yue looked down at Yan Lie from his elevated position. Well aware of the close relationship between Yan Lie and Ni Chang, he intended to send Yan Lie to the mortal realm to accompany her—primarily to guard against Long Chuyao and prevent her from harming Ni Manxin.
Yan Lie and his father had no idea why the Emperor had summoned them today, leaving them inwardly anxious.
King Yama, stealing glances at Dong Yue while cautiously scolding Yan Lie, whispered, “You rascal, have you been causing trouble behind my back again?”
Hearing this, Yan Lie knew his father had wrongly accused him and hurriedly shook his head in denial.
If truth be told, his tendency to stir up mischief was largely influenced by Ni Chang herself. She always insisted that children should behave like children, asking why he acted so solemn all the time. Thus, she had taught him all sorts of amusing tricks.
Kneeling on the ground, King Yama remained uneasy, wondering what the Emperor truly intended.
Dong Yue approached Yan Lie. He knew asking Yan Lie to accompany Ni Chang would be challenging—the boy was still a mere Young Immortal of twenty thousand years, too young to become a deity and unable to withstand the mortal realm’s yang energy. He drew an Elixir from his sleeve and held it before him.
Yan Lie tilted his head slightly, puzzled as he watched Dong Yue. Then Dong Yue spoke: “Yan Lie, I know you’ve always wanted to go to the mortal realm to be with Ni Chang, but you’re only a twenty-thousand-year-old Young Immortal.
Take this Elixir today—it will allow you to reside in the human world. Are you willing?”
Overjoyed, Yan Lie leaped to his feet and eagerly agreed.
“Yan Lie, find a way to get close to Ni Chang. It’s best if you live in her home without arousing suspicion.
Be warned: Long Chuyao is constantly near her. Your task is to ensure she doesn’t harm Ni Chang. Understood? If anything seems amiss, come to my room at night—I live next door to her. Remember this!”
Yan Lie nodded, swallowed the Elixir given by the Emperor, and immediately felt a wave of relief wash over him.
After bidding farewell to his father, he arrived at Shen Nishang’s doorstep under cover of darkness.
Black and White Impermanence observed the young lord, curious about how Yan Lie planned to approach Ni Manxin and under what guise. Just as they prepared to inquire—
Yan Lie suddenly vanished, and in his place, a small Chihuahua appeared crouched by Ni Manxin’s door, whimpering softly.
Ni Manxin, reading in her living room, heard the faint sound of a puppy and couldn’t resist opening the door to look around.
She felt something tugging at her pants leg and glanced down to find a small dog nibbling at the fabric, its eyes pleading pitifully up at her.
Ni Manxin scanned the surroundings and, seeing no owner for such an adorable puppy, crouched down to stroke its fur. “Poor little thing, how did you end up here? Since you’ve come to my home, how about I take you in? If you agree, just nod.”
No sooner had she spoken than the puppy in her arms nodded and let out two cheerful barks. Delighted by its understanding, Ni Manxin grew even fonder of it.
She said, “Let me give you a name, shall I? What should it be? Hmm… how about Ye Yue?”
Yan Lie drooped his head in silent despair. What kind of name was that? After twenty thousand years as Yan Lie, being rebranded as Ye Yue was hard to swallow.
Perched in a tree, Black and White Impermanence exchanged helpless glances. They had been pondering how to help the young lord get close to Ni Chang, but this was beyond their expectations.
He’s got it easy, turning directly into a dog and being brought inside by Ni Manxin in less than an hour. Truly worthy of being King Yama’s son—impressive! Really impressive!
Fang Yi’s face darkened as she looked at the puppy in Ni Manxin’s hands. She hadn’t expected this kid to show up here too? What was his purpose in coming? Was it King Yama who sent him, or was it arranged by Dong Yue?
At this moment, Long Chuyao didn’t want to pursue the matter. What capability could this fledgling, inexperienced kid possibly have?
Ni Manxin hurriedly poured a cup of milk for the puppy in the kitchen and brought it to the living room, stroking its head as she said, “Drink quickly. You’re so small—you should only be drinking milk, right?”
Fang Yi’s eyes shifted, and she smiled strangely: “This kind of dog actually likes raw meat. Coincidentally, you have some in your fridge—go get a piece and feed it to him!”
Ni Chang found this reasoning sound and turned to walk toward the kitchen.