One of my fairy-like friends

He said, "From now on... I'll call you Peony, you don't mind, do you?"

"Of course I don't mind... although it's the first time I've ever been called by my first name by a man..." Yu Mudan smiled, her smile slightly forced, and she still seemed a little down.

"...I'm glad you don't mind..." Mingyan scratched his head. "I was a bit rash just now; I shouldn't have...taken your hand..."

“It’s nothing…” Yu Mudan shook her head. She paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Have you ever signed Gu Hanshuang’s hand?”

“...No.” Mingyan shook his head.

"So, at least in this aspect, I've won against her?" Yu Mudan pursed her lips, looking at Ming Yan with a somewhat wistful gaze. "You seem to have taken a lot of my firsts: the first time a member of the opposite sex called me by my first name, the first time I had physical contact with a member of the opposite sex... the first time I felt a little embarrassed..."

"...Don't say that..." Mingyan said, somewhat embarrassed. "I suddenly feel like I'm burdened with deep sins..."

Yu Mudan's lips curled slightly upwards, finally revealing a smile. She took a deep breath, then exhaled deeply, and then brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I was already burdened with heavy sins..."

After saying that, she glanced at Ming Yan, her eyes seemingly filled with some inexplicable emotions.

Mingyan, ever perceptive, found Yu Mudan increasingly difficult to deal with. She possessed a natural talent for this; although her performance had some flaws, if it weren't for him, others would likely have failed to discern the truth and genuinely believed she was showing genuine emotion...

"...I'm sorry, it seems I've wasted your time." Yu Mudan spoke again, her hands clasped in front of her lower abdomen, her eyes slightly cautious. "Don't you think I was being a little... strange just now?"

"Of course not." Ming Yan was pulled back by Yu Mudan's voice. He smiled and shook his head. "I understand your thoughts..."

"...Could I...lean on your shoulder for a moment?" Upon hearing this, Yu Mudan lowered her gaze, then looked up again after a moment, her eyes filled with shyness. Her eyelashes trembled slightly as she spoke, perfectly conveying her reserved yet courageous demeanor. Perhaps worried that Ming Yan's refusal would make things awkward for both of them, she immediately added after speaking, "...Ah...if you don't want to, that's fine..."

“Of course, no problem.” Mingyan nodded with a smile. Yu Mudan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, two faint blushes appearing on her face. She then gently bit her cherry lips and slowly leaned against Mingyan's shoulder...

Yu Mudan's movements were so light that Mingyan barely felt anything.

The two remained silent for a while, both sensing that the atmosphere was becoming somewhat ambiguous.

To outsiders, this might seem like a couple who have feelings for each other, but in reality, both of them have their own thoughts. The atmosphere might be a little ambiguous, but it's something they can create themselves.

However, the difference is that Mingyan knows that Yu Mudan is acting, while Yu Mudan is not so sure whether Mingyan is acting or not.

Moreover, throughout this process, Mingyan's role appeared very passive, without launching any attacks. As the saying goes, a true hunter always appears as the prey, making it even more difficult for Yu Mudan to determine whether Mingyan was acting.

“…Sometimes I’ve thought about what kind of life I would have lived if I weren’t a so-called top genius.” Yu Mudan spoke up, breaking the silence. “But for me back then, there were no ‘ifs.’ Since I was a so-called top genius, I couldn’t live that kind of life. But now, it seems… in front of you, I’m no longer a top genius… Perhaps, things I gave up on before can be reconsidered.”

"So now... what kind of life do you think you'll be living?" Mingyan asked with a smile.

"...I'll definitely continue cultivating immortality, but there are other things I can do... I've thought before about whether I could get married like a normal woman... Ah, in our cultivators' terms, become a Daoist partner." Yu Mudan smiled slightly, "After learning that you might be my destined other half, I felt some resistance, because I felt that even if I were to have a Daoist partner, it should be my own choice. I hate this feeling of destiny..."

“Indeed, it’s like the future has been predetermined before it even happens. I hate that feeling too.” Mingyan nodded with a smile.

“However, my thoughts have changed now, because I’m starting to think that if I don’t believe in destiny, then perhaps I don’t need to resist it... Also, the more I get to know you, the more I’m starting to wonder, if it were you... would I really... be that resistant? If we put aside feelings for now, Young Master Ming is, at present, someone I think is completely worthy of me, even someone I’m somewhat unworthy of. And when it comes to feelings, I’m willing to get to know Young Master Ming better... I wonder... if Young Master Ming would be willing to give me this opportunity?” Yu Mudan’s tone was gentle. She didn’t look at Ming Yan, but her ears were a little red.

This wasn't an act, but not out of shyness, but out of shame. She never imagined that one day she would say such things to a man...

Chapter 225 Waiting for Jade Peony to be Given Away for Free

Yu Mudan and Gu Hanshuang are actually the same kind of people. They are both very proud, so it is really not easy to get them to do something so humble.

However, since Yu Mudan has "expressed her opinion," Ming Yan naturally has to respond to her. Otherwise, without getting a response, Yu Mudan doesn't know if this counts as a way to argue for what is right.

To entice Yu Mudan to give away more "for free", we need to let her taste the sweetness first.

Therefore, Mingyan seemed somewhat surprised upon hearing this. He paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Your words flatter me quite a bit... Of course, I wouldn't mind if we got to know each other better..."

Yu Mudan looked up at Ming Yan, her eyes slightly moist, but quickly lowered her head again. Her tone was different from usual, more coquettish, "I hope... you can look at me more, spend more time looking at me..."

Yu Mudan was trying to strike while the iron was hot, but Ming Yan couldn't be so easily "swayed". If he was too easily "moved" by Yu Mudan, not only might Yu Mudan see something, but if Yu Mudan saw that he was so easy to please, she probably wouldn't be so reckless in pursuing him.

Seeing that Ming Yan only smiled and did not respond, Yu Mudan sighed inwardly. This Ming Yan was not so easily swayed by her...

Perhaps I was indeed a bit too hasty; I need to start with the details... If I were to pursue Mingyan, is there anyone who could help me? Is there anyone willing to provide me with any information about Mingyan?

Realizing this, Yu Mudan refrained from further attacks. She pondered for a moment, considering who could help her...

At this moment, Mingyan's expression shifted slightly. "Peony, my master just sent me a telepathic message. I'm afraid..."

Yu Mudan snapped out of her reverie and smiled slightly, "Well, you go ahead and do your work... important matters come first."

Mingyan gave her a grateful look, and after he turned and left, Yu Mudan's smile faded, her brows furrowing slightly. What should she do...?

Yu Mudan suddenly tensed up. She abruptly raised her head and found that there was someone in front of her without her noticing. However, after seeing the other person's face clearly, Yu Mudan's tense nerves immediately relaxed. It turned out to be Wang Qingchu, who was smiling at her.

Yu Mudan bowed, "Senior Wang Qingchu..."

Wang Qingchu kindly helped Yu Mudan up, smiling slightly, "No need for formalities..."

--------------------------

After Mingyan parted ways with Yu Mudan, he did not go to find his master. It wasn't his master who was looking for him just now; he was merely looking for an excuse to slip away. Since he was going to keep some distance for the time being, there was no point in staying there any longer.

He arrived at the courtyard where An Ran lived and was about to go in when he sensed that there was someone else inside. It seemed that An Ran had a guest.

That aura was so familiar; it was Fei Xuan.

Mingyan pushed open the door and went in. Sure enough, Ning Feixuan and An Ran were sitting together chatting. Both of them were stunningly beautiful, and their presence together was a delight to behold.

To be honest, Fei Xuan looks more mature now than before, and Ming Yan likes her more in terms of temperament.

As for why he has become more mature, Mingyan is certainly involved.

Mingyan stood by and watched for a while. Both of them noticed his arrival and stood up. An Ran beamed and quickly walked over, "Master~"

Upon hearing this address, Ning Feixuan, who was about to call Mingyan, couldn't help but turn her head to look at An Ran. Was she really going to go this far?

Mingyan felt somewhat helpless, but she insisted on using the title "master." Deep down, she probably still saw herself as his so-called "servant," a point that Anran had said even he couldn't change.

Therefore, Mingyan had no choice but to accept it.

After An Ran walked over, she didn't stand on ceremony with Ming Yan at all and directly hugged Ming Yan's arm in front of Ning Feixuan. However, Ning Feixuan didn't react to this. Compared with some scenes she had seen before, what was this?

Ning Feixuan also came over, and at this time An Ran had already snuggled into Ming Yan's arms a few times. Ming Yan then casually pulled Ning Feixuan into his arms, and suddenly he had her on both sides, enjoying himself immensely.

"Why did you come to find us? Shouldn't you be with Yu Mudan and Gu Hanshuang?" Ning Feixuan asked curiously, knowing what Ming Yan had been doing lately.

"There's been some progress, and there's no need to rush things." Holding Ning Feixuan close, her soft fragrance filling his arms, he smiled and said, "So I came to see you all."

"You're here to see An Ran, right?" Ning Feixuan smiled slightly. "You probably didn't know I was here before you came."

Hearing Ning Feixuan say this, An Ran's smile deepened. "Master is so good to me."

Mingyan was somewhat amused and exasperated, but he didn't deny it. He asked, "What were you talking about just now?"

"Let's talk... about the future." Ning Feixuan paused for a moment, "If there is a future..."

Mingyan tightened his grip on her slender waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Don't worry, five hundred years is enough time for us to grow up."

"Hmm." Ning Feixuan smiled. "We were talking about what to do in the future. Do you plan to go back to Fenglingyueying or stay with the Huang family?"

"Don't you like staying in the Huang family?" Mingyan asked.

"Of course not, it's just... how should I put it, if I'm only staying in the Huang family because of you, then this feeling is a little awkward." Ning Feixuan couldn't quite explain this feeling. She just felt that it wasn't good for them to stay in the Huang family like this. After all, Mingyan was just the Huang family's son-in-law. If the Huang family's son-in-law was living with other women like this, wouldn't the Huang family...?

Although the relationship between the Huang family and Mingyan is quite complicated...

Ming Yan could roughly understand Ning Feixuan's thoughts. After all, he also felt that as the son-in-law of the Huang family, it was indeed a bit strange for him to bring so many women to live with the Huang family. However, the Huang family had stated time and again that he was, in fact, a member of the Huang family, and it was not a problem for him to bring as many women back as he wanted...

My aunt said something similar, and so did my fairy sister. My mother-in-law, Huang Junru, while not saying anything similar, never objected to Mingyan bringing women home, and even if she did, she never mentioned it to him...

However, if he were to bring Feng Lingyueying back, it seems the only option would be to stay on the Immortal Island. Mingyan would have to restrain himself there and couldn't just wander into the Moon Shadow's quarters. But that wouldn't be the case at the Huang family. He could go anywhere there. Every young lady from the Huang family he'd met had treated him exceptionally well since he arrived. He wondered if it was because she had needed his help with childbirth before...

Or perhaps, this is truly the attitude of the entire Huang family?

Chapter 226 The Patriarch Doesn't Care

"What do you think?" Seeing Ming Yan lost in thought, Ning Feixuan poked his face to bring him back to his senses.

“If I want to leave the Huang family, then I can only go to Fenglingyueying.” After regaining his senses, Mingyan said, “I am still a member of Fenglingyueying, and I cannot leave Fenglingyueying.”

If she were to take her master and others and settle down elsewhere, what would Feng Lingyueying be? She's considered a guest in the Huang family, but to run off and live alone... that's a bit inappropriate, isn't it?

Furthermore, Yaochi is no longer under consideration. The young ladies of the Huang family are not opposed to him, but that doesn't mean the female cultivators of Yaochi are not opposed. Although most of the female cultivators of Yaochi have a good impression of Ming Yan, there are also those who don't like him. They are not as united as the Huang family.

At this moment, a presence appeared outside the courtyard. Soon after, Huang Nishang entered. Her expression was indifferent as she looked at Ning Feixuan and An Ran, simply nodding slightly.

However, An Ran and Ning Feixuan were already used to it, and they greeted each other with smiles.

"Ni Chang." Ming Yan smiled. "What brings you here?"

"I originally came to find you, but when I got outside, I heard you talking about whether or not to leave the Huang family... What's wrong?" Huang Nishang, dressed in red, exuded a cold and beautiful aura. Her attitude towards Ming Yan was very special, quite different from how she treated others.

Previously, Huang Nishang treated Mingyan much the same way she treated outsiders, remaining indifferent and aloof. However, Mingyan didn't mind because he knew that Huang Nishang cared about him, and that was enough. But as the two spent more and more time together, the difference between Huang Nishang's attitude towards him and her attitude towards others became increasingly obvious.

Even outsiders could sense that Huang Nishang had become incredibly gentle with Ming Yan. Although her voice was still cold, her tone had become much softer.

"This..." It seems like this topic isn't suitable to discuss directly with Ni Chang. After all, the Huang family has always considered him one of their own. If Fei Xuan brings up this issue, will Ni Chang think he's overthinking things or that he doesn't trust the Huang family...?

Seeing that Ming Yan was hesitant to speak, Ning Feixuan said, "It's not that we want to leave the Huang family, it's just that Ming Yan and I were talking about whether it's a bit inappropriate for us to keep living in the Huang family like this... Ming Yan is fine, but our... our relationship with Ming Yan is more... complicated. You should understand what we mean, right?"

Ning Feixuan and Huang Nishang didn't have a particularly good relationship. Before she went to Yaochi, she had never met Huang Nishang.

However, now that they are all Ming Yan's women, they can be said to have some influence. But they would never know that although Huang Ni Chang has a cold face, she is not as indifferent as she appears.

Huang Ni Chang frowned slightly. "Why do you want to leave? There's nothing wrong with it. You're overthinking it."

After saying that, Huang Nishang paused for a moment, as if she had figured out why Ning Feixuan said that. She continued, "If you are embarrassed because of your relationship with Mingyan, there is no need to. The Huang family does not mind your existence."

“You’re one of our sisters, so of course we don’t mind, but the others…” Ning Feixuan explained.

“No one else will mind either.” Huang Nishang interrupted Ning Feixuan. “The rest of the Huang family doesn’t mind, the Huang family head Huang Junru doesn’t mind either, and you don’t need to mind either.”

Ning Feixuan pursed her lips, looking somewhat troubled, and said, "This..."

"You don't believe me?" Seeing that Ning Feixuan still had something to say, Huang Nishang continued, "You have a good relationship with Feiyan, and your master has a good relationship with Qing... and your second aunt. Why don't you go and ask them?"

Ning Feixuan said no more and simply nodded.

“Moreover, Mingyan has more freedom in the Huang family.” Huang Nishang looked at Mingyan. “He can’t go to the Moon Cinema while he’s at the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow, and the female cultivators at the Jade Pool might not welcome him… In the Huang family, all the Huang family members treat him as one of their own, so he can go anywhere. Why go anywhere else?”

An Ran blinked. "Does your family head really not care about us? We're practically her daughter's rivals in love."

Huang Nishang glanced at An Ran and said, "I know very well what the family head's attitude is. Just settle in and relax."

An Ran thought to herself, "Do you really know? The head of the Huang family wouldn't tell you anything, would he?"

It's quite strange to let them live here, eating their food, drinking their drinks, living in their quarters, and even sleeping in their beds.

What grudge did Huang Feiyan's mother hold against her...? Well, it's not quite right to say that... because Huang Feiyan herself doesn't seem to care as much as before...

Mingyan stared at Huang Nishang for a while, then laughed and said, "Since you've put it that way, if I decide to leave now, I'll be disrespecting the Huang family."