Cohabitation with Sword Spirit-Chapter 64 - 55: Candlelight Dinners and Romantic Nights Are Not on the Table

Chapter 64: Chapter 55: Candlelight Dinners and Romantic Nights Are Not on the Table

Early morning, July 27, 2017

Splaaash!

Wang Jiu poured a basin of cold water to wake up his lazy mount Shen Qingming, who refused to get out of bed.

Ordinarily, this wake-up method would be enough to fuel a girl’s anger to the point of ascending to heaven, yet the next moment, Shen Qingming, jolted awake by the cold water, showed an apologetic smile to Wang Jiu: "Sorry, I argued with that drumstick until late last night, didn’t sleep well... I’ll wash up and go train, won’t delay my cultivation."

Standing by the bed, Wang Jiu was surprised, looking at the girl’s warm smile that resembled the morning sun. He suspected she might have suffered brain damage due to excessive insomnia, leading to a state of senility. Although he never discriminates against the disabled, he didn’t want a vegetative-level mount either. Back then among the Jiu Immortal Venerables, Shen Kaishan, that idiot, was the hardest for Wang Jiu to deal with.

But moments later, Wang Jiu watched as the girl washed up, swaying left and right, hopping about, humming a popular tune from QingCyan Cloud yun City, her face beaming with a foolish grin.

"You seem in a good mood?" Wang Jiu asked.

"Eh?" Shen Qingming was taken aback, then nodded, "Really, getting splashed by you in the morning, I didn’t even get mad one bit."

"What’s 3423 plus 4822?"

Shen Qingming hesitated for a moment and said, "8245, why?"

Wang Jiu nodded: "Seems like it’s not brain damage causing a decline in intelligence, but truly good mood."

"...I’m not feeling so good now, but is there something you want to say?"

Wang Jiu said, "Here’s the thing, last night, Li Chaolu asked for my help to persuade you to return to the Li Family Mansion. After systematic analysis, I concluded that this request aligns with the interests of both parties, reasonable and logical. And considering the persuasion object is more likely to succeed when in a happy mood, I’m contemplating whether now is an appropriate persuasion moment."

"Persuade me to go home? No way." Shen Qingming said decisively, "I will not go back."

Wang Jiu said, "What’s the reason?"

"Because I can’t accept it yet." Shen Qingming said as she put down her rinse cup and toothbrush, wiped her face and hands with a towel, and ran to the kitchen to cook.

"I know what you guys are trying to say—past events were all misunderstandings, that those two have always cared for me, protected me... I know, but at least for now, I really can’t accept it all. Do you know how many years I’ve hated that woman? Now, just because she revealed her true feelings, I’m supposed to let go of all past grudges and return to the mansion to be her dutiful daughter, I..."

While speaking, the girl smiled but firmly shook her head.

"I know this is a bit willful, but whenever I think of myself going back to the family, I feel my skin tightening. Ah Jiu, can you imagine me having a cordial conversation with that woman?"

Wang Jiu, with astonishing speed, drew a sketch of Lu Xin and Shen Qingming hand in hand, side by side, a lily showing motherly love and daughterly piety: "Like this?"

"Ah!" Shen Qingming’s cheeks turned red, every thread of True Essence within her trembled from extreme embarrassment, even her stomach was churning.

After a while, Shen Qingming protested vigorously, "I haven’t even had breakfast yet! Don’t show me such disgusting things!"

After some time, the girl softly said: "Actually... frankly, hearing her say that yesterday, although I was uncomfortable, I did feel a little happy—note, I’m only saying this to you, don’t tell anyone else—knowing it was all a misunderstanding, I indeed felt much relieved. But I still dislike Lu Xin, can’t bring myself to like her, and definitely don’t want her as my mother. So returning to the family, maybe in the future, but not now."

After hearing Shen Qingming’s confession, Wang Jiu fell into deep thought, and after a long time, he came to a conclusion.

"I get it now, the problem lies in the lack of good feelings."

"Eh?"

Wang Jiu explained: "Due to misunderstandings over the years, the good feelings between you and Lu Xin have long been in a state of hatred. Although the misunderstandings are cleared, and hatred dissolved, building up good feelings takes time. It’s not a big problem, I can help you."

Shen Qingming curiously asked: "Help me, how will you help me?"

"Generally speaking, there are just a few ways to enhance goodwill between people; considering the lack of emotional foundation between you and Lu Xin, the two most efficient methods, candlelight dinner and mating, aren’t applicable yet..."

"What are you saying!?"

"I was merely listing two behaviors that most increase human emotions, but you can’t use them yet, don’t rush."

"Who’s rushing!"

"Anyway, the best method currently is dialogue."

Wang Jiu was a systematic, efficient person, and as he spoke, he already took out his Communication Spirit Jade, placing it on the table.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Shen Qingming watched the Spirit Jade gradually light up, becoming a bit flustered.

Wang Jiu said: "Initiating a dialogue. This morning, I had Li Chaolu send a Spirit Jade to Lu Xin too, so you can communicate directly via the Jade anytime, anywhere, very convenient."

Shen Qingming immediately panicked: "Talking to Lu Xin!? Now? Oh my God, at least let me have some mental preparation! I-I have no idea what to say to her!"

Wang Jiu said: "Topics aren’t limited, it’s very simple, just treat it like a blind date."

"Hey! Who wants a blind date with her!"

However, as the words left his mouth, the Spirit Jade already projected the scene on the other side.

Lu Xin appeared on screen, looking stunned, with a cake powder in one hand, lifting her headwear with the other, holding a jade hairpin in her mouth.

Seeing Shen Qingming, Lu Xin seemed immensely shocked, freezing completely, and the jade hairpin fell from her lips, breaking into two pieces on the ground...

"Pfft." Shen Qingming couldn’t help but laugh, while on the other side, Lu Xin’s cheeks turned red as blood, hurriedly turning off the Spirit Jade.

After a few seconds, the screen projected again, and Lu Xin seemed like a different person, sitting upright with a solemn demeanor, her regal aura resembling a grand national queen.

Seeing Qingming, Lu Xin gave a restrained but sincere smile: "Good morning."

"G-good morning." Shen Qingming, lacking Lu Xin’s composure in changing mannerisms, appeared somewhat flustered, blurting out, "Have you eaten?"

Lu Xin’s expression froze; her prepared lines were wasted, and at loss for words.

Standing by, Wang Jiu had to speak up: "Qingming is slightly mentally challenged, which might cause some difficulty in conversation."

"You’re the challenged one, get out of here! We don’t need you eavesdropping when we’re talking!"

——

After Wang Jiu was chased out of the room, he planned to use the flower vine in the Sword World to continue eavesdropping, but before he could, he heard Shen Qingming threaten: "If you dare to eavesdrop or interfere, I’ll... I’ll eat a whole basket of carrots!"

Wang Jiu immediately abandoned the interference plan, calmly letting the mother and daughter carry on with their blind date conversation.

Honestly, the prospects don’t seem too optimistic, especially if the intelligence is limited, things might not go smoothly. However, letting her suffer once, learning a lesson wouldn’t be bad. Zhao Yuming once said, first loves often end in failure but bring great growth. So if she ever falls in love with someone, she will never confess, waiting for the first love ordeal to pass before seeking true love...

Sure enough, roughly half an hour later, the conversation ended, and Shen Qingming stormed out, angrily tossing the Spirit Jade back to Wang Jiu.

"Unreasonable! That woman is simply unreasonable!" Shen Qingming angrily ranted, intending to complain about how Lu Xin’s speaking was infuriating.

But before she could speak, Wang Jiu said: "I knew it."

"Knew what?"

"Given your conversational skills and intelligence level, without me helping by your side, you certainly can’t handle the relationship with Lu Xin."

Shen Qingming incredulously stared at Wang Jiu, then after a moment, stepped forward to take the Spirit Jade back.

"Just wait, I will make that woman kneel and beg me to return!"

Wang Jiu was curious: "And then you return?"

"Then I’ll proudly tell her, absolutely not!"

"..."

"And then when she’s devastated, filled with regret for her deeds, I will, out of sympathy and pity, come before her and amidst her wailing, return to the Li Family Mansion in a blaze of glory."

As Wang Jiu listened, he nodded, simultaneously drawing another sketch at lightning speed.

In the drawing, Lu Xin kneeled and wailed, Shen Qingming shone brightly, stepping on her, in front of the Li Family Mansion with its wide-open gates and the head-bowing figure of Li Fengyun.

Looking at the drawing, Shen Qingming felt a surge of shame rise like lava within her.

"Enough, enough! I was just talking nonsense, I’ll find another chance to talk to her later, alright? Burn this thing now!"