CHAPTER 283: CHAPTER 283: THE FOOL AND THE SCUMBAG

As an entertainment venue for the surrounding residents, the Cultural Park wasn’t small, but neither was it exceptionally large.

Gu Yueyan and Dong Chengling chose a route that wasn’t long; it took them only about fifteen minutes to circle the park. In the wee hours, the bright moon was serene and considerate, bathing Gu Yueyan in its light. Like a child, she deliberately stepped only on the illuminated patches of ground and, with an obsessive compulsion, wouldn’t allow herself to step on any unlit patches.

"We should come out more often in the future. Of course, not in the wee hours."

Gu Yueyan turned her head to look at Dong Chengling. "Sister Ling, don’t you dislike coming out?"

"But you enjoy it."

Gu Yueyan was slightly taken aback, then her cheeks flushed red. Although she was very happy when the five of them were together, she didn’t show it. It wasn’t until she was with Dong Chengling alone that she let go of some of her inhibitions and hopped and skipped along, following the joyful feeling in her Spiritual Meridians, not expecting Dong Chengling to notice.

"Don’t force yourself to give up entertainment," Dong Chengling said, having seen through Gu Yueyan’s thoughts. "Although I’m devoted to cultivation because I enjoy it, this doesn’t mean I’ve rejected other hobbies. For example, I’m quite willing to spend time and effort on cooking."

"Although cultivation is very important now, it doesn’t mean that you, Xiao Yan, have to give up other forms of entertainment. A balance between exertion and rest is also key to cultivation."

"Moreover," Dong Chengling tilted her head, smiling, "I also want to stroll with you, as if I were still very young."

"Sister Ling, you are only a few years older than me!" Gu Yueyan immediately retorted. She also completely let down her guard, curiously observing other places, fully enjoying the tranquility under the night moon.

When they were almost at the rendezvous point, Gu Yueyan glanced to the side and suddenly widened her eyes, stunned.

"Sister Ling, you go ahead."

Dong Chengling looked at Gu Yueyan curiously. "What’s wrong?"

"I think I dropped my transit card on the way; I’ll go back and look for it."

"Then let’s go together."

"No need, I’ll run a quick round trip. My transit card glows; if I don’t see it, I’ll be back within three minutes. We’ve just patrolled that route, and we’re pretty sure it’s safe, so don’t worry."

Dong Chengling was inclined to refuse, but she noticed that Gu Yueyan seemed a bit anxious and yet didn’t want her to follow. Realizing Gu Yueyan must have some other little secret, she said, "Then put on the necklace. If you’re not back in three minutes, I’ll call you. If I can’t reach you by phone, I’ll pull you back to me."

Gu Yueyan was wearing the necklace with Spirit Energy Coordinates that Dong Chengling had given her, so Dong Chengling could pull her to her side at any time. Thus, she wasn’t too worried. Moreover, Dong Chengling had already scanned that route with her perception, confirming that no one else was there.

"Okay!" Gu Yueyan turned and ran off like a bolt of lightning.

Once she turned a corner and was completely out of Dong Chengling’s line of sight, Gu Yueyan saw ’that guy’ casually sitting on a bench, legs crossed, leisurely waiting for her.

"Do you need something from me?" Gu Yueyan stopped a full five steps away from Ren Suo. Her Spiritual Meridians were already activated, ready to fire a Moonlight strike capable of shattering gold and jade to prevent any accidents.

When Gu Yueyan was looking around just now, she suddenly saw Ren Suo beckoning to her from the woods. He pointed to the other side, then ran off in that direction. Gu Yueyan naturally understood this meant he wanted to speak with her privately. Although she didn’t know what had happened to Ren Suo, she followed his instructions and came alone to see.

She had already considered the causes and consequences. With supernatural events occurring frequently and Ren Suo’s movements being strange, Gu Yueyan naturally had her suspicions. But if she came looking for him with Dong Chengling, there’s no guarantee he wouldn’t run away. Or, perhaps Ren Suo really had some urgent matters he couldn’t tell Dong Chengling about and urgently needed to discuss with her.

Not only was Gu Yueyan now approaching Ren Suo very cautiously, but she also had a backup plan: if she didn’t return within three minutes, Dong Chengling would naturally come looking for her or directly pull her back to her side.

"I have something to discuss with you, and you’re the only one I can talk to," Ren Suo said with a smile.

"Can’t you just call or send a message?" Gu Yueyan asked.

"I can’t; that’s too difficult for me," Ren Suo said, looking at his hands. "And only face-to-face like this can I express my true heart and sincerity."

Gu Yueyan’s heart was shaken, and the Moonlight she had been ready to use dissipated by more than half. Only then did she realize what a perfect environment she was in: under the flowers and moon, in complete silence, with trees as their companions.

She was silent for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "W-what do you want to say?"

"I need your help," Ren Suo said directly. "Come with me."

Gu Yueyan instantly breathed a sigh of relief. But when she saw Ren Suo walking into the woods, her guard went up again. "Where do you want to go? If Sister Ling finds out I haven’t returned, she’ll definitely come looking for me!"

"You’ll only know how you can help me after you’ve seen it."

Gu Yueyan followed Ren Suo onto the forest trail, always keeping a distance of five steps between them. She remained constantly on the lookout, her hands ready with accumulated but unreleased Moonlight energy. Soon, Ren Suo stopped at a spot where light filtered through the trees, gesturing for Gu Yueyan to come forward.

When she did, she saw that less than twenty meters away on the path, a Ghost Stall was open for business.

The incandescent lights were on and steam was billowing. Thanks to her awakened spells, Gu Yueyan had enhanced vision at night, which allowed her to clearly see that the stall was run by a beautiful and adorable female proprietor. Despite the white mist and an apron, which were perhaps meant to obscure her, they couldn’t hide her picture-perfect beauty and shapely figure.

Just then, the female proprietor also happened to look up, her gaze meeting Gu Yueyan’s. She then flashed a delighted smile, as if happy to see a new customer.

In the Ghost Stall, a woman in a red dress was dining, and she was even eating cake! The scent of baking wafted over a dozen meters into Gu Yueyan’s nose, immediately triggering her appetite.

Over the last ten days, after their strolls in the park, Ren Suo had been extremely generous, always insisting on treating them to late-night snacks nearby. He’d say, "You’ve come to try your luck with me; I can only repay you by treating you. Not eating is disrespecting me." So, Gu Yueyan had developed a habit of eating in the early morning these days.

Enticed by the aroma, Gu Yueyan licked her lips and said, "Shall we eat here afterwards?"

"Of course," Ren Suo replied. "This is the goal we’ve been searching for during our night excursions for ten days."

Gu Yueyan was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized, "This is the... Fairy Palace Food God we’re looking for?!"

"That’s right," Ren Suo said, pulling Gu Yueyan away. "This is the Fairy Palace Food God."

"We need to notify Sister Qiao to get the Tactical Bureau over here!" Gu Yueyan immediately suggested.

"Yes," Ren Suo nodded. "Informing the Tactical Bureau is definitely necessary. But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Having searched for ten days, are we really going to miss out?"

"Definitely not! After we notify them, let’s come over here with everyone else to taste the Food God’s cooking skills!" Gu Yueyan suggested excitedly.

"Xiao Yan."

Suddenly, Ren Suo placed his hand on Gu Yueyan’s shoulder and looked down at her. Gu Yueyan raised her head just in time to see Ren Suo blocking the moonlight, casting a silvery glow over his outline.

"I need you, Gu Yueyan."

The dreamlike vision that had haunted her silent nights suddenly became reality, rendering Gu Yueyan slightly dazed. The man before her seemed to merge with the world around them; she couldn’t escape his gaze, and her heartbeat fluctuated with his voice.

"I earnestly seek your help, and for this, I am willing to pay any price."

Ren Suo’s face wore a perfectly calibrated smile, his eyes as gentle as the breeze under the moonlight, his words as lingering as a sentimental poem: "From now on, I will—"

Combined, the ’10% concentration Prayer Holy Water’ and ’10% concentration Desire Holy Wine’ were potent enough that even the most radical Demons and Ghosts could not hide their true thoughts. Under the potion’s effect, almost no one could look away from the drinker’s presence, and almost no one could refuse them when they spoke.

Yes, almost.

Gu Yueyan suddenly kicked out!

Ren Suo immediately bent over in pain!

The female proprietor, in the midst of pulling out penguin meat from the drawer, suddenly felt a phantom chill!

Looking at the man before her clutching his groin and retreating, Gu Yueyan, with moonlight shimmering over her right hand, pointed at him and asked coldly, "Who are you really?"

"I..."

"Ren Suo would never talk like you, and he wouldn’t say such sweet nothings to deceive girls. He doesn’t have the talent to be a playboy." Gu Yueyan flicked her finger slightly, and a dash of Moonlight swept across Ren Suo’s cheek, cutting off several strands of his hair.

"Who are you really?"

Even though the Ren Suo just now was almost the person she dreamed of...

When she saw Ren Suo like this, she knew—the so-called fantasy is not the same as what one truly loves.

Just like when she was a child, seeing other children’s parents dote on their kids, Gu Yueyan had also fantasized about swapping her parents with someone else’s.

But once, when Gu Yueyan was temporarily left in the care of another child’s parents, even though she was well cared for and pampered, she still missed her own family immensely.

It’s natural to hope for the person you like to become better.

But what you really like is not the improved version of that person; it’s the person themselves!

Ren Suo stared blankly at her, then suddenly leaned against a tree trunk and sat down on the ground. His aura abruptly subsided, no longer exuding that eye-catching allure.

Gu Yueyan hesitated for a moment before slowly approaching. "What’s wrong with you? Say something."

Ren Suo looked at her and said, "I need to meet with the Fairy Palace Food God alone with each and every one of you."

"What?"

"I need to meet with the Fairy Palace Food God alone with each and every one of you."

Gu Yueyan asked a few more times, but Ren Suo’s reply was always the same.

He had suddenly gone from being smooth-talking to acting like a fool, but his eyes were still bright. His face no longer bore that handsome smile; instead, it held an expression that was one part unwilling, three parts disdainful, and six parts serious.

Every time Ren Suo washed dishes, that was the expression on his face.

Almost subconsciously, Gu Yueyan confirmed that he was the real Ren Suo.

After contemplating for a dozen seconds, Gu Yueyan finally made up her mind. "I will help you."

Ren Suo paused for a moment, then slowly stood up again, gradually regaining the irresistible charm of a man whose presence seemed to break through the sky.

Having witnessed the entire process, Gu Yueyan asked, "Are you in some kind of special state? Either acting like a fool or being a playboy?"

"Don’t lie to me."

Ren Suo looked at her but didn’t speak, nod, or shake his head.

"Is it related to the Food God or your awakened spells?"

Gu Yueyan asked several questions in succession, but Ren Suo showed no reaction.

At that moment, Gu Yueyan’s phone rang. She quickly answered and told Dong Chengling that she would be back soon.

After hanging up, Gu Yueyan looked at Ren Suo. "Will you harm us?"

Ren Suo shook his head and said, "This matter will only bring benefits to you all."

"Why don’t you just tell us directly?"

"I can’t explain. I hope you will keep this a secret for me later."

"What if I don’t help you?"

"I’ll die."

"If I don’t help you, what will you do?"

At that moment, Ren Suo looked at Gu Yueyan with certainty and said, "I won’t die; you will help me."

In that instant, Gu Yueyan couldn’t tell if Ren Suo was in his fool state or playboy state. She bit her lip lightly and said,

"Then I’ll create opportunities for you to be alone with them. As for how you bring them here... you were so articulate just now; it shouldn’t be hard for you."

"Thank you," Ren Suo said.

"But why are you seeking my help?" Gu Yueyan asked the final question. "You could’ve approached Sister Ling or Sister Qiao..."

Ren Suo blinked and opened his mouth but ended up uttering just one sentence:

"Because I sensed that you are the most intense."

Intense? Gu Yueyan’s face darkened. Was that a word to describe a girl?

She snorted. "You go find Sister Ling first; think of your own excuse. I’ll go find Xiaoyu and the others and wait for you at the South Gate. When you get there, give me a signal."

"I’m not helping you, mind you. It’s just that you discovered the Fairy Palace Food God, and I think it’s too dangerous for us all to go together, so I want you to accompany them one by one."

"I understand," Ren Suo said, reverting to his playboy state. "Xiao Yan, you’re the best."

Gu Yueyan kicked his shin hard and left with a flushed face.

***

So this is what Desire Holy Wine feels like.

In the game, this segment of gameplay not only fast-forwarded, but the Merit Points also didn’t change. But that didn’t mean there weren’t any customers during this time; in fact, there were quite a few. Just minutes after his True Form had left, Ren Suo had already served two customers.

However, now that Ren Suo was playing as the female shopkeeper, serving customers naturally required spending Merit Points to drink wine or water to listen to the customers’ life experiences.

But compared to being able to spend time at home researching keywords, running a stall in the real world meant he had to come up with flavoring strategies on the spot.

If Ren Suo took too much time, the customers would become dissatisfied. Then, customers who might have otherwise eaten their meal and left peacefully could get angry and start a brawl, requiring a beating from Ren Suo before they’d willingly hand over their gifts.

Ren Suo wasn’t afraid of fighting, but he was reluctant to fight using a girl’s body. Too strange with things shaking up top and nothing to shake down below...

And now that he had plenty of Merit Points, when Ren Suo found that Prayer Holy Water was less effective, he immediately drank the Desire Holy Wine, which allowed him to directly perceive the customers’ desires.

However, unlike the game where desires were displayed in text, Ren Suo, having drunk the Desire Holy Wine, could directly feel the customers’ emotions. This sensation was like being near a blaze, clearly sensing the flavor of the fire emanating from the customer, what desire was fueling it, and how intensely it was burning.

Even two fires of desire with the same attribute could vary in intensity.

For example, of the two recent customers, one had lacked love as a child and harbored a resentment towards their parents like a raging inferno. Having suffered a heartbreak in middle school and remaining single ever since, this customer also had a small fire of love, though its intensity was more like a torch’s flame.

The other customer, tormented by the fact that ’the one they loved had gotten married, and the groom wasn’t him,’ possessed a love-born obsession and longing that transformed into flames so fierce they seemed capable of devouring everything around, making Ren Suo shudder.

Just as Ren Suo was attending to the third customer, his spirits lifted; he saw his True Form finally returning!