Chapter 142: Chapter 136: A Gentleman [Subscription Requested]_1
To become sworn siblings?
This ’straight man’ is actually thinking about *this*? Comforting me? Shouldn’t he be trying to take advantage of my vulnerability? Chang E was stunned, feeling as if struck by lightning.
She took a careful look at Sha Chen and finally confirmed it. He really is a ’straight man’; he’s not interested in sleeping with me. It’s pure consolation?
Chang E’s emotions were a tangled mess; for a moment, she didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. Normally, she seldom showed her true feelings, let alone cried in front of others, as it would make her seem weak. And it could also allow others to take advantage of her.
But now she appeared vulnerable, Sha Chen was also here, and she herself had let down her guard, yet Sha Chen did not take advantage of her vulnerability.
It makes me doubt my own existence! Have I lost my charm? Or is Sha Chen truly a gentleman?
After careful consideration, she concluded that she was still very charming. So, it must be that Sha Chen is a true gentleman, with no intention of taking advantage of me, but is sincerely comforting me.
Chang E found this even more intriguing.
She then smiled and said, "You’ve seen me at my worst, General. Since we get along so well, even if we are not brothers, we could be brother and sister."
Sha Chen’s heart stirred. Perfect!
This was exactly what he wanted: to bind Chang E to him. With this kind of relationship, would he need to worry that Chang E might expose him? Furthermore, this way, Chang E could also legitimately collect information about the Heavenly Court for him, becoming his subordinate. Otherwise, he would be completely ignorant of the situation in the Heavenly Court, just like now, when the Jade Emperor discussed his matter in the Heavenly Court’s assembly, and he was still the last to know. Therefore, developing a spy within the Heavenly Court is of utmost importance. The position of this spy should be neither too high nor too low; if too high, their reliability would be questionable, and if too low, they couldn’t access core information. Someone like Chang E is just right. Neither high nor low, and because of her special identity, she’s outside the center of power but still able to know about all matters, big or small, occurring in the Heavenly Court.
Sha Chen smiled happily as he took Chang E’s hand, without a single improper thought, his eyes clear and filled with ’pleasant surprise’.
"Fairy, are you truly willing to accept a coarse fellow like me as your brother? You are a fairy from heaven, a beauty of the Three Realms; won’t recognizing me as your brother diminish your status?"
When Fairy Chang E’s hand was taken, she felt the warmth from Sha Chen’s hand, and her heart rippled with emotion.
Perhaps it was Sha Chen’s comfort that indeed occupied a place in her empty heart at this moment, or maybe it was Sha Chen’s ’sincerity’ that touched her. Or perhaps, seeing the Sky Shaking Bow in Sha Chen’s possession reminded her of the past, making him a kind of substitute in her heart.
In any case, various reasons contributed to Fairy Chang E’s heart feeling like parched land after a long rain, or like dry tinder meeting a fierce flame. Even with her hand held, she couldn’t help but shift uneasily, and despite her efforts to hold them back, tears began to flow.
Yes, she was in tears.
Emotionally, she said, "Brother, what are you saying? I have been favored by you many times before. Now that we have hit it off, though we cannot be like intertwined branches or paired birds in flight, becoming siblings is the best alternative."
Then she reached out her hand and firmly grasped Sha Chen’s hand. Sha Chen also stretched out his other hand and pressed it down firmly. Their four hands clasped together, intertwined tightly like stacking Arhats, inseparable.
They looked at each other, deeply moved, their eyes filled with profound emotion and excitement.
Fairy Chang E naturally felt deep emotions; at that moment, her heart was a mix of complexity and agitation. Her heart, like parched land after a long drought, coupled with her loneliness and cold emptiness, made Sha Chen seem like a decent choice.
After her husband’s death, she had been alone for countless years. Even though she frequented pavilions, towers, and palaces, she still maintained her integrity. At most, when pestered by difficult individuals to dance more provocatively, she would only concede that much—a little more revealing, but nothing further. Because those people all coveted her beauty, none of them elicited a good impression from her. If it weren’t for survival, for living better in the Heavenly Realm, she wouldn’t have willingly degraded herself.
But with Sha Chen, she felt respect and something different. Sha Chen let her cry and then comforted her, but he didn’t covet her beauty at all. Even after occupying a place in her heart, he didn’t think of possessing her.
If it were just this, naturally, I wouldn’t have believed it; I’m not foolish. But from the moment I stepped into the Flowing Sand River, I could clearly feel that Sha Chen kept me at a great distance. The look in his eyes was one of disdain and vigilance. As someone who has seen all types of people, I could naturally tell. And because of this, I believe that Sha Chen isn’t really after my beauty, at least not coveting it. Such a person is worth my heart.
However, Chang E was willing, but Sha Chen was not interested romantically.
Therefore, I’ll aim lower and recognize Sha Chen as my brother first. Later, with frequent meetings, as a man and woman alone together, opportunities will surely arise.
As for Sha Chen, he was even more excited. I’ve finally tricked Chang E into my grasp, and she can now serve me well. I’ve gained another tool, and this one is more useful than any before. Because Chang E can bring me information from heaven, and she probably also knows a thing or two about the happenings among the powers of the Three Realms. I had hoped the Jade Rabbit would do this task, but the Jade Rabbit is too weak and can’t get close to the senior ranks, failing to meet the requirements. She can only know what’s within her circle, hardly different in usefulness from a spider demon. Chang E is different; she might not bring me great economic benefits, but she can bring me a wealth of information.
Excited by this, Sha Chen even thought about how to properly secure Chang E’s loyalty, so he wouldn’t let this valuable sister slip away.
Taking advantage of the atmosphere and the wine, he pulled Chang E to kneel beside him on the ground. Right then and there, they performed a chicken-beheading ceremony and became sworn siblings.
Chang E’s cheeks flushed slightly. Sha Chen performed the ritual with great solemnity, but to her, it felt less like becoming sworn siblings and more like a wedding ceremony. And so, she let Sha Chen do as he pleased.
After the ceremony was complete, Sha Chen turned to Fairy Chang E with clasped fists and said, "Sister, hahaha."
Chang E’s face turned slightly red; she bowed gracefully, lowering her head towards her chest, and said, "Brother, please take good care of me in the future."
Sha Chen let out a hearty laugh and boldly embraced her. Chang E’s eyes went wide, and her whole body softened like cotton, tender as water.
THUMP! THUMP!
"Good sister."
Sha Chen patted Chang E’s back heavily twice, almost sending her to meet her deceased husband. Her eyes rolled, and she coughed twice.
Sha Chen quickly let go of her, helped her up, and they both took their seats again, as he cheerfully continued to pour wine and serve her hot dishes.
Chang E could distinctly feel that Sha Chen’s attitude towards her had improved a thousandfold, and her mood had become much better as well. Looking at the multitude of treasures around Sha Chen’s place, a true blessed land secluded from disturbances, it indeed seemed like a peaceful haven for relaxation.
So she said, "Brother, can I, your little sister, come to visit you here often in the future?"
Sha Chen initially wanted to suggest she come only if necessary, but having finally won her over, such a response would seem too indifferent. Thus, he smiled and said, "Of course, if Sister wants to visit, she’s welcome anytime. It’s just that I, your brother, might be lost in cultivation day and night, and I hope you won’t blame me if I unintentionally neglect you."
Chang E exclaimed joyfully, "I won’t. I’m not an unreasonable person; I wouldn’t disturb my brother’s cultivation."
She then stood up and said, "When I come here, I’ll only bring you news from the Heavenly Court to prevent others from harming you."
Sha Chen was deeply moved. This was exactly the assurance he had been striving for!
He couldn’t help but take hold of Chang E’s hand again, patting the back of her hand, and said, "Dear Sister, my safety and well-being will now depend entirely on you."
Chang E hadn’t expected Sha Chen to value her so highly. Moreover, he spoke so gravely that she solemnly nodded and said, "Brother, rest assured, I’m not thoughtless. Should there be any news that threatens you, I will personally deliver it."
Sha Chen was moved once more and personally served Chang E dishes and poured her wine.
Chang E too was touched, knowing she could do something for Sha Chen.
Moreover, I’m already thinking that, in the future, no matter how significant or minor the matters concerning Sha Chen are, I will personally visit. I now have a valid reason to come here proactively. Otherwise, even though we call each other siblings, my frequent visits without reason would ultimately be inappropriate. I fear being looked down upon by Sha Chen, thinking that I’m a promiscuous woman. Even though I do indeed want to seduce Sha Chen, the timing isn’t right; as Sha Chen is oblivious and hasn’t given any indication, I’ll patiently wait. Besides, waiting is also a form of anticipation, providing me with a distinctive feeling.
After three rounds of drinks and tasting many dishes, as the wine warmed them and their spirits rose, they began to play drinking games. Because their relationship had taken a further step, they both became somewhat uninhibited. When they reached the point of being flushed and cheerful from the wine, they ended up with arms around each other’s shoulders, eventually falling soundly asleep.
Chang E, reeking of alcohol, slumped into Sha Chen’s arms. She murmured in her sleep, a touch of sadness in her voice at first, as if dreaming of unpleasant things. But then, her murmurs turned into soft, blissful giggles.
It appeared she had dreamt of something pleasant.
Suddenly, Sha Chen opened his eyes; he wasn’t drunk.
How could I possibly be drunk? With someone else under my roof, even though we’re siblings and have sworn oaths. However, Sha Chen still maintained necessary vigilance. It’s not that I fear Chang E would harm me; given my physical resilience, even if I were asleep and Chang E tried something, she couldn’t easily kill me. Instead, I’m afraid that if I fell asleep and Chang E got drunk again, something unpleasant might occur. If Chang E then blamed me and refused to be my informant, that would be a serious problem.
「The next day.」
Chang E awoke, but she didn’t leave right away. According to her, now that they had recognized each other as siblings, she ought to stay a few more days to deepen their bond.
Sha Chen couldn’t have been more welcoming; he worried that their bond, formed over a single meal and a drunken oath of siblinghood, wasn’t yet solid.
It would be best if Chang E’s attitude towards him remained consistent in the coming days. This way, I can also observe whether Chang E is truly sincere towards me. If not, I’ll have to be cautious. Only if she is genuine will I feel at ease letting Chang E go. Otherwise, I’d have to find another way.
Chang E, being allowed to stay, felt thrilled. Although her heart had indeed been swayed by Sha Chen after getting drunk, her actions at the time weren’t entirely driven by intoxication. In fact, she wasn’t completely intoxicated. Being drunk was just a guise for her willful behavior.
Now sober, I also worried that Sha Chen would go back on his word, drive me away, and refuse to acknowledge me as his sister.
Fortunately, Sha Chen insisted she stay. Their rapport was as strong as it had been the night before, making them seem inseparable.
Chang E personally cooked for Sha Chen and invited him to sit down and taste the meal.
Sha Chen was so touched he almost cried.
Having suffered here for over a hundred years, I’ve met all sorts of people, and several have stepped into my abode. But from the earliest, Tianpeng, to the most recent, Red Boy, I had to care for every single one of them like a parent. I had to build fires, cook meals, warm wine, and heat water; I practically spoon-fed them. Now, finally, it’s my turn to be cared for. Chang E is looking after me meticulously, feeding me every mouthful of rice and porridge.