Chapter 181: You Are Heartless and Faithless

Chapter 181: Chapter 181: You Are Heartless and Faithless

"One lemon black tea, and one Family Bucket."

Perhaps because he hadn’t tasted mortal food in a thousand years, Gu Yan’s palate had grown much lighter.

He preferred refreshing fruit tea over rich, mellow milk tea.

"My name is Gu Yan."

Observing the little human before him, whose expression seemed flustered but whose eyes were remarkably calm, Gu Yan stated his name with a faint smile.

’What an interesting human.’

’It seems this walk has been worthwhile after all.’

’If the mortal realm is full of people like this little lass, then there’s no need for me to stay cooped up in my cavern.’

"Come out for a walk more often. You’ll find the mortal world is far more wonderful than the demonic path."

He vaguely recalled the old monk’s words from all those years ago.

The main reason he’d allowed himself to be captured was simply that he’d lived for too long. He found the mortal realm uninteresting. And since he was a being born of heaven and earth—undying and indestructible—he had simply feigned weakness, allowing the monk to seal him beneath this very mountain.

He thought he’d put on a convincing act, but the monk must have seen through it in the end, hence his parting words.

’This Array was never strong enough to hold me.’

The so-called annual ’stroll’ was more of a negotiation.

He simply had no desire to resist.

"Little lass, don’t let your mind wander. Just focus on making the tea."

’The clever little lass has probably figured out who I am. Look at her hand, trembling as it is. She’s adding a little too much of that lemon people find so sour.’

’How bold of her.’

’I’m not exactly a fan of sour flavors.’

"Ehehe!"

Her little scheme discovered, her petty revenge cut short, Lu Wu put on an innocent smile, and her movements became much more precise.

The lemon black tea, steeped in boiling water, was the color of deep, translucent amber. The first sip was slightly astringent, and its strong aroma swept away the lingering scent of milk in the air, asserting its dominance.

The slight sourness of the lemon was not to be underestimated, yet it didn’t steal the show.

The acidity was balanced, leaving a lingering, sweet aftertaste at the back of the tongue on a careful sip.

Refreshing and crisp.

The finished lemon black tea was a work of art. Ice cubes clinked inside, and though its color was slightly diluted, it remained dazzling.

The moment Lu Wu learned Gu Yan’s name, she thought it sounded like the name of a male lead.

Lu Wu had no desire to be the female lead; she respectfully handed him the tea.

Beads of condensation trickled down the side of the clear cup and dripped into Gu Yan’s palm. He gently brushed them away.

His long, slender fingers were well-defined.

Some of the customers had a thing for hands, and they couldn’t help but squirm and squeal at the sight of Gu Yan’s fingers.

’This man is the spitting image of their ideal type!’

’I want to pounce on him! I want to own him!’

But their ravenous gazes failed to capture Gu Yan’s attention.

’Just a physical shell.’

’Little do they know, this shell can be changed.’

’Whether to be as handsome as a god or as hideous as a demon is a matter of a single thought.’

’Still, I do have my own aesthetic standards.’

Most of the women were smitten but didn’t dare to act. However, there were always a few brave souls who dared to follow their hearts.

"Sir, I have feelings for you. Please go out with me."

The heartfelt confession came so suddenly that Lu Wu, who was in the middle of making a tea, nearly dropped her spoon.

But she managed to catch it just in time.

She shot a complex look in their direction and, unsurprisingly, saw Gu Yan’s expression turning icy.

’If a fight really breaks out, how am I going to get away?’

After all, the person confessing to Gu Yan was a man. To be precise, it was a Cultivator who was biologically male but identified as female.

"Sir, I’ll treat you well."

He drew closer, a shy blush on his face. He tentatively reached out, trying to grab Gu Yan’s sleeve.

Gu Yan... was thinking.

Just as the man’s ’claws’ were about to reach him, Gu Yan blocked him with a flick of his sleeve.

He stepped back, his gaze sweeping over the gawking crowd. He arched an eyebrow, a hint of malice glinting in the depths of his devilish eyes.

In a few strides, he was at Lu Wu’s side, his hand landing on her shoulder.

"Are you just going to stand there and watch him bully me?"

Gu Yan let his eyes droop, the sense of grievance in them palpable.

"Lass, you’re the only one I trust."

No matter how one looked at it, the intimacy in his words was deeply suggestive.

In reality, however, this was just Gu Yan being petty.

’It was her own fault for enjoying the show so much. She looked like she was about to start clapping.’

’He was born a demon; he never allowed himself to be wronged.’

Seeing such a handsome face feigning weakness made many of the Female Cultivators long to rush forward and coddle him.

"Boss Lu, what are you waiting for? Go on and hug him!"

Some of the Female Cultivators tried to give Lu Wu suggestions with their eyes, but Lu Wu pretended not to understand.

Gu Yan’s innate charisma made Lu Wu’s heart flutter.

’Oh my god!’

’I was just a bystander enjoying the show! How did I get dragged into the plot?’

’What should I do?’

’Should I play along with your act and turn a blind eye, or should I play along and give the performance my all? Ugh, someone just tell me what to do!’

Her telepathic plea went unanswered. After a moment’s thought, Lu Wu decided to follow her gut.

She smiled at Gu Yan and raised a hand to touch his back.

The physical contact made Gu Yan narrow his eyes. ’If this little lass actually tries anything,’ he thought, ’I’ll make her tonight’s dinner.’

"Senior Gu Yan."

Lu Wu used the title, desperate to put some distance between them. With a gentle push, she nudged him toward the Human-Demon Young Master.

"It’s not easy to find someone who genuinely likes you. Why don’t you consider it?"

"Don’t worry about what other people think. I will always support you."

’Better you than me.’

’Rather than sacrifice my happiness for the rest of my life... Senior Gu Yan, why don’t you just take one for the team and go along with him?’

"Next!"

She returned to her stall, picked up a spoon, and meticulously began making the next tea. She was just a stall owner, and she was determined to stay out of this chaotic scene.

Keeping her eyes fixed forward, Lu Wu didn’t notice the momentary, twisted expression on Gu Yan’s face.

"Tsk!"

Gu Yan clicked his tongue, as if mocking Lu Wu’s ’ruthlessness’.

The cool touch of the cup made him abandon such childish behavior. He lowered his head and took a sip of the lemon black tea.

The fragrant aroma of the black tea soothed the anger in his heart, even calming the restless Demonic Qi within his body. ’No wonder those monks felt safe letting me out among the crowds.’

’So this is what they had in store for me.’

With a faint laugh, Gu Yan glanced at the distant temple and vanished from sight.

"See you tomorrow, little lass."

His voice lingered, but he was already gone.