After Transmigrating, I Stole The Protagonist's Man - Chapter 4

Shen Yanchu sat in a corner of the stone chamber, his stomach rumbling uncooperatively. He looked up at Ji Yanche, hesitated for a moment, and spoke up, “Sir, I am a little hungry. Can we skip the inedible hunger-suppressing pills? I would like to eat some real food.”

Ji Yanche opened his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed, appearing somewhat surprised by Shen Yanchu’s request. “Real food? Where would you find real food around here?”

Shen Yanchu rolled his eyes as an idea struck him. “Sir, there is a small river near the cave. I can go catch some fish and roast them. If you are willing, I can roast one for you as well.”

A trace of suspicion flashed in Ji Yanche’s eyes. “Are you trying to use this chance to escape?”

Shen Yanchu hurriedly shook his head, putting on an innocent expression. “How could that be? Wouldn’t it work if you just come along with me, sir?”

Ji Yanche fell silent for a moment and finally nodded. “Very well, follow me.”

The two of them arrived at the riverside. Shen Yanchu removed his shoes, rolled up his trousers, and cautiously stepped into the water. Acting deliberately clumsy, he pretended to splash water toward Ji Yanche’s direction while fishing.

Standing on the bank, Ji Yanche watched Shen Yanchu’s awkward movements, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in a smile. Suddenly, a splash of water landed on his face. He instinctively took a step back, a hint of playful amusement flashing in his gaze.

“Shen Yanchu, what are you doing?” Ji Yanche’s leisurely voice drifted over, carrying a faint, lingering hint of a smile.

A figure was crouched by the riverbank, flusteredly fiddling with some fishing tools.

Hearing the voice, the person snapped his head back, wearing a terrified expression on his face, and stammered, “Ah, sir, I am sorry! Your humble servant truly did not mean it.” This person was none other than Shen Yanchu.

Yet only he knew that inside, he was secretly rejoicing. Thanks to his efforts, he had finally managed to catch a plump, large fish!

Radiant with joy, Shen Yanchu stood up, his hands gripping the wriggling fish tightly, feeling as excited as a child.

Taking two steps in one, he rushed to the bank, lifted the fish high to display his trophy to Ji Yanche, and kept chattering, “Look, sir, how plump and meaty this fish is! We are in for a real treat tonight!”

With that, he eagerly set the fish down and began skillfully gathering dry wood and withered grass to start a fire for roasting the fish.

Ji Yanche stood not far away, quietly watching Shen Yanchu’s busy figure, the corners of his mouth curving upward in a knowing smile. On the surface, he wore an expression of utter disdain as if finding the fellow before him too crude and clumsy.

Yet in truth, his gaze would always be involuntarily drawn to Shen Yanchu’s every move. Especially seeing the other person grill the fish with such enthusiasm, his eyes revealed a trace of unmaskable curiosity.

The fish was ready. Shen Yanchu picked up a golden-brown roasted fish and handed it to Ji Yanche. “Sir, have a taste. I caught and roasted this with my own hands.”

Ji Yanche frowned and was about to refuse when Shen Yanchu directly shoved the fish toward his mouth. Ji Yanche widened his eyes, not expecting Shen Yanchu to be this bold.

“How is it? Delicious, right?” Shen Yanchu looked at Ji Yanche with a beaming smile.

Ji Yanche chewed a few times. Unexpectedly, the savory aroma of the fish spread across his palate, and he had to admit that this was indeed a delicacy he had never tasted before.

“Not bad,” Ji Yanche said blandly. Although his expression remained disdainful, his actions betrayed him as he took the other roasted fish handed over by Shen Yanchu.

Watching Ji Yanche eat the fish, Shen Yanchu chuckled inwardly. It turned out this cold-faced man was not so difficult to get along with after all. At least in the face of good food, he was nothing more than an ordinary mortal.

In the days that followed, Shen Yanchu and Ji Yanche began a life of sharing meals and quarters.

Shen Yanchu discovered that this seemingly aloof young master was actually not that unapproachable.

Ji Yanche would help gather firewood when Shen Yanchu roasted fish. Although his movements remained elegant, that earnest attitude surprised Shen Yanchu.

At night, sitting together in the stone chamber, Ji Yanche would occasionally recount strange anecdotes and wonders of the cultivation world, deepening Shen Yanchu’s understanding of this realm day by day.

“Sir, do you think the sect master of the Taiyi Sect can really shatter stars with a single finger?” Shen Yanchu asked curiously while munching on a fragrant roasted fish.

Ji Yanche nodded slightly, a trace of yearning flashing in his eyes. “The cultivation of the Taiyi Sect’s master is unfathomable. Shattering stars is merely a basic trick for him.”

Listening with rapt attention, Shen Yanchu couldn’t help imagining what it would be like if he could one day reach such a realm. He stole a glance at Ji Yanche, thinking that this man must also be an absolute powerhouse.

“Sir, why are you treating me so well?” Shen Yanchu finally couldn’t help asking the question lingering in his heart.

Ji Yanche fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking, “Do you know why Su Rongyu is able to attract me?”

Shen Yanchu shook his head, feeling somewhat nervous inside for fear that Ji Yanche might discover his true identity.

“Because he possesses a special constitution that can help practitioners grow their cultivation base.” Ji Yanche’s words caught Shen Yanchu completely off guard.

“Then you aren’t taking a fancy to me, are you?” Shen Yanchu nervously touched his face, thinking that he certainly did not possess that kind of constitution.

Ji Yanche couldn’t help chuckling out loud. “You are overthinking it. You do not have that constitution. The reason I treat you well is because…”

Hearing this, Shen Yanchu lowered his head in mild embarrassment, secretly groaning in frustration.

Yet when he raised his head again, he found Ji Yanche gazing thoughtfully into the distance as if weighing some important words.

For a moment, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, leaving only the sound of their light breathing intertwining together.

At last, Ji Yanche slowly turned his head, his gaze meeting Shen Yanchu’s. His eyes were deep and mysterious, making it difficult to discern the genuine emotions hidden within them.

Just as Shen Yanchu grew too nervous to breathe properly, Ji Yanche suddenly spoke up. “Actually, the reason I treat you well is not because of anything else.” Pausing here for a moment, he seemed slightly hesitant.

By now, Shen Yanchu’s heart was pounding frantically, threatening to leap out of his chest. He widened his eyes, staring fixedly at Ji Yanche’s handsome face, eager to know the answer that followed. Time ticked away, and every second felt like a long torment to Shen Yanchu.

Finally, Ji Yanche took a deep breath, broke into a mischievous smile, and said, “It is because the fish you roast tastes genuinely good! Hahaha…” With that, he burst into laughter once more, instantly banishing the tense atmosphere into nothingness with his lighthearted and witty remark.

Shen Yanchu was stunned for a second, then let out a long sigh of relief as the heavy stone in his chest finally dropped. At the same time, however, an inexplicable sense of disappointment surged within him.

He had originally thought the other person treated him differently due to some special reason, only to find out it was merely because of his passable culinary skills. Thinking of this, he offered a helpless, bitter smile and shook his head in self-mockery.