Chapter 13: So I must be a brother-complex, right?

After Ling Huan watched the women’s sudden springtime brawl, he returned to Flowing Cloud Pavilion, only to find Yin Luoling already standing at the door waiting for him.

Strange.

Don’t women usually take forever when shopping?

After all, aren’t girls usually thrifty and calculating?

“All done shopping? Don’t be reluctant to spend, this is money my master gave me, told me to use however I like.”

As soon as they met, Ling Huan soothed her, then finally turned to Zhang Yun on the side and asked, “How much did she spend?”

“Miss spent a hundred and eight spirit stones.”

Zhang Yun crouched down and replied.

“A hundred and eight? That little? Didn’t even meet the target! What about cultivation manuals? What about magic treasures? No, go back and spend some more! If outsiders hear about this, they’ll think I’m stingy!”

Ling Huan’s words shocked Zhang Yun even more.

So your little sister is saving money for you, and you’re unhappy about it?

Where can you find someone who dotes this much?

If you really can’t find one… Young Master, can I be your little sister?

Of course, on the surface, Zhang Yun still maintained her smile, forcibly swallowing back the words that almost blurted out, keeping a bit of her dignity.

Yin Luoling was also hearing for the first time that spending money actually had a quota!?

“Young Master, please don’t be anxious. After all, your sister only has a spiritual root; we don’t yet know what attribute. If you buy things recklessly and later it turns out her spiritual root doesn’t match the cultivation method, it’ll just be a hassle.”

Zhang Yun spoke up to mediate: “Your little sister is quite sensible. She knows her spiritual root isn’t determined yet, so she only took spirit medicines to help with cultivation.”

Oh?

So young, yet so thoughtful and farsighted?

Sigh… driven to this by the damned world.

He himself had been living in ease for too long.

Since Yin Luoling had her own plans, Ling Huan decided not to interfere.

“By the way,” Ling Huan asked, “Does Flowing Cloud Pavilion have storage rings?”

“Young Master, storage rings are expensive and rare, and we definitely don’t have any in stock. If you want one, you have to pre-order.You’d have to wait two or three months at least, and the price starts from at least a thousand spirit stones.”

…

Storage rings are that expensive?

Aren’t they everywhere in those usual cultivation novels?

Hiss… Good thing I didn’t brag too much… otherwise, my domineering character would have been ruined!

Zhang Yun noticed Ling Huan stayed silent this time, his expression a bit stiff, and instantly realized this price was out of Ling Huan’s range.

She quickly spoke up: “But right now, orders are tight and backed up for years. Although our shop would love to bump you ahead, the Pavilion’s authority is limited… I really am sorry…”

These words skillfully shifted Ling Huan’s awkwardness about not having enough money into a problem with Flowing Cloud Pavilion itself, sparing him embarrassment as the local little God of Wealth.

He had to admit, Ling Huan felt very pleased at heart.

So Ling Huan seized the opportunity, sighing in mock regret, “Is that so? What a shame. Is there anything similar to a storage ring?”

“There is, Young Master. A storage pouch is a good option. Although the space is smaller than a storage ring, it can still hold as much as a small room.And the price is much cheaper, about fifty spirit stones. I’ll give you a twenty percent discount, forty spirit stones will do. What do you think, Young Master?”

“I’ll buy it! Here’s fifty spirit stones, keep the extra as your tip.Put the rest of the spirit stones and all the things my sister bought into the storage pouch for her.”

“Yes, Young Master, please wait a moment! I’ll take care of it right away!”

Zhang Yun was overjoyed.

As soon as she finished speaking, she hurried off.

In just a short while, she returned carrying a tray, upon which lay a small, delicate storage pouch.

The pouch was shaped like a scented sachet, sewn from fine, pale green silk, with several swaying willow leaves embroidered on the surface.

Zhang Yun had chosen with care—not gaudy, not ostentatious, quite tasteful.

Ling Huan quietly gave Zhang Yun a thumbs-up.

Yin Luoling also quietly murmured, “Thank you…” then picked up the pouch and slipped it inside her clothing.

Yet there was still a lingering doubt in her heart.

After all, getting a second chance at life hadn’t come easily, and she didn’t want to repeat her past mistakes.

“Oh, there’s still one more gift for you, wait a moment.”

With that, Ling Huan dashed over to the stall on the second floor that Yin Luoling had seen before, then came back holding a bamboo basket.

“Here, your last present.”

Ling Huan smiled as he handed it to Yin Luoling.

“What is… this?”

“Why don’t you open it and see?”

Ling Huan grinned.

Suddenly, there was a faint movement from inside the basket, making Yin Luoling jump and almost throw it away!

She thought it was some hidden weapon set to trick her!

Or maybe an explosive talisman or something!

She’d suffered plenty at his hands before!

Luckily, a soft “meow” made Yin Luoling forcibly stop herself.

She gently lifted the lid of the basket, and inside was a small, snow-white ball curled up.

As the lid opened and the light spilled in, it slowly stretched, lifted its head, and looked at Yin Luoling.

Its fur was soft and fluffy, gleaming under the lamp.

Its round eyes held a sky-blue brilliance, blinking curiously as it stared at her.

Is this… a cat?

Yin Luoling was puzzled.

She couldn’t understand why Ling Huan would give her this.

If it were a snake, scorpion, or some kind of poisonous bug, she might have understood.

But… why something this adorable?

“To come to a strange place all by yourself, no matter how nice people are to you, you can’t adapt right away, right? You’ll still feel lonely. So, I bought you this little guy to keep you company while you get used to your new environment.”

You won’t be lonely anymore, now you have this kitten.

“Let it stay with you, help you get used to the Ling family, get used to having me as your brother!”

Fortunately, this time the system didn’t object.

In fact, ever since he’d handed over those fifty spirit stones, the system had gone completely quiet, not responding even when called.

So Ling Huan grabbed this chance to show some concern for his new little sister.

His intentions were simple.

But Yin Luoling’s thoughts were far more complicated.

Lonely…

That word had defined Yin Luoling’s previous life.

She’d always hovered at death’s door, alone—wherever she went, she brought trouble, no matter what she did, someone was always after her.

They wanted her dead, her body, wanted her as a cultivation furnace.

She couldn’t trust anyone; the scars on her back were no less than those in front.

She could trust only herself, rely on only herself, be accompanied only by herself.

How many years…?

How many years since anyone cared… no, even she herself had stopped caring.

She… was all alone.

She had nothing.

Other than her parents, no one had ever cared about Yin Luoling’s feelings, right up to her death.

But now, there was someone else.

Someone she clearly had to hate, had to kill—a beast from her previous life.

That beastly nature from her last life was gone, and standing before her now was a brother who cared for her.

“Why… are you so nice to me?”

You’re not supposed to be like this.

You should hate me, hate me for taking your parents, hate me enough to want to flay me alive.

You being like this… how am I supposed to kill you…?

“Do you really need to ask?”

Ling Huan answered simply and directly, “I want you to turn into a brother-con.With such a cute little sister, you’ll be clinging to me all day, calling for your big brother. Just thinking about it makes me happy!”

Ling Huan’s answer was glib, but his bright smile wasn’t the least bit lecherous.

It was almost a perfunctory reply, but it was impossible to dislike.

Even though Yin Luoling hated him to her core.

Pfft…

Yin Luoling laughed—her first real laugh, though it was faint.

Even she didn’t notice the corners of her mouth rising as she spoke: “As if I’d ever like you.”

“Wow… that hurts.”

Ling Huan clutched his chest and feigned agony.

“And, what’s a brother-con?”

Yin Luoling didn’t understand; it was her first time hearing the word.

“It means you’re always thinking about your brother, day and night.”

Yin Luoling pondered, and felt that maybe she did count as a brother-con.

After all, for a thousand years, she’d never stopped thinking about Ling Huan.

Thinking about, in this second life, how she’d torment him, kill him.

“Here, the rest of the snacks. Let’s share them.”

Ling Huan took out a skewer of candied hawthorn from the storage ring and held it up to Yin Luoling’s lips.

But… just for tonight.

Just for tonight, I’ll let you go.

With that thought, Yin Luoling opened her mouth and took a bite.