Chapter 197 - 126: The Saintess Is No Longer Saintly

Chapter 197: Chapter 126: The Saintess Is No Longer Saintly

The boat docked at the shore, and the two of them carried their luggage off. Xie Yiren tied the boat’s rope to a moss-covered stone pillar. Back in her hometown, she was in high spirits, her smile growing even sweeter. She snapped off a thorny branch, holding it in her left hand as she extended her fair right hand. "Let me hold your hand. This path isn’t easy."

Su Ran glanced at the trail ahead, which was so overgrown with weeds it was barely a path at all. "Alright, I’ll let you hold my hand just this once."

"Tch. You’re the perfect example of someone who gets a sweet deal and still plays innocent. Let’s go..."

Xie Yiren clasped Su Ran’s hand and used the thorny branch to clear a path, occasionally turning back to remind him to be careful. The mountains were full of snakes and critters; stepping on one would be a disaster.

Xie Yiren was different from the other three women. While they were off having fun, she would be the one quietly cooking and cleaning. She was a very down-to-earth girl, a trait undoubtedly shaped by her upbringing.

A primeval forest like this was beautiful, to be sure, but the overgrown weeds also hid potentially deadly dangers. Rich people tend to value their lives and aren’t fond of courting death. So, his larger hand began to gently pry open Yiren’s small fingers. Yiren didn’t look back, letting him play with her hand as he separated her thumb, index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers before weaving his own between them and clasping tight. Now, that felt much more secure.

The winding path led to a secluded spot. At first, it was narrow, allowing only one person to pass, but after several dozen steps, the view suddenly opened up.

Before Su Ran’s eyes lay a Miao Village Tribe, nestled deep within the primeval forest. It was primitive and quaint.

"Okay, remember this. When we get into the village, you have to keep your distance from me. Mmm... probably for the entire time until we leave, you can’t be too close to me. If anyone asks what our relationship is, just say I’m an investor you brought back. You absolutely cannot say that you’ve held me, or that we’ve slept in the same bed, got it?"

Xie Yiren warned him sternly.

"Oh, got it. I’m your investor. I’ve come to your village to invest in you."

Xie Yiren bit her lip and shot him a reproachful glare. "Don’t you dare be lewd," she warned.

"And..."

Xie Yiren lifted their joined hands. "This is also a definite no."

Su Ran chuckled and shook his head. "I can’t do this, and I can’t do that... Does this mean the special treatment at night is gone, too? I feel like I’m getting a raw deal. I came all this way to help with your hometown’s development, so what’s in it for me?"

"Well..." Xie Yiren thought about it and realized he had a point. This was no longer a time for small sweeteners; she needed to offer up a real treat. She cleared her throat twice. "Don’t you worry about that. I’ll figure out a way to let you sleep in my arms tonight."

"Uh, you don’t have to do that. I was just kidding."

"Enough nonsense. I, Xie Yiren, am a woman of my word. Tonight, you can sleep in my arms." With that, she took the opportunity to hug Su Ran, whispering in his ear, "Alright, it’s a deal. Once we’re in the village, keep your distance. Be good."

After speaking, she let go of his hand, took two steps back, and led the way into the Miao Village.

He had only taken a couple of steps when he was caught in a flash of light. A card appeared before him.

’Life is full of surprises.’

’Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have obtained one Charity Image Card.’

’A truly wealthy person must not only consider themself, but must also aim for the revitalization of the nation. To be a truly great Divine Rich is to be a respected individual who is dutiful, honors their family, is charitable and kind, and has a sense of social responsibility and conscience.’

’This card is to be used for charitable works, building the Host’s philanthropic image by developing the Miao Village’s infrastructure. Funds will be provided by the System.’

’Just as he thought. His job was to live it up, and the system’s job was to keep things stable.’

’He could go on living his wild life without a care in the world. The system would handle the serious business, gradually burnishing his public image and elevating it to a level worthy of admiration.’

His previous identity as Young Master Su had already made him a figure of admiration, eagerly discussed among stock traders.

’Now, this charity card was meant to start steering him down the path of a philanthropic tycoon.’

Su Ran thought that wasn’t a bad idea. His old high school’s academic building had been a Shaw-donated building, and there were Gu Tianle elementary schools all over the place. ’Doing charity is a good thing,’ he mused.

’Alright, I’ll accept.’

...

The village wasn’t large, and the population was small—fewer than a hundred people. As soon as they entered, villagers started recognizing Xie Yiren. As they passed, people would place a hand over their chest and bow slightly. "Yiren is back." It was the same with everyone; they treated her with great respect. Then they would ask about the young man with her. When Xie Yiren told them he was "an investor she brought back," Su Ran could read the look in their eyes: ’Looks like she brought home a sucker.’

"Aunt Liu, have you seen my Ah Weng?"

"He’s at home, sun-drying tobacco."

"Mm."

Xie Yiren led Su Ran toward her home. Seeing how respectful everyone had been, Su Ran asked curiously, "Yiren, why does everyone here respect you so much? Are you the village leader or something?"

"No, my Ah Weng is the leader of our village," Xie Yiren replied. "He’s also the village party secretary."

"Oh, so when you mentioned the village party secretary wouldn’t be happy if you used your Gu sorcery, you were talking about your Ah Weng?"

"Mhm."

"So is Gu sorcery real or not?"

"Stop asking so many questions! Come on... Ah Weng~!" Xie Yiren called out from a nearby path before scampering toward the front yard of a stilt house. She began acting cute with a white-haired Miao elder, who dotingly patted her cheek. After a brief exchange, the elder looked toward the young man who was now approaching with the luggage. "And this is?"

"Ah Weng, this is Su Ran, the one I told you about... Su Ran, this is my Ah Weng..." Xie Yiren made the introductions, then excitedly and vividly recounted how Su Ran had come to help them build roads.