Chapter 109 - 97: Sigh, What a Sin

Chapter 109: Chapter 97: Sigh, What a Sin

The night passed without incident. The next day, Mr. Lu personally arranged a lavish banquet to entertain the members of the Opera Troupe.

Chen Ye, in particular, was treated as the guest of honor and was invited into a private room alone.

Joining them at the table was Guan Sihai.

Mr. Lu held up a wine cup, his round face flushed red with excitement.

"Younger Brother Chen, words can’t express my gratitude! I toast you with this cup!"

With that, he drained his cup.

Chen Ye smiled and drank his wine as well.

After three rounds of drinks, Mr. Lu had someone bring in a heavy chest and opened it in front of Chen Ye.

Gleaming gold bars, stacked neatly, dazzled the eye under the light.

"Younger Brother Chen, here is the promised one hundred taels of gold, along with the deeds for three shops in the south of the city. Please, have a look."

In addition to that, Mr. Lu took out another property deed.

"This is for a three-courtyard residence in the west of the city. I’m giving it to you as well, Younger Brother, as a small token of my appreciation!"

Guan Sihai, watching from the side, felt his eyelids twitch. ’This Mr. Lu is far too generous,’ he thought.

However, Chen Ye only glanced at the deed before pushing it back.

"I appreciate the kind gesture, Master Lu, but I cannot accept this residence."

Mr. Lu was taken aback. "Why is that?"

"Right now, I am just an apprentice in the opera troupe. I have no roots or foundation here. Suddenly moving into such a lavish mansion would only attract unnecessary jealousy and trouble," Chen Ye explained.

After listening, Mr. Lu paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. His gaze toward Chen Ye now held even more admiration.

’So young and already so capable, yet he isn’t arrogant or rash. He’s so composed. This young man will definitely not remain unknown in the future!’ ℯℯ𝑙.

"Good, it was Lu who was being inconsiderate!" Mr. Lu didn’t insist, taking back the deed. "But there’s no sense in taking back a gift. I’ll hold on to this residence for you for now. When you become a famous star, Younger Brother Chen, I will personally deliver it to you. And I’m sure that day won’t be far off!"

In his opinion, given the Power Chen Ye displayed that night—to say nothing of his ability to communicate with spirits—his stage presence and singing alone would make becoming famous a mere matter of time.

"Then I’ll take that as a good omen, Master Lu," Chen Ye said with a slight smile.

"Hahaha, of course, of course! Come, drink!"

The banquet continued. Seeing that the mood was right, Chen Ye changed the subject. "Master Lu, the matter in your residence has been temporarily resolved, but the root of the problem has not yet been eliminated."

The smile on Mr. Lu’s face instantly vanished. He sobered up, and a flash of bone-deep hatred crossed his eyes.

"Younger Brother Chen, are you referring to the Celestial Empress Palace?"

The mere thought of the Jingxuan Daoist Nun, who had played him for a fool and nearly destroyed his family, made him grind his teeth in hatred.

"Correct."

"Younger Brother, if you intend to deal with those demonic Daoists, just say the word if you need Lu in any way. Lu will certainly give you his full support!" Mr. Lu declared, patting his chest decisively.

"Good. With your word, Master Lu, I am relieved," Chen Ye replied, also raising his cup in a toast.

The banquet ended, and the members of the Qingchun Troupe returned to their rooms.

But Guan Sihai pulled Chen Ye aside, his old face etched with worry.

"Kid, are you really planning to fight the Celestial Empress Palace to the bitter end?"

"That place has operated in the Sea Guardian Guard for many years. They’re popular, influential, and have deep roots. They’re not to be trifled with. We’re just opera singers; we can’t win a fight against the powerful."

He was afraid that Chen Ye, in his youthful hot-headedness, would charge in recklessly and end up dead with not even a body to bury.

"Don’t worry, Class Leader," Chen Ye said, looking at him with a reassuring smile. "I know my limits. I won’t joke with my own life."

Seeing that Chen Ye had made up his mind, Guan Sihai couldn’t persuade him further and could only sigh. "Be careful with everything."

Chen Ye’s confidence, of course, was not born from recklessness.

In the underground grotto of the Celestial Empress Palace that night, although the brainwashed women had seemed fanatical and filled with soaring resentment, he had seen a fatal flaw in them.

He found Mr. Lu and explained his plan in detail.

"...So, from today onward, Master Lu, you are to announce publicly that the young miss was so frightened she has fallen ill and is bedridden. And to take care of your daughter, you will close your doors and refuse all visitors, no matter who they are."

Mr. Lu had no objections and immediately agreed to it all.

The Opera Troupe began preparing to leave, and Chen Ye busied himself along with them.

He deposited most of the hundred taels of gold into the largest Silver Shop in the city, keeping only a small amount for emergencies.

After taking care of all this, Chen Ye started helping the opera troupe move their things. Just then, a senior apprentice sister ran in from outside, winking at him with a mischievous smile.

"Little Junior Brother, hurry outside. Someone’s looking for you."

Chen Ye was surprised. ’Who would be looking for me?’

So he stepped outside and saw a young woman.

It was Lu Jinghong.

She was dressed in a pink dress, her bright eyes fixed on Chen Ye, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and even a hint of awe.

"Is there something you need, Miss Lu?" Chen Ye asked.

"Can’t I come looking for you even if there’s nothing?" Lu Jinghong giggled.

"No." With that, Chen Ye turned to leave.

His reaction completely surprised Lu Jinghong. She quickly called out, "Hey, hey, hey, don’t go! I do have something."

Chen Ye stopped in his tracks. "What is it?"

"You saved my whole family this time. I want to treat you to a meal."

As she said this, Lu Jinghong’s face flushed red with nervousness.

It was the first time she had ever taken the initiative to invite a man to anything.

If before she had only been interested in Chen Ye’s looks, then after personally witnessing the thrilling events of that night, the young man had become an enigma full of mystery in her heart.