Chapter 7: Life in This World Depends Entirely on Acting

Jiang Lingyi trembled as she rummaged through the bamboo basket, pulling out fresh green beans. This feeling of warmth radiated with the pure hope of new life!

It was well known that undercooked green beans were poisonous. So how could one successfully poison Xie Lin’s meal?

An easy question, a guaranteed success!

Jiang Lingyi couldn’t help but smile, her lips curving so far back it almost touched the nape of her neck.

For cultivators, Yunlu Peak, lacking spiritual energy, held no allure. But for ordinary mortals, the scenery here was breathtaking, especially the sunrise and sunset over the sea of clouds atop the mountain. Each year, many tourists were drawn to this place, and the cottages at the foot of the mountain were accustomed to hosting visitors, serving local specialties.

When Jiang Lingyi expressed her wish to cook the green beans herself, her kind aunt warned her gently, “Make sure to stew the beans thoroughly, or they’ll cause poisoning, leading to diarrhea and vomiting.”

Jiang Lingyi nodded repeatedly, a wicked smile playing in her heart like a villainess from a novel: Heh heh heh! Exactly what I want—the undercooked, poisonous green beans! Hiahiahia!

Half an hour later.

The large round table was gradually filled with dishes. Jiang Lingyi’s braised green beans were placed as the centerpiece, proudly set in the most prominent spot by Jiang Yuanshan.

Not only that, he shot a sharp, suggestive glance at Xie Lin, his teeth clenched as he emphasized, “These were personally prepared by my dear Qin Qin!”

Feeling guilty after committing her mischief, Jiang Lingyi lowered her head quietly. Father, your pointed criticism sends chills down my spine.

Jiang Yuanshan mistook her silence for shyness from sitting next to Xie Lin and clenched his jaw even tighter.

The dim candlelight barely illuminated the dishes, and those unaccustomed to green beans couldn’t tell if they were fully cooked. Nevertheless, after Jiang Yuanshan’s deliberate insistence, everyone graciously reached for the green beans with their chopsticks.

Everyone except Xie Lin.

Tsk…

Jiang Lingyi stole yet another glance at his profile. His face remained expressionless as he picked up other dishes, deliberately avoiding the plate of green beans she had made.

The male lead was just that—a male lead. The goddess of fortune always favored him, allowing him to avoid all unknown dangers…

This wouldn’t do.

Knowing full well the advantage of her beauty, Jiang Lingyi bit her lip and looked at him imploringly, tears glistening in her eyes. She cautiously asked, “Does Mr. Xie not like green beans?”

Unexpectedly, Xie Lin didn’t even glance at her. He nodded decisively, “No.”

Cold, merciless, heartless.

Jiang Lingyi: Huh?

As the male lead, shouldn’t he maintain gentlemanly grace? Even if he didn’t like green beans, wouldn’t he at least try a bite to spare this delicate beauty some face?

Jiang Lingyi felt utterly embarrassed.

Please, just eat one bite. Think of it as feeding the chickens, cluck cluck.

---

Jiang Lingyi’s heartbreak was genuine, glaringly obvious on her face. While it failed to move Xie Lin, it did stir the fragile heart of her father.

Look, look—his daughter cooked for her beloved for the first time in her life, and he didn’t eat a single bite!

Protective of his daughter, Jiang Yuanshan exhaled deeply, picked up a chopstickful of green beans, and placed it firmly into Xie Lin’s bowl without waiting for a response. With earnestness, he said, “A Lin, don’t be picky like a child. Green beans are good for the spleen and kidneys; they’re healthy!”

Jiang Lingyi struggled to suppress the grin pulling at the corners of her mouth.

She bit her lip so hard tears almost sprang to her eyes, barely managing to hold back her laughter.

Sorry, Xie Lin. The blame lies squarely with that foolish system, which forcibly turned your pure white moonlight into a venomous villainess.

Under Jiang Yuanshan’s pressure, Xie Lin naturally couldn’t refuse. Jiang Lingyi watched him eat the green beans, feeling as if the sky itself had brightened.

It was truly illuminated by the hope of new life!

Tears of relief and gratitude streamed down her cheeks. She was so moved she wanted to throw herself into his arms and sincerely say, “Thank you, brother!”

Jiang Yuanshan’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot.

Xie Lin only ate a bite of her dish—was it really worth crying about?

Gathering her emotions, Jiang Lingyi continued her act with feigned tenderness, quietly asking, “If you don’t like green beans, what kind of dishes do you enjoy? I’ll cook your favorites next time.”

Her tone was cold yet tinged with a deliberate mischief: “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.”

Jiang Lingyi’s smile froze.

You mean that luxurious delicacy requiring a dozen or so ingredients from land, sea, and air, simmered for days on end? The very dish that’s a monumental undertaking even today?

How could someone with a body temperature of 37 degrees utter such a chilly request?

She ground her molars, forcing a strained smile while desperately maintaining her composure, cooing, “Alright, I’ll learn to make whatever you want!”

Just feeding you a pie in the sky!

Xie Lin seemed to curl his lips slightly, but the curve vanished so quickly that Jiang Lingyi barely caught it.

She sulkily picked at her rice, eyes flicking to observe Xie Lin’s reaction. He showed no discomfort. Instead, one after another, the senior cultivators with higher levels began complaining of unease and hastily excused themselves.

First among them was Jiang Yuanshan—the doting father who had given his daughter full face and heartily eaten the green beans.

As the first to succumb, his fate wasn’t too harsh; after all, he could crouch by the toilet.

The others, writhing in pain with trembling legs and ashen faces, had no choice but to find places on their own to relieve themselves.

---

Jiang Lingyi, the culprit, was deeply uneasy.

Especially now, as the once crowded round table had emptied until only she and Xie Lin remained—her guilt weighed heavily.

Xie Lin, truly blessed with the male lead’s aura, possessed an outrageously iron stomach. Could it be that he hadn’t been poisoned?

Then what was all her effort worth? Nothing at all?

She was still waiting for him to accuse her with that classic villainess line!

Her mind was a muddled mess.

“You didn’t cook the green beans properly,” Xie Lin said, setting down his chopsticks, his gaze cold and direct.

His straightforward accusation was typical of him. Jiang Lingyi immediately covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Impossible!”

Such exaggerated acting.

Xie Lin let out a slight sneer, folding his arms as he studied her beguiling, stunning face.

Jiang Lingyi shamelessly stared back at his face. His pupils were a beautiful hue—like the afterglow of a sunset, amber glass, and a predatory feline’s unblinking gaze locked on its prey.

You have to stroke a grumpy kitten the right way.

Fortunately, her extensive experience binge-watching dramas made acting, especially playing the pitiful damsel, a breeze.

Before Xie Lin could speak, tears instantly welled up in her eyes. She lowered her head, clutching the corner of his sleeve with a fragile, pleading voice laced with sobs, “I’m sorry, I’ve never cooked before. I thought the green beans were fully stewed.”

The same old trick.

Xie Lin frowned, his eyes growing colder, already growing impatient. Jiang Lingyi traced along his sleeve and gently held his pinky finger.

When she looked up at him again, a tear dropped onto his sleeve. In a soft, husky voice faint with affection, she said, “It’s just that I like you and wanted to please you.”

How could he bear to be angry at such a gentle beauty who made only a small mistake and still liked him?

Xie Lin, surely… you couldn’t hold a grudge, could you?