To Raise a Soul 42.1

Yin Yan turned to look at Yu Zhen, walked over, and draped a coat over his shoulders. Then, looking into his eyes, he said, “Yu Zhen, this is our wedding ring.”

From Yu Zhen’s seated position, Yin Yan stood close to him, towering over him. With his downcast eyes, Yin Yan appeared oppressive.

Flustered, Yu Zhen stuttered, “S-so?”

“So, unless I get married again, I won’t be changing this ring.” He then bent down, took hold of an arm, and started to put the coat on for him. He continued, “Yu Zhen, no matter what others think or how much money they have, these aren’t important. What’s most important is here.”

His slender fingers moved and he gently touched Yu Zhen’s chest.

“A cultivator cultivates their heart. You’re too easily affected by the words of others. This isn’t good. It’s not beneficial for your practice.”

Yin Yan then moved his hand away and helped Yu Zhen put his other arm through the coat’s sleeve. Then he buttoned up the coat from top to bottom. Standing upright once again, he continued, “The reason that you’re taking part in the project is to resolve the negative energy at the construction site, not to change the minds of bystanders. Remember, the path that you walk is different from theirs. The heights that you will reach in the future also differ from theirs.”

Although it was cruel to say so, there was indeed an insurmountable gap between cultivators and ordinary people. 

Being in a strong position, he had to ignore the doubts and rejections of the weak.

“Don’t listen to the words of irrelevant people. Listen to your heart more.” Yin Yan withdrew his hands again and met Yu Zhen’s gaze. “Yu Zhen, tell me. Do you like this ring?”

Do I like it?

Yu Zhen hung his head and fiddled with his ring, his restless mood settling as he did so. Nodding, he replied, “I like it.”

This is the first gift that I gave Yin Yan. It bears the weight of our marriage. It’s the key of our fate and connection. How could I not like it?

“Do you want me to take it off?” Yin Yan moved his hand in front of Yu Zhen. “If you don’t want me to wear it, you can take it off.”

Heart shaken, Yu Zhen grabbed on to Yin Yan’s hand. Everything seemed to become clear to him at that moment. He looked up at Yin Yan, shook his head, and replied, “No. I don’t want to take it off.”

I was worried about an insignificant problem. Our feelings are our business. What other people think isn’t important. What I need to care about isn’t what others are thinking, but whether or not Yin Yan is happy. 

When he reached that conclusion, he nervously kneaded Yin Yan’s hand. With uneasiness, he asked, “And, do you like the ring? If you don’t like it, I-I can learn to refine tools and make a new one for you.”

Yes, that’s it. I should be going along with his preferences and take the initiative to do something for him. I shouldn’t be causing Yin Yan to do something because of other people’s opinions. 

And the gold ring? As long as Yin Yan likes it, it’s the best ring in the whole world. If other people look down on Yin Yan because of it, then they are blind. And, with Yin Yan’s capability and his charismatic nature, this ring wouldn’t cause him problems.

As for the issue of a countryside bumpkin being unsuitable for a rich young master… Haven’t I thought it through already? We’re both incomplete souls, we’re inherently the same. We can improve on the things that we are lacking.

Looking at the matching rings on their clasped hands, a secret happiness grew in his heart.

Even if we don’t match, we’re now legally husbands. And our fates are connected so, in a sense, we already match. We’re a perfect match.

Yin Yan watched Yu Zhen sneakily enjoying his happy feeling as he fell into deep thought. The expression in his eyes shifted slightly and he did not call Yu Zhen back to attention. Bending down, he pulled Yu Zhen up and led him outside.

It was around the end of the workday so there were many office workers outside the building. Once again, Yin Yan boldly led Yu Zhen away under the countless number of gossipy gazes.  

Having obtained an epiphany, Yu Zhen entered the dimensional pot as soon as they returned to the apartment. Within the pot, he began to make preparations to solve the questions of “how to make Yin Yan happy” and “how to chase Yin Yan” in mind.

First of all, I need to fully cooperate with Yin Yan’s work. I shouldn’t hold him back or cause him trouble.

He took out the documents from the meeting earlier that afternoon and picked out the preliminary plans for the plants. He also fished out an illustrated handbook with suitable plants and brought out countless other plan templates with excellent greenery options. The project’s completion time needs to be included. I need to calculate the time I need to cultivate plants using merits.

Next, I need to seriously cultivate. I can’t let Yin Yan worry and I have to be a good disci-

Yu Zhen paused his writing and drawing. He circled the word he had begun to write, and then he silently crossed it out.

My goal now isn’t to become a disciple, but to be his partner. If we go by the terms of address used by cultivators, would it be shiniang*? Nonono. It’s probably shiye**. Shiye is more suitable for me.

^{*师娘=Shiniang. Wife of the teacher.} 

^{**师爷=Shiye. Doesn’t technically mean husband of the  teacher, but that’s how Yu Zhen intends for it to mean. Some of the meanings for shiye are ‘father of the teacher’ or ‘the teacher’s teacher’.}

With red ears, he wrote down the words “shiye”. His eyes shone as he looked at those two characters for two seconds. He then rubbed his face and crossed them out. 

Too shameless. How could I be so shameless?

Step-by-step. It needs to be done step-by-step.

Yu Zhen stuffed the nonsense filled paper into the pagoda tower. He was no longer in the mood to make plans for his pursuit of Yin Yan. On a fresh piece of paper, he earnestly wrote down the three words “treat him well”. Then he released a big breath and, for a few seconds, he looked at those words in satisfaction. After tidying up his things, he rushed out of the dimensional pot.

“Yin Yan, is the meal ready? I’ll be your assistant!”

When Yin Yan heard him, he looked over and saw Yu Zhen rushing in with his clothes covered in streaks of dirt. He then looked up at Yu Zhen’s enthusiastic and happy expression. He moved to one side and replied, “Wash your hands. Help me peel the garlic.”

Yu Zhen looked at his hands and found that his thumb and index finger were dirty. Embarrassed, he walked over to the sink and carefully washed his hands before returning to Yin Yan’s side. Happily, he picked up a clove of garlic.

This is great.

I’m not sure what exactly is great, but it’s great.

Sensing his elation, Yin Yan glanced at Yu Zhen then at the marinated rabbit meat in his hands. 

His mood is great… Is it because of the rabbit meat?

It’s only for the rabbit meat.

Feeling a little sourness within him, Yin Yan stepped away and calmly started a fire. He poured oil into a pot and added some ingredients. 

It’s not good to be picky about food. There are other meats in this world besides tasty rabbit meat.

Yin Yan reached for the rabbit meat and dumped all of it into the pot, almost causing a real fire.

At the dinner table, Yu Zhen praised the rabbit dish endlessly. While trying to make Yin Yan happy, he praised his culinary skills in roundabout ways. 

However, Yin Yan’s expression remained calm throughout. In the end, Yin Yan said, “In the dimensional space, there are many tasty spiritual beasts. Let’s eat a different type next time.”

“…”

Why does it seem like my bootlicking made Yin Yan angry? Why?

“Um… I can cook next time? I want to cook something for you,” Yu Zhen murmured, attempting to salvage his great plan of buttering up Yin Yan and winning him over. 

Yin Yan’s outstretched chopsticks paused in mid-air. He then put the last rabbit leg into Yu Zhen’s bowl and said, “Eat more. You’re still growing.”

There was a slight gentleness to his words.

Yu Zhen looked at the rabbit leg that he had intentionally left for Yin Yan. He blinked, then obediently lowered his head and began to chew on it.

Weird. Why does it seem like Yin Yan is happy again? Why? Because I said I want to cook for him?

Don’t tell me that Yin Yan doesn’t like cooking?

His mind became alert as he grasped an important point. Whenever the two of them visited the apartment, Yin Yan would be the one to cook. With a sinking heart, he peeked at Yin Yan and began to curse himself. 

Degenerate! I’m too degenerate!

That needs to change!

Before getting into bed, Yu Zhen conscientiously walked in front of Yin Yan and hugged Yin Yan’s waist. He selfishly placed his head on Yin Yan’s shoulder and whispered, “Let’s go. Let’s go to-”

Yin Yan was completely unprepared. He stiffened and his heartbeat picked up. Without thinking, he pulled out of Yu Zhen’s hold. He hadn’t heard what Yu Zhen said clearly, so he walked to the bed, lifted the quilt, and laid down before saying, “It’s late. Sleep.”

“…”

Yu Zhen retracted his arms numbly and looked at Yin Yan in silence. “But didn’t you say we were going to Boli Building tonight? To set up an array?”

… He forgot.

Having his hug rejected, Yu Zhen turned away. To dull his embarrassment, he changed the topic and asked, “Are you tired? If that’s the case, tomorrow we can…”

Whoosh.

His vision swam and his body warmed, followed by the world around him spinning.

The two were once again on the rooftop of Boli Building. Yin Yan released Yu Zhen from his arms. Taking advantage of Yu Zhen’s distracted state, he stealthily took out a pill and swallowed it. “We’re here.”