Chapter 139: She Is Harboring a Secret

Ma Tian immediately led Chen Xian to the warehouse. Seeing the vast quantities of materials piled inside, a faint smile played on Chen Xian’s lips. "Ma Tian, you may step out."

"Yes, Master Chen," Ma Tian replied, bowing respectfully before withdrawing.

Chen Xian lifted his arm slightly, and the storage ring on his little finger flickered with a ghostly light. It condensed into a vortex, emitting a terrifying suction force.

*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*

The massive piles of materials in the warehouse surged toward the ring like rivers flowing into the sea. Within seconds, everything had been drawn into the storage space.

Chen Xian closed his eyes, his spiritual consciousness probing into the ring to inspect the contents. He found the century-old lightning-struck wood, thunder-patterned bamboo, and ginseng neatly arranged within. Satisfied, he withdrew his consciousness and left the Ma Corporation building.

Chen Xian climbed into a Rolls-Royce and headed straight for H City to keep his appointment. As for setting up the Small Gold-Thunder Array, he decided to handle that after returning from H City.

As the wheels rolled onward, time slipped away quietly.

Night fell, and the city lights began to flicker on. The office workers had finished their day, and the streets were filled with a bustling flow of traffic and pedestrians. People who had been busy all day were either rushing home to their warm houses, meeting up with a few friends for a drink, or simply living out the myriad scenes of daily life.

Looking through the car window at the hurried crowds under the neon lights, Chen Xian couldn't help but think of his former self—how, just to make ends meet, he would hop on his little scooter the moment class ended to deliver food against the ticking clock. It felt as if it were only yesterday.

Due to the evening rush hour, it was 18:20 by the time Chen Xian arrived at the Western restaurant.

The driver parked the car and quickly hopped out to open the door for him. Chen Xian stepped out and walked straight toward the restaurant. At the entrance, he immediately spotted a charming and stunning figure standing gracefully, looking exceptionally eye-catching.

The owner of this figure was none other than Fang Jing.

Today, she wore a long, red leather trench coat with a fur collar, over a form-fitting beige turtleneck cashmere sweater that accentuated her proud, curvaceous figure. Below, she wore beige slim-fit trousers that perfectly showcased her long, shapely legs, paired with matching beige high heels.

Fang Jing’s attire exuded a blend of charm, intellectual beauty, and professional competence.

Her allure and beauty were different from Guo Xinzi’s. Guo Xinzi’s charm was aggressive and visually striking, like a passionate red rose; whereas Fang Jing’s charm held a gentle, water-like quality, providing a sense of comfort, much like a yellow rose blooming in quiet solitude.

Chen Xian was momentarily stunned: She truly was a breathtaking beauty!

Yet, for some reason, Chen Xian sensed an unspeakable sorrow beneath her cold and elegant expression. Even though she tried to hide it, she could not escape his sharp perception.

Having just been promoted to deputy director of the branch office, she should have been in high spirits. Chen Xian felt puzzled. Furthermore, he noticed that Fang Jing’s cultivation had improved; she had broken through from the peak of Ming Jin to the entry level of An Jin. He also noted that she looked a bit thinner than before.

"Chen Xian, you’re here!" Seeing him arrive, a faint smile touched Fang Jing’s lips as she greeted him.

"I am," Chen Xian nodded, walking up to the charming policewoman.

"Let’s go inside," Fang Jing said. "I’ve already reserved a table."

The two walked into the restaurant and sat at a window seat on the second floor. Throughout their walk, Chen Xian felt the envious and resentful stares of the other men in the restaurant. Like Zhang Xin, a beauty of Fang Jing’s caliber possessed an inherent magnetism that easily drew the eyes of all men.

They each ordered a steak, a bottle of Lafite, and a few side dishes. The waiter opened the wine, poured half a glass for each of them, and retreated.

"Fang Jing, congratulations on your promotion to deputy director. Let’s toast," Chen Xian said, lifting his wine glass and swirling the red liquid inside.

Fang Jing said "Thank you" and downed the wine in one gulp.

She then refilled her glass and his, lifted her glass again, and said with a slight curl of her lips, "Chen Xian, this one is to thank you for saving me on the mountaintop that day." She tipped her head back and finished the glass.

Chen Xian glanced at her, feeling that something was off, but he finished his drink as well.

Fang Jing refilled their glasses again. "This one is to thank you for detoxifying me and helping me recover on the mountaintop." She drank it dry.

She poured again. "This one is to thank you for the pills you gave me."

"This one is to thank you for saving me from the One-Eyed Crone."

"This one is to thank you..."

For the next half hour, Fang Jing poured glass after glass, toasting Chen Xian. He did not stop her, surmising that she must be harboring some burden in her heart; perhaps by drinking more, she would be able to voice it, or perhaps crying and making a scene would bring her some relief. As an An Jin-level martial artist, getting drunk would not cause any lasting harm to her body.

Although Chen Xian possessed the All-Destroying Divine Eyes, which would allow him to easily peer into her mind and understand her thoughts, he chose not to. He considered Fang Jing a friend, and using such means to pry into a friend’s inner world would be highly discourteous—an insult, even.

By now, ten empty bottles of Lafite stood on the table. Most of the wine had been consumed by Fang Jing; Chen Xian had only had one or two glasses. The surrounding diners were filled with curiosity, some even whispering that Chen Xian must have done something terrible to hurt this beautiful woman, driving her to drown her sorrows.

Hearing the murmurs, Chen Xian felt a sense of helplessness: *What a heavy burden to bear...*

In the time that followed, Fang Jing ordered five more bottles of Lafite and downed four of them herself. Finally, she was intoxicated. Tears like pearls falling from a broken string rolled down her warm, jade-like cheeks and onto the table.

The ice-cold beauty, who had always appeared strong, stubborn, and capable, finally shed her rigid facade, revealing her most vulnerable side as she wept silently.

Seeing this, Chen Xian felt a pang of heartache. He handed her a tissue while secretly unleashing his spiritual power, casting a technique to isolate their table from sound and sight. To the outsiders, the couple simply appeared to be continuing their meal.

"Wipe your face," Chen Xian said gently. "You aren't pretty when you cry."

"Thank you."

Fang Jing took the tissue but didn't wipe her tears. Her delicate, sexy lips parted to reveal a set of white teeth, and even as tears streamed down her face, she forced a smile: "Chen Xian... am I too fragile?"

That smile was heart-wrenching to behold.