Chapter 78: True Love Endures Forever

The next day, as the morning sun rose and all living things awakened, Chen Xian opened his eyes, his spirit invigorated. After a night of cultivation, he sensed that the spiritual energy within his spiritual wheel had increased slightly.

He glanced beside him to see the little demon cat, sculpted as if from black jade, imitating the human posture of meditation. Her hind legs were crossed, forelegs pressed together in front of her chest, resembling an adorably naive little monk. Wisps of white mist gathered around her, converging toward her as if devout followers on a pilgrimage.

Sensing movement beside her, the demon cat fluttered her eyelids and opened eyes as deep as the sea, gazing at Chen Xian.

“Little Mei, I have to return to H City today. You’ll stay here and continue your cultivation. While you’re at it, help me watch over Ling Mountain. Don’t let anyone onto the mountainside or summit,” Chen Xian said, affectionately stroking her small head.

The demon cat nodded, her voice soft and childish. “Master, make sure someone brings me snacks every day! I want lollipops, corn sausages, potato chips, cookies…”

Chen Xian burst out laughing. “Alright, you little glutton!”

After leaving his instructions with Little Mei, Chen Xian stood and walked out of the secret chamber.

He entered the courtyard, where the ginseng and lingzhi thrived even more vigorously, their age evidently increased overnight. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

Exiting the courtyard, Chen Xian called Ma Tian, instructing him to prepare and deliver snacks daily to the mountainside of Ling Mountain.

He then hailed a cab straight to H City.

He had already arranged with Fang Jing that she would accompany him that afternoon to choose a birthday gift.

…

A little after 2 p.m., on the busiest commercial street in H City, the crowds bustled and stores lined both sides, many of them jewelers.

Chen Xian, with Fang Jing at his side, browsed through one shop after another.

Today, Fang Jing wore a woolen overcoat, a beige turtleneck sweater, fitted pants, and light brown ankle boots. She appeared both alluring and elegant, with an air of sophistication.

She had taken half the day off to help Chen Xian pick out a gift, devoting herself earnestly to the task. Yet after visiting so many jewelry stores, nothing had truly satisfied her as a birthday present.

As they passed the largest International Jewelry Union store, Fang Jing’s eyes were drawn to a necklace displayed in the window. Her heart fluttered.

The necklace was crafted of platinum, each delicate link engraved with tasteful, intricate patterns. Its pendant was a heart-shaped ruby, the size of a pigeon’s egg, radiant and translucent, shimmering with enchanting light.

“Chen Xian, if the girl you’re buying this for is someone you truly care about, you can give her this necklace. She’ll love it,” Fang Jing said, her eyes probing as she smiled.

Chen Xian nodded. “It’s a beautiful necklace. Let’s not look any further—this is the one.”

With that, he entered the store.

Though he hadn’t answered directly, Fang Jing already understood. Watching his back, she could not hide the sadness in her eyes.

She bit her lip, composed herself, and followed with graceful steps.

Unaware of Fang Jing’s complex feelings, Chen Xian entered the International Jewelry Union. A beautiful saleswoman, dressed in professional attire and subtle makeup, greeted him with a polite smile. “Welcome, sir, to the International Jewelry Union. How may I assist you?”

Chen Xian turned, pointing to the ruby platinum necklace in the window. “I’d like to see that necklace. If I’m satisfied, I’ll buy it.”

Though he had already decided on the purchase, he wanted to inspect it carefully.

“Sir, you have an excellent eye. This ‘Eternal True Love’ ruby platinum necklace is the latest masterpiece of our top designer, Mr. XX, and the only one of its kind in all of H City,” the saleswoman said, retrieving the necklace from the display. Her gaze flickered to Fang Jing, and her eyes lit up. “Your girlfriend is so beautiful and alluring—she’ll look even more elegant and noble wearing this.”

She had mistaken Fang Jing for Chen Xian’s girlfriend.

A flush rose to Fang Jing’s delicate cheeks, making her look even more entrancing, like a beauty in wine. She did not deny the assumption.

Her heart raced wildly, as if several startled deer were leaping in her chest. She felt both excited and inexplicably aggrieved.

Before Chen Xian could speak, the saleswoman smiled and said, “Here, lovely miss, let me put the ‘Eternal True Love’ necklace on you. It will suit you perfectly!”

Fang Jing blushed even deeper.

The saleswoman deftly fastened the necklace around Fang Jing’s neck.

Gazing at her own reflection—beautiful, sensual, and regal—Fang Jing allowed herself a fleeting, extravagant wish: if only she were truly Chen Xian’s girlfriend!

But she knew it was only a fantasy.

Even so, seeing herself in the mirror with the ‘Eternal True Love’ necklace, she felt a small, secret happiness.

Chen Xian looked at Fang Jing, his eyes flashing with appreciation. “Eternal True Love is indeed beautiful,” he said.

Then he turned to the saleswoman. “Please wrap it up for me.”

“Certainly, sir!” The saleswoman’s smile grew warmer. “You’re so good to your girlfriend. I wish your love will be as everlasting as the name of this necklace—eternal true love!”

Seeing Fang Jing’s flushed cheeks and fearing she might be upset by the misunderstanding, Chen Xian thought an explanation was in order. “Sorry, she’s not my girlfriend,” he said to the saleswoman.

“Oh! My apologies, I misunderstood,” the saleswoman replied quickly. She removed the necklace from Fang Jing’s neck and took it away to be packaged.

Chen Xian went to the counter to pay—the ‘Eternal True Love’ necklace cost 680,000 yuan.

That left Fang Jing standing alone, feeling awkward and, somehow, a little wronged.

Soon, Chen Xian had completed his purchase. As they stepped out of the International Jewelry Union, Fang Jing said, “Chen Xian, you have your gift now. There’s some work at the bureau I need to attend to, so I’ll head back.”

“I was going to invite you to afternoon tea to thank you. Since you have work, let’s do it another time. Thank you again for helping me pick out the gift!” Chen Xian replied.

Fang Jing quietly left alone. Saying she had work at the bureau was just an excuse—her heart was heavy, and as she walked, two tears slipped down her cheeks.

“Fang Jing, you’re supposed to be a tough girl—how can you cry?” she whispered, wiping the tears away, silently encouraging herself.

A long while later, she found her peace of mind.

“For someone like Master Chen, the girl he likes must be an extraordinary, heaven-gifted beauty. How could someone like me ever catch his eye?”

“To have met him, to have been rescued by him, to receive his precious elixir—these are already blessings from the heavens.”

“To quietly keep him in my heart like this… is enough.”