18: Chapter 18 Sister Yang Yao, I like you!

Moreover, purple jade vine was usually sold in small sections and was extremely expensive.

Yet Ji Taichang had presented half a purple jade vine, a full five feet long!

Even with Yang Yao's broad experience, her heart couldn't help but race at this moment. Her breathing quickened, and her towering chest rose and fell with an astonishing curve.

Even her complexion grew a few shades rosier!

After the initial shock passed.

Yang Yao took a deep breath and looked at Ji Taichang with a solemn yet gentle expression. "Xiao Chang, this purple jade vine is indeed something I need, but its value is too high. I won't take it for nothing. I will calculate the Spirit Stones for you according to the market price..."

"Talking about money is too formal. I said this is a gift for you, Sister Yang Yao."

Ji Taichang gave a gentle smile, picked up the purple jade vine, and pressed it into Yang Yao's hands.

"No... I can't accept it, it's too precious!"

Yang Yao shook her head repeatedly, unwilling to take advantage of Ji Taichang.

"Sister Yang Yao, do you still not understand my feelings?"

Right then.

Ji Taichang suddenly grabbed her soft, delicate hand and looked into her eyes with deep affection. "I like you! Forget the purple jade vine, I would give you everything I have!"

"Actually, from the first moment I saw you, I fell in love at first sight. But back then, I was just a kid and could only bury these feelings deep in my heart."

"But some things can't be hidden. All these years, I've been thinking of you, missing you, and adoring you..."

Boom!

Ji Taichang's sudden confession was like a bolt from the blue. It shook Yang Yao's heart to its core, leaving her head ringing.

In an instant, her heart throbbed violently. An indescribable emotion and a warm current surged through her body, causing her charming face to flush crimson instantly.

Xiao Chang... he has actually had a crush on me for six years!?

No wonder he risked his life to save me back then, refusing to give up even if it meant death!

But... but I am his Martial Aunt!

Yang Yao's head was spinning. She felt a mix of surprise and excitement, coupled with intense shyness and resistance. Her heart was a whirlwind of emotions, leaving her momentarily dazed and unsure of how to react.

[Ding! Detected that Yang Yao's favorability has increased by 15 points. The host can obtain 10% of the Sect Master of Liehuo Sect's cultivation/abilities. Please choose.]

[Yang Yao Favorability: 57 (A surprise will occur when favorability reaches 100!)]

As the System notification sounded, Ji Taichang knew the time had come.

He pulled Yang Yao's curvaceous body into his arms, lowered his head, and affectionately covered her rosy lips with his own!

"Mmm..."

Yang Yao's body trembled violently. She felt her strength drain away instantly as her heart raced. An inexplicable restlessness surged through her, and she subconsciously rubbed her legs together.

"Mmph... No, you can't!"

"We can't do this!"

Yang Yao hurriedly pushed Ji Taichang away. Her pure and pretty face was already as red as an apple, and her full chest heaved violently, showing both shyness and resistance.

"I... I am not just your Elder, I am also a widow. This is improper!"

"Xiao Chang, it's impossible between us. You... you should give up on this idea!"

Yang Yao bit her lip. She wanted to look down, but she couldn't help stealing a glance at Ji Taichang's expression.

She was struggling with internal conflict. She didn't want to break that layer of their relationship, yet she feared this rejection would completely break Ji Taichang's heart!

However, she saw Ji Taichang looking into her eyes with tender affection. "Sister Yang Yao, I am not afraid of the world's judgment or gossip. I am only afraid of losing you!"

"Sister Yang Yao, I can give my life for you and give you the purple jade vine. Is that not enough to show my heart?"

Thump!

Ji Taichang's words were like a heavy hammer, making Yang Yao's heart race once more and her face grow even redder.

"No... it can't be like this!"

"If we are together, it will only harm you. I don't want you to be dragged down!"

"You are not allowed to say such things ever again, or else... or else I'll be angry!"

Yang Yao shook her head hurriedly, biting her lip slightly as she stared at Ji Taichang with a resentful look.

Although she had refused, her favorability had not dropped!

Ji Taichang was well aware of this, and a gentle smile remained on his face.

He also knew that too much was as bad as too little. Yang Yao had been pure and noble since childhood, traditional and strictly observant of a widow's conduct. It was impossible to win her over immediately; she needed time to accept it.

"Alright, Sister Yang Yao, I won't say it anymore. Please don't be angry..."

Yang Yao took a deep breath and patted her trembling chest to calm her emotions.

"Take this purple jade vine back..."

"No!"

Ji Taichang shook his head. "I am not an Alchemist, so it's useless to me. Besides, 'an ordinary man is innocent but for the jade he carries'; keeping it might only bring me trouble!"

"Then I will pay you in Spirit Stones at the market price..."

"No need."

Ji Taichang thought for a moment and said, "How about this: I won't take Spirit Stones for this purple jade vine, but I'm not giving it for free either. Sister Yang Yao, you just owe me a favor. After all, you are a Third-Grade Alchemist and a Sect Elder; I'm sure I'll need your help in the future."

Yang Yao was slightly stunned. Just as she was about to nod, she thought of something and her face flushed again. "Fine, but you... you can't use this favor to force me into anything..."

"Deal."

Ji Taichang smiled gently.

That handsome face and those eyes full of affection made Yang Yao's heart race uncontrollably once more.

She hurriedly shooed Ji Taichang out and closed the door to the cultivation room, fearing that if he stayed any longer, she wouldn't be able to resist his pursuit!

"Aaaah..."

"What should I do, what should I do? Xiao Chang actually confessed to me. This is so embarrassing..."

"This is wrong..."

Yang Yao cupped her blushing face with both hands and shook her head repeatedly.

But another thought rose uncontrollably in her mind!

"I am only a dozen or so years older than him. For immortal cultivators with long Lifespans, a gap of a dozen years is completely negligible. We are both adults, why can't we be together?"

"Although I had an engagement with the Sect Master of Liehuo Sect, the engagement was dissolved upon his death. Now, both Xiao Chang and I are unmarried, and the feelings are mutual!"

"Should I stay single for the rest of my life just because of the world's judgment? Wouldn't that hurt Xiao Chang for a lifetime..."

"No... it's wrong to think like this!"

Yang Yao was startled by the other thought in her heart and shook her head hurriedly to suppress this bold and crazy idea.

But this thought was like a seed rooted in her mind, constantly growing, and one day it would become impossible to suppress!

...