Chapter 21: It's Not That This Humble Monk Yearns for the Mortal World

Receiving Qin Chuan’s approval, the two bodyguards finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Qingcheng, quickly prepare a month’s supply of weight-loss medicine for Mrs. Lu. Then have these two take her to the hospital immediately. If any life-threatening delay occurs, we’ll be held responsible,” Qin Chuan instructed, turning his head.

The two bodyguards flinched, looking at Qin Chuan in disbelief as if to ask: So if something happens to her on the way to the hospital, you’re not responsible at all?

Qin Chuan seemed to read their minds and chuckled, “My physical therapy is precisely controlled and won’t endanger her life. However, any irreversible consequences caused by your delay in getting her to the hospital have nothing to do with me. Don’t you agree?”

Seeing their faces grow more sullen and their mouths twitching, clearly moved by his earnest reasoning, Qin Chuan decided to strike while the iron was hot. He twisted his wrist lightly and smiled, “I always prefer to convince people with reason. If you feel there’s something off with my explanation, I can explain it to you again in detail!”

The two bodyguards shuddered and quickly nodded their agreement, conceding the sense in Qin Chuan’s words. After all, with their mistress in such a miserable state, they didn’t want to risk another beating over a pointless argument.

As the saying goes, a wise man submits to circumstances. The two weren’t aiming for wisdom; they simply wanted to preserve their own lives.

“Mr. Qin, is there anything else you need? If not, we’ll take the madam to the hospital now,” the slightly chubby guard said tremulously.

Qin Chuan waved his hand cheerfully, “You may roll away smoothly now.”

As if granted amnesty, the two bodyguards hurried to Mrs. Lu’s side. Confirming she was still breathing, they both sighed in relief.

“Help… help me up… I can still… take another round of treatment…”

Mrs. Lu’s voice was weak, but her tone was resolute. Her eyes, nearly swollen shut, shone with a stubborn gleam—perhaps the final stand of a dieter who couldn’t control her appetite.

“Madam, this round of treatment is over. I’m sure you know that haste makes waste. If you insist on another session, we might as well call for a funeral directly,” Qin Chuan advised kindly.

Mrs. Lu choked up, tears of gratitude streaming down her cheeks. After murmuring, “You truly are a good doctor,” she fainted away.

Before she lost consciousness entirely, Mrs. Lu seemed to see her great-grandfather giving her a thumbs-up, as if commending her indomitable spirit in paying any price to lose weight.

Watching the two bodyguards carry Mrs. Lu away at a pace that rivaled a hundred-meter sprint, both Liu Qingcheng and Lan Jin drew in a sharp breath, a touch of awe joining the admiration in their eyes as they looked at Qin Chuan.

“Brother Chuan, is she going to be alright?” Liu Qingcheng asked worriedly.

Qin Chuan waved his hand reassuringly, “Don’t worry! I was careful. At most, she’ll need to recuperate in bed for twenty days before she’s back to normal.”

Liu Qingcheng’s lips twitched, caught between laughter and exasperation. Careful, he says—if he were any less careful, would she have been sent straight to the other side?

“Brother Chuan, let’s go. I can barely hold it anymore…”

“Hey, you little minx, how can you be so bold in public… Ahem, you’re disturbing my inner peace!” Qin Chuan interrupted as he wrapped his arm around her slender waist.

Lan Jin rolled her eyes, pouting, “What I meant was—”

“I know, you’re hungry, but you can’t shout such things in broad daylight, can you?” Qin Chuan interrupted again with mock righteousness, squeezing her waist even tighter.

Lan Jin blushed furiously, wishing she could sink into the earth. Stomping her foot, and not giving Qin Chuan another chance to interrupt, she said, “I mean I’m hungry, not… not what you’re thinking!”

Qin Chuan’s face reddened at his own misunderstanding. “Can’t you speak without gasping so much?” he muttered.

Three black lines appeared on Lan Jin’s forehead. What a case of the pot calling the kettle black! He’d been the one twisting her words, and now he blamed her?

“Lan Jin, if I were you, I’d just go along with Brother Chuan’s teasing and see if he dares act out in public,” Liu Qingcheng giggled.

Lan Jin shot her a glare. “You think I’m like you, flirting with someone wherever you go?”

“Flirting with someone you love is called romance, Lan Jin. You still have a lot to learn,” Liu Qingcheng replied, tossing Qin Chuan a flirtatious glance.

A trace of urgency flared in Lan Jin’s heart. She decided to leave quickly—if Liu Qingcheng kept up her seduction, who knew when Qin Chuan might give in to temptation?

“Brother Chuan, let’s go. Ignore this little vixen,” Lan Jin said, pulling Qin Chuan away.

Liu Qingcheng smiled sweetly. “Bye, Brother Chuan! See you in three days—don’t stand me up!”

“Of course!”

Watching Liu Qingcheng blow him kisses as she left, Qin Chuan felt a surge of heat within. At that moment, he began to understand Elder Tang—no wonder the old monk nearly broke his vows in the Kingdom of Women.

“It’s not that this monk is tempted by the mortal world, it’s just that the lady is too enchanting!”

Qin Chuan sighed inwardly, but then became acutely aware of the soft, springy sensation pressing against his elbow, and hurriedly recited a calming mantra.

“Demoness, you will not shake my resolve!”

But even as he steeled his heart, his elbow nudged again.

Genuine, with no silicone added.

Judgment complete!

“My resolve was clear—how did I end up taking advantage of her?”

“This isn’t right!”

“Could it be that my elbow has developed a will of its own?”

“Yes, that must be it.”

With this thought, Qin Chuan felt at ease.

So, his elbow nudged once more.

“If it’s just my elbow’s doing, what does it have to do with me, Qin Chuan?” The corners of his mouth curled up. Turns out, blaming others really does double the joy!

“Brother Chuan, you’re so bad!” After several bumps, Lan Jin finally realized it was intentional. Like a cat with its tail stepped on, she leapt away almost two meters on the spot.

Qin Chuan looked at her innocently. “Lan Jin, I’m a pure and upright man—how could you slander me so? This can’t go unpunished.”

“Brother Chuan, could you not insult the words ‘pure and upright’?” Lan Jin was speechless. He was a master at talking nonsense with a straight face. “And… how do you plan to punish me?”

“I’ll punish you by making you kiss me,” Qin Chuan answered after a moment’s thought.

Lan Jin arched a delicate brow, half amused, half exasperated. “How is that punishment? That’s clearly a reward. Pick another!”

“Then I’ll punish you by kissing you.”

“Try again!”

“Alright, I’ll punish you by buying you a few new outfits.”

“Really? That’s fine!” Lan Jin was surprised, but something felt off. Sure enough, Qin Chuan grinned, “Outerwear’s easy to buy, but for what’s underneath, I don’t know your size. I’ll have to take your measurements myself—isn’t that fair?”

Lan Jin: “…”

Just as she suspected!

The same old trick, the same old flavor.

Lan Jin was speechless and turned to leave.