Chapter 50: Chen Siling's Misunderstanding

"What is this? Burnt medicinal herbs?" Jiang Fan asked in surprise.

Chen Siling sat opposite him. Unlike her usual reserved and dignified demeanor as a young lady from a prominent family, she was deliberately wearing a greasy apron. Her typically fair and delicate hands were covered in unwashed oil stains. Even her exquisite face, which had just been beautiful, was now disheveled with messy hair and smudges of soot, making her look exactly like a hardworking maid.

"You jest, Young Master. These are dishes I personally cooked," Chen Siling said with a strained smile, trying her best to appear unpleasant. "Though they might look a bit unappetizing, they are actually quite delicious. If you don't believe me, try some."

No one would try that! Jiang Fan looked at the table full of dishes with a speechless expression and remarked, "I have to say, you truly have no talent in cooking. Even a child could probably cook better than you."

He expected Chen Siling to be upset. To his surprise, she secretly rejoiced, thinking, "Yes, yes, I can't cook. Hurry up and hate me!" Hiding the unusual expression on her face, she stated solemnly, "I've already tried my best."

Jiang Fan had no intention of making things difficult for her regarding the food; he was merely curious why she had been crying so aggrievedly earlier. "Miss Chen, did I offend you in some way at the ancestral hall?" After thinking it over, he concluded that he must have inadvertently offended her.

Chen Siling froze for a moment. In the ancestral hall, Jiang Fan had first saved her, then her father, and subsequently the entire Chen family. She was overwhelmed with gratitude. How could he have offended her? She quickly waved her hand, intending to explain, but then thought, "Why explain?" What she needed to do now was make him dislike her. So, the hand she had raised to wave instead moved to cross her chest, and she held her head high, remaining silent. Her right foot tapped the ground continuously, as if she were stomping her foot in a huff, letting him guess.

Jiang Fan waited for a long time, only to be met with such a pose, and couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Who wants to guess what you're thinking?" This woman was truly difficult to deal with! "Fine, don't say anything!" Jiang Fan's face darkened, and he wanted to leave. But then he reconsidered, his anger simmering. Why should he put up with this? He had helped the Chen family so much, only to end up feeling annoyed himself? He dropped his chopsticks and said coldly, "My shoulders are sore; massage them for me!" He was determined to regain some control today.

Chen Siling, however, inwardly scorned him: "See? His true colors are showing! He hasn't even eaten, and he already wants me to massage his shoulders! His intentions are as clear as day!"

Seeing her sitting there as steady as a mountain, Jiang Fan scoffed and said, "Your father told you to entertain me well! If you're going to drag your feet over a simple shoulder massage, don't blame me for reporting you to him!"

"This scoundrel! He's truly annoying!" She gritted her teeth and reluctantly moved behind Jiang Fan. She fiercely gestured towards his head, then grudgingly extended both hands to knead his shoulders. Of course, she didn't massage gently. With every squeeze, she put her full strength into it. Fortunately, Jiang Fan had broken through to the ninth level of Qi Condensation, making his flesh much tougher than ordinary people's. Therefore, her full force felt just right to Jiang Fan.

"Not bad at all, the pressure is just right. It seems you actually have quite a talent for this kind of work," Jiang Fan praised. This truly frustrated Chen Siling. She definitely didn't want this Shadow Guard No. 1 to appreciate her. Her goal was for him to dislike her. So, after only a couple of presses, she feigned exhaustion and gasped, "I can't do it anymore, I can't knead, I'm so tired."

Was she serious? She had only kneaded a few times! Even an idiot like Jiang Fan could tell she was deliberately slacking off. Just as he was about to tell her to continue, his ears twitched. "Hmm, your pulse seems a bit off." Jiang Fan turned around and quickly took her fair wrist to check her pulse.

Chen Siling, however, hastily pulled her hand away, a growing sense of disgust in her heart: "So, you're slowly closing in, aren't you? First, shoulder massages, then finding an excuse to hold my hand. The next step will be to create even more intimate contact, right? I saw through men like you long ago!"

Involuntarily, Jiang Fan's image appeared in her mind. He, too, possessed great skill. How humble and polite was Jiang Fan? When they were alone, hadn't Jiang Fan always maintained his distance and displayed gentlemanly conduct? Unlike this Shadow Guard No. 1, who was constantly trying to take advantage! Truly disgusting! He wasn't even one percent as good as Jiang Fan!

"There's no need, I'm not sick," Chen Siling replied coldly, refusing curtly. Jiang Fan, however, had genuinely detected something. He looked at her in surprise, observing her complexion, but found everything to be normal. "It's like a sickness, yet not a sickness; truly strange. Miss Chen, don't be afraid to seek treatment. I'm not tricking you. Let me take your pulse, and we'll know immediately."

Chen Siling scoffed inwardly. "So, when taking advantage didn't work, you resorted to trying to fool me?" She wasn't falling for it! "No need, I'm perfectly fine." She rolled her eyes and pointed impolitely at the dinner on the table: "Young Master, you should hurry up and eat. After you've finished, I'll have a maid escort you back to your room to sleep." She was determined not to let Shadow Guard No. 1 succeed.

Jiang Fan, however, was worried about her condition. That pulse was not indicative of a minor illness or discomfort. Recalling her kindness in helping him conceal the whereabouts of the three-star Soul Master from the unknown powerful figure, Jiang Fan stood up and said, "Forgive my intrusion, Miss Chen!"

Chen Siling was startled and quickly stood up as well, crossing her hands over her chest defensively. "What do you want?" Without a word, Jiang Fan took a few quick steps towards her, reaching out to grasp her wrist.

"Don't you dare!" Chen Siling retreated in panic. Unexpectedly, there was a raised ledge behind her. She stumbled and fell backward. Her fall wasn't the only thing; she also grabbed Jiang Fan's hand, pulling him down to the ground with her. And so, a dramatic scene unfolded. Jiang Fan landed directly on top of Chen Siling, their foreheads touching. They could hear each other's breathing. Their lips were just inches away from touching.

Even Jiang Fan, being a man, couldn't help but blush instantly. He quickly scrambled to his feet and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Chen Siling, however, was trembling with rage. "Just as I thought! It's exactly as I predicted! This shameless fellow will try every possible way to create intimate contact! The next step will be to just force himself on me, won't it?" Chen Siling was terrified.

No longer concealing her intentions, she got up and backed away continuously, saying coldly, "Sir, please show some self-respect! I already have someone in my heart, and I will never accept any other man! If you dare come any closer, I'd rather die right here in front of you!"

Jiang Fan was stunned. Had Chen Siling misunderstood something? "Miss Chen, please listen to my explanation, actually..." "No need to explain!" Chen Siling interrupted him loudly. "I know what you're thinking better than you do! Yes, you saved my entire Chen family, and we should be eternally grateful to you. However, please forgive me, but I cannot give myself to you. I hope you understand!"

Jiang Fan listened, a vein throbbing on his forehead. He tore off his mask and said, "Chen Siling! What on earth are you thinking?!"