Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 301 Senior Sister, Don't Worry

"It wasn't exactly tough, just a bit unexpected." Qi Lan yawned slightly, a hint of weariness in her eyes, but her tone was casual. "This girl probably has more secrets than she said."

The two strolled slowly along the road, passing the already bustling "Lingqiao Workshop." Jiang Yun was squatting at the entrance, fiddling with a pile of metal parts, waving her hand without looking up. After passing the back door of "Xianshan Workshop," they could vaguely hear Fatty Li's energetic shouts and the crisp sound of Chef Liu Yishou's spatula clattering as he cooked.

"The resort is getting more and more lively." Qi Lan glanced at a newly opened shop on the street and said casually, "I heard that your second senior sister's movie officially started filming today? It's quite a big production."

"Yes, we'll be filming in the side hall and on the main street. It might be a bit noisy these next few days, so please bear with us if it disturbs Fellow Daoist Qi's peace and quiet," Chen Anran said.

"It's alright, it's quite interesting." Qi Lan's lips curved slightly, revealing a rare smile. "I'll go check it out when I have time, and see how these mortals portray the 'immortals' they imagine."

"If Fellow Daoist Qi is interested, you can come anytime. I'll have Zhao Mengmeng give the crew a heads-up," Chen Anran said.

The morning light shone on the two of them, casting long, thin shadows. They chatted like ordinary acquaintances about the resort, the newly opened shops, and the interesting stories of recent tourists. The tense atmosphere inside "Meow Fairy Residence" seemed to be quietly washed away by this lively morning.

Reaching a fork in the road, Qi Lan stopped. "I'm going back to my place to change and catch up on some sleep. I'll keep an eye on Lingdang, don't worry."

"Thank you for your trouble." Chen Anran cupped his hands in thanks.

Qi Lan waved her hand, turned around and went back.

Chen Anran stood still, glanced in the direction of "Meow Immortal Abode", looked at the sect on the mountain, then composed himself and went to find Feng Xiaolu.

When Chen Anran returned to the main street, the sunlight had completely dispelled the morning mist, and the entire street was bathed in warm light. Tourists and cultivators gradually increased in number, and a large crowd of onlookers had gathered at the filming area, where Director Hu was using a megaphone to direct the extras to their positions.

Feng Xiaolu hadn't gone far. She was standing under an old tree near the soy milk shop, looking up at the sparrows hopping among the branches, with half a fried dough stick in her hand.

"Why didn't you go back?" Chen Anran walked up to her.

Feng Xiaolu turned around at the sound of her voice, a bright smile spreading across her face: "I've been waiting for you. Didn't we agree to talk about what I should do?"

Her smile was much more relaxed than before, and her eyes sparkled with eager anticipation. Chen Anran noticed this, her heart warming slightly, and a smile returned to her face: "So eager?"

"Mmm!" Feng Xiaolu nodded vigorously. "After you left, I thought about it for a while. You're right, I need to find something to do too. I can't just play games or think about drinking all day. I heard so much news and met so many people at the resort; I really should organize all these odds and ends. Fatty Li manages so many shops at the resort; he definitely needs help. And the teahouse too…"

She spoke animatedly about her ideas, her face beaming. Chen Anran listened quietly, nodding occasionally, until she finished speaking, then said gently, "No rush, take your time."

Feng Xiaolu looked at Chen Anran, "I also want to help."

Chen Anran felt a warmth in his heart as he looked at the earnestness and eagerness in Feng Xiaolu's eyes.

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He reached out and gently patted her shoulder. "Third Senior Sister, I understand your feelings. But you don't need to put too much pressure on yourself."

Feng Xiaolu was taken aback and looked at him with some confusion.

Chen Anran's gaze swept across the bustling street scene, as if she could see those slightly austere yet warm years of the past, and she slowly said:

"Those years were tough for the sect. The eldest senior sister single-handedly supported the sect, the second senior sister tirelessly took on jobs outside, and I... was once a 'burden' who couldn't even break through to the Qi Refining stage. Back then, who was it that went down the mountain time and time again to take on jobs like helping people with feng shui, exorcising evil spirits, and even... 'guarding tombs' for others, to earn money to subsidize the sect's expenses?"

Feng Xiaolu's cheeks flushed instantly, and her eyes darted away: "That's all in the past..."

Chen Anran interrupted, saying, "Without your tireless efforts over the years, the Yunyin Sect might have struggled to even maintain the basic operation of its formations, let alone wait until today when spiritual energy has recovered."

Feng Xiaolu's nose started to sting again. She sniffed, trying hard not to let the tears fall, and just muttered softly, "But...but I always feel like I can't muster any strength. Everyone else is busy with their own things, but me..."

"Things are different now," Chen Anran interrupted her, her tone gentle yet firm. "Before, everyone was tightening their belts and trying every possible way to survive. But now, the sect has me."

He said it very calmly, yet it carried a strength as steady as a mountain.

"I have a secret method, and I'm confident I can handle any storms the outside world may throw my way. So, Third Senior Sister, you really don't need to force yourself to do anything 'useful' like you used to."

He leaned down slightly, looking directly into Feng Xiaolu's slightly reddened eyes, his voice even softer:

"What you need to do now is find a way to cultivate yourself and live that you truly enjoy and feel comfortable with. If you want to help manage the resort, go help Fatty Li or your cousin; if you want to interact more with independent cultivators, go sit in the teahouse; or even if you just want to cultivate quietly, or... occasionally take a break, have a drink, or want to surf the internet, that's fine too."

"Okay, I know!" She raised her hand and patted Chen Anran's arm with feigned magnanimity. "Junior brother, you've got your wings now, you know how to talk! Alright, then I, your senior sister, will... just be a 'free spirit' and keep an eye on the commotion down the mountain for you!"

"I couldn't ask for more," Chen Anran replied with a smile.

The two smiled at each other, as if they had returned to many years ago, to that small courtyard in Yunyin Mountain, a time when they were poor but supported each other and lived carefree lives.

"Let's go," Chen Anran gestured to the increasingly lively filming area ahead, "Since we're already down here, let's go see how Second Senior Sister and the others are doing with their filming? I heard there's a street scene scene today, maybe we can get some screen time."

"Okay!" Feng Xiaolu immediately perked up, skipping and jumping to keep up with Chen Anran's pace. Her previous gloom was swept away, leaving only pure curiosity and excitement.

The sunlight was perfect, elongating their shadows so they overlapped harmoniously, slowly merging into the vibrant, bustling atmosphere of the resort.

Wei Qingyi's performance didn't start until the afternoon, so the two of them weren't in a hurry and strolled around the streets.

As Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu approached the vicinity of Xian Shan Fang, they heard a commotion and exclamations of praise coming from inside. Looking through the open doors, they saw that several long tables specially set aside in the main hall were filled with crew members and several main actors.