bookbashuk Chapter 285 The Feng Family's Scheme
Chapter 285 The Feng Family's Scheme
Upon hearing the news of Wei Qingyi's new movie, Chen Anran nodded: "If the crew needs any assistance, both the mountain and the valley will cooperate. The resort's reputation is growing, and this will help attract even more visitors."
Wei Qingyi hummed in agreement, her gaze falling on the gathering and dispersing clouds on the distant horizon. The setting sun was slowly sinking, framing the clouds with a dim golden edge, and the mountain breeze was growing cooler.
"There are some scenes in the script where the director wants to use the sect's main hall and the mountain gate's stone steps." She spoke calmly, as if she were talking about a trivial matter. "I've already mentioned it to my senior sister, and she said it's fine as long as it doesn't interfere with daily cultivation and sect affairs."
"Of course," Chen Anran said with a smile. "This is a great opportunity to promote our Cloud Hidden Sect. But Second Senior Sister, aren't you working too hard, cultivating and filming at the same time?"
Wei Qingyi turned back and glanced at him. Her gaze was clear and cold, yet seemed a little gentler than usual: "No."
As she spoke, Wei Qingyi suddenly remembered something, hesitated for two seconds, and then asked, "What do you think of Xiaolu?"
Chen Anran didn't turn around upon hearing this, continuing to gaze into the distance. "No matter what the Feng family thinks, you are all my family."
Wei Qingyi was slightly taken aback. "You noticed?"
Chen Anran smiled. "Don't they just think that I or our Yunyin Sect is a promising prospect? They want to match me up with Third Senior Sister. It's the same reason they were so eager to arrange a marriage between Third Senior Sister and other cultivation families."
After a slight pause, Chen Anran continued, "Actually, they didn't need to do this. Feng Xiaolu is my senior sister. If her family is in trouble, I certainly won't ignore it."
Wei Qingyi shook her head. "That's just how families are. They'll think about how to maximize the family's interests."
Chen Anran remained silent upon hearing this, because he was in the same boat. In order to avoid external disturbances in the world after the complete recovery of spiritual energy, he was single-mindedly focused on improving his own and his sect's strength.
So the eldest brother can't talk to the second brother.
However, Chen Anran couldn't get over the idea of becoming a Daoist couple with Feng Xiaolu simply for the sake of improving her strength.
It's not that he's a good person, nor that he's lived two lives, a total of over forty years, so how much naivety and innocence could he possibly retain?
Watching someone grow up from a child, Chen Anran couldn't muster any special feelings for her, no matter what kind of peerless furnace she was.
Wei Qingyi, unaware of Chen Anran's thoughts, continued, "Besides, their behavior was too obvious; I'm afraid even Senior Sister noticed."
Chen Anran came to her senses and said with a smile, "Only Third Senior Sister is still in the dark."
Wei Qingyi gave Chen Anran a strange look.
"Junior Brother."
"Um?"
Sometimes you're as silly as a deer.
…………
Feng Xiaolu followed half a step behind Feng Wenzheng and Feng Wenyuan, slowly descending the winding stone steps.
The evening breeze, carrying the coolness of the mountains, dispersed the light sweat that had formed from her nervousness in the palace, but it could not dispel the turmoil in her heart.
After walking a distance away from the mountain gate, Feng Wenyuan slowed his pace and walked side by side with Feng Xiaolu, his tone as gentle as ever: "Xiaolu, just now on the mountain, exclusive! An exclusive interview with the Wangchuan family's 'King of Dry Rice' and behind-the-scenes stories of the creation of 'Senior Sister, Stop Working, Come Home for Dinner,' only available to you. Did you understand what Uncle told me?"
Feng Xiaolu curled her fingers and whispered, "Hmm... I understand. The family wants to deepen cooperation with the Yunyin Sect and help each other."
Feng Wenyuan chuckled softly, raising his hand to ruffle her hair. This affectionate gesture eased Feng Xiaolu's tense shoulders slightly. "Cooperation is real, and mutual support is real. But your uncle and I are thinking of you even more." He lowered his voice, carrying the unique, all-knowing gentleness of an elder. "You have him in your heart, don't you?"
Feng Xiaolu paused, her cheeks flushing instantly, but thankfully the darkness concealed her feelings somewhat. She neither admitted nor denied it, but simply lowered her head further, mumbling, "Uncle..."
"Silly girl, what's there to be shy about?" Feng Wenyuan sighed, his gaze drifting to the resort lights gradually illuminating the valley below. "Chen Anran is indeed a dragon among men. Your judgment is sound. It's just that he's deep-thinking and carries heavy responsibilities, so he might not be inclined to prioritize romantic feelings. As elders, we simply want to help you and the family pave a smoother path. We want him to see your goodness, the Feng family's sincerity, and the tangible benefits of the union between our two families. This isn't calculation; it's the most honest mutual benefit in the adult world."
Feng Wenzheng walked ahead, not turning around upon hearing this, but said in a deep voice, "True feelings are essential, and a solid foundation is crucial. Only with both can a relationship last. Xiaolu, you need to think carefully about whether you truly believe in this person. If you do, the Feng family will be your support. If not, then pretend you never heard what I said today."
Feng Xiaolu's heart pounded, a mixture of bittersweet emotions. She understood the deeper meaning behind her uncle and cousin's words; they were driven by considerations of family interests, but also by genuine concern for her.
Unlike before, he didn't keep her marriage plans a secret.
Reaching the foot of the mountain, the brightly lit main street of the resort stretched out before them. Feng Wenyuan turned around, looking at her gently. "That's enough. It's autumn and chilly, go back and rest early. Your uncle and I will go to Baicao Pavilion and take a look around the resort while we're at it."
Feng Wenzheng also stopped and glanced at his niece. "In short, we will help you with your matter with Chen Anran. Remember, you will always be surnamed Feng, and you are a member of the Feng family."
Feng Xiaolu had her head down, so her expression was unclear, and her current mood was unknown.
After seeing Feng Xiaolu off, Feng Wenzheng and Feng Wenyuan did not go directly to Baicaoge. Instead, they had Feng Changyuan and Feng Lie accompany them as they strolled slowly around the resort.
The resort at night offers a different kind of charm. The main street is brightly lit, and all sorts of shops are still open, with tourists strolling around in twos and threes. The sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments drift from the teahouses, the faint aroma of wine wafts from the pubs, and the food stalls are steaming hot. Further away, in the newly built open-air plaza, a group of young people sit together playing guitar and singing, attracting many onlookers.
Feng Wenzheng looked at the lively scene before him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
"Wen Yuan, look at this scene," he said in a low voice. "In just over a year, this place has transformed from a desolate wilderness into such a prosperous place. Although it is a resort, there are already quite a few rogue cultivators with minor cultivation levels or young people who have just embarked on the path of cultivation among the tourists."
Many independent cultivators from the secular world, having heard the advertisements, came here to visit, or with a try-it-out mentality, to see if there were any cultivation resources to buy, since cultivation resources are extremely precious to them in this Dharma-ending Age.