Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 130 Urban Romance with Senior Sister

The next morning, Chen Anran accompanied Wei Qingyi to her university dormitory to move her luggage. Wei Qingyi didn't have much stuff; it mainly consisted of books, a few simple changes of clothes, and some basic daily necessities. She packed everything neatly and quickly finished packing two suitcases and a cardboard box for the books.

Chen Anran helped her carry her luggage downstairs and put it in the car. The black GLS had a spacious trunk, more than enough to hold all the luggage.

Back at Biyun Pavilion, the two carried their luggage upstairs. Wei Qingyi tidied up her belongings, and the once somewhat empty room suddenly felt more lived-in with the addition of her books and a few personal items.

She moved the slightly wilted green plants she had kept in her dorm room to the terrace and carefully watered them. In the morning light, her movements were gentle and focused.

Chen Anran stood in the living room, watching her busy figure on the terrace, and suddenly felt that in this huge city, there was a corner that belonged to them, a corner that was faintly connected to the atmosphere of Yunyin Mountain.

For the next few days, life in Guangshi seemed to be on a relaxed and pleasant rhythm.

There were no new breakthroughs from Shen Zui's side for the time being, only occasional messages to update Chen Anran on the progress and to keep him on standby. Thus, Chen Anran truly began his days of "experiencing the mundane world".

In the early morning, I am often awakened by the fragrant aroma of rice porridge.

Wei Qingyi gets up early and slowly cooks the spirit rice she brought down from the mountain in the kitchen.

When Chen Anran woke up from meditation or came out of the bedroom, two bowls of crystal-clear, spiritually rich rice porridge were already laid out on the dining table. Sometimes, a few refreshing spiritual vegetable dishes would be served with them, all of which were stir-fried or cold-dressed by Wei Qingyi using simple methods she had learned down the mountain.

"Try it and see how it compares to the taste from the mountain." Wei Qingyi took off her apron, sat opposite Chen Anran, and looked on expectantly.

You should know that when they were on the mountain, it was either Chen Anran cooking or the senior sister doing the cooking.

Chen Anran scooped up a spoonful and put it in his mouth. The rice was soft and sticky, with a gentle, natural flavor, carrying the purest sweetness of food. "Very good," he nodded, giving a fair assessment, "cooked just right."

Wei Qingyi would then smile faintly, lower her head, and quietly begin to eat her share.

After breakfast, most of them would go out. Wei Qingyi had asked the instructor for leave the night before for Chen Anran's sake.

Wei Qingyi acted like a dutiful guide, leading Chen Anran through the streets and alleys of Guangzhou.

They visited bustling commercial centers, where Chen Anran showed little interest in the dazzling array of goods, but patiently followed Wei Qingyi, watching her occasionally pick up an item and examine it closely. They also ventured into the nooks and crannies of the old town, searching for authentic eateries hidden in deep alleys, sampling rice noodle rolls, clay pot rice, and ginger milk curd. Although Chen Anran had little appetite, seeing the glimmer in Wei Qingyi's eyes as she introduced the dishes, she would obligingly try a few bites.

They also went to see a movie. The huge IMAX screen was filled with changing lights and shadows, and the sound effects were stunning.

Wei Qingyi chose a highly-rated science fiction film that tells the story of interstellar travel and human choices.

In the darkness, Chen Anran's gaze would occasionally drift from the screen to Wei Qingyi's profile beside her. The light and shadow of the screen shifted between her focused eyes and brows. She watched intently, sometimes holding her breath slightly at the plot twists, and sometimes letting a smile grace her lips at touching moments.

After the movie ended, the two would discuss the film's setting and ending. Chen Anran's perspective was often calm and detached, like that of a cultivator looking at the world, while Wei Qingyi was more inclined to understand the characters' emotions and choices. This clash of ideas was quite interesting.

On one occasion, Wei Qingyi even suggested going to an amusement park. Carousels, Ferris wheels, roller coasters... screams and laughter filled the air.

Wei Qingyi seemed to want to make up for the regrets of her missing childhood, so she pulled Chen Anran to try a few relatively gentle activities.

Sitting in the slowly rising Ferris wheel, looking down at the shrinking cityscape below, Wei Qingyi said softly, "When I was a child, I lived on the mountain and could only imagine how big the world outside the mountain was."

Chen Anran looked out the window without answering, but simply handed over an opened bottle of water.

Of course, they didn't spend all their time traveling. More often than not, they preferred to stay at home in Biyunxuan.

In the afternoon, the two might each occupy a corner of the living room. Wei Qingyi would be engrossed in reading thick legal or philosophical texts, sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes taking notes. Chen Anran, on the other hand, might be meditating on the terrace, guiding the relatively sparse spiritual energy of the city slowly into her meridians.

Evening is the most lively time of day. They prepare dinner together. They take out spiritual vegetables and fruits from the refrigerator, Wei Qingyi is in charge of washing and cutting them, and Chen Anran is in charge of cooking.

"Salt."

"Give."

"The fire can be turned down a bit."

The food was served, and the two sat facing each other to eat. The television was usually on, playing news or light documentaries. Wei Qingyi would explain the rules and current events of society down in the mountains to Chen Anran, who mostly listened quietly, occasionally asking a question or two. Sometimes they would switch to some funny variety shows, and when they saw something amusing, Wei Qingyi would chuckle softly. Chen Anran wouldn't laugh out loud, but the lines in his eyes would soften considerably.

Once, a period fantasy drama was playing on TV, featuring characters flying on swords and dazzling magical effects. Wei Qingyi watched with a slight smile and said to Chen Anran, "Their imagined cultivation is much more interesting than our actual practice."

Chen Anran glanced at the screen and thought, "Three-cent special effects."

Wei Qingyi smiled and said, "But it also reflects people's yearning for transcendence, doesn't it?"

After dinner, once they've cleared the dishes, they might stand together on the terrace for a while and enjoy the night view of Guangzhou.

These days were ordinary yet fulfilling, like a stolen moment of leisure, allowing Chen Anran to temporarily set aside his responsibilities and the urgency of his cultivation, and truly immerse himself in the mundane world.

A month has passed in a flash.

On this day, Chen Anran and Wei Qingyi walked side by side on a commercial street with a strong Cantonese style. The stone-paved road was lined with arcade buildings, and various shops sold Cantonese embroidery, herbal tea, and handicrafts. Tourists thronged the street, making it bustling and full of life.

The two had just enjoyed authentic double-skin milk pudding at a time-honored dessert shop and were strolling around casually.

Wei Qingyi stopped in front of a shop selling Xiangyun yarn, her fingertips lightly stroking the delicate and cool fabric, and turned her head to talk to Chen Anran in a low voice.

Suddenly, a faint chanting sound came from ahead, completely out of place with the surrounding hustle and bustle of the city.

The crowd stirred slightly, spontaneously parting to make way for a path. A group of monks, about ten in number, could be seen slowly walking through the bustling city.