LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 8: Chapter 8
Chapter 8: Ah Yin's Chatting Up
By the morning of the fourth day, Zhao Ling still hadn't managed to get close to Ah Yin. It seemed as though Aunt Shen had guessed his intentions and was deliberately opposing him.
Every time Zhao Ling so much as glanced in the direction of Ah Yin's house, Aunt Shen would appear with a shoulder pole in hand, blocking his path like a guard dog protecting its territory.
Her exaggerated vigilance left Zhao Ling speechless. 'I'm not some chicken thief or dog snatcher,' he thought, 'so why does this old woman treat me like one?'
Seated outside his house, Zhao Ling cast a glance at Ah Yin's home, frustration clear in his expression.
"Today's the last day," he muttered to himself. "If I don't leave for Soto City tomorrow, I might miss something important. What a headache."
Just as he was drowning in his thoughts, the door to Ah Yin's house opened.
A young woman with flowing blue hair stepped out, her skirt swaying gracefully as she moved. Her radiant smile lit up her face as she walked toward the west end of the village.
When she passed by Zhao Ling's house, she paused and looked at him curiously.
"Hey, someone lives here? You seem unfamiliar. Where are you from?"
For a moment, Zhao Ling was too stunned to respond. After days of failing to meet Ah Yin, she had suddenly approached him, initiating a conversation. 'Is this a dream?'
Excited but determined to play it cool, Zhao Ling quickly opened the diary panel and began writing down his thoughts:
[What's going on? Why did Ah Yin suddenly leave her house today and start talking to me? Is this my chance?]
[Maybe Ah Yin and I are meant to be. Despite Aunt Shen's interference, it seems fate still favors me!]
[Hahaha, I knew it! With my good looks and Titled Douluo-level strength, it's only natural for God to help me, not just Tang Hao.]
[The first impression is critical. I need to stay calm and composed in front of Ah Yin. Even if I have to fake being a gentleman, I can't lose my cool now.]
Suppressing his excitement, Zhao Ling took a few deep breaths, submitted his diary entry, and turned his attention back to Ah Yin. Plastering a modest, gentlemanly smile on his face, he spoke with feigned casualness.
"Miss, my name is Zhao Ling. I'm from Notting City. I was originally heading to Soto City, but I strained my leg two days ago and decided to rest here for a while. Now that my leg is much better, I'll be leaving tomorrow. I never expected to meet someone as beautiful as you in such a remote village—it's a blessing."
While Zhao Ling introduced himself, Ah Yin noticed the diary in her mind had updated again. Puzzled, she thought, 'He didn't write anything just now, so how is the diary already updated?'
Ah Yin had been observing Zhao Ling for a few days and realized that no one else in the village could see the diary but her—not Aunt Shen or any of the other villagers. It was as though the diary was meant for her eyes only.
If the diary could be so magical, then it wasn't surprising that Zhao Ling could write in it using just his thoughts or mental power. However, she was still perplexed that Zhao Ling seemed oblivious to the diary's existence.
'Why doesn't he know about the copy I can see?' she wondered. 'Could there be some mysterious force at work here?"
It didn't take long for Ah Yin to connect the dots. If this mysterious power had given her access to Zhao Ling's diary, it must be to help her avoid her tragic fate. She decided not to dwell too much on the "how" and instead focus on using the diary to her advantage.
Smiling sweetly, Ah Yin bowed slightly and introduced herself.
"Thank you for the compliment. My name is Ah Yin. I've been an orphan since childhood and grew up here in this village. The villagers have been very kind to me. If you'd like, I could introduce you to some of them."
Meanwhile, she opened Zhao Ling's diary to read his latest entry, only to feel both amused and exasperated.
'This guy is so shameless!' she thought. 'He's really giving credit to his looks and strength for this encounter. Does he not realize I'm the one who took the initiative? If I hadn't come out, he would've left with his tail between his legs.'
Still, she decided not to confront him about it. Instead, she continued chatting with Zhao Ling like a friend.
Zhao Ling, with his knowledge of the original work and his years of experience on the Douluo Continent, managed to keep the conversation engaging and lighthearted.
However, their exchange did not go unnoticed. Aunt Shen, seeing them talking enthusiastically, was horrified. Her face darkened as she muttered to herself.
"This won't do! I can't let this man from another village steal Ah Yin! She's practically my daughter-in-law."
Hurrying over, Aunt Shen grabbed Ah Yin's arm and began pulling her away, grumbling loudly.
"Ah Yin, you silly girl! Didn't I tell you not to talk to him? That man's not right in the head! Stay away from the house at the west entrance of the village!"
Zhao Ling's jaw dropped. "What? Not right in the head? Auntie, that's blatant slander!"
Straightening up, he blocked Aunt Shen's path. "Hey, hey… Auntie, you should watch your words. Who has a problem with their brain? If you keep making baseless accusations, I might have to report you to the authorities!"
Unfazed, Aunt Shen began yelling at the top of her lungs.
"Help! Someone come quickly! This lunatic is causing trouble!"
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(End of Chapter)