The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

Perhaps because on the day they first met, Lu Sangjiu had taken the lead in setting Zhou Yun up, with Luo Linlang only saying a few words in support.

This gave Zhou Yun the false impression that Luo Linlang was an easier target than Lu Sangjiu.

Seeing that Lu Sangjiu wasn’t around, although she couldn’t do anything physical in full view of everyone at the inn, she thought she could at least score some verbal points.

But... she soon discovered she was wrong.

Luo Linlang rolled her eyes at her rudely. ”If you’re not afraid of being silenced by our Sect Leader, then by all means, shout a little louder. Let the whole world know about our relationship. I’d love to have my status be official!”

Zhou Yun choked, suddenly at a loss for words.

She wasn’t afraid of Luo Linlang, but she was clearly terrified of the Sect Leader of the Seven Emotions Sect.

Not daring to press the issue, Zhou Yun glared and snapped in frustration, ”Where’s Lu Sangjiu? Is she hiding in her shell, too scared to show her face?”

”Yesterday, we couldn’t touch her because Gu Jue was backing her up, but I refuse to believe he can stick by her side forever!”

Hearing this, it suddenly started to click for Luo Linlang... ’So, Little Junior Sister said the person who saved her yesterday was Gu Jue?’

’Does that mean her so-called ”helping a friend” was actually her leaving Muxian Town with Gu Jue?’

Luo Linlang grew instantly excited. ’I knew there was something going on between Little Junior Sister and Gu Jue, and she dared to lie to me!’

At this thought, she couldn’t be bothered with Zhou Yun anymore. She just called out to Manager Hu, asking him to send some food to her room, then rushed upstairs in a flurry.

’What’s the fun in keeping gossip like this to yourself? It needs to be shared.’

’Eldest Brother and Third Brother must be bored back at the sect. It’s time for a little chat!’

Zhou Yun watched, completely baffled, as Luo Linlang’s face suddenly lit up with glee before she turned and went upstairs. It took her a long moment to react, and then she slammed her chopsticks down in a fury. ”How dare she ignore me... Dammit, those two are both insane!”

Yi Ze, sitting beside her, remained perfectly calm. He had no interest in other people; he only wanted to kill Lu Sangjiu.

Of course, he didn’t like Zhou Yun either. If not for the need to humor her, he couldn’t be bothered to spend any time with her at all.

That was why he hadn’t told Zhou Yun that he had already sent men to tail Lu Sangjiu, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have said such foolish things just now.

Zhou Yun looked at him with a pitiful expression, clearly seeking comfort, but Yi Ze simply pretended not to notice. He stood up and said, ”I’m meeting some friends today, I have some business to attend to. I won’t be able to stay with you, so just be good and wait for me to return.”

Zhou Yun wanted to go with him but didn’t dare to ask, so she could only nod dejectedly. ”Then come back soon.”

Yesterday, she had told her father what happened with Du Xing’er. Of course, she had concealed the crucial details to protect Yi Ze.

She claimed only that Du Xing’er had tried to seduce Yi Ze and, upon being discovered, had flown into a rage out of shame and attacked her before fleeing without a trace.

Master Zhou had consoled her and dispatched men to protect her.

They were coming via Teleportation Array and should arrive sometime today.

He had also dispatched a team to track down the ”traitor,” Du Xing’er, but there was no telling when they would have news.

Thinking about all this, Zhou Yun couldn’t help but feel a surge of resentment and frustration. Of course, she couldn’t bring herself to blame Yi Ze, so she directed all her anger toward Lu Sangjiu. She wished she could flay the girl alive to quench the hatred in her heart.

The animosity directed at Lu Sangjiu was completely maxed out, yet at that very moment, she was all alone in Xie Ningyuan’s grand residence, living a carefree life.

That Xie Ningyuan, he seemed a bit flighty, but he was actually quite thoughtful.

He had even remembered to leave her a storage bag full of ingredients before he left. Naturally, the ingredients provided by someone so wealthy weren’t ordinary; they were Spirit Rice and spirit vegetables brimming with Spiritual Energy, along with some delectable Demon Beast Meat.

’Her only complaint was... he was thoughtful enough to leave all this food, so why couldn’t he have left a cookbook, too?’

In her two lives combined, the most Lu Sangjiu had ever managed was simple grilled meat to satisfy the occasional craving. Now, faced with a storage bag full of diverse ingredients, she was truly at a loss.

’Asking my senior brothers and sister is out of the question; I’d give myself away.’

She didn’t have Communication Talismans for very many of her friends, so after thinking it over, she decided to ask Feng Lin.

After all, when they came out of the Secret Realm last time, it was Feng Lin who had brought a container of food to have drinks with her, and it had been delicious.

”Feng Lin, that food you brought last time was delicious. Can you teach me how to cook?”

Feng Lin replied quickly. ”My senior sister made that. If you want to learn, I can ask her to copy a cookbook for you later.”

”But I can’t right now. I’m on my way to Muxian Town, and my sister isn’t with me.”

Lu Sangjiu was pleasantly surprised. ”You’re coming to Muxian Town, too? That’s great! I’m here as well. I didn’t think we’d get to see each other again so soon.”

Feng Lin sounded a little surprised. ”I thought after your cultivation soared in the Secret Realm, you’d be staying at the sect to stabilize it. I didn’t want to disturb you, so I didn’t dare get in touch. Had I known, I would’ve reached out sooner.”

He paused, then added, ”Oh, right, I contacted Chi Yan a few days ago. He’s also on his way to Muxian Town. We should arrive in about ten days. We can all meet up then.”

Lu Sangjiu chatted with him for a little longer and they agreed to meet up, then she ended the connection with the Communication Talisman.

Only then did it belatedly dawn on her. ”Hiss... so I still don’t know how to cook.”

Frustrated, Lu Sangjiu settled for the next best option and contacted the straightforward Chi Yan. ’What if he doesn’t look the part, but is secretly a master chef?’

”Mr. Chi, are you there? Do you know how to cook?”

Chi Yan replied just as quickly. ”Huh? Why would you do that stuff? What a waste. Just eat a Fasting Pill.”

Lu Sangjiu: ”...”

’Fine. So his rough-around-the-edges persona is genuine through and through. Not a single surprise there.’

Lu Sangjiu stared at the Communication Talisman, lost in thought. After ruling out her sect siblings, as well as Feng Lin and Chi Yan, only two people were left: Xie Ningyuan and Gu Jue.

After hesitating for a moment while looking at the two names, Lu Sangjiu decided to ask Gu Jue first.

’Xie Ningyuan is busy looking for Demon Essence Stones for me. It’s best not to bother him if I can help it.’

”Gu Dao— No, wait, we agreed to use first names.”

The moment the name left her lips, she remembered that day’s events and corrected herself. ”Gu Jue, are you there? Do you know how to cook?”

She didn’t actually have high hopes. After all, Gu Jue had such an ethereal, transcendent demeanor; he seemed completely removed from something as mundane as cooking.

To her surprise, however, Gu Jue’s reply was decisive. ”I do.”

Lu Sangjiu was delighted. ”Really? Then can you teach me?”

Gu Jue looked at Lu Sangjiu’s reply and fell silent for a moment.

A moment later, he replied, ”What dishes do you want to make?”

Lu Sangjiu thought for a moment. Figuring it was best to start with something simple, she named two meat and two vegetable dishes.

Gu Jue quickly replied, ”One moment.”

Lu Sangjiu assumed he had something else to finish, so she didn’t press him and just waited patiently.

Meanwhile, Gu Jue put away his Communication Talisman, went to Sword Bu Gui’s room, and knocked on the door. ”Master, are you in?”

Sword Bu Gui’s majestic voice came from inside. ”What is it?”

A hint of hesitation crossed Gu Jue’s face, but he asked anyway, ”Master... do you know how to cook?”