Listening to the sequence of elements: hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, boron, carbon, nitrogen. Fluorine, neon, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus. Sulfur, chloride, hydrogen, potassium, calcium. Ava Zen was bewildered, but also amazed.
What an intricate incantation! But Understanding it eluded her completely, yet Ren An could effortlessly employ it.
Despite his modest cultivation, he possessed a natural aptitude in certain areas. Particularly in matters of intimacy... This realization caused Ava Zen, still maintaining her youthful appearance, to blush faintly.
In this moment, her perception of Ren An underwent a significant transformation.
From initial disdain for his low cultivation and deplorable character, to present admiration for his exceptional looks, versatility, and even a hint of fondness.
It was a sentiment she never anticipated experiencing.
She never imagined developing feelings for a man, finding it incredulous.
Astonishingly, even the sexual encounters that once repulsed her now held a sense of anticipation.
"Friend Ava, I have shared the incantation formula with you. Now, it is time for me to pose a question, and you must answer truthfully," Ren An addressed Ava Zen.
She crossed her arms and replied, "Ask away. I always keep my word."
"I am capable of providing honest answers without deceit," Ava Zen assured, her words void of any frivolity.
He addressed Ava Zen directly, cutting to the chase, "Friend Wen, what is the source of your intense disdain for men?"
Ava Zen's expression contorted slightly upon hearing his question.
"I refuse to respond to that query. Pose a different one," she asserted.
"I had believed that Daoist Wen possessed unwavering principles, but it seems that you are nothing more than a promise-breaker," Ren An deliberately provoked.
Aware of Ren An's deliberate provocation, Ava Zen made a conscious decision.
"It is because my father was a compulsive gambler. When I was young, he subjected my mother and me to consistent abuse within the confines of our home!"
"When I was ten years old, seeing that I had grown up to be outstandingly beautiful, and my mother was still charming, he sold my mother and me to brothel for money!"
"Now that you are privy to these scandalous details, are you satisfied?"
"None of you men can be trusted!"
After sharing this unspeakable past and venting her anger through curses, Ava Zen abruptly turned away, hastening back to her dilapidated home where debris and fallen beams littered the ground.
With a resounding "bang," she forcefully shut the door.
"Husband, allow me to offer guidance to Sister Wen," Song Huaying proposed.
With those words spoken, Song Huaying, made her way towards Ava Zen's dwelling.
"Yue'er, accompany Yinger and take care of her," the side instructed.
"Of course, I understand my duty," Sh Chen obediently replied, swiftly following Song Huaying as they walked ahead, attending to the heavily pregnant sister.
As Ren An watched his wife and concubine go, his thoughts lingered on Ava Zen's recent departure in anger, but his heart remained steady.
Anger?
No need to dwell on it
It will fade away.
Now that I comprehend why Ava Zen harbors a dislike for men, navigating the future will be simpler.
However...
Wasn't Ava Zen sold to a brothel by her own father?
How did she manage to retain her innocence?
Ren An found himself perplexed, but a memory of something Song Huaying had mentioned quickly resurfaced.
She had spoken of Ava Zen's mother being a midwife.
So...
It must be that the unfortunate mother and daughter escaped their plight by some miracle, seeking refuge in a foreign land and surviving by assisting with childbirth.
With these thoughts in his mind, Ren An didn't dwell too much on Ava Zen's background.
"I feel like I need to find another place to live," Ren An said as he walked towards Ava Zen's house.
He informed his wife and concubine that he was going to rent a new house.
Ren An then went to the law enforcement hall to locate the elder, where he registered and received a reward of six months' rent-free. Without discussing the allocation with Ava Zen, he took it upon himself to secure the reward.
He had the idea of co-renting with Ava Zen, as it would not only save money but also allow them to spend more quality time together with the incentive of six months' rent-free.
Ren An quickly arrived at the place responsible for renting houses and found a newly rented house near his current one.
The new residential area was the same size as before, not too remote, and had many neighbors around.
This solved his housing problem. Ren An then went to the store and bought a variety of furniture and daily necessities.
Afterward, he called his wives and concubines to come home, and the three of them together arranged the house, which took over an hour.
The house was now fully furnished. To celebrate their move to the new house, Ren An personally prepared a table full of delicious dishes for dinner, providing a rich feast for everyone.
Full of vibrant colors, enticing fragrances, and delightful flavors, the food before them captivated everyone's attention.
Even Sh Chen, who typically lacked interest in meals, found herself unable to resist the temptation and eagerly swallowed. The three individuals worked together to prepare a total of eight mouthwatering dishes.
Observing her husband's intentions, Song Huaying spoke up, suggesting, "My love, we won't be able to finish all of these dishes on our own. Why don't we invite sister Ava to join us for a meal?"
"Sure, take Su with you," Ren An agreed, growing fond of his perceptive and astute wife with each passing moment.
...
Thirty minutes later, at Song Huaying's kind invitation, Ava Zen reluctantly entered the room and took a seat at the dining table. By some coincidence or perhaps intentionally, she ended up sitting across from Ren An.
However, he paid her no attention, as if she were invisible, solely focusing on his wife and concubine.
Midway through the meal, Song Huaying unexpectedly proposed, "My love, Sister Wen, what if we rented a place together? It would significantly reduce our monthly expenses of spirit stones."
Song Huaying had not made this proposal without reason.
Then Ren An expressed his desire to part ways, no longer wishing to share the rewards with Ava.
And so, the routine began. Ren An believed in the strategy of retreating to advance, luring the enemy deep into his plans.
Ava Zen, falling for the bait, confronted Ren An, asserting her right to live in the house due to a rent-free reward.
Unfazed, Ren An simply requested that she should not disturb his sleep.
With that, he abandoned his meal and led Su Chen into the room, intending to have a private conversation with her.
Obligingly, Sh Chen followed him. This infuriated Ava Zen, who hoped to repulse Ren An with her actions, unaware that she had unknowingly played into his hands.
After moving in together, the days remained relatively unchanged.
Ava Zen spends most of her time secluded in her room, diligently practicing her craft.
She chose not to dine with Ren An and his partners.
Ren An, aware of Ava Zen's stubbornness, refrains from rushing her.
Instead, he alternates between his alchemy pursuits and spending time with his companions.
He understands that impatience will only fuel Ava Zen's arrogance.
Thus, he opts to display affection towards his partners in her presence, allowing her to witness their bond without being a part of it.
This strategy is intended to evoke feelings of envy, jealousy, and animosity within her.
Eventually, she will be driven to seek what she desires, even if it means pursuing it with persistence.
Ren An plays hard to get, knowing that this will further pique Ava Zen's interest.
...
Days pass by in this manner, with no significant changes.
Today marks the nine and a half months of Song Huaying's pregnancy.
Ren An is engrossed in his alchemy work when he is interrupted by Sh Chen's panicked voice from outside:
"Husband!"
"Ying'er's water has broken, and she is about to give birth!"
"Urgent! The baby is on its way!" She exclaimed.
Oh my, is the expectant mother going into labor?
Upon receiving the news, Ren An abandoned his unfinished task without hesitation.
He swiftly rose from his seat and hurriedly made his way to Song Huaying's room.