The two strolled through the hills, occasionally exchanging pleasantries, though Qin Chuan usually did most of the talking, while Fan Qingchen spoke less.
Despite her limited conversation, she didn't come across as unsociable; in fact, her speech felt natural and pleasant. It was
n't awkward or distant; instead, it was comfortable and natural.
Qin Chuan was unsure how to advise her. Should he persuade her to rejoin the community? He was conflicted. He was simply worried about what would happen if she grew tired of this life.
After all, she was alone, and that was terrifying. If she didn't feel lonely, it would be fine, but once she did, it could easily be fatal.
Like those old monsters, because of the vast age difference between them and their descendants, there was almost no kinship left. Their old companions passed away one by one, and their children and grandchildren also left.
Many years later, once they felt lonely and lost all interest in life, they were finished.
This is why it's said that loneliness is what humans fear most; once it takes hold, it's even more terrifying than autism.
So Qin Chuan thought about how to leave her something, even if it was hatred, like how Palace Master Wu could persevere and live on under such circumstances.
"Are you worried about me?" Fan Qingchen smiled at Qin Chuan.
Qin Chuan was taken aback. This woman's senses were very sharp; she could sense this. He neither denied nor admitted it, because he didn't know what to say.
"I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me," Fan Qingchen said again.
"I know you're fine now, but as time goes on, what will you do when you get tired of this life?" Qin Chuan asked.
"At that time, I can come to you, will you ignore me?" Fan Qingchen said happily.
Fan Qingchen's words stunned Qin Chuan. He really didn't expect her to say such a thing; it wasn't her style, so he was momentarily stunned.
"You don't want to?" Fan Qingchen asked softly.
Qin Chuan looked at her with a wry smile: "It's not that I don't want to, I'm very willing, especially willing, but I feel that you'll have forgotten by then, how could you come to me?"
"No, I will definitely remember you, because I only remember you," Fan Qingchen said earnestly.
Qin Chuan was repeatedly surprised. If it were any other woman, he would have thought it was sweet talk, but not with Fan Qingchen.
Even so, it meant he might be her only friend, a privilege that made him happy and proud.
"How can you make someone never forget someone?" Qin Chuan asked after thinking for a moment.
Fan Qingchen replied without hesitation, "Loving someone and hating someone can both achieve this effect." Qin Chuan
smiled at Fan Qingchen, "Then do you know what love is?"
Fan Qingchen shook her head.
"Then do you know what hate is?" Qin Chuan asked again.
Fan Qingchen shook her head again.
Qin Chuan was a little unsure what to say, because he didn't know if Fan Qingchen truly didn't know or was pretending. However, this woman truly made him feel detached from worldly desires, her heart as still as water, neither happy nor sad.
Normal people have emotions and desires; what makes people human, what makes life interesting, is having normal emotions and desires.
Without emotions and desires, without understanding joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, what's the point? Qin Chuan couldn't imagine it, but the woman before him was just like that.
He wanted to change, but didn't know how. "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change a person's nature," he thought, "changing a person, especially this kind of change, is almost impossible."
"Don't you want to know what love is, what hate is, what happiness is, what anger is…?" Qin Chuan asked curiously.
This time, Fan Qingchen seemed to think for a while before saying, "I'm very calm. I don't have any strong thoughts. You seem to be desperately pursuing many things, but I don't feel any meaning in them. Even if you gave me the things you pursue for free, I wouldn't want them."
This time, Qin Chuan was speechless. Although he had thought about it, hearing it from Fan Qingchen still made him feel powerless. The martial power, wealth, and beauty that he pursued—well, of course, the love, even treasures and status that women pursued—had no attraction for her.
This was what it meant to be without desire. Qin Chuan's expression changed, and then he suddenly reached out and grasped her hand.
Fan Qingchen was slightly startled, instinctively wanting to pull her hand away, but Qin Chuan held it very close. She looked at Qin Chuan, as if asking him what he meant.
Qin Chuan asked at this moment, "Are you angry?"
Fan Qingchen shook her head.
"Then what are you thinking about now?" Qin Chuan asked.
"I'm not used to it, I'm uncomfortable," Fan Qingchen said.
Qin Chuan smiled wryly, then stepped forward to hug her, but suddenly she was thrown back by a tremendous force emanating from Fan Qingchen.
Even with Qin Chuan's strength, he was shaken so badly that his blood surged, and he almost vomited blood. No wonder Fan Qingchen said that no one could approach her without her consent.
Fan Qingchen looked at Qin Chuan strangely: "I've already shown mercy, what are you doing?"
"Qingchen, I like you," Qin Chuan said.
Fan Qingchen shook her head, saying nothing.
Qin Chuan actually just wanted Fan Qingchen to have normal emotions. Although he had previously said that changing her was no less than climbing to heaven, there were some shortcuts for people like them, but whether they could succeed was uncertain.
For example, love or hate.
To hurt her, because even if he hurt her, it would fill her empty heart with something, so she wouldn't feel so lonely.
Even with hatred as her companion, she wouldn't feel that deathly loneliness.
But this woman had a magical ability; without her consent, no one could get close to her at all, and he couldn't even hurt her.
"Let's go, let's go take a look over there."
Qin Chuan grabbed her hand again and pulled her away.
Holding hands, Fan Qingchen didn't do anything, although it was a little uncomfortable and unfamiliar, but for some reason, she didn't pull away from Qin Chuan.
This made Qin Chuan smile: "Why don't you pull away? Men and women shouldn't touch each other. Does this mean we're boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Qin Chuan was now trying every possible way to get involved with her. Since he couldn't make her hate him, that would be the fastest way, but unfortunately, he couldn't, so he could only use this slow method.
Fan Qingchen smiled: "Being held by your hand doesn't hurt me, I don't feel like I've lost anything."
Qin Chuan's lips twitched: "Then can I kiss you?"
"No!" Fan Qingchen said decisively.
"Why?" Qin Chuan asked curiously.
"Because I feel disgusted."
Qin Chuan's lips twitched again. A blow, a deep blow. He looked at her pitifully with a bitter expression.
"Oh, right, I'll take you to a fun place," Fan Qingchen suddenly said, her beautiful eyes lighting up.
Qin Chuan was stunned. What kind of place could Fan Qingchen find fun?