Chapter 68: Mistaken for Flirting

After leaving Yuancheng Railway Station, Yang Fan boarded the 985 bus.
It would take roughly two hours to get home from the station.
Seated, Yang Fan closed his eyes to rest and quietly continued his cultivation.
A faint aura emanated from him, barely perceptible.
The bus stopped at a station, and a group of more than ten young people boarded.
Yang Fan's brows twitched; his gaze swept over them and finally settled on a white stone in the hand of a young woman.
“Cold Jade Stone.”
Sensing its aura, Yang Fan realized the white stone in her hand was a Cold Jade Stone.
Through his spiritual perception, he could feel a chill emanating from it.
It appeared smooth and glossy, nothing remarkable at first glance—just an ordinary stone.
Yet holding a Cold Jade Stone imparted a subtle coolness to the palm.
Yang Fan observed closely and noted that the young woman belonged to the group of youths who had just boarded.
They all wore matching uniforms, with “Volunteer” written on their sleeves.
“Ruobing, let me see your stone. What’s so special about it?” a girl asked, eyeing the white stone in Han Ruobing’s hand curiously.
“It’s just a regular stone, but it looks nice, and it feels cool in the hand—quite comfortable,” Han Ruobing replied with a smile.
“Let me try.” The other girl took the stone, and indeed felt the chill.
Han Ruobing had spotted the stone at a street stall; at a glance she’d liked it and bought it.
“Excuse me, would you be willing to sell me that stone?”
Just as Han Ruobing was about to put the Cold Jade Stone into her backpack, Yang Fan approached, offering a friendly smile.
Seeing a handsome man walk over, several girls beside Han Ruobing immediately wore infatuated expressions.
Suddenly confronted by someone, Han Ruobing gazed at Yang Fan in puzzlement. “You want to buy this stone from me?”
She was baffled—was there something special about the stone?
Except for the cool feeling in the hand, it seemed perfectly ordinary.
“I really like this kind of stone. I’ve always collected them. The one in your hand is larger than any I’ve found before, so I’d like to add it to my collection,” Yang Fan said with a smile.
“Hey, handsome, I don’t believe you’re here for the stone. Your intentions aren’t pure,” said a girl beside Han Ruobing, staring at Yang Fan with suspicion. “I, Zhu Xiaomei, can see through people—you must be interested in our beautiful friend here.”

“Exactly! Han Ruobing is the campus belle of Kyoto University—she’s got a crowd of admirers, and anyone who sees her is smitten,” another girl chimed in, laughing. “I bet you’re just here to strike up a conversation. But your approach is pretty old-fashioned.”
Yang Fan felt both embarrassed and amused.
He admitted Han Ruobing was attractive, but he wasn’t instantly enamored.
Though she wore her volunteer uniform, her impressive figure was apparent, and her oval face, delicate as a peach blossom, was untouched by makeup—a natural beauty.
“I’m not here to flirt, just to buy the stone,” Yang Fan replied, smiling.
“Tsk tsk, so our campus belle doesn’t tempt you?” Zhu Xiaomei pressed.
Yang Fan smiled awkwardly. “She’s certainly beautiful, but I wasn’t captivated at first sight. I’m simply interested in her stone.”
Han Ruobing glanced at Yang Fan, offering a sweet smile. “Sorry, I don’t want to sell it.”
She wasn’t short of money, and she really liked the stone.
Besides, Yang Fan’s interest made her suspect it might be more valuable than she thought.
“I’m willing to pay a high price—just name it,” Yang Fan said earnestly.
Cold Jade Stone was a rare spiritual stone, mainly used to craft talismans.
Yang Fan needed it to create Ice Talismans.
With an Ice Talisman, he’d have a powerful means of attack—when facing formidable foes, the talisman could be used in battle.
An Ice Talisman was a basic defensive tool, but for Yang Fan, it was invaluable.
It could unleash three times his own strength.
“You really mean a high price?” Zhu Xiaomei grew interested.
Clearly, Yang Fan truly wanted the white stone in Han Ruobing’s hand.
“Yes. As long as she’s willing, I’ll pay whatever she asks,” Yang Fan replied with certainty.
His assurance drew curious looks from everyone on the bus.
Many suspected that Han Ruobing’s white stone was a treasure—why else would Yang Fan offer so much?
“Be honest—this isn’t some rare stone or precious gem, is it?” Zhu Xiaomei stared at Yang Fan, trying to glean something from his expression.
Yang Fan’s demeanor didn’t change; he merely smiled. “It’s an unusual stone—with a cool touch in the palm, as your friend knows. I just enjoy collecting them. Hers is much larger than any I’ve found.”
Zhu Xiaomei was half-convinced.
Yang Fan was right—the stone did feel cool in the hand.

“What if it costs ten thousand?” Zhu Xiaomei asked.
“No problem,” Yang Fan replied immediately.
His willingness to pay ten thousand surprised all the passengers.
Han Ruobing was taken aback as well.
She’d bought the stone for less than a hundred, and now Yang Fan was offering a hundred times that amount.
“That’s too little,” Zhu Xiaomei scoffed. “I think you could pay a hundred thousand.”
Han Ruobing was speechless at her friend’s antics.
She knew Zhu Xiaomei was teasing.
Yet Yang Fan’s response surprised her even more.
“A hundred thousand is fine. I can pay that,” Yang Fan said with a smile.
His answer set the whole bus abuzz.
To pay a hundred thousand for an ordinary stone—either Yang Fan was foolishly wealthy, or he believed the stone was valuable.
“Are you out of your mind?” Zhu Xiaomei stared at Yang Fan in disbelief. “I was just joking, and you’re actually willing to pay?”
Yang Fan smiled. “A treasure for the heart is worth any price. If it’s valuable to me, it’s worth it.”
Han Ruobing shook her head, finding Yang Fan rather peculiar.
“I’m not short of money—and I really like this stone,” Han Ruobing said firmly.
“If money isn’t enough, just name your price. I’m willing to pay more,” Yang Fan insisted.
“You must be here to flirt—your real aim isn’t the stone, but our campus belle,” Zhu Xiaomei said, giving Yang Fan a knowing look. “Don’t try to fool us—we’re not naive.”
“I’m genuinely interested in the stone,” Yang Fan replied, frustrated, spreading his hands.
“Are you done pestering her? If you don’t leave, I won’t be so polite,”
A young man behind Han Ruobing called out to Yang Fan, clearly annoyed.