Chapter 94
“This is?” Lu Shi’s gaze shifted to the man beside Chu Ye, sizing him up .
“This is Huan Cheng, a friend of mine,” introduced Chu Ye .
Huan Cheng took a step forward and courteously greeted her . “Hello, Auntie!” However, because he had just lost his honored father, he couldn’t bring himself to laugh . Paired with his usual unsmiling face, his entire person seemed to be emanating a cold and callous air .
For a moment, Lu Shi was slightly stunned . The young man’s face felt somewhat familiar to her, but she herself was unclear as to how . “Ok, alright . Come in . ”
“Me-aw!” By this time, Xiao Yin had already shrunk itself to its kitty form . Unwilling to be ignored, it extended its claw to tug at the hem of Lu Shi’s skirt, letting out meowing sounds .
Sure enough, its action immediately grabbed Lu Shi’s attention .
“Eh, where did this little stray cat come from? It’s so cute . ” Lu Shi stooped down and happily brought it into her arms, eyes filled with fondness .
Chu Ye snickered . This majestic divine tiger was actually called a stray cat .
But the tiger didn’t take it to heart . It obediently laid in Lu Shi’s embrace, truly like a little kitten . It licked the back of Lu Shi’s fair hand, still trying to curry favor .
The ticklish feeling caused giggles to escape Lu Shi’s lips .
“Mother, this is Xiao Yin . I picked it up from the Nine-Layer Heavenly Pagoda . If Mother likes it, I can give it to Mother . If our house were to be infested with rats, there’s no need to worry with Xiao Yin around,” spoke Chu Ye, appearing to be both genuine and fake .
However, she really was entertaining the idea to leave Xiao Yin with Lu Shi . Although she had already asked Caroline to keep Lu Shi safe, she was afraid that Murong Chang, having suffered a crushing defeat at her hands, would go crazy with her revenge . Maybe so much so that she’d abandon her morality and target Lu Shi . Therefore, Lu Shi must have a strong personal bodyguard by her side . Only then could she feel at ease .
When Xiao Yin heard this, quivers wracked its body . She was making a grand divine tiger catch mice?
In this world, only Master would say this .
But when it heard that its master intended on giving it to someone else, it panicked .
“Roar!” Xiao Yin let out a gloomy tiger roar, no longer pretending to meow like a cat . Its small body jumped out of Lu Shi’s arms, falling right next to Chu Ye’s feet . It dug the ground with its paws, sniveling .
It felt brokenhearted .
It felt pained .
But it didn’t dare to refute .
It will follow whatever Master says .
Even though its heart was filled with sadness .
It could only tearfully continue plowing the ground, which held no hatred nor grievances for it, as a way of silent protest .
Its brokenhearted countenance really looked pitiful .
Lu Shi wasn’t an ignorant village woman . Having been by Boling Canglan’s side in the past for several years, she had some knowledge of the matters of the city . As soon as she heard that the “kitten” came from the Nine-Layer Heavenly Pagoda, she realized that this kitten wasn’t as weak and harmless as it appeared to be .
Watching the little kitten’s abnormal sorrowful behavior, she suddenly spoke up . “Lili, since this kitten followed you, how could Mother insert herself between the two of you? Besides, Mother can see that this kitten only recognizes you . The hearts of magical beasts are sometimes simpler, purer, and more valuable than those of humans . So Lili, you can’t let it down . ”
Lu Shi’s words struck Xiao Yin deep in the heart . Although it can be a bit lustful and loved beautiful women, the only person it would be willing to wade through difficulties and die for was Chu Ye .
Chu Ye didn’t expect that her little actions and words would affect the tiger this much .
She lowered her head to Xiao Yin, who was still digging, a smile blooming on her face . She then crouched down and stroked Xiao Yin’s little white head . “I didn’t say anything yet . Do you have to be this sad? Besides, even if I leave you by my mother’s side, that would still be a task that I’ve given you . Not once have I harbored thoughts of abandoning you, understand?”
“Really?” said Xiao Yin through their spiritual connection, raising its head in surprise . Then its eyes narrowed in comfort, as it enjoyed the gentle rubbing of its head .
“You and I are spiritually connected . Do you sense lies in my words?” Then in a moment, the gentle strokes became akin to a vicious hammer when she flicked her fingers on its head, the force behind it so strong that it made a resounding noise . “In the future, act less pitiful in front of me . Otherwise… you really will have to catch rats for me every day . ”
This little rascal . Its heartbroken appearance actually tugged at her heartstrings!
How vile .
“Master, I can’t play cute?” said Xiao Yin as it reduced its size even more until its body was just the length of a palm . With the size and appearance of a newborn kitten, it seemed more adorable and prettier than before .
No need to act pitiful . Its cutesy act was already faultless .
Chu Ye’s lips twitched .
Was this rascal really a male tiger?
Why do you love acting cute?
“I’m very cute, very adorable . Master, let adorable Xiao Yinyin give you a big big hug . ” In its smug act of showing off its appeal, it extended its front paws to hug Chu Ye’s ankle before climbing up her leg, similar to the way a monkey goes up a tree .
It had been longing to jump into Master’s embrace for quite a while .
It had seen an opportunity . If it didn’t take the initiative now, then how much more should it wait?
“Get lost!” Chu Ye swung her leg, sending it flying into the air .
Thought she didn’t see through its sly thoughts?
Hmph, she was spiritually connected to it . As soon as evil intentions formed in its mind, she would sense it in an instant .
“Dare to pull off such sneaky tricks again, and I’ll pull out my knife and kill you once and for all . ” After climbing up Chu Ye’s body with great difficulty, it was struck on the head by her vicious words .
Its limbs softened, causing it to lose its grip on her body and fall .
Was there a more ruthless master than Chu Ye?
Xiao Yin landed on its back, its four limbs raised to the sky, not uttering a single sound .
Lu Shi chuckled . Although she couldn’t understand what Xiao Yin was saying, that didn’t mean she couldn’t infer what its intentions were . At the sight of Chu Ye smiling more often than several months ago, joy warmed Lu Shi’s chest .
“Come in . Young Master Lanxi is waiting for you inside . Oh look at me . I nearly forgot about him soon after I started talking . ” Lu Shi led Chu Ye inside, while intentionally shooting Huan Cheng a side glance .
It seemed like her daughter had made a lot of male friends . And they were all so outstanding and handsome . Why didn’t she discover her daughter’s affinity with people of the opposite sex before?
Could it be that Lili’s Red Luan Star is moving this year?
(T/N: Red Luan Star[紅鸞星] – Chinese fortune-telling concept; one of the peach blossom stars[桃花星]; concerns one’s marriage)
How could Chu Ye not notice the consideration in Lu Shi’s eyes? But she simply smiled, not bothering to explain . Some things were hard to express in words .
“Mother, has Chenzhu been okay these past ten days?”
“He…” Now that they turned to the topic of Chenzhu, awkwardness flashed across Lu Shi’s face .
Chu Ye’s heart skipped a beat . She quickly asked, “What’s wrong? What happened to him?”
As she was talking, she looked ahead . And right in the middle of the courtyard, she saw a black coffin laying on top of a bench that consisted of two wooden planks . Dried leaves drifted down onto the lid of the coffin . A still, melancholy scene .
“Chenzhu…” At that moment, it was like a hand was squeezing her heart . She stared at the coffin, her face crumpling .
Subconsciously, she connected Chenzhu with the coffin .
“Chenzhu!” Chu Ye shouted, voice filled with grief, as she rushed forward .
“Lili, you…” Before Lu Shi could explain, Chu Ye had already removed the lid .
But inside the coffin was a middle-aged man with charming and elegant looks . His face was serene, as if he was simply sleeping . But the fact that he no longer breathed nor had any heartbeat showed that he was dead .
“What…” Chu Ye finally understood that she had been too oversensitive . She rubbed her nose in awkwardness and stepped back .
In fact, it wasn’t completely her fault . It was easy to misunderstand with how bad Lu Shi’s expression was . Moreover, Chu Ye was very worried that Chenzhu could no longer wait and endure the mental blow before she got to return .
Chu Ye’s shout also alarmed Lanxi Liuhua and Ming Yuexin, who had been waiting inside the house, as well as Chenzhu, who had shut himself in his room .
“Squeak!”
“Squeak!”
The sounds of two doors opening .
Lanxi Liuhua and Ming Yuexin exited the room .
In another room, Chenzhu, dressed in black garments, stuck half of his body out the door, blankly staring at Chu Ye . “Chu Ye…” he whispered, trembling in excitement .
Chu Ye flashed him a smile as soon she caught sight of him . “Chenzhu, I’m back . ”
The anxiety in her heart finally dissipated .
She walked over to him .
“Chu Ye…” Chenzhu once again called out . When he heard her call out his name moments ago, it was like his heart suddenly stopped beating . After opening the door and seeing her standing by the coffin, he could guess what happened . Chu Ye must have thought that the one lying in there was him .
Although this misunderstanding was quite inauspicious, Chenzhu felt happy .
She cared about him .
“Chenzhu, here!” Chu Ye didn’t know what was running in Chenzhu’s mind at that moment . She brushed her fingers on her gold storage lock, taking out the jade bottle with the earth elemental sprite inside, which she handed to Chenzhu .
“This is…” Chenzhu’s heart jumped . He could already guess what it was .
But it arrived too quickly . So much so that he didn’t dare to believe .
He wouldn’t be able to withstand the blow of disappointment .
“It’s naturally the earth elemental sprite I promised you . I always do what I say . Here, hold it . ” Chu Ye placed the jade bottle in Chenzhu’s hand .
Hearing these words, Chenzhu’s breathing became ragged and disordered, eyes glazing over . His chest violently heaved, and the hand holding the jade bottle trembled . For a while, no words could escape his mouth .
For ordinary people, an elemental sprite was a precious resource for raising one’s cultivation . But for him, it was akin to a second life .
If he obtained one, he could live .
If he couldn’t, he would go die .
“Chu Ye!” Thousands of words and sentiments were condensed in this affectionate shout .
“From now on, everything I have will be yours . ” From his body to his heart, even all the worldly possessions he would obtain in the future would be hers .
Once upon a time, Boling Chenzhu was ignorant and simple, practically like a blank piece of paper . However, after this tempering experience, he could now speak such sincere and emotionally touching words with calmness and maturity .
Chu Ye was slightly stunned into place, before breaking into a beautiful smile . No woman in this world wouldn’t like to listen to such sweet words . Not to mention, they weren’t simply sweet words, but also a vow . One that places her beyond his own existence .
She would hold the number one position in his life . Valued above anyone else .
Even above himself .
Chu Ye let out a laugh . “Alright, no need to be so serious . Just take it . ”
Chenzhu took a deep breath and nodded, a serious expression forming on his face . “Okay, see you tomorrow . ”
Chu Ye also nodded back . “See you tomorrow!”
One of the greatest advantages of elemental sprites is its gentle nature . People of all types of physiques could ingest it, even an ordinary person with no magic power . After ingesting it, one would need one day and one night to neutralize it . So long as there are no outside disturbances, the person who ingested the sprite would not suffer any abnormal conditions .
Hence why elemental sprites are so popular .
Chenzhu shot another deep look at Chu Ye before slowly closing the door .
Although Chu Ye had just returned and he wanted to stay with her for a while, he hoped to appear before her in perfect condition .
After Chenzhu closed the door, Chu Ye turned to Ming Yuexin and promptly extended the hand holding the wind elemental sprite to her . “This is for you . ”
“For me…” Ming Yuexin’s eyes widened . She covered her mouth in shock, almost ready to scream out loud .
When she followed Lanxi Liuhua to Chu Ye’s house, she was of the impression that Chu Ye planned on giving her the elemental sprite . But when Chu Ye gave it to Chenzhu instead, her heart sank .
Turned out she was just overthinking .
Just when it started to feel painful to breathe, Chu Ye took out another elemental sprite as if performing a magic trick . How could she be not surprised?
Voice indifferent, she said, “The room next to Chenzhu’s is empty . You can consume it there . ” She held no reluctance to part with the precious elemental sprite .
“Then… how about you?” asked Ming Yuexin in a trembling voice . Chu Ye was also a wind wizard . If she used it for herself, wouldn’t she be able to break through tenth grade?
If she could help her reach tenth grade, she would rather… only have one arm .
“Me? Do I look like someone who needs external support to improve their strength?” Chu Ye retorted .
“…” Ming Yuexin felt dumbfounded, before breaking into a smile . Right, how could a prideful person like her take a shortcut?
She could depend on herself to subdue everything .
“Thank you . ” Those words were spoken profoundly . Ming Yuexin took the offered wind elemental sprite, before directing her staunch gaze to the room beside Chenzhu’s .
Perhaps it was only once she grew stronger that she could have the right to stand by her side .
At the side, Lanxi Liuhua, who merely acted as a silent spectator the entire time, was moved by the scene . When he met Chu Ye’s gaze, he felt himself becoming more and more obsessed . The woman he fancied was pretty good!
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