“Mm, Xiaotu knows, but there’s nothing I can do to help him.” Her own powers had increased, but they were only average spells, not the advanced ones needed to counteract the “Hua Gong San” divine medicine from the god realm that Shui Shui had ingested.
“Xiaotu, don’t be hard on yourself, okay?” Baihua embraced Xiaotu from behind, his touch gentle and heart-wrenching.
“Baihua, is Xiaotu really that bad? Really, Xiaotu is a bad woman.” Sometimes, she truly felt she was bad, very bad, unable to return the same amount of love they gave her. She always felt like a greedy, selfish person, taking the love they offered – Shui Shui’s, Baihua’s, even Wang Xie’s. But what had she given them in return?
“Xiaotu, do you know? Falling in love with you is like ‘sinking’ – by the time you realize it, you’re already deeply involved, unable to extricate yourself.” Indeed, she was like a “sweet poppy,” unknowingly drawing people in, making them addicted to her love. The tender emotions filled the lakeside, reflecting the image of the couple embracing, like a match made in heaven. The willow branches swayed, resembling the woman’s myriad sorrows…
No one noticed the golden figure under a distant tree, the intense gaze, and the tightly clenched fists. In an instant, he was beside them.
“Tu’er, you really aren’t dead, really.” The golden figure flashed, enveloping her in a tight embrace, inhaling her fragrance. A deep, masculine voice resonated above her, carrying the scent of alcohol. His broad, warm chest and strong heartbeat made her mind go blank, as if all thoughts were drawn away. His sharply defined face, imposing and wild, was both familiar and alien.
“Let go of Xiaotu,” Baihua said, his voice tense with suppressed anger. He couldn’t forget the face that had caused Xiaotu to suffer the “soul-locking” torment; it was all this man’s fault. Power began to gather in his hand, materializing into a magnificent sword, silver with intricate patterns, adorned with two blue gemstones on the hilt, radiating a cold light. The tender expression on his face vanished, replaced by a stern, martial air.
“Tu’er, you’ve caught my attention, stolen my heart. You must take responsibility. Please, forgive me, really, forgive me.” Though his words were domineering, they were laced with bitterness, deep affection, and regret. Ignoring Baihua’s threat, he focused only on Xiaotu, who remained silent, feeling his strong heartbeat. Suddenly, she felt something wet on her forehead, touched it with her finger, and tasted the bitterness – his tears were bitter…
She lowered her head, unsure of what to think…
“I told you to let her go,” Baihua said through gritted teeth, the sword in his hand seemingly eager for battle, its cold light intensifying with his anger. Xiaotu, in that moment, was at a loss, not knowing how to deal with him, with his feelings.
“Please let me go,” Xiaotu said coldly, her indifferent tone piercing his heart.
“We have nothing to do with each other anymore, we owe each other nothing. Have you forgotten?” With a graceful turn, her dress swirling, she walked towards Baihua. Each step seemed to tread on his heart, heavy and painful, yet he didn’t know how to hold onto her, only able to watch as she moved into another’s embrace. Indeed, the heart could hurt this much.
For Xiaotu, each step was heavy as if filled with lead, her heart trembling. Just a few steps away…
“Tu’er, I can restore Shui Shui’s powers.” As if remembering something, he said confidently. His eyes regained their sparkle. “Really? You can save him?” Xiaotu, halfway back, turned around excitedly, her silver hair fluttering, carrying a faint scent of cherry blossoms. Unseen by her was the dimming of the eyes behind her.
“Yes, our demon sect has a treasure that can restore his powers, the ‘Snow Mountain Toad’.” He took out a transparent, snow-like toad. Baihua hadn’t expected him to bring out such a precious item and was surprised, but no one saw the disappointment in his eyes. Indeed, many things happen unintentionally, just like this.
Wang Xie placed the transparent toad on Shui Shui’s forehead. Suddenly, the originally clear body of the toad filled with murky white mist, and beads of sweat appeared on Shui Shui’s delicate face. Eventually, the toad’s body turned milky white, and Shui Shui was drenched in cold sweat.
“Thank you, I will repay this favor,” Xiaotu said as she wiped Shui Shui’s face.
“Good, I’ll remember that,” Wang Xie smiled like a child, and seeing this smile, Baihua’s heart sank.
“Shui Shui, your powers are back,” Xiaotu said with a smile, gently helping him up when he awoke.
“Is it true?” Incredulous, Shui Shui waved his hand, unleashing his power, and the table collapsed. The joy in his eyes was indescribable.
“Yes, believe it. Shui Shui, don’t be unhappy anymore, okay?” Xiaotu nestled into his arms playfully.
“I won’t, I won’t.” Now that he had the right to protect her, how could he be unhappy? He feared that without his powers, the four elders would strip him of his title, but he could lose everything except her. The one who made him give everything, the one who occupied his thoughts… How could she know that his emotions were already entwined with hers? Three people, six hands, embracing each other while sitting on a lawn, watching the sun set into the western horizon, witnessing the last sliver of red light fade away… Who knows how long such days will last…
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Brothel
“Girl, how many pastries have you eaten?” From this morning, her little mouth hadn’t stopped moving.
“Not many, just two mille-feuilles, four egg tarts, and seven cream puffs…” Her puckered lips shone with oil, as if coated with honey, her cheeks puffed out, making her speech unclear.
“Eat less tomorrow, okay? You’ll spoil your appetite.” A cup of cooling tea was handed to her with a gentle pat on the back, to prevent her from choking.
“No way, I must eat my fill today. Humph, that Lian Lian, she’s eating more than me now. I must catch up. She’s already sampled all the local delicacies on the street.” With that, she eagerly picked up another pastry.
“Tu Tu, you’re amazing, eating so much.” Qian Yu Lian, watching from the side, looked at her with admiration in her big eyes, wondering why she couldn’t eat as much.
“Hehe, it’s okay. Tell me, how many types of pastries have you eaten these days? Confess.” Her bright eyes exaggeratedly stared at Qian Yu Lian, almost like an interrogation.
“Not many, just went to Ma Da Niang’s pancake shop. Their big bun is super delicious.” She recalled with a look of satisfaction, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“I want some too.” Hearing Lian Lian’s description, Tu Tu’s craving intensified, wishing she could taste it right away.
“Xiaotu, the pancake is here.” Shui Shui’s doting voice rang out as he approached with a wooden box, the aroma wafting out, making mouths water.
“Shui Shui, have some water, you must be tired.” She attentively lifted the cooling tea to his lips. Her sweet smile was like a ray of sunlight in winter. It seemed that for her, any effort was worthwhile.
“Wow, Shui Shui, you’re incredible. Ma Da Niang’s bakery is always crowded, how did you manage to get in line?” Lian Lian remembered waiting nearly an hour just for a pastry.
“Pre-ordered.” The crisp response was like a wake-up call to Lian Lian, who wondered why she hadn’t thought of such a good method.
“You silly girl, still claim you’re not silly? I think you’re silly to the bone. You went to line up early in the morning and even fell asleep.” That small figure seemed different today, exuding an indescribable charm, though the teasing tone was still there, now with a hint of affection.
