Being heartless had become a habit, always thinking this would prevent hurt, but in reality, the wounds were even deeper. I sniffled and wiped my tears, then suddenly asked, “Qing Su Su? Isn’t Qing a surname for mortals?”
Zhen Nü glanced at me, returning to her aloof demeanor: “Yes, we cultivated in the same spiritual spring, and later incarnated into the human world, so we took mortal surnames.”
I asked enthusiastically: “Spiritual spring? What kind of spirit body am I? A fish?”
“No.”
“A spring?”
“No.”
I said frustratedly: “A spirit grass growing in the spring?” Seeing her still shake her head, I shouted, “Then what am I!”
Zhen Nü, barely containing her laughter, said: “A stone.”
…I was stunned. My true form was actually a stone! This god was actually a stone! If other foolish gods found out, they’d definitely call me Stone-Head-Lord!
I asked unwillingly: “What about you?”
Zhen Nü raised her eyes: “Residing in the spiritual spring…” she looked at me, “A dragon maiden.”
…This is unscientific! Absolutely unscientific!
The rear hall’s garden corridor wound around, walking about three hundred meters. Now in summer, the clear water rippled, and light reflected on the shore’s pavilion, with fish shadows swimming in the cool pavilion. I looked up at the swimming fish, then looked outside the pavilion, and there sat an old man in a water-ink colored long robe on a stone.
Seeing he hadn’t noticed me, I walked over, hearing him humming some tune I couldn’t understand, though the melody was pleasant. I idly played with the jade pendant in my hand, wondering if I should remind him of my arrival.
“Enjoy life’s pleasures to the fullest, don’t let the golden cup face the moon in vain.”
As soon as the words fell, he raised the fish basket and pulled up a red carp. The Upper God burst into hearty laughter and then fell into contemplation, letting the fish dive back into the water. I had been drooling, thinking about the delicious fish soup, but now my dream was shattered. I angrily asked, “Why did you let it go!”
The Upper God pondered, “All creatures have spirits. Let’s give it a chance to live.”
“Nonsense! Tell the truth!”
“I pulled a muscle…”
“…Who told an old bag of bones to laugh so wildly…”
