Lin Xinglan was a bit conflicted. He had grown up in the Mingxin Sect, and this was his first time leaving. He had encountered a bottleneck in his cultivation, and his master had simply told him to experience the mortal world more, without setting a specific return date. However, he hadn't decided if he wanted to visit the other three Changzhous.
"If you stay longer, I can also make some of my signature dishes or pastries for us to share," she added, raising the stakes.
As soon as she said that, his indecision lessened significantly. His bright, dark eyes looked at her, "Can you make desserts?"
He spoke very slowly, not just when talking, but in everything he did. Yet, he maintained his own rhythm.
"Yes," she nodded. Desserts weren't difficult. In her previous life, she enjoyed making visually appealing little treats when she was resting, which always lifted her mood.
Receiving her affirmative answer, Lin Xinglan's remaining hesitation vanished. "I plan to stay in North Changzhou for a while longer."
Worst case scenario, if the food wasn't good, he could leave then, he thought to himself. But he certainly wouldn't forget the meal he had been treated to today.
Shen Jianxi breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he was in North Changzhou, she could create opportunities. Given how much her Shen family doted on her, they would likely not agree if she expressed a desire to travel to other Changzhous.
"Then where can I find you?"
"I'm staying at the Apricot Blossom Grove." Lin Xinglan had already decided on the dishes he wanted and excitedly called over the waiter, listing them.
Shen Jianxi was contemplating the distance between the Shen family and the Apricot Blossom Grove. She never imagined Lin Xinglan would be staying there. There was only one inn in Apricot Blossom Grove that offered accommodation, and it was notoriously expensive, akin to tourist trap accommodations in her previous world. The lodging conditions were mediocre, but the scenery was beautiful.
When she came back to her senses, she looked at the glistening, large pork knuckle on the table, her mouth twitching. How could this person eat even more than she did?
...
Shen Jianxi hadn't eaten lunch because she had spent the morning looking for him. She had eaten a little in between. By the time Lin Xinglan was completely full and they parted ways, it was around four in the afternoon. The innkeeper, as he saw them off, was all smiles, his eyes crinkled.
Indescribable.
She felt like she had met her match.
Sitting by the window, she idly petted the Spirit Soft Fox she had bought on the road that afternoon. These foxes weren't very aggressive, just beautiful, and were quite popular among ladies.
The Spirit Soft Fox in her arms purred contentedly, exposing its belly for her to stroke, completely trusting.
Looking at the little creature's demeanor, Shen Jianxi finally understood why they were so easily captured by humans. Despite being foxes, they were surprisingly naive and sweet, a little like the foolish roe deer she had heard about.
Other spirit beasts, if attacked, would fight back if they could, or flee if they couldn't. This little creature, however, wouldn't fight if it could, and wouldn't flee if it couldn't. It would simply stand its ground, gazing at you with a pair of glassy eyes.
Her fondness for this Spirit Soft Fox made 77 a little jealous. "Host, I'm much cuter than it! And I don't shed!"
Shen Jianxi looked at the white fox fur on her skirt and fell into thought. Did this creature shed a bit too much?
Flipping the little fox over, she was surprised to find that despite shedding so much, it wasn't bald anywhere and its fur remained dense.
Tentatively, she plucked out a single strand of fur. She watched in astonishment as a new white hair sprouted in that spot within three seconds, swaying in the wind.
Shen Jianxi fell silent.
What an enviable skill. She wished she had it too.
Since she had eaten dinner in the afternoon, she wasn't hungry at the moment. She dismissed the maid who had come to call her for a meal and found a thick tree branch to lie on.
At one point, Shen Ziqian, thinking she was unwell, came to check on her. Seeing that she was in high spirits and showed no signs of discomfort, he returned with peace of mind.
As the night darkened completely, and without any disturbances, Shen Jianxi, still in her inner garments, changed from lying to sitting. She climbed a bit higher, her gaze sweeping over the countless brightly lit houses.
A gentle breeze rustled, and the moon began to rise. What should have been a leisurely time was shattered by the sounds of fighting. She frowned and looked down.
Seven or eight men in black surrounded a man, their blows aimed directly at his vital points. It was quite dark, and Shen Jianxi couldn't make out the man's appearance or attire, only that he seemed to have been drugged and was heavily injured.
She didn't want to get involved. The cultivation of those black-clothed men was not low. Meddling rashly could not only put her in danger but also bring trouble to the Shen family.
However—
[Name: Qiu Tao
Gender: Male
Identity: Young master of Qiu Clan's business in East Changzhou, second disciple of Lotus Flower Immortal Lord of Mingxin Sect
Frequent Locations: Mingxin Sect
Ideal Type: Unknown (Host must figure it out yourself)]
Her movements halted. What kind of luck was this today? To encounter two targets for her mission on the same day.
Seeing that the man below was clearly weakening, the attackers exchanged glances and prepared to deliver the final blow.
Shen Jianxi knew that with her current cultivation, a direct confrontation was impossible. She feared she couldn't even defeat one of them.
"77, activate the invisibility skill."
This skill only lasted for an hour. She had to act fast.
With invisibility activated, she silently descended from the tree. From the storage ring Shen Ziqian had given her, she found a saber and cautiously crept up behind the black-clothed man closest to her. With a sudden, forceful movement, she struck.
Blood spurted from the black-clothed man. The others instantly became alert. Seizing this opportunity, Qiu Tao counterattacked. With their combined efforts, they finally dealt with all the attackers.
As the last man fell, the invisibility skill conveniently expired, and her figure slowly reappeared before Qiu Tao.
"Who are you..." Before he could finish speaking, Qiu Tao lost consciousness from exhaustion. His last impression was of a flash of pink skirt.
Looking at the man on the ground, Shen Jianxi sighed and resignedly lifted him, carrying him to her room.
Entering the room, Shen Jianxi realized under the light of the spirit stone lamp that the man's originally purple clothes were now stained black with blood, and his lips were pale.
Fortunately, her father had placed many healing elixirs in her room. Although their grade wasn't high, they were sufficient for stopping the bleeding.
She removed his clothes, revealing wounds that were deep enough to see bone. She bandaged each one meticulously. After finishing, she sat down on the soft couch and let out a long sigh.
Knowing he wouldn't wake up anytime soon, Shen Jianxi didn't waste any more time. She sat cross-legged and began to cultivate.