Jiao Long, after confirming Hu Meiniang had left, turned to Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) and said, "Qiushui, you should revert to your original form quickly. We need to continue our journey."
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) nodded obediently and transformed back into a little white rabbit, hopping back into Jiao Long's palm. As expected, she heard his internal disdain for Hu Meiniang and admiration for Tao Yaoyao, "What a disgusting vixen, only knowing how to seduce men for her cultivation. My Yaoyao is the best, always kind-hearted and diligently cultivating."
This was the nth time Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) had heard Jiao Long's internal praise for Tao Yaoyao. No matter what happened on their journey, it always ended with "My Yaoyao is the best." She couldn't help but think that Jiao Long truly lived up to his title as the number one simp and the green leaf protector.
After traveling for another two days, they finally arrived at the lake area Jiao Long had mentioned.
The lake was deep within another forest. As soon as Jiao Long entered, many young demons, who hadn't yet taken human form but possessed intelligence, greeted him.
"Lord Jiao Long is back!"
"Brother Jiao Long, what good things did you bring back this time?"
"Quick, go tell Sister Yaoyao, she'll be so happy!"
It was clear that Jiao Long and Tao Yaoyao had a good reputation among the local spirits.
Jiao Long nodded casually and then eagerly hurried towards Tao Yaoyao's residence.
"Yaoyao, I'm back!" Jiao Long excitedly pushed open the door, searching inside and out, but couldn't find the person he wanted to see.
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) had already jumped out of Jiao Long's palm the moment he pushed the door. She lay on the ground, stretching her short limbs. Unlike Jiao Long, she wasn't in such a hurry to see Tao Yaoyao, so she took her time.
As she happily stretched her fluffy fur, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) suddenly felt a warmth on the back of her neck. Then, she was lifted up, and a giant, beautiful face appeared before her. "Wow~ what a cute little rabbit, even cuter than the rabbits in our forest~"
Hearing the voice, Jiao Long, who was inside the house, quickly came out. He smiled warmly at the giant-faced woman and said, "Yaoyao, you're back! I was just looking for you inside." Seeing her holding the little white rabbit, he finally remembered to say, "Oh right, Yaoyao, this is a recently transformed white rabbit demon named Bai Qiushui."
After saying this, Jiao Long shifted his gaze to Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang). "Qiushui, this is Tao Yaoyao, whom I told you about. She is very kind, and you can seek her protection here."
Tao Yaoyao smiled sheepishly upon hearing that this white rabbit demon could already transform. She quickly placed the rabbit on the ground and said, "I'm so sorry, Qiushui. I didn't sense your demonic aura just now, please forgive my abruptness."
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) shook the fur on her neck, turned around, and transformed into human form. She then shook her head at Tao Yaoyao and said, "It's alright, Sister Yaoyao. I've only just transformed myself, so my demonic power is quite weak."
Later, Jiao Long recounted to Tao Yaoyao how he had accidentally encountered and saved Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang).
After listening, Tao Yaoyao was indignant. "That weasel demon is too abominable! How could he do something as against heavenly principles as stealing inner cores? Qiushui, you can rest assured staying with me. I will protect you."
When Tao Yaoyao had held her just now, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) had already heard her inner thoughts and knew that she genuinely liked little white rabbits. Hearing her promise to protect her, she affectionately took Tao Yaoyao's hand. "Thank you, Sister Yaoyao. With you and Brother Jiao here, I feel much more at ease."
Tao Yaoyao was tall and slender with a willow waist. Her face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, her brows like crescent moons, and her eyes emitted a bright and radiant glow. While she herself had a dignified and grand appearance, she preferred Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang)'s lively and charming cuteness.
She suppressed the urge to pat the other's head, holding the fair, small hand and smiling enchantingly. "Of course, of course, Sister Qiushui, please come in and sit down!"
Jiao Long watched somewhat blankly as the two women walked in hand in hand, leaving him alone to feel the wind. He somehow felt a bit left out. Why didn't Yaoyao praise him? Shaking his head, he dismissed the unnecessary thoughts and followed them into the house.
Inside the room, Tao Yaoyao brought out the basket she had brought back and said to them, "I went to see Grandpa Ginkgo this morning. These are the edible ginkgo nuts he collected this year. Try them quickly, they have a very refreshing taste!"
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) knew these were no ordinary fruits. She politely thanked Tao Yaoyao and took one, biting into it. Instantly, a refreshing coolness spread from her mouth, moistening her throat and warming her stomach.
Soon, she finished the whole fruit and felt a warm sensation in her dantian. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Sister Qiushui, can these ginkgo nuts also increase demonic power?"
Seeing the two shallow dimples on Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang)'s lips, Tao Yaoyao became even more delighted. She took another one and handed it to her. "Of course. These are fruits that Grandpa Ginkgo only produces once every hundred years. Ordinary demons rarely get to eat them!"
Jiao Long also finished his fruit by then and found a topic to join in. "Yes, if not for Yaoyao's renowned kindness and her good relationship with the local demons, Old Ginkgo wouldn't have been willing to part with them."
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) crunched on another ginkgo nut, her shining eyes expressing her admiration for Tao Yaoyao. She thought to herself: This Tao Yaoyao really is a kind protagonist, living up to her reputation. The tragedy of the original Bai Qiushui back then was mainly caused by this Jiao Long. No wonder her last wishes didn't include revenge against Tao Yaoyao; after all, she was truly a good demon with a kind heart.
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) ended up staying at Tao Yaoyao's home. Every day, she played and frolicked with the little flowers, grass, and animals in the forest. Using the Truth-Telling Device function of her soul artifact, she inadvertently learned many little secrets.
"Did you hear? Little Leopard has fallen for a carp spirit?"
"I knew it. And that carp spirit already has someone she likes, a toad spirit!"
"Old Granny Wang's chickens on the mountainside were stolen again. I wonder if it was one of the little foxes from around here?"
"Sister Yaoyao went down the mountain again to play matchmaker. I heard she made a peach blossom rain fall at the meeting spot for Scholar Zhou and Miss Yu."
...
Listening to all sorts of gossip, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) sometimes even overheard gossip about herself. Just then, the large banyan tree she was leaning against was chatting with the peony flower at her feet.
"Does this new white rabbit demon like Brother Jiao Long?"
"Do you even need to ask? I heard Brother Jiao Long saved her when her inner core was about to form!"
"What a shame. She's quite cute. But Brother Jiao Long only likes our Yaoyao, so the little white rabbit probably doesn't have a chance."
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang), who had been resting with her eyes closed, twitched her lips for a moment. Which eye of theirs saw her liking Jiao Long? She had spent more time with Tao Yaoyao...