The two took Feng Hongjin to a nearby supermarket.
The rows of snacks left the little one wide-eyed. When had she ever seen so much delicious food?
Although she didn't recognize many of them, she knew cola and juice because Liu Nanfeng had bought them for her before.
But now, a whole wall of cola, juice, and many other unknown drinks, she figured they must be tasty too.
She was a child, not an idiot.
So she stood before this wall of drinks, craning her neck, her mouth agape, her shocked expression making Su Jinxiu burst into laughter.
"This little one is just too funny," Su Jinxiu said to Liu Nanfeng.
"But children shouldn't drink so many carbonated drinks." Su Jinxiu pulled her towards the chilled section.
She picked up a few bottles of juice and milk, then grabbed a bag of cheese sticks, opened one, and handed it to her before putting the rest in the shopping cart.
"Alright, let's go pay," Su Jinxiu finally picked up Feng Hongjin and placed her in the shopping cart.
The two went to the checkout counter. Perhaps because it was midday, there weren't many people paying, and there was no queue.
Liu Nanfeng directly pushed Feng Hongjin over and placed the items from the cart onto the counter.
Feng Hongjin stared blankly at the scanner in the cashier's hand, as she scanned each item they had put in the cart, emitting a beep.
The little one foolishly reached out her small hand too.
She was also an item in the cart.
The cashier was first stunned, then burst into laughter.
She then pointed the scanner at her arm, pretended to scan it, and made a "beep" sound with her mouth.
But Feng Hongjin was very angry, glaring with wide eyes and puffed cheeks, looking very annoyed.
Do you think I'm an idiot? The sound clearly came from your mouth, not this machine.
Liu Nanfeng and Su Jinxiu couldn't help but chuckle.
Feng Hongjin was about to say something, when Liu Nanfeng said in advance, "Okay, we only need to scan and pay for things in the supermarket. You're not in the supermarket, so you don't need to be scanned."
"But... I'm in the cart."
She wiggled her little legs and pointed at the shopping cart beneath her.
"Hahaha..." This time, all three couldn't stop laughing.
Liu Nanfeng took out his phone to pay, but Su Jinxiu stopped him.
"I still have some change left from buying groceries this morning. Let's pay with cash," she said, taking out a wallet. Liu Nanfeng didn't argue and put his phone away.
Although Liu Nanfeng wasn't some internet big shot, he earned enough to support his family. His royalties were usually split into two parts: one for personal use and the other for Su Jinxiu's household expenses.
Of course, this was only for daily household consumption. For larger purchases like buying a house or a car, he was unable to afford it; those funds were always provided by Su Jinxiu.
While tidying the items into bags, Liu Nanfeng also shared some common sense with Feng Hongjin.
The little one had probably never been ashore before, and her understanding of humans was limited to peeking from a distance in the river. She was a complete blank slate.
"Didn't your sister Yu Chan say she had important things to do, so she couldn't contact you? My important thing is work. Only work can earn money, and with money, we can buy all these delicious snacks..."
Upon hearing this, Feng Hongjin's big eyes lit up. While licking the cheese stick in her hand, she said enviously, "Work is so good! Then I want to work too, and earn lots and lots of money..."
"You're still a child, you don't need to worry about earning money. Just be happy. Leave the earning money to the adults..."
Su Jinxiu, having paid, reached out and picked her up from the shopping cart.
Seeing how much Su Jinxiu liked Feng Hongjin, Liu Nanfeng didn't think much of it, assuming she just liked children. He followed them, carrying the bags.
Feng Hongjin hugged Su Jinxiu's neck, and seeing Liu Nanfeng following behind, she giggled happily again.
Back home, Su Jinxiu went to the kitchen to get busy, while Liu Nanfeng sat with Feng Hongjin on the sofa watching television.
The little one was seeing animated cartoons for the first time, smiling, her eyes fixed on the screen, a potato chip in her hand. She looked so silly; indeed, watching too much TV makes people dumber.
Liu Nanfeng ignored her for the moment and went into the kitchen as well.
Su Jinxiu wore an apron, its tie around her waist accentuating her rounded, perky hips.
Looking down, her short skirt revealed half a leg in black stockings.
Liu Nanfeng felt a warmth in his chest, surely from drinking too much of the red date pork rib and goji berry soup this morning.
"Do you need help?"
Liu Nanfeng stepped forward, pressed against her back, and hugged her waist.
Su Jinxiu turned her head, her cheek brushing against Liu Nanfeng's lips.
Su Jinxiu gave him a playful shove with her elbow, a mock glare.
"Drink the soup next to you."
"More soup?"
"Do you want to drink it?"
"I'll drink it."
Liu Nanfeng released her waist and picked up the large bowl. After taking a few sips, he saw Feng Hongjin standing at the kitchen entrance, sucking her fingers, her little face tilted up, looking at him.
Seeing Liu Nanfeng look over, she immediately asked enviously, "Is it delicious?"
"Do you want to drink it?"
"Yes, I do."
The little one didn't know about politeness; she said what she thought, very honestly.
In fact, before she could say anything, Su Jinxiu had already taken a small bowl and served her a portion.
"Be careful, it's hot."
Su Jinxiu helped her carry the bowl to the dining table outside. The little one followed closely, like a little shadow.
"Okay."
She pouted her little bottom and struggled to climb onto the chair.
Seeing her struggle, Su Jinxiu helped her, and she was finally able to sit on the chair, but—
The chair was too low, and the table too high; it was level with her eyes, and her mouth couldn't reach the table.
Su Jinxiu was amused by her and could only move the bowl to the nearby coffee table. This way, the little one could sit on a small stool.
After settling the little one, she returned to the kitchen. Liu Nanfeng had already finished the soup and was helping to chop vegetables.
Su Jinxiu didn't ask him to leave; they had a tacit understanding of the division of labor. Liu Nanfeng helped wash and chop vegetables and prepare the plates, while Su Jinxiu handled the cooking. It was clear this wasn't their first time doing this.
"I'm not in a hurry anymore, and you shouldn't rush either. Before, I didn't know your identity..."
Although Liu Nanfeng had asked Su Jinxiu to let go that morning, it wasn't that easy.
From his understanding of her, she had only hidden it in her heart and hadn't truly let go.
Indeed, when Liu Nanfeng said these words, Su Jinxiu was silent with her back to him, and he knew his guess was correct.
"Besides, if it doesn't work out, we can have a little demon cub. There's nothing wrong with that. Look at Hongjin, isn't she very cute?"
"What do you know?" Su Jinxiu couldn't hold back any longer, turning around and glaring at him.
"Even though Feng Hongjin has a special bloodline and can transform into human form from birth, she ages a hundred years in a single year. It's unknown how long it will take for her to mature. I'm different. Although I have an ancient inheritance, I myself am an ordinary person with a shallow foundation..."
Su Jinxiu's expression turned sad. In her mind, if she couldn't find the Pregnant Mother Grass, there was basically no hope of having a healthy baby.
"Isn't there another way? As long as my strength surpasses yours, we can still have a healthy baby," Liu Nanfeng gently comforted her.
Su Jinxiu nodded slightly. This was a way, and the best way.
But for an ordinary human like Liu Nanfeng to surpass her in strength was almost impossible. For the first time, she felt troubled by her own great strength.
However, to not hurt Liu Nanfeng's pride, she didn't say it directly.
Instead, she encouraged him, "Then, my dear, you must work hard."
"You don't think I'm just talking, do you?"
Liu Nanfeng wasn't stupid; Su Jinxiu couldn't easily believe him, given the vast difference between them.
"No, having hope is better than having no hope."
Su Jinxiu was still as gentle and kind as ever, which was what Liu Nanfeng loved most about her.
Unable to resist, he leaned forward and kissed her on the corner of her lips.
"Do you remember that painting? It not only allows me to distinguish between humans and demons but also increases my strength," Liu Nanfeng said.
"Really?" Su Jinxiu asked, placing her hand on his chest.
"Of course, it's true."
"But..." Su Jinxiu's fingertips slid down. "I don't feel like you've gotten much stronger!"
"Are you crazy? There's a child outside!"
Su Jinxiu responded with an unhappy click of her tongue. "I mean, you don't even have a few abs. Where have you gotten stronger?"
→_→
Liu Nanfeng didn't believe her at all.
"There's none left," Feng Hongjin's voice echoed from the kitchen entrance at that moment.
Seeing them look over, she immediately shook the mouth of the bowl downwards twice, indicating there was indeed none.
Liu Nanfeng was worried she might flip the bowl over, causing residual soup to spill. But to his surprise, not a single drop fell.
He felt a little strange and walked over to take the bowl. He saw that the bowl was spotlessly clean, as if it had been washed and then wiped again with a dry cloth.
"Good heavens, you licked it so clean?"
The little one blinked her eyes, completely unaware of what he was saying.
"There's none left. You can't drink any more because we're about to eat, and sister has made a lot of delicious food for you," Su Jinxiu bent down and lightly tapped Feng Hongjin's nose.
"Delicious food." The little one's big eyes sparkled.
"Yes, delicious food. Can you wait a little longer?"
"Okay." Feng Hongjin turned and ran off.
"This little thing."
Liu Nanfeng handed the bowl to Su Jinxiu with a wry smile.
"It's all pre-rinsed."
Su Jinxiu also giggled.
The little one had a hearty lunch at Liu Nanfeng's place. She chattered about all the interesting things she had seen in the river over the years.
There were big fish eating small fish, sunken ships with strange plants, capsized boats in the river...
The little one spoke incoherently, jumping from one topic to another, but her voice was soft and cute, making everything she said sound joyful and cheerful.
Liu Nanfeng finally understood why she had licked the soup bowl so clean. The little one could not only spit water but also liked to suck water. She sucked all the soup from the bowl in one go, leaving not a drop, and then proudly looked at them with anticipation for praise.
The meal was exceptionally warm, truly like a family of three.
After eating, the little one even voluntarily offered to help wash the dishes, and wouldn't be dissuaded.
Liu Nanfeng had no choice but to move a chair for her. She could only reach the sink by standing on the chair.
However, controlling water was this little one's innate talent. Washing dishes was incredibly skillful. With a wave of her small hand, the water from the faucet swirled on the plate, making it clean in an instant.
"I think there's a job that's perfect for you."
"Really? What job?" Feng Hongjin asked with anticipation.
"Washing dishes at a restaurant."
"Can I earn a lot of money?"
"At your speed, probably quite a bit."
Feng Hongjin was overjoyed to hear this and then set a goal for herself: to find a dishwashing job in the future.
Su Jinxiu playfully hit him beside her, blaming him for teasing the child and making her take it seriously.
After tidying up the dishes and bringing out the snacks they had bought, the three of them went to a coffee shop.
Meanwhile, in a mysterious place at the bottom of the river, Zhu Yuchan had already looked out several times, her expression filled with anxiety.
Finally, she couldn't help but ask Zhu Yin'e, who was reading a book nearby, "Madam, Little Fish hasn't returned yet. Aren't you even a little worried?"
"Didn't you meet Lord Liu? Didn't you say he was a good person?" Zhu Yin'e put down her book.
"That's what I said, but you can't judge a book by its cover. I've only met him twice. Who knows if he's a hypocrite? These educated people, have you seen them over the years?" Zhu Yuchan said, showing slight impatience.
"I trust your judgment."
"Madam?"
Zhu Yuchan stamped her foot, her face full of displeasure. They had been together for so many years; they were servants and masters, but it was more fitting to call them sisters.
Zhu Yin'e smiled faintly. "Alright, don't worry too much. I still trust the judgment of the Su sisters; they wouldn't mistake someone."
"But... but..."
While that was said, the logic wasn't quite right.
Zhu Yuchan's face showed worry, and she added, "Moreover, at noon, that Third Sister was splashing and mist on the river surface; something must have happened."
"Alright, I have my own plans for this. You don't need to worry."
After speaking, Zhu Yin'e picked up her book again. Zhu Yuchan could only sigh helplessly and turn to wait by the entrance.
After she left, Zhu Yin'e frowned and fell into thought. Thinking of the visit from the eldest Su sister that day, she couldn't help but sigh...
"I'm baaaaaack, gurgle, gurgle..."
Only a shout interrupted her thoughts. She saw her daughter swimming rapidly from a distance, blowing bubbles all the way.
And Zhu Yuchan eagerly swam to meet her.
Meanwhile, on the shore, Liu Nanfeng saw Feng Hongjin sink into the river and turned to leave.
Fortunately, this section of the road was relatively secluded, with hardly anyone around. Otherwise, seeing this scene, people might even suspect him of murder and body disposal.
Liu Nanfeng didn't go directly up the embankment but instead slunk along the base. Since the afternoon sun didn't reach here, it was all shaded, so he planned to go up further ahead.
Because of concerns that river water hitting the embankment might cause damage, there were many one-person-high holes in the wall beneath the embankment to relieve the force of the water.
Now that the water level had dropped, these holes were all exposed.
After being exposed to the sun, most of these holes had become very dry, but some still contained standing water. Some fish and shrimp that couldn't escape in time had died inside, emitting a foul odor in the hot weather.
Liu Nanfeng walked for a while and couldn't stand the smell anymore. He was just about to find some steps to go ashore.
Suddenly, he felt his body stiffen, as if he were being stared at. He slowly looked up and saw, in a nearby hole, a pair of blood-red eyes coldly watching him.
"It's over."