Chapter 109: Falling for Someone
Qingmei Niang’s voice was tinged with sadness and loneliness.
Chen Yin couldn’t fully comprehend that feeling. But he imagined it was similar to how he had felt when he was reborn into a completely unfamiliar world.
But there was still something he couldn’t understand.
“Madam Qingmei, forgive my rudeness, but my Master’s ‘Forgotten Everlasting Heart Sutra’ can preserve one’s youth and grant near immortality.”
He asked, “How have you managed to live for so many years?”
Although demons generally had longer lifespans than humans…
…It was still unusual for a demon to live for over a thousand years. Even a five or six-hundred-year-old demon would be considered an ancient monster.
“Well…”
Qingmei Niang smiled seductively. “That’s a secret of our fox clan. I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, Young Master Chen.”
Since it was a secret, Chen Yin didn’t press further.
“By the way, I haven’t asked yet, why did you summon me here today?”
“Well…” Qingmei Niang’s playful expression softened slightly. “Young Master Chen, you’ve worked hard escorting Luo Luo back home.”
“My Azure Fox clan is deeply grateful and would like to extend our hospitality.”
“However…” She paused, a hint of apology in her voice.
“In a few days, our mountain city will be holding a centennial celebration. This celebration involves some clan secrets, and we’ll have to seal off the mountain for a few days. We won’t be able to receive any guests.”
“Please come visit us again after the celebration, Young Master Chen. You will be most welcome.”
Chen Yin understood.
She was asking him to leave.
But he wasn’t particularly disappointed. He had safely brought Luo Luo home and even met her family. He had no regrets.
He could always visit again if he had the chance.
“I understand. I’ll leave tomorrow at the latest.”
“There’s no need to rush.”
Qingmei Niang said gracefully, “Luo Luo will be participating in some trials during the celebration, as one of the main participants.”
“If you don’t mind, Young Master Chen, you can stay and accompany her for the next two days.”
Chen Yin didn’t think too much about it, assuming it was some kind of coming-of-age ceremony for the Azure Fox clan. He bowed and agreed. “I understand.”
On the other side of the mountain city…
By the Azure Lotus Pond, lotuses and lily pads bloomed in abundance.
Luo Luo sat by the edge of the pond, her bare feet dangling in the water, her toes playfully creating ripples.
“Luo Luo, what’s wrong with you?”
Ya Ya, sitting beside her, her head propped up with her hand, asked curiously, “You’ve been acting strange these past few days.”
Luo Luo hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, her eyes flickering nervously.
“Ya Ya… I think I’m sick.”
“What?!”
Ya Ya’s eyes widened in alarm. “What’s wrong? Tell Madam Qingmei quickly!”
“Lately, my heart has been beating strangely, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. My face gets hot sometimes, and my head feels fuzzy and lightheaded. I can’t concentrate.”
Luo Luo swayed her feet, her tail swishing gently. “And sometimes, I have strange dreams at night. I wake up suddenly in the middle of the dream, but I can’t remember what it was about.”
“Especially last night, I couldn’t sleep and wanted to ask Young Master to tell me a story, but I saw him being intimate with Sister Qingying.”
She had seen Qingying fall into Chen Yin’s arms.
Their lips met, their eyes locked, and they both looked so happy.
“I-I don’t know why, but I suddenly felt very sad, my heart ached, and I ran away without even talking to Young Master…” Her ears drooped, her voice filled with disappointment.
Ya Ya blinked.
“Ya Ya, do you think I have hysteria?” Luo Luo looked at her with pleading eyes.
“Silly Luo Luo.”
Ya Ya giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “That’s not hysteria.”
“You’re in love!”
Luo Luo froze, her face slowly turning crimson.
“D-don’t say such things, Ya Ya!”
She waved her hands frantically. “What do you mean, in love… That’s so embarrassing!”
“Then let me ask you this.”
Ya Ya tilted her head. “What do you think of Brother Chen?”
“Young Master… he’s… of course he’s very good.”
Luo Luo stammered, “He’s very gentle and kind to me. When I’m with him, I feel calm and comfortable…”
Her voice trailed off.
Ya Ya giggled uncontrollably.
“Silly Luo Luo. You still say you’re not in love. You’ve clearly fallen for Brother Chen!”
“I-I haven’t!”
Luo Luo kicked the water in frustration, splashing Ya Ya.
“Hey! Luo Luo!”
Ya Ya pounced on her, and the two little foxes tumbled around by the pond, laughing and playing.
They didn’t stop until they were both out of breath, their pants soaked from the pond water.
“…Ya Ya, you’re not allowed to tell Young Master,”
Luo Luo said, still worried. “I really don’t have any other feelings for him.”
“Besides, Young Master probably only sees me as a servant.”
“Silly Luo Luo.” Ya Ya made a face at her. “Just wait until another girl steals him away from you.”
“You’re so oblivious, even when you’re already head over heels in love. You’re so stupid!”
“Luo Luo is not stupid!” Luo Luo protested, pouting. “Luo Luo is very smart!”
“Then do you even know what love is?”
“N-no…”
Ya Ya, as if performing a magic trick, produced two Rainflower Cakes from behind her back.
“Yay, Rainflower Cakes! You sneaky Ya Ya, you were hiding them!”
Luo Luo’s eyes lit up at the sight of the pastries. “Give them to me, give them to me!”
“Not so fast.”
Ya Ya held out the Rainflower Cakes and asked, “Now, you have two of your favorite Rainflower Cakes in front of you.”
“Tell me, what’s the first thought that comes to mind?”
“Of course it’s—”
Luo Luo stopped mid-sentence.
As if electrocuted, she froze.
Her gaze fell, as if she was looking at the dust beneath her feet.
Ya Ya, seeing her frozen like a statue, waved her hand dismissively after calling her name several times with no response.
“I’m leaving you alone to think about it.” With that, she skipped away.
Luo Luo remained by the pond, lost in thought, her toes gently touching the water, creating ripples.
The sky above the mountain city darkened, but there was no rain.
Not even a drizzle.
The mist lingered, and only the lush green lotus leaves, adorned with dewdrops, swayed gently in the breeze.
Luo Luo was thinking about many things.
About all the delicious food Chen Yin had taken her to eat.
Steamed buns, candied hawthorns, dried fruits, and preserves.
About all the stories he had told her.
The innkeeper’s helper, the pawn shop assistant.
About his gentle touch as he wiped the crumbs from her mouth.
About his warm voice as he read stories to her while holding her in his arms.
About his affectionate gestures as he ruffled her hair and ears.
About how he carefully tucked her into bed while she was asleep.
“Ah…” Her eyes widened slightly.
She finally understood what Ya Ya meant.
Those were her favorite Rainflower Cakes.
But just now, the first thought that came to her mind wasn’t to eat them.
“This is the osmanthus flavor. Young Master hasn’t tried it yet. I should let him have a taste.”
…Such a simple and clear thought.
But before leaving the mountain city, she wouldn’t have thought that way.
Finally, the rain started to fall.
A soft, gentle drizzle, barely noticeable on her skin.
Luo Luo suddenly lowered her head and smiled.
“So that’s what it is.”
When you fall in love with someone…
…You no longer want to keep your favorite things to yourself, but to share them with him.
“So…”
“I really have fallen for Young Master.”
After being teleported from the main hall, Chen Yin had only taken a few steps when he suddenly stopped.
“Ah.”
“I forgot to ask something.”
…Where was Luo Luo’s father? Why had he never seen him?
“Never mind. I’ll ask her next time.” He shook his head and was about to turn back,
When he froze. At the end of the moss-covered path, a fox-eared girl in a green dress and embroidered shoes stood there, looking at him expectantly.
“Luo Luo?”
“Are you alright? If you’re not feeling well, you need to tell—” Before Chen Yin could finish his sentence, Luo Luo ran towards him and took his hand.
“Young Master, come with me.”
Chen Yin, unsure of her intentions, let her lead him, a puzzled expression on his face.
They walked along the soft, moss-covered path, up a narrow staircase, and halfway up the hill.
They stopped at a tall tower built against the cliff, the highest point in the mountain city.
“Young Master, is the view beautiful here?”
Chen Yin looked down at Qinglian City, the entire town shrouded in a misty rain, dreamlike and ethereal.
“It’s beautiful. I didn’t know there was a place like this.” He sat down beside the tower.
“It’s raining, and the ground is wet. Sit on my lap.”
Luo Luo nodded obediently and sat down on his lap, her tail resting softly against his chest.
They sat there quietly, gazing at the city below, as if time had stood still.
“Young Master, open your mouth!”
A small, delicate hand offered him a Rainflower Cake. Chen Yin took a bite and exclaimed, “Mmm! This one is delicious too!”
“It’s the osmanthus flavor.”
Luo Luo’s eyes crinkled into crescent moons.
“If you like it, Young Master, I have more.”
Chen Yin ate two more pieces with relish, then noticed Luo Luo staring at him intently.
“What’s wrong?” He chuckled. “Do I have crumbs on my face?”
“Yes.” Luo Luo blinked.
Before Chen Yin could react…
A fragrant breeze brushed against his face, followed by a soft, fleeting touch on his lips.
Chen Yin froze.
“There…”
“…Luo Luo ate it.” She said with a giggle.
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