Yujing Terrace
"Huff... huff... huff..."
Yanfei was exhausted from carrying the mountain of boxes at the entrance. Even as a half-adeptus, the constant lifting and moving was taking its toll. Manual labor wasn't suited for a lawyer like her.
Never in her life did Yanfei think she would one day be doing manual work. Was this supposed to be a novel experience?
"Hehe, keep it up, Yanfei! Just four more boxes left."
Bonanus encouraged from the side, carrying two wooden crates filled with ores. They looked incredibly heavy.
So this was what they meant by "a woman who can't even open a bottle cap." Terrifying.
"My back aches... I'm so tired..."
Yanfei silently wept inside. Wuwuwu, Sister Bonanus was starting to become exhausting.
"Come on, be good! I'll take you out to eat whatever you want tomorrow." Bonanus neatly placed the two wooden crates in the courtyard.
Since there was no more room inside, they had to put them in the yard. The house still needed to be livable, after all.
"How much stuff did you two buy?" Granny Ping looked at the exhausted Yanfei and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Just a little. I bought them during Lantern Rite." Bonanus rubbed her head sheepishly.
"Good. When you see something valuable, you buy it without hesitation. You have better taste than most." Zhongli said calmly from the side. Translated, that meant: "This girl has potential."
"Ah! Sister Bonanus, that's not 'a little.' That's 'a whole lot'! If it weren't for this courtyard, the rooms would be completely filled..." Yanfei pouted. She was considering buying a warehouse in Yujing Terrace.
With her sister's shopping habits, their house would eventually be packed to the brim. To preserve living space for both of them, she was thinking about getting a storage unit.
"Sorry about that. I'll be more careful next time." Bonanus apologized sincerely, smiling awkwardly.
"Haha, once you're done moving everything, take a bath and get some rest. You've both worked hard today." Granny Ping took a sip of tea and smiled.
"With that, I'll take my leave." Zhongli scanned the group, stood up slowly, nodded slightly, and headed toward the exit.
"Take care, Mr. Zhongli." Bonanus waved. Since Yanfei was present, she used a more formal address.
"Don't forget to come visit this old woman for tea sometime." Granny Ping said softly.
She shook her head gently, stood up, and began clearing the tea set from the stone table, preparing to wash it and put it away.
Zhongli left Yujing Terrace. Granny Ping cleaned up the tea set and table. Bonanus and Yanfei continued moving boxes.
After a while of work...
Bonanus placed the box of clothes into her room. There were many clothes, but there was still storage space. Unlike those ores.
"Finally done!" Yanfei rubbed her sore arms. Even a half-adeptus couldn't escape the pain of muscle fatigue.
She wiped the sweat from her forehead and fanned herself.
"Thanks for your hard work, Yanfei. So, do you want to bathe first, or should I?" Bonanus patted Yanfei's shoulder with a smile.
"You go first, Sister. I need to sit down and rest for a bit." Yanfei shook her head. She took a long time to bathe, so Bonanus should go first.
"Alright. I'll be quick." Bonanus gave an OK gesture, though she wasn't sure if Yanfei understood it.
With that, she turned and entered her room to grab some clean clothes.
Back in the familiar room, she looked at the soft bed and recalled the nights she spent cuddling Yanfei.
She rubbed her chin, walked over to the box of clothes, crouched down, and rummaged through it for something to wear.
"I didn't expect one box to hold so many clothes! Amazing." Bonanus said in surprise.
The fabric shop owner had prepared quite a lot. Judging by the styles and quality, they must have cost a fortune. Not that it mattered—she wasn't paying anyway.
The designs were beautiful. If she needed more clothes in the future, she would definitely visit that shop again.
Then again, the aunties at that fabric shop were pretty intense.
She recalled being pinned down by several of them. How embarrassing. She felt like she had lost all face that day.
She shook her head and lightly punched her own brain. It had been so long. No one would remember!
Overthinking would only make her feel more awkward.
"Let's see... oh! This one's cute!"
After more searching, she pulled out a blue fish-patterned nightgown from the pile.
"You're the one!" Bonanus smiled. The fabric was soft. It would feel comfortable to wear. But first, she needed to take a bath.
With that thought, she undressed unhurriedly. She planned to walk out naked and head to the bathroom.
She wasn't worried about being seen. The only girls in the house were her and Yanfei. Granny Ping was the only other person, and being seen by her didn't matter.
...
Meanwhile
After finishing his night viewing, Xiao slowly stood up. He was ready to head back and get some rest.
Breathing in the fresh air, he watched the bustling crowds on the stone streets and the young woman performing opera nearby.
Just then, a group of three boys and two girls caught his attention. They were children, all wearing bright, happy smiles.
Seeing them, Xiao fell into a brief reverie. He closed his eyes and thought of the five Yakshas of the past.
"Only you're left now... Indarias. Soon, you'll be able to experience this peaceful era."
"As long as Sister Bonanus can use that power one more time." Xiao muttered to himself. He truly looked forward to that day.
But for Sister Bonanus to activate that power, she needed to gather enough karmic debt. A channel that required karmic debt to open—how strange.
Though it was strange, the fact that Menogias had been saved was undeniable. Xiao was certain that was the real Menogias. He would never mistake him.
He shook his head and sighed deeply. Looking toward Yujing Terrace, he continued muttering to himself.
"I should go ask Sister Bonanus. If possible, she can absorb my karmic debt too..." Xiao licked his dry lips. If something happened to her, he would still be there.
He wouldn't mind taking care of her for the rest of her life. He would be more than happy to. She was his sister, after all.
He chuckled softly and shook his head. What was he thinking? Sister Bonanus was strong too. Nothing would happen to her.
He should think positively.
With that thought, Xiao leaped off the rooftop and sped toward Yujing Terrace.
The wind brushed against his face, and a smile tugged at his lips. Suddenly... he missed his sister again.