"OM NOM... OM NOM..."
On a small stool beside them, the White Fox was devouring a bowl of rice mixed with braised pork knuckle, so enthusiastically it looked like it wanted to bury its entire face in the bowl.
The Silk Embroideress placed a piece of beef into Gu Zhao's bowl, then hurriedly added some cabbage to her grandfather's. She immediately lowered her head and resumed eating, not daring to look up.
Elder He chuckled as he chewed the tender cured meat and cabbage stew, the savory aroma filling his mouth. 'We don't even eat this well during the New Year!'
Gu Zhao felt very relaxed as well. Though he had only known them for a little over a week, eating here was already second only to his own home in terms of comfort. The lively and kind Silk Embroideress was also quite endearing.
Gu Zhao wasn't an idiot; he wasn't oblivious to the Silk Embroideress's feelings. But he simply couldn't muster any romantic interest in a young girl who wasn't yet an adult and hadn't fully blossomed. To him, she was more like a little sister he had met by a stroke of luck.
While he enjoyed the feeling, he knew that all good things must come to an end. He couldn't stay in this small mountain village forever, just traveling back and forth between it and the modern world.
Gu Zhao had been wondering when he should leave, and a phone call from his mother today sealed his decision.
He had to accompany his mom to Shu Province for a wedding. Besides that and going shopping with her, he would also have to spend a few days with his maternal grandparents. He figured he wouldn't have any time to cross over to this world for nearly a week.
That being the case, he might as well bid them farewell. He decided he wouldn't return right after that week, either. Instead, he would head from Wuhe County to Changping Prefecture to look around and officially begin exploring this world. He could come back to visit them again sometime later.
"Are you running low on the rice and cabbage?" Gu Zhao asked.
"We still have plenty!" the Silk Embroideress replied immediately. "Young Master Gu, you gave us so much. After sharing some of the cabbage and radishes with the villagers, we still had quite a bit left over. Grandpa and I pickled it and stored it in the cellar.
We also gave some of the cured sausages to the Zhang Family to return a favor, and sent some meat and rice to Widow Wang and Eldest Granny Zhang, who has trouble getting around. We still have almost half a jar of rice, which is enough to last us more than ten days if we eat it every day!"
"That won't last long. I'll bring some more tomorrow," Gu Zhao said with a nod.
Hearing this, Elder He's expression changed, and he set down his chopsticks.
The Silk Embroideress hadn't yet grasped the implication, worrying happily, "But we only have one large jar for grain at home..."
Elder He interjected, shattering the Silk Embroideress's fantasy. "Does this mean you're leaving, Young Master Gu?"
As his words fell, the Silk Embroideress froze in place.
Gu Zhao nodded. "I have something to take care of in about... three days, so I'll have to leave. I wanted to let you know in advance."
"I've really enjoyed my time with you all. Thank you for taking such good care of me these past few days. The Silk Embroideress is a truly wonderful cook. I'll bring you more provisions tomorrow." Gu Zhao couldn't resist patting the Silk Embroideress's head comfortingly. "I'll come back and visit when I have time."
Gu Zhao wasn't just saying that to be polite. Elder He and Silk Embroideress He were the first family he had met in this world. The Silk Embroideress was thoughtful and considerate, and she clearly looked up to him. In his heart, Gu Zhao had already come to see her as a little sister.
'Once I've explored this world, gotten my bearings, and established a foothold, taking care of Elder He's family will be a piece of cake, right?'
The White Fox stopped smacking its lips.
The Silk Embroideress also kept her head down.
Elder He licked his lips, gathered his courage, and spoke in a low voice. "Young Master Gu, this old man doesn't know where you come from, but I can tell you are of noble birth. Yet, you are so down-to-earth. It has been our good fortune to have you stay with us for these past few days.
You must be leaving for important business, and this old man wouldn't dare to comment on it. But you don't have anyone you can trust in this area, and it's easy to neglect your daily needs. It would be more convenient if you had a Maid to look after you.
The Silk Embroideress may be a country girl, but she's thoughtful and knows how to take care of people. If you wouldn't find her a burden, Young Master, please take her with you. You could just give her a bite to eat, and it would save her from being all alone after this old man passes on."
"Grandpa!" the Silk Embroideress cried, looking up abruptly.
Elder He's hands trembled, but he managed to give the Silk Embroideress a wave before turning to Gu Zhao with an expectant gaze.
Gu Zhao couldn't help but scratch his head. 'Is he kidding? I have to spend the next week with my mom in Shu Province. Am I supposed to take the Silk Embroideress with me when I cross over?'
'Forget about whether the Silk Embroideress would lose her mind—my mom would probably lose hers first.'
So, Gu Zhao could only refuse. "It's a rather complicated matter, and it's not a good time to bring someone along. It would be inconvenient for the Silk Embroideress to accompany me."
"Besides, I'm not gone for good. And I'll be back long before you pass on," Gu Zhao added reassuringly.
"You'll be back?" Elder He clicked his tongue, a mixture of disappointment and relief on his face.
The Silk Embroideress lowered her head, her shoulders seeming to tremble slightly. Then she looked up and said earnestly, "Then I will wait for you to come back, Young Master Gu. I will make more dishes for you then."
"Alright," Gu Zhao agreed with a nod, ruffling her soft hair again.
...
That night, Gu Zhao remained in the mountain village, using the cover of darkness to practice his breathing techniques for Cultivation.
The Silk Embroideress lay at the foot of her bed, curled up under the covers. Her body trembled softly now and then, but she made no sound.
Leaning against the head of the bed, Elder He gazed at the moonlight and sighed. "Child, don't dwell on it. Young Master Gu is an important man. The fact that he stayed with us for a few days and saved you twice is already a great stroke of luck for us. We can't be greedy. Just treat these past few days as a dream."
The Silk Embroideress's muffled voice came from beneath the quilt. "I know. Besides, I don't want to leave. I want to stay and keep you company, Grandpa."
Elder He chuckled. "I'm just a bag of old bones, never knowing if I'll see tomorrow. What do I need company for? I won't be able to rest easy until I see you married off!"
The Silk Embroideress burrowed deeper into her blankets and said no more.
Elder He licked his dry lips and also fell silent.
As the night deepened, Elder He and Silk Embroideress He gradually drifted off to sleep. Only the White Fox, which had been lying beside the Silk Embroideress, suddenly gave a shudder. It cast a complicated glance at her before resting its head by her ear and closing its eyes.
"Silk Embroideress! Silk Embroideress!"
From the depths of her slumber, the Silk Embroideress seemed to hear someone calling her name. 'Who? Who is calling me?'
"It's me!" The voice grew clearer, crisp and pleasant to the ear.
"Who are you?" the Silk Embroideress asked.
"I've been with you all this time," the voice said with a giggle. "Who do you think I am?"
"Xiaobai?"
"Ahem! I've given myself a name. You can call me Bai Ke."
"Bai Ke, what a lovely name. Wait, you can talk?"
"Silly, I'm talking to you in your dream right now."
"Then why didn't you talk to me in the past few days?"
"Hmm... Because I hadn't made up my mind yet."
"Made up your mind to do what?"
"To form a Harmony with you."
"Harmony? What's that?"
"It means we become one in heart and soul, and we cultivate together," Bai Ke explained. "Only a human and a demon whose Divine Souls are exceptionally compatible can form a Harmony. The demon borrows the human's Divine Soul for enlightenment, and the human borrows the demon's power for Cultivation."
"Huh? I can become a Mage, too?" The Silk Embroideress was stunned.
"Our Divine Souls are an exceptional match. If we cultivate together, we'll progress incredibly fast. We might even surpass Gu Zhao!" Bai Ke tempted her.
"That's impossible!" The Silk Embroideress shook her head repeatedly. "Besides, I don't want to surpass Young Master Gu."
Bai Ke pouted and continued the temptation. "But you could be with him then! You could eat... ahem, you could wander the world together, live a life full of love and happiness, two lovebirds flying side-by-side."
The Silk Embroideress was instantly stunned. She stammered, "A-Actually, I... I would be happy just to be his personal Maid..."
Bai Ke's voice was sly. "A bed-warming Maid, right?"
In her sleep, the Silk Embroideress's cheeks flushed red and a smile crept onto her lips. Her whole body leaned just a little closer to the White Fox.
"So, are you willing?"
"...I am."
The conversation in the dream ended. A cloud of Demon Qi rose from the White Fox's body, enveloping the Silk Embroideress.