Within the old Li family residence in Jinling City.
Since Li Ye began his duties at the Judicial Office, he had been exceptionally busy every day. He would set out before dawn to track down demon beasts, and the number of meals he had at home grew fewer and fewer. It even became increasingly common for him to stay away for several nights in a row.
This left Chu Qingyi, left alone in an empty room, in a difficult position. On one hand, staying at home was unbearably dull. With her severe injuries, she was unable to move about for long periods, and her range of activity was limited. On the other hand, she simply could not bring herself to like Li Xuan and had no choice but to avoid him in every matter, doing her best to keep him out of her sight.
At first, she had considered accompanying Li Ye to hunt demons. However, given her current physical condition, she was incapable of manipulating immortal energy for extended periods. Not only would she be unable to assist Li Ye, but she would only become a burden to him. Moreover, forcibly channeling large amounts of immortal energy would only lead to backlash, making it a futile effort.
As time passed, she lost the desire to go out altogether. Instead, she spent her days holed up in her side chamber, either sitting cross-legged in meditation to refine the immortal energy of the world or flipping through ancient texts to pass the time.
This tormented Li Xuan, whose heart was entirely filled with thoughts of Chu Qingyi. He longed for the sight and sound of the Qingyi Immortal Maiden at every moment, yet aside from mealtimes, he hardly ever caught a glimpse of her. In recent days, the number of times they had spoken could be counted on one hand, and most of those conversations consisted of him chattering away at the dining table while Chu Qingyi's cold, expressionless face remained unmoved. When she grew too annoyed, she would simply utter the word "full" and hurry back to her room, leaving him no opportunity to engage with her.
He dared not spy on her through the window as he had done that day. Although his Qingyi Immortal Maiden was injured, she was still an immortal, and her perceptiveness was not to be underestimated. If she were to discover him secretly watching her, it would only backfire. In her shame and anger, she might even report the incident to Li Ye. Not only would he then lose any chance of getting close to her, but his relationship with his adoptive father would also suffer.
"Sigh."
Li Xuan let out a long sigh. Standing at the entrance of the main hall, he gazed longingly toward the eastern side chamber like a stone statue yearning for its beloved, hoping to catch a glimpse of his cherished Qingyi Immortal Maiden in the silhouette cast upon the window paper.
Unfortunately, the blank white window paper concealed Chu Qingyi's form entirely. No matter how hard he strained his eyes, he could not see inside the room.
His thin frame leaned against the doorframe, his loose, coarse linen robe stained with dirt and hanging loosely around him.
Sighing and lamenting, he craned his neck to look, his eyes filled with anticipation. If only for a moment, he wished to see the Qingyi Immortal Maiden.
As if the heavens had heard his plea, the door creaked open, and a graceful figure emerged—none other than the Qingyi Immortal Maiden he had been dreaming of day and night.
However, she paid him no mind. After casting an indifferent glance in his direction, she made her way to a corner of the small courtyard. There, piled on the ground, were the medicinal herbs she had asked Li Ye to purchase from the market. Some of the herbs still had soil clinging to their roots, scattered haphazardly about, while others had been planted in unused flowerpots. Yet these were crooked and withered, their stems already yellowed and devoid of life.
At first, Li Ye wondered why Chu Qingyi, who had never done a day of manual work in her life, was suddenly tinkering with these medicinal herbs. It wasn't long before he realized that she had recently immersed herself in the study of alchemy. After poring over countless ancient texts, she resolved to start from the very basics, diving headfirst into the cultivation and nurturing of herbs.
She believed that only by deeply understanding the fundamental principles of herbal medicine could she lay a solid foundation for refining precious ingredients in the future.
Unfortunately, alchemy, as another profound path of immortal cultivation, was intricate and abstruse. Even disciples formally trained in alchemical sects could hardly achieve notable progress within a year or two, let alone someone like Chu Qingyi, who had come to it halfway. Despite her relentless, painstaking efforts, without guidance from a master, her endeavors were as futile as drawing water with a sieve.
Crash!
The sound of a shattered flowerpot abruptly echoed through the small courtyard.
Once again, she had failed. As a celestial maiden who had always been attended by servants and surrounded by admirers in the Celestial Master's Manor, she had never before engaged in such rough labor. The simple task of transplanting herbs had become an insurmountable hurdle for her. Time and again, she either broke the roots and stems of the herbs or accidentally smashed the flowerpots.
She stared at the shards of the pot scattered across the ground, her pristine, gauzy dress now stained with specks of soil. A trace of impatience finally surfaced on her usually serene and aloof face.
"Mother, are you alright? If you ever need to do such tasks in the future, just call for me. What if you get hurt? Let me take a look!"
Li Xuan, who had been observing Chu Qingyi's every move from nearby, rushed over in a panic at the sound of the breaking pot. His weathered face was etched with worry, and as he spoke, he reached out to take her hand and examine it carefully.
Noticing his movement, Chu Qingyi subtly withdrew her jade-like hand into her sleeve, leaving Li Xuan grasping at empty air.
For a moment, Li Xuan's hand hung awkwardly in the void before he reluctantly retracted it a few seconds later.
"You want to keep these herbs alive, right? Easy! Give me a few days, and I guarantee they'll be returned to you in perfect condition!"
Li Xuan grinned smugly. Growing herbs was no different from farming crops, and if there was one thing he excelled at, it was farming!
As he spoke, he could already picture the scene: his beloved Qingyi gazing at him with admiration, kneeling by his side, eagerly seeking his guidance on the methods.
Yet, to his surprise, Chu Qingyi merely cast him a cool, sidelong glance, lightly brushed her sleeves, and turned to retreat into the eastern wing of the house.
Li Xuan watched her proud, aloof figure disappear, then glanced at the wilted, yellowing herbs. He felt so frustrated he could almost cry.
A few days later, Li Xuan placed several carefully nurtured, revitalized herbs at the doorstep of the eastern wing. He knocked on the door and then scurried away in a flash.
Hearing the noise, Chu Qingyi opened the door to find the herbs, perfectly intact, swaying vibrantly in their pots. The dark, moist, and finely textured soil in the pots was entirely different from the rough, haphazardly dug earth she had used before.
Surprised, she scanned the courtyard but found no sign of Li Xuan. Instead, her eyes fell upon a hoe casually left in the yard, its blade caked with soil identical to that in the flowerpots.
Understanding dawned on her.
She carried the herbs into her room and stared at them for a long while. At that moment, it occurred to her that aside from being untidy and careless about cleanliness, Li Xuan wasn't so detestable after all. At the very least, he proved useful when it mattered.
Hidden in the shadows, Li Xuan observed everything. The small hoe left in the courtyard was his deliberate doing—letting Chu Qingyi discover for herself how much care he had put into tending the herbs was far more meaningful than if he had spoken of it himself.
"Heh heh."
Li Xuan chuckled softly, his lips parting slightly. His eyes, narrowed with excitement, were little more than slits.
That evening, as mother and son were having dinner, the travel-worn Li Ye made a rare appearance. Though his face showed exhaustion, it was tinged with unmistakable joy. In his hands, he carried a bottle of Nü'er Hong wine and some side dishes to go with it.
Seeing this, Li Xuan guessed that something good must have happened.
After some explanation, it turned out that a demonic beast the Punishment Division had been pursuing for days had finally been captured. As the lead investigator, Li Ye was credited with the success. Not only did he receive high praise from Xu Zhengfeng, but even the other Shadow Blades, who had previously looked down on him, began to change their attitudes. This was not only an acknowledgment of his strength but also a sign that he had finally secured his footing within the Punishment Division.
"And there's something even more important," Li Ye added. "During these recent battles with the demonic beasts, I've felt my immortal energy becoming purer. The previous sense of instability has diminished significantly."
Compared to the matter of the Punishment Division, this latter development clearly excited Li Ye even more. As he spoke, he had already downed several cups of wine. Two patches of red flushed his cheeks, and under the influence of alcohol, he was in a state of extreme exhilaration.
"Congratulations."
Chu Qingyi was genuinely happy for Li Ye. The reason they had come to Jinling City in the first place was rooted in Li Ye's unstable immortal energy—his combat performance fell far short of his cultivation level. This was why Chu Xiongzhi had sent him away to gain experience, even issuing a strict order that he was not to return to the sect until he broke through to the Yin-Yang Convergence realm.
She knew all too well that Chu Xiongzhi's command had carried more punishment than encouragement. This matter weighed on Li Ye's heart like a mountain, so heavy that he could hardly breathe, leaving him no moment to rest. Even in his dreams, he muttered about reaching higher realms of cultivation.
Now that Li Ye's strength had finally improved, seeing him so spirited made Chu Qingyi feel as if the young man who had once made a name for himself in the sect's competition had reappeared before her.
Just as Chu Qingyi had thought, during their time away from the sect, the one failure in Li Ye's life had pressed down on his chest like a thousand-pound boulder, suffocating him.
It had become a nightmare. Even in his sleep, he was mocked—told that he was all reputation with no real skill, that he had failed the sect's nurturing and his master's careful guidance, and even that Chu Qingyi looked down on him, calling him "useless" before turning to another man.
Countless times, he had woken up crying and panting, drenched in sweat, trapped in the nightmare until he saw Chu Qingyi sleeping peacefully beside him, and only then could he calm down.
Now that his strength had finally advanced, how could he not be thrilled?
Gazing at Chu Qingyi, who shared his joy, he couldn't help but take her delicate, boneless hand in his. The couple exchanged a smile, understanding passing between them without words.
Watching the harmonious pair from the side, Li Xuan felt happy for his adoptive father, but a tinge of bitterness also crept into his heart.
He had always been an orphan. If Li Ye hadn't taken him in as an adopted son, he might have died long ago. To him, his adoptive father Li Ye was the only solace in his lonely life.
But now, his adoptive father had started his own family, and he was left alone once again...
Then there was Chu Qingyi, who had never been close to him. On ordinary days, he rarely even had the chance to catch a glimpse of her beauty. Yet now, she was nestled happily in his adoptive father's embrace, looking delicate and tender.
This scene drove Li Xuan wild with jealousy. His right hand, gripping the chopsticks, turned white at the knuckles from the force. He stared fixedly at their tightly clasped hands, fantasizing that he was the one holding Chu Qingyi in his arms.
Stirred by alcohol, Li Ye, overly excited, noticed his son's despondent expression and pulled him into his embrace. With Chu Qingyi on one side and Li Xuan on the other, he held them both.
"Xiao Xuan, don't... don't worry. I... I will definitely... make sure you live a good life..."
Li Ye was already heavily intoxicated, stumbling over his words and unable to form a complete sentence. His body swayed unsteadily, his consciousness hazy. As he mumbled, his hot breath, thick with the smell of alcohol, filled the room.
Thanks to his adoptive father, Li Xuan found himself close to Chu Qingyi for the first time. She was merely a fist's distance away, so close that he could feel her gentle breath brushing against his cheek.
A faint, elusive fragrance drifted to his nostrils, making him feel as if he were in a sea of flowers, with a soft breeze caressing his face like a lover's tender hand.
He greedily inhaled, wanting to absorb that scent deep into his bones.
"Qing... Qingyi, I, Li Ye, am no coward. I... I will make you the happiest woman in... in the world!"
As he spoke, Li Ye, already disoriented, swayed again. Caught off guard, Li Xuan stumbled forward, nearly colliding with Chu Qingyi, who was also held in Li Ye's embrace.
When he looked up, he almost felt a nosebleed coming on.
Before him stood two towering peaks, veiled in light gauze, with a deep, unfathomable crevice faintly visible between them. They rose and fell with each breath, surging like turbulent waves.
Li Xuan felt a rush of blood to his head, his face flushing crimson. He panted heavily, his eyes fixed on the peaks before him like a starving wolf. He yearned to tear away the clothing obstructing his view and behold the true form of those peaks.
His unruly member stiffened once again, painfully constrained by his coarse trousers. It felt swollen and unbearable, yet there was no outlet for his pent-up desire.
Chu Qingyi, whose gaze had been fixed on Li Ye, remained unaware of Li Xuan's disgraceful state. Seeing how drunk Li Ye was, she feared for his health and quickly coaxed the wine cup from his hand, steadying his wobbling body.
Li Ye, a robust man standing eight feet tall, was not so easily restrained by a delicate woman. With a rough swing of his burly arm, he mumbled and stood up again, passionately urging those around him to raise their glasses and drink with him.
"Xiao Xuan... could you help me take him back?"
Biting her red lips lightly, Chu Qingyi hesitated for a long moment before speaking, her words as delicate as pearls.
Hearing that melodious voice again after several days, Li Xuan was overwhelmed with excitement. The clear, tinkling sound was like large and small pearls falling onto a jade plate—utterly enchanting.
Especially the term "Xiao Xuan" sent Li Xuan's heart racing. During the time they had lived under the same roof, Chu Qingyi had always maintained a detached attitude, keeping him at such a distance that they might as well have been strangers.
If not for Li Ye's presence, their lives would likely have remained parallel lines, never intersecting.
Now, hearing Chu Qingyi call him "Xiao Xuan," Li Xuan was overwhelmed with excitement, his eyes brimming with tears as he eagerly responded.
Together, they draped Li Ye's arms over their shoulders and managed to carry the dazed man back to the east wing room.
After briefly tending to Li Ye, the mother and son cleaned the kitchen inside and out, then washed the clothes Li Ye had changed out of.
Unable to harness her immortal energy, Chu Qingyi was no different from an ordinary woman at that moment. However, since she rarely ever did household chores, Li Xuan took charge of most tasks while she trailed behind, unsure how to help. Her bewildered expression was utterly endearing.
As Li Xuan busied himself with the chores, he secretly observed Chu Qingyi.
The usually aloof Qingyi Fairy now wore the expression of a timid young wife, her small hands fidgeting nervously, her large, glistening eyes fixed on Li Xuan as he bustled about. Her pearly white teeth gently bit her lower lip, her face full of hesitation.
Taking all this in, Li Xuan pretended not to notice. He feigned exhaustion as he worked, occasionally shaking his arms, wiping sweat, furrowing his brows, and sighing deeply.
Seeing this, Chu Qingyi felt increasingly guilty. From Li Ye, she had learned that Li Xuan was an orphan who had lived a hard life. Only after saving Li Ye and being acknowledged as his son did his circumstances improve.
Recalling her previous attitude toward Li Xuan, she felt even more remorseful, her delicate face etched with conflict.
"Xiao Xuan... thank you..." Chu Qingyi finally mustered the courage to speak to Li Xuan's back.
Li Xuan's hands, which had been washing dishes, suddenly stilled, and his body trembled slightly.
"We're family—no need for thanks. You should go take care of Father. I'll handle the rest here," he replied, his voice slightly hoarse and tinged with what sounded like tears.
With that, he sniffled, drawing back the mucus that had trickled into his nose.
Interpreting his actions as emotional vulnerability, Chu Qingyi thought he was sending her away to hide his embarrassment. Understanding, she turned and quietly returned to her room.
As soon as the familiar sound of the door closing reached him, Li Xuan's downturned lips curled into a triumphant smile.
In the art of reading people, Li Xuan was as cunning as a fox. He had accurately guessed Chu Qingyi's thoughts, and his earlier performance was all to make her feel guilty and change her attitude toward him.
A fairy is still a fairy—so pure-hearted...
The thought of Chu Qingyi's irresistibly adorable expression made Li Xuan so excited he could hardly contain himself, and he even began to sway unabashedly in the kitchen.
The first step in getting closer to Qingyi Fairy had succeeded, and it was worth all the effort he had put in over the past few days.