Xiangliu brought Leng Qingqiu to the front of the Small Thatched Cottage. Looking at the place that was both familiar and unfamiliar before him, a myriad of emotions washed over his heart. It had been a very long time since he last returned here after leaving. Setting foot on this land once more, he found that the house was already covered in dust, and the doorway was overgrown with weeds, presenting a scene of utter desolation.
Xiangliu walked silently to the locust tree by the entrance and gently lay down, feeling the warmth of the sunlight spilling over his body. He pulled a flask of peach blossom wine from his tunic, tilted his head back, and took a sip. The mellow fragrance reminded him of the days he had spent here in the past.
On the other side, Leng Qingqiu sprang into action. She tied her long hair into a high ponytail, picked up a broom from the side, and began to clean every corner of the room with utmost dedication. She meticulously cleared the dust from the table and wiped down the windows and walls, as if she wanted to sweep away every speck of dust.
As time passed, Leng Qingqiu gradually grew accustomed to this bustling rhythm. She tidied up the inside and outside of the house until everything was in perfect order, breathing new life and vitality into the dilapidated Small Thatched Cottage. Finally, she made the bed and spread clean sheets over it, giving the entire house a completely fresh and renewed appearance.
Having finished her work, Leng Qingqiu let out a sigh of relief. She stood at the doorway, gazing at the surrounding scenery, feeling exceptionally lighthearted and at ease. Although this was merely a humble little cottage, to her, it was a warm home. Here, she could forget all her worries and enjoy a moment of tranquility.
"Lord Xiangliu, I am going to the lotus pond in the back to pick some lotus roots and seed pods. If you have nothing to do, why don't you go to the back mountains to hunt some game?"
"You dare order me around? Aren't you afraid I'll eat you?"
"Just yesterday you said you would take care of me, and today you want to eat people? You are the Demon King, yet you go back on your word!"
"You are the only one who dares speak to me like this." Xiangliu's blue eyes were filled with playful amusement as he jumped down and walked out the door. "Let's go. I'll go hunt some pheasants for you."
That little furry creature was simply the cutest thing imaginable! It followed closely behind them all the way, now curiously poking at the flowers, and now curiously examining the grass, without interfering at all in the master's time enjoying this wonderful moment with a maiden. However, Leng Qingqiu had zero resistance to this little fellow and was instantly melted by its adorable appearance. She couldn't help stretching out her slender fingers, carefully scooping Xiao Maoqiu into her arms, and gently stroking its soft fur.
Xiao Maoqiu seemed to thoroughly enjoy the interaction as well, narrowing its eyes and letting out a pleasurable purr, which made Leng Qingqiu dote on it even more. She kept teasing Xiao Maoqiu, her face beaming with a smile of happiness and contentment. Meanwhile, Xiangliu stood quietly to the side, watching them, his heart filled with gentleness and doting affection.
Right at that moment, Xiangliu displayed his formidable prowess. With astonishing speed and skill, he effortlessly caught pheasant after pheasant and placed them into the basket strapped to Leng Qingqiu's back. In no time at all, the basket was already filled with plump, succulent pheasants.
Leng Qingqiu stared in wide-eyed astonishment at Xiangliu's agile combat skills. At the same time, she felt his care and consideration for her, and a warm sensation inevitably welled up in her heart. She knew that with Xiangliu by her side, she would possess even more wonderful memories and experiences.
Passing by the small pond in the back mountains, Leng Qingqiu felt utterly delighted. She took off her shoes and slowly stepped into the water, looking as though she had transformed into a beautiful mermaid. She swam about with light and graceful movements, picking lotus roots and seed pods, with a large lotus leaf perched upon her head like a hat, looking utterly charming.
Xiao Maoqiu was not idle either; it bounced about joyfully, helping to carry the spoils to the riverbank. Xiangliu sat quietly in the shade of a tree, savoring the delicious peach blossom wine. He watched the scene unfolding before him in silence, the corners of his mouth curling upward of their own accord.
Just then, Leng Qingqiu poked her head out of the water like a blooming lotus blossom, a breathtaking sight to behold. Droplets of water slid down her cheeks, making her skin appear even fairer than snow, crystalline and translucent. She blinked playfully, then gave her damp hair a gentle shake, sending water droplets scattering in all directions like a fairy scattering flowers.
Xiangliu couldn't help being utterly captivated, a wave of warmth surging through his heart. He silently admired the scene, his eyes gleaming with a tender light. At that moment, Leng Qingqiu was like a fairy of the waters—fresh, refined, and utterly mesmerizing.
"Help!" A woman's voice came from the distance.
Hearing the cry for help, Leng Qingqiu immediately swam toward the sound and soon spotted a woman struggling desperately in the water. Without the slightest hesitation, she swam swiftly to the woman's side, reached out to grab her arm, and pulled her ashore with all her might.
Once the woman was rescued onto the bank, Leng Qingqiu was able to examine her features closely. Her face was as delicate and alluring as a blooming peach blossom, pink and tender; her figure was slender and graceful, swaying like a willow branch in a gentle breeze; and her damp strands of hair clung to her cheeks, making her look all the more like a lotus emerging from the water—fresh and ethereal.
At that instant, everything else in the surroundings seemed to pale into insignificance, leaving only this woman's striking beauty to command attention. Her presence made the entire world brighten, involuntarily stirring feelings of joy and admiration in the beholder. "Miss, wake up!"
"Cough, cough, cough! Someone is hunting me down! Save me!"
"What happened, Miss?"
"I am originally from a household in Lijiazhuang. My father was beaten to death by a local bully, and the landlord wanted me to become his concubine. When I refused, he had his thugs chase me. I fled here overnight, and seeing that I was about to be caught, I had no choice but to jump in the river."
"That is going too far! Don't you worry, I'll take you home to recuperate for a while. Anyway, my place still has spare rooms—would you be willing to come?"
"Thank you. May I ask your name?"
"My surname is Leng, and my given name is Qingqiu. My friend is a cultivator; although he has an eccentric temper, he is not a bad person."
"My surname is Li, and my given name is Mudan. The friend you mentioned is this gentleman in white, right?" Mudan pointed at Xiangliu standing behind them.
"Yes, his name is Xiangliu, and he is my master."
"I am her husband. You've misunderstood, Miss." Xiangliu pulled Leng Qingqiu into a tight embrace, looking rather ambiguous.
"Let's take Maiden Peony back to rest first!"
"Maoqiu, you escort Peony back. Madam and I still have matters to attend to."
Maoqiu immediately transformed into a young lad and supported Mudan as they walked down the mountain toward the Small Thatched Cottage.
"What are you doing? What matters could we possibly have?"
"I am taking you to a place, and I have something very important to tell you."
In a flash, Xiangliu took Leng Qingqiu by the hand and teleported back to Undersea World.
The surrounding air instantly became moist, and a faint scent of seawater rushed into their nostrils, imparting a sense of tranquility and comfort. They felt as though they had been transported into a mysterious and beautiful underwater realm.
In this magical Undersea World, all sorts of brilliantly colored and uniquely shaped fish swam about. They wove freely back and forth among the coral groves, now chasing each other in play, now resting quietly upon the rocks. Leng Qingqiu was captivated by the magnificent sight before her, gazing in utter wonder at these beautiful creatures.
Xiangliu led Leng Qingqiu as they drifted slowly among the schools of fish, gently stroking the creatures as if sharing a special unspoken understanding with them. Leng Qingqiu felt Xiangliu's familiarity with and deep affection for this place, and she gradually let down the guard in her heart.
Together, they admired the wondrous sights of the deep sea and experienced the enchantment of nature. Here, time seemed to have stopped altogether; everything was so wonderful and serene.
In this wondrous Undersea World, the distance between Leng Qingqiu and Xiangliu gradually narrowed. They began to converse, sharing their thoughts and feelings with one another. Leng Qingqiu found herself growing increasingly fond of this mysterious yet gentle man, while Xiangliu also developed deep affection for Leng Qingqiu.