“Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough!” Su Qianqian really hadn’t expected Chu Youtong to suddenly say such a thing, and she choked on her tea, coughing repeatedly.
Upon hearing Su Qianqian’s coughing, Qing He hurriedly felt around to pat Su Qianqian’s back to clear her Qi, her face full of worry.
Once Su Qianqian had slowly recovered and was about to explain that Chu Youtong was just speaking nonsense again, Qing He asked with a serious expression:
“Is she from some Demon Clan? Is she the Shapeshifting form of your Spirit Beast? I heard you mention before that members of the Demon Clan can transform into human form once their Cultivation reaches a certain level. I have a very deep Impression of this matter. No wonder she accompanied you in here…”
“Yes, that’s right. She is my… Spirit Pet, so of course she has to be with me.”
Su Qianqian hadn’t expected Qing He to actually believe it, let alone come up with such a logical explanation on her own.
After a moment of thought, Su Qianqian steeled herself and decided to go along with the story.
However, Chu Youtong was unhappy. Her goal had been to provoke the woman; if she believed it, how could she be provoked?
Chu Youtong turned her head and saw Su Qianqian’s threatening expression.
She decided to keep her mouth shut for now, otherwise, it would be a net loss if she completely enraged Su Qianqian.
But since this woman believed it, she had to continue asserting her dominance!
She probably couldn’t compare to that woman surnamed Lin for now, but was this person who had appeared out of nowhere going to try and snatch her woman too?!
Where would the face of her Hehuan Sect be kept?!
After preparing herself, Chu Youtong tightly hugged Su Qianqian’s waist and, using a sweet and Nuonuo voice, spoke to Qing He as if she really were just a protective Xiao Mao’er: “Yes~, I’m actually a Cat Demon meow~. I love Master the most meow. If you dare come near Master, I’ll bite you to death meow.”
Su Qianqian, being rubbed against, felt a shiver run through her body. She felt as though she had been played by Chu Youtong, but… she had walked into the trap herself by trying to lie her way out. Now, it wasn’t easy to pull Chu Youtong away…
Qing He compared this to the cats she had “seen” and nodded in realization: “A Cat Demon? I see. The Jade Cat due to be born in the fourth house in South Village in two months has the same personality as you, very easy to provoke. I’ve been bitten by it several times before.”
“A Jade Cat to be born next year? Bitten before… what do you mean?”
Su Qianqian and Chu Youtong looked at each other in confusion.
Qing He’s logic had been so clear just a moment ago, so why had she suddenly started talking nonsense?
However, they didn’t ask further. It wasn’t important. The most important thing now was to find a way out, and the unique Qing He was undoubtedly the biggest breakthrough point.
“Yueci, I—”
“Shh~, you might have forgotten, but that name is very important to me. In this World, you should still call me Qing He. That is my identity here.”
Su Qianqian was interrupted before she could finish. Although she didn’t know why, she showed understanding and asked again:
“Qing He, do you know how to leave this place?”
Upon hearing Su Qianqian’s question, Qing He’s previously kind Face instantly darkened.
Realizing she had said something wrong, Su Qianqian quickly explained:
“It’s not that I want to leave right now, it’s just that there are too many unknowns here. I need to leave a way out. I, well…”
“No need to say more, I understand…” Su Qianqian’s frantic explanation was cut off by Qing He. She lowered her head, appearing very disappointed, and her voice turned cold.
“Wait, no, I don’t want to go out in the short term either. I’m just asking…” Su Qianqian explained frantically. She wasn’t lying about this part, as there was likely still a group of people blocking the way outside.
However, it was clear that Qing He didn’t believe her.
She fumbled with the tea set, and her already vacant eyes grew even darker: “Whether you leave or not is your freedom, and I won’t stop you. But I’m sorry, I can’t provide any help… I’m sorry, I’m a bit tired. I’m going inside to rest.” Saying this, Qing He slowly stood up and walked toward the house step by step…
Seeing the situation, Chu Youtong knew she had to keep her mouth shut if she didn’t want Su Qianqian to truly loathe her.
So, she just watched silently without further provoking her.
Meanwhile, Su Qianqian looked at Qing He’s lonely back, opened her mouth, and hoped she had placed the right bet!
“Qing He, if possible, I hope you can leave with me! I believe… I must have promised you that!”
Qing He stopped in her tracks and turned back toward Su Qianqian.
Her eyes still lacked focus, yet it was as if she could see the anxious and serious Su Qianqian.
She shook her head as if letting go of something and said:
“That is indeed one of the things you promised me. But clearly, it’s not that you remembered, but that you just guessed, right? You have no feelings for me right now; you’re just trying to find a way to leave… It seems your reason for entering wasn’t what you said it was either…”
“I…” Su Qianqian wanted to explain, but was interrupted again.
Qing He didn’t want to hear her explanation and continued to herself: “I know I can’t blame you. It wasn’t your choice to forget. But I still feel sad about it. After all, it was an important promise and a feeling I cherish. Now, you’re like a… familiar stranger to me, and I was just deceiving myself at first.”
Su Qianqian lowered her head. Her thoughts had been seen through completely. Truly, one should never lie to someone important. She hadn’t expected that asking for a way out would lead to this…
“I’m sorry. Until you reclaim our promise, I will not provide help for your departure. Furthermore, there is no way out within the next three years; the path has been sealed…”
“I…”
“There is no possibility of leaving within half a year. So, use this time, stop thinking about those things, and properly experience this World… just like you did before.”
“…”
After “Qing He” finished speaking, she continued into the house.
It was clear she was truly angry; Su Qianqian hadn’t managed to insert a single word of explanation before being cut off.
Now, Su Qianqian hugged her arms with a dejected expression. Knowing she was in the wrong, she didn’t know what else to say.
Chu Youtong watched from the side with her arms crossed. She looked at the depressed Su Qianqian, then at the departing Qing He, and smacked her lips. She really didn’t want to do this, but:
“I have a question!”
Su Qianqian looked at Chu Youtong in confusion, and Qing He stopped with slight bewilderment. What did this “Miss Cat” have to say?
“Where is the latrine?! I need to go! It’s a feeling I haven’t had in hundreds of years, I’m about to lose it!”
“Over there, then turn left.”
“Wait, I have no sense of direction! Lead me there, I really can’t hold it!”
“Sigh… come with me…”
Qing He felt somewhat speechless, but she couldn’t just leave Chu Youtong hanging. She helplessly led Chu Youtong toward the latrine.
Soon, Chu Youtong entered the latrine while Su Qianqian and Qing He waited outside. After Chu Youtong’s outburst, the atmosphere improved slightly. Su Qianqian lowered her head and apologized:
“I’m sorry. I lied to you.”
“I don’t forgive you.”
“Ugh…”
Su Qianqian felt very guilty. This time it really was her fault for constantly lying in an attempt to get by…
She looked up at the lonely, downcast eyes of Qing He. How could she express her apology? The credibility of her words was likely already low.
Squeezing her hands, Su Qianqian hesitated. Should she really do that? It was so embarrassing; she was an adult after all.
But this might be the only way she could express her sincerity right now. Yet, it was still so embarrassing!
“Qing He, Yueci, even if I don’t remember, she is an important person, it’s fine…” Su Qianqian convinced herself in her heart, then reached out and took Qing He’s hand. Qing He was a bit confused but didn’t stop her.
Then, she felt her hand touch something smooth and soft, with warm breath blowing onto her hand. This was…
Su Qianqian pulled Qing He’s hand to her own Face. Pressing it against her cheek, Su Qianqian apologized seriously again:
“I’m sorry! I won’t lie to you again.”
As Su Qianqian’s voice fell, there was no immediate response from Qing He.
Su Qianqian only felt her cheek being pinched hard.
Then, another hand pinched the other side, and they began to knead her Face like dough, almost as if venting frustration.
Su Qianqian felt that having her Face kneaded like this wasn’t very comfortable, but at this moment, she actually felt relieved.
The most terrifying thing would have been no reaction at all.
Meanwhile, Qing He was completely immersed in the “kneading.” She had a feeling she had never experienced before…
Su Ling had been a person with a good deal of self-esteem.
During his time with Qing He, although he wasn’t overbearing, he was always a responsible figure who provided a sense of security.
Now, he was humbly pressing his Face against her hand to apologize.
Though she couldn’t see it, she could sense a delicate and pitiable feeling.
This reversal of roles gave her a unique sensation!
Besides… this Face was indeed smooth and soft to the touch, making it impossible to stop!
After a while, Su Qianqian really couldn’t hold on anymore!
“Mm, my Face is being pinched red, stop for a second… Qing He? Mm~”
Su Qianqian’s voice became increasingly weak and Nuonuo, which only made Qing He more interested!
Her kneading turned into light caressing mixed with pinches, and she couldn’t stop at all, until—
“Hey, hey! I don’t have any paper! I forgot I still needed that! Bring me some paper! My legs are going numb from crouching!”
Hearing Chu Youtong’s cry for help, Qing He finally let go. She took some tissues from her pocket and had Su Qianqian deliver them.
Soon, Chu Youtong walked out. It was obvious her legs really were numb, as she couldn’t even walk straight.
“Sigh… mortals are so much trouble,” Chu Youtong couldn’t help but complain.
“Once you’re used to Bigu, it’s indeed troublesome, but you have to learn to adapt,” Su Qianqian said, walking over to support Chu Youtong’s shoulder.
Chu Youtong turned to look at Su Qianqian, who had come over out of concern.
She couldn’t help but show a smug smile; this wasn’t bad at all.
Becoming a mortal meant she lost the advantage of her Cultivation Level, allowing Su Qianqian to concern herself with her as an equal.
Their relationship could also take a simpler step forward…
“How was that? I did pretty well, didn’t I~?” Chu Youtong asked playfully in Su Qianqian’s ear, while rubbing her head against Su Qianqian’s.
Feeling Chu Youtong’s head leaning against her, Su Qianqian was helpless but didn’t stop her. Chu Youtong really had been a big help.
On the way back, Qing He’s mood was much better. Her steps were lighter, and the soft sensation still lingered faintly in her hands…