After listening to Shou Xin’s explanation, Nan Shan finally understood that the appearance of black spots on the sun meant day and night were about to start alternating.
When the black spot grew large enough to cover the entire sun, the “Blood Sun” would turn into the “Blood Moon”, and the night of Dongyi would arrive.
So… what would happen when night fell?
“Nightfall is never a good thing.”
Ji Yue’s words echoed in her ears, making Nan Shan suddenly nervous about the impending darkness.
But she waited, and waited… had several meals… and yet the black spot only grew a little.
Nan Shan grew bored just waiting for the light to dim a tiny bit.
“…Looks like Dongyi’s night isn’t coming anytime soon.”
Nan Shan sighed and didn’t bother feeling nervous anymore.
Life continued as usual.
As time seemed to slow down, Nan Shan gradually adapted to life on the island.
Occasionally, she’d use the water in a basin as a mirror, seeing the bun on her head and the accessories made of pearl shells.
Those moments made her feel a bit dazed.
She still thought about her father and mother, sometimes even about the immortal father and Ling Ye.
But as time blurred, her longing also became harder to grasp.
At most, she’d use thoughts of them as motivation to study harder—so she could gain more skills and break through the invisible wall sooner, and be reunited with them.
Unknowingly, Nan Shan had finished an entire volume of Three Character Classic.
Now, when she picked up any book, she could recognize most of the characters.
As Ji Yue had said, though the beginning was tough, once you crossed the threshold, things became much easier.
“When you finish these books, you’ll be ready to study the jade scroll cultivation technique I gave you,” Ji Yue said, as the black spot covered half of the Blood Sun.
Nan Shan flipped through a book and frowned, “I can’t understand this at all.”
Ji Yue chuckled, “You’ll understand once I’ve taught you.”
“Then I’ll be counting on you, Teacher Ji Yue.”
Nan Shan bent low and made an exaggerated bow.
Ji Yue’s smile deepened, and after a slight shake of the head, he turned and left.
Nan Shan stretched her neck to watch him until he disappeared behind the wall that separated the front and back yards.
Then she turned to Shou Xin, who was cracking sunflower seeds under the eaves.
“Hey,” she called, “have you noticed that Ji Yue’s complexion doesn’t look good?”
Shou Xin spat out a shell:
“He’s stuck with a dumb student all day—of course he looks bad.”
“…I’m not joking,” Nan Shan said, speechless.
“I’m not either,” Shou Xin rolled his eyes.
“The Immortal Lord already spends his days granting wishes and protecting the people—he’s swamped. Now he has to waste more time teaching you? Even a god would burn out.”
Nan Shan: “It’s not like he spends that much time with me.”
Shou Xin snorted.
“Whatever. I’m too lazy to argue with you. I’m going out to play. Wanna come?”
Nan Shan offered.
A flicker of temptation crossed Shou Xin’s face, but he shook his head firmly, “I’m not going.”
“Why not?”
Nan Shan frowned.
“You’re always cooped up in the backyard—it’s boring. Why not come have fun with me?”
“No reason. If you want to go, just go by yourself.”
“You obviously want to come,” Nan Shan smirked.
She had gotten into the habit of going out to play after her lessons.
Before she knew it, she had explored all of Dongyi Island.
Although she still stood out like a glowing butt (yes, literally), and was always recognized as the Immortal Lord’s wife, she had gotten used to all the attention and even found it kind of nice.
“Auntie Li said she’s making shrimp cakes today. You sure you don’t wanna come?”
Nan Shan asked again.
Shou Xin’s ears perked up, “What kind of shrimp cakes?”
“The kind I brought back last time, remember? Light batter on peeled shrimp, deep-fried. You said they were tasty,” she teased.
“Still not coming? Fresh ones are way better than leftovers.”
Shou Xin gulped but still shook his head firmly.
“I don’t get it. How can you not want to go out?”
Nan Shan clicked her tongue.
“Don’t tell me Ji Yue doesn’t let you?”
“Ridiculous. Lord Ji Yue has never restricted me from going out,” Shou Xin retorted.
Nan Shan folded her arms.
“Then why don’t you go?”
Shou Xin froze, as if unsure how to answer.
After a long pause, he said, “Outside… is dangerous.”
Blunt and to the point. Nan Shan burst into laughter:
“Are you three years old? Scared someone’s gonna kidnap you or what? Whatever, I won’t force you. More shrimp cakes for me!”
She left dramatically under Shou Xin’s annoyed glare.
Since the black spot had covered half the Blood Sun, all of Dongyi seemed cloaked in a dim, overcast light—like everything was veiled in a sheer black gauze.
But the lives of the people weren’t affected.
Every time Nan Shan showed up, they greeted her warmly, as if they didn’t notice the darkened sky. Actually, no—as if they truly didn’t feel anything was wrong.
“Lady Immortal!”
Auntie Li waved from her stall when she spotted Nan Shan.
“Come get your shrimp cakes!”
Nan Shan smiled and walked over…
Forget it, the weirdness on Dongyi Island wasn’t just the sun.
Since the locals didn’t react, she might as well pretend not to notice either.
“Huh? Weren’t you frying whole shrimp today?” Nan Shan asked curiously.
Auntie Li gave her a mysterious look:
“We got lucky today—caught a few fresh big abalone. I chopped them up with the shrimp for a special filling just for you.”
“Wow, that sounds amazing!”
Nan Shan’s eyes sparkled.
Auntie Li chuckled:
“Gotta thank Lord Ji Yue! If not for his blessings, I wouldn’t have caught such good stuff.”
Nan Shan scratched her nose:
“You’ve just got good luck.”
“Nope, all thanks to Ji Yue’s blessing!”
Auntie Li insisted.
Nan Shan smiled awkwardly but didn’t argue.
People on this island really revered Ji Yue.
Any good thing that happened was credited to his protection.
Over time, Nan Shan had gotten used to it.
“You don’t believe it?”
Auntie Li leaned closer.
“I’m telling you the truth. Lord Ji Yue is powerful and kind. He blesses every Dongyi citizen who honors him. I just went to the shrine yesterday, and today I had a great catch!”
“But Auntie Li, Dongyi has thousands of citizens. Can Lord Ji Yue really manage all that?”
Nan Shan asked helplessly.
Auntie Li smiled, her dark skin shining from years by the sea, but her teeth bright and healthy:
“Don’t underestimate him!”
People around them turned to listen.
“How could I?”
Nan Shan said calmly.
“I’m his wife. I respect him more than anyone.”
Not a perfect answer, but good enough.
The others seemed satisfied and turned away.
Nan Shan breathed a silent sigh of relief and took the shrimp cake Auntie Li handed her.
“Thanks, Auntie Li.”
“No need to thank me!”
Auntie Li beamed.
“Whatever you want tomorrow, let me know. I’ll make it for you.”
“No, really—”
Before she could finish, Uncle Liu at the next stall protested, “Auntie Li, the Lady Immortal belongs to all of us. Can you stop hogging her? Let the rest of us honor her too!”
“How dare you! Who she chooses to visit is her business. Since when is it your place to comment?!”
Auntie Li’s face darkened, oddly fierce.
Nan Shan, holding a half-eaten shrimp cake, was startled by the sudden change in her face.
But when their eyes met again, Auntie Li was smiling sweetly:
“Eat up while it’s hot. It won’t taste good once it’s cold.”
Nan Shan nervously nodded, swallowing with difficulty.
After lingering at the stall a while, the vendors all packed up.
Uncle Liu called some friends to go drinking.
Nan Shan watched their lazy air and couldn’t help but chuckle.
Despite all the weirdness, life on Dongyi Island was undeniably comfortable.
Vendors closed shop to drink and nap, fishermen worked sporadically, and some people just hung around the shrine all day doing nothing.
Yet in all her walks, Nan Shan hadn’t seen a single beggar.
Not only that, but everyone lived comfortably—drinking, eating meat, as if food just appeared out of thin air.
If her parents had been born here, would they have had such an easy life?
Nan Shan held her fresh shrimp cake and wandered home absentmindedly.
After she left, Shou Xin had been waiting in the courtyard.
When he saw her, he rushed over to grab the shrimp cake:
“I knew you wouldn’t forget me!”
Nan Shan rolled her eyes:
“It’s cold now. Not crispy. You should’ve come with me.”
“I didn’t want to.”
Shou Xin bit into it happily, squinting in satisfaction.
Nan Shan flexed her wrist.
“Do we have eggs at home?”
“Yeah. Why do you want eggs?”
Shou Xin asked.
“To bring Auntie Li some tomorrow. I can’t just eat her food for free all the time.”
“I cook for you all the time—how come you don’t feel bad about that?”
Shou Xin said sarcastically.
“Because you’re family.”
Nan Shan shot him a look.
Shou Xin looked stunned, like he’d never heard that before.
He stared at her.
“…What?”
Nan Shan asked.
“Nothing…”
Shou Xin sniffled a little, looking a bit silly.
“I just wanted to say—everyone in Dongyi lives under Lord Ji Yue’s protection. It’s only natural to honor you as his wife. You don’t need to be so polite.”
“Forget it. If I keep eating for free, I won’t have the nerve to go outside anymore.”
Nan Shan waved a hand and yawned as she headed back to her room.