Cai’er gathered the scattered dry grass again.
She carefully spread it in another clean corner, arranging it into a thicker “bed” than before.
The mess inside the little house was cleaned bit by bit through their silent cooperation.
After that, Sheng Cai’er carried an old clay pot and walked toward a small creek not far away.
When she returned, her fingertips were still wet with clear water.
The pot was filled with washed wild fruits.
She carefully picked through them, then handed the largest, reddest, and sweetest-looking fruit to Long Xuanye.
“Xuanye, you eat.”
Long Xuanye’s movements paused.
He looked at the plump red wild fruit before him and fell into a slight daze.
In his memories, no matter what good thing it was, he and Bai Yue would always prioritize Long Haochen first.
After all, Haochen really was a very, very obedient child…
As a transmigrator with an adult soul, he naturally would not care about such things.
But now, the taste of this fruit…
He gently took a bite.
Sweet juice burst across his tongue.
“So sweet,” Cai’er said with curved eyes and a smile.
Long Xuanye’s heart moved.
Yes.
Very sweet.
…
After they finished cleaning up the thatched house, the two began dividing the work again.
Long Xuanye walked to the edge of the forest and set a simple trap with a few branches and vines.
Before long, a fat wild rabbit ran into it.
On the other side, Cai’er searched through the ruins of the thatched house.
To his surprise, she actually found half a bag of leftover rice flour and a small jar of salt that had not been broken.
There were even a few dried wild fruit preserves buried under the rubble.
When it came time to cook, Long Xuanye became somewhat helpless.
In his previous life, he had only ordered takeout.
After transmigrating, although Bai Yue was weak, she had not been so weak that Long Xuanye needed to be the main cook.
Unexpectedly, Cai’er was actually very talented at this.
She chopped the rabbit meat into small pieces, blanched it to remove the smell, then cooked it together with the rice flour into porridge.
Finally, she carefully drizzled two spoonfuls of wild fruit preserve over it.
A sweet and sour meat fragrance instantly filled the entire little house.
As soon as the porridge was ready, Cai’er filled a bowl first and held it with both hands, bringing it to Long Xuanye.
Her eyes carried a trace of expectation.
“Xuanye, taste it.
Is it good?”
Long Xuanye scooped up a spoonful.
The warm porridge slid down his throat, wrapped in the fragrance of meat and fruit.
It warmed his stomach in an instant.
He nodded firmly.
“It’s good!”
Cai’er immediately revealed a sweet smile.
A little dark-red fruit preserve accidentally stained the corner of her mouth.
Long Xuanye smiled and reached out with his fingertip, gently wiping it away.
She lowered her head in embarrassment and quickly added another large spoonful of porridge to Long Xuanye’s bowl.
The two found a pond, heated some water, washed up simply, and prepared to rest.
Long Xuanye originally wanted to sleep on the other side of the dry grass pile and keep some distance from her.
But Cai’er tugged at the corner of his clothes.
Moonlight fell through the gaps in the thatched roof, scattering several strands of silver light.
It happened to land on the small hand holding the corner of his clothes.
Her voice was very soft, carrying a trace of sleepiness.
“Come here.
Mother will hold you.”
Long Xuanye’s entire body stiffened.
He looked at the girl’s half-open eyes under the moonlight.
Those gray pupils had no impurities at all.
Only pure dependence and a desire to be close.
Cai’er’s breathing was extremely clear.
It seemed to fall into the same rhythm as Long Xuanye’s heartbeat.
Speechless.
He was truly speechless.
Moved…
Maybe a little.
Especially not long ago, the two of them had simply washed by the nearby stream.
Her body still carried the faint scent of soap pod and grass.
Under the clean moonlight, the girl’s long purple hair spread over the dry grass like a waterfall, glowing softly.
She slightly lifted that tender little face and opened her arms.
That appearance…
A thought flashed through Long Xuanye’s mind.
What kind of younger sister is this?
She’s clearly an extremely cute, extremely perfect pillow.
He sighed helplessly, but his voice carried indulgence even he did not notice.
“Alright.
Big Brother is coming over.”
Cai’er did not correct him this time.
She only curved her eyes in satisfaction.
After he lay down, she naturally opened her small arms and hugged his waist.
So soft.
The girl’s body was light and soft as she leaned close to him, bringing a strange feeling.
Long Xuanye’s body was firm and warm.
Being held like this, Cai’er felt a peace she had never felt before.
As if she had found the safest harbor.
Perhaps she had truly been too tired during the day.
This time, Cai’er did not hum a lullaby to coax him like she had in the cave.
Instead, she unconsciously patted his back lightly while tucking her small head closer into his arms.
Her breathing soon became steady and long.
She had fallen asleep.
Held by the girl like this, Long Xuanye’s heart was peaceful.
The exhaustion brought by days of running and killing seemed to be quietly soothed at this moment.
Pretty good?
Just as he was about to close his eyes, a deep-blue light screen flashed before him.
[God-Level Choice System Triggered — Fixed Mission Mode]
[Choice One: Immediately escape with Cai’er.]
[Reward: External Spiritual Power +2.]
[Choice Two: Completely annihilate the demon squad.]
[Reward: Innate Dark Internal Spiritual Power +0.5.]
Long Xuanye’s gaze instantly sharpened.
Slowly and carefully, he pulled his arm out of Cai’er’s embrace.
His movements were so gentle, as if he were afraid of disturbing a butterfly’s wings.
Cai’er seemed to trust him completely.
She slept very deeply, not even frowning.
Looking at her quiet and peaceful sleeping face, Long Xuanye felt a little emotional.
Perhaps after all these years wandering in the wilderness, she had never truly slept peacefully like this even once.
He quietly stood up and walked outside.
The night wind was slightly cool, blowing his hair.
He looked at this poor little house with almost nothing inside.
Yet because of that girl, it was filled with warmth.
Then he looked back at Cai’er, who was sleeping inside.
His eyes gradually became firm.
Demons again?
They were probably searching in the direction of this abandoned town.
Sorry.
I don’t want to do anything that will make Cai’er sad.
So you all can…
Die somewhere far away.
The night wind grew a little colder.
Long Xuanye walked toward the border for about five minutes.
In the shadows of the forest, five figures slowly stepped out.
The leader was a third-rank Bone-Erosion Demon.
His thin body was covered in bone spikes, and his scarlet eyes flickered in the darkness.
Behind him, the Rot-Mist Demon, Sharp-Claw Demon, Dark-Arrow Demon, and Shadow Demon stood in a line.
All of them were third rank.
It was the exact same formation as the squad from earlier that day.
Only the leader was weaker.
When the Bone-Erosion Demon saw Long Xuanye standing alone under the moonlight, he let out a hoarse, unpleasant laugh.
“Just one little brat?”
“You’re not running?
You actually came to die?”
Long Xuanye did not speak.
He only slowly raised his hand and gripped the short blade at his waist.
Clang—
A clear sound rang out.
Moonlight fell on the blade, reflecting a silver-white glow.
Internal spiritual power had already gathered.
Pure White Blade.
His wrist lifted slightly.