Wei Rou gave Sheng Xuan a glance, surprised by what he had done and the result. They did not even need to go out in the wilderness and the Sun Dew was in his hand. Just because of a token. No. It was more than just a normal token.
"Xuan'er, is this alright?" She transmitted her voice through spirit sense, concerned.
"What's the big deal, Auntie? What can they even do?" he lightly said.
"Still, it's not good to create problems everywhere," she advised.
"Oh, Auntie thinks I am problematic?" He feigned a sad look.
"That's not what I meant," she quickly said. "It's just you should be more careful."
"I know, Auntie. Don't worry. If I had not used the token, these enforcers could have made things difficult for us."
Wei Rou fell silent, knowing there was much truth to his statement.
"Auntie, I am hungry, let's go eat," he said, not waiting for her. She hurriedly followed.
They walked toward the food vendors lined up along the dirty roadsides. An enticing aroma wafted from there. Meat skewers were visible on the burning grills. Sizzling noises echoed from large black woks.
"That food is not good, Xuan'er," she said, her gaze not one of confidence.
"Did you not use to eat it all the time?" he said.
"Yes, but you are not used to it," she said.
"I want to try it," he said.
Wei Rou was a little surprised, thinking he would look down on these. Since he was interested, she helped him buy skewers, buns, and roasted chicken.
"Mm!" Sheng Xuan chewed on the juicy meat, his lips looking glossy from all the oil.
"Auntie, you eat too." He pushed the skewer toward her face.
"I can eat it myself," she said.
"No, eat from mine," he urged.
Knowing he would not give in, she could only nibble, covering her mouth. A savory taste spread in her mouth, reminding her of her days here. There was a time when she would think it over many times before buying a snack from a stall.
With Sun Dew in hand, they did not feel the urgency to head to the wilderness; instead, they roamed the outer city. Compared to the inner city, the rules were much more lax here. Some shops were lopsided, some brightly colored. It was easy to stumble upon a circus troupe or strange folk, or step on dodgy trash if you were not careful.
Sheng Xuan stopped in front of a gambling house, decorated lavishly. The pillars and walls had a golden sheen. Desperate and greedy faces were everywhere alongside the thick smell of wine.
Scantily clad women twisted and turned their hips at the entrance, letting out enticing chuckles and flirtatious winks. A body-stirring smell wafted through the air, the kind that made you want to visit the nearby Flower Pavilion.
He was about to walk in when Wei Rou held him back.
"Don't go there, that's not a good place," she strictly said.
"I will just take a look, Auntie," he said, only for her hand to tighten on his arm.
She shook her head. Tempting sounds rang out alongside cheers from winning people. Bright red and gold signboards were hung around, offering lucrative chances, such as bet 10 spirit stones, get 100 spirit stones. Sheng Xuan was not really tempted, but he wanted to join in the fun.
Contrary to her usual demeanor, Wei Rou kept refusing, showing a rare strict side. Sheng Xuan's heart itched to tease her. He tried to convince her, holding and feeling her soft hands.
"No, it ruins people. You should not do it," she seriously said.
"But I want to!" he said.
Amid their back and forth, a figure was thrown out of the side door.
"Don't come here if you don't have the money!" a stony-faced, large man said, kicking hard at the unkempt-haired, yellow-toothed man on the ground.
The tattered man cried out in pain, only to get a foot to his weathered face.
Wei Rou trembled, her eyes fixed on the man as something old and cold surfaced behind them.
Sheng Xuan noticed it. "Do you know him, Auntie?"
Wei Rou pursed her lips, not saying a thing, even as the guards beat up the man. His sad cries shook her heart, making her want to help him, only for the urge to still the next moment as disgust flashed in her eyes.
"Yes... it's a long story, Xuan'er," she said.
"I am curious, tell me," he urged.
Wei Rou did not want to say anything at first but he continued to urge her. On a whim, she opened up. "He used to be my husband."
Sheng Xuan's eyes widened in shock. Then, he was relieved.
"I see why he used to be," he said. "Don't worry, Auntie. You made the right choice. You can not waste your life being with a gambler."
Wei Rou let out a deep sigh. "You know it was such a difficult decision. I was not even a cultivator or a martial artist at that time."
Sheng Xuan attentively listened to her.
"Lan'er was also really small. I had not planned to separate at first. How were we going to survive? I had so many concerns."
She took a deep breath. "But it got to a point. I could handle the abuse. But this bastard dared to sell my baby." Her gaze turned cold.
Sheng Xuan was taken aback. As he imagined what fate could have befallen Little Lan, anger surged in his heart too.
"He deserves to die," Sheng Xuan said.
Wei Rou was jolted awake, casting an anxious look at him. "No, don't kill him. This was all in the past."
"You still care about him?" He furrowed his eyebrows.
Wei Rou shook her head. "Do you want to be the killer of Lan'er's father?"
Sheng Xuan's frown deepened. His cold eyes locked on the bedraggled man.
Wei Rou hugged his arm, holding it tightly. She did not want him to be impulsive. Feeling the softness of her large chest, he relaxed.
"Relax, Auntie. I won't do anything." He hugged her, catching her by surprise.
"Xuan'er!" she cried out. His arms wrapped around her waist.
"Let me hold you, I am a little angry right now." He looked down into her green eyes.
Wei Rou gulped, her heart unconsciously beating fast. Knowing her ex-husband was nearby made the whole situation even more awkward. And this boy... he was no longer her Little Xuan. He smelled so manly, his body was so warm.
"Xuan'er, stop..." she protested.
"Can I not hug you anymore?" he complained.
"Not like-"
Sheng Xuan cut her off. "Auntie, he is coming our way."
Wei Rou's mouth opened wide in shock. "Let me get away!" She pushed him, only for his arms to tighten.
"Wait, he is already here. He might see if you go now," he said.
Wei Rou did not believe him but she also did not want to turn her head and come face to face. This was a past she had buried deep and she wanted it to remain like that.
She heard a familiar voice, except more aged and weaker.
"Esteemed Ones, you two make a great immortal couple," the man said. "Is it possible I can get a spare few coins?" he begged, face bloodied. He held his waist, face stiff with pain.
Sheng Xuan felt Wei Rou shake in his embrace. She tried to make herself small. A strange thrill ripped through him, prompting him to rub her back.
"Xuan'er!" She was mortified.
Sheng Xuan looked down at the hunched man. "You say we make a great immortal couple?"
"Yes, yes. You two look wonderful," the man enthusiastically said, thinking he might be able to swindle some coins out of him. "I believe in future you two will have a house of healthy and sturdy babies."
Wei Rou's mind buzzed, finding it hard to even stand. What was happening? This was so insane! Hearing such words from her ex-husband while in the embrace of a man she saw as her son, she felt heat flood her face and creep down her neck.
Sheng Xuan laughed, flicking a cloth bag toward him.
Despite the sharp pain from his waist, the man lunged forward, catching it. He hurriedly opened it to find several glittering gold coins. He shook, greed and desire filling his eyes.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" he deeply bowed.
Sheng Xuan waved his hand and gestured with his head.
The man understood and hurriedly left, finding another path to sneak into another gambling house.
After a while, Wei Rou pushed Sheng Xuan away, angry.
"What's wrong with you?!" she scolded.
Sheng Xuan scratched his head. "Auntie, I did not even do anything..."
"You still have the nerve to say that? After doing such embarrassing things!" she said indignantly. "It's because I am too lenient toward you!"
Without another word, she started walking away.
"Auntie!" he called out. He tried to grasp her hand, only for her to yank it away.
"Don't touch me. You are not allowed to hold my hand or hug me anymore!" she directly said.
Sheng Xuan's heart sank. Did he overdo it?
"Don't be like this, Auntie," he gently said. "I can not live without you."
She did not reply. Instead, she found a bench, sat down, and crossed her arms under her chest.
"You are not a child anymore," she said.
Sheng Xuan sat beside her, their hips touching. "Auntie, please don't be mad."
Wei Rou continued to stare at the coming and going of people on the road.
Sheng Xuan also stopped pestering her and sat silently beside her.
The bench was shaded by the tall tree in the corner, saving them from the scorching Sun. The wind traveled with light steps, making them feel cool and relaxed. Unlike the decadent scents in the gambling area, this was much fresher.
Sheng Xuan looked at Wei Rou's fair side profile. Her eyebrows still furrowed. Despite wearing robes that hid every corner of her, the way it curved in at her waist and swelled around her rear spurred him to sneak a few glances.
"Auntie..." he softly called. "I am sorry. I won't hug you or hold your hand anymore."
Wei Rou turned her head toward him, her frown deepening.
Sheng Xuan tilted his head. Did he say something wrong?