Qu Qi felt that no matter how mischievous her cat master might be, she was still just a little kitty. At most, she might bully Qu Qi a bit, but she wouldn’t go as far as doing something truly heinous.
Moreover, the black cat had no ties to the Sword Seeking Sect; there was simply no reason for her to hurt anyone.
To show her trust, she gave Sheng Xizhu’s shoulder a gentle pat and comforted her with a smile: “Don’t listen to their nonsense. You are the best kitty!”
Sheng Xizhu met her gaze and saw the girl’s dark eyes filled with straightforward sincerity and trust. She suddenly let out a self-deprecating curl of her lips.
Once upon a time, on Wangxi Peak, those people had looked at her with the same kind of longing.
Later, those looks gradually turned into greed, fear, and disgust, appearing repeatedly in her dreams like knives stabbing into her, tearing open old scars.
Sheng Xizhu closed her eyes, the ripples in her gaze returning to silence. She pressed down on Qu Qi’s hand on her shoulder and gently pushed it away.
Met with this polite refusal, Qu Qi’s eyes widened slightly: No way, I haven’t coaxed her enough yet? Even this didn’t win you over?
Ji Ling, who was watching the drama unfold from the side, couldn’t help but speak up weakly: “Senior Sister, who is this?”
Qu Qi: “This is a friend I met today.”
Ji Ling looked thoughtful: “You just got back. Where did you find the time to make a friend?”
Qu Qi looked at Sheng Xizhu and said affectionately: “We met on the way to school. We talked about everything from the stars and the moon to poetry and philosophy. We hit it off immediately and became sworn sisters.”
Ji Ling frowned: “But just now, I heard you call her ‘Kitty’?”
“You heard wrong. I was calling her… ‘Kiddie,’ as in my little sister.” Qu Qi took Sheng Xizhu’s hand and held it in her palms, acting like they were devoted siblings: “Right, dear sister?”
Sheng Xizhu: “…”
She looked at the girl beside her who could lie without even blushing and said with a half-smile: “That is right, Sister.”
The word “Sister” came out of her mouth with a voice as cold as porcelain, yet carrying a hint of nonchalant playfulness. Even someone as thick-skinned as Qu Qi couldn’t help but feel her ears grow hot.
That voice was really… it was a waste for her not to be a voice actress.
Ji Ling was greatly impressed, seemingly convinced by their sisterly bond. He cupped his hands toward Sheng Xizhu: “May I ask how to address this fellow Daoist?”
Qu Qi thought to herself that things were going south. She couldn’t exactly say her name was Mimi, so she would have to come up with one on the spot. To be honest, she was quite confident in her naming skills.
Just as Sheng Xizhu was about to speak, Qu Qi blurted out the answer: “Her name is Zhang San.”
Ji Ling was stunned: “That name is… truly simple and plain.”
“Right? It is unadorned yet grand.” Qu Qi suddenly let out an “Ouch!”: “Mi… Sister, why are you pinching me?”
Sheng Xizhu released her hand, her gaze dark: “May I ask Sister, in what way is this name ‘grand’?”
“Girl, are you dissatisfied?” Qu Qi gave a confident smile: “The ancients said, the Dao produced One, One produced Two, Two produced Three, and Three produced all things. Zhang San, Zhang San—this name encompasses the entire universe, does it not?”
Ji Ling had a sudden realization and clapped loudly: “I see! What a great name!”
Qu Qi threw her head back and laughed.
Sheng Xizhu silently took a few steps back, wanting nothing to do with either of them. One dared to say it and the other dared to believe it; there was a reason these two were fellow disciples.
During the conversation, the three of them headed down the mountain. The noon sun was as brilliant as fire, splashing over the pavilions and waterscapes, turning the entire mountain into a dazzling gold.
Qu Qi rubbed her stomach, feeling a bit hungry. Seeing this, Ji Ling asked: “Little Senior Sister, are we going to the usual eatery to eat today?”
Qu Qi remembered that in the original book, Wangxi Peak had a dedicated dining hall collectively called “Forget-Worry Eatery,” and the food there seemed decent. She immediately felt a craving: “Let’s go. You lead the way.”
Ji Ling: “Senior Sister, you didn’t forget the way again, did you?”
Sheng Xizhu followed behind, her gaze lingering on Qu Qi for a second.
Qu Qi stayed calm: “How could I? I am just testing your memory.”
Ji Ling didn’t suspect a thing and took a shortcut to the eatery with the two of them. Inside, rows of tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and many disciples were already sitting there, heads down as they ate.
Hearing footsteps, many people looked up. First, they saw Qu Qi, their expressions varying, then they looked at Sheng Xizhu behind her, a hint of wonder flashing in their eyes.
Alarm bells immediately rang in Qu Qi’s mind.
Sheng Xizhu’s appearance had already been disguised. Her beautiful golden eyes had become a deep black similar to a human’s, and her facial features had been slightly adjusted. Although she wasn’t as eye-catching as before, she was still a delicate beauty.
A strange and beautiful girl appearing here would inevitably attract attention. The more people noticed her, the higher the chance of causing suspicion and exposing her identity.
Even though the “black cat” was innocent, she was currently an “unregistered resident” that Wangxi Peak did not acknowledge. It was better to be cautious in everything.
The three of them arrived before the chef serving the food. Ji Ling took three sets of bowls and chopsticks, but Qu Qi suddenly asked: “Can we pack this up and take it back to eat?”
“Senior Sister wants to eat back at the room?”
Qu Qi nodded.
Ji Ling said: “Of course you can, but you used to always eat here. What happened today?”
Qu Qi pulled Sheng Xizhu over and made up a lie: “My sister Zhang San here has social anxiety. She does not like being in crowded places. Whenever she sees too many people, she gets dizzy and her vision blurs.”
Ji Ling looked at the cold woman and gasped: “Is that so?”
Qu Qi pulled Sheng Xizhu behind her to block everyone’s view and whispered: “Mimi, you have to cooperate with me.”
The “socially anxious” Sheng Xizhu guessed her purpose and leaned weightlessly against the girl, looking as if she were too frail to care for herself: “Yes.”
Ji Ling believed it completely: “That sounds serious. Let’s head back quickly then.”
Before more people could look over, Qu Qi carried the packed food in one hand and pulled Sheng Xizhu’s sleeve with the other. The three of them hurried out of the eatery.
At a fork in the road, Ji Ling stopped to say goodbye: “Little Senior Sister, Miss Zhang San, see you tomorrow!”
Qu Qi waved at him: “See you tomorrow!” After that, she pulled Sheng Xizhu and bolted.
Back in the room, she placed the food box on the table and let out a long breath: “Life is like a play. It is the Oscars’ loss for not giving me an award.”
Sheng Xizhu said abruptly: “Hand.”
Qu Qi replied instinctively: “Huh?”
Sheng Xizhu raised an eyebrow and looked down.
Following her gaze, Qu Qi realized she was still clutching Sheng Xizhu’s sleeve. She quickly let go and said admiringly: “Mimi, nice acting! I unilaterally declare you the best supporting actress!”
Sheng Xizhu: “What ‘Mimi’? I thought my name was Zhang San.”
Qu Qi lowered her head shyly: “You don’t have to like the name I gave you that much.”
Sheng Xizhu: “…”
She said expressionlessly: “I simply love it.”
Qu Qi blinked: “Don’t mention it. I can give you an even better one.”
“No need.” Keep it for yourself.
The black cat didn’t eat, so Qu Qi reluctantly finished two bowls of rice herself and rested while rubbing her round belly. She smacked her lips and commented with reserve: “The taste was acceptable.”
Sheng Xizhu sat cross-legged on the bed, lifting her eyelids to glance at the food box that had been licked clean.
Once she was full, Qu Qi moved to sit beside Sheng Xizhu, resting her chin on her hands and looking at her expectantly. The great beauty was meditating with her eyes closed, the lines of her profile looking as if they were carved from the finest white jade; she was exceptionally pleasing to the eye.
Suddenly, she opened her eyes. Her long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, and her golden eyes shimmered with light, coldness mixed with a hint of bewitching charm.
Qu Qi’s breath hitched, and she couldn’t help but lean in closer.
Darn it, if this wasn’t an aesthetic critical hit, she didn’t know what was!
The distance between them was so small their noses almost touched. A warm breath brushed against Qu Qi’s cheek. Sheng Xizhu’s gaze fell upon her, and she suddenly smiled: “What is it, Sister?”