Lu Qingtang blinked innocently at Jiang Xunbai, who finally realized something and abruptly released her wrist.
He retreated several steps uncomfortably, then seemed to remember something and approached Lu Qingtang again. Bending slightly, he secretly pulled out a stack of Fu Zhi from his robe and handed it to her.
“For you.”
Lu Qingtang’s face lit up with joy as she received the talisman papers with both hands.
These were truly valuable items – she never expected Jiang Xunbai would casually give her so many Fu Zhi.
“But—” Lu Qingtang paused. Jiang Xunbai looked at her, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly, a flicker of nervousness in his eyes.
“How do I use these Fu Zhi? Can I use them without spiritual power?”
Lu Qingtang felt somewhat anxious, unsure how talisman papers worked in this fantasy world.
Hearing this, Jiang Xunbai chuckled softly. Lu Qingtang looked up at him with dewy, innocent eyes.
Pointing at the Fu Zhi in her hands, Jiang Xunbai explained: “You can use them without spiritual power. Spiritual power is only needed when creating them, not when using them.”
Only then did Lu Qingtang feel relieved as she stored away the talisman papers. She asked again: “Aren’t you tired from creating so many Fu Zhi?”
If creating talisman papers consumed spiritual power, wouldn’t that be exhausting?
Jiang Xunbai replied nonchalantly: “It’s manageable. Miss Lu might not know this, but I specialize in talisman and array techniques. In the art of talisman arrays, I’m definitely among the world’s strongest practitioners.”
He raised his head slightly, allowing the rising sun to bathe him in its light, his tone brimming with the arrogant confidence of youth.
Lu Qingtang smiled gently, looking up at the sun as she said sincerely: “Thank you.”
Her voice was extremely soft, like the buzz of a mosquito.
“What did you say?”
But Lu Qingtang refused to repeat herself. Ignoring Jiang Xunbai who remained standing there, she strode forward.
The girl’s turquoise dress looked fresh and beautiful, with matching hair ribbons fluttering in the wind. The morning sun fell upon her, casting a golden glow around her. Such a vibrant, radiant girl – even the sunlight seemed to favor her.
The corners of Jiang Xunbai’s lips curved upward – he had clearly heard what the girl said.
She had said: “Thank you.”
While Jiang Xunbai was still lost in thought, the system in his consciousness suddenly spoke: 【Congratulations, host. Character Lu Qingtang’s current favorability is 2/100. Please continue your efforts.】
In good spirits, Jiang Xunbai caught up with Lu Qingtang.
Since they needed to lure out the Skin-changing demon, they should spend more time wandering the streets.
The sun had just risen, the mist had barely dispersed. Vendors in Wangshui Zhen were beginning to set up their stalls, which gradually filled the streets, though there weren’t many pedestrians yet.
The aroma of various foods wafted through the air. Lu Qingtang’s stomach growled softly, and she discreetly patted it.
After such a frightening and exhausting night, how could she not be hungry?
She walked directly to a steamed bun stall and turned to call out to Jiang Xunbai: “Jiang TangTang, do you want some steamed buns?”
Hearing his most hated childhood name called out by Lu Qingtang, Jiang Xunbai felt murderous. His expression darkened as he said stiffly: “No.”
Lu Qingtang smiled, taking out a silver piece from her robe and handing it to the vendor: “Shopkeeper, two meat buns and two sweet buns. Keep the change.”
The vendor accepted the silver from Lu Qingtang, his eyes narrowing into happy slits. He then took the buns, wrapped them in oiled paper, and handed them to Lu Qingtang with both hands, fawning: “Take care, miss! Please come again!”
“Here, have some sweet buns!”
Lu Qingtang handed the oil paper wrapped around two sweet buns to Jiang Xunbai, who scowled and said, “I don’t want any.”
“Gurgle—”
Jiang Xunbai’s stomach had already betrayed him.
Lu Qingtang smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons: “Jiang TangTang, are you sure you don’t want any?”
As she spoke, she waved the bun in front of Jiang Xunbai. The steaming, delicious aroma wafted toward him. Jiang Xunbai took the sweet bun from Lu Qingtang’s hand and grumbled unhappily, “Don’t call me Jiang TangTang.”
“Jiang TangTang, you’re just being stubborn—how can I call you ‘Second Young Master Jiang’ out on the street?” Lu Qingtang leaned closer and whispered. She took a bite of the meat bun; the skin was thin, the filling generous, and the flavor burst in her mouth. Lu Qingtang closed her eyes contentedly.
Seeing this, Jiang Xunbai also took a bite of his bun.
Lu Qingtang was right—dressed like this, how could he be addressed as “Second Young Master” in public?
The sweet bun was delicious, making Jiang Xunbai momentarily forget Lu Qingtang’s earlier nickname for him. After a few bites, he caught sight of the bun shop owner holding a silver coin under the sunlight, grinning foolishly. Swallowing his food, he teased, “Young Lady Lu is indeed wealthy.”
In the novel, Lu Qingtang was born into the Lu family of Gusu. And who were the Gusu Lu family? Merchants, rumored to be as rich as a nation. As the eldest daughter of the Lu family, Lu Qingtang was a pampered jewel, rolling in wealth—what was a little silver to her?
Thinking of this, Lu Qingtang couldn’t help but feel pleased. How wonderful—in both her past and present life, she had money. Not having to live a hard life was truly a blessing. Who would ever turn down wealth?
“You flatter me. Our family has nothing else, just a little bit of money. Still, it’s nothing compared to the renowned demon-hunting family—Second Young Master Jiang, don’t you agree?”
Lu Qingtang’s words were utterly provoking. Jiang Xunbai took a fierce bite of his sweet bun and gritted his teeth, saying, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”
Lu Qingtang and Jiang Xunbai continued to stroll and look around.
Even with the sun high in the sky, there was no trace of the Skin-changing demon. Lu Qingtang, uncomfortable under the summer sun, raised one hand to shield her forehead while using the other to fan herself.
Jiang Xunbai glanced at Lu Qingtang and noticed she was genuinely overheating; a thin layer of sweat glistened on her delicate forehead under the sunlight. He suggested:
“Let’s go sit under the tree.”
Lu Qingtang nodded and sat beneath the banyan tree, but then she saw Jiang Xunbai turn and walk away. Puzzled, she stared at his retreating figure.
A short while later, Jiang Xunbai returned with two drinks in hand.
Lu Qingtang watched him curiously. Jiang Xunbai, slightly flushed under her gaze, avoided looking at her and simply handed her one of the drinks.
“Wangshui Zhen has limited options. They only have mung bean soup here. If you don’t mind, Miss Lu, have some.”
Lu Qingtang sat under the tree, looking up at him. She took the mung bean soup from his hand, lowered her head, and took a sip. Unconsciously, Jiang Xunbai held his breath, his gaze dropping to the top of the girl’s head.
Lu Qingtang lifted her head and gave him a radiant smile, sincerely exclaiming, “It’s delicious.”
Drinking a cup of mung bean soup on a scorching summer day was one of life’s greatest joys.
[Congratulations, Host. Character Lu Qingtang’s current favorability is 3/100. Please keep up the good work.]
Jiang Xunbai secretly breathed a sigh of relief and sat down beside Lu Qingtang. He had just taken a sip of mung bean soup when Lu Qingtang spoke again: “Jiang TangTang, I’ve realized you’re actually quite a good person.”
Jiang Xunbai hadn’t expected Lu Qingtang to suddenly compliment him. He choked abruptly and began coughing violently, his shoulders shaking with each cough. His beautiful peach-blossom eyes glistened with unshed tears from the coughing fit, making his delicate features appear even more striking.
A twinge of guilt arose in Lu Qingtang’s heart. Without much thought, she naturally reached out and patted Jiang Xunbai’s back, hoping to help soothe his breathing.
The moment her hand touched his back, he stiffened suddenly and started coughing even more severely.
Between coughs, he lifted his gaze to look at Lu Qingtang, only to find her face showed nothing but guilt, without any trace of bashfulness. Jiang Xunbai felt his cheeks burning fiercely, though he couldn’t tell whether it was from the sun exposure or his coughing.
When he finally stopped coughing, Lu Qingtang suddenly reached out and touched the tip of his ear. Jiang Xunbai shuddered all over, nearly dropping the mung bean soup in his hand.
Lu Qingtang’s fingertips were slightly cool, brushing against his ear for just a moment. His thick eyelashes fluttered rapidly. It took him a long moment before he lifted his gaze to look at Lu Qingtang. Meeting her utterly innocent eyes, he immediately averted his gaze as if touching a scorching flame.
The summer heat was unbearably stifling. Jiang Xunbai had never felt any summer as unbearably sweltering as this one. The girl’s sweet, clinging voice reached his ears along with the cicadas’ chirping:
“Jiang TangTang, are you suffering from heatstroke? Your face, neck, and the tips of your ears are all so red.”
Lu Qingtang’s tone was full of confusion and concern.
Jiang Xunbai could bear it no longer. He suddenly stood up, his hand gripping the mung bean soup so tightly that his knuckles turned white. After a long pause, he finally spoke somewhat awkwardly: “Perhaps so.”
Perhaps he really was suffering from heatstroke – that would explain why his heart was pounding like a drum, as if it might leap out of his chest at any moment; why he felt unbearably hot all over; why the girl’s voice sounded as sweet and clinging as malt sugar.
Lu Qingtang also stood up, saying anxiously: “Then you should return to the inn to rest. I can handle staying here alone.”
Worried that Jiang Xunbai might be concerned, Lu Qingtang added reassuringly: “Don’t worry, I will definitely succeed in luring out the Skin-changing demon. This time we’ll surely capture her.”
Lu Qingtang’s words were full of confidence about successfully luring out the Skin-changing demon, without showing the slightest concern for her own safety.
Jiang Xunbai turned his gaze to the Wangshui River in the distance and asked softly: “What about you? Lu Qingtang, what will happen to you?”
Author’s note:
TangTang: (Flustered) Heatstroke?!
Jiang TangTang: Well… it’s heatstroke.