“Two more days,” Bai Li counted on her fingers during dinner in the courtyard.
She was referring to the agreement she had with Bai Jin. Bai Jin would come to pick her up in two days. Jiang Huai nodded gently, his gaze fixed on Bai Li’s eyes.
“Why haven’t you left yet?” Bai Li asked him innocently.
“I’m not accompanying Wanwan tonight.”
Bai Li tilted her head up slightly. “You’re being so conscientious today?”
Jiang Huai, amused, extended his hand to Bai Li. “Let’s go, I’ll take you to the mountaintop to watch the moon.”
***
The night breeze was cool on Guanxue Mountain’s summit, where grass and trees flourished.
Bai Li, currently in her loli form, lay on the soft grass with her head on Jiang Huai’s lap. Jiang Huai gently pinched her soft, chubby cheeks. They didn’t speak; only the sound of the wind reached their ears.
They would part in just a few days.
Bai Li’s eyes held a hint of confusion. She suddenly murmured, “Will you miss me?”
“Yes.”
“You won’t. After I leave, you still have Wen Wanwan and Wen Fufu to keep you company. Heh, you’ll live a life of shameless debauchery.”
“Then can I think of you during my debauchery?”
“Puh, you shameless dog,” Bai Li huffed. “So, when we meet next, it will be at the Five Regions Grand Competition?”
“Most likely,” Jiang Huai sighed. The Five Regions Grand Competition was still half a year away.
Previously, Jiang Huai and Bai Li hadn’t met often. They would typically spend some time together in secret realms every two to three months. Back then, Jiang Huai didn’t feel much reluctance about parting, nor did he ever wonder what Bai Li did when she was alone. Now, however, his heart felt a slight emptiness.
He was beginning to hate goodbyes.
“Then you’d better work hard. Only by defeating me will you be qualified to choose whether to sleep with the big Bai Li or the little Bai Li.”
Jiang Huai froze. “Then what if I lose?”
“Heh, then you’ll only be qualified to sleep with the little Bai Li. In our Monster Clan, the strong are respected. If you can’t beat me, then I won’t be marrying you; you’ll be marrying me, and in bed, you’ll be the one at the bottom.”
“…” Jiang Huai’s eyelids twitched slightly. “Can you tell me why you’d choose the little Bai Li if I lose?”
“To crush you.”
Jiang Huai looked down at the petite Bai Li. Although he knew her body was soft and fully developed, her small frame would likely be too tight. Images of the little Bai Li’s belly slightly bulging flashed through Jiang Huai’s mind.
“What lewd and vulgar things are you thinking about now?”
“You know that too?!”
“Your eyes are full of evil thoughts. Don’t tell me you’re more excited about the little Bai Li? Ugh.” Bai Li looked at him with disgust. “Stop thinking about it. Humph, if you lose to me, you’ll only be fit to be pinned beneath me. You won’t even be allowed to move.”
“How cruel, how beastly.”
“So you have to work hard.”
“I am working hard! After you leave and the Moon Wave Continent Grand Competition ends, I plan to go to Ziyun Pavilion to sell my pill-refining secret techniques and start searching for the medicinal materials to restore my Qi Sea.”
“That’s right, you don’t need me to worry about you.” Bai Li reached out and gently touched Jiang Huai’s face. The young girl’s fair and tender hand was soft with a slight coolness. Jiang Huai looked down at her snow-white face.
Their eyes met in mid-air, their gazes illuminated by the clear moonlight that fell on Bai Li’s cheeks.
“What are you looking at?” Bai Li asked, confused.
“Nothing. It’s just that thinking about you leaving makes me a little sad.”
“I know, I know,” Bai Li said with a helpless smile, winking at him. “Then shall I comfort you tonight? Would you prefer my tongue, or to be stepped on by my white-silk feet? You can only choose one.”
Jiang Huai looked at her dotingly. “You’ve ruined the mood again.”
“It’s precisely because of being too sentimental that one feels sad. Older Sister realized this long ago, so I’ve become unyielding.” Bai Li blinked. “Hurry up and choose.”
“Can I choose both?”
“See, this is your true nature as a little slut dog showing through.”
Bai Li sat up from him, turned her body, and leaned close to his ear. “You can choose both, but you have to serve Older Sister happily with your tongue first.”
***
The next morning.
When Bai Li and Jiang Huai emerged from the room, they found Chu Xianning sitting in the courtyard, along with Bai Jin, who was wearing a black qipao.
Bai Jin’s qipao was clearly from Ziyun Pavilion. Its fabric and cut were exquisite, adorned with embroidered patterns. The form-fitting qipao accentuated her perfect figure, and her slender calves beneath it were clad in black high heels.
It seemed that during her time at Qingxuan Sect, she had learned a great deal about Eastern Region fashion from Luo Yueguan.
“Mother?” Bai Li looked up at her.
“I’ve come to pick you up. By tomorrow night at the latest, we’ll be heading to the Western Region.”
“Mm…” Bai Li nodded gently.
At this moment, Jiang Huai also spoke. “Please have a seat, Aunt Bai. I’ll prepare some breakfast.”
***
When Bai Jin entered the courtyard, Bai Li had transformed back into her larger form. She too was wearing a black qipao, her figure slightly more slender than Bai Jin’s. They shared seven parts resemblance.
Bai Jin stayed in the courtyard for one night. Jiang Huai had prepared a room for her. During the day, he prepared a sumptuous lunch and dinner in the courtyard. At night, Jiang Huai slept with Bai Li, holding her petite body and talking for much of the night. They chatted until dawn, when Bai Li, tired, finally rested her head on his chest and fell into a deep sleep.
In the courtyard.
A light drizzle misted the air. Chu Xianning was brewing herself a cup of Jasmine tea. When Bai Jin arrived, Chu Xianning hesitated for a moment before brewing a pot for her as well. Bai Jin sat opposite her and said softly, “Thank you, Fairy Chu.”
Chu Xianning shook her head slightly. “It’s nothing.”
“I was at Luo Yueguan recently. They told me a lot about the Human Clan, so… I have something I’d like to ask you, Fairy.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“If my daughter wishes to marry into the Eastern Region in the future, would you agree?” Bai Jin’s eyes were sincere, devoid of any condescension.
Chu Xianning didn’t know how to answer for a moment.
“I heard from Luo Yueguan that marriages in your Eastern Region require parental consent. My daughter and your disciple are so intimate; I imagine they will eventually marry. I have no objections. I haven’t been by Bai Li’s side for many years and owe her a great deal. If Bai Li wants to marry him, I will naturally not obstruct her in the slightest. As for his wasted cultivation… I will also do my best to find a way for him to Rebuild his Qi Sea.”
“His marriage… he will decide for himself. You don’t need to ask me.” Chu Xianning could only reply this way.
“That’s wonderful. Then, in the future, will Bai Jin and Fairy Chu also be in-laws?” Bai Jin smiled gently.
At this moment, Bai Li and Jiang Huai came out of the room. It was already noon, and Jiang Huai was about to head to the kitchen to prepare lunch. Bai Jin beckoned Bai Li over.
Bai Li, not understanding why, ran to the pavilion and heard Bai Jin say softly, “I’ve discussed it with Fairy Chu. Do you want to marry Jiang Huai?”
“Mother… how did you know?” Bai Li was taken aback, and then a blush spread across her cheeks.
“If you didn’t like him, why would you have slept with him last night?” Bai Jin asked with a helpless smile. She had been contemplating this matter. Last night, she had secretly observed Bai Li and overheard their all-night conversation with Jiang Huai. As a mother, she naturally wanted to do something for Bai Li.
Jiang Huai, on the side, was still a bit dazed. How had they moved from waking up to discussing marriage? He also walked closer. Bai Jin looked at him gently. “I’ve discussed it with your Master, and she has no objections. I will be taking Bai Li back to inherit the Monster Emperor’s legacy. In the future, you can either hope for her to come to the Eastern Region, or you can go to the Western Region. After you two marry, if you wish, you can call me ‘Mother’.”
Jiang Huai was speechless for a moment and could only nod dumbly.
Their marriage was settled on this hazy, rainy day. Jiang Huai went to the kitchen to make lunch. Bai Li skipped over, placing her hands on his shoulders. “How are you feeling right now?”
“To be honest, I’m still processing it.”
“Me too,” Bai Li said, looking at him innocently. “So, do you want to marry me?”
“Is there any reason not to?”
“I’m pretty indifferent. Whatever you want. If you want to get married, we’ll get married. If you don’t, it’s fine. I don’t really care about human customs of status. As long as we’re together, it’s fine. Whether we need to announce it to the world is not something I really care about.” Bai Li shrugged and looked at Jiang Huai’s profile. Jiang Huai looked back at her. “Since you’re indifferent, then perhaps we should pick a time to hold the wedding in the future?”
“Okay,” Bai Li nodded. Jiang Huai still looked a little bewildered.
How did it seem like, in the blink of an eye, he had three weddings approaching?
He used to have a fear of marriage. The thought of holding a wedding with a woman and announcing it to the world made him feel inexplicably uneasy. But now, it seemed he wasn’t as resistant as before, just a little unexplainably lost.
Bai Li leaned over to the pot, watching the freshly fried meatballs. She picked one up, brought it to her lips, and blew on it gently. Then she brought it to Jiang Huai’s mouth. “You don’t need to think so much. I won’t force you to do anything. If I go to the Western Region, and when we meet again at the Five Regions Grand Competition, if you still like me, I’ll give you my body and return to the Eastern Region with you. If you don’t like me anymore, it’s fine if I stay in the Western Region.”
“Hey, hey, hey, doesn’t it feel like you don’t trust me at all?”
“That’s not it.” Bai Li patted Jiang Huai’s shoulder. “It’s just that with your sentimental personality, always thinking about things, I’m afraid you’ll overthink and worry too much, making yourself unhappy.”
“No, thinking about marrying you… feels quite happy.”
“Really?”
“Of course, it’s true.”
“Here’s a little meatball as a reward.” Bai Li picked up a fried meatball, brought it to her lips to cool it, and then fed it to Jiang Huai.
