Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty-Four: Jiang Shishi, Do You Want to Fly Side by Side with Gu Zhao?

“Squish… squish…”

On the small chair beside him, the white fox was buried in her rice mixed with braised pork hock, as if trying to press her entire face into the bowl.

Jiang Shishi blushed as she picked up a piece of beef for Gu Zhao, then quickly added a chop of cabbage to her grandfather’s bowl and immediately lowered her head to eat, afraid to look up.

He Laozhang chuckled as he chewed the tender, slow-cooked cured pork with cabbage, savoring every bite—such days were rarer than New Year’s feasts.

Gu Zhao was also relaxed; though he had only known them for a little over a week, the comfort he felt eating here rivaled only eating at home, and Jiang Shishi’s lively kindness made her deeply likable.

Gu Zhao was no fool—he could sense Jiang Shishi’s feelings—but he had no interest in a child who was still underage and undeveloped; to him, Jiang Shishi was more like a little sister he’d met by chance.

Though he enjoyed this feeling, all feasts eventually ended—he couldn’t stay in this small mountain village forever, shuttling daily between the village and the modern world.

He had been considering when to leave, but his mother’s call today sealed his decision.

Accompanying his mother to Sichuan meant attending the wedding, shopping with her, and spending several days with his grandparents—he wouldn’t have time to cross over for nearly a week.

If so, he might as well say goodbye now, not return for a week, and head straight to Wuhe County to visit Changping Prefecture, officially beginning his exploration of this world, returning later to visit again.

“Have you nearly finished the rice and cabbage?” Gu Zhao asked.

“Still plenty left!” Jiang Shishi replied at once. “You gave us so much—after we shared the cabbage and radishes with the villagers, we still had plenty left; my grandfather and I pickled it all and stored it in the cellar.”

“We also gave some of the cured sausages to the Zhang family to repay our debt, and gave meat and rice to Widow Wang and Old Aunt Zhang, who can’t walk well—but we still have nearly half a jar of rice left; even eating it daily, it’ll last over ten days!”

“That’s still not much—I’ll bring more tomorrow,” Gu Zhao nodded.

Hearing this, He Laozhang’s expression changed, and he set down his chopsticks.

Jiang Shishi hadn’t yet reacted, caught in a sweet kind of sorrow: “But we only have one big grain jar…”

He Laozhang cut in, shattering her fantasy: “So… the young master is leaving?”

At those words, Jiang Shishi froze mid-motion.

Gu Zhao nodded. “I have to leave in three days—I wanted to tell you ahead of time.”

“I’ve been very happy staying with you. Thank you for your care these past days—Jiang Shishi’s cooking is truly excellent. Tomorrow I’ll bring you more grain,” Gu Zhao gently patted Jiang Shishi’s head. “I’ll come back when I have time.”

Gu Zhao wasn’t just comforting them—he truly saw He Laozhang and Jiang Shishi as the first family he’d known in this world. Jiang Shishi was thoughtful and attentive, and she held him in high regard; inwardly, he had accepted her as a little sister.

Once he understood this world better and found his place in it, caring for He Laozhang’s family would be effortless.

The white fox stopped its squishing sounds.

Jiang Shishi didn’t lift her head.

He Laozhang licked his lips, gathered courage, and whispered, “Young Master Gu, though I don’t know where you come from, I can tell you’re of noble birth and humble in manner. To have stayed with us these days is our fortune.

If you must leave, it must be for something important—I dare not interfere. But you have no one trustworthy nearby to care for your daily needs. A maid to tend to you would make things easier.”

Jiang Shishi may be from the mountains, but she’s thoughtful and knows how to care for others. If you won’t reject her, take her with you—give her a meal, and spare her loneliness after I’m gone.”

“Grandfather!” Jiang Shishi suddenly looked up.

He Laozhang’s hands trembled slightly, but he still waved gently toward Jiang Shishi, his eyes fixed on Gu Zhao with hope.

Gu Zhao rubbed his head in exasperation—how could he take Jiang Shishi with him? He’d be spending the next week with his mother in Sichuan.

Not only would Jiang Shishi go mad, but his mother would probably lose her mind first.

So Gu Zhao could only refuse: “This is complicated—it’s not suitable to bring someone. Jiang Shishi wouldn’t be convenient with me.”

“And I’m not leaving forever—it’s not like I’m about to die,” Gu Zhao comforted.

“You’re coming back?” He Laozhang murmured, disappointed yet relieved.

Jiang Shishi lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly, then raised it again. Her eyes were slightly red, but she spoke earnestly: “Then I’ll wait for Young Master Gu to return. I’ll cook you more small dishes.”

“Good,” Gu Zhao nodded, rubbing her hair again.

…

That night, Gu Zhao stayed in the village and, under cover of darkness, practiced breathing and cultivation.

Jiang Shishi lay at the foot of the bed, curled under the covers, her body trembling slightly, yet making no sound.

He Laozhang leaned against the pillow, gazing at the moonlight, sighing: “Girl, stop thinking about him. Young Master Gu is a great person. To have spent a few days with us, to have saved you twice—that’s already our fortune. Don’t wish for more. Treat these days as a dream.”

Jiang Shishi’s muffled voice came from under the covers: “I know, Grandfather. And I don’t want to leave—I want to stay with you.”

He Laozhang chuckled. “I’m just an old man with bones ready to crumble—what do I need you for? I’ll only rest easy when you’re married off!”

Jiang Shishi curled tighter, silent.

He Laozhang licked his dry lips, silent too.

Night deepened. He Laozhang and Jiang Shishi gradually fell asleep. Only the white fox, who had been lying beside Jiang Shishi, suddenly shuddered, casting her a complex glance, then rested her head against Jiang Shishi’s ear and closed her eyes.

“Jiang Shishi! Jiang Shishi!”

Jiang Shishi faintly heard someone calling her: “Who? Who’s calling me?”

“It’s me!” The voice grew clearer, bright and pleasant.

“Who are you?” Jiang Shishi asked.

“I’ve been with you these past few days,” the voice chuckled. “Tell me—who am I?”

“Bai Ke?”

“Cough! I’ve named myself Bai Ke these past few days.”

“Bai Ke—what a beautiful name! Wait, you can talk now?”

“Fool, I’m speaking to you in your dream.”

“Then why didn’t you talk to me before?”

“Hmm… because I hadn’t made up my mind yet.”

“Made up your mind about what?”

“To form a soul-bond with you.”

“Soul-bond? What’s that?”

“It means our souls become one, cultivating together,” Bai Ke explained. “Only those with exceptionally compatible souls and spirits can form such a bond—spirits draw insight from human souls, and humans draw power from spirits.”

“What? Can I become a mage?” Jiang Shishi gasped.

“Our souls are perfectly matched—we’ll cultivate faster than anyone else. Maybe even faster than Gu Zhao!” Bai Ke tempted.

“Impossible!” Jiang Shishi shook her head. “And I don’t want to surpass him.”

Bai Ke rolled her eyes. “But then you can stay with him. You can walk the world together, live in harmony, and fly side by side.”

Jiang Shishi froze, stammering: “I… I’d be happy just to be his little maid…”

Bai Ke sighed softly: “A bed warmer, then?”

As she slept, Jiang Shishi’s cheeks flushed crimson, and she pressed herself closer to the white fox.

“Will you?”

“…Yes.”

The dream conversation ended. A surge of spiritual energy rose from the white fox, enveloping Jiang Shishi.