Chapter 33: Long Time No See

Childhood sweethearts?

What does this have to do with anything!

If living in the same town counts as childhood sweethearts just because we had some contact as kids, then everyone my age in half the town would be my childhood sweetheart.

I turned over to explain to Liu Junyan, but as soon as I moved, I heard him hiss and suck in a breath of cold air.

I immediately sat up, turned on the light, and started lifting his clothes to examine his body.

Last time, to take me out to get my natal magic artifact, I don't know what price he paid; he didn't say, but I know in my heart he must be badly hurt.

During this period he has been cultivating in the black coffin; tonight he can come out, largely thanks to the three-legged bronze cauldron.

Liu Junyan didn't expect me to attack as soon as I got up; he tried to block, but I still saw it.

The skin below his neck is extraordinarily tender, like it had just been cut and only just regrown.

Because it's so tender, not fully healed yet, some spots break at a touch, oozing blood.

In the moment I was stunned, Liu Junyan had already tidied his clothes: "Xiao Jiu, don't overthink it… I've just reached the Molting Stage."

I opened my mouth to expose his lie, but I couldn't bring myself to.

This "molting" is probably the price he paid.

As for the extent of his internal injuries, I don't know.

I can only shrink my body as much as possible, avoiding contact with him so he won't feel pain.

Liu Junyan, however, reached out and pulled me into his embrace, asking: "Xiao Jiu, do you really want to cooperate with the Bai Family?"

"Mm." I said, "The Bai Family has extended an olive branch to me, and I have agreed."

Liu Junyan worried: "Aren't you afraid this is a trap?"

"I'm afraid, but I have no choice; I must take this step." I said solemnly, "He who fears loss will never catch the wolf; I'll make all preparations."

"Make preparations?" Liu Junyan asked, "Whether it's the Bai Family, Chen Ping, or Zhao Zixun, none are easy for you to handle; if they join forces, you have no chance of survival."

I shook my head and said, "When the time comes, I'll bring the Língchí Blade and Fu Wan's letter; these two might come in handy at a critical moment."

I made this decision after careful thought.

I am more aware than anyone of the danger involved.

But since the Bai Family has set its sights on me, no matter how I hide, I will eventually fall into their hands.

I might as well take the initiative.

If the Bai Family is truly sincere in cooperating with me, that would be best.

If the Bai Family plays tricks, I can only look for a breakthrough in Zhao Zixun to achieve a dog‑eats‑dog effect, surviving from the cracks.

The Língchí Blade belongs to Zhao Zixun and is also feared by the Bai Family.

And Fu Wan's letter is a last‑ditch effort.

My intention, Liu Junyan certainly understands.

He took my hand and slowly traced on my palm: "This is a Lightning‑attracting Talisman I created myself; its power is immense, but the backlash is also fierce. I give it to you—practice well, and in a dire moment it might protect you."

I studied it carefully and memorized it wholeheartedly.

Once I fully mastered the technique, all that remained was to practice more these days.

Since childhood I've learned to draw talismans from my grandmother, knowing well that talisman script must be done in one breath.

Without internal power to bolster it, proficiency is the essence of talisman drawing.

After Liu Junyan finished teaching, his large hand rested on my back, sending streams of true qi into my body.

I struggled to refuse, but his current condition doesn't allow him to do this.

But how could I defy Liu Junyan?

In the end, unable to resist, I could only submit.

I urged, "Liu Junyan, this adventure is my own choice; even if things don't turn out well, I won't let you, as before, bear heavenly punishment to save me—did you hear me?"

My tone was unprecedentedly domineering.

At this point, I couldn't care less about anything else.

Liu Junyan said nothing, just buried his face in the crook of my shoulder, his whole body exuding a sense of defeat.

I know he feels bad about not being able to protect me outside the pawnshop, but being stuck in the pawnshop isn't something he can control.

He has already paid too much to suppress the unclean things in the pawnshop.

After holding each other for a while, Liu Junyan returned to the black coffin.

Two peaceful days passed, and the National Day holiday officially arrived.

On the first day of the holiday, Tang Tang appeared at the pawnshop's entrance.

She stood on the steps, her bright phoenix eyes scanning like a scanner, taking in everything within her gaze.

I went out to meet her, and Tang Tang kept clicking her tongue: "Amazing, Junior Sister, your business is amazing!"

I replied helplessly, "Senior Sister, you're joking—it's just a pile of stalls."

I knew she was coming, so I had prepared food in advance.

But she couldn't sit still; after a few bites she went to the Nan Shu Fang, poking here, looking there, then pointing at the few curios I'd shown her before and asking whether I should make a move.

I pointed out a few items; she took careful photos, then tapped furiously on the screen, and told me, "I've already posted them in my contacts group, Junior Sister—just wait for the money to come in."

I gave a thumbs‑up like a lackey: "I knew you had connections, Senior Sister—if anything good comes up, I'll still ask you to help me sell it."

Tang Tang raised an eyebrow, patted her chest, and said, "Leave it to me."

We were chatting happily when Bái Jīngmò arrived.

He carried a few local specialties, saying friends had sent them over for me to try.

As his words fell, Tang Tang suddenly exclaimed, "Is… is that Doctor Bai Bái Jīngmò?"

Bái Jīngmò then noticed Tang Tang and was also pleased: "Miss Tang, long time no see."

"Safe and sound." Tang Tang smiled, her eyes crinkling, "I never expected to see Doctor Bai here again with Junior Sister—what a pleasant surprise."

Bai Jingmo said, "I grew up with Xiao Jiu since childhood; we get along very well."

……

Tang Tang seemed particularly fond of Bai Jingmo; the two stood at the counter, chatting back and forth for a long while.

Later, only after someone from the Bai family urged him did Bai Jingmo set down his things and leave.

Tang Tang rushed out past the threshold and waved at Bai Jingmo: "Doctor Bai, I've been staying with Junior Sister these days; come by when you have time."

Bai Jingmo gave a slight nod: "Sure."

Watching Tang Tang's eager manner, I secretly wondered how I could subtly remind her about the Bai family's background.

But before I could speak, Tang Tang watched Bai Jingmo walk away, turned, came over, leaned in, and lowered her voice to ask: "Junior Sister, is your relationship with Bai Jingmo really that good?"

"Not really." I hesitated and said, "When I was young, he treated my grandmother's illness; I'm quite grateful for that."

Tang Tang immediately said, "That happened years ago; you don't need to dwell on it, Junior Sister—you should be wary of this Bai Jingmo."

Huh?

I exclaimed in surprise, "Then just now..."

Frankly speaking, Tang Tang's gaze at Bai Jingmo just now was shining, completely that of a little fangirl of Bai Jingmo.

How did she turn on him in the blink of an eye?

Tang Tang answered quite bluntly: "Just now? I was pretending."