Shi Kai and Shi Yan listened to Mu Anxiao's question, their gazes shifting to Feng Qishi's face.
Feng Qishi glanced at them as well and asked back, "Why are you asking this?" She tilted her head up to look at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao: "..." She lowered her head and stared at Feng Qishi.
Seeing Mu Anxiao remain silent, Feng Qishi frowned slightly. "I'm asking you a question."
"..." Mu Anxiao took a deep breath and said, "How did you get to know them?" She looked at Shi Yan and Shi Kai, feeling a sudden lack of need to hide anything.
"You don't need to know that."
"Shen Moyun." Mu Anxiao's eyes widened.
Hearing the anger in Mu Anxiao's voice, Feng Qishi's eyes darkened. "This is my business, it has nothing to do with you."
"You..." Mu Anxiao uttered a word and once again thought of the young puppet. "Fine, if you don't want to say, then don't. I can investigate it myself." After speaking, she shifted her gaze to Shi Kai and Shi Yan.
As Mu Anxiao looked at them, Shi Kai and Shi Yan quickly lowered their heads.
Mu Anxiao narrowed her eyes.
Jia, seeing Feng Qishi's difficulty, said, "Shen Moyun, what's there to not talk about?" He decided to help Mu Anxiao.
Feng Qishi heard this and looked at Jia. "What business is it of yours here?"
"I didn't say it was my business, I just feel that since we're all quite familiar, some things should be clarified." Jia finished speaking and made sure to look at Shi Kai and Shi Yan.
Sensing Feng Qishi's reluctance to tell Mu Anxiao about the matter, Shi Kai and Shi Yan stood up out of respect for Feng Qishi and left in streaks of black light.
Mu Anxiao had only felt a sense of confusion and curiosity. She hadn't expected that before she could ask anything, Shi Yan and Shi Kai would become impatient and flee first. It seemed she could be even more certain that Feng Qishi's problem was indeed quite significant.
"..." She sat down, her gaze fixed on Feng Qishi's face.
After Shi Yan and Shi Kai left, Feng Qishi let out a sigh of relief and turned to look at Mu Anxiao with feigned composure. "Why are you looking at me again?"
"As expected, you've changed your identity, and now not a single word you say is true."
"You..."
"We are half-partners now, and you," Mu Anxiao frowned slightly, "completely disregard me. Fine, very good." She reached out and placed a hand on Feng Qishi's shoulder.
Feng Qishi's body stiffened, and she stared blankly at Mu Anxiao. "What exactly do you want?"
"If you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear," Mu Anxiao said with a smirk.
Seeing the strange expression on Mu Anxiao's face, Feng Qishi said, "What do I have to fear? I simply don't want to share my affairs with you, that's all."
Jia observed Feng Qishi and said, "Feng Qishi, you're being too distant by speaking like this. You must remember, your life was saved by her. In other words, without her, you wouldn't be here now."
Jia's memory of worldly affairs was vivid. He had always believed that Mu Anxiao had saved Feng Qishi from the Feng family. He had kept these words in his heart.
A year ago, when he had mentioned it to Mu Anxiao, she had flipped out, and he had promised Mu Anxiao that he would never mention it to Feng Qishi, as it was humiliating and a form of moral coercion.
But seeing Feng Qishi like this now, he truly couldn't hold back.
Mu Anxiao looked at Jia with surprise.
Jia’s gaze flickered.
Conversely, Feng Qishi let out a cold laugh. "It seems your memory is quite good."
"This is a display of gratitude," Jia said quietly.
Feng Qishi narrowed her eyes and turned to Mu Anxiao. "You think this too, don't you?"
"..." Mu Anxiao frowned slightly, surprised that Feng Qishi had turned the accusation onto her.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's slightly surprised expression, Feng Qishi continued, "It seems I've hit the mark. You always considered yourself my savior, didn't you?"
"What are you talking about?" Mu Anxiao was angry, her eyes fixed on Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi: "What am I talking about? He's just a spirit, and a child at that. What does he know?" She glared at Mu Anxiao. "It's clear you taught him to say these things."
"..." Mu Anxiao was caught off guard by Feng Qishi's sudden words, and she frowned tightly.
Feng Qishi: "No words? It seems I've hit the mark."
"Shen Moyun, are you sick?"
"There's no one else here, you can call me Feng Qishi." Feng Qishi said, glancing down at Mu Anxiao's hand, which was reaching out. "Keep pressing, I want to see if you can praise yourself to the heavens."
"..." Mu Anxiao let out a soft hum, unsure of what to say.
Jia had only spoken out of impulse, but it had led to Feng Qishi's suspicion. He suddenly felt nervous. "Feng Qishi, it's not what you think."
Hearing this, Feng Qishi slowly turned to Jia and said, "Mu Anxiao is a person who likes to take credit. No matter how much you speak for her, I won't believe it, so," her eyes were cold, "save your breath."
"These are my thoughts, it has nothing to do with her." Jia didn't want to see Feng Qishi and Mu Anxiao fall out like this, and he started to feel anxious.
Feng Qishi growled, "Stop talking."
Jia flinched and shifted his gaze to Mu Anxiao's face.
It felt like that year again.
At this moment, Mu Anxiao quietly looked at Feng Qishi's disbelief and gave a bitter smile. "Do you really think I'm someone who likes to take credit?"
"Aren't you?" Feng Qishi retorted.
Mu Anxiao's eyes darkened. "I know in my heart whether I am or not. Shen Moyun, I'll remember you." She pointed at Feng Qishi's face.
Seeing this, Feng Qishi immediately grabbed Mu Anxiao's finger and asked, "Remember what?"
"I remember your despicable face," Mu Anxiao said, pulling her finger away. "Let go."
"Mu Anxiao, people are..."
"Don't lecture me. I have a bad memory and don't remember saving you. Of course," Mu Anxiao interrupted, "if you think I told Jia, then think so. I don't care."
"..." Feng Qishi deliberately remained silent, lowering her head to stare at her hand holding Mu Anxiao's finger.
Mu Anxiao: "Let go."
Jia had heard about Mu Anxiao's past, so seeing her being wronged by Feng Qishi, he felt uncomfortable too. "These are my thoughts, it has nothing to do with her. Can you please stop targeting her, Feng Qishi?" He said, standing up on his chair.
Hearing this, Feng Qishi suddenly laughed.
Mu Anxiao was confused. "What are you laughing at?" she asked, and as Feng Qishi's grip loosened, she pulled her finger free.
Feng Qishi: "You're doing the right thing." After saying this, she realized she had been too unrestrained and her expression turned stern again.
Mu Anxiao was accustomed to Feng Qishi's fickle nature. "Are you sick? Playing such a childish game with me at a time like this?"
"The consorts in the palace like this. Remember not to admit it later." Feng Qishi suddenly began to lecture Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao scoffed. "Shen Moyun, what play are you putting on? Are you toying with me?"
"I'm just taking this opportunity to test you."
Feng Qishi had intended to divert Mu Anxiao's attention by changing her mood, but her acting was too convincing, almost to the point of being irreparable. Therefore, after Jia spoke, she brushed it off with a laugh to salvage the situation.
Although it was a bit abrupt, she thought it was better not to offend Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao: "You're really boring." She picked up her cup and took a sip of water.
"..." Feng Qishi deliberately ignored Mu Anxiao's words and turned to Jia opposite her, who looked relieved. "Your little head remembers things quite thoroughly."
"Mu Anxiao always told me not to talk about this with you, I..." Jia lowered his gaze. "I really had no choice."
"You kid are quite..."
"Even if you don't say it, I'll investigate your affairs." Mu Anxiao interrupted Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi paused upon hearing this and turned to Mu Anxiao. "I advise you to mind your own business."
"Now I understand," Mu Anxiao said calmly.
Feng Qishi frowned. "Understand what?"
"We have a common enemy." Mu Anxiao spoke plainly.
"I don't understand what you're talking about," Feng Qishi replied dismissively.
Mu Anxiao scoffed. "Whether you understand or not, it doesn't matter. I know you're having those two investigate the female demon soul, and that's enough."
"You..."
"I'm not interested in Shen Moyun's past, but if it concerns Feng Qishi," Mu Anxiao said deliberately, "then I will investigate it to the end."
"Mu Anxiao, I really don't understand what you're saying." Feng Qishi looked earnest.
Mu Anxiao sneered. "I didn't expect you to understand." She then stood up.
Seeing this, Feng Qishi was confused. "What are you going to do?"
"What else can I do? I'm leaving, so I don't have to hide if someone else comes looking for you later. It's too troublesome," Mu Anxiao said, looking at Jia, who had hopped off the chair. "Let's go find Mai Xia now."
Upon hearing Mu Anxiao's words, Jia exclaimed excitedly, "I really feel like she can see me."
"..." Mu Anxiao remained silent.
Just as Jia was about to speak, Feng Qishi suddenly stood up and made a "shushing" gesture.
Mu Anxiao and Jia immediately fell silent.
Feng Qishi glanced at the confused Jia and Mu Anxiao and whispered, "There's someone outside." She then walked towards the door, circling the table and chairs.
Mu Anxiao and Jia followed Feng Qishi's movements, their gazes fixed on the door.
At that moment, Feng Qishi stopped at the door, hesitated for a moment, then opened it a crack. Peeking through the gap, she asked in a probing tone, "Who's out there?"
Mu Anxiao and Jia tensed up.
"..." No one responded.
Hearing no response, Feng Qishi spoke again. "Who is out there? Answer, or else," she raised her hand, which glowed with blue light, "don't blame me for being rude."
Mu Anxiao, seeing Feng Qishi's nervous behavior, couldn't help but chuckle slyly.
Jia glanced at Mu Anxiao and walked up to Feng Qishi. "Why don't I go take a look?"
Feng Qishi looked down at Jia. "No, you can't go."
"You..." Jia was puzzled. "Why? Give me a reason."
"That's not a person outside," Feng Qishi stated simply.
Jia was taken aback. He sniffed the air and said, "There's no demonic energy."
"Precisely because there's no demonic energy, it's eerie," Feng Qishi said, pushing Jia's forehead with her hand. "Step back, don't move."
"Hey? You..."
"Don't move." Feng Qishi's gaze was firm.
Upon hearing this, Jia dared not act rashly.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao immediately stopped mocking Feng Qishi and her entire body tensed up.
Outside, it was silent, but to Feng Qishi, the silence was abnormal.
A gentle breeze blew, and the wind, seeping through the crack, ruffled Feng Qishi's hair. She lowered her gaze, sensing the situation outside deeply, and then casually opened the door.
Jia recoiled in fright.
Mu Anxiao stood by the table, her hands gripping the surface tightly, leaning forward to observe the situation. "Shen Moyun, what's going on? Is it a ghost? Or... a monster?"
"Don't move," Feng Qishi said, then suddenly rushed out of the room.
Mu Anxiao was stunned.
Jia turned to Mu Anxiao and asked, "Did you sense anything?"
Mu Anxiao shook her head, seeing that Jia had sensed nothing, just like her.
Jia swallowed and lowered his head. He inadvertently looked at a beam of blue light emerging from the ground and quickly said, "Look down."
"Look down..." Mu Anxiao had barely uttered the word when the door slammed shut.
Immediately, blue light shot out from the ground and enveloped Jia.
Mu Anxiao watched the scene unfolding before her, unharmed, and asked, "Who are you?" She looked around, feeling a growing sense of unease.
Outside.
Feng Qishi stood at the bottom of the steps, looking at the house surrounded by blue light, and called out, "Who are you?"
However, in the next second after Feng Qishi's shout, a hoarse female voice came from a certain direction. "I won't harm her, so shut up."
Hearing this, Feng Qishi reached out and gently touched the blue light in front of her, whispering, "You are not a monster, nor a demon soul."
"Who I am is not important. I want to say a few words to Mu Anxiao now." The female voice came again.
This time, Feng Qishi responded with silence.
Inside.
Mu Anxiao also heard the female voice and looked around again, asking, "Where are you?"
"..." No one responded.
Mu Anxiao suppressed her apprehension and continued, "I'm asking you, you..." Halfway through her sentence, she suddenly noticed... Jia's eyes were glowing with blue light. Thus, she tentatively asked, "Jia, what's wrong?"
Jia: "..." His eyes were vacant, and he took a step towards Mu Anxiao.
Sensing that something was amiss, Mu Anxiao asked again, "Who are you?"
Jia slightly tilted his head. "I am Jia, do you believe me?"
"..." Mu Anxiao was taken aback and shook her head slightly.