"What!!!!"
"So, this wedding dress she's wearing cost sixty taels!"
"Silly third brother, you've been swindled!"
"Sixty taels is enough for a family of several to eat for years!"
Ling Yao glared at him resentfully.
Apusongshi examined the copper coins again. Did the person just now hold up three fingers to indicate this kind of silver money?
"It's alright, third brother, hurry up and buy more things, and you'll naturally know how to use them."
Xiao Shan, who had overheard their conversation from behind, spoke up at the opportune moment.
He had gathered that this "third brother" seemed rather naive about the world.
Apusongshi heartily agreed with Xiao Shan's words and even patted him on the shoulder.
"You're right, my memory is incredibly sharp; I can remember anything after hearing it just once!"
Xiao Shan felt the weight on his shoulder. Before, he didn't know this person's background and only felt him to be unfathomable and terrifying.
Now, even with a cold expression and a poker face, he just felt… a bit foolish?
Had his own state of mind changed, or had he finally seen through the true nature of this "third brother"?
Apusongshi left the bedroom and, with another leap, scaled the wall and went out.
"Oh?"
Xue Niang followed behind, having witnessed the entire scene. She stomped her foot in exasperation.
She cared deeply for "third brother"...
"Alright, you'll understand in the future."
Xiao Shan pulled her into the room, placed his hands on her shoulders, and examined her closely again.
They were an old married couple, having shared countless intimate moments. She didn't fear his uninhibited caresses during their passion, but she dreaded this scorching gaze that could drown her.
Xue Niang's heart pounded, her breathing grew rapid. The passionate kiss from earlier had left her lips numb, and her face, having been thoroughly explored, was burning again.
She lowered her head, her forehead resting against his chest.
Now, it was truly just the two of them.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
Xiao Shan's voice was very soft, his lips brushing her head with a sense of cherishing.
Just thinking about it was painful.
The process of repairing her meridians must have been arduous as well, right?
Xue Niang knew what he was referring to after a moment's thought.
"It doesn't hurt. It was too fast; I lost consciousness before I could feel anything. You, on the other hand, must have been very distressed."
Xue Niang looked up at him, but his face was pressed firmly against her head, and she could only see his Adam's apple bobbing.
Could it be that he had cried again?
Xue Niang's stomach rumbled.
Oh dear, it seemed she got hungry as soon as she emerged from her cocoon!
Hearing the sound, Xiao Shan looked down at her stomach. A hint of red was still visible at the corner of his eyes. He hesitated before placing his hand on her abdomen.
"Are you… still eating a lot?"
"No! I'm completely, totally fine now! If you make a plate of egg pancakes, I'll be full." Ling Yao held up a finger. "Let's go, I'll help with the fire."
"Okay."
Xiao Shan let out a sigh of relief. The two of them, holding hands tightly, went to the kitchen.
Upon arriving at the kitchen, Xiao Shan had no intention of letting her lift a finger. Her exposed fair skin on her face and hands was as smooth as a peeled egg, truly like a newly hatched fairy.
Who would bear to let a little fairy do chores?
"Don't lift a finger. Be careful of splinters. Just sit nicely, and it'll be ready soon."
He settled her onto a stool and skillfully cracked eggs, then mixed in flour.
Fortunately, the villagers had sent over vegetables, including scallions and spinach.
Xue Niang surveyed the kitchen. Everything was brand new and complete, and all of it was of superior quality, making the kitchen seem a bit small. If there were two Xiao Shans, they would barely have room to turn around.
"Why did you get so many things?"
"It wasn't me who got them; it was your eldest brother. The villagers finished building the house, and he had no use for it, so he kept stuffing things into it."
Xiao Shan said this as he skillfully lit the fire and poured in oil.
Xue Niang thought for a moment, smiled faintly, and nodded slowly.
Her journey here hadn't been entirely without reward, nor was it all thorns. At least the people she had helped were grateful, and her eldest brother, Linglong, Qinghe… many people still remembered her.
What made her happiest, of course, was this man who was now cooking for her.
As Xiao Shan was pouring the egg mixture into the pan, Ling Yao stood up and hugged him from behind by the waist.
Xiao Shan's movements paused, the corners of his mouth twitched, and slowly, a smile began to form.
He felt once again that she was real, that she spoke to him, embraced him, and filled the void in his heart that had been empty for so long.
From this day forward, he would no longer toss and turn in bed at night, staring into space with open eyes.
Nor would he call out "Xue Niang" into an empty house and then remain lost in thought for a long time.
He would no longer wander this world in a soulless shell.
He, too, had come back to life.
He finished making the egg pancakes while being held like that from behind.
"Delicious."
Xue Niang ate with immense satisfaction.
Xiao Shan was even more satisfied watching her.
He had fantasized about this kind of life for a long time – doing her laundry and cooking her soup.
Today was a joyous occasion, and her bright red wedding dress was quite fitting.
Xiao Shan recalled Granny Hua's words and felt a peculiar sensation.
"After you finish eating, we'll go see Granny Hua."
Hmm? Xue Niang was puzzled but didn't ask further. She finished the egg pancakes in one go, and Xiao Shan was already taking a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.
"Are you still treating me like a daughter?"
Xiao Shan's gaze deepened, and his hand moved to her lips. "Didn't you feel anything else just now?"
She had felt it.
It wasn't like being treated as a daughter.
Xue Niang pursed her lips and lowered her head, her eyes fixed on his fingers.
"Are they not as rough anymore?" Xiao Shan whispered softly by her ear, "I apply sheep oil every day, afraid of scratching you."
Scratching her?
Xue Niang's face flushed, and she stared blankly at his fingers.
Xiao Shan cleared his throat. "No rush, we have plenty of time. Let's go see Granny Hua first."
He needed to ask "third brother" again if her body was truly alright.
He took her hand and helped her up to go out.
So obedient.
Like a shy young bride just married.
"Is third brother your real brother?" she asked casually.
"Huh? Yes! Yes!" Xue Niang nodded emphatically.
"Third brother's soul was hidden in the Golden Lotus, and he never gave up cultivating. When he emerged this time, he encountered someone with a missing soul and was drawn into this body. He's the only brother I have left, and I never expected him to survive."
"That's truly a blessing from heaven."
"Yes, yes!"
Xiao Shan smiled. He wasn't just referring to that; he was fortunate that at Xue Niang's moment of life and death, the Golden Lotus happened to emerge, and "third brother" appeared. The timing was just right, otherwise, the consequences...
It was truly a blessing from heaven.
He shivered.
That earth-shattering explosion felt like it happened yesterday; the mere thought of it sent chills down his spine.
"Are you cold?" Xue Niang frowned. "Could it be that your body isn't well?"
Xiao Shan glared at her. "That's because you exhausted me!"
Upon entering Granny Hua's house, Lu Qingsong was astonished. "Master, my mother was just mentioning..."
Saying the divine maiden had come to escort her.
Good heavens! This was indeed the living divine maiden, exactly like the portrait at home!
Xiao Shan was also puzzled. Granny Hua was such an ordinary old woman, how could she be so accurate, as if she could divine the future?
Granny Hua had asked her son to dress her in her burial clothes early that morning. Her face was peaceful, and her hair was neatly combed.
She had no illnesses or calamities, having passed away naturally from old age.
"Granny Hua... Xue Niang has come to see you."
Xue Niang crouched down and took Granny Hua's hand. This old woman had made her wedding ceremony more solemn and perfect.
She had always held her in high regard.
She hadn't expected that just as she returned, the old woman was about to leave this world.