The special thing about the demon race’s alcohol was that drunkards who drank it wouldn’t get headaches when they got sober. And taking into account Shu Yu’s strong constitution, it wasn’t very likely for her to get defeated by drunkenness, but, after she sobered up, she felt that her head hurt to the point it could explode.
It was because she could oh so clearly remember what she did after becoming a drunkard last night.
She simply didn’t have the face to look at anyone. Who the hell was that person who regressed into a 3-year-old brat and was inches away from just hugging Fu Wang’s thigh and behaving in a spoiled manner!? Who was that!?
As a drunkard, how come she didn’t forget everything from last night after waking up? She could even remember every single expression on Fu Wang’s face.
Not only wrapping her arms around Fu Wang’s neck as she nagged him into getting her some newlyweds’ wedding veil, but also insisting on watching him dance, and after that she even made him carry her to the top of the trees to look at stars. She also dragged him around and through several stalls to buy all kinds of food, but she would only eat a bite or two and feed the rest to him; and he had to eat it all. Then when they went back, she even almost jumped from the bridge to lay on the lake. And after she was carried to the inn by Fu Wang, she wouldn’t let go of the stone frog at their door and even said she’d bring the frog to sleep. In the end, Fu Wang had to promise he would sing and coax her to sleep for her to go to their room.
On the entire way she was so full of energy. She has probably never been as rowdy and bratty in her life before. She has, obviously, always been a very well-behaved child, so really, this was all because Fu Wang pampered her too much. Once drunk people had someone willing to coax them, they’d easily continue climbing up and explode into fireworks at any second, not ceasing until they caused a huge ruckus.
That’s why, last night, there were many demon kin who witnessed her behaving in a spoiled manner.
Shu Yu could only be grateful that she and Fu Wang were in disguise and hadn’t shown their faces.
But, but, even after she raised so much hell last night, surprisingly enough not only did Fu Wang not get angry, but he also pampered her like a small child from beginning to end. From his happy and warm expression, he was even all-too pleased to do it.
Could Fu Wang, possibly, have become an M?1M for Masochist.
However, it was much easier to cajole him than she had imagined. Shu Yu remembered how last night she was mostly behaving in a spoiled manner and cry-pretending, and he would be “Alright alright alright”, not showing any principles or standards at all, he didn’t look anything like when he was teaching her with a slightly stern disposition.
Shu Yu began to consider learning to behave in a cute and spoiled manner, just in case there was something she didn’t want to do and could afford not to do in the future; who knew, maybe it could miraculously work! However, she was used to being uptight, so if it was on such sudden notice, she really couldn’t learn the kind of shamelessness it’d take to act cute and make a fuss.
“Xiao-Yu, you are awake? Come eat something.” Fu Wang pushed open the door and saw Shu Yu, who had been laying like the dead on the bed with a troubled expression, suddenly roll herself into the quilt and cover herself up.
She felt embarrassed. Her expression has been changing constantly ever since she woke up.
Fu Wang put some snacks on the table and approached the bed, he pulled back the quilt and then snuzzled Shu Yu’s head. “Let’s tidy yourself up, we have to change locations.”
According to their plans, they could not stay in one place for too long, and moreover with Shu Yu’s rowdiness last night, there were probably many people on the streets that could recognize these faces now. In any case, it was safer to move to a different location and change appearances.
Shu Yu covered her head while sitting up, her mouth was chewing two mini-meatballs. She saw Fu Wang preparing their new disguises and couldn’t help but ask, “I caused trouble, didn’t I?”
Fu Wang didn’t follow up on her question. He smiled unconcernedly as he turned his head to her, and inquired warmly, “Will Xiao-Yu accompany me for another drink tonight?”
Shu Yu: “… No.” You don’t think I’m difficult enough to deal with when I’m drunk? Or do you want to see me acting cute that much?
Suddenly, Shu Yu felt a slight hint of concern. Fu Wang seemed to prefer the version of her who acted cute, was she perhaps usually a bit boring? Not only did she not have any interesting hobbies, when chatting it was also Fu Wang who looked for topics that would coincide with her interests. She was never a funny person, always dull and stuffy, and she’d easily get shy and refuse to elaborate or let go of any reservations.
Could Fu Wang perhaps dislike the current her? As Shu Yu thought of this, she subconsciously recalled some time ago when Fu Wang turned into a little ray of sunshine, and how he often asked her if she preferred his current form. Thinking about it, were perhaps his feelings at the time like hers right now?
To even be jealous of oneself, as expected of someone in love.
“What are you thinking about?” Fu Wang saw she was thinking of something, his eyebrows quirked, and he couldn’t help asking her.
Shu Yu returned to her senses and shook her head. “Nothing.” After that, she remembered her whiny tone from last night and the way Fu Wang would melt several degrees after hearing her voice, so she rigidly tacked on the end, “…la.”2-了啦, Shu Yu’s attempt to act cute by adding this to the end of her words/sentence. Can’t quite know how to translate this part.
“Did you not rest enough? If so, should we rest another day here?”
“There’s no need… la.” Shu Yu tacked on the last word with great difficulty. She secretly wondered if this tone of voice was better than the last one; perhaps men preferred this?
“Pff.” Fu Wang was bemused. When he saw her squirming expression, he got up and rubbed her head, “You don’t need to speak like that, I only wish for Xiao-Yu to be happy by my side. Whether they’re troublesome or anything else, I will gladly endure anything as long as you’re always with me.”
The two of them changed into new disguises in the afternoon and left Dayan City, moving deeper into the swamps towards Dazhao City. This time, Fu Wang didn’t choose to stay at an inn nor find a place far away from other people outside the city, instead, he found a civilian residence in the outer area within the city. The demons living there were all low-rank demons, it was not a chaotic place where half-demons and other mixed demons roamed and caused disorder, and it was very far from the aristocratic area where high-rank demons gathered; the demon kin who settle here were those who wished to live peaceful lives.
These demons were no different from the commoners who live in the human world. All of them have their own lives, families had their daily routines, and they all lived their days as peaceful as could be.
Fu Wang and Shu Yu hid their auras, their appearances were concealed into looking average, and they introduced themselves as a married Snake couple who came here to settle down. Their new home was one that was at the entrance of Lihua Harbor; it was a small courtyard surrounded by white walls, with three rooms and a small well in the middle of it.
Shu Yu loved the pear tree in the corner of the courtyard the most. It was in full bloom, forming a cluster of snow-white crowding on the branches above them.
The climate of the demon race was different depending on the location. Previously, it was hotter in Dayan City, but it got a bit colder as they approached Dazhao City, somewhat like the chill during springtime. Shu Yu was not cold, but in order to conform to their current personas —— low-rank demon kin from the Snake Clan, she still wore fur-trimmed clothes that Fu Wang prepared.
While Fu Wang arranged some formations in the small courtyard, Shu Yu sat and watched from the side for a while, and then she casually started tidying up some weeds and gravel around the courtyard. After she was done, she went to clean the rooms for a bit.
When she came out, Fu Wang was already bringing out plates of food from the kitchen and setting them under the porch that was being blocked from the wind with a bamboo curtain. Soup was being stewed on a stove, gurgling and bubbling hot steam, and there were also a few small dishes; its aroma wafted straight into one’s nose. Next to it, there was a small pot of wine.
“It’s a fruit wine I specifically looked to exchange for, it’s non-alcoholic. Did you not say you liked this flavor last night?” Fu Wang poured a small cup for her. Shu Yu gave it a taste, and indeed, it wasn’t like wine at all, but more like juice; sweet and sour and so very delicious, as well as very appetizing.
Shu Yu drank bits of the wine and ate the dishes, from time to time she talked about trivial things with Fu Wang, and before she realized it the sky had gotten dark.
After cleaning up, the two laid on their new home’s bed, looking at each other. Then they embraced and shuffled together. A red candle outside the room burnt itself out, and it was then that the ruckus inside the room caused by the two quieted down. Only the low and deep voice of a man could be vaguely heard, saying, “You’re sleeping, just like that?” And then the woman’s slightly troubled and yielding voice said, “If it’s inside just leave it.” Then the man’s voice chuckled softly, content. Then, there was no more movement, only silence.
During the day, Fu Wang acted the part of a hardworking husband, carrying his medicinal box on his back in a refined and serene manner as left. He said he was going out to dig for information, so Shu Yu stayed at home to practice her swordsmanship. But she didn’t get a few moves in before hearing the knocking sounds of the courtyard entrance.
Fu Wang had set up formations on the courtyard. The two of them could come and go as they pleased without the need to knock on the doors, other people couldn’t get in even if they tried to force the door open. That’s why it wasn’t Fu Wang who returned. But who would come at this time? They didn’t know anyone here.
Shu Yu was on alert as she opened the door and saw a delicate woman in a green shirt standing outside the door, smiling kindly at her.
“I am from across the street, my name is He Su’er, you’re the ones who moved here yesterday, right? I saw you husband and wife yesterday, but I did not have the heart to interrupt seeing as you two were busy. My husband and I have been living here in Lihua Harbor for three years, we will be neighbors from here on, so you two can come and ask me anything you are curious about, since you two are new here.” This neighbor who introduced herself as He Su’er looked cheerful and gracious, with a hint of spunk and brightness of a Big Sis living in the city3市井, literally translated it’s City’s Well, however it can also be understood as simply city, and calling it a way of life is “life of a city person” and saying someone is 市井人 is saying they’re a city person. Someone well-off, confident, outgoing, like a city girl.. Moreover, she was not from the Snake Clan, but of the Spirit Clan.
“Hello, my name is Xiao Shu,” Shu Yu said, taking a step back and inviting her in.
He Su’er took a look at the courtyard and then laughed. “Your yard is too empty; it wouldn’t be a bad idea to plant some greenery. Even in the case you don’t want to plant vegetables, finding some random flowers or grass to plant would be better than this desolate look, it doesn’t look like you’re living your lives well. If you want to start planting, I have quite a lot of vegetable and flower seeds. I’m from the Spirit Clan, so I’m very experienced with this sort of thing.”
This big sister He Su’er was very enthusiastic. Shu Yu, someone who wasn’t very good at interacting with others, could not get a single word of refusal out, thus in a swoop she was dragged into the opposite home as a guest. Compared to He Su’er’s vibrant yard with many vegetables, flowers, grass and trees, their courtyard could truly only be regarded as desolate.
Shu Yu fell in love after wandering around He Su’er’s little yard only once. The grapevine trellis were covered in green shades; a cluster of bamboo stalks were growing in a corner of the yard, forming a fake rockery; the vegetable beds were arranged neatly and delightfully; besides a road made of small rocks were flowers in full bloom, their fragrance delicate and fresh; and there was also a tree of unknown species which was blossoming huge flowers, its branches even stretched outside their walls, it was something Shu Yu had noticed before and thought that the flowers looked very lovely. She especially loved the old tank that was set underneath the house’s eaves. There were two small red fish being raised in it with a few lotus leaves, making for an interesting sight.
He Su’er was a young lady who knew how to live out her days. She ushered Shu Yu in and generously gifted her several flower and vegetable seeds, and even said she could help her plant them tomorrow. Her words and actions showed her happiness at having a new neighbor and someone to chat with in the future.
Perhaps it was because she was suffocating from not having had anyone to talk with, or perhaps it was because she naturally loved to talk, but from the moment Shu Yu was dragged into a conversation with her, she has not been able to get in many words because it was He Su’er who chattered while she listened. As the conversation went on, Shu Yu came to learn the basic structure of how this young lady from the Spirit Clan and her lover – a Snake – Xiao Mo fell in love and, together, left their homes to start a new life here.
“After Xiao Mo married me, I have treated him very well. He looks like he isn’t good with words and doesn’t like smiling and is huge, so he might look scary, but he’s actually a very shy person. Right now, he went out to buy some things for me, when he comes back in a bit you mustn’t get scared of him.” Although He Su’er’s words were similar to complaints, in actuality her face was full of smiles; it was clear that her days were being lived in great happiness.
“Alas, Xiao Mo has so many good traits, but he eats vinegar so easily, it’s because I pampered him too much, so unreasonable!” He Su’er poked at miss boring calabash4闷葫芦, stuffed/boring calabash or gourd, refers to someone who is hard to decipher or understand, and also don’t like to speak much. Shu Yu and winked and waggled her eyebrows. “Between you and your husband, who married whom?”
Shu Yu recalled Fu Wang’s words from when she had gotten drunk and couldn’t help but show a smile as she said, “He married me.”
“Then your man is like mine. You see, about our family’s Xiao Mo, he looks very strong but he just couldn’t beat me! Seeing how sweetly you are smiling, Shu Yu, you must be newlyweds, right? I saw your man’s skinny build; since he has married you, you must make sure to protect him, however you can’t spoil him too much either.”
Skinny build? Black lines hung down the sides of Shu Yu’s head. Fu Wang’s body was the standard for body builds, where exactly did he look skinny? However, as He Su’er’s husband Xiao Mo finally came back, only then did Shu Yu realize that He Su’er’s reference was a problem at its root. In her eyes the normal body build was that of Xiao Mo’s, whose body was all muscles; when he stood to his full height it was like a whole tall and stocky mini-mountain.
He Su’er was a nice young lady who knew how to strike up conversations. Even if Shu Yu had learnt to be more cautious, she had a naturally open heart, and soon enough she began chatting with her. Because for a long time she’s only had Fu Wang to speak with, and she had the rare chance to chat with another, Shu Yu’s chatterbox opened and couldn’t be reigned back, so she talked with He Su’er for a long while. It was for so long that the massive block, Xiao Mo, was squatting to the side and staring at her full of resentment.
Indeed, as He Su’er had said, this was a guy who liked to drink his vinegar.
Just as she thought this, He Su’er’s door was knocked on by someone. Xiao Mo went to answer the door and came back while leading a Fu Wang who had a ‘kind’ smile plastered all over his face.
It was then that Shu Yu realized that unbeknownst to her, the sky had already turned dark. Fu Wang probably couldn’t find her at home and somehow found his way here. Shu Yu forgot to leave a note at home, and she hadn’t expected she would stay here for so long either; Fu Wang probably searched for her for quite a while. As she thought of this, she gave him a people-pleasing smile.
Fu Wang politely thanked He Su’er and her husband and led Shu Yu back to their own house.
“Next time you go out, leave a note for me. I get anxious when I don’t see you at home.”
“Okay, I will remember next time!” Shu Yu promised. Seeing that Fu Wang wasn’t angry, she hooked her finger to his and said, “He Su’er’s house is really beautiful~”
Fu Wang understood her meaning right away. He said, “Tomorrow I won’t go out, I will stay to fix up the yard, we will renovate it into whatever Xiao-Yu wishes.”
Contrary to him, Shu Yu started to hesitate. “But, we won’t stay here for very long, will it be too problematic?”
“If Xiao Yu wishes, we can stay for a while longer.” Fu Wang touched her cheek.
Hearing this, Shu Yu became happy. She hugged his waist and snuggled to him a bit, and said in a mumble, “Fu Wang, you’re so sweet.”
Chapter Description: Living out their days.
Author’s Note:
WHY. ARE. YOU. ALL. MAKING. WARNING. SIGNS! 【Overall it’s not time yet, I feel that I can’t write that in within five chapters, anyways I’m trying my best.】
Translator’s Note: This author is famous for her fluffy and indulgent love stories, but well, some of her characters do go through quite some fucked up things, as you’ve seen in some past chapters about the Fox Clan. There’s also another of her works in novelupdates about a protagonist and her love interest the batshit insane grandmaster. I’m honestly surprised Jinjiang didn’t lock some of her stories with how “strict” they’re about corruption due to fiction.
![Flying Dust [Fei Chen]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/9k.png "Flying Dust [Fei Chen]")
