Chapter 6 Eating the Noodle Man

Early the next morning, Jiu Jiu went out to play with her new friend, Little Oriole. Since they were both children, they naturally shared certain interests and hit it off right away.  

Meanwhile, Su Qing and Mu Qing Shi had no choice but to brave yesterday’s lingering awkwardness and step out together—all because Jiu Jiu had demanded a dough figurine made to look exactly like Mu Qing Shi.  

Jiu Jiu had insisted that Mu Qing Shi alone couldn’t see his own likeness and wouldn’t know if the figurine resembled him, so someone else had to be there for reference. Su Qing, ever indulgent toward Jiu Jiu, had no choice but to agree.  

And so, the two walked side by side in silence.  

The streets were crowded, the flow of people surging like a tide. A single misstep could easily separate them—something Su Qing secretly wished for.  

But Mu Qing Shi was far too clever. He discreetly marked Su Qing’s back with a sign only he could recognize, ensuring that even if she wandered to the ends of the earth, he’d never lose her.  

Thus, when Mu Qing Shi found her for the twentieth time, Su Qing grew suspicious—yet she couldn’t figure out why.  

After all, she didn’t have eyes on her back.  

Mu Qing Shi was simply too cunning.  

Finally, they found an old goat in the Demon Market who crafted dough figurines. After confirming the price was reasonable, Su Qing spoke up, “Sir, could you make one in the likeness of this gentleman?”  

The old goat studied Mu Qing Shi and chuckled, “Of course, but this young master’s features are extraordinary, his bearing refined. I fear my humble skills may fail to capture his ethereal grace.”  

Mu Qing Shi was amused.  

“You flatter me, sir!”  

Though he said so, he couldn’t help feeling pleased by the praise—especially since Su Qing, after hearing it, stared at him for a long moment, as if verifying the statement’s accuracy.  

“As long as you’re willing to try, the rest doesn’t matter,” Su Qing said.  

A glint of amusement flashed in the old goat’s eyes as he glanced at Mu Qing Shi. “The young master doesn’t mind?”  

Mu Qing Shi smiled. “Feel free, sir. It’s no trouble at all.”  

With that, the old goat set to work.  

Mu Qing Shi’s attire was simple—a vibrant green robe, white boots, and jet-black hair. With no more than four colors in total, the preparation wasn’t difficult. The real challenge was his face.  

Several times during the process, even the skilled old goat felt dissatisfied, unable to pinpoint what was missing. No matter how he shaped it, the likeness just wasn’t right.  

Seeing his struggle and mindful of the time—Jiu Jiu would soon return to the inn—Su Qing suggested, “Sir, perhaps if you change the eyebrows to a woman’s Dai Green and the eyes to Zī Color, it might turn out better.”  

The old goat’s eyes lit up with realization. Now he understood—the young master’s eyes weren’t pure black, but a shade deeper than black, tinged faintly with purple. No wonder something had felt off.  

It seemed this young lady knew the green-robed gentleman quite well.  

Listening to Su Qing, Mu Qing Shi couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. If she noticed such details, surely a trace of him lingered in her heart.  

But it wasn’t enough.  

Mu Qing Shi fanned the flames. “Miss Su Qing observes me so closely.”  

The woman’s expression froze. She had indeed studied him after the old goat’s remark—only to have it turned against her.  

Su Qing bristled slightly. “With looks like yours, you must be used to such attention. Why mock me for it?”

Angry?

Mu Qing Shi smiled faintly. It was good that she showed some temper—otherwise, with that perpetually serene expression of hers, he might have genuinely wondered if he was just asking for trouble!

“Qing Shi overstepped!”

It was meant as an apology, but in truth, he was pleased. At least she had emotions.

Su Qing glanced at him but said nothing.

When Old Goat handed the dough figurine to Su Qing, she froze for a moment. Though not a perfect likeness, it was eighty percent accurate—remarkable given the small size and crude craftsmanship. Moreover, this was a demon learning from humans.

“Thank you, sir!” Su Qing handed a Gold Button to Old Goat, then took the figurine and headed toward the inn.

Mu Qing Shi followed behind, his smile dazzling.

By the time Su Qing and Mu Qing Shi reached the inn, Jiu Jiu was already eating. Spotting them, she immediately waved. “Over here!”

The two walked over.

Once seated, Su Qing handed the dough figurine to Jiu Jiu. “Your Qing Shi gege.”

Expecting her to admire it, they were taken aback when she popped the figurine into her mouth instead.

Mu Qing Shi was both exasperated and amused. “What kind of logic is that?”

Jiu Jiu took a sip of tea to wash it down, then grinned. “Jiu Jiu wants to eat Qing Shi gege so that when he’s not around, I can still talk to him in my belly! Otherwise, Jiu Jiu would be so lonely!”

Su Qing had no idea where she got such strange ideas. Slowly, she said, “Isn’t there still Little Oriole?”

Mu Qing Shi also found her reasoning flawed. “And doesn’t your Su Qing gugu always stay with you?”

Seeing their skepticism, Jiu Jiu lifted her chin and declared brightly, “It’s different!”

“How so?” Su Qing asked.

Mu Qing Shi suddenly realized—when had this little girl developed such independent thoughts? He chuckled. “Do tell!”

Wiping grease from her lips, Jiu Jiu explained methodically: “Su Qing gugu is very kind to me, but Jiu Jiu always feels there’s a distance between us. I want to cross it, but I can’t find the way. Little Oriole plays with me, but she’ll go home in a few days, and I don’t know if we’ll meet again. But Qing Shi gege is different. He teaches Jiu Jiu to read, makes delicious food for me, and most importantly, he makes me laugh. Though I’m happy with Su Qing gugu too, she’s always so serious—sometimes Jiu Jiu is actually a little scared!”

Su Qing and Mu Qing Shi were both stunned. When had this child, who used to only act silly or throw tantrums, developed such nuanced thoughts? Was this good or bad?

Mu Qing Shi looked at Jiu Jiu’s proud expression and smiled. “Jiu Jiu makes a good point, but your Su Qing gugu just isn’t talkative. She’s not really stern.”

Su Qing shot him a glare at this, then added, “If I were stern, your Qing Shi gege wouldn’t even be here right now.”

Jiu Jiu pouted, catching Su Qing’s displeased expression from the corner of her eye. She swallowed whatever she was about to say and fled in a hurry.

Mu Qing Shi watched Su Qing, visibly irritated but unable to vent, and his eyes sparkled with amusement. He knew she wasn’t truly angry at Jiu Jiu—she was mad at him for “corrupting” a good child. But Jiu Jiu had a mind of her own. How could she be swayed so easily by a few words from him?

Only at this moment did he become certain that the aloof woman before him was not one to conceal her emotions. Hence, he developed a new hobby—watching her get angry.

When she was angry, she neither frowned nor raised her brows. She simply wore a stern, displeased expression that, despite being devoid of any obvious emotion, somehow conveyed everything.

Mu Qing Shi smiled, and it was a faint, enigmatic smile.

“Has the young lady’s anger subsided?”

Su Qing looked at Mu Qing Shi’s utterly indifferent demeanor and couldn’t be bothered to argue.

“What a pity for that dough figurine!”

With that, she turned and left.

Mu Qing Shi was astute, and Su Qing was no less perceptive. She knew he would understand the implication—that he was less likable than a mere dough figurine.

But Mu Qing Shi didn’t see it that way. Dislike was the beginning of affection. It was a good omen. After all these years, there was finally hope. He ought to be pleased.