Chapter 6

Joy Union Powder, still a specialty drug of the Union Sect, would rob anyone who took it—regardless of gender—of their rationality, reducing them to slaves of desire. It was the most despicable and shameless of drugs. Though the Union Sect wasn’t exactly a righteous sect, they too scorned using such means to coerce their Cauldrons, and had long since banned it.

Xiao Xihe stared gravely at the drug in her hand, unable to ignore the smear of red on her fingertip.

If she used the Joy Union Powder, given Xie Zhaixing’s ruthless and arrogant nature, he’d probably want to tear her limb from limb once he regained his senses… But it didn’t matter. As long as she left before he woke up, she’d be safe.

According to the plot, Xie Zhaixing was supposed to remain sealed in Shady Valley for another thirty years. If she could escape, she’d at least have three decades of good life ahead. Even if he later broke the seal and left this place, he might not be able to find her.

After all, her face and identity were both fake now. Once she left Shady Valley, she and Xie Zhaixing would be complete strangers.

It was either use the drug or wait for death—might as well take the gamble. Xiao Xihe took a deep breath, deciding there was no need to hesitate further. Clutching the drug packet, she sat stiffly in the tent for a long time. Only as evening approached did she finally take it to prepare dinner.

Tonight, she made four dishes and a soup, filling the small table.

After setting down the rice, Xie Zhaixing emerged slowly from the depths of the forest. He scrutinized the unusually lavish spread before remarking ambiguously, “You’ve put in effort today.”

“…I always put in effort,” Xiao Xihe forced a smile. “Sit down, it’ll get cold.”

Xie Zhaixing suddenly looked at her, his dark, star-like eyes flashing with sharpness.

Xiao Xihe shivered under his gaze, her throat suddenly dry. “W-what’s wrong?”

Xie Zhaixing remained expressionless and simply took his seat at the table.

Xiao Xihe exhaled silently and sat across from him. “There’s a bit more food tonight, but it’s fine if we can’t finish it. Tomorrow morning, we can toss it all together with some sweet potato noodles for a hearty stew.”

She looked at him expectantly.

But Xie Zhaixing made no move to pick up his chopsticks.

“Demon Lord?” Xiao Xihe asked, puzzled.

Xie Zhaixing merely stared at the dishes.

Xiao Xihe grew nervous. “…Aren’t you going to eat?”

“Stir-fried chicken, pork ribs with yam, leek and eggs, steamed pumpkin,” Xie Zhaixing’s gaze swept over each dish, his voice devoid of inflection. “Which one did you put the drug in?”

Boom—

Xiao Xihe’s mind went blank, as if struck by an explosion.

After a long pause, she managed, “I-I don’t know what you mean…”

Xiao Zhaixing watched her panic with a hint of mockery. “Idiot.”

His expression turned icy. “Get out of Shady Valley within fifteen minutes, or else…”

He didn’t finish, as if even threatening her was beneath him. But the killing intent and irritation radiating from him filled in the unspoken words.

Xiao Xihe swallowed hard. Seeing him about to leave, she grabbed his sleeve. “I didn’t drug it!”

Xie Zhaixing looked at her hand with disgust. “Let go.”

But Xiao Xihe tightened her grip. With one hand clutching his sleeve, she used the other to grab chopsticks, quickly picking up food from every dish and stuffing it into her mouth until her cheeks bulged.

“I really didn’t drug it…” Xiao Xihe struggled to swallow.

Xie Zhaixing frowned slightly.

Xiao Xihe quickly pulled out a medicine packet from her sleeve: “I did consider drugging you, but I gave up on the idea soon after.”

With that, she threw the medicine to the ground and stomped on it fiercely until the powder dissolved into the damp air. Then she looked at Xie Zhaixing with utmost sincerity.

Xie Zhaixing stared at her for a long time before expressionlessly brushing her hand away.

Xiao Xihe obediently sat still.

“Why did you give up?” Xie Zhaixing asked indifferently.

Xiao Xihe licked her dry lips: “It didn’t feel right. You’re so proud—if I forced myself on you… you’d definitely hate me forever.”

Xie Zhaixing raised an eyebrow slightly: “Just that?”

Xiao Xihe gave a bitter smile: “Mostly, I couldn’t get past my own conscience.”

No matter how many righteous justifications she piled onto it, in the real world, this would land her on a crime documentary. After years of education, she simply couldn’t bring herself to do something so despicable.

Xie Zhaixing studied her for a long moment before suddenly pressing a hand to her forehead.

Xiao Xihe blinked in confusion: “What are you doing?”

“Checking if you’re lying,” Xie Zhaixing said casually.

Xiao Xihe twitched her lips, trying to keep a straight face.

Xie Zhaixing’s gaze flickered. After a glance, he withdrew his hand.

Xiao Xihe looked at him oddly: “…Done?”

“Mn.”

“Was I lying?”

“No,” Xie Zhaixing replied, the oppressive air around him easing considerably.

“Pfft—” Xiao Xihe held back for a while but eventually burst out laughing. “You really put on a good act.”

All his cultivation was sealed by Shady Valley—even if he knew mind-reading techniques, he couldn’t use them now. He was probably just bluffing with that serious act. She had meant to play along, but it was just too funny.

“What were you thinking, knowing you have no cultivation left…” Xiao Xihe rubbed her face, trying not to laugh too hard.

Xie Zhaixing gave her a lazy glance before picking up his chopsticks again.

Xiao Xihe exhaled lightly and cheerfully placed a piece of spare rib on his plate: “I boiled it in ice water—it’s very tender… By the way, how did you know I planned to drug you? Did you peek outside my tent?”

Xie Zhaixing tasted the rib, his expression softening further: “No.”

“Then how did you know?” Xiao Xihe was genuinely curious.

Xie Zhaixing smirked: “If I want to know something in this world, I will.”

…Yeah, right. Xiao Xihe suppressed a scoff and met his gaze with a flattering smile: “A gentleman judges actions, not intentions. Even if I had wicked thoughts, I didn’t act on them. Don’t be mad—these dishes are all nourishing and should be good for your health. I came up with this menu just for you.”

Xie Zhaixing studied her eager expression for a moment before reluctantly conceding: “Don’t let it happen again.”

“Deal!” Xiao Xihe agreed happily.

A faint curve touched Xie Zhaixing’s lips.

Fifteen minutes later.

“You actually didn’t trust me.” Xiao Xihe sniffled.

Xie Zhaixing: “…”

“I’ve been so good to you, going out of my way to cook delicious meals for you every day, and yet you don’t trust me,” Xiao Xihe wiped away nonexistent tears at the corner of her eye, her face full of sorrow as she accused, “Although I thought about drugging you, I didn’t do it. What does that mean? It means I’m essentially a good person, but you don’t trust me. You came here with a bad attitude and threw a tantrum right away. Don’t you think you’re being too harsh?”

Xie Zhaixing: “So?”

“Compensate me a little,” Xiao Xihe leaned forward.

“Dual cultivation is out of the question,” Xie Zhaixing refused outright.

“Oh…” Xiao Xihe was disappointed for three seconds before resuming her lament, “Seems like you haven’t reflected at all!”

“You were the one who was wrong first. Why should I reflect?” Xie Zhaixing retorted.

Oh… Xiao Xihe faltered for a moment before accusing, “I’ve cooked for you for so long. You should at least cherish our past relationship a little, right? But you didn’t even ask and just convicted me outright, even calling me an idiot…”

Xiao Xihe had originally just wanted to evoke some guilt in him, but the more she spoke, the angrier she got. “You don’t even know my name!”

Xie Zhaixing remained expressionless: “Don’t push your luck.”

“Oh…” He was still unmoved, and Xiao Xihe was too tired to be disappointed anymore.

The two sat in silence, eating quietly.

After a while, Xie Zhaixing asked, “What’s your name?”

“…Jiaojiao,” Xiao Xihe didn’t expect him to actually ask and quickly made one up.

Xie Zhaixing glanced at her: “The name doesn’t suit you.”

“Oh.”

By the time the meal ended, it was completely dark. Deep in the woods, faint fireflies flickered, their movements like scattered stars gradually converging into a flowing river of light. Xie Zhaixing, unusually, didn’t leave immediately but remained seated across from Xiao Xihe.

Xiao Xihe stared at the sight for a long time and sighed, “So beautiful.”

Xie Zhaixing looked up, uninterested: “Just an ordinary scene.”

“For someone like me, it’s extraordinary,” Xiao Xihe smiled before suddenly cheering and rushing toward the fireflies.

The fireflies scattered in alarm as she laughed, leaping and running through the woods like the freest spirit, ready to merge with nature at any moment.

Xie Zhaixing watched her quietly, his fingers tapping idly on his knee.

Xiao Xihe played in the woods for a long time. When she returned to the stream, the other person was already gone. She sighed and resignedly washed all the pots and dishes before lying down in her tent, feeling an unusual sense of peace.

From the moment she gave up on drugging him, she had accepted her fate. No matter what, having thirty more days of healthy life was already her luck. Some things were better left unforced.

Xiao Xihe exhaled softly and closed her eyes, falling peacefully asleep.

The sun rose and set, and in the blink of an eye, the final day arrived.

Early in the morning, before dawn, Xiao Xihe got up, tied her hair into a simple ponytail, and started cooking.

When the familiar aroma drifted over, Xie Zhaixing slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the dark blue sky above, and closed them again.

Fifteen minutes later, he still appeared by the stream.

Xie Zhaixing looked at the freshly fried dough sticks and sugar cakes, his eyebrows slightly raised.

“You’re here?” Xiao Xihe waved cheerfully. “Eat quickly—they’re just out of the pan. The sugar cake filling is hot, so have the dough stick first.”

Xie Zhaixing took a dough stick and took a small bite.

*Crunch.* The crispy golden crust shattered in his mouth, releasing a rich, milky fragrance.

“It’s made with milk,” Xiao Xihe explained proactively, then brought out another basin of dough.

Xie Zhaixing was silent for a moment: “You’re making more?”

“Ah… yes, I want to make extra to store in the Cosmos Sack,” Xiao Xihe said with a smile as she looked at him. “You know today is my last day, and time is running short. I want to make as much as possible for you to keep, so you can have it whenever you want in the future.”

Xie Zhaixing quietly stared into her eyes.

After a long pause, he spoke: “That whole speech just now was meant to soften my heart, wasn’t it?”

“…Yes.” Xiao Xihe, still scheming, admitted.

Xie Zhaixing narrowed his long eyes: “Hmph—”