Master Jin could finally urinate again, but after holding it in for so long, he suffered lasting effects—the Song Family's nine-generation single-line inheritance would undoubtedly end with him.
The tranquility of Canghaizhou was restored, and it was time for everyone to go their separate ways. They didn’t even have time for a farewell meal, merely exchanging a casual "see you if fate allows" before the Dao Brothers Trio and the Murong Siblings hurried off. Su Lingxi was also dragged away by Wuya for the return journey.
The little green snake resumed its role as the carriage driver, perched atop the horse’s head, swaying proudly with an air of importance.
Chu'he had always felt this snake was somewhat intelligent, but then again, considering how extraordinary Ninth was, it made sense that even the snake he raised would be remarkable!
Watching the horse and the little green snake get along so well, Chu'he leaned against the carriage door, stroking her chin. "Since the horse and Little Green are such good friends now, why don’t we give the horse a name too?"
The young man beside her gave a soft "Mm" in response.
Chu'he racked her brain, pondering carefully for a moment. "Little Green is the eldest in our family, so this horse will be the second—and the only horse we have…"
"I’ve got it!" Her eyes lit up. "Let’s call it Erwei (Second Unique) Horse!"
She turned to Ninth. "How’s that for a name?"
Ninth nodded and gave another "Mm."
Chu'he cheerfully announced to the horse, "From now on, your name is Erwei!"
The horse, as if understanding, let out a spirited neigh, its tail swishing happily. The little green snake seemed equally delighted by the naming, tapping the horse’s head several times with the tip of its tail.
In high spirits, Chu'he unfolded a recently purchased map, muttering to herself, "The quickest route passes through a place called Wutong Village, and then we’ll reach Yangcheng!"
Ninth responded with yet another absentminded "Mm."
Finally noticing something amiss, Chu'he put the map away and looked up at him curiously. "What’s going on with you lately? You seem so distracted."
Ninth’s gaze was distant, clearly lost in thought. Just as he was about to reflexively utter another "Mm," Chu'he nudged him.
"What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Snapping out of his daze, Ninth curved his lips into a smile. "No, not at all."
"Then why do you keep ignoring me when I talk to you?"
This had never happened before. If they weren’t practically glued together at all times, Chu'he might have suspected he’d fallen for someone else.
A flicker of guilt crossed Ninth’s face, but he masked it well with a smile. "I’m not ignoring you, Chu'he. My stomach just still hurts a little."
Remembering her ongoing menstrual cycle and how she’d just snapped at him, Chu'he’s righteous indignation deflated into remorse.
Eager to make amends, she inched closer, adopting a deliberately delicate demeanor. Ninth, already accustomed to her antics, opened his arms, watching as she nestled into his embrace—chest to chest, gaze locked with his.
Chu'he twirled a strand of his silver-white hair around her finger, her voice softening. "It’s all my fault for making Ninth suffer. From now on, I’ll take better care of myself so you won’t have to endure this pain."
"Seeing you in pain hurts me too."
"Because you’re my favorite person in the world."
She buried her face in the crook of his neck, her warm breath tickling his skin.
Often, Chu'he didn’t need to do or say much. Just a simple "You’re my favorite person" was enough to melt the defenses of this boy from distant lands. The wariness and detachment in his eyes would dissolve like thin ice under the sun, softening into something tender.
But today, their usual embrace felt different to Ninth.
Especially when Chu'he pressed against him—unlike his firm chest, hers was soft. He knew, not just from the pleasant friction, but from the thought that cupping them in his hands would feel even better.
"Ninth…" Chu'he wanted to talk more, but suddenly, his hands pushed her away.
Ninth: "I’m tired. I need to rest."
With that, he hastily retreated into the carriage, shutting the door behind him and leaving Chu'he standing in the gust of wind that followed.
Curled up on the soft cushions inside, Ninth’s heart pounded wildly. Glancing cautiously at the shadow outside the door, he carefully pulled out a book from his robes.
He couldn’t read—only look at the pictures.
Out of the entire book, there were only four or five illustrated pages, yet he’d secretly revisited them again and again. Just imagining himself and Chu'he in those scenes made his ears burn and his body tense with unfamiliar heat.
Ninth didn’t know what an "erotic book" was. He only vaguely sensed that letting the girl he liked see him with such a thing would be wrong.
Outside, her concerned voice called, "Ninth, are you asleep already?"
"I’m asleep," he replied.
Chu'he: "…"
He turned his back to the door, curling his tall frame into a ball as he hunched over the book, flipping another page in secret.
His eyes gleamed with a strange, feverish light.
—If only he could understand the words.
Ninth’s teenage heart was hard to decipher. He hadn’t been this odd before.
But Chu'he quickly rationalized it: hormonal fluctuations made women emotionally volatile during their periods. Since Ninth was shouldering her discomfort, his mood must be affected too!
The realization filled her with self-reproach.
How awful of her!
To make him suffer so much for her sake!
And yet, all of this only proved how deeply he loved her.
By dusk, Ninth’s flushed face hadn’t cooled when he quietly opened the carriage door—only to be met with Chu'he throwing herself into his arms.
"Ninth, I promise I’ll treat you better from now on!"
Ninth blinked in confusion.
Night fell, and a mist rose along the ancient road. At its end, the boundary marker for "Wutong Village" finally came into view. Venturing further, the fog thinned slightly, revealing scattered houses with flickering lights. A distant clamor suggested a gathering ahead.
Chu'he wanted to pay for lodging, but every house was empty—likely everyone was at the gathering. She asked, "Ninth, should we go see what’s happening?"
"If you want to, then let’s go."
Ninth laced his fingers with hers, leaning lazily against the carriage door. His eyes and lips seemed redder than usual, his entire body exuding a languid, almost decadent allure.
The uncharacteristically provocative aura he radiated, combined with the way he smiled at Chu'he, made him seem like a soul-stealing enchantress.
Surrounded by this strange, intoxicating energy, Chu'he felt her dopamine and oxytocin levels spike. She swallowed hard. "What exactly were you doing in there earlier?"
Ever since emerging from the carriage, he’d been burning up.
Ninth stiffened. "I was just sleeping. I didn’t do anything. Those… improper things—I wouldn’t do them."
Imitating her in doing the things a "craftsman" would do for him—is this something to be spoken of so casually?
