White Cat’s question was cautious, clearly still mindful of Jiang Zhiyu’s presence.
Wu Li gave a flat, faint smile. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”
Seeing him refuse without any room for discussion, White Cat had no choice but to turn to the other. “Little Xiaomi, what do you think…”
Chai Xiaomi’s stance was even more resolute. “I don’t think it’s necessary either. Old Ji, some secrets should stay buried forever.”
Jiang Runchuan had no idea he had a biological son out in the world, but even if he found out, how would he face it—this child was not born of his true love? More importantly, the decade-long bond between him and Jiang Zhiyu was real, built up bit by bit, a chasm Wu Li could never cross. Watching Jiang Zhiyu and his father being close and familiar would only make him feel more like an outsider, more bitter.
Wu Li didn’t want to acknowledge the kinship, and she respected his decision.
White Cat sighed and didn’t push further, instead changing the subject. “In that case, you two go to Jingming Terrace. I’ll return later as well.”
“Wu Li, there are still plenty of spells I haven’t taught you yet.”
Wu Li asked, “Mimi, do you want to go to Jingming Terrace?”
Chai Xiaomi was still turning the plot over in her mind. “Let me think about it for a bit.”
White Cat: “…”
Fine, fine. Newlyweds always want to travel and enjoy the scenery first. It wouldn’t hurt if they returned to Jingming Terrace later.
Only one thing troubled White Cat. He reminded Wu Li once more, “By the way, remember this: from now on, under no circumstances should you take another life—whether human or demon. Although your curse has been lifted, your killing aura remains. If you take one more life, you will fall into an abyss of no return.”
“Do you understand what your master is saying?”
Wu Li, though picking at her ear, answered obediently, “Understood.”
The storyline would naturally bring the main group back together, so this departure wasn’t really a farewell.
Chai Xiaomi pulled a brand-new teaser wand from behind her back and handed it to White Cat. “Old Ji, the old fly whisk looked worn-out. I promised you before that I’d make you a prettier one. See? This one’s not bad, right?”
The hawk, back to its original size, let out an innocent cry from a tree branch. After White Cat’s spiritual power ran out, Ah Nan’s beast form had also disappeared.
But White Cat didn’t notice the bird’s call. He was instantly captivated by the new whisk, taking it eagerly in his paws, turning it over and over.
Knowing that Chai Xiaomi and Wu Li wouldn’t be going with them, the melancholy in Jiang Zhiyu’s eyes deepened. Still, he made himself smile, forcing out a little grin, his deeply ingrained manners and upbringing compelling him to say goodbye with dignity even in his sorrow.
“If you can’t smile, then don’t.”
The young man’s icy remark startled Jiang Zhiyu.
“That smile is worse than crying.”
Jiang Zhiyu unconsciously touched his face. He had always cared about his appearance and demeanor, keeping himself dashing and charming. But being called out like this now, he didn’t even feel that bad. Since Yaoyao left, he had suddenly realized that looking handsome didn’t really matter anymore.
Chai Xiaomi, without making a scene, gently jabbed the person beside her with her elbow.
"Brother Yu," she said, stepping forward and looking at him earnestly. "This isn't a goodbye. We're just taking different paths for now. You head back to Feather Feather Territory, and we'll take care of our own matters. You said earlier you had a strong feeling that our story together had only just begun—right? That means fate has only started to unfold."
She crinkled her eyes, her tone turning light. "By the time we meet again, don't let me catch you still with those puffy eyes."
Jiang Zhiyu paused, his eyes stinging again.
But this time, he didn't cry. He just nodded firmly.
"Alright."
He looked at her. "Take care, Xiaomi."
Then his gaze shifted to the figure standing nearby with arms crossed. He hesitated, his voice softening, laced with a cautious hope:
"Take care... Junior Brother."
The word stung as it left his mouth. Jiang Zhiyu had no real expectations.
In the past, Wu Li would only coldly ignore him, not even sparing a glance.
But he said it anyway.
To his surprise, the young man lazily raised his eyelids, shot him a sidelong look, and curved his lips into a faint smirk.
"Hope I don't see you falling too far behind next time."
A pause, then he added two words, almost like a reluctant gift:
"Senior Brother."
"Naturally. I'll train twice as hard when I return—I won't let you outshine me." Jiang Zhiyu's gloomy mood lifted considerably. With a sharp shwiip, he snapped open his folding fan and began fanning briskly.
Whether to cool himself down or to whisk away the dampness in his eyes—only he knew.
Not until the human figure and the white cat had completely vanished from sight did the young man slowly retract his gaze. He turned his head to look at the girl beside him.
"Mimi, you said one 'Senior Brother' equals a whole day of kissing. Time to cash in."
Chai Xiaomi blinked with an innocent look. "Huh? Did I? I don't remember saying that."
She took a step back as she spoke. "A whole day of kissing—my lips would be swollen. Only an idiot would agree to that."
Then, as if nothing had happened, she turned and started to walk away.
In the next second, the world was flipped upside down.
Everything spun as she was scooped up by the waist and thrown over someone's shoulder.
"Stinky Lili!" Chai Xiaomi kicked her legs wildly, pounding her fists against his back. "Put me down! Ahhh!"
"Oh, so you were tricking me."
Wu Li remained unmoved. He hoisted her as he walked, spinning in circles like a circus act, feigning anger. "Still going to lie to people?"
"No more lying, no more lying!" Chai Xiaomi clung tightly to his clothes, terrified she'd slip off. "Put me down now—I'm gonna puke!"
"Puke on me, and you're washing it."
"Wu Li!!!"
The young man's lips curved into a smirk. He finally stopped spinning but didn't set her down. Instead, he adjusted her position with a little bounce and continued carrying her.
"Fine, I'll let you off this once."
Chai Xiaomi, hanging upside down, rolled her eyes.
Let me off? I'm still being carried, aren't I!
The wind blew past, carrying the cool scent of the lake and grass. She quietly tightened her grip on the corner of his clothes.
Whatever.
If he wants to carry me, let him.
I didn't feel like walking anyway.
The ground swayed before her eyes. Chai Xiaomi dangled from Wu Li's shoulder, staring blankly at the dirt and weeds receding beneath them.
And then, the scene before her suddenly shifted.
No more grass and stones—instead, there was a billowing cloud of dust kicked up by thousands of iron hooves.
It was the climax from the original story.
The barbarian horde had returned, invading Liangya once again.
Because this was an important scene near the ending, she remembered it very clearly. According to the timeline in the book, this all happened while Song Yueyao was on her way back to the capital.
Chai Xiaomi suddenly snapped back to reality and tugged at the silver ornaments in Wu Li's hair.
"Lili, put me down. I need to talk to you about something serious."
Wu Li raised an eyebrow and set her down.
Chai Xiaomi steadied herself, brushed the dust off her skirt, and looked up at him. "I've made up my mind. Let's go to the capital."
"Oh?"
"Sister Yao left quietly, so we'll follow quietly," she said with a wink. "But we absolutely cannot let her find out."
Knowing Song Yueyao's temper, if she discovered they were secretly trailing her into dangerous territory, she would surely scold them severely.
Wu Li said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
"There's a war in Liangya," Chai Xiaomi's expression turned serious. "The barbarian tribes are charging in with fierce momentum. They have homemade cannon shells with immense power. In just one month, they've captured five cities in a row."
"Liangya Prefecture has no general capable of bearing the burden. They're retreating in defeat, and the barbarians are charging straight in."
She paused. "By the time Sister Yao steps into the imperial city, Song Hu will already be discussing surrender with his ministers."
Youtiao instantly went ballistic in her mind: 「Stop! Stop right there! Host, if you keep talking, your identity will be exposed! Hurry up and make up an excuse to brush it off, quick, quick, quick!」
Chai Xiaomi soothed him: 「Relax, I've already drafted a cover story.」
"Mimi, how did you come to know about things that haven't happened yet?" Wu Li suddenly bent down, bringing his eyes level with hers, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Could it be—"
"You know how to tell fortunes?"
Youtiao was dumbfounded: 「??? Why is he offering you a way out on his own?」
Chai Xiaomi: 「Unbelievable. He stole my line.」
She froze for a moment. This was the flimsy excuse she had prepared, yet Wu Li had said it first. She had no choice but to grit her teeth and go along: "Uh, I know a little about reading the celestial hexagrams."
"Oh? So my wife has been hiding her talents all along." He tilted his head slightly, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on her with an unreadable expression. "Then can you divine where your true hometown is? Tell me, let me hear it."
Chai Xiaomi's heart skipped a beat.
"If you can't say it, I'll have to use the Bamboo Gentleman to test whether this fortune-telling business of yours is real or fake."
What a calculating man.
He had blocked all her escape routes.
Youtiao was still screaming alarms in her mind: 「Host, you cannot reveal real information! Otherwise it's a violation, violation, violation! Important things said three times!!」
Chai Xiaomi gritted her molars and answered softly, "Gusu."
"Hmm?" He leaned in closer.
"Gusu," she met his gaze. "My real home is in Gusu City."
Chai Xiaomi silently applauded herself in her mind: 「How about that? I used an ancient place name, so it shouldn't count as leaking modern information, right?」
Youtiao: 「...You got me there.」
