Cangshu Bai remembered correctly; Muran's monthly cycle arrived the next day.
She lay listlessly in bed, curled under the covers, feeling too unwell to get up.
Cangshu Bai sat by the bed, his large hand resting on her lower abdomen. The constant warmth it transmitted felt very comforting to Muran.
Hugging his arm, she blinked obediently, "Jinzhi, I'm fine. You should go to work at the clinic."
That's what she said, but the way she clung to his arm clearly showed she was reluctant to let him leave.
Cangshu Bai said, "It's fine to miss one day of work."
But Muran shook her head, "No, no, finding work isn't easy these days. You can't give your boss a bad impression, or what if he gives you a hard time later? Jinzhi, you need to learn more about workplace politics."
Cangshu Bai was long accustomed to her occasionally sprouting strange, unfamiliar terms. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against her temple, quietly feeling her body warmth.
What started as an innocent gesture took a turn when he saw the familiar fondness and admiration flicker in the girl's dark, glistening eyes. His gaze softened slightly, and taking advantage of their closeness, he kissed the corner of her lips.
"Ranran, you still feel a bit warm."
Suddenly, a heavier flow hit, and Muran curled her body, pushing him away with both hands. "Jinzhi, could you please keep your distance from me at times like this?"
The scent of blood around her grew stronger.
The young man's large hand on her abdomen slid down slightly. "It was just a kiss. How did that also get a reaction?"
Muran's face flushed crimson. She pushed his hand away and buried her face in the quilt.
She was just a bit more sensitive at this time, so what if she reacted easily to him?
They were, after all, a properly married couple.
Faintly, she seemed to hear a soft chuckle from him.
Cangshu Bai knew she was uncomfortable during this time and dared not tease her too much. After all, if she felt unwell or unhappy, it would be him who'd end up heartbroken and thinking of ways to cheer her up.
Not long after, a warm hot-water bottle was slipped under the covers. She hugged it against her stomach and felt the spirit stones embedded in it for sustained warmth, her heart aching slightly at the cost.
She often felt that her husband, who came from an ordinary background, was sometimes even more extravagant with money than she was.
"Alright, alright, I'm really fine now, Jinzhi. Please go to work."
Cangshu Bai asked, "Are you sure you're fine?"
Muran insisted repeatedly, "Absolutely fine."
Cangshu Bai sat quietly for a long while, until a hand slowly emerged from under the quilt and grasped his large hand.
He lowered his gaze, allowing her fingers to intertwine with his, their hands clasping tightly.
The girl's voice was muffled, "Jinzhi, I don't want to be a burden to you."
"You are not my burden."
"Then go to work. I can take care of myself. Before I married you, I lived alone just fine."
Cangshu Bai gently stroked her fingers. Finally, he relented, "What would you like to eat?"
"Mung bean cake."
Cangshu Bai said, "That's what I like to eat."
"I like what Jinzhi likes to eat."
After a moment of silence, a corner of the quilt was lifted, revealing most of her face.
Muran stared blankly as the young man leaning over came closer and closer, but he stopped just before his lips touched hers.
Cangshu Bai's dark eyes watched her for a long time. With one hand gently caressing her cheek, he said, "We'll continue after your monthly visit is over."
Muran: "..."
The next moment, she burrowed back under the quilt.
Cangshu Bai tucked the quilt snugly around her and patted her body gently through the covers. "Wait for me to come back."
As soon as he left, Muran immediately popped her head out from under the quilt. The blush on her face had faded considerably. Lifting her eyes, she spotted the clean menstrual pads already placed beside her, and her face began to feel warm again.
Sometimes, he really didn't need to be quite so attentive.
Butcher Fan was the only butcher in the village. Although he had an improper relationship with Mrs. Li, he was never lazy in his business—until recently. These days, he had become somewhat negligent. Villagers often saw him idling around, yet he spent money more lavishly than ever, telling everyone he had struck it rich.
When people asked how he got rich, he would just smile mysteriously and say nothing.
One day, while wandering aimlessly through the village again, he stopped outside a courtyard gate and couldn't help but stand on tiptoe to peer inside.
Aunt Wang from next door called out loudly, "Mangy Fan, what are you looking at there?"
Butcher Fan cleared his throat and lied through his teeth, "The young doctor bought some meat from me a while back and overpaid. I didn't have change then. Now that I have some small coins, I wanted to return the extra money to him."
"Well, come back another day then. The young doctor has gone out; he's not home right now."
Cangshu Bai went to work at the town clinic almost every day, so Butcher Fan naturally knew he wasn't home. That was precisely why he lingered, hoping to catch a few more glimpses of the beautiful young wife.
But with Aunt Wang watching him like a hawk from next door, Butcher Fan had no choice but to give up. Hunched over, he walked away reluctantly.
In a sour mood, Butcher Fan returned home. As soon as he closed the door, his face immediately broke into an obsequious smile. "Immortal Elder, I'm back."
An elderly man with a greying beard sat cross-legged on the platform. Dressed in white, he had an ethereal, otherworldly aura.
He opened his eyes. They were clear, deep, and bright like cold stars. His brow was broad, his long eyebrows reached his temples, and his complexion was pale and pure. Though sitting motionless, he exuded an air of transcendent detachment, as if untouched by worldly dust. One glance told you he was a man of cultivation, with a heart as steady as an abyss, a true recluse from the mundane world.
The old man smiled, "What news have you gathered today, my young friend?"
Butcher Fan said, "Many cultivators have arrived in the town. One of them is called Fairy Hongfu. They say she's as beautiful as the Fairy Hongling from the legends! Lots of people want to catch a glimpse of her to see if she's truly as stunningly beautiful as the rumors say!"
Butcher Fan smacked his lips. "I haven't seen that Fairy Hongfu, but I think when it comes to stunning beauty, Cangshu Bai's wife definitely counts as one. That little face, that slender waist, the way she walks is especially captivating, and her voice is as melodious as a nightingale's. It's a shame I can't even touch her hand."
The old man seemed oblivious to the greed in Butcher Fan's eyes. With a kind and benevolent expression, he asked, "You wish to touch that lady's hand?"
Butcher Fan desired far more than just her hand, but he didn't dare reveal his full desires in front of the Immortal Elder. Flustered, he said, "That's not what I meant! I was just lamenting how fortunate Cangshu Bai is."
"The love of beauty is common to all. Humans have seven emotions and six desires; it's perfectly natural." The old man produced a small medicine bottle and several spirit stones. "You and I are connected by fate, young friend. I will help you achieve your heart's desire, and you will do one thing for me in return. How does that sound?"
Dazzled by the spirit stones, Butcher Fan hastily took them, his face beaming with joy. "What does the Immortal Elder wish me to do? Just say the word!"
"At midnight, sprinkle the powder from this bottle into the village well."
Butcher Fan was taken aback. "This..."
The Immortal Elder smiled. "Don't worry. The vial contains a spiritual elixir that can help this small area generate a spiritual vein. With a spiritual vein, the people of the village will also benefit. For this old man, it is a meritorious deed and can also aid my cultivation. It's mutually beneficial. Why wouldn't you agree, young friend? Moreover, I was gravely injured, and it was you who saved me and brought me home. How could I repay kindness with malice?"
Butcher Fan felt the spirit stone in his hand, and a smile spread across his face once more. He nodded eagerly. "Alright, I'll do as you say, Immortal Elder."
