Chapter 4.2 the Jinxiu Workshop
The Nüwa Temple in Shilipo was already deep into the night, but the people inside the temple had no sleepiness at all. In the city of Lin'an, the centipede demon had caused panic, and they had ended up here because of it.
When the four demons heard that Xiaoqing was going to fight the centipede demon, they all showed anxious expressions. "Older sister, you gave up the male body you were about to attain, and now you want to give up your five-hundred-year life too?" Dagu asked, plucking up the courage to speak.
Xiaoqing gritted her teeth and said, "If you're going to worry, worry about that centipede demon. It's time for me to take back my territory!"
Aro advised her, "You always run away if you can't beat your opponent. We think that's very correct, very self-aware."
The other three demons nodded in agreement.
Xiaoqing glared at them and said, "Although my cultivation is not as good as that of the centipede demon, I have a brain! I may not be able to beat it, but I can outsmart it!"
Aro asked, "How are you planning to outsmart it, older sister?"
Xiaoqing's eyes turned and she said, "Well...what are centipedes generally afraid of? Stupid! Chickens!"
Xiaoqing thought she had come up with a brilliant idea and immediately went out of the Nüwa Temple to find Bai Suzhen.
It was just getting light outside, and every household in Lin'an was still immersed in sleep. Xiaoqing and Bai Suzhen were lying on the roof, listening to the sounds around them.
After waiting all night, the two of them kept yawning and were about to fall asleep. Suddenly, a rooster crowed loudly, and the two immediately looked up, showing a look of joy. They saw a big rooster flapping its wings in the yard below. Xiaoqing went to catch the chicken but hesitated, looking at the rooster like it was a formidable enemy.
Bai Suzhen looked at her nervous expression and was a little puzzled. "Xiaoqing, go ahead and do it!"
Xiaoqing declined, "Let me observe it first..."
Bai Suzhen was perplexed, "What else is there to observe? Didn't you say that roosters are most sensitive to the aura of the centipede demon? The first rooster that crows at sunrise has the strongest yang energy. If we bring it along, we can find the centipede demon's nest, right? It's the one in the front, hurry up."
Xiaoqing shook her head, "You're the older sister, so...why don't you go first?"
Bai Suzhen smiled, "Are you afraid of chickens?"
Xiaoqing puffed out her chest, "Me, afraid of chickens? Impossible! Against these unenlightened creatures, I don't even need to use spells."
She couldn't take back her words, and with a frustrated look, she slowly walked towards the rooster. She tentatively pulled the transparent line, and seeing that the rooster was tied up and unable to move, she immediately became proud of herself.
Suddenly, a stern shout came from behind her, "I thought it was the chickens in this yard that were making noise all night, and it turns out it's thieves!"
Xu Jiaorong stood with her hands on her hips, looking at the two of them angrily. Bai Suzhen quickly turned around and said, "Sister, let me explain..."
Xu Jiaorong lifted the broom in her hand, "What's there to explain about catching thieves in the act?"
Xiaoqing became angry and said, "It's just a chicken! Why are you shouting like that?"
Xu Jiaorong was taken aback, "And you're still so arrogant as a thief! Do you know what my husband does? Wait here for me, husband!"
Xu Xian came out, adjusting his clothes, "Brother-in-law went to the yamen early in the morning...White young lady! Why are you here?"
Xu Xian walked over and immediately showed a look of surprise when he saw Bai Suzhen. Xu Jiaorong saw Xu Xian's expression and then looked at Bai Suzhen, realizing her beauty and gracefulness.
Xu Jiaorong was puzzled, "But why are you two in our yard, still holding onto our chicken?"
Xiaoqing butted in, "It's all because of this chicken. When it saw our young lady, it crowed and flapped around. I was afraid it would scare our young lady, so I picked it up temporarily..."
Xiaoqing finished speaking and coughed pointedly at Xu Xian.
Xu Jiaorong smiled awkwardly, "It's all just a misunderstanding. You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? If you don't mind, why not have some breakfast with us?"
Xu Xian looked at Bai Suzhen expectantly.
Xu Jiaorong saw her younger brother remaining silent and nudged him with her arm. "Don't stand there, help entertain Miss Bai."
Bai Suxian couldn't refuse again and she also had a request, so she nodded in agreement. Watching Xu Xian and Bai Suxian walk into the dining hall, Xu Jiaorong couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.
As the food was served, Xu Jiaorong warmly served dishes to Bai Suxian. Xu Xian said, "Try this oil Donger. These are only available in our Lin'an city, you can't taste them anywhere else."
Bai Suxian picked up a dish, put it in her mouth and smiled at him, "It tastes as good as the last time you cooked."
Xu Jiaorong's eyes lit up and she excitedly said, "Miss Bai has also tasted Hanwen's cooking?"
Bai Suxian nodded, "We cooked together and it was delicious. Dr. Xu also said that he would cook for me again when there is a chance."
Xu Xian coughed awkwardly, his face involuntarily blushing. Bai Suxian didn't think she said anything wrong and spoke freely.
Xu Jiaorong laughed with her mouth wide open and raised her eyebrows, "Hanwen doesn't often cook at home, so it's clear that he treats Miss Bai differently."
Bai Suxian smiled with curved eyebrows, "That's a coincidence. I also think that Dr. Xu is different from others."
Xiao Qing looked at Xu Xian's shy appearance and chewed a mouthful of food viciously, thinking that she disliked him more than others.
At this moment, Xu Xian's eyes couldn't see anyone else. He looked at Suxian with a gentle gaze and said, "Don't move." His body slowly leaned towards her.
As she watched his face getting closer, Bai Suxian suddenly became nervous and didn't know what to do.
Xu Xian reached out and picked a chicken feather from her temple, holding it out for her to see, "Your hair was stuck to this."
Bai Suxian blushed slightly and lowered her eyes, "Thank you."
Xu Jiaorong looked at the two of them and laughed with a deeper meaning, "Miss Bai isn't a local, right? I don't know where you live and who is currently at home?"
Xu Xian interrupted, "Sister, don't be like your husband, interrogating the suspect. It's impolite."
Xu Jiaorong knocked her chopsticks and said, "Don't interrupt, I'm just chatting with Miss Bai. Your and Xiao Qing's demeanor shows that you come from a distinguished family. I wonder what your family does?"
Bai Suxian looked at Xu Xian and then at Xu Jiaorong, not wanting to lie or deceive them. She didn't know how to speak for a moment.
Xiao Qing quickly spoke, "My lady is the daughter of the Bai family of Furong City in Sichuan. My master is an official and was appointed as the general town. Our Bai family has a great reputation locally."
After hearing Xiao Qing's fluent speech, Bai Suxian gave her a signal, but Xiao Qing continued speaking as if she hadn't seen it, "Unfortunately, my lord and lady passed away last year. My lady and I had no choice but to leave Sichuan and go to Lin'an to seek refuge with distant relatives. But after we arrived, we found out that they had already moved and we had to temporarily stay at Qingbo Gate."
After listening, Xu Jiaorong sighed, "Ah, it's so pitiful. Miss Bai, if you need any help in the future, just tell my Hanwen."
Thinking of her purpose today, Bai Suxian returned to the topic, "There is something that Suxian wants to ask Sister. Can Sister please let go of the rooster from this morning?"
Xu Jiaorong thought it was no big deal and generously said, "Let go, I'll do it for you."
Moments later, Bai Suxian was staring at a large bowl of chicken soup noodles in front of her, dumbfounded. Xu Jiaorong pushed the bowl and said enthusiastically, "This is the one you saw in our backyard this morning. It was freshly killed, so it's very fresh."
...Bai Suxian and Xiao Qing looked at each other, both holding their foreheads with a hopeless expression.