Back when Li Xuan lived alone in the old Li family residence, he would always prepare his meals punctually for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But ever since Chu Qingyi moved in, he noticed she didn't have the habit of eating breakfast. Instead, she preferred to sit quietly alone, savoring the fresh morning air.
Over time, to accommodate Chu Qingyi's habits, Li Xuan also stopped preparing breakfast.
In the blink of an eye, several more hours passed. Xiao Xiyue had fully awakened from her slumber and, after freshening up, sat in the courtyard chatting and laughing with Chu Qingyi.
Li Mo had also tidied his clothes and was busy in the kitchen alongside Li Xuan.
Although he mostly did rough and tiring tasks within the sect and had little skill in cooking, he was diligent and quick-handed, able to assist Li Xuan effectively.
As they worked, both occasionally stood on tiptoe to glance into the courtyard.
"If only time could stand still at this moment," Li Mo sighed, gazing at Xiao Xiyue's joyful expression in the courtyard.
He had spent some time with Xiao Xiyue, but within the sect, she always played the role of the aloof senior sister. He had never seen her radiate such bright, innocent smiles as she did now. Her previous cold demeanor had been replaced by warmth and purity, and just a glance was enough to draw him in completely.
"Then why not stay a few more days?" Li Xuan suggested, stirring the pot with a spatula while glancing at Li Mo.
"I wish I could, but circumstances won't allow it," Li Mo sighed again.
"Why wouldn't they? My home is your home. You can stay as long as you like," Li Xuan said generously, assuming Li Mo felt it was inconvenient to stay longer.
"Brother, you don't understand. We came here on a mission. If the fairy doesn't complete it soon, there could be serious consequences," Li Mo said with a worried expression.
Hearing this, Li Xuan didn't press further, silently feeling sorry for him.
While the two men prepared lunch, Chu Qingyi and Xiao Xiyue reminisced about amusing childhood memories, chatting back and forth and occasionally bursting into clear, melodious laughter.
At this moment, they completely forgot all their previous worries, lost in the joy of the moment.
The blazing sun hung high in the sky, and the midday heat of summer was always oppressive. Waves of heat seemed to float in the air, making anyone under the sun feel restless.
The aroma of the food swirled in the kitchen, drifting through the cracks in the doors and windows and into the courtyard, tantalizing the appetites of the two fairies chatting outside.
"It smells amazing," Xiao Xiyue said, sniffing the air.
"Don't let his ordinary appearance fool you—his cooking is truly exceptional. I guarantee you'll want more after just one taste," Chu Qingyi confidently assured her.
"Really?" Xiao Xiyue asked skeptically. Her palate was quite discerning, and back in the sect, she had gone through a long list of chefs in the small kitchen, none of whom could satisfy her refined tastes.
Most of the time, she chose not to eat, as cultivators at their level no longer needed food to sustain their bodies.
They only ate occasionally to indulge their cravings.
"Don't worry. You know how picky my appetite is, but I've never grown tired of his cooking," Chu Qingyi said with full confidence.
Although she didn't have much fondness for Li Xuan as a person, she had to admit that his culinary skills were truly remarkable, having completely won over her taste buds.
As soon as the words were spoken, Li Xuan called out for the two to join the meal.
The two fairies gracefully took their seats at the table, with Li Xuan and Li Mo sitting beside them, their faces filled with anticipation.
Xiao Xiyue looked at the table full of dishes, each one appealing in color, aroma, and flavor. At first glance, they seemed no different from what her previous chefs had prepared—perhaps even slightly lacking.
But when she picked up a piece of braised pork and placed it in her mouth, she immediately glanced at Li Xuan in disbelief.
Though the taste could not be described as extraordinary, it suited her palate perfectly.
"Mother mentioned before that you, Immortal, prefer sweet and spicy flavors, so I prepared some dishes according to your taste. If you don't like them, I can make something else," Li Xuan said sheepishly, scratching his head, afraid that Xiao Xiyue might not enjoy the meal.
After all, he had put so much effort into preparing lunch not just to please Xiao Xiyue, but more importantly, to earn Chu Qingyi's gratitude.
"No need, it's delicious," Xiao Xiyue replied calmly.
Hearing her affirmation, Li Xuan finally felt relieved.
"If it's good, have more," Chu Qingyi warmly urged Xiao Xiyue.
The four of them sat around the table, chatting and laughing, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
After the meal, Xiao Xiyue rested briefly before rising to bid farewell to Chu Qingyi.
Seeing her determined expression, Chu Qingyi knew that no matter how reluctant she felt, it wouldn't be right to keep her longer, especially since Xiao Xiyue had important matters to attend to.
After offering a few words of advice, Chu Qingyi watched reluctantly as Xiao Xiyue and Li Mo disappeared into the distance before turning back into the courtyard.
The lively atmosphere from earlier vanished instantly, leaving only her and Li Xuan in the old Li family residence.
An inexplicable sadness spread in her heart, and the cheerful smile on her delicate face was replaced by a thick layer of melancholy.
"Sigh…" she let out an involuntary sigh.
Sensing her mood, Li Xuan knew she was saddened by Xiao Xiyue's departure. His heart ached for her, but for a moment, he didn't know how to comfort her, so he simply sat quietly beside her.
"Thank you for today, for going to such lengths to prepare such a lavish lunch," Chu Qingyi said, emerging from her daze and offering Li Xuan a faint smile.
"No need for thanks, Mother. Why be so formal with your son? Your friends are my friends," Li Xuan replied with a wide grin, waving his hand dismissively.
After a brief exchange, Chu Qingyi lost interest in continuing the conversation and prepared to return to her room.
Just as she stood up, Li Xuan's voice suddenly broke the silence: "Um, Mother, there's something I've been wanting to ask you…"
Chu Qingyi stiffened, her steps halting.
She had a rough idea of what Li Xuan was about to ask.
"This matter has been weighing on my mind for a long time, but I didn't know how to bring it up. Asking feels too awkward, but not asking makes me feel suffocated…" Li Xuan hesitated, his eyes darting around as he studied Chu Qingyi's expression.
Chu Qingyi felt helpless. In all the time she had spent with Li Xuan, she had never seen him struggle to speak his mind before.
Now, he was even using the phrase "too awkward to ask." She wondered what he was up to this time.
"Oh? What is it that has you so conflicted?" she asked, pretending curiosity as she sat back down.
"Well… this… that… I really don't know how to say it…" Li Xuan's face was full of hesitation.
"If you don't know how to say it, then don't. You can tell me when you figure it out," Chu Qingyi said, exasperated, and made as if to return to her room.
"No, no, wait! I'll say it, I'll say it!" Li Xuan panicked, quickly grabbing the hem of her dress.
Chu Qingyi frowned slightly, her gaze complex as she looked at the young hand clutching her pristine white dress.
Noticing her look, Li Xuan immediately withdrew his hand as if shocked by electricity.
"Qing, Mother, I wanted to ask you... why did you... why did you come to me that day..." Li Xuan stammered, his face flushing with embarrassment.
Chu Qingyi, who had remained calm all along, had already guessed his thoughts. She was just a bit puzzled—why had Li Xuan, who was usually so bold with his words, become so hesitant and timid about this matter? It truly surprised her.
"Why did I come to you for pleasure?" Chu Qingyi said calmly, voicing the words Li Xuan had been struggling to utter.
Li Xuan looked up at her in shock, unable to believe she had spoken of it so openly.
Li Xuan had a strong sexual appetite. Having grown up in a remote, underdeveloped area without any education, he had few hobbies or interests. His only fascination was with the female body, which he studied through books he purchased, learning how to arouse women and understand their desires. All he lacked was real experience.
So, when he met Chu Qingyi, he instinctively applied everything he had learned from those books to her.
But he had always been puzzled about why she had come to his room that day. Even now, after racking his brains, he couldn't figure out her reason.
Moreover, he had never dreamed that such a perfect woman would yield to him beneath his body. Looking back, that night felt like a dream—too beautiful to be real.
Adding to his confusion was Chu Qingyi's distant yet intimate attitude toward him, which made him even more uncertain. That was why he had resolved to ask her directly.
He had prepared himself for the possibility of being slapped by Chu Qingyi, but he never expected her to not only refrain from hitting him but also to see through his thoughts and bring up the matter herself. This only deepened his bewilderment.
As he stared blankly at Chu Qingyi, his mind completely empty and unsure of what to say, she spoke again: "How well do you know your adoptive father?"
Li Xuan, already in a daze, was even more confused. Wasn't this about the two of them? Why was Li Ye suddenly brought into it?
"Adoptive father? What about him? He's always been outstanding," Li Xuan said, utterly perplexed.
He had been the one to start the conversation, yet now he was the one feeling lost, as if Chu Qingyi was leading him by the nose, leaving him with no control over the situation.
"Is that so? Then how do you think his relationship with me is?" Chu Qingyi asked, tilting her head with a faint, ambiguous smile.
"Of course it's good! Adoptive father has never cared so much about a woman before. Besides, he must love you deeply—otherwise, why would he marry you?" Li Xuan replied without hesitation.
Chu Qingyi remained silent, still watching him with that enigmatic smile.
Feeling uneasy under her gaze, Li Xuan asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Why are you asking such questions? Has adoptive father been treating you poorly? That can't be—I know his character well. He would never treat you badly!"
"You, as a son, seem to have great faith in your adoptive father," Chu Qingyi remarked with amusement. "Since he's so wonderful, why do you harbor improper thoughts toward his wife?"
"I..." Li Xuan was left speechless.
Today's Chu Qingyi was markedly different from usual. He had never imagined that such sharp words could come from her mouth, making her seem like a completely different person from her typically quiet and reserved self.
"Isn't it because of you, Mother? You're just too captivating. Any man in the world would feel the same way," Li Xuan said, mustering his courage.
"But have you ever thought about what your foster father would do if he found out about this?" A strange smile curled at the corner of Chu Qingyi's lips. "Do you think he would be so furious that he'd seek revenge on you or sever his ties with you as his son? Or perhaps he'd think I'm fickle and simply divorce me as his wife?"
Chu Qingyi spoke slowly, each word sharp as a blade, while a fierce glint flashed in her eyes.
Her every word felt like a sharp knife, carving deeply into Li Xuan's heart, making him break out in a cold sweat and tremble with fear.
The atmosphere fell into a heavy silence. Chu Qingyi's cold eyes fixed on Li Xuan, filled with an indescribable meaning.
Li Xuan had never seen her like this before. He was so frightened that he trembled uncontrollably, nearly falling off his chair.
An eerie aura enveloped the two of them. To Li Xuan, time seemed to have come to a standstill, thick and sluggish like paste, crawling forward at a snail's pace.
He began to regret why he had brought this up with her today.
After a moment, Chu Qingyi retracted that strange, cold smile, and the oppressive atmosphere eased slightly.
"Don't worry, I won't tell Li Ye about this," she said calmly.
In truth, she had just been seized by a sudden impulse to tease Li Xuan.
Li Xuan, who had been holding his breath in deep relief, instantly slumped in his chair, his body going limp. He glanced at Chu Qingyi with lingering fear.
If she really told Li Ye about this, his fate would likely be even worse than what she had described.
After all, it was Chu Qingyi who had brought it up. If she shed a few tears in front of Li Ye, he would naturally be accused of violating his own foster mother. To give Chu Qingyi an explanation, Li Ye would undoubtedly turn against him, disregarding their father-son bond.
Speechless, Li Xuan could only silently accept the bloody reality. After all, he was indeed at fault for harboring lustful thoughts toward Chu Qingyi, which had led to today's outcome.
As Chu Qingyi's soft, rosy lips uttered words that made him break out in a cold sweat, his mind involuntarily conjured up images of his own tragic fate, terrifying him to the core and making him tremble all over.
"Qing... Mother, please... don't scare me..." Li Xuan's lips turned pale, and his hands trembled uncontrollably, as if he had been frightened out of his wits.
Seeing his terrified expression, Chu Qingyi suddenly smiled faintly and said softly, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. It wouldn't do me any good either."
"Phew..." Li Xuan let out a deep sigh of relief. Despite the sweltering summer heat, his body felt icy cold, and his forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat. He had clearly been frightened badly.
Chu Qingyi had only been teasing him on a whim, never expecting him to be so genuinely terrified. It seemed he was truly anxious about Li Ye.
And no wonder—after all, Li Ye was the foster father he had always been proud of.
But if he knew that his foster father had betrayed his wife and committed such an indiscretion, how would he react?
"I never told you this, but Li Ye has been seeing another woman behind my back," Chu Qingyi said calmly, her expression serene as if the matter had nothing to do with her.
"What... what?!" Li Xuan's voice suddenly rose, disbelief clouding his mind.
Chu Qingyi remained silent, merely glancing at him with detached indifference.
"Impossible. How could my foster father... how could he be with another woman? Mother, you must be teasing me again. It can't be true." Li Xuan forced a wide grin, convinced she was merely joking.
"I saw it with my own eyes—him entangled with another woman in bed." Chu Qingyi's words carried no emotion, cold and mechanical, like a machine devoid of feeling.
Her eyes, too, were dull and lifeless, devoid of any spark, a stark contrast to the vibrant, spirited woman she had been moments earlier when facing Xiao Xiyue.
For days, the betrayal by Li Ye had been a thorn in her heart, piercing her deeply with every thought, tearing her heart open until it bled, leaving her breathless with pain.
Day and night, the wound never healed, only to be torn open again and again. Even now, the memory of that agony sent shivers down her spine.
Yet, for some reason, she found herself able to speak of it with such calmness. The suffocating pain that once consumed her was gone, replaced only by a quiet, detached acceptance.
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