On the following bright morning, the melodious chirping of the birds outside the window could be heard. The pleasing sounds of warbling and trilling were a delight to the ear.
Inside the room, several pots of ice had melted. After Qi Huan got up, she collected them and once again froze them in her special space.
Originally, this space didn't have a freezing function, but when she purchased two extra carriage spaces during the New Year, she filled them with a large amount of ice, transforming them into a couple of storage units akin to cold stores.
After tidying up the room, she opened her closet, casually picking out a willow-green silk garment. Embroidered on it with ivory silk threads were life-like lotus flowers sharing a common stem, giving it a fresh and elegant look for a summer day.
After washing her face, she simply applied some lotion and eye cream, then finally a layer of sunscreen. Then, with somewhat unskilled hands, she tied her hair into a single helix bun and slowly inserted the jade hairpin Li Shuchen had given her the day before.
Having been through dust and dirt all the way up to now, she had remained grimy and covered in grime. The sudden cleanliness and refreshing sensation invigorated her spirits considerably.
Embracing her cheerful mood, Qi Huan opened the door, only to be greeted by a wave of heated air.
In the courtyard, the flowers and plants had already withered, with only two struggling trees still clinging to life. The scorching sun was hanging in the sky, and she quickly retreated inward as it seemed as though even the outside air was hot.
Just at this time, Yan Ge walked in with a joyous gait, carrying a food box. Seeing Qi Huan all ready, she hurriedly urged her, "Miss Qi, come quickly and eat your breakfast."
"I made your favorite plain noodles!"
"......"
Qi Huan abandoned any attempts to explain and simply sat down at the table, watching Yan Ge one by one bring dishes to the table.
The simple soup base, simple noodles, and simple spring onions made her miss Li Shuchen terribly.
Li Shuchen had succeeded.
Indeed, the sight of plain noodles would remind her of him.
After finishing her meal, a layer of thin sweat had formed on her.
At this moment, besides missing Li Shuchen, she was also pining for the air conditioning.
On the pretense of heart-rending exhaustion, Qi Huan brushed Yan Ge aside, dove into her temporal space, and relished in the coolness of the air conditioning while reading a book of historical stories before comfortably taking her noontime nap.
Keeping up her spirits, she awaited the night when Li Shuchen would arrive.
It was not until the moon was high in the sky that a knock was heard on the door.
"Ah Huan, I'm going to take you somewhere."
"Ok." Qi Huan's eyes curved in a smile. She deftly wrapped her arms around his waist, waiting to fly off with him.
As it was after the curfew and all was silent, besides them, only the bright moon and evening wind were present on the streets of Yunzhou City.
Half an hour later, Li Shuchen brought Qi Huan to a deserted cemetery.
"Ah Huan, you can create water and food, and keep them here. I will arrange for someone to covertly guard this place. Early tomorrow morning, we will lead our army here to collect them."
Qi Huan was somewhat puzzled, "Why do we need to place them on the outskirts where no one lives?"
"The sudden appearance of water and food supplies will be difficult to explain. If we store them here, I will come and 'find' them tomorrow morning in the name of a 'dream'."
"Okay." Qi Huan nodded, not asking any further. She then turned to her system and said, "Please order 1,500 points worth of bottled water and 1,500 points worth of Shandong's large steamed buns."
"Very well, host."
The packages piled up like a small mountain.
Qi Huan took out a small knife, joyfully went off to unpack the packages, only to realize that after unpacking, she had no place to store the buns.
"We need baskets and some wooden barrels to carry water."
"No need." Li Shuchen held her wrist, signaling her not to open the box anymore: "The more unusual the packaging, the better."
"I got it!"
Qi Huan clapped her hands excitedly, "Are you planning to tell the people that a fairy came to your dreams guiding you to find these supplies? So they can be even more convinced that you’re the destined one from the star of Ziwei, that you're commanded by heaven, and aided by immortals?"
Looking into her complacent little eyes as if she had uncovered everything, Li Shuchen nodded lightly. He didn't explain much, he just gently stroked her hair.
"Let's go, I will take you home."
Qi Huan nodded with a big smile, leaping into his arms, hugging his waist, waiting for him to take her home.
Once home, she pointed to her lips, "Goodnight kiss."
Li Shuchen laughed softly, as she wished, their lips met, lightly tasting each other. After the kiss, he hoarsely said, "Sweet dreams."
With his good words, Qi Huan had sweet dreams all night.
When she woke up naturally the next day, the sun was already high in the sky.
After getting out of bed and stepping outside her room, she noticed that Yan Qing was also in the yard at this point, arm wrestling with Yan Ge.
Qi Huan leaned against the door frame, cheering for them with a smile in her eyes.
Stealing a glance at her, Yan Qing put forth all her effort, forcing Yan Ge’s arm down on the stool.
She couldn't beat this weird sister, but she was stronger! So Yan Qing was still her sister Qi Huan’s primary protector!
After winning, Yan Qing excitedly ran to Qi Huan. Every pore on her chubby little face seemed to be gleaming, as if all were saying: praise me quickly!
Qi Huan affectionately wiped off the sweat on her forehead and laughed, "Great job, Qing!"
"For that, you get a bowl of Yangchun noodles as a reward!"
"Really? I haven't eaten noodles for a long time!"
In the yard, Yan Ge hadn't recovered from her defeat, after their meal, she wrestled with Yan Qing again and was still defeated.
"Hey, kid." She called Yan Qing, trying to smile kindly, "Do you want a master who is skilled in martial arts, has fair skin, a beautiful face and long legs?"
"No. Because I already have a master. Besides not being fair-skinned, he has everything you mentioned."
"Okay."
Yan Ge considered and decided to rephrase it, "Then do you want to have another master who is skilled in martial arts, has fair skin, a beautiful face, and long legs?"
"Can I have two?"
"...Just like you ate chicken noodles for breakfast and then ate Yangchun noodles. You can also choose one more master, is that okay?"
"No problem!" Yan Qing nodded vigorously.
Seeing her agree, Yan Ge was even more enthusiastic, "No one who looks more beautiful than me can surpass me in fighting, and no one who surpasses me in fighting looks more beautiful than me. Don’t miss out on this chance. My good disciple, come and pay your respects to your new master."
Once accustomed to the ritual of acknowledging a master, Yan Qing quickly took another new master.
She wanted to become stronger to protect her sister Qi!
"Second master, please accept my respect."
"Good girl!"
Yan Ge patted her head, as if playing a cuju ball, "Come let's go. I will teach you a few moves."
Seeing their master and disciple depart hand in hand, Qi Huan found some quiet time to herself. It was the perfect moment to steal the opportunity and cool off in her private space.
As soon as she turned on the air conditioning, she heard the system constantly chanting, "Charitable Act +1, Score +1."
"Charitable Act +1, Score +50."
......
"What a wonderful sound!"
This time, Qi Huan did not mute the system. After all, having nothing to do, she sat enjoying the coolness of the air conditioner, eating pickled pepper chicken feet and listening to the continuous mechanical sound of the system.
It was much like the old supermarket owner in her previous life, sitting in his shop and hearing non-stop: "WeChat payment received xx yuan, Alipay payment received xx yuan!"
The feeling was too wonderful!
As she was listening, she fell asleep.
When she woke up again, she glanced at the time. It was almost lunchtime, so she quickly left her private space, in case Yan Qing and Yan Ge couldn't find her.
She had just left her space, when Yan Ge arrived with Yan Qing, bearing lunch.
Yan Qing's face was flushed, and she had changed her clothes, apparently having taken a bath after her training. She helped Yan Ge set the table, then whispered to Qi Huan, "Sister Qi, I have something to tell you after you finish lunch."
