Heart-to-Heart

Mount Li, side hall of the Old Mother's Temple.

"I greet you, Senior Old Mother."

Su Qing politely bowed to the Old Mother.

Su Qing had always held the Old Mother in the highest regard, and that had never changed.

"I truly can't believe it, in the blink of an eye, another year has passed. Time truly flies!"

The Old Mother sat on her prayer cushion, gazing at Su Qing with a sigh.

"Oh, right, I heard... you're now the mountain god of Mount Taibai and Flower-Fruit Mountain? Come, sit, make yourself at home."

Hearing this, Su Qing nodded slightly, then sat down beside the Old Mother.

"Yes, Senior Laojun helped me find this position, and it's quite leisurely."

"Ah, Changbai Mountains... it truly suits you well," the Old Mother said with a smile. "That old man always thinks far ahead; sending you to Changbai Mountains was most likely a well-considered decision."

"I can also sense Senior Laojun's good intentions," Su Qing affirmed with a nod.

The Old Mother shook her head, saying, "Besides his good intentions, that old man also harbors a belly full of mischief. In short, don't go thinking too highly of him."

Su Qing pursed her lips into a smile at her words, naturally not daring to interject.

After all, speaking ill of a senior—how could she possibly chime in casually?

"Hahaha, fine, fine, I know you respect that old man quite a bit, so I won't mock him anymore," the Old Mother said. "Now that you and I have met, if you wish to find Bai Suzhen, go ahead and find her! She's been anxiously waiting for this day."

After receiving permission, Su Qing also offered her thanks, saying, "Then this junior will go."

"Go, go, she's diligently cultivated for a year, just waiting for this day. I'm too lazy to stop you," the Old Mother chuckled.

Su Qing's lips curved into a slight smile, she nodded, and then withdrew.

Seeing Su Qing emerge, the Daoist boy bowed to her, then said, "Come on! I'll take you there."

"Thank you for the trouble."

"Honestly, you already know the way so well, why does Master still make me lead you?" the guiding Daoist boy complained again today, "I really want to go out and play!"

Seeing this, Su Qing knew what the little one was thinking, so she took out a string of candied hawthorns and offered it to her.

"Here, for you. Stop complaining and lead the way!"

"Thank you, Big Green Snake!"

Having received her treat, the little Daoist boy immediately brightened up, even speeding up her pace while leading the way.

Su Qing shook her head slightly, following her all the way into the bamboo grove.

"Oh, Big Green Snake, do your sword and Little Sparrows need me to look after them for you?" the little Daoist boy asked with a calculating expression as they were leaving.

Hearing this, Su Qing touched the Cold Fragrance Sword in her hairbun, then shook her head slightly, saying, "Just keep an eye on those Tangyuan for me."

"Alright~" the little Daoist boy said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

She had originally hoped to trade for more good things from Su Qing.

Seeing this, Su Qing understood the little one's scheme, so she gave her a small treat as usual.

As for what the treat was?

It was nothing more than some sweets.

This little one was truly the easiest to bribe.

Just a few snacks were enough to win her over.

Su Qing even wondered if, given a bit more, she could perhaps spirit the little one away from the Old Mother's care.

But such thoughts were only for amusement.

After all, who knew how old this little one truly was!

With the snacks in hand, the little Daoist boy stopped pestering her and happily left with the Little Sparrows.

After seeing off the Daoist boy.

Su Qing pushed aside the obstructing bamboo leaves and entered the small cabin in the woods.

Outside the cabin.

A woman in a simple white dress was squatting by the stream, washing clothes.

Her slender white dress, her beautiful hair loosely tied up, with a few unruly strands hanging down, gave her an air of austere beauty.

It was as if... she were a fairy who had lingered in the mortal world.

Oh, no, that's not right; she was an immortal, a demoness, herself.

"Xiao Bai!" Su Qing called out from a distance.

Su Qing's voice wasn't loud, but Bai Suzhen still heard it quite clearly.

"Little Qing Sister?!"

Bai Suzhen instinctively looked up.

Upon seeing Su Qing, the clothes in her hands nearly slipped and fell.

"It's me. So, what do you think? Did you... miss me?" Su Qing asked with a tilted head and a smile.

To this question, Bai Suzhen didn't answer with words, but directly demonstrated with her actions.

She threw her arms around Su Qing, then, heedless of anything else, kissed her.

However, it was only a kiss on the cheek...

This was, one might say, her last shred of restraint.

Su Qing wasn't particularly surprised or strange about Bai Suzhen's actions; she had long grown accustomed to her rather direct nature.

"Oh, right, I have something to give you." Su Qing didn't beat around the bush; the first thing she did upon meeting was to prepare to give her the braided red string bracelet. "Hold out your hand."

Hearing this, Bai Suzhen obediently extended her hand; she didn't care what Su Qing was giving her...

As long as it came from Su Qing, it was what she desired.

However, when the red string bracelet was tied on, Bai Suzhen's expression froze slightly.

"Little Qing Sister... what is this?" Bai Suzhen couldn't help but ask.

Su Qing replied, "As you can see. Want to take a guess?"

At her words, Bai Suzhen looked at the red string on her wrist, sensed it subtly for a moment, then couldn't help but smile.

Shaking her head, she said, "No, no need to guess. I love this. Thank you, Little Qing Sister!"

"As long as you don't dislike it," Su Qing smiled in return, saying.

"How could I dislike it?" Bai Suzhen's smile was radiant. "Something like this... if Little Qing Sister gives it to me, I'll love it most of all."

"Come on, Little Qing Sister, let's go inside and chat!"

Saying this, Bai Suzhen grabbed Su Qing's hand and pulled her into her small cabin.

She didn't even care about the clothes she'd been halfway through washing.

Pulled by her, Su Qing naturally didn't resist.

Today she was here to accompany her, so naturally, she had to indulge her.

A year apart.

Bai Suzhen had many things she wanted to tell Su Qing.

Perhaps, for cultivators, a year was a short time.

But for her, with such fervent anticipation, it had been quite difficult.

So much so that... she had even developed a strange emotional affliction.

She sat beside Su Qing, leaning against her, telling her how much she had missed her throughout the year.

Just like that, imperceptibly.

Most of the day had already passed.

Even the setting sun was slowly descending.

Bai Suzhen felt that time was flying by.

She distinctly felt as though she had only just seen Little Qing Sister in the last hour...

But night was fast approaching.

According to their agreement, Su Qing was supposed to return after dark, but the white snake felt a reluctance to part.

So Bai Suzhen gripped Su Qing's hand and said with a wronged expression:

"Little Qing Sister... it's so late. Why don't you stay and sleep here tonight? You can leave tomorrow."

"My bed is quite big! And the bath can fit two people. Bathing and sleeping are no problem at all!"

"So, please, Sister... just stay with me a little longer, okay?"

"It's so rare for us to meet... to part like this, I truly can't bear it."

Bai Suzhen rarely acted coy, but if necessary, she would put her full effort into it...

After all, this was how she could keep the person she wanted to stay.

Moreover, she knew that as long as it wasn't an excessive request, Su Qing wouldn't refuse.

Su Qing looked at Bai Suzhen's appearance and sighed softly.

Indeed, she truly couldn't refuse.

"I understand. I'll stay with you."

Su Qing gave a helpless smile, effectively agreeing.

As for the Old Mother, she could explain to her tomorrow.

Just staying one extra day, the Old Mother wouldn't say anything, would she?

After all, the Old Mother was never an unreasonable person.

Hearing Su Qing's words, Bai Suzhen immediately burst into a smile.

It was as if the tearful expression from moments before hadn't belonged to her at all.

Seeing her sudden change in demeanor, Su Qing reached out and tapped her forehead.

This girl...

She was far too skilled at feigning grievance.

Realizing she had been found out, Bai Suzhen stuck out her tongue and said:

"Blech! Since Sister has already agreed, you can't go back on your word. If you do, I'll turn back into my true form and wrap around you, so you can't leave!"

"I know, I know. Since I've promised you, how could I go back on my word?"

Su Qing gave the girl a sidelong glance and said:

"But it's getting late. Let's make dinner first! I'm hungry~"

"Hehe, leave this to me!" Bai Suzhen said with a giggle. "No need for Sister Leng Xiang to step in."

Of course, Bai Suzhen knew that Leng Xiang was always by Su Qing's side.

After all, Leng Xiang was Su Qing's only weapon, practically carried everywhere she went...

Besides... how could she not notice such a peculiar hairpin?

Leng Xiang, in the form of a hairpin: "......"

Su Qing shook her head slightly and said, "I'll help you cook."

"Okay!"

Although Bai Suzhen had refused Leng Xiang's help.

She would, however, absolutely not refuse Su Qing's offer to help.

Or rather, she greatly enjoyed this process itself.

"Oh, right, and could you also heat up the bathwater?"

Bai Suzhen said:

"Taking a bath after dinner is one of life's greatest pleasures. Especially when I can bathe with Sister!"

"I haven't even said anything, and you're already assuming I'll join you?" Su Qing asked with a helpless smile.

"Sister will, won't you? You won't refuse your little sister's small, unreasonable requests, will you?"

Bai Suzhen adopted another pleading look, truly pitiful to behold.

If there were acting awards in ancient times...

This little one would definitely win one.

Su Qing sighed, saying, "You truly are impossible."

"Hehe, thank you, Sister~ You're the best!"

As Bai Suzhen spoke, she hugged Su Qing again, not forgetting to rub her face against Su Qing's.

"Alright, alright, go cook! If we don't cook soon, we'll go hungry tonight. I certainly don't want to be hungry!"

Su Qing, unable to handle the situation, simply pushed her into the kitchen.

Bai Suzhen smiled gleefully, not angry in the slightest.

She simply happily helped Su Qing prepare dinner.

Before long, dinner was ready and served on the table.

Since only Su Qing and Bai Suzhen were eating, there weren't many dishes tonight, just a pot of sauerkraut fish.

As for Leng Xiang? She remained in the form of a hairpin, not uttering a single word.

She quietly stayed in Su Qing's hair, like a real hairpin.

"Sister~ Do you need your little sister to feed you? Your little sister is very good at taking care of people."

During dinner, Bai Suzhen became a bit mischievous again.

"Just eat properly. I'm not old enough to need someone to feed me yet."

Su Qing helplessly tapped the little one's head.

Can't we just have a peaceful meal?

Tapped by Su Qing, Bai Suzhen stuck out her tongue and said:

"Sister doesn't appreciate good intentions! I offer to feed you, and you hit me instead."

Su Qing gave her a look and said, "Pull your tail back, and I'll eat."

"Hehe, I know~" Bai Suzhen smiled seductively, saying, "I just can't sit still~"

Su Qing felt a little helpless; was this girl even bolder today than last year?

"Is this a rebound from hitting rock bottom?" Su Qing thought to herself.

This dinner lasted a long time...

Because Bai Suzhen simply couldn't feed herself properly, a lot of time was wasted.

However, Su Qing indulged her whims... and played along with her antics.

As long as it wasn't anything excessive, she didn't mind.

After all, this was only a once-a-year opportunity.

Indulging her a little was no harm.

Moreover, Su Qing felt that while the child was a bit bold, she probably wouldn't actually do anything too out of line.

After all, the boldest thing she had done today was merely wrap her tail around Su Qing's leg.

After dinner, Su Qing, seeing how late it was, was ready to go straight to bed.

But because she had promised to bathe with Bai Suzhen...

She allowed Bai Suzhen to pull her into the bathroom and into the tub.

Su Qing looked at the meticulously prepared bath and was momentarily stunned...

Bai Suzhen hadn't even left her side, so how were the flower petals already prepared?

"Could someone else have helped her prepare it?" Su Qing wondered, puzzled...

But after a moment's thought, she seemed to figure out who the culprit was.

After all, if one were to say who was the easiest to bribe on Mount Li, it would undoubtedly be the little Daoist boy by Li Shan Lao Mu's side.

And this... was most likely prepared with the help of that little Daoist boy.

While Su Qing was still dazed, Bai Suzhen had already taken off her clothes.

Naked, she saw Su Qing still frozen, so she hugged Su Qing from behind.

Then she took off Su Qing's hairpin and placed it aside, reaching out to help unfasten her clothes, saying:

"Sister, you're not planning to get in the water with your clothes on, are you?"

Hearing this, Su Qing smiled and shook her head, saying:

"Of course not, but perhaps I can undress myself?"

"Alright~ What a pity," Bai Suzhen said, sticking out her tongue with a regretful expression.

However, she didn't press the matter, simply letting go of Su Qing and settling into the bath first.

Only...

After settling into the bath.

Bai Suzhen's legs transformed into a serpentine tail, turning her into a half-human, half-snake form...

"Do you like bathing like this?"

Su Qing, watching Bai Suzhen in the water, couldn't help but ask.

At her words, Bai Suzhen turned over and leaned on the edge of the tub, looking up with a beaming smile.

"Yes, I do!"

"Sister~ We are demons by nature."

"Our true form is our original appearance, and it feels wonderfully comfortable to relax and reveal it occasionally!"

"That's true... but Xiao Bai, please don't keep staring at me from that angle." Su Qing, having just undressed, saw Bai Suzhen smiling playfully at her in the water and instinctively covered herself.

Honestly, it was the first time she had ever felt shy from someone's gaze.

This little one...

Truly had a way of getting to her!

Even more so than Chang'e.

Hearing this, Bai Suzhen gave a charming smile and said:

"If Sister is shy, why not be like me? Besides, it's truly comfortable this way! Sister will know once you try it."

As she spoke, Bai Suzhen extended her snake tail out of the water, subtly wrapping it around Su Qing's leg.

It seemed she wanted to use this opportunity to pull Su Qing into the water.

But unfortunately, upon realizing her intent, Su Qing also revealed half of her true form, transforming into a half-human, half-snake appearance, much like the statue at the foot of the Changbai Mountains.

However, after Su Qing revealed this form.

Unlike Bai Suzhen, who appeared more demonic and alluring.

Su Qing's appearance was more akin to that of an immortal...

But Su Qing paid no mind to this, simply reaching out to pinch Xiao Bai's cheek, saying:

"You little rascal, how are you getting naughtier and naughtier? What? Are you trying to take advantage of me?"

Looking at Su Qing in the water, who was also half-human, half-snake like herself, Bai Suzhen quickly shook her head and slowly leaned closer.

"How could your little sister dare to bully you, Sister? I just want you to pay more attention to me. I simply... want to be closer to you, that's all."

"Whether it's physical touch or spiritual connection, as long as it allows me to be closer to Sister, your little sister will do it all."

As she spoke, Bai Suzhen's body gradually pressed against Su Qing's.

Her long snake tail, without her realizing, had wrapped itself around Su Qing's tail.

But once entangled, she did nothing further, or perhaps didn't know what to do next, seemingly just instinctively wrapping tightly around her, like a predator with its prey.

Or as if she feared Su Qing would escape.

Seeing this, Su Qing helplessly caressed her face and said:

"I naturally know what you're thinking... but don't worry, I promised I would come back to see you, and I certainly will."

"Yes, I know Sister will, and I trust Sister... but for me, a year is still a little too long."

Bai Suzhen held Su Qing tightly, and also wrapped herself around her tightly.

In the water, the two snake tails, one green and one white, remained tightly intertwined, never separating.

"But... I don't blame Sister."

Bai Suzhen said with a beaming smile:

"I only blame my own insufficient strength, not yet reaching the realm Master said I could leave at. But Sister, don't worry, your little sister will diligently cultivate, and it won't be many years before I definitely reach that realm."

Hearing this, Su Qing nodded slightly, saying, "I understand. I'll wait for you too. Before then, cultivate well! I believe in you."

"Hmph hmph~ This maiden is a genius!" Bai Suzhen said jokingly, tightening her embrace around Su Qing.

"Yes, yes, yes... please let go of me! If you squeeze so hard, Sister will get hurt."

The girl was wrapped tightly around her; to say it truly hurt wasn't entirely accurate.

It just felt a bit strange to be coiled around like that.

At her words, Bai Suzhen stuck out her tongue, then smilingly released Su Qing.

Although she liked to push her luck, if it made someone uncomfortable, she would still back off.

"You truly are... a little temptress," Su Qing said with a helpless smile.

If one were to say who among them lived most like a demon...

It would definitely be Bai Suzhen.