“No... that’s not it! While it may have been a mere act of casual kindness to my benefactor, to me, it saved the rest of my life. No amount of gratitude could ever be considered excessive for such a debt.”
Bai Rou’er looked at Su Qing with an exceptionally sincere gaze and said, “Furthermore, you are a mortal, Benefactor, while I am a demon. My lifespan is very long, so even a hundred years is but a blink of an eye to me.”
“Therefore... I hope you will not refuse me!”
“I have waited many years for an opportunity like this to repay you.”
“If I cannot repay the debt of saving my life now, I will never have another chance once you pass away a century from now.”
Hearing Bai Rou’er’s words, Su Qing’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch.
This Bai Rou’er was indeed very clever and well-spoken.
Her words managed to express her intentions clearly without exposing Su Qing’s true identity.
Su Qing looked at Bai Rou’er helplessly and said, “Very well. Since you are so determined, I won’t say anything more. I only hope you won’t regret your decision in the future.”
Upon hearing this, Bai Rou’er shook her head and said, “I have waited for this day for a long time, so how could I regret it? If I couldn’t repay the favor of you saving my life, it would be a constant torment for me. Far from regretting it, I am actually very grateful to you, Sister, for giving me this chance!”
Su Qing looked at the girl, truly wondering what was going on inside her head.
But it didn't matter what she was thinking anymore.
Now... she had already accepted the girl’s proposal.
To the side, Yudie watched the two of them go back and forth...
She sighed softly in her heart.
'Mother is at it again, abducting yet another girl...' Yudie thought to herself. 'If she doesn't want to be rumored as a woman who is overly fond of the fairer sex, then she shouldn't go around whisking away so many girls! Mother really doesn't understand such a simple truth!'
Yudie watched the scene unfold, complaining about her mother in her heart.
She felt that her mother didn't actually fail to understand this logic... her mother was just pretending not to understand.
After all... Mother really was someone with a weakness for beautiful women!
Otherwise, how could she have managed to pick up so many girls?
However, despite her internal grumbling, Yudie didn't say anything aloud...
She had no place to interfere in her mother's affairs.
In any case, Mother would surely be dealt with severely by her other mothers later!
So, she would just wait for them to handle her.
If she spoke out of turn now, she would be the one getting punished.
Thinking of this, Yudie stopped paying attention to the conversation and lost herself in her own wandering thoughts.
Su Qing and Bai Rou’er didn’t chat indefinitely.
After all, they were guests here and couldn't leave the host ignored.
After talking for a while, Su Qing smiled and apologized to Miss Zhu. “I am truly sorry. I was so busy catching up with Miss Bai that I nearly forgot our host.”
Miss Zhu shook her head and said, “It is no matter. I am actually quite happy to see such a thing... I always thought stories of white foxes repaying favors were just tales in novellas, but I never expected to witness it with my own eyes today. And under such a stroke of serendipity... perhaps this is fate!”
Although Miss Zhu still looked as pale as ever, she seemed to have gained a bit of spirit. Compared to her deathly appearance earlier, she looked much better.
Clearly, what Miss Zhu said was the truth.
She was indeed very interested in the matter.
Seeing this, Su Qing’s thoughts whirled, but she still smiled and said, “Fate is the hardest thing to explain clearly... just like how we happened to meet you today, Miss Zhu.”
“That is well put... fate is indeed a mysterious thing.” Miss Zhu nodded and said, “To be able to see a story from a novella come true today is a great delight for me.”
“You flatter us, Miss Zhu,” Su Qing replied with a smile.
Miss Zhu shook her head at the comment.
Then, Su Qing continued, “By the way, I am actually quite curious about you, Miss. I wonder if you would be willing to tell me a bit about yourself?”
Miss Zhu nodded and said, “If you don't find my life story boring, I have no reason not to tell you. However... it is getting late. Why don't we have dinner first and talk then?”
Su Qing didn't say much, only nodding with a smile. “Would that be too much trouble for you, Miss?”
“It’s not as if I am the one cooking, so how could it be trouble? It is merely a matter of a few extra bowls and chopsticks.”
Miss Zhu smiled and said, “Everyone... cough, cough, cough... please follow me. The kitchen has likely finished preparing dinner by now.”
At those words, Su Qing smiled, stood up, and followed her, saying, “Then it would be rude to decline.”
The others followed suit when they saw Su Qing move...
After all, they couldn't let Su Qing go alone!
However, even as she followed, Chen Mei remained cautious, showing no sign of relaxing... Her hand was behind her back, ready to draw her spear and strike at any moment.
Su Qing naturally noticed Chen Mei’s state, but she didn't say anything...
It wasn't strange for Chen Mei to be on guard, because things here were indeed a bit abnormal... At the very least, the only living people Su Qing had seen so far, besides Bai Rou’er, were Miss Zhu herself.
Of course, her worry was somewhat redundant...
With Su Qing here, how much trouble could possibly arise?
Unfortunately, Su Qing couldn't tell her that directly...
After all, she still had to play the part of a mortal.
She couldn't expose herself.
She could only let Chen Mei suffer a bit longer.
On the way, Su Qing sent a sound transmission to Bai Rou’er:
'Bai Rou’er, do you know what the situation is here? You arrived before us, so you should know more than we do, right?'
Hearing the transmission, Bai Rou’er glanced at Su Qing and then replied via sound transmission:
'Benefactor can just call me Rou’er.'
Su Qing was speechless but nodded anyway.
Then, Bai Rou’er continued her transmission: 'I don't know much about the situation here either. I only arrived a few hours before you... However, having been here that long, I did learn a few things from Miss Zhu.'
Su Qing glanced at her and said, 'Alright, stop being mysterious and just tell me!'
Hearing Su Qing say this, Bai Rou’er nodded and said, 'Um... everyone here, except for that young lady, is actually dead.'
'Hmm? I knew that... but did Miss Zhu tell you that herself?' Su Qing raised an eyebrow and asked.
Bai Rou’er nodded and said, 'Yes! Miss Zhu told me personally...!'
'When I first came here, I felt something was strange, so I wanted to take a look.'
'Then, while chatting with Miss Zhu, she told me that everyone here except for her was dead.'
Hearing this, Su Qing raised an eyebrow, feeling puzzled...
If such an illusion was created for the purpose of killing people...
Then why would she proactively tell others?
It couldn't be because she realized she couldn't defeat Bai Rou’er and decided to just lay her cards on the table, could it?
It wasn't impossible...
But the likelihood was very small.
Su Qing was a bit confused about what the ghosts here were trying to do.
'And besides that?' Su Qing asked again via sound transmission after a moment of thought.
At this, Bai Rou’er thought for a bit and said, 'Besides that, she told me how the people here died.'
'Oh? How did they die?' Su Qing asked further.
Bai Rou’er recalled for a moment and then briefly explained the situation. Simply put, it was a family massacre... to the point where everyone except for that young lady had been killed.
As for why the young lady survived...
On one hand, it was due to good luck; on the other, she had been saved by a ghost.
And that ghost...
Was her maid.
After hearing this story, Su Qing rubbed her chin, her mind filled with many thoughts.
'I didn't expect there to be such a story... but in that case, it feels like there are even more questions.'
Su Qing sent the transmission to Bai Rou’er.
Bai Rou’er turned to look at Su Qing and then sent back: 'Is Benefactor overthinking things? Perhaps they really don't have any ill intent?'
Su Qing heard this and said, 'That is indeed a possibility...'
Su Qing didn't particularly care whether Miss Zhu and the others had ill intent...
She was more curious about their purpose for doing this and more details about them.
'It looks like there will be some amusement after all,' Su Qing thought.
At that moment, Bai Rou’er continued her transmission: 'By the way... Benefactor might as well just ask Miss Zhu directly! I feel... Miss Zhu doesn't seem to have any intention of hiding those things.'
Su Qing glanced at her upon hearing this...
She didn't say much.
Because... even if Miss Zhu spoke, it wouldn't necessarily be the truth. Who doesn't know how to lie?
Nonetheless, Su Qing still intended to ask...
In order to scout out the situation.
And so, in a short while, they arrived at the dining area.
On the table, various delicacies were already laid out, looking so delicious they made one's mouth water.
However... Su Qing still took a few extra looks.
She intended to see the true form of these things.
But even through her magic, the food still appeared to be normal food.
While this result was slightly unexpected, she didn't care too much...
After all, ghosts and spirits were a diverse lot.
And the world was vast, filled with all sorts of wonders.
What kind of strange things didn't exist?
Even if it was a bit odd, so what?
She shook her head inwardly.
Su Qing followed the others and sat down.
“This place is remote, so there are only some simple meals. I hope you won't mind,” Miss Zhu said with a light cough and a smile.
Su Qing shook her head and said, “How could this be called a simple meal? It’s more like a feast of delicacies.”
“Cough, cough, cough... is that so?” Miss Zhu nodded and didn't say anything more.
Su Qing nodded and then said, “By the way, Miss, tell me about your story!”
“Telling it... is naturally no problem.” Miss Zhu looked at Su Qing and said, “But I worry that telling you the truth will frighten you.”
Su Qing tilted her head and smiled, saying, “You should be able to tell that I am not a cowardly person. I have actually seen quite a few supernatural things and demons, so please, just speak freely! Could you possibly be more frightening than a demon or a ghost?”
“Since you want to hear it, then I shall tell you all,” Miss Zhu said, glancing at Chen Mei. “This way, that nervous little sister over there can also put her mind at ease.”
Upon hearing Miss Zhu’s words, Chen Mei, who was sitting beside Su Qing holding her chopsticks and wondering if she should eat, was momentarily stunned.
She turned to look at Miss Zhu and then silently put down her chopsticks.
She waited quietly for Miss Zhu to tell her story.
Su Qing smiled, nodded, and said, “You don't need to be in such a hurry, Miss. Just talk while we eat.”
There was nothing wrong with the food, and it looked very well-prepared. It would be a waste not to eat it.
Su Qing smiled and added, “Besides, your health isn't very good, Miss.”
Hearing this, Miss Zhu smiled and said, “Sister Su is very considerate.”
However, despite saying that, she began to calmly tell Su Qing and the others about her affairs without picking up her chopsticks.
Seeing this, Su Qing also temporarily put down her chopsticks.
She focused on listening to the other woman speak.
Miss Zhu recounted the things she had previously told Bai Rou’er to Su Qing and the others, though in a slightly more summarized fashion.
Su Qing listened intently, acting as if it were her first time hearing it.
As for Chen Mei and Ruan Shuxiang, they both gasped... their faces filled with shock.
As for Yudie, her mind was wandering elsewhere; heaven knows what she was thinking about.
She was probably just waiting for the meal to officially begin!
Su Qing looked at Miss Zhu and couldn't help but say, “I didn't expect there to be such a story...”
“Hehehe, don't you find this story very fake?”
“Is it fake?” Su Qing asked back with a smile.
“Of course not.” Miss Zhu looked at Su Qing, slightly surprised, then shook her head and said, “It is all true... I have no reason to lie to you. Lying to you brings me no benefit... However, Sister Su’s reaction surprises me a bit. I thought you would be very frightened after hearing that I am the only living person here!”
Su Qing shook her head and said, “There is nothing to be afraid of! After all, don't I still have Bai Rou’er here? Besides, as I said, I have long been used to all sorts of supernatural occurrences. I am very brave!”
Hearing this, Bai Rou’er couldn't help but scratch her head, looking very happy.
Su Qing then smiled and asked again, “What is it? Does Miss Zhu perhaps have intentions of harming us?”
Upon hearing this, Miss Zhu slightly shook her head and said, “Of course not...”
Rate on N.U.
