Holding twenty taels of shimmering white silver, Chen Ning suddenly felt quite wealthy.
The next day, before dawn, he woke up early and rushed to the village market.
By the time he returned home, he had two lively, flapping roosters in his hands.
“Young Master, this is...!”
Wearing only a thin white inner lining, Qing Yan, who had just climbed out of her blankets, was startled. “Young Master, how could you bear to spend what little savings we have on this? You aren’t planning on giving up on traveling to the capital for the Imperial Examination, are you?!”
Chen Ning didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
“Silly girl, what are you thinking? The days of poverty ended yesterday. From now on, whatever you want to eat, your Young Master can buy it for you.”
“Young Master, are you sure you aren’t dreaming?”
Qing Yan was only halfway through her sentence when she saw Chen Ning pull out a heavy bundle.
When the bundle was opened, her gaze instantly froze.
Inside was a bag filled to the brim with shimmering white silver.
“It seems the Young Master isn’t dreaming; I must be the one dreaming...”
Qing Yan felt a bit dazed and gave her cheek a hard pinch.
“It hurts ( ＞﹏＜。)～”
But this pinch made her clearly realize the reality before her. It hurt so much that tears even welled up in her eyes.
“Young Master, did you go and rob someone? Or did you steal from the village chief’s secret stash? Wait, Young Master, you didn't... sell your body, did you? Young Master, although we are poor, a Noble Scholar loves wealth but obtains it through righteous means!”
“You silly girl, what kind of person do you take me for?”
Chen Ning smiled helplessly. “This is the commission I earned from slaying a demon yesterday, so don't worry. No need to prepare breakfast this morning. Just grind some ink for me and wait obediently inside.”
After saying that, Chen Ning brought the two chickens into the courtyard.
Slaughtering, bleeding, and plucking...
As the sun gradually rose high in the sky, the two chickens were already propped over a bonfire.
He sprinkled spices and roasting seasoning over them. As the flames licked the meat, a rich aroma gradually permeated the entire small courtyard.
By the time Qing Yan could no longer restrain her growling stomach and walked out to investigate, the two chickens had been roasted to an enticing golden-brown, reaching the perfect state of crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
“They’re roasted. Come and have a taste.”
Chen Ning tore off a large, golden drumstick and handed it to Qing Yan.
Qing Yan felt a bit embarrassed. “Young Master has been roasting them for so long; you should eat first...”
As soon as she finished speaking, her stomach let out an untimely growl.
A faint blush immediately surfaced on her delicate cheeks. Qing Yan hurriedly took the drumstick with some shyness.
With one bite, the outside was golden and crispy, while the inside was incredibly soft and tender, even bursting with fragrant meat juices.
“This—this is too delicious!”
Qing Yan could guarantee on her honor as a fox that this was definitely the best chicken she had ever eaten!
“Want another piece?”
“Yes!”
She had originally wanted to maintain her image in front of her Young Master, but before long, Qing Yan tossed that to the back of her mind and began to feast heartily.
Her cherry-red lips were coated with a layer of glistening oil, and a look of pure joy from tasting such delicacies couldn't help but appear on her face.
Watching her, Chen Ning also began to eat with a smile.
The weather was fine today. The midday sun hung high in the sky, which was cloudless and as deep blue as a boundless ocean.
Occasionally, a breeze would blow. The gentle spring wind carried a hint of coolness, making it exceptionally refreshing.
Without skyscrapers, this leisurely little life, though plain, felt remarkably comfortable and peaceful.
Leaning back in a swaying reclining chair and gazing at the tranquil and beautiful spring scenery, Chen Ning couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
“This scenery truly fits the line: ‘The scenery is as it was today, but the lives of the past are gone.’”
【Ding! Scenery fades, people change. Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Divine Ability: Substitute Puppet (0/200).】
“Cutting paper into people? Indeed, a puppet doesn't have to worry about aging, illness, or death.”
The system's notification made Chen Ning sit up in excitement.
According to the system's description, this Divine Ability could turn a paper figure into his puppet. The puppet's appearance could not only be identical to his own but could also transform into any other form, such as an old man, a child, or a woman.
Most importantly, he possessed one opportunity to swap positions with the Substitute Puppet.
In other words, as long as he left a puppet paper figure at home, even if he were dozens of li away, he could instantly return home by swapping positions.
This way, he wouldn't have to worry about Qing Yan's safety while she was left at home.
Especially when the mastery reached Great Perfection, the Substitute Puppet could even possess the same combat power as himself for a short period.
The functionality of this Divine Ability was simply too convenient!
In his excitement, Chen Ning suddenly remembered something.
“I almost forgot; I bought some other things today too.”
“Two roasted chickens are enough. Young Master, I really can't eat any more...”
Qing Yan was just waving her hands when she saw Chen Ning pull out a jujube red wooden box from behind him.
The wooden box slowly opened, and inside was a lavender tassel dress.
“This is for you. In the blink of an eye, it’s been nearly two years since we came to the village. It’s time you had some new clothes.”
Chen Ning said with a smile.
“This is... for me?”
Qing Yan lowered her head slightly. Light flickered in her beautiful eyes, and a lovely blush quietly climbed onto her cheeks.
The tassel dress was embroidered with fragrant flowers and grass, as well as several lively, soaring plumed phoenixes.
At just the first glance, Qing Yan's gaze was completely captivated.
Everyone has a love for beauty, and this was even more true for a fox demon who had taken human form.
Qing Yan had long hoped for a beautiful set of clothes, but she had never mentioned it so she could save money to buy a few more eggs for her Young Master to eat.
“Thank you, Young Master!”
Although she tried her best to restrain herself, Qing Yan couldn't help but cry tears of joy. A few crystal teardrops slid down her cheeks uncontrollably.
“You silly girl, if you’re happy, just be happy. Why are you crying? Look, you’re getting your new clothes wet.”
Qing Yan panicked for a moment and hurriedly wiped the tassel dress with heartache, seemingly treating it like a precious treasure.
“I can't help it. I'll just use the Young Master's clothes to wipe them then!”
She suddenly threw herself against Chen Ning's chest, rubbing her face back and forth, smearing all her tears onto his clothes.
Looking up, a mischievous, post-prank smile curved the corners of Qing Yan's mouth, her cheeks still slightly flushed.
Chen Ning couldn't help but smile helplessly as he looked at this fox demon maid who had followed him for two years and was still a bit silly.
A refreshing spring breeze brushed past, and the man and the fox inadvertently met each other's gaze.
In an instant, the atmosphere seemed to suddenly become subtle.
Right then, the token in Chen Ning's robe emitted a burst of searing heat.
The Demon Suppression Division had suddenly issued an emergency bounty warrant!
Rate on N.U.
