novelapdf Chapter 187 The First Encounter of the Two Women
Chapter 187 The First Encounter of the Two Women
Until it was nearly evening, and the sun was setting.
Jiang Mu finally arrived at the city gate of Huzhou.
Looking at the familiar, towering city walls, the fatigue from the long journey immediately dissipated.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Involuntarily, the image of their housekeeper, "Puxin," whose cooking skills were superb, and the well-behaved little Aqing came to mind.
"Finally back."
"Aunt Bai Xiang, your husband... he's back alive!"
Jiang Mu, full of vigor and high spirits, strode into Huzhou City.
He had thought that his face was a kind of calling card for Huzhou City.
In addition to his performance in the defense of Yancheng, the Demon Slayer Division should at least make the name "Jiang Mu" known to everyone.
Walking down this street, even without a welcoming party or a great commotion of gongs and drums, there should at least be a few cheers.
result.
There was nothing there.
The pedestrians on the street hurried along, each with a solemn expression.
Occasionally, passersby would glance at him, but their gazes would always pass right past him, landing with surprise on Duanmu Li, who was carrying the enormous tomb sword on his back. Jiang Mu's carefully cultivated "hero's return" fervor, built up all the way, felt like a punch landing on cotton, failing to land properly. He was incredibly frustrated, thinking, "These clueless bastards..."
Jiang Mu cursed secretly.
However, despite his frustration, he also keenly sensed that something was amiss.
The atmosphere in Huzhou City was inexplicably oppressive.
There were also more patrolling guards on the streets than usual, and the air seemed to be on edge.
"Has something happened in the city?"
A hint of doubt flashed through Jiang Mu's mind.
But he was too homesick to meddle in other people's business.
I just want to get back to that lively little courtyard as soon as possible and see the little cook, Bai Xiang.
So he quickened his pace.
Duanmu Li, who was following behind, suddenly seemed more human.
She looked curiously at the shops on both sides.
Having grown up in a sect deep in the mountains, she rarely had the opportunity to come down to this bustling and lively city.
As she passed a stall selling sugar figurines, the girl paused, her gaze lingering for a moment on each of the crystal-clear, vividly shaped sugar figurines.
Jiang Mu, who was walking ahead, noticed something amiss behind her, turned back, followed her gaze, and asked with a smile:
"Want a sugar figurine?"
Duanmu Li immediately looked away, reverting to her expressionless and cold demeanor.
Jiang Mu smiled and simply bought three sugar figurines in one go.
He picked out a cute little pig-shaped sugar figurine and casually handed it to Duanmu Li.
The girl hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took it, holding it in her hand without eating it.
She just stared down at the pink pig, her eyes somewhat unfocused, lost in thought.
Before long, Jiang Mu finally arrived at his familiar courtyard.
He was about to reach out and push the door open when suddenly his eyes lit up, and he turned to Duanmu Li behind him and made a "shh" gesture to silence her.
Then he leaped.
Like a raccoon cat that leaped over the courtyard wall and quietly landed inside.
In the open space of the courtyard, a familiar, petite figure was diligently practicing body-strengthening stance exercises, panting heavily.
It was Yuan Aqing.
The little girl practiced very seriously, and every move she made was precise and skillful.
She was wearing a white martial arts outfit, which was now soaked with sweat and clung tightly to her body.
Jiang Mu put his hands behind his back, walked quietly behind the girl, and made his way to her.
After observing for a moment, he nodded in satisfaction and suddenly exclaimed in praise, "Hmm, not bad, the lower body is very stable."
The girl, who was concentrating on her physical training, suddenly froze, as if struck by lightning.
She turned around in disbelief.
When that familiar face came into view, Yuan Aqing froze on the spot.
She rubbed her eyes hard and even reached out her little hand to pinch her thigh hard.
Seeing this, Jiang Mu couldn't help but chuckle and stepped forward:
"Let me confirm for you."
As he spoke, he reached out and grabbed the girl's chubby cheeks, pulling them to the left and right.
The real pain on her cheek and the warmth of the man's palm finally convinced Yuan Aqing that the man in front of her was not dreaming.
He's a real, living gentleman!
"Master! You're finally back! Waaah..."
The girl threw herself into Jiang Mu's arms, hugging his waist tightly with her little arms, and burst into tears.
Jiang Mu let her hug him and gently patted her back.
Looking down at the little girl in his arms, her face streaked with tears, he couldn't help but marvel.
"Is this still my little Qing? Whose little princess has run away?"
Jiang Mu wasn't deliberately praising him.
Compared to the sallow-faced, emaciated refugee girl I first met, the girl in front of me has undergone a complete transformation.
My skin became fair and moisturized, and I gained a lot of weight.
In particular, the originally pointed lotus leaves now have quite a few undulating curves that should not be underestimated.
At this rate...
If it's raised for a few more years, it might be just as good as Watermelon Night.
Hearing Jiang Mu's praise, the girl in his arms stopped crying and started laughing, her face turning bright red with embarrassment.
It took her a while to calm down.
Jiang Mu looked around the yard and asked, "Where's your Aunt Bai Xiang?"
Yuan Aqing sniffed and answered crisply, "Sister Xiang is in your room, Master."
"What are you doing in my room?" Jiang Mu asked, somewhat puzzled.
Yuan Aqing tilted her little face up and said earnestly:
"After you left, Master, Sister Xiang would go to your room to clean and tidy up every day."
A warm feeling welled up in Jiang Mu's heart, and the corners of her mouth turned up:
"Heh, she's quite a competent housekeeper; it's worth paying her so much."
He handed her the sugar figurine he was holding:
"Here, this is a gift for you. I went to great lengths to buy this in Yancheng. It's said to have been handcrafted by the world's number one sugar figurine master. It's a limited edition; there's only one of its kind in the entire Yancheng."
Yuan Aqing had no idea what "limited edition" meant.
But upon hearing that this was a special gift that the master had brought back all the way from Yancheng for her, she was overjoyed and deeply moved.
She carefully accepted the sugar figurine with both hands, holding it protectively to her chest as if it were a priceless treasure, and said sweetly:
"Thank you, sir!"
Jiang Mu smiled and ruffled the girl's soft hair: "Go to the kitchen and boil some water. I need to take a nice bath to relax."
"Um!"
Yuan Aqing nodded emphatically, grabbed the sugar figurine, and dashed off to the kitchen.
Jiang Mu straightened her clothes and walked towards her room.
As he walked to the half-open window, he saw a familiar, graceful figure inside through the windowpane.
The woman was facing away from the window, bending over and carefully tidying the bed.
Candles have been lit in the room.
The warm yellow light outlined the woman's silhouette in a soft and hazy way.
As she bent down to smooth the sheets, her slender waist and full, shapely breasts created a captivating and alluring curve. Coupled with her serene and gentle demeanor, she resembled a figure from an ancient painting.
Jiang Mu stood outside the window, gazing quietly, momentarily lost in thought.
That's really strange...
This woman isn't exactly a stunning beauty, so why is she so unforgettable?
He moved quietly, like a cat stealing fish, and crept up behind the woman.
I wanted to yell at her to scare her, but I was afraid her heart couldn't take it. I wanted to put my arm around her slender waist, but I was afraid of being too forward.
Jiang Mu was momentarily at a loss, unsure of what to do.
After hesitating for a moment, he tiptoed back to the doorway and decided to "enter" again.
Jiang Mu didn't see that as he retreated, Bai Xiang's lips subtly curved into a faint smile.
Jiang Mu deliberately stomped his feet heavily before entering the house, coughed, and said jokingly:
"These stewards are getting increasingly outrageous! Taking advantage of the master's absence, they actually went to the master's bedroom to rummage through drawers and steal treasures. It seems I need to check whether the gold and silver jewelry I hid under the bed is still there."
As she spoke jokingly, Jiang Mu casually opened her arms.
He was just waiting for the woman to hear the voice and, like Xiao Aqing before, excitedly turn around and rush into his arms.
However, the expected advances and embraces did not occur.
Bai Xiang remained bent over making the bed, without even turning her head, as if there was an invisible person standing behind her.
Jiang Mu stood frozen in place with her arms outstretched, her smile fading.
Didn't you hear me?
Undeterred, he took two steps forward and coughed loudly.
Seeing that the woman still didn't react, only tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, he suddenly felt a little annoyed:
"Hey, hey, hey, can't you at least give me some response?"
"Your master has come back after surviving countless near-death experiences. Aren't you even a little bit excited or happy?" Bai Xiang then straightened up.
Then she gave him a slight bow, turned around, and continued patting the pillow.
Upon seeing this attitude, Jiang Mu's displeasure instantly flared up.
"Keep pretending! Keep pretending!"
He forcefully grabbed the woman's wrist, pulled her soft, fragrant body into his arms, and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, saying:
"Hearing the commotion of the master's return, you're probably incredibly excited right now. You're just putting on airs to spite me, aren't you?"
Bai Xiang gave the scoundrel a playful glare and tried to push him away.
But the man's arms were like iron hoops; instead of loosening, he held her even tighter.
Their bodies were pressed tightly together.
They could even clearly feel each other's heartbeats.
Seeing that she couldn't get away, Bai Xiang reluctantly gave up struggling and raised her hand to Jiang Mu, gesturing in sign language:
The master is absolutely right; I am indeed very excited right now.
Looking at the calm expression on the woman's face, Jiang Mu felt a wave of frustration wash over her.
He loosened his grip somewhat dejectedly and pursed his lips:
"Actually, I haven't thought about you much. I'm busy slaying demons and monsters every day in Yancheng, and when I have a spare moment, I just think about my little Aqing. As for you..."
To be honest, I've almost completely forgotten what you look like.
"By the way, are you really my butler? Or are you someone else impersonating him?"
Bai Xiang looked at the man's expression and found it somewhat amusing, her eyes filled with tenderness.
She hesitated for a moment, then slowly released her hands that had been resting on Jiang Mu's chest, and gradually moved them to the man's back.
Finally, she hugged him back.
She rested her head on the man's broad, warm chest and closed her eyes.
They just held each other quietly like that.
This was the first time she had taken the initiative to hug this man since she had met him.
It was as if she had rehearsed in her heart a million times over countless nights, without the slightest bit of rustiness.
Just thinking about how he rushed to Yancheng, eager to avenge this guy, made him realize how desperate he was.
But when she saw that bastard hugging a woman with a big butt, Bai Xiang was unhappy again.
It tasted sour, like a spilled jar of vinegar.
She turned her head to the side, opened her pearly teeth, and bit the man's shoulder through his clothes.
Jiang Mu gasped, then grinned:
"That's more like it! I remember my Bai Xiang was like a little dog who liked to bite people, and I almost thought someone was impersonating her."
Bai Xiang raised her head and stared at him, her eyes shimmering with tears, a half-smile playing on her lips.
That guy is really something.
When they're not around, I always miss them terribly.
But once this bastard appears alive and kicking in front of you, you just want to give him a good beating.
Jiang Mu leaned forward and gave the woman a quick kiss on the cheek, then took out a sugar figurine and handed it to her.
"Here, this is a gift I brought especially for you."
This is a limited edition; I searched all over Yancheng, begging the world's best sugar figurine master for ages before he finally agreed to make it by hand. There's only one like it in the entire city of Yancheng.
This clearly shows how important you are to me, doesn't it?
However, compared to the simple-minded Yuan Aqing, Bai Xiang is not so easy to fool.
She magically produced a sugar figurine as well.
The craftsmanship, size, and even the expression of the sugar figurine were exactly the same as the one in Jiang Mu's hand.
Jiang Mu let out an "uh" and chuckled dryly:
"It seems... these craftsmen come from the same master, their styles are similar... but mine is clearly more refined, look at the mouth, the eyes, right..."
Bai Xiang was too lazy to expose him and took the sugar figurine from him.
The two lingered for a while, and Jiang Mu's longing was finally relieved.
At the same time, he began to miss Shui Miaozheng's mature and alluring figure.
It can only be said that a man's heart is like a sieve; as soon as one side is filled, the other side leaks out.
While still holding the one in her arms, she was already thinking about the one far away.
He wished he could bring all the beauties in the world into his own backyard.
"Holy crap! I almost forgot there was a customer standing outside."
Jiang Mu suddenly realized what was happening, slapped her forehead, quickly released Bai Xiang, and hurried out of the house.
Upon opening the courtyard gate, one could see Duanmu Li standing respectfully outside.
It looks like a guardian deity.
The broadsword stood straight like a tombstone, gleaming coldly in the moonlight.
"Come in quickly."
Jiang Mu waved.
Duanmu Li tiptoed over the threshold and entered the courtyard.
She looked around the courtyard.
His gaze swept over the wildflowers blooming in the corner and the herbs drying in the sun, and a hint of relaxation appeared on his usually stern face.
Hearing that guests had arrived, Yuan Aqing came out to check out out of curiosity.
Upon seeing that it was a girl of similar age to himself, he couldn't help but widen his eyes and look at her curiously.
Bai Xiang's gaze, however, fell on the tomb knife, as if deep in thought.
Let me introduce myself.
Jiang Mu pointed at Duanmu Li and said to the two women,
"Her name is Duanmu Li, and she is the daughter of an old friend of mine. She has encountered some family troubles and is staying here temporarily for a while."
He then turned to Duanmu Li and briefly introduced Yuan Aqing and Bai Xiang.
Yuan Aqing was initially delighted to see someone her age arrive.
The other person appeared indifferent and silent, and seemed somewhat timid, only whispering, "Hello, Miss Duanmu."
Bai Xiang nodded gently in acknowledgment.
Duanmu Li remained silent.
Jiang Mu added, "I almost forgot to mention, Ah Li, like Bai Xiang, is also mute."
A mute?
Yuan Aqing's eyes were immediately filled with sympathy as she looked at Duanmu Li.
Jiang Mu felt helpless.
Suddenly, two mute girls appeared in the house, making communication incredibly quiet... From now on, they'll only be able to fight with their eyes.
After introductions, Jiang Mu arranged accommodations for Duanmu Li.
It was in the side room next to Yuan Aqing's.
Previously, Yuan Aqing and Bai Xiang shared a room, but later, the young girl often practiced martial arts until late at night, and fearing that she would disturb Bai Xiang's rest, she took the initiative to move out and live alone. Since she was a guest brought back by the master, Yuan Aqing was exceptionally attentive.
She ran around making the bed for the other person, laying out a newly sunned mattress, and bringing hot water and clean towels.
They even thoughtfully placed a dish of honey coins on the table.
Looking at the charming, lively, and constantly busy girl before her, Duanmu Li's originally cold and aloof gaze softened involuntarily. Just as Yuan Aqing was about to leave, Duanmu Li suddenly reached out and handed her the small sugar figurine that Jiang Mu had bought for her earlier.
Yuan Aqing was a little confused and stood there stunned.
After hesitating for a moment, she carefully reached out and took it, her voice soft and sweet:
"Thank you, Sister A-Li."
Upon hearing the sweet "Sister A-Li," Duanmu Li's cold and stern brows suddenly relaxed, and her gaze softened.
She then took out a crystal-clear glass bead from her bosom and handed it to Yuan Aqing.
The beads shimmered with a warm, iridescent glow under the light, clearly indicating they were no ordinary beads.
Even though Yuan Aqing didn't know much about such things, she knew they must be very valuable. She was so frightened that she quickly waved her hands, "This...this is too precious. Sister A-Li, please keep it for yourself. I can't accept it..."
However, Duanmu Li kept her hand outstretched, her lips pursed, staring intently at her.
His eyes were stubborn.
It was as if she wouldn't take her hand back until she accepted it.
That's just how girls are.
Helpless, Yuan Aqing could only timidly accept the gift, her cheeks slightly flushed: "Then... thank you, Sister A-Li."
But Duanmu Li did not lower her hand; it remained outstretched, palm facing upwards.
It was obvious that he wanted a return gift from Yuan Aqing.
Yuan Aqing was stunned for a few seconds before she reacted, and was immediately at a loss.
She touched her empty pockets, then looked down at her plain clothes, unsure of what to give as a gift.
After all, she was just a poor girl and didn't have anything valuable.
Seeing that the other person was still holding out their hand waiting for her, the girl became even more anxious, her face turning even redder and burning with fever.
Suddenly, she remembered that her master had taught her how to fold origami cranes, so she quickly ran back to her room, fetched a delicate light blue origami crane, and gave it to the other person.
He regretted it after dropping her off.
They gave me glass beads, while my paper bird seems so pathetic...
Duanmu Li lowered her head and gazed at the light paper crane in her palm. Her fingertips gently touched its wings, then she slowly closed her fingers and carefully held it tightly. She looked up and smiled at Yuan Aqing.
Her smile was like ice melting.
Though brief, it was genuine.