Got away with it.

However, this care for Zhenxi made Huai Shi view her in a better light. Even though for her, it was just a bit of leisure slipping through her fingers...

Casually stuffing the lighter he was twirling into his pocket, he turned around, walked outside, and saw the teenage girl waiting in the sunlight.

Excitedly waving at Miss Huaizhi.

Zhenxi.

"Miss Huaizhi, you worked hard, right? They didn't give you a hard time, did they?"

Taking the excuse to show concern, Zhenxi grabbed Miss Huaizhi's little hand, carefully inspecting it, "I was so worried about you... It's good that nothing happened."

No, doesn't it look like you're just craving my body?

Huai Shi started to have a headache.

Subtly yet forcefully withdrew his hand from her grip, then raised his hand, pressing it against her forehead, keeping a little safe distance as Zhenxi almost pounced on him – he really didn't have anything like a chest, what if during some random touch, she felt something unspeakably terrifying?

"It's just such a short while, you don't have to be so anxious, right?"

"Because I was so worried!" Zhenxi pushed against his hand, unintentionally speaking her mind: "Uncle Horn Mountain said those old men are nothing good, I think they just want Miss Huaizhi for her beauty..."

Aren't all the little notebooks in the convenience store filled with this kind of plot?

Once caught with a weakness, that group of perverted old geezers would force you to do this and that, just thinking about it made Zhenxi want to bite a handkerchief, her heart in pieces.

Already unsure if it's envy or righteous indignation.

"Can you be serious?"

Huai Shi curled his fingers and mercilessly knocked on her skull, pouting: "Everyone engaged in friendly negotiations, clarified rumors, resolved misunderstandings, and after retaining opinions, the meeting ended in a harmonious atmosphere."

"Ah, such official speak!"

"Anyway, it's all just meaningless posturing, no need to pay attention." Huai Shi said, "Instead of worrying about that, why not worry about where to sleep tonight. The house is all wrecked, what to do?"

"Don't worry about that." Zhenxi got excited again: "Uncle Horn Mountain got us a much bigger house! Even the kitchen is way more spacious than before... There's a private hot spring in the back! It's said to be good for the skin, let's soak in the hot spring together when we get back!"

"Hot spring? Never mind, I'm not interested in hot water."

"Eh, come on, together, together!" Zhenxi shook her invisible little tail, running around Miss Huaizhi, eyes full of hope: "Miss Huaizhi has such good skin, soaking a bit, let me bask in the glory too."

Huai Shi could only sigh to the sky.

It's not about basking or not, it's about whether some of your thoughts can see the light of day, young lady.

"No."

He decisively refused: "Tired, going home to sleep."

"Alright then..."

Feeling down, Zhenxi followed beside him, looking so dejected that Huai Shi felt like he had committed some unforgivable sin.

He sighed, unable to stop shaking his head: "At least you're going to run for the head of the family, Zhenxi, don't always act like a child."

"Anyway, it's just a formality." Zhenxi shrugged nonchalantly: "Family head and such, that's something Cousin Amber and Elder Brother Jiujing should worry about, just thinking about dealing with those old men every day makes me feel awful, it's too scary..."

"Eh? When you first decided to run for head of the family, you acted all mighty." Huai Shi clicked his tongue in amazement: "I actually think, if you get serious, you'll surely catch on quickly."

"That's different, although I used to have such dreams, now it feels completely different from what I thought."

Zhenxi looked away, gazing elsewhere, muttering softly: "Anyway, if I have to stay in this place for a lifetime, I definitely won't be able to take it.

Even if there's a very comfortable big bed and lots of money to be made, it would surely be miserable. I guess I'm really down to earth, the life from the TV isn't for me."

Saying this made one feel a sort of rural straightforward abandon.

Making Huai Shi unsure whether to sympathize or be surprised.

Just a bit concerned.

"Zhenxi, are you alright?"

"...Sorry, just thinking that after the Chef Demon duel ends, Miss Huaizhi will leave, makes me a bit sad."

Zhenxi drooped her head, tugging Huai Shi's sleeve pitifully: "Before, it looked so mighty, but it was really just borrowing your strength. Without Miss Huaizhi, I'll definitely be restored to my original form. Can't you stay a bit longer?"

"Sorry, that might be difficult, there's a ton of work to do after all."

Huai Shi helplessly replied, "Don't be sad, even if I'm not around, Amber will surely take care of you."

"But it's different from Miss Huaizhi."

Zhenxi shook her head, "I know Cousin Amber definitely won't mind, but I don't want to live depending on others. Since I was a child, Mother always said, 'no labor, no food.' To truly live peacefully, after all, it's better to go and find a stable job, right?"

"Hmm? Have you already thought it out?"

"Hmm."

She thought for a moment, then confidently said: "Although it can't be called a dream or anything, I already have something I'd like to do in the future."

The teenage girl looked unusually serious, so solemn and earnest, as if afraid Miss Huaizhi might not approve.

Hoping for his endorsement.

Huai Shi was stunned for a long while, then couldn't help but reach out to tousle her hair: "Having a goal is a good thing, but can you tell me the specifics?"

"Ah, that's a secret... It feels like saying it would be really funny." Zhenxi avoided his gaze, sheepishly saying: "I'll tell Miss Huaizhi when I can achieve it."

Huai Shi laughed, "Then you have to work hard."

"Hmm."

Zhenxi nodded vigorously, also smiling, and suggested: "Miss Huaizhi, let me cook porridge tonight, and maybe fry some capelin."

"Sounds good." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"After eating, let's soak in the hot spring together."

"No."

"Eh? Come on, let's soak!"

"No, I have rabies, afraid of water."

"Sauna is fine too!"

"I'm afraid of heat, no way!"

...

In the midst of their banter, they slowly walked towards their destination.

As Zhenxi looked up, she could see the back silhouette of Miss Huaizhi ahead.

That slender figure bathed in the afternoon sunlight, almost overlapping with the gradually sinking sun.

Glittering.

Just looking at it brings a sense of peace.

Even when stepping into darkness, you can feel this piece of longing warmth running through the land.

Just seeing it once prevents despair amid uncertainty and hesitation.

No matter how long the valley of darkness may be.

This is the most precious thing in the world. Compared to it, the coveted position of family head and the exquisite lifestyle in TV shows are not worth mentioning at all.

"I want to be like Miss Huaizhi..."

Zhenxi murmured softly, burying this wish she would never tell deep in her heart, stepping forward to catch up.