Chapter 58: It’s settled then

While Liu Qiu wasn’t looking, Su Li’s lips curled upward.

She shot Liu Huang a smug smile and silently mouthed the word ‘trash.’

There was no trace of shyness or timidity left on her face.

Liu Huang’s pupils shrank.

She blinked once, and her expression darkened completely.

Sure enough, this Su Li was no simple character.

But that muddleheaded sickly one probably wouldn’t notice a thing.

If this continued, judging by the current development, the sickly one would only grow more and more attached to Su Li.

Liu Huang let out two dry laughs and forced herself to appear calm.

“My mistake. But Miss Su has just arrived—there’s no need to be in such a hurry to attend to Sister Qiu.”

Su Li sniffled softly.

“But I’m marrying Wife tomorrow. What’s wrong with preparing a little earlier?”

Her voice sounded aggrieved, yet her expression told another story.

There was triumph in it, laced with open provocation.

Her fox-like eyes narrowed, seductive and cunning.

Unfortunately, Liu Qiu could only see her slender back.

Liu Huang clenched her fists.

Seeing Liu Qiu standing behind Su Li and looking at her, Liu Huang suppressed the fury surging through her chest and said slowly, “You’re getting married tomorrow, which means you’re not married yet.”

“It is highly improper to bathe a stranger.”

“Besides, Sister Qiu, are you willing to let a woman you’ve known for less than a day see your naked body?”

Su Li turned her head to look at Liu Qiu.

Her eyes shimmered with crystal tears as she asked pitifully, “Wife, do you consider me a stranger?”

Both pairs of eyes fell on Liu Qiu.

She took a deep breath and chose to defend Su Li.

“Liu Huang, Xiao Li and I are getting married tomorrow. And we are both women. Bathing together isn’t inappropriate.”

There was no other reason.

Su Li was her future spouse.

And on her very first day here, she had already been targeted because of her.

A faint unease stirred in Liu Qiu’s heart.

According to the plot hints, after the original host died, Su Li had ended up with both Liu Huang and Liu Feng.

But judging by how things were unfolding now, Liu Huang was clearly dissatisfied with Su Li.

[System, I have a really bad feeling. The way Liu Huang and Su Li are interacting right now, I can’t imagine them ever getting together.]

If the system had a physical body, it probably would have patted Liu Qiu’s shoulder.

[It’s fine. It’s the classic “bickering lovers” route. I’ve watched plenty of dramas. I know this trope.]

The system’s unreliable reassurance only made Liu Qiu more uneasy.

But panic wouldn’t solve anything.

Right now, the most important thing was keeping the plot moving forward.

Liu Huang’s cheek twitched.

Her eyes turned dark and heavy.

“Sickly one, have you truly forgotten where the money for your treatment and medicine comes from?”

She had intended to restrain herself.

She could even endure Su Li’s provocations.

But she could not endure Liu Qiu defending someone else like this.

Liu Qiu’s breathing faltered.

She lowered her eyes and spoke softly.

“Mother and Father were willing to pay for my treatment and medicine.”

She knew those words were hurtful.

But the original host had always treated the Liu sisters this way.

That was simply her personality.

Liu Huang grew even more irritable.

Her nails dug deep into her palms.

“I’m not here to quarrel. I’m only telling you that this woman cannot be trusted.”

Liu Qiu lifted her gaze.

Her voice hardened slightly.

“And can you be trusted? The moment you returned, you started teasing and provoking me. Aren’t you just holding onto resentment over the past?”

“You’re the one who can’t be trusted.”

Liu Huang’s expression darkened further.

A jolt of alarm shot through Liu Qiu’s heart.

Was Liu Huang about to hit her?

She quickly grabbed Su Li’s hand, pulled her inside, and slammed the door shut, separating Liu Huang from them.

After waiting for a while and seeing no attempt to break in, Liu Qiu’s heart still pounded violently.

With Liu Huang’s strength, if she were punched on the spot, she might ascend to heaven immediately.

“Wife.”

Su Li’s soft voice sounded beside her.

Liu Qiu turned around and realized she was still holding Su Li’s wrist.

She let go at once, her ears flushing red.

“I’m sorry, Xiao Li. I didn’t mean to grab you.”

Su Li wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and gave Liu Qiu a shy smile.

“I like it when Wife touches me.”

Then her smile faded, and sorrow gathered between her brows.

“It’s all because I’m useless and can’t win Sister-in-law’s favor. I’ve caused discord between Wife and her.”

“Wife, please don’t dislike me.”

Su Li was beautiful.

With her willow-shaped brows gently furrowed and her small face tapering to a delicate chin, she naturally inspired pity.

Liu Qiu shook her head.

After hesitating, she raised her hand and patted Su Li’s shoulder in comfort.

“This has nothing to do with you. Xiao Li, you’re very good.”

She didn’t want to speak ill of anyone.

Looking at the steaming wooden tub, she changed the subject.

“Xiao Li, you go wash first. I’ll turn my back and won’t look.”

Su Li let out a small sound and shook her head hurriedly.

“How can that be? Wife, you bathe first. I’ll help wipe your body and wash your hair.”

“I—I’ll use the water after you’re done. A quick rinse will be enough.”

Bathing together… that wouldn’t do.

Liu Qiu said, “Then I’ll boil water for you afterward.”

Though her body was weak, she should at least manage lighting a fire.

Su Li whimpered softly and began to cry again.

“Wife, no one has ever said such words for me before. But I don’t want you to work so hard for my sake.”

She looked unbearably pitiful.

Liu Qiu felt troubled.

If they kept talking, the bathwater would turn cold.

“Then… let’s bathe together.”

Su Li’s face lit up with shy gratitude.

“Wife, th-thank you so much.”

Su Li was timid, tearful, and youthful-looking.

When Liu Qiu faced her, she felt strangely relaxed.

Su Li gave her the impression of a girl who hadn’t quite grown up yet.

There was no aggression in her at all.

Liu Qiu smiled faintly.

“Hurry and undress, or the water will get cold.”

With that, she turned her back and walked toward the rack, slowly removing her long skirt.

Her smooth, slender, pale back was gradually revealed as her inner garments slipped down.

Her waist looked impossibly thin.

Just by measuring with the eyes, it seemed one could encircle it fully with both hands.

Su Li watched carefully.

Her gaze traveled down Liu Qiu’s back, hips, legs, and feet.

When Liu Qiu bent slightly to test the water temperature, Su Li’s eyes fixed on the curve of her hips.

She swallowed helplessly.

Her half-healed heart began pounding violently for no apparent reason.

Su Li touched her ear.

How strange.

It felt itchy.

Was she entering her heat cycle?

Liu Qiu stepped into the water.

Seeing Su Li still standing outside, she called, “Xiao Li, come in.”

Su Li clenched her fingers and nodded vigorously, her shy expression returning.

“Wife, turn around. Don’t look at me.”

Liu Qiu felt even more at ease.

Su Li was even more embarrassed than she was.

That was what someone from ancient times should be like.

She nodded and turned her back.

Soon, the water rippled as Su Li entered the tub.

The wooden tub was not small, but with two people inside, their bodies inevitably brushed together.

Slippery skin pressed against skin.

Su Li’s breathing grew heavier.

Her cheeks flushed hot.

Touching this human in her true form versus in human shape felt completely different.

Liu Qiu made a small sound of confusion.

“Xiao Li, did you feel something brush against you? It felt a bit prickly.”

Su Li smiled shyly.

“Wife, perhaps you imagined it.”

Her fingers slipped behind her to her tailbone.

She grasped her wet tail and gave it a squeeze.

Slowly, it disappeared.

Liu Qiu felt around underwater and found nothing.

She concluded it must have been her imagination.

Lately her health had been worsening.

Faulty perceptions seemed normal enough.

“Maybe I was mistaken.”

After saying that, she fell silent.

She noticed something seemed wrong with Su Li.

Her entire body was flushed red, like a boiled shrimp.

The original host had always soaked in medicinal baths to strengthen the body.

Healthy people could benefit from them too.

But the mixture contained many herbs.

Could Su Li be allergic?

Liu Qiu reached out and touched Su Li’s forehead.

It was burning hot.

She gasped in concern.

“Xiao Li, why are you so hot?”

Su Li grabbed her hand and rubbed her cheek lightly against her palm.

“I’m used to cold water. I’m just not used to hot water yet. It’s fine.”

Her cheek was soft.

The way she rubbed against Liu Qiu’s hand felt almost like a puppy.

Something in Liu Qiu’s heart softened inexplicably.

“As long as you’re fine.”

“Let’s soak a little longer, then get out. The water will cool soon.”

Su Li curled her toes and nodded gently.

After bathing, Liu Qiu refused Su Li’s offer to help her dress.

Suppressing a few coughs, she slowly put on clean inner garments and draped her robe over herself before opening the door.

Unexpectedly, Liu Huang was still standing outside.

Liu Qiu’s breath hitched.

“You don’t need to keep watch here.”

Half of Liu Huang’s figure was swallowed by darkness.

Her lips curved into a smile that revealed nothing of her mood.

“Sister Qiu, finished bathing?”

For a moment, Liu Qiu felt disoriented.

At that instant, Liu Huang looked too much like Liu Feng.

She almost couldn’t tell them apart.

“Yes.”

Behind her, Su Li peeked out and grabbed Liu Qiu’s fingers.

“Wife, I’m tired. Can you take me to rest?”

Her face was flushed, her eyes moist, looking almost… satisfied.

Liu Qiu nodded.

“If there’s nothing else, we’ll go rest.”

Liu Huang stared at her.

After a moment, she smiled.

“Go ahead.”

They had bathed together, seen each other’s bodies.

And now this sickly one was listening to that woman more and more.

Irritation flooded her chest.

It had been a long time since she had felt this displeased.

Liu Qiu didn’t know what Liu Huang had been thinking while standing guard outside.

She only felt something about her had changed.

But it didn’t stop her from leaving with Su Li.

Thankfully, only Liu Huang had been there.

If both sisters had appeared together, she wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

After returning to the room, Liu Qiu lay down immediately.

With her current body, enduring this long had already been difficult.

The moment she lay down, exhaustion swept over her.

The candlelight cast a dim glow across the room, filling it with a heavy, damp atmosphere.

Su Li lay beside her, engrossed in a small illustrated booklet.

She had taken it out from the little bundle she brought.

Liu Qiu had assumed the bundle contained only clothes, but it held three small booklets as well.

She didn’t know what they were about.

After reading for a while, Su Li suddenly turned to her, her tone pleading.

“Wife, can you read? The back pages are all words. I don’t understand them.”

Su Li truly couldn’t.

Though she had lived for two hundred and three years, it had taken two hundred of those years to cultivate a human form.

The remaining three were spent learning about humans.

Unable to refuse her pitiful expression, Liu Qiu took the booklet.

She was startled to discover it was written in simplified Chinese characters.

She read smoothly without obstruction.

“The people of Miao Village began dying one after another, their bodies shriveled as though drained of blood. Everyone said a demon was at work.”

“A Daoist priest was invited, but he turned out to be a charlatan. After spouting nonsense, he seized an innocent woman named Jiang and falsely accused her of being possessed by a demon, claiming that burning her would restore peace to the village.”

“Jiang died, but peace did not return. Instead, more people perished.”

Liu Qiu’s voice was gentle.

Her head was lowered, her long curls falling to one side.

The warm candlelight illuminated her delicate features, casting a soft glow over her pale face.

The small mole beneath her eye lent her a faintly enchanting air.

Su Li gazed up at her.

Gradually, everything else seemed to fade.

In her eyes, there was only Liu Qiu’s slight and fragile figure.

Su Li heard herself ask, “Wife, if I were the monster that drinks human blood, would you join the others and kill me?”

Liu Qiu glanced at her with amusement.

Her dark eyes shimmered with laughter.

Her lips curved gently.

“If you became a blood-drinking monster, I’d raise you in secret and let you drink only my blood. That way, no one else would know, and no one would try to kill you.”

Su Li really did have a childlike imagination.

From this angle, she resembled the little fox.

Equally adorable.

The hand on her head was gentle.

The scent filling her nose made her head spin.

Su Li lowered her gaze.

At an angle Liu Qiu couldn’t see, light flickered in her eyes.

She slowly smiled.

For a fleeting instant, demonic energy overflowed.

Then it’s settled.

She was a fox who valued promises dearly.