Before, Lu Qingjiu was there for company, but now, Zhu Miaomiao was the only human left in the family. It seemed only natural that she would lose in the relentless eating competition. She could only watch helplessly as the two people beside her snatched away the last bit of rabbit meat with their chopsticks. Looking at the green vegetables in her bowl, Zhu Miaomiao couldn't help but shed a tear of sadness.
Lu Qingjiu had already stood up to digest his food. He went to the yard to refill the water basin in the chicken coop and replace the rabbits' feed with clean grass. With the hot weather, food spoiled faster and faster. If the chickens didn't finish their feed, they had to dispose of it quickly, otherwise the yard would easily smell bad.
After finishing these things, Lu Qingjiu went to take a nap again. After getting up, he planned to fulfill what he had promised Zhu Miaomiao just now and make some desserts that she liked.
The cheese he'd bought earlier came in handy. Lu Qingjiu planned to try making a cheese tart. He'd also deep-fry some chicken breasts and make some cheese chicken cutlets. Because these desserts were quite complicated to make, Lu Qingjiu had never tried them before and wasn't sure if he could pull them off this time.
Fortunately, thanks to his frequent dessert-making experience, Lu Qingjiu has mastered the heat and fillings to perfection. The freshly-cooked cheese tart exudes a rich, milky aroma, and upon taking a bite, the warm cheese slowly drips down the sides. The cheese tart's edges are crispy, while the filling is rich and liquid, with a distinct milky and milky flavor and a hint of cheese's sweetness. To alleviate the greasiness, the fried chicken cutlet is a spicy five-spice dish coated in a thin layer of breadcrumbs. A large piece is directly placed in the pan and slowly fried in warm oil. After frying, it's then refrigerated a second time to maximize the fat and reduce the greasiness. It's then cut into long strips, and the sharp blade cuts through the breadcrumbs, allowing the rich, juicy chicken to ooze out, revealing the tender, white meat, slowly steaming.
Three pairs of eager eyes at home never left the kitchen. Lu Qingjiu told them to wait in the yard, then made some hawthorn tea with ice. The hawthorns were from last year and were almost gone. The tea had a sweet and sour taste, and the ice made it even more refreshing. On this slightly hot afternoon, it was a perfect way to beat the heat. Lu Qingjiu planned to make more hawthorns this year when they were ripe, so they wouldn't run out.
Of course, he couldn't eat anything cold, so he only prepared a glass of milk for himself. Ever since Zhu Miaomiao came here and discovered that the cows could produce milk of various flavors, he opened the door to a new world and started feeding the cows all kinds of strange things. For example, the glass of egg-flavored milk in Lu Qingjiu's hand...it tasted quite good.
The three of them were already eager to eat in the yard, but they still used their last bit of self-control to endure. Lu Qingjiu sat down and saw their expressions. He couldn't help laughing, and said with a bit of helplessness: "Okay, eat."
Swish, swish, swish. Just as Lu Qingjiu finished speaking, three black shadows flashed before his eyes, and then most of the food in front of him disappeared.
Zhu Miaomiao had previous experience, so this time he used both hands at once, determined to get it first and talk about it later, not willing to fall behind at all.
Lu Qingjiu sat beside them, drinking milk quietly and watching them fight over it.
Afternoon tea is supposed to be a leisurely time, but these three people made it full of swordplay. In the end, the winner was still the White Moon Fox who was not afraid of burns and would not spit out bones. Yin Xun and Zhu Miaomiao were defeated miserably.
The holiday flew by, and in a flash, three days were gone. Although Zhu Miaomiao was reluctant to leave, she had to return to the city to continue working. Of course, before leaving, she didn't forget to take her favorite honey and hair tonic, as well as some fruits grown by the White Moon Fox.
"I'll come back next time." Zhu Miaomiao said goodbye to Lu Qingjiu before getting on the train.
"Well, come again next time." Lu Qingjiu waved his hand and looked at her back until she completely disappeared from his sight before turning and leaving.
He was driving his pickup truck back to Shuifu Village when he saw a familiar figure halfway. At first, Lu Qingjiu thought he had seen it wrong, but it wasn't until he stopped the car in front of the man that he was sure he had recognized him correctly.
"Master Xuanyu, why are you here?" Lu Qingjiu called out as he got out of the car.
Standing by the roadside was a monk in a cassock, a conical hat, and a Zen staff. Hearing Lu Qingjiu's voice, he turned slightly and saluted. Although his face was mostly obscured by the conical hat, Lu Qingjiu still recognized him because of his unique attire. This man was Xuanyu, the monk who had suddenly visited his home during the heavy snow last winter.
According to Xuan Yu, he and Lu Qingjiu's grandmother were old acquaintances, and it was he who implicitly reminded Lu Qingjiu how to use the black box.
"Master Lu, long time no see." Xuan Yu smiled faintly. He was also very handsome. Unlike Bai Yuehu's handsomeness that was full of aggressiveness, Xuan Yu exuded a gentle and tolerant charm like jade, which was somewhat similar to Lu Qingjiu's temperament.
"Long time no see." Lu Qingjiu said, "What brings you here?"
Xuan Yu smiled and said, "I'm just telling Mr. Lu not to go out these few days."
Lu Qingjiu said: "Don't go out?"
Xuan Yu said, "It's going to snow in Shuifu Village."
Lu Qingjiu was stunned: "Snowing? It's only June, how could it snow..."
Xuan Yu did not answer, but stared at Lu Qingjiu with his compassionate eyes. Lu Qingjiu felt as if his soul was being seen through by him. He said, "Master, is there something you want to tell me?"
"Mr. Lu, have you ever been to the mountain god's shrine?" Xuan Yu asked.
Lu Qingjiu said, "I've been there."
"Did you see anything?" Xuan Yu continued to ask.
"What did you see..." Lu Qingjiu said, "Are you talking about my mother's tablet?!"
Xuan Yu said, "It seems that Benefactor Lu knows everything."
Lu Qingjiu nodded, "I pretty much know everything." However, Xuanyu's words reminded him of something. That time, Xuanyu had suddenly turned Yin Xun into a scarecrow. If Bai Yuehu hadn't rushed back, something might have happened to the suppressed things in the ancestral hall. Xuanyu obviously knew what was going on in the ancestral hall. So, why did he turn Yin Xun into a scarecrow? Could it be that he had other intentions?
Before Lu Qingjiu could figure it out, Xuanyu sighed, and there was a hint of regret in his compassionate eyes: "Then why doesn't the donor leave Shuifu Village?"
Lu Qingjiu frowned and said, "Why do you want to leave..."
Xuan Yu said, "Your mother died because of the Water Palace, and your grandmother was imprisoned for her entire life because of the Water Palace. Now you still have a chance to escape, why are you still hesitating?"
Lu Qingjiu restrained his smile and said, "Hesitation? No, I didn't hesitate. I won't leave Shuifu Village." His words were loud and clear, without a trace of hesitation.
Xuan Yu stopped smiling when he heard that. His pair of black jade eyes looked at Lu Qingjiu quietly. Most people's eyes would have lines in their pupils, but his eyes were like a deep lake, so black that it was refreshing.
"Why don't you leave?" Xuan Yu asked.
Lu Qingjiu replied: "I like Shuifu Village."
Xuan Yu: "Do you like Shuifu Village? Or the people in Shuifu Village?"
Lu Qingjiu's brows knitted even tighter. He said, "I don't know what Master Xuanyu means by this. What does he want to tell me?"
Xuan Yu did not continue the topic. He shook his head and sighed, "Forget it."
Lu Qingjiu intuitively knew what Xuanyu would say next.
As expected, Xuan Yu raised his hand and put his hat back on. He turned around and walked slowly towards the mountain. His voice was as ethereal as the mountain mist: "Snow will fall in June. Donor Lu, please be prepared."
Lu Qingjiu wanted to call him, but in the blink of an eye, he disappeared in front of her.
Originally, there was only one road here, but Lu Qingjiu drove forward until he arrived home and did not see Xuanyu again.
After returning home, Lu Qingjiu quickly told Bai Yuehu about this.
Who would have thought that Bai Yuehu's face changed drastically when he heard this, and then he stood up and was about to leave. Before leaving, he told Lu Qingjiu to go to the town to buy some coal tomorrow, and not to leave the yard no matter what happened within seven days. As for Yin Xun, he also asked him to guard the tablets that suppressed the dead at home.
Lu Qingjiu hurriedly asked what happened.
Bai Yuehu shook his head and said he would tell him in detail after the matter was over. After that, he turned into a ball of black mist and disappeared in front of Lu Qingjiu. Lu Qingjiu had a hunch that this matter might be very dangerous, so he quickly told Yin Xun about it. Then he took Yin Xun to the town that night and bought the coal and winter supplies that Bai Yuehu mentioned.
The town boss was a little surprised to see Lu Qingjiu bought these things and asked him why he was going to prepare for winter now. Lu Qingjiu smiled and said a few perfunctory words.
After buying clothes, coal and food, Lu Qingjiu rushed back home. The weather was clear at this time, with white clouds floating in the sky. The moon like a jade plate hung in the sky, and the noisy chirping of insects could be heard. It was no different from any other night.
"What happened?" Yin Xun also looked confused.
While Lu Qingjiu was tidying up the house, he told Yin Xun what happened that afternoon. When he mentioned Bai Yuehu's hasty departure, Yin Xun also noticed something was wrong. He said in panic, "Is that Xuanyu the monk who turned me into a scarecrow? Why did he say it was going to snow? It's only June, how could it snow..."
Lu Qingjiu shook his head, indicating he didn't know. However, Bai Yuehu's nervous expression definitely meant he wasn't joking; something was definitely about to happen. He gave some of the things he'd bought to Yin Xun, asking him to take them home so he wouldn't be stuck at home without food if something unexpected happened.
Although Yin Xun didn't know what would happen, he still listened to Lu Qingjiu obediently.
That night, Lu Qingjiu was troubled and couldn't fall asleep. He tossed and turned, and his mind was full of random thoughts. When it was almost dawn, he managed to fall asleep for a while. But he didn't fall asleep for long before he was woken by a strange noise outside the window.
Rustle, rustle. This sound was familiar, but it shouldn't have happened at this time. Lu Qingjiu was awakened from his hazy dream by the sound. He sat up in bed and opened the window, only to be stunned by the scene outside. In just one night, the once lush green courtyard was covered in snow. The whole world became a vast expanse, and the reflected sunlight stung his eyes.
Lu Qingjiu paused for a few seconds before realizing that he was not dreaming. Xuanyu's prediction yesterday really happened.
Snow fell in June and the cold winter suddenly arrived.
Lu Qingjiu checked his phone and, unsurprisingly, saw no signal at all. He puffed out white mist, donned thick winter clothing, and lit a pot of charcoal in the house. He then carried the shivering little fox cub and two piglets from the living room into the bedroom.
The chickens and rabbits in the yard were also freezing. Lu Qingjiu didn't want them to freeze to death, so he found a storage room, lit a charcoal fire in it, and put them in the house. He closed the windows and spread a thick quilt on the ground, but he didn't know if it would help.
The temperature dropped directly from over 30 degrees Celsius to below zero overnight. Logically, all the plants should have been frozen to death, but miraculously, the vegetables in Lu Qingjiu's yard were still in good condition. Apart from being covered by snow, there was no sign of withering.
Lu Qingjiu rolled himself up into a ball, then staggered off to clean up the room where the kang was heated and lighted it up. After he was done, he and the little fox cubs huddled under the covers, slowly eating toasted steamed bread slices for breakfast.
"It's so cold! Why is it snowing all of a sudden?" Lu Qingjiu's nose tip was red from the cold, and he held the warm Xiaohua tightly and refused to let go. Now he understood why Yin Xun always used Xiaohua as a hand warmer in winter, because the piglet's body temperature is slightly higher than that of humans, and its skin is soft and smooth, and it is very comfortable to hold.
Xiaohua hummed and lay on Lu Qingjiu's chest, eating the steamed bread slices that Lu Qingjiu fed her, but she did not protest: "I don't know, this is the first time I've encountered this."
Lu Qingjiu asked, "How long have you been in the human world?"
Xiaohua said, "I was captured by you guys right after I arrived..."
Lu Qingjiu asked: "Catch?"
Xiaohua: "Oh, I bought it." He glanced at his sister who was sleeping with her butt raised up, and hummed, "Don't worry, the dragon clan is very strong, the White Moon Fox will be fine."
Lu Qingjiu looked at the ceiling and said, "When the snow stops, I'll clean the ceiling of this room..." It was pitch black and no lime could be seen.
It was snowing so heavily outside that you could even hear the sound of it falling to the ground. In the morning, the snow was still at the ankles, but within about a morning, it had reached the calves, and there was no sign of it stopping. The sky was pitch black, with no light in sight, and it looked like it was about to collapse.
Lu Qingjiu was a little worried. If the snow continued to fall, the pressure on the roof would be too great. After all, the old house had not been repaired for a long time. Such a sudden heavy snowfall might cause the roof to collapse. He even heard the creaking sound of the wood under the heavy weight.
Lu Qingjiu thought that if the snow continued to fall, he would have to use a ladder to sweep some of the snow off the roof, otherwise the house would collapse and he would be in even greater danger. Lu Qingjiu was worried about a lot of things, not just Bai Yuehu, but also Yin Xun. Fortunately, he had asked Yin Xun to bring back a lot of food, clothes, and coal last night.
According to Bai Yuehu's words, Lu Qingjiu stayed in the house obediently, with the warm kang under his butt. Outside, heavy snow fell, painting the whole world a dazzling white, giving people a trance-like feeling.
Around six in the afternoon, it was already completely dark. Lu Qingjiu cooked half a pot of chicken soup on the charcoal stove and drank most of it, sharing the meat with his three children. After drinking the soup, he felt much warmer. He added more charcoal to the kang, opened the window a crack, and then huddled in bed.
How's Bai Yuehu? Is he cold? Did he have a good dinner? If he fought with other monsters, was he injured? The warmth gradually took away Lu Qingjiu's consciousness, and he fell into a deep sleep.
The next day, the snow still didn't stop, as if it had been falling continuously all night.
When Lu Qingjiu walked out of the room, the snow had piled up to his knees, and even opening the door had become a very difficult task. To avoid being trapped in the house, Lu Qingjiu could only take out a broom and sweep the snow away from the door. He checked the roof and felt that this situation could not continue. He had to sweep the snow off the roof, otherwise the house would be in danger the next afternoon.
Although it was very dangerous to do this in such heavy snow, Lu Qingjiu still brought out the ladder, slowly climbed onto the roof, and swept the snow down.
As he scanned the sky for a moment, Lu Qingjiu noticed something unsettling in the sky. Fine lines appeared in the thick clouds, and light leaked through them. At first glance, it looked as if the sky had shattered into pieces. This reminded Lu Qingjiu of his dream: those ice-blue butterflies and the figure standing among them.
Lu Qingjiu looked up for a long time, so much so that a thick layer of snow accumulated on his shoulders. Fortunately, although some cracks appeared in the clouds, these cracks showed no signs of expanding. Lu Qingjiu exhaled a breath of white air and continued to lower his head to sweep all the snow off the roof.
After sweeping the snow, Lu Qingjiu felt terribly cold. He hurried into the house and drank the ginger soup he had prepared long ago. The hot ginger soup poured into his mouth, slid through his esophagus, and warmed his somewhat cold stomach. The burning temperature quickly spread to his limbs, and Lu Qingjiu felt like he was alive again.
He rubbed his cold nose and said vaguely, "It's really cold outside."
"Yeah." Xiaohua took the initiative to move over and put her belly on Lu Qingjiu's red, frozen hand. She shivered from the cold, but did not move away. "When will the snow stop?"
"Maybe it will take several days." Lu Qingjiu replied.
If Xuanyu is right, then the snow may continue to fall for seven or eight days. Ah, winter is really hard to endure, especially without the White Moon Fox.
Lu Qingjiu sniffed and sneezed.
Xiaohua asked nervously, "Are you okay?"
Lu Qingjiu said, "It's okay. I might have caught a cold when I just went out." He rubbed his hands and felt his body was almost warm. "Go get some more wine to drive away the cold."
Xiaohua said, "You'd better be careful and don't catch a cold." As she said that, she rubbed Lu Qingjiu with her soft pig nose.
Lu Qingjiu found this somewhat amusing. Xiaohua, Xiaohei, and Su Xi had been together for so long that they had picked up some of each other's habits. Xiaohua was originally a piglet, but she ended up rubbing her head like a fox, and Su Xi's digging in the dirt was no less impressive than Xiaohua's...
Patting his head, Lu Qingjiu went to the storage room and got a bottle of white wine. The worst thing was that the white wine had frozen into ice cubes. Fortunately, it didn't crack, otherwise it would probably be undrinkable. After heating the white wine and drinking a few glasses, Lu Qingjiu's face turned red and he felt much better.
The electricity at home went out yesterday when it snowed. Afraid that his phone would use up its battery quickly, Lu Qingjiu switched it to the most power-saving mode and didn't dare use it to play games. Sitting alone felt a bit bored, so he took out a book from the bedroom, lit a candle, and read slowly by the light.
The quilt was warm, and the breath carried the aroma of wine. Lu Qingjiu's body became warm. In a trance, he seemed to feel Bai Yuehu walking to his side, lowering his head, and placing a gentle kiss on his forehead as usual.
"Moon Fox..." Lu Qingjiu called out Bai Yuehu's name vaguely. He stretched out his hand, wanting to grab the person beside him, but his hand slipped in the cold air. Then he realized that there was no one beside him, let alone Bai Yuehu.
Lu Qingjiu woke up and looked at the time, realizing it was only a little after two in the afternoon. The time passed incredibly long without any entertainment, and Lu Qingjiu felt somewhat helpless. He wanted to sleep a little longer, but found he couldn't, so he had to get out of bed to read and study the recipe.
When the snow stops, Lu Qingjiu will definitely try a few dishes that he had not made before because it was too troublesome to do so, to celebrate properly.
Because the snow was so heavy, the boundaries between day and night became blurred. If the time on the phone hadn't continued to tick, Lu Qingjiu wouldn't have been able to figure out what time it was.
It was past six o'clock, dinner time, and Lu Qingjiu felt he couldn't just mess around with his meal. After all, he had no other entertainment options. If even eating wasn't fun, then life would be meaningless. The water pipes at home were frozen, so Lu Qingjiu had no choice but to carry a bucket to collect snow water, filter it several times, and then heat it up to use.
He took some flour and frozen pork, made a pie and roasted it on the charcoal fire. The rich aroma of the food filled the whole house. The three little guys sat obediently beside them, their eyes fixed on the pie.
Lu Qingjiu turned the pie over and sprinkled white sesame seeds on it. After it cooled down a little, the pie gave off a more tempting aroma.
"Come on, one for each of you." Lu Qingjiu said, "If it's not enough, I'll make more."
The kids got their pies and obediently went to eat nearby. Lu Qingjiu also took a bite, feeling the warm gravy flow down his tongue into his mouth. The pie was crispy on the outside, but the inside was soft and tender from the gravy. Although there were no fresh scallions, the crispy sesame seeds and scallions were just as delicious. Lu Qingjiu performed exceptionally well, finishing three in one breath, so full that he burped. After finishing, he threw a few sweet potatoes onto the charcoal fire and waited for them to roast.
"When will the snow stop?" This question, which had been asked countless times, was asked again. Lu Qingjiu lowered his head and touched Xiao Hei's head. "Don't worry, it will stop soon."
"Yes, don't worry." Xiaohua comforted her sister.
"But I'm so scared," Xiao Hei whispered, "I always feel like something's coming..." This was probably the instinct that only animals have. Lu Qingjiu looked up worriedly and saw the snow falling outside the window, which seemed to never stop.
The author has something to say: Lu Qingjiu: Something is coming...
Bai Yuehu: That’s what I fear the most.
Lu Qingjiu: What?!
White Moon Fox: Poverty.
Lu Qingjiu:???
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
