Extra - Xijian
The mornings at Bai Niao Gang always begin with the screams of frying fish.
"Aaaaaah! How did Sister Xijiang turn into a man?!"
Hearing the commotion, everyone rushed into the backyard, where they saw Xi Jiang standing by the well, his long hair tied up high, dressed in a dark blue outfit, with a short sword at his waist. He had handsome features and a calm expression.
The steamed bun in the eldest brother's hand fell to the ground with a thud.
"...Xi Jiang?"
Xi Jiang nodded slightly, his voice low and deep.
"Um."
A drunken breeze stirs the pipe.
"You...have always been a man?"
Xi Jiang nodded.
"yes."
Chen Ze, sword in hand, sneered.
"What are you planning to do, disguising yourself as a woman to infiltrate the gang?"
Xi Jiang remained expressionless.
"You didn't ask me anything when I joined the gang."
Everyone: "..."
Shiyun was sitting on the veranda playing the zither when she heard this, her fingers paused, and the music stopped abruptly.
Xi Jiang walked up to him, and the two looked at each other for a moment.
Shiyun: "..."
Xi Jiang: "..."
Shiyun suddenly raised her hand, her fingertips gently brushing against Xijiang's Adam's apple, pressing it as if to confirm, then withdrew her hand and continued playing the zither.
The music continued to play, as if nothing had happened.
Xi Jiang's lips curled slightly.
Thank you.
He muttered to himself while frying the fish.
"That's such a calm reaction..."
Since Xi Jiang resumed wearing men's clothing, the daily life of the Hundred Birds Gang has undergone subtle changes.
The kitchen stove was never used for frying again. Xi Jiang's knife skills were astonishingly fast; the potatoes were shredded like hair, and the meat slices were as thin as cicada wings. Even Chen Ze couldn't help but take a second look.
The gang's ledgers suddenly became clear.
In the past, the eldest brother would fall asleep while doing accounting, but now Xi Jiang can sort it out clearly in no time and even find out that Zui Qingfeng secretly bought cigarettes.
Even Gou Dan has become much more obedient.
One day, a bald chicken tried to steal a freshly grilled fish from Xijiang, but was grabbed by the neck and left dangling in mid-air, kicking its legs.
"Let go of me!"
Xi Jiang said calmly.
"Steal again, and I'll make soup."
Dog Egg immediately wilted.
The eldest brother sighed.
"Xi Jiang, now our gang can avoid so many detours..."
One day, the Hundred Birds Gang took on a job escorting a caravan.
When the bandits attacked, just as everyone was about to make a move, they saw Xi Jiang draw his short knife and disappear into the enemy ranks like a ghost.
The blade flashed like snow, each move swift and decisive. Before the bandits could react, they were already lying on the ground.
Chen Ze stood by, sword in hand, observing, offering little commentary.
"good."
I was so drunk on the breeze that I forgot to smoke.
"This skill... were you really a musician before?"
Xi Jiang sheathed his sword.
"Genuine or not."
The eldest brother came over.
"Xi Jiang, what other surprises do you have in store for us?"
Xi Jiang thought for a moment.
"I can fix roofs."
Everyone: "..."
Despite the revelation of Xi Jiang's gender, his relationship with Shi Yun remained unchanged.
Shiyun plays the zither, while Xijiang brews tea.
Shiyun tunes the strings, Xijiang grinds ink.
Shiyun observed the stars at night, and Xijiang silently handed her a cloak.
"Cook the fish carefully," Shiyun asked.
"How did you and Brother Xijiang meet?"
Xi Jiang came over with a cup of tea and said calmly upon hearing this.
"A friendship forged in life and death."
Shiyun smiled slightly, and the sound of the zither began, a piece called "High Mountains and Flowing Water".
Dog Egg squatted on the roof beam, staring at Xi Jiang for a long time, and suddenly blurted out a sentence.
"Xi Jiang, you were prettier as a woman."
Xi Jiang didn't even raise her head.
"Um."
"If you're this fierce now, you'll never find a wife!"
Xi Jiang finally raised his eyes, and his short sword was drawn half an inch from its sheath with a whoosh.
"...Shut up, sir."
A cool night breeze blew as the members of the Hundred Birds Gang sat around drinking in their courtyard.
The eldest brother raised his glass.
"Jing Xijiang! Even though you've been lying to us for so long... our guild has gained a reliable brother, so it's not a loss!"
A gentle breeze and a light laugh.
"Indeed, he's better than that guy who talks about how handsome he is all the time."
Chen Ze glanced at them coldly.
Who are you talking about?
Pan-fried Fish chimed in with a grin.
"Brother Xijiang, will you still wear women's clothes in the future?"
Before Xi Jiang could answer, Shi Yun suddenly spoke up.
"No need."
Everyone was taken aback.
Shiyun said calmly.
"He's doing well now."
Xi Jiang lowered her eyes, a slight smile playing on her lips, and gently clinked her cup against Shi Yun's.
Under the moonlight, on the eaves of the Hundred Birds Gang's house, Gou Dan yawned.
But its bald head tilted slightly towards Xi Jiang, and it secretly rubbed against the hem of his clothes.
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