Ah Zhu prepared something for Xia Xiao, and also prepared a copy for Hu Bugui. Hu Bugui didn't care about the price of the gift, but only the thought, so he was very happy.

As a leader of the foothills, Hu Bugui had also worked as a teacher. He had received countless gifts, including jade, antiques, spiritual fruits and delicacies, but none of them was as simple and direct as a meal. Things made by oneself were more sincere than those bought with money. And with Hu Bugui's strength, he knew where Xia Xiao was in a second.

Holding the bamboo basket, Ah Zhu was a little excited, and her heart was beating very fast. Today she was wearing a black and white dress, and she didn't have too many accessories on her body, just like she had only a hair band in her hair, which was simply tied up. During her time in the academy, Ah Zhu still learned some makeup skills, although it was only very light makeup, but it involved eye shadow, eyebrow drawing, blush, and rouge.

The light makeup made the candlelight more delicate, but she was still a little unsure of herself. The mountains did not make her feel inferior, and her grandmother's words always gave her the principles and truths of life. But she felt that Xia Xiao loved Shu Shuang so much that even if he didn't fall in love with Shangshan, he wouldn't be so indifferent.

To put it bluntly, Ah Zhu was afraid that the situation she was most worried about would happen. If Xia Xiao did not agree to her and deliberately distanced himself from her in the future, she would lose more than she gained. She felt that Xia Xiao could do such a thing because he was afraid of trouble and often talked about trouble when he was on a mission outside.

The small white building where Xia Xiao was was shrouded in the light of the last few clouds of fire today. Ah Zhu stood outside the wall of the small white building, his shadow was reflected on the wall, and he also entered the yard. Just as he was pacing in the same place at this moment, his heart had already flown to Xia Xiao's side.

Xia Xiao was still immersed in his own world. He sat cross-legged in the metal hall, talking to the Golden Spirit Beast about Shangshan in this slightly cool place, which was perfect for summer vacation. The Golden Spirit Beast had always been arrogant and thought that he was a very special character and that everyone in the world had to make way for him. But above him, there was Qing Xunzi, and now there was Shangshan.

The power left by the gods in the Golden Spirit Beast is the gold energy of the ancient Golden Spirit Beast, which can break away from the five elements by removing the destructive and annihilating power in Shangshan's body. Strictly speaking, that is the real power of the gods. In comparison, the power Shangshan possesses is stronger. Therefore, when the Golden Spirit Beast heard that Shangshan stayed with Xia Xiao, it was silent for a long time.

The ancient golden spirit beast had seen it before, but the talisman array in it was beyond his reach. The power in his body was also difficult to compare with it. The five talisman arrays were cast by the ancestor of the spirit contract himself, aiming to resist the impact of the black air. And his mission to cut off everything and destroy the black air was just... the product of his own arrogance. The original intention of the master of the spirit contract to leave him behind was actually somewhat different from this.

The gold spirit beast was too aloof, even a little arrogant. But he chose to ponder and did not tell the true intention of the spirit contract ancestor. He needed to weigh the pros and cons. Even if he really could not leave Xia Xiao in the end and become an independent free body, he could not be ordered around by Xia Xiao like the wood spirit beasts.

"With your proud character, you will definitely not tolerate going back on your word. So I believe in you. As long as you agree to join forces with me, I will help you remove the seal. Although you can't leave me after the seal is removed, it is still freer than here. What do you think?"

Facing the golden spirit beast that would not respond to any persuasion, Xia Xiao could only succeed if he reached an agreement with it. But his answer was always the same, only one sentence.

"Let me think about it."

There was some hesitation in his deep voice, but he had already wavered and no longer had the firm belief he had at the beginning. He had seen Xia Xiao's memory and knew the origin of the machete, and also knew that it had a faint connection with Shu Shuang. Now that the machete had turned into a human and was following Xia Xiao, it was not strange.

This is Xia Xiao's trick. Shangshan will not follow him obediently, but as long as the Golden Spirit Beast makes the decision, it will be fine.

"Wait a mininute."

The woman's voice was sweet, making Xia Xiao feel like he was bathed in spring breeze. It was also a kind of enjoyment to have such a woman by his side, but Xia Xiao was once in great pain because she had the shadow of Shu Shuang.

"Xia Xiao, Ah Zhu is here."

Xiao Ran said softly, and prepared to let Ah Zhu go if Xia Xiao didn't wake up. People who are practicing cannot be disturbed. This is the rule of practitioners.

What is she here for?

Xia Xiao had a dull expression, and always felt that something bad was going to happen. Ah Zhu was different from the past when she was on a mission. She used to be very casual and relaxed when she was out, but this time she became restrained and even deliberately wanted to show off. Xia Xiao didn't want to talk about love with her, but she was afraid that she would be too sentimental, so she stood up and walked to the door.

At the door, Ah Zhu waited obediently without sticking her head out to look around. She knew what kind of girl Xia Xiao liked, so she tried to be that kind of person.

"Good evening."

Seeing Xia Xiao, Ah Zhu's eyes brightened. Xia Xiao was like a match, lighting up his anxious heart. Ah Zhu also mustered up the courage to come here. When he saw Xiao Ran opening the door, his heart tightened and he almost backed out. But when he saw Xia Xiao, he finally felt relieved.

"Come in."

Ah Zhu had prepared a lot of words, but now they were gone, and he couldn't say a word. It turned out that this kind of thing had to be improvised, and imagination alone was useless.

Embarrassed, nervous, heartbeat accelerated. Every time Ah Zhu took a step, she felt like she was going to fall down. It was her first time in her life and she was inexperienced. Ah Zhu began to regret it. If she had practiced with someone beforehand, she wouldn't have been so embarrassed. Xia Xiao noticed that something was wrong with her, but didn't point it out. He just said:

"Usually he comes straight in, but today he even knocked on the door. Not bad, you've made progress."

"That's because the door is usually open. Of course you have to knock when it's closed."

Ah Zhu didn't want to say this, but it was like an instinctive reaction. Xia Xiao didn't react much, sat in the living room, poured a cup of tea, and asked:

"What do you want from me?"

"A reward for you."

Azhu picked up the basket and handed it to Xia Xiao.

"Food?"

"Open it and take a look."

Seeing Ah Zhu's eyes full of stars, even though Xiao Ran didn't like her very much, she still said to Xia Xiao:

"You guys chat, I'll go out for a walk."

Xia Xiao knew that Xiao Ran was creating enough personal space for herself, so she didn't refuse. Xiao Ran inherited Shu Shuang's will, and her style of doing things became more and more like hers. No matter what grievances she had in her heart, she would always put Xia Xiao first. She and Shu Shuang were always the kind of girls who would not make trouble for no reason.

Seeing Xiaoran leave, Azhu breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's thoughtful. Chicken feet, peanuts, vegetable pancakes, and rice balls are all things I like to eat."

"And the wine that Master gave me."

Ah Zhu helped Xia Xiao place the dishes on the low table, and lowered her head, suddenly feeling timid. Even though Xiao Ran had left, she still felt that she shouldn't speak out her true feelings, otherwise she wouldn't even be able to be friends. While she was struggling, Xia Xiao brought chopsticks and a wine glass, and felt the comfort of having a drink with a brother.

Holding the hem of her skirt, Xia Xiao's heart beat very fast. After taking the wine glass from Xia Xiao, Ah Zhu frowned in frustration. This delicate little face became worried under the candlelight, which made Xia Xiao smile and couldn't help saying:

"If you have something to say, just say it. You'll get sick if you hold it in."

"This kind of thing is hard to describe in a few words."

Xia Xiao held up the cup, and Ah Zhu drank it in one gulp before she even touched it. She usually didn't drink, but after taking a sip, she felt an extremely bitter taste in her mouth and a very hot throat. Not only did it hit her nose, but it also felt like a few drops of molten lava flowed into her stomach. The burning sensation made her curl her nose and grin, which made Xia Xiao laugh.

"It's like eating shit. Drink slowly."

"They say alcohol makes cowards braver, I want to give it a try."

Ah Zhu said, even though her face was red, she was still preparing to pour the wine. Xia Xiao did not stop her, watching her drink another glass and coughing repeatedly. Xia Xiao picked up the chicken feet and patted Ah Zhu's back before he took a bite.

"Are you worried?"

"There are some things in my heart that I don't know whether I should say or not."

"You are so well prepared, just tell me."

"I'm afraid."

"Are you really scared?"

Xia Xiao laughed at Ah Zhu. When he was chewing chicken feet, the half of his face illuminated by the candlelight was angular and exceptionally handsome, emitting an indescribable brilliance. Time seemed to be suspended at this moment. Ah Zhu looked at him and suddenly became impulsive. No matter what the consequences of today were, she had to speak her mind.

It is true that alcohol makes cowards brave. It could be a psychological effect or it could be the alcohol, but Ah Zhu felt hot all over and grabbed Xia Xiao's wrist. Ah Zhu sat on Xia Xiao's left. He looked at her and didn't understand what she meant. If she wanted to talk, she could talk. Why did she hit him? But Ah Zhu used up all her courage. She looked into Xia Xiao's eyes and said with a hot mind:

"I like you."

Three fingers of the chicken claw on Xia Xiao's right hand were bitten off, leaving only one finger, which stood alone in the air, like a thumb raised. After Ah Zhu finished speaking, her face turned red, her eyes dodged, and she tried to find a crack to get in. Her courage was gone, and she stopped staring at Xia Xiao's eyes.

It seems that Xia Xiao's premonition was right, but now he licked his lips and took two breaths of cold air, because the chicken feet were a bit spicy. He should express his opinion at this time, but what should he say? Xia Xiao naturally didn't dislike Ah Zhu. She was lively but principled. She was sandwiched between Shu Shuang and Shang Shan, and she was more like a real person worthy of love. And she was also beautiful, and hard work was perfectly embodied in her. After being on duty for so long, there was rarely anything, but he still had to refuse. The reason is hard to explain.

"Azhu, I told you the story of the Day and Night Marks, remember?"

"I remember. I told you that on the boat."

That was on the way from Yuguhaikou to the eastern shore of Goulongbangshi. Because they were afraid of exposing their identities, Xia Xiao and Azhu stayed in the room. Sometimes when they were bored during dinner, Xia Xiao told this story. But Azhu remembered that Xia Xiao said that since Shu Shuang left, his night pattern had no response even if he activated it. Why did he say this now?

"Daytime patterns appeared on Shangshan's body."

Ah Zhu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood. When she lowered her eyes, she had a kind of loss that was hard to hide. She had been busy for most of the day and waited for so long, but she didn't expect that the reason for being rejected was not Shu Shuang, but Shang Shan.

Pulling her skirt, Ah Zhu's eyes were wet. She looked at the ground, where the candlelight could not reach. This usually carefree and cheerful girl was not happy now. Her long chestnut hair was extremely charming under the candlelight, and the belt showed off her slender willow-like body, but it was all in vain.

Ah Zhu knew that the risk of success and failure was 50-50, so she had thought about what she would say if she was rejected, but just like before, she couldn't say anything now. Xia Xiao didn't expect her reaction to be so strong, but no matter how careless a person is, they will become extremely sensitive in their emotions. Who doesn't want to be loved?