Shi Lan wasn't particularly interested in alcohol, but seeing him like this, she couldn't help but grin.
The old tortoise, having lived for a very long time, was not embarrassed at all when she laughed at him. Instead, he shook his head and sighed, saying that she didn't know how to enjoy life.
Shi Lan agreed, adding, "I have plenty more; enough for you to enjoy until they bloom next year."
The old turtle was overjoyed and immediately climbed up the pole, asking her to send some more in a couple of days.
Shi Lan smiled and nodded. The old tortoise was overjoyed and didn't know what to do. Shi Lan then asked him to pick some fresh lotus pods as a thank you gift.
At this time, most of the lotus flowers in the lake had withered, and delicate green lotus pods peeked out from the lotus leaves, inviting the sunlight to dance lightly on their open surfaces.
The old tortoise turned to look at the swaying lotus pods and agreed without even stammering.
Reaching the lakeside, it revealed itself to be a huge turtle. Seeing no movement behind it, it turned around and called out to her, "Little Stone, come here. Today, the old turtle will take you to pick lotus flowers in the lake."
Shi Lan was overjoyed that he was willing to carry her in. She responded cheerfully, jumped to the lakeside, and climbed up in a few quick movements.
The old turtle told her to stand firm, then wriggled its claws and entered the lake.
The lake water rippled gently with the old turtle's movements, and the broad lotus leaves emitted a refreshing grassy fragrance. Shi Lan parted the leaves, grabbed a lotus seedpod, and was about to start eating when the old turtle said, "Wait a minute, these ones on the side haven't grown yet. I'll take you inside to pick some good ones."
Shi Lan released the thin, slightly translucent green stem, sat cross-legged on the shell, and occasionally parted the leaves that blocked her view.
After a while, the old turtle led her to the edge of the lake, opened its mouth and bit off a thin stem, handing it to Shi Lan: "Try it."
Shi Lan took it, broke open the lotus pod, took out the lotus seeds, peeled off the outer green skin, and put the white lotus seeds into her mouth.
It has a light, refreshing fragrance with a hint of sweetness, a crisp texture, a slightly bitter core, and a sweet aftertaste after a couple more bites.
Shi Lan peeled two seeds and offered them to the old turtle's mouth.
The old tortoise chuckled and said, "You eat it. I'm not like you, eating so delicately." With that, it bit into a thin stem and ate it whole, stem and all.
Shi Lan supported herself on the tortoise shell with one hand and shook the thin stem of the lotus seedpod with the other, saying, "If you swallow it whole, how can you appreciate its flavor?"
The old tortoise said, "I've been eating lotus seeds from this lake for tens of thousands of years. Even if they're flavorful, they'll taste like chewing wax after a while." He glanced at Shi Lan, "Unlike you, you always manage to snag some delicious, fresh fairy fruits. They must taste pretty good, right?"
Shi Lan laughed when she saw his toothache and drooling expression.
"Oh dear, I can smell something sour. Old turtle, have you been drinking vinegar?"
The old turtle turned its head and began paddling silently.
Shi Lan plucked a lotus seedpod and said, "Alright, when I come across any delicious fairy fruits, I'll definitely think of saving some for you. You and I are best friends, what do these external things matter?"
The old tortoise grinned, thinking to himself that he knew he hadn't misjudged the person.
He opened his mouth and bit off another lotus seedpod, then turned his head and placed it on the tortoise shell. His eyes, as big as a water basin, looked around, trying to find a better one among the lotus seedpods that were tilted back.
The enormous tortoise shell was quickly filled, and Shi Lan, still wanting more, followed the old tortoise ashore.
The old tortoise skillfully used magic to process the lotus pods, and the brocade bag was bulging with plump lotus seeds. "The lotus seeds will be ripe in two days. If you like them, come back and I'll pick some more for you."
Shi Lan thanked them repeatedly and left with the bag.
The old tortoise carefully collected the lotus pods and other items, preparing to add them to the brewing process.
Shi Lan walked briskly to the garden gate. Before she even entered, she heard Xiao Ming sobbing. Startled, Shi Lan quickly activated the barrier.
Then Fat Fish said in a tearful voice, "You're so stupid! I want you to crush it! Who asked you to eat it? Spit it out right now!"
Xiao Ming whimpered twice in grievance, and the fat fish cried twice, "These are my scales from thousands of years ago, do you know how painful it is to tear off a piece? Can't you just do your job properly?"
The little chirp made two soft "woo-woo" sounds, but before it could chirp again, it was interrupted by two muffled "slap-slap" sounds.
"Grind it carefully with your teeth, hurry up, the pretty sister will be back soon," the fat fish said, its voice still tinged with tears, but that didn't stop it from ordering Xiaoming around with great enthusiasm.
Xiao Ming let out a muffled "woof," and the shed became extremely quiet.
Her nose stung uncontrollably, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Even though he was trying to help her, he was worried that she would feel bad if she saw the scene of peeling off the scales, so he did it secretly.
How could anyone not feel pity and love such a plump fish?
Blinking hard to wipe away the tears that threatened to spill over her eyelids, Shi Lan stood silently for a long time, estimating that the two little ones had finished their work, before deliberately quickening her pace.
Hearing the commotion, people inside the shed bustled about for a moment. When Shi Lan opened the door, she saw Xiao Ming sitting awkwardly in the center, with Fatty Fish hiding behind it. After a rustling sound, Fatty Fish poked its head out and smiled at Shi Lan, saying, "Pretty sister, you're back."
Shi Lan nodded, and Fatty Fish came over with a small bowl, only a tenth the size of a wine glass, and said, "The potion to break the illusion is ready. Quickly try it to see if it works."
The liquid medicine swayed gently with its movement, the pale pink liquid sliding to the rim of the bowl before sloshing back.
Fat Fish's eyes sparkled, and Xiao Ming jumped up to him, looking completely curious.
Shi Lan gently touched its protective aura, lifted the small bowl, and casually conjured a water mirror.
With a slight tap of her slender fingers, the medicinal liquid in the small bowl seemed to flow out and slowly cover her face.
A slight coolness mixed with a faint fishy smell, a bit of soreness and numbness spread from her cheeks to her heart. In an instant, Shi Lan heard a few sounds of shattering from the bottom of her heart. It was as if a shackle on her heart was forcibly opened as the medicine penetrated, and power quickly filled her limbs and bones along her meridians.
As the medicine gradually disappeared, Xiao Ming stared wide-eyed at the face that looked exactly like that bad woman, whimpering and baring his teeth.
The fat fish flicked its tail and swatted it aside, saying, "Don't make a sound."
Xiao Ming blinked, looking very aggrieved.
Fatty Fish happily approached Shi Lan, examined her closely to make sure she had fully absorbed the knowledge, and then said with a smug look, "I told you there's nothing I can't crack."
Shi Lan slowly opened her eyes, and the ethereal woman in the water mirror looked back at her.
Shi Lan gently tugged at the corners of her mouth, and the woman in the mirror displayed a faint smile.
She clenched her fingers slightly and then released them. She hadn't felt this powerful sensation in a long time. Only then did Shi Lan realize that the illusion had not only concealed her appearance.
The fat fish slapped its tail happily and said, "Pretty sister, I'm pretty amazing, right?"
“Fat Fish is the best,” Shi Lan said, snapping out of her daze. Her dark, watery eyes rippled slightly as she looked around.
The fat fish trembled, covered its flushed face, and looked somewhat embarrassed.
Xiao Ming couldn't let the fat fish dote on him, so he quickly started whimpering and jumping up and down.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
