Chapter 42 42 She just wanted to find an excuse to lean on him...
Before Su Xiaoyuan reached the gate, she heard the breathless voice of a maid behind her: "Fairy Su, Fairy Su, please stay—"
Su Xiaoyuan originally wanted to go to another store and buy something to make do. Before the Wushan Festival, all the shops had put a lot of clothes for the festival. The goddess costume was the most popular style, and almost every store had it. The styles were similar, with only the workmanship and materials being different. She didn't care much about it. It was a good thing to save some money.
But when she heard the girl behind her gasping for breath, she immediately softened her heart. It really is not easy for a worker.
She turned and walked towards the maid: "Don't worry."
The maid said, "I'm sorry to have kept Fairy Su waiting so long. The previous guests are about to leave, and the master is tidying up the front hall, waiting for your arrival."
Su Xiaoyuan nodded good-naturedly and followed the maid.
Halfway through the journey, they happened to meet two people wearing veils. They were two men, both very thin, but one had a tall and straight figure, while the other was very charming, which made Su Xiaoyuan inexplicably think of Elder Liu.
As luck would have it, at this moment a gust of wind came and blew away the enchanting veil.
Su Xiaoyuan took a look subconsciously and was suddenly met with a pair of pretty phoenix eyes. The other person was also looking at her, but the look was extremely unfriendly, with naked disgust and inexplicable hatred in it.
It seemed as if she was an eyesore to him if she dared to appear in front of him, and being an eyesore to him was a violation of the laws of heaven.
No one likes being stared at like that, let alone by a stranger you have never met before.
Someone else might glare back, but Su Xiaoyuan, with her crazy, inward-looking personality, would only subconsciously avoid her and then begin to reflect on whether she had offended someone unintentionally.
But she was 100% sure that she really didn't know this person.
At this time, the inn owner came out from the yard and took her hand warmly: "Fairy Su, I have been looking forward to seeing you for a long time, and finally you have come..."
They were about to pass each other, but the man who had glared at her stopped again.
Although separated by a fence, Su Xiaoyuan could feel that his eyes were unfriendly.
She felt a little uneasy, but the owner started chatting and quickly diverted her attention.
Of course, she couldn't hear the two people talking in secret behind her.
[Ah Feng, do you recognize that girl?]
[Of course I recognize her. She's your childhood best friend and an outer disciple. I heard she'll be serving as a divine attendant at the parade.]
[You don't want to attack her, do you?]
[What's going on? Does Immortal Song love the whole house, or is he just being kind to the woman?]
[Ah Feng, don't let your imagination run wild... I just think the girl is young and doesn't seem to be scheming. If she falls into those people's hands, I'm afraid...]
[Heh, everyone else is innocent, but I'm the one with the deepest scheming. Don't I want to be innocent and have someone to protect me? I've already promised not to touch Xie Kaishan for your sake. Does that mean even the cats and dogs around her are so noble that they can't be touched?]
[Forget it, forget it. Why should we get angry over an insignificant person? Just do as you please.]
[Does Jinshu think I'm vicious?]
[I didn’t mean that…]
"I said this just now because I was angry with you, but I'm actually thinking about that girl. She's pretty, but her talent is terrible. Once the Yunyu Sect merges with my Fengyue Sect, people like her will only become low-tier medicine cauldrons. It would be better to capture her this time and present her to the Sect Master. The Sect Master loves to treat young men and women like this, who are ignorant and naive. If she can win the Sect Master's favor and become his cauldron, she'll have a lifelong support."
[I know Ah Feng has a kind heart.]
[It's all because of you! After all, I stole you from the eldest daughter of the Xie family. Helping her friend is like repaying a debt...]
[Stop talking nonsense! You don't owe her anything!]
[With Jinshu's words, I am willing to die.]
[By the way, I heard that the Yunyu Sect's protective formation was set up with the help of Tai Yan's previous Sect Master. It's nearly impenetrable. Ah Feng, please don't put yourself in danger. At worst, we can give up the position of Holy Son. You and I can retire to the forest and live as a pair of free and unrestrained cranes...]
[Don't worry, without a perfect plan, how could I dare to take this upon myself? I'll tell you a secret, we have an insider in the Yunyu Sect, and it's an elder from Yidao...]
[Is this person reliable? Could he be a bait set by the Yunyu Sect?]
[Don't worry, the Yunyu Sect isn't a monolithic entity. Their leader's falsely noble demeanor has long been frowned upon by some within the sect. Those who understand the situation will naturally seek alternative paths and turn from darkness to light.]
…
Su Xiaoyuan didn't have the energy to choose clothes carefully, so she told the shop owner what she wanted and asked her to take out several options. She picked out the most everyday one, which could be worn on a daily basis as long as the complicated shawl, ribbons and beads were removed.
Seeing that she was not in high spirits and it was hard to get a big customer, the shop owner suggested: "We have made a new batch of men's clothes these days. Fairy Su, would you like to take a look? Maybe there are some styles that are suitable for the puppet."
Su Xiaoyuan finally cheered up: "Okay, now that we're here, let's take a look."
The shop owner asked the maid to carry out several large boxes to show Su Xiaoyuan the new men's clothing.
Su Xiaoyuan picked out a few outfits and then hesitated, "Last time I had a dress made of light gauze, with a chain and gold rings... Is it still available?"
The shop owner immediately understood and said with a smile, "I saw Fairy Su look at it several times last time. I knew you liked it, so I kept it for you. I didn't take it out for other customers to see. If you want it, I will pack it up for you."
"Then let's pack them together," Su Xiaoyuan murmured with a red face, "I just bought them to collect..."
"I understand that this dress is our shop's most prized creation. It's worth collecting and should be kept."
Su Xiaoyuan originally came just to buy a goddess costume, but unexpectedly bought a lot of clothes for the puppet.
I also bought that awkward set of clothes for some unknown reason, but I couldn't really let the puppet wear them, so I had to find a way to hide them when I got home.
The trap of consumerism is really hard to guard against.
But I have to say, shopping really relieves stress.
She put the clothes into her Qiankun bag, paid the bill, and went to Mu Qingxianjun's shop to find her best friend.
Song Jinshu's puppet had been repaired and installed as needed, and Mu Qingxianjun was settling the bill with Ruan Mianmian.
Su Xiaoyuan discovered that the originally empty shop had an extra row of shelves, on which were placed sample puppets, half-finished limbs and organs, and some old puppets, which must have been sent in for repair by customers.
He actually started a business in a down-to-earth manner.
Su Xiaoyuan felt a little embarrassed when she recalled the huge scene in the restaurant that night.
Immortal Lord Mu Qing, however, seemed to have lost his memory and looked up to greet her: "Hello, Fairy Su."
"How are you, Immortal Mu Qing?" Su Xiaoyuan was not a gossipy person and did not dare to mention Jiang Mingyi.
Mu Qing said to Ruan Mianmian, "The repair cost is 200 high-grade spirit stones. The new organ is currently 20% off, so it costs 640 high-grade spirit stones. The total cost is 840 high-grade spirit stones."
As Ruan Mianmian took out the money to pay, Mu Qing raised his eyelids and looked at Su Xiaoyuan: "Fairy Su, have you seen that unfaithful man recently?"
Su Xiaoyuan hurriedly shook her head: "Sister Jiang didn't contact me later... I've been busy with the Wushan Festival recently, I'm sorry..."
"It's okay," Mu Qing said, "If Fairy Su sees that unfaithful man, don't mention me to her. I don't want her to know I'm still here."
"Okay..." Su Xiaoyuan agreed.
If you don't want her to know, why don't you change shops?
"My whereabouts have nothing to do with that ungrateful person," Mu Qing added, "I won't leave this place just to avoid them."
Su Xiaoyuan: “…”
I don't know you well, don't tell me this!
As soon as Ruan Mianmian paid the bill, Su Xiaoyuan couldn't wait to pull her up and leave.
But just as she reached the door, Mu Qing called her again: "Fairy Su, please stay."
Su Xiaoyuan had no choice but to turn around and ask: "Immortal Lord, what else do you want?"
"If Fairy Su sees that unfaithful man, please tell her a message."
"Uh... I may not meet Sister Jiang... I'm not very familiar with her..." Su Xiaoyuan said.
Mu Qing seemed to be unable to hear her words: "Fairy Su, just tell her that I, Mu Qing, never want to see her again in this life!"
…
After a tiring day, Su Xiaoyuan took the wing boat back to the sect and managed to recover on the way.
But when the wing boat landed, she inadvertently looked down and saw a familiar figure standing at the sunset ferry.
The puppet was dressed in white and wearing the headband that she had given him for the first time. His sleeves and headband fluttered in the evening breeze, like a fairy in a painting.
As soon as the wing boat landed, Su Xiaoyuan said something to Ruan Mianmian and ran towards the puppet.
"Why are you here, Fu Tingyun?"
"Pick you up." The puppet said bluntly.
"It's not even dark yet, why are you picking me up?"
Because I want to see her earlier and spend more time with her before leaving.
Fu Tingyun just said: "You don't like it?"
"Of course not..." Su Xiaoyuan pursed her trembling lips, trying hard to hold back the tears, and curved her eyebrows, "Thank you, Fu Tingyun."
The puppet took out her water bag from his arms and handed it to her.
Su Xiaoyuan took it and took a sip. It was clear water, but it was particularly sweet, clear and refreshing. It was not well water, and she didn't know where he got it from.
She gulped down several mouthfuls, wiped the corners of her mouth with the back of her hand, and handed the water bag back to him.
The puppet took the water bag and put it away: "Tired? I'll carry you."
Su Xiaoyuan quickly shook her head: "I'm not tired, there are so many people around, and Kaishan is also..."
She turned around and saw her best friend getting off the boat with her puppet, waving at her: "Kaishan, here!"
The puppet didn't insist, but just followed them silently until they parted at a fork in the road, and then he walked to her side.
Opening the courtyard door, soup was simmering on a small red clay stove, and the curling white smoke dissipated in the twilight. The cat squatted by the basin, occasionally stretching out its claws to splash water. When it heard footsteps, it jumped up to the top of the wall with a "whoosh".
Su Xiaoyuan was like a traveler who had finally returned home after a long journey, and all the energy in her body was released.
Returning to her nest, she first rummaged through the drawers and took out the food she had previously produced for the two-dimensional CP, tore it to pieces, then took off her coat and fell on the bed.
The puppet didn't ask any more questions. He just silently burned the torn painting and threw a warm-colored spirit stone into the lamp. "I'll go get the food."
Su Xiaoyuan sat up and called him: "Wait, Fu Tingyun, don't go out yet."
She added, "I'm not hungry yet."
The puppet stopped and said, "Okay."
He walked back to the table and sat down, facing her: "How was your day, Xiaoyuan?"
A simple question was like a hook, instantly drawing out all the emotions she had suppressed.
But she had been accustomed to reporting only good news and not bad news since she was a child. If she was really asked to pour out her grievances, they seemed like trivial matters not worth mentioning.
"Everything is fine."
"real?"
"Of course it's true."
She stood up: "Fu Tingyun, let's do some practice."
The puppet raised his eyelids, and a flash of surprise seemed to pass through his inorganic eyes.
Su Xiaoyuan didn't really want to practice, she just wanted to find an excuse to lean on his arms.
In fact, the first time she saw him at the ferry, she wanted to throw herself into his arms.
Of course she wouldn't say these words.
"Okay." The puppet stood up.
Su Xiaoyuan walked over, put her arms around his waist, and pressed her face against his chest. His embrace was warm, like a real person, although there was no smell or heartbeat.
She held him for a long time before she remembered: "What rank did he get?"
"Level 2, D." The puppet said softly.
"Then try a few more times." Su Xiaoyuan hugged him tighter, her body pressed against him.
Fu Tingyun hugged her back, his strong arms tightly holding her, as if he wanted to embed her into his body. Her body temperature, fragrance, and heartbeat were all close at hand. Every graceful curve and every exquisite ups and downs of her body seemed to be imprinted on his body.
But he didn't feel any desire at all, and the non-existent heart in his chest seemed to be tugging and aching slightly.
He raised his hand and clumsily stroked the back of her head: "Who bullied you?"
Su Xiaoyuan subconsciously wanted to shake her head, but suddenly changed her mind.
She has always been used to reflecting on herself. She keeps the grievances to herself and only reports good news but not bad news, for fear that others will worry or find her annoying.
But the puppet won’t do that.
He belonged to her, was always loyal, and would never be annoyed by her.
"Yes, I was bullied," she cried, clutching his clothes tightly, wiping her tears on his collar. "It was Elder Liu. He inexplicably disliked me and made things difficult for me, mocking me in front of everyone...
"I went to the city to buy some clothes, and a gay man I didn't know suddenly glared at me. I was slow to react and too timid to glare back or swear. I could only come back and vent my anger on the paper figures I drew. I'm such a coward and useless... I'm so unwilling to accept this..."
She cried as she spoke, pouring out all the grievances in her heart.
"I'll accompany you to dance class tomorrow." said the puppet. The chill in his voice made Su Xiaoyuan forget to cry in an instant.
"No need..." she said quickly, "I was just complaining. I'll feel better after crying."
"Is there a rule against bringing puppets?"
"There aren't any rules..." Su Xiaoyuan said, "but Elder Liu is worried about not being able to find any fault with me. No one else brought a puppet, but I did. He'll definitely use this as an excuse."
She was even more worried that he would use his status as an elder to put pressure on her and do something to her puppet - after all, the elders of the sect had the power to confiscate and destroy puppets suspected of being cursed.
She couldn't let Fu Tingyun take this risk.
"I'll go by myself tomorrow, and you must not come with me," she reminded him several times before going to bed. "Just let him say a few words, and you'll be fine after a few days. You have to promise me, Fu Tingyun."
"Okay." The puppet said, touching her hair spread on the pillow.
"It's a deal," Su Xiaoyuan held out her pinky finger, "pink."
The puppet looked at her in confusion.
Su Xiaoyuan took his hand and hooked her pinky finger around his. "This is the custom in my...hometown. Once we hook our pinky fingers together, it's a done deal. Then we stamp it, and it won't change for a hundred years."
"good."
After she fell asleep, Fu Tingyun walked into the courtyard and sent a message to Jiang Mingyi: "Third Senior Sister, what is the background of that Liu from the Yunyu Sect?"
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The author has something to say: Because changing a single word requires re-examination, some typos and mistakes will not be corrected for now, and will be fixed together after the finalization.
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