friend
Upon hearing Chao Du's words, the other Chao Du suddenly relaxed and instructed, "Then I'll go over there. Don't call Yi Xi, I can see her myself. Tell Hui Yi to take good care of Yi Xi! Don't let Yi Xi come over!"
Chao Du laughed and said, "There's no need to be so alarmed. Perhaps Su Rou Rui's purpose this time is different from before?"
After Huixin left, another Chaodu asked curiously, "How did you persuade her to become Su Ci last night?"
Chao Du stood up, stretched, and said lazily, "I only showed her some of my memories about Su Ci. Just let things flow naturally in a bit. It's okay if you can't answer some questions. Hmm, there's something else I need to keep an eye on."
Asawa took a step to the left, leaving another version of her behind!
The third person waved to the other person.
Another person, Chao Du, also waved his hand blankly: "What's this?"
“Fu Buci wants someone to divine my fate, so of course I have to go and see if the result is accurate.” Chao Du conjured a sword with a white jade sheath and a red gold hilt, and handed the sword to the third Chao Du.
The third one, Chao Du, took the sword, nodded, and then disappeared.
"Let's go have breakfast with Su Rourui first!" Chao Du led the way out of the room. "It seems she couldn't hold back any longer. She probably didn't sleep a wink last night."
...
The two Chaodus went together to Fengchunxuan next door.
Su Rourui was waiting at the door, her eyes filled with eager anticipation.
Asakawa nodded slightly: "It seems that last night's operation had some effect."
The other woman, Asakawa, was itching all over. If Asakawa hadn't been there, she would have turned around and left.
"Sister Chao!" Su Rourui stepped forward and enthusiastically grabbed the hand of another Chao Du. The latter was startled and quickly pulled her hand away, taking a step back.
The scene became quite awkward at one point.
Chao Du coughed lightly.
Another person, Chao Du, felt a chill run down their spine and forced a smile as they responded to Su Rou Rui, "Uh, Sister Su..." Their expression was distorted, and they practically spat out those three words through gritted teeth.
Asahi heard another version of himself say in his mind, "I can't take it anymore, I feel like throwing up."
...It must have been tough on her. After all, she had been rivals for many years and had hated them for so long. Plus, Su Rourui here had harmed her, so the two of them were truly enemies.
Across from her, Su Rourui forced a smile, but her beautiful eyes simultaneously conveyed a complex mix of emotions, including doubt, confusion, and speechlessness.
Asaka rubbed his temples and said to his other self, "Just say you forgot your gift and need to go back."
The other woman, Chao Du, frowned even more deeply. Chao Du heard her internally questioning: "I still have to give this bitch a gift?!"
Asakawa quickly explained, "I'll do it for you in a bit. As for the gift, a single flower will do."
The other Asakawa breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay... cough, I forgot to bring a gift, I have to go back."
Having said that, the other Chao Du couldn't wait for Su Rou Rui's response and hurriedly walked back. After taking three or five steps, he still felt it was too slow and flew straight back to Qin Se Palace.
Chao Du overheard the maid beside Su Rou Rui whisper, "Will she be back later?"
Su Rourui: "...It's hard to say." Her smile vanished, and her disappointment was palpable.
Chao Du also caught up with another Chao Du by riding the wind.
Another Chao Du had already entered the side hall. As soon as Chao Du appeared, she broke down and said, "I really can't hold it in anymore. I feel like I could vomit every time I hear her call me 'sister.' I feel like I could throw up everything I ate three years ago. That bitch, how could she have the nerve to do that!"
Chao Du sighed, "This is my fault for not thinking things through. I'll go in your place later. You rest here for a while, and don't show your face until I get back."
The other one breathed a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly: "That's easy! You'd better hurry up and turn her into Su Ci!"
Asaka chuckled: "Now you're being so generous again, so eager to help her."
As she spoke, the white robe on Chaodu suddenly transformed into a pomegranate-colored brocade skirt on another Chaodu.
Asahi took another closer look at the other Asahi's face, and then, she added a layer of makeup to her face.
“They look so alike,” the other Chaodu agreed. “But somehow we still seem a little different, even though our appearances, makeup, and clothes are exactly the same… Hey, I remember there’s a mirror in this room in the side hall!”
Chao Du reminded her, "Su Rourui is still waiting."
"It's alright, it won't hurt to make that bitch wait a little longer." Another Chaodu pulled Chaodu along and lifted the beaded curtain at the door of a room next door. Sure enough, there was a small bronze mirror covered in dust on the dressing table inside.
Another person raised their hand and tapped the mirror from a distance. The mirror instantly became clean, reflecting the faces of the two people.
“I can do this little bit of magic.” The other one smiled and then carefully examined the two faces in the mirror. “They really look alike… the biggest difference is their eyes, isn’t it?”
The two people's eyes were like a clear, bottomless pool, but the pool had been still for many years, and sorrow lurked at the bottom.
His other pair of eyes held a pure and calm composure, like a gentle breeze and a bright moon.
The other Asakawa raised his eyebrows, narrowed his eyes, and raised the corners of his mouth, but no matter how he adjusted himself, he couldn't capture the feeling of Asakawa.
“This…” The other Chaodu was somewhat frustrated.
Asaka patted her shoulder and comforted her, "It's normal that our eyes are different because we've had different experiences. Besides, eyes are the hardest thing to imitate. You can take your time to find the feeling. I'll go over there now."
"Fine, but you're only allowed to bring that bitch one flower!" Another Chaodu suddenly got angry and stubbornly said, "After all, it's just a random excuse, you're not allowed to bring her more!"
"Alright, alright." Asaka chuckled. "Just one branch, here you go."
Chao Du stretched out his hand, and a flower materialized in his hand. The petals were bright like orange-red flames, and the stamens were slender and golden. At first glance, it looked like a phoenix bursting out of the flames. The flower stem was crystal clear like glass, and there were some sharp crystal thorns on the stem.
Another woman asked in surprise, "What kind of flower is this? I've never seen it before. It must be very precious and rare! Don't give this to her!"
Asaka explained helplessly, "Actually, she gave this to me in my world. It's a new variety she carefully cultivated, called Fire Reborn."
Another person, Asakawa, hesitated and said, "Since it was a gift from her... okay."
Asakawa nodded and put away the flower path: "Then I'm going. Remember not to go out. You know the invisibility spell, right?"
"Yes, don't worry!" another Chao Du assured him. "I won't be idle during this time; I'll practice my sword!"
Chao Du nodded with satisfaction, walked out of the side hall, and returned to Fengchun Pavilion, only to find the entrance empty.
Chao Du summoned the flowers and went straight inside. A passing maid saw her and widened her eyes: "You're back again?"
Chao Du chuckled: "Look at what you're saying. Since you've made the invitation, how could I possibly refuse?"
The maid looked as if she had seen a ghost, then quickly ran to the main house to report: "My lord, she has actually returned!"
Su Rourui hurriedly walked out of the house, and when she saw the smiling Chao Du and the flame-like flower in her hand, she was stunned.
The flowers in the newcomer's hand were a variety she had never seen before! And these flowers had thorns!
This is the person she's been waiting for!
"Quickly, please sit down! No, let's go inside first..." For the first time in so many years, the usually eloquent Su Rourui was incoherent, and the maids around her looked at her in surprise.
Chao Du nodded and entered the house. Inside, a table was already laden with dishes and snacks, each one a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate—perfect bait to whet the appetite.
Moreover, these dishes are full of spiritual energy, and are obviously not ordinary dishes. They should be precious dishes that can replenish spiritual energy and improve cultivation. Only cultivators who cultivate the art of cooking can make them using various special ingredients full of spiritual energy.
Su Rourui really put her heart into it this time.
Su Rourui's maid led Chao Du to her seat and was about to serve her some food when Chao Du waved her hand and said, "No need. We're sisters, so just be comfortable with each other."
The maids looked at each other, feeling as if they had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
Su Rourui understood and told them to go out first, closed the door, and activated the soundproof and privacy-preventing array inside the house.
Then, Su Rourui turned around and excitedly asked, "Are those real?" She couldn't even wait to sit back down before asking.
Chao Du smiled and nodded, then raised his hand, and the Fire Flower in his hand automatically flew into the still empty white jade vase in the room, quickly sprouting new branches and buds, and in the blink of an eye the vase was full of blooms.
A cluster of red flames adorns the white jade, and a subtle fragrance wafts through the air, adding a touch of brightness to the room that has not yet been carefully decorated.
Su Rourui glanced at the vase with delight and asked even more eagerly, "How can I trust you?" In fact, she already believed you to a great extent.
Chao Du smiled but said nothing, and picked up a golden shrimp ball with his chopsticks to taste it. Hmm, the taste was indeed good. Perhaps the other golden honey shrimp he made himself would be even better. No wonder he couldn't forget it.
Su Rourui: "You...you make it hard for me to trust you." Her trust level has dropped to seven out of ten.
Chao Du put down his chopsticks, looked at her, and said calmly, "I didn't mean to hide it, but you might not believe me even if I told you now, and it might even cause me some trouble. Let's wait a little longer, the time isn't right yet. Please sit down, this food is good, don't waste it."
"The timing isn't right...trouble?" Su Rourui muttered, returning to her seat in the main seat. Then, she couldn't help but ask again, "So, what's your relationship with Chao Du?"
"I am Asawatari." Asawatari smiled and picked up a piece of amber eggplant pastry. "The real deal."
"Impossible! You are definitely not the same person! The one who came first was Chaodu!" Su Rourui said with certainty. "Even if you look exactly the same, your eyes are different. Her silly... adorable eyes are completely different from yours. By the way! Last time I searched Qinse Palace, you were the one helping her, weren't you? Otherwise, with her abilities, how could she have figured it out?"
Chao Du made a shushing gesture: "When the time comes, you will naturally understand. Try this begonia pastry. I remember you really like the pearly begonia."
Su Rourui was stunned: "You knew me before?"
Chao Du nodded: "An old friend of many years, a friend through thick and thin. This flower that rose from the ashes was actually cultivated by you and given to me."
"It's me?!" Su Rourui exclaimed in shock. "But I have absolutely no recollection of this. When did this happen? Could it be... the future?!"
Asakawa sighed softly, "I can't tell whether it's the past or the future. In any case, those are my real memories. I'm sorry, it's not time to tell you everything yet."
"..." Su Rourui remained silent for a long time before asking, "Why did you help me?"
Asawa put down his chopsticks, looked into her eyes, and answered honestly and matter-of-factly, "Because we are friends."
"Friends?" Su Rourui chuckled lightly; she never believed in that word.
Even blood relatives and lovers who have sworn eternal vows can exploit each other and even turn against each other. What then are friends?
Asahi smiled and said, "It's fine to remain vigilant and not believe me, after all, I have indeed kept a lot from you."
Su Rourui stared at the begonia pastry on the plate, motionless and silent.
Chao Du picked up another piece of "Kaiyun Phoenix Wings" and said frankly and sincerely, "Don't worry about it. My intention was not to make you suffer. Neither you nor 'me' have it easy. I've also been thinking about what it would mean to help you now. You see, last night I only wanted to deliver a sword and chat with you, but it resulted in your flowers being ruined. I'm sorry."
“You don’t need to apologize. You didn’t destroy those flowers.” Su Rourui sighed. “I’ve carefully nurtured those flowers for so many years. He knew all this, yet he showed no mercy.”
Asakawa sighed, "He's not a flower lover."
Their eyes met, and Chao Du chuckled, "Of course you are a flower too, a rare and precious fairy flower."
Su Rourui covered her mouth and chuckled: "You're much more interesting than Chaodu."
Asawari reluctantly reiterated, "I am Asawari. If possible, please give me less trouble."
Su Rourui raised an eyebrow: "Is this why you helped me?"
"It was just a side effect." Chao Du raised his hand, and a slender silver teapot flew up automatically, pouring a cup of spiritual tea for her and Su Rourui respectively. "As I said before, you and I are friends, so of course I don't want us to cause trouble for each other."
“Friend.” Su Rourui repeated the word, no longer with contempt, but her eyes still showed disbelief.
Chao Du wasn't in a hurry. He took another bite of "Spring Snow," and the fragrance of locust blossoms seemed to enter his stomach like a breeze. Chao Du nodded with satisfaction: "Thank you for your hospitality today. The dishes and snacks were very delicious. I'll head back now. Yi Xi is still waiting for me."
Upon hearing the last sentence, Su Rourui's eyes were filled with disbelief.
Chao Du didn't really care; she was just putting on an act. Before leaving, she thought for a moment and added, "It's best not to tell Fu Buci about this too soon."
"Oh? You're afraid of him?" Su Rourui became interested. "By the way, I can tell you a secret, but you have to answer a secret too."
Chao Du smiled and refused, "I guess the secret you want to tell me is that the sect leader of the Star Gazing Sect, Yan Ke, is going to tell my fortune, right? Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him. If he's wrong, I'll be the first to ruin his reputation. As for me being afraid of Fu Buci? Ha, he should be the one being afraid of me. Wasn't last night enough proof?"
Su Rourui was slightly taken aback, unable to refute it. Then she suddenly realized something, something that was actually quite obvious, but which she hadn't had time to think about last night in her exhaustion and shock: "You're even stronger than Fu Buci?!"
"Anyway, he's not the best in the world." Chao Du smiled, waved to her, and stood up to take his leave. "Until we meet again, my friend."
In a state of extreme shock, Su Rourui instinctively stood up to see her off. It wasn't until she returned to the house and saw the table full of spiritual dishes that she came to her senses.
This person is even stronger than Fu Buci.
But why would someone like that target her and offer to help "her"? Is it really because they're friends, as they claim?
Su Rourui had wanted to suspect something, and she already had, but this person's gaze and words were so open and sincere that he seemed to have no defenses against her at all—this person tasted most of the dishes on the table, as if he didn't think she would poison him at all.
All of this caused her doubts to dissipate like morning frost in no time.
This person is either the most open and warm-hearted person she has ever met, or the best actor she has ever seen.
Speaking of which, the two dishes this person didn't try were carp soup and sweet and sour fish. It seems she doesn't really like fish, which is the same as Chaodu.
What exactly is her relationship with Asawa?
...
Chao Du returned to the side hall of Qinse Palace, where another Chao Du was still practicing his swordsmanship, indicating that nothing went wrong.
As soon as Asakawa appeared, the other Asakawa eagerly asked, "How was it? Did she become Su Ci this time?"
Asakawa chuckled, "Not so fast. But the seed has already been planted, so it can be considered sprouted for now. Hopefully, it will bloom soon. Hmm?"
"What's wrong?" another person asked.
Asakawa raised the corners of her mouth slightly: "Yan Ke has arrived. The interesting part is about to begin."
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