After transmigrating into the body of the Jade Rat Spirit, I became Nezha's adopted sister.

Bai Yeying's feelings were seen through, but she would never admit it. She twisted her fingers: "I was just anxious! Who told that monster to look so much like it?"

Sun Wukong shook his head, then looked at Nezha and grinned, "Thanks this time." He was naturally thanking Nezha for subduing the lion demon and preventing it from harming anyone or escaping.

Nezha nodded slightly and said no more.

It was nearly dusk. Sun Wukong still needed to escort his master back to Wuji Kingdom to handle the aftermath and exchange travel documents, so he couldn't stay any longer.

"Little mouse, next time you're watching the fun, don't come up with those kinds of ideas again!" Sun Wukong said half-jokingly before leaving, then led his master and fellow disciples away.

Now, only the two of them remained. Nezha looked at her, reached out, and gently brushed the stray hairs from her forehead, tucking them behind her ear.

"I'm leaving." He withdrew his hand, and the fiery wheels beneath his feet blazed with light. "Let's go back."

Bai Yeying looked at him, feeling embarrassed by his gentle actions just now.

"Oh, okay." She quickly replied and moved closer to him without hesitation.

The Wind and Fire Wheels took off again, carrying the two of them, and flew towards the direction of Trapped Sky Mountain.

She sat on the Wind-Fire Wheels, next to Nezha, secretly glancing at him.

Nezha noticed her gaze and glanced down at her, asking, "What are you looking at?"

"Because you're handsome." Bai Yeying blurted out, then immediately felt embarrassed and quickly tried to cover it up, "What I meant was, the Third Prince's demeanor is exceptionally refined, unparalleled in the world!"

Nezha didn't speak, but quickly turned his gaze away, looking straight ahead, his tone still the same: "Smooth-tongued, who taught you that?"

"Self-taught!" Seeing that he wasn't angry, Bai Yeying grew bolder, grinning as she moved closer to him, pressing her arm against his. "Third Prince, are we going back to Trap Mountain now? How long will you be staying this time?"

Previously, he always came and went in a hurry, like a gust of wind that could not be caught.

Nezha sensed the expectation in her words, which softened a corner of his heart, yet also caused him some irritation. Heavenly duties, and...

"It depends." He didn't give a definite answer, "Maybe in a few days."

A few days! Bai Yeying's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously: "Yes! Then I'll have Cuiluo prepare lots of delicious food! The peaches on the back mountain should still be in their last harvest at this time, they're especially sweet! And there's also newly brewed fruit wine..."

She started counting the things she needed to prepare on her fingers, her eyes crinkling into a smile, and her whole demeanor brightened.

Nezha watched her excited expression, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up slightly. This feeling of being anticipated was both unfamiliar and novel to him. He rarely stayed in one place, and even fewer people would think so meticulously about what to do when he arrived.

"Whatever you want." That was all he managed to utter in the end.

Before long, the Wind-Fire Wheels stopped in front of the Bottomless Cave of Trapped Sky Mountain. Cuiluo had already heard the commotion and came out to greet them. Upon seeing Nezha, she quickly bowed respectfully: "Third Prince."

Nezha nodded slightly in response.

"Cuiluo! Quick, go pick the biggest and reddest peaches from the back hill! Also, dig up that jar of Drunken Autumn wine buried by the stream! And go to the market to exchange it for some fresh seasonal vegetables..."

Bai Yeying, holding Cuiluo's hand, gave a series of instructions, as if she were preparing to hold a small banquet.

Cuiluo smiled and agreed, secretly glancing at Nezha. She saw that although the young man's face was expressionless, his eyes were gentle and he showed no impatience. She was happy for her mistress and quickly went to make arrangements.

The cave quickly became lively. Huang Wu, Teng Han, and the other lesser demons, knowing that the Third Prince had arrived, were filled with both awe and curiosity. After bowing respectfully from a distance, they wisely stepped back, leaving only space.

Bai Yeying personally brewed Spirit Mist Tea, using tender leaves that had absorbed the morning dew from the mountaintop, its fragrance intoxicating. She pushed the teacup in front of Nezha, looking at him with bright, sparkling eyes: "Try it, I made it myself."

Nezha picked up the teacup and took a small sip. The tea was clear and refreshing, with a lingering sweetness; it was clear that care had been taken in its preparation. He put down the teacup: "It's acceptable."

Bai Yeying automatically translated "shangke" as "very good," and her smile widened. She then took out various dried fruits and newly made candied fruits that she had dried herself, piling them up on the stone table in front of Nezha like a little squirrel presenting its treasures.

Nezha looked at the table full of snacks, feeling both helpless and pleased. He picked up an amber-colored dried peach and put it in his mouth; the sweet and sour taste was just right.

"Stop your busy work." He finally spoke, looking at Bai Yeying who was still rummaging through drawers and cabinets looking for things. "Sit down."

Bai Yeying paused, obediently walked back, sat down opposite him, rested her chin on her hands, and looked at him with a smile.

As dusk fell outside the cave, Cuiluo came in and lit a lamp. The warm, dim light filled the stone chamber, casting the shadows of the two people close together on the wall.

"Nothing happened while you were on Trapped Sky Mountain, right?" Nezha asked.

Bai Yeying shook her head: "No! Huang Wu and the others patrol the mountain every day and say there's nothing wrong."

She began recounting the amusing events that had recently occurred on Trap Mountain: which spiritual herb had blossomed, Huang Wu nearly being bumped into by a silly roe deer while patrolling the mountain, and Teng Han attempting to brew wine but ending up getting himself drunk...

She spoke of these ordinary little things in a light and cheerful tone, yet Nezha felt a sense of vitality and energy.

He listened quietly, occasionally humming in agreement. He rarely listened so purely, without needing to consider the battle situation or weigh the pros and cons, simply listening to someone rambling on about their daily life.

This feeling isn't bad.

As night deepened, Cuiluo prepared dinner. Although there were no dragon liver or phoenix marrow, the dishes were all fresh mountain delicacies, cooked with great care, and paired with the fruit wine that Baiyeying had hidden away.

The wine was quite sweet, but it had a strong aftereffect. Bai Yeying drank a few glasses and seemed a little drunk. Her almond-shaped eyes were watery, and she looked at people with an unconscious blankness.

"Third Prince," she said, resting her chin on her hand and staring intently at Nezha, "what were you like when you were little?"

Nezha's fingers, holding the wine cup, paused slightly. Memories of his childhood... the mischievous little devil of Chen Tang Pass, his havoc in the sea, his self-inflicted wounds...

"I forgot." He lowered his eyes and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

Bai Yeying realized she might have asked something she shouldn't have. Nezha's origins and experiences were no secret in the Three Realms, but...

"I'm sorry..." she said softly, with remorse, "I shouldn't have asked."

Nezha looked up at her; the blush on the girl's face hadn't faded, but her eyes held a hint of annoyance.

"It's nothing, it all happened a long time ago."

He paused, looking at the remaining wine in his glass, and suddenly asked, "And you? Before you came to Trapped Sky Mountain?"

Bai Yeying was taken aback. Her past was modern society, a completely different dimension from this Journey to the West world. But she couldn't say.

"Me..." Her eyes darted around for a moment, then she smiled, saying half-jokingly, "I used to be in a very, very far place, where I was basically a slave every day, and I also read... uh, I read storybooks! And then I was chased and beaten by Li Tianwang and you, and I almost turned into a rat pancake!"

Nezha also recalled that shameless white-haired rat who had no scruples in order to survive, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"It was a real mess back then." There was a smile in his eyes.

"It wasn't just embarrassing! It was the darkest moment of my life! Luckily, I was smart and latched onto the right big shot!"