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

As darkness fell completely, candles were lit in the Cloud Tower Palace, casting a dim, yellowish glow that flickered throughout the hall.

Bai Yeying sat in front of the dressing table, facing a bronze mirror, and slowly let down her long hair. Her black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, falling over her shoulders.

Nezha appeared behind her without her noticing, picked up the jade comb from the dressing table, and gently combed her hair.

The jade comb slid slowly down from the top of her head, passing through her cascading black hair, again and again, patiently and gently.

She closed her eyes and enjoyed his service.

He combed her hair for a long time before putting down the jade comb, placing his hands on her shoulders, and looking at her in the mirror.

The mirror reflected their images; she leaned against him, and he leaned slightly forward, his chin almost touching the top of her head. Her reflection was reflected in his phoenix eyes, so tender it could melt hearts.

"Beautiful." He leaned down and kissed her ear. "Let's go to sleep."

Bai Yeying stood up, turned to face him, put her hands on his shoulders, and looked up at him.

Nezha looked at her, then reached out and picked her up in his arms.

"Ah!" she exclaimed, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. "What are you doing?"

"I'll carry you to bed," he said matter-of-factly, carrying her toward the bed.

Bai Yeying leaned against him, listening to his strong heartbeat, unable to suppress the smile on her lips.

Nezha put her down, then lay down on top of her, pulled her into his arms, and whispered in her ear, "Sleep."

................

The next day, when Bai Yeying opened her eyes, the bed beside her was empty. She reached out and touched the brocade quilt; it was still warm, so the person must have just gotten up.

The light streaming in from the window was still a pale, bluish-gray; it was just dawn. She turned over, burying herself in the blankets that still carried his scent, feeling listless and unwilling to move.

After an unknown amount of time, the palace door was gently pushed open. Familiar footsteps approached from afar, finally stopping beside the bed.

"You're awake but still pretending to be asleep?" The clear voice carried a hint of mockery.

Bai Yeying shrank her face further under the covers, peeking out with her eyes to look at him, and mumbled a reply, "You're awake."

Nezha sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to pull her out of the covers. She nestled into his arms, burying her face in the crook of his neck and rubbing against him.

"Lazy." He complained, but his hand was firmly wrapped around her waist, and his other hand gently tidied her messy hair.

"Why are you up so early?" she asked with her eyes closed.

"I have to go down to the mortal realm today." His voice came from above, low and hoarse with the characteristic sound of early morning. "There are a few unruly monsters to deal with."

Bai Yeying opened her eyes and looked up at him: "I'll go with you?"

"No need." He lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "You can sleep a little longer. I'll come back for lunch with you."

After saying that, he let go of her, put her back on the bed, and tucked the blanket around her again.

Bai Yeying reached out and tugged at his sleeve: "Then come back soon."

Nezha looked down at the hand gripping his sleeve, a slight smile playing on his lips, and replied with a soft "Mm."

Only after that figure in black disappeared outside the palace gate did Bai Yeying shrink back into the quilt.

When I woke up again, it was already broad daylight.

Bai Yeying rubbed her eyes, got up to wash and dress, and after having breakfast, she went to the back garden to check on the spiritual herbs.

She squatted down in front of a clump of moon orchids and gently touched the silvery-white petals.

She has been taking good care of it these days, and the moon shadow orchid is growing very well. It has already sprouted new leaves, and some plants have even formed small flower buds, which will bloom in a few days.

Just as I was busy working, I heard familiar footsteps behind me.

Without turning her head, a smile already played on her lips: "You're back?"

The words had barely left her lips when a pair of hands wrapped around her waist from behind, pulling her into a warm embrace. The person rested their chin on the top of her head, speaking with a touch of languidness: "Mmm."

Bai Yeying leaned against him, still holding a moon orchid leaf in her hand, and asked softly, "Is everything done?"

"Alright." His voice came from above, somewhat casually. "It's nothing."

She chuckled softly, turned to face him, placed her hands on his shoulders, and looked up at him: "Are you tired?"

"Not tired."

"Then stay with me and look at the flowers for a while." She pulled him to sit down on a stone bench by the pond.

The two sat side by side, gazing at the lush greenery before them. The sunlight was warm and gentle, and a light breeze carried the fragrance of flowers.

"These moon lilies are about to bloom." She pointed to the few plants with flower buds, her tone tinged with pride. "I've been taking care of them for a long time."

He looked in the direction she was pointing and nodded: "Not bad."

"And those few Starflower Grasses," she pointed to another side, "will be ripe in a few days. I'll make you some tea then; it'll be good for your cultivation."

He listened to her rambling on about these trivial matters, a faint smile always playing on his lips.

Those words weren't really important, but they sounded more pleasant than anything else.

"Oh, right," she suddenly remembered something, "Sister Yang Chan said yesterday that the eighth day of next month is Erlang Zhenjun's birthday, and she would like to invite us to a small gathering."

"Okay," he replied. "We'll go together then."

"Okay." She nodded, leaned on his shoulder, and watched the koi swimming in the pond.

..................

Days passed by like this, peaceful and warm.

Bai Yeying continued to tend to her flowers and plants, and practice her spear skills. Nezha still occasionally descended to the mortal realm to subdue demons, drank with Yang Jian, and sometimes fought with Sun Wukong.

On this day, the two were playing chess in the pavilion in the back garden.

It was supposed to be a game of chess, but it was really just Nezha stomping on his weakest opponent. Bai Yeying's chess skills were truly worrying; she had to think for ages before making each move, and even then, she would still make a mistake.

Nezha didn't urge her. He just leaned back in his chair, twirling a chess piece in his hand, and watched her deep in thought with amusement.

The chess piece flipped between his fingers, the white jade texture making his fingers appear even longer.

"Have you thought it through?" he asked, his tone tinged with a hint of sarcasm.

"Don't make a sound, I'm thinking." Bai Yeying stared at the chessboard, her brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

Nezha chuckled softly, said nothing, and continued to watch her.

She was lost in thought, biting her lower lip slightly. The pale pink lip was gently pressed down by her pearly teeth, giving it a lustrous sheen.

He looked at her and suddenly realized that winning or losing didn't matter at all. What mattered was that she was here, beside him.

"I'll place my piece here!" Bai Yeying finally made her move, with a "I'm so good" expression on her face.

Nezha glanced at the chessboard and said calmly, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure!" Bai Yeying said confidently.

Nezha raised his hand and placed a piece.

Bai Yeying's piece was captured. She froze for three seconds, then let out a wail and slumped onto the table: "I'm not playing anymore! I lose every single time!"

Nezha chuckled and reached out to ruffle her hair. His warm palm covered the top of her head, messing up her hair: "You're just too clumsy."

"You're just too amazing!" She raised her head, glaring at him defiantly. Her almond-shaped eyes were wide and round, and although she looked angry, it was somehow impossible to feel any anger in her. "Can't you just give in to me?"

"I conceded," he said, his tone calm but with a hint of amusement. "I gave them three stones, but I still lost."

Bai Yeying was speechless. She leaned on the table, watching him tidy up the chessboard. His hands were steady, his movements unhurried, as he carefully placed the black and white pieces back into the chess box one by one.

After a while, she got up, walked around the stone table, sat down next to him, and leaned on his shoulder.

He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head, but said with a hint of annoyance, "You're still so clingy even after losing."

"It's so sticky," she said sullenly, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

His scent enveloped her, a faint lotus fragrance lingering at her nose, clean and refreshing, yet carrying the unique warmth of a young man. It was his scent, making her feel incredibly at ease.

His hand gently stroked her back, again and again, until Bai Yeying almost fell asleep in his arms.

"Tired?" he asked, looking down.

"Hmm, a little," she mumbled, her eyelids already drooping.

He chuckled softly, a deep and gentle laugh: "Sleep, I'm here."

Bai Yeying then closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep in his arms.

In her dream, she saw a small figure sitting on the doorstep, lost in thought.

The child was dressed in a short brown outfit, with a round face and features that were not yet fully developed, but already bore a somewhat familiar outline.

He turned his head, saw her, and his phoenix eyes lit up as he reached out his hand to her.

She walked over and took that tiny hand in hers.

My palms are warm, just like they are now.

(Extra. End)