Crossover: A Different Inuyasha.

Chapter 104 Bingli's Heart, Xueli's Words

Midori knows the meaning of bellflower.

Her tone was calm and clear, like the rustling whisper of a summer breeze through the treetops, "Don't worry, I know that man's temperament to some extent, I won't let him succeed."

Seeing the serious and composed expression of her senior priestess, who was practically saying "we will win," Kikyo felt a little relieved.

Yes, how could a predecessor who was willing to sacrifice himself for the world possibly succumb to the shallow and despicable body of Er Gouzi?

That would be a grave insult to the sacred and inviolable nature of priestesses!

Unaware that she had been "insulted," the priestess who still loved the world—or rather, the goddess Kikyo under the command of the sage—smiled faintly.

"Senior Midori, the magical artifacts are ready, the accompanying aspiring priestesses are all prepared, and the Gate of the World can be opened at any time."

"Then let's make some preparations and set off immediately." Cui Zi laughed heartily, her voice as clear as a spring striking a rock, displaying the demeanor of a true military general.

The two walked out of the hall.

The sunlight outside the hall spread out on the ground, shining brightly on the stone slabs and flowers.

The two-tailed cat, Kirara, who had been lying by the door and whose size was only similar to that of a house cat, perked up its ears when it heard the familiar footsteps. It then ran happily to Midori's feet and rubbed against her skirt twice.

"Mica, it's been a long time."

Cuizi bent down and gently hugged Yunmu in her arms, stroking its soft fur, her eyes filled with warmth.

Centuries have passed, yet this little fellow still recognizes her and remembers her.

"This child has been guarding the mountain hollow where your remains are. Later, it rescued a demon hunter who was in distress. After he survived, he gradually gathered companions and formed a village. Mica then lived with them."

As Kikyo spoke, her gaze fell on Kirara, her tone filled with undisguised affection, "She's a very good child."

Midori remained silent, simply pressing her cheek against the mica and closing her eyes.

Sunlight shone on her lowered eyelashes, and a smile slowly spread across her lips.

World Number One, Tokyo.

As dusk fell, streetlights came on.

"I've taken a total of thirty days of leave this time, including monthly, quarterly, and annual leave. I need to spend quality time with the young master and confirm my feelings."

Bingli stood by the railing of the overpass, having just emerged from the teleportation passage that used to house Ukiyo-e Middle School but is now under military control.

I originally just came out for a walk and to get familiar with the streets I hadn't seen in a long time.

But I never expected to see a familiar figure at the next intersection.

Rikuo Nura, wearing his high school uniform, had grown considerably taller than he had a few years ago and looked more like the young Rihan Nura. His features were now softer, which could attract many women with maternal instincts.

He had more than a dozen paper bags hanging from his hands and arms, some with brand logos and others containing items from grocery stores and pastry shops, making it seem as if he had spent the entire afternoon shopping with someone.

"few----"

Bingli, who wanted to go up and say hello, saw the woman next to Lu Sheng and closed her cherry-colored mouth.

The woman was wearing a light-colored suit with a knee-length skirt. She had a full and well-proportioned figure, and her high heels made a crisp rhythm on the pavement, exuding a mature femininity.

She was talking to Lu Sheng with her head tilted to the side, a smile in her eyes. Occasionally, she would reach out and take a paper bag from his hand to help him carry some of the weight. Her movements were natural and practiced, as if she had done it countless times.

Bingli stood on the overpass, her gaze falling on Lu Sheng, whose figure was fragmented by the twilight and the shoulders of pedestrians, across the endless stream of people and the gradually lighting streetlights.

A gust of wind swept through from under the bridge, ruffling the snow maiden's bangs and carrying with it the words, "We promised to get married someday," which no one knew who had said them, into the night.

The crowds converged and diverged at the intersection, their black, gray, and dark blue figures intermingling like river water splitting among rocks.

Lu Sheng's silhouette was cut off several times, and then briefly flashed through the gaps.

Then it was covered by more and more figures, gradually becoming unreal.

Bingli lowered her eyes, turned around, and stopped walking towards the Nura Clan's main residence.

The wind ruffled the ends of her hair, which swayed in the night like water flowing slowly beneath ice, coming quietly and going quietly.

Feeling watched, Rikuo Nura suddenly turned around, only to find a vast sea of ​​people in his field of vision, with no familiar figures in sight.

"Lu Sheng, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

Lu Sheng smiled at the woman-less, mature woman and said, "Let's go home."

Koi Nishiki is located on the outskirts of Tokyo, nestled between two rivers. It is a low-lying area that is often shrouded in a thin layer of moisture.

The streets and alleys were much narrower than those in the city center, the houses on both sides were also shorter, and shallow water flowed in the ditches along the roadside.

Bingli walked to the end of a narrow alley and stopped in front of an old-fashioned wooden detached house. She calmed herself down, stood in front of the door for a moment, and then raised her hand to knock.

There was no response from inside the door.

Bingli stopped and knocked again, this time with a bit more force.

A moment later, a jumble of noises and complaints came from inside the door.

"Who is it, disturbing people in broad daylight?"

It sounded like something was knocked over and then picked up, followed by the rustling sound of footsteps, and then the door lock clicked open.

A beautiful face, still flushed with intoxication, peeked through the crack in the door.

Shirley stood inside the doorway, leaning against the doorframe, one hand still supporting herself on the edge of the door. Her gaze was unfocused for a few moments before she could barely focus.

Her face was more mature than Bingli's, her long, slightly wavy hair was loose, and she was wearing a loose-fitting house dress with the neckline askew, revealing one of her collarbones. There were water stains on the hem of the dress.

The air was thick with the smell of alcohol.

"----Mother."

"Bingli?"

Shirley blinked, tilted her head and looked at Bingli for a few moments, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and then she seemed to recognize her.

"What's wrong, child?"

Upon hearing this, Bingli rushed over.

She practically crashed into Shirley's arms, the force so great that Shirley stumbled backward.

Bingli gripped the fabric of her mother's clothes tightly with both hands, buried her face in the crook of her shoulder, her shoulders trembled violently, and tears rolled down her cheeks like broken beads.

Large drops seeped into Shirley's loose fabric, leaving a dark, damp stain.

"----Mother."

Her voice was broken by sobs, as if she were pouring out something she had been holding back for too long.

The bitterness that was unspoken on the overpass and repeatedly suppressed on the way back finally found an outlet in the narrow entrance hall filled with the smell of alcohol and old clothes.

Shirley paused for a moment, one hand still holding the door, the other slowly falling down and covering Bingli's heaving back.

The warmth of her palm seeped through the fabric, carrying the cool body temperature of the Snow Woman, and a touch of a mother's clumsiness.

As a child, Shirley sent Hyori to the Nura Clan, and the mother and daughter rarely saw each other.

To be honest, she didn't fulfill much of her responsibilities as a mother.

Bingli, as a child, is more of a vessel for Shirley to sever the bond between Nurarihyon and his father.

"Bingli, what's wrong?"

Shirley's voice was a little hoarse from the alcohol, but much softer than usual.

He gently patted Bingli's back, one pat after another.

Bingli did not answer.

She just cried, her emotions churning.

There is nothing in the world that can make a young girl act this way except for matters of the heart.

Shirley understood, but simply patted her daughter's back and let her cry.

After a while, as Bingli's sobs gradually turned into intermittent whimpers, Xueli whispered.

"—Has that bastard abandoned us, mother and child, again?"

When these words reached Bingli's ears, her sobs suddenly rose even higher, becoming broken and turbulent again, her forehead pressed against her neck, sobbing uncontrollably.

Shirley didn't ask any further questions.

She simply pulled her arms closer, drawing Bingli into her embrace, and gently gathered the hair at the back of Bingli's head with her palm.

"Don't cry, don't cry."

She spoke softly, her voice slightly slurred from the alcohol, yet surprisingly steady, like a lamp hanging under the eaves on a snowy night.

"None of those slippery devils are worth our tears."

"They're all heartless bastards."

Shirley lowered her head, her cheek pressed against Bingli's hair, and said softly, "With our looks, what good man can't we find?"

It was as if she had finally had the chance to say what she had been pondering in her heart, and a look of relief appeared on her face.

But in those slightly red eyes, there was only guilt towards her child.

Bingli sniffed, her voice thick with nasal congestion, and softly hummed in response.

Shirley then straightened up, gently released Bingli from her embrace, took her hand, and led her into the house.

The steps in the entryway are not high, and beyond them lies a small living room.

Sunlight streamed in through the south window, making the room look somewhat messy. Seven or eight empty wine bottles were piled up haphazardly beside a low table, some still bearing a thin layer of wine stains, while others were covered in dust.

Several overturned bowls and plates were scattered in the corner, and women's underwear could be seen, carelessly tossed around in various places.

Bingli looked at the empty wine bottles, then moved to the overturned bowls and plates and the messy clothes.

Her nose was still red, and there were still tears on her eyelashes, but her delicate eyebrows lifted. She sniffed, walked to the wall, opened the window, and then rolled up her sleeves.

As the most capable worker in the Nura Clan, he rarely sees dirt or mess.

Upon seeing this, Shirley was taken aback for a moment, then her lips twitched as if she wanted to laugh but didn't quite manage to. She then reached out and straightened a low stool against the wall, picked up an overturned bowl from the corner, and handed it to Bingli.

"Then I'll clear the dishes, and you can help Mom put those bottles away?"

Bingli took the bowl, her voice still nasal from crying, "————Okay."

The two then each occupied a corner and began to move.

Bingli picked up the empty bottles one by one and stacked them into a cardboard box in the corner.

Shirley squatted down beside the low table, carefully stacking the overturned bowls and plates one by one, then carried them to the sink, turned on the tap, and began to rinse them.

The water splashed loudly for a while, then she turned it down to a soft murmur, which could be clearly heard in the quiet room.

As they worked, Shirley slowed her movements. She turned to the side, letting the water rinse away the residue on the plate, before speaking in a light and casual tone.

"Hyouri, Mom doesn't want to hear about the Nura Clan anymore. Tell Mom how you're doing in the Eastern Country?"

After learning that Bingli had gone to a foreign country, Xueli became even more depressed than before. She was kicked out by her best friend from Tiangou Mountain, who was disappointed in her. Otherwise, she wouldn't be in such a sorry state.

"Is everything alright there?"

Bingli was bending down to put the last bottle of wine into the cardboard box when she heard this, and her tear-streaked face broke into a bright and radiant smile.

"fine."

Little Snow Woman walked to the sink, took the freshly rinsed plate from Snow White, wiped it clean with a dry cloth, and placed it on the drain rack next to her.

"The accommodations at the shrine are very spacious. I was assigned a south-facing room, and I can see the trees on the back mountain as soon as I open the window."

"The things I usually do aren't too tiring—in the morning I join everyone for morning prayers, learn spiritual arts, and tidy up the house."

Bingli continued working, stacking the cleaned plates, and said, "There are a few other people in similar positions to me. Everyone has their own job and division of labor."

She smirked, "Sometimes we bicker over little things—like who should clean the north corridor, or who forgot to bring in the dried clothes—but it's nothing serious. A good night's sleep will fix it."

Shirley didn't interrupt her, but simply fished the bowls and plates out of the water one by one and handed them to her. The soft sound of the flowing water gently enveloped Shirley's voice.

"We gradually became closer, and we would eat together and go out to run errands together. If one of us was in a bad mood, the others would quietly bring back some food and leave it at the door."

Bingli lowered her voice as she said this, "It's like—being at home."

She wiped the last bowl clean, put it back on the drainer, turned around, and met her mother's quiet gaze.

Shirley reached out and gently tucked her daughter's slightly disheveled hair, damp with tears and sweat, behind her ear. Her voice carried an emotion that was hard to define, whether it was relief or something else entirely.

She simply said, "That's nice."

"Mother----"

Bingli's eyes reddened again. Looking at the tired and drunken face in front of her, a wave of bitterness washed over her once more.

"I don't want to go to the East, nor do I want to go back to the Nura Clan. Neither place is my home."

She didn't know why she said those words at that moment.

But once she said it, Bingli realized she didn't want to take it back.

Shirley looked at Bingli's wet, unwavering eyes and smiled gently.

Her smile lacked the usual nonchalance worn down by life, and there was no hint of drunkenness; it was simply a clean and pure expression befitting a mother.

"Then I'll live with Mom for now."

Sherry spoke casually, reaching out to stroke her daughter, "I'm fine with staying as long as I want, who cares about the Nura Clan or anything like that!"

As if remembering something, she said in a lighthearted tone, half-jokingly, "If the Dongguo Shrine blames me, I'll just pawn my body to them."

Bingli was sniffling when she heard this. She was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. Her eyes were still wet, but the corners of her mouth were already curving up.

"No way."

"Both the priestess and the shrine maiden are very kind people."

Shirley reached out and flicked Bingli's forehead. "You idiot, a good person doesn't wear their 'good person' label on their face."

"and"

Sherry had heard some rumors about the two monster organizations from the East and West sending "offerings" to the Eastern Kingdom.

Hearing her daughter say this, the mature woman, Yuki-onna, who felt her charm hadn't diminished, pouted and said, "Are you saying that Mommy isn't charming enough?"

"Of course my mother is beautiful."

Looking at her mother, who was still a great beauty even when she was disheveled, Bingli answered without hesitation, quickly and confidently.

"But the Lord God seems to prefer younger ones."

The Snow Woman thought of the women in the shrine, who were almost all radiating youthful energy.

"Ahhh, Mom is still so young!" Shirley reached out and pinched Bingli's cheeks, gently pulling them apart, feigning anger. "That god, he really doesn't understand the beauty of a mature woman at all."

Bingli made two "uh-uh" sounds as she was pinched. In the midst of the joke, Shirley gradually pieced together the image of Inuyasha in Bingli's mind.

After a busy day, it's time for a relaxing bath. The bathroom at home isn't big, with old tiles covering the beige walls.

The bathtub wasn't very wide either; when the two sat facing each other, their knees almost touched.

The water level was just above my shoulders, swaying slightly from the rising steam.

Shirley leaned against the edge of the bathtub, her head tilted back. Her slightly wavy long hair, damp with steam, clung to her neck and shoulders, and water droplets slid slowly down her fair and delicate collarbone.

She squinted as if she were drowsy, but her gaze moved slowly through the rising white mist, finally landing on Bingli's face, who was looking down at the mountain peak floating on the water with envy in her eyes.

The swirling steam softened the outline of her daughter.

The lines of the shoulders and neck were stretched and smoothed by the hot water, and the water surface below the collarbone rippled slightly, shimmering with a thin layer of luster.

For the first time, Shirley looked closely at her grown-up daughter. After a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke, "Do you want to have a child with the God?"

Bingli froze, her mouth slightly open, choking on a lot of the bathwater from both of them.

"Cough cough, Mother, what are you saying!" Little Snow Girl coughed, her ears turning a rosy hue at a visible speed.

"What can't we, mother and daughter, say to each other?" Still pure and innocent, Shirley approached her even more innocent daughter with the air of a seasoned pro.

"Mom, I didn't have that thought." Bingli couldn't resist her mother's affection. She lowered her eyes and looked at her slightly curled knees in the water, but the image of a red figure involuntarily surfaced in her mind.

He turned his head slightly in the corridor, his voice tinged with amusement; he stopped by the stone steps, and felt the warmth of his palm as he reached out and touched the top of her head, finally summing it up in one sentence—he was certain of his feelings.

Bingli's face turned even redder.

His entire face was submerged below the water's surface, with only his eyes and the top of his forehead showing. Bubbles rose sporadically from his lips, bursting into tiny splashes on the water's surface.

Looking at her daughter's expression, Shirley knew the answer.

She sighed softly, "The God has many women. I don't know if it's right or wrong for Mother to fall in love with him."

"But there's one thing you need to be sure of."

As someone who had been through it all, Shirley reached under the water and grasped Bingli's wrist, which was tucked into her chest, and pulled her towards her.

Bingli lifted her face following that force, and water droplets fell from her forehead and eyebrows.

"No matter what, don't let yourself have any regrets!"

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