I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

She probably understood why the daytime was so enamored with the evening.

The husband was entangled with his sister, but the wife did not complain at all. Instead, she cared more about her husband's situation and even used her affectionate confession to keep her husband's wandering heart firmly by her side.

Such development, though neither the most ideal nor realistic, is very much in line with the ideal.

Love, trust, and mutual support are what make a relationship last.

Because of love, a wife will believe that her husband is innocent.

Because of trust, a husband will love his understanding and reasonable wife even more.

The couple will be even more loving, and no external factors will be able to affect their relationship.

True love is wonderful.

Chu Yu quietly savored the taste of the newly served dessert.

■

After chatting for a while, the three of them had their meal and then parted ways, hoping to meet again in the future.

Chu Yu left, leaving only Zhou Xi and Chu Yu.

"Sir, curfew is approaching, and it's getting chilly. Let's go back."

Judging that the town's curfew was approaching, Bai Zhou wanted to take Xi back home.

Why isn't there a rendezvous tonight?

Xi had thought there would be a lively party tonight like last night. But now, she received news from Bai Zhou that a curfew was imminent, which immediately drained her energy, making her unable to even take a step.

"Sir...this won't do."

Seeing Xi lingering in the same spot, unwilling to leave, Bai Zhou simply smiled at her, the doting look in his eyes clear even to a blind person.

"Let me carry you on my back."

He leaned down slightly, so that Xi could easily climb onto his back with a simple lunge.

"Um……"

Lying on the broad back beneath him, the painter listened obediently and quietly to the sound of the wind rising from the street.

It would be a lie to say that she didn't care at all about what happened today.

She had waited so long for the little one. She, who never used to keep track of time, even started counting down the days.

They finally reunited, and their relationship was still healing from being apart for so long. Then, they suddenly heard that the thing they had always longed for had been taken away by their unscrupulous sister. No one would be as indifferent as a god or Buddha.

But she wouldn't show it, at least not in front of others. She couldn't bring herself to embarrass him in front of others, and she wouldn't do that.

“Ah Xi…”

She leaned forward and whispered his name in Bai Zhou's ear.

"Sir? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

A single title prompted Bai Zhou to shower her with words of concern.

"fine."

The bluish-white tail never separated from the dark tail; in fact, it became even more tightly bound together.

"I just wanted to call your name."

"I only feel at ease and have a sense of... reality when I hear your response."

If the world is a painting, and they are all fictional characters sketched out, living this false life day after day according to a predetermined plan.

Her Ah Xi was proof that she could truly feel that she was alive.

A concerned greeting, a few casual words, some related to her and some not, a "sir" uttered by him...

Holding the person beneath him tightly, the artist's eyes revealed a tender light.

"gentlemen……"

Sir, you were unusually gentle today.

Back at the inn, after washing up, Bai Zhou began urging Xi to go to sleep.

“Ah Xi…”

Xi hadn't gone to sleep yet. She wasn't in a hurry for peace and quiet. Now that it was finally late at night and all was quiet, with only the two of them, this perfect moment was the best time for her to do what she wanted to do.

"Sir? If you don't go to bed early, you won't be able to get up tomorrow."

Bai Zhou turned to face Xi, gently reminding her as he did so.

“Ah Xi…”

"Sir? What's wrong?"

He was called again, and Bai Zhou frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled by Xi's actions.

"Sir..." It certainly wasn't a simple address. Could this situation be...?

"Ah Xi, I want to hear the whole story of what happened today."

"The kind of thing where not a single word can be missed."

Staring into those beautiful blue eyes, the painter began her nighttime interrogation.

"Ah, this..."

As expected, they were purged after all.

Seeing Xi's conflicted expression, Bai Zhou simply smiled happily.

Xi has undergone a new change, which is the best thing for him.

This means that his position in Xi's heart has been further improved.

If he takes it slow, he'll eventually be able to marry Xi.

"Yes, sir. I will tell you everything carefully, word by word."

But simply telling stories is a bit too dry.

The best accompaniment to listening to stories is the sound of the smooth scales rubbing together and the gentle, elegant scent of ink from those around you.

And a comforting...goodnight kiss.

A new goal has emerged for the return to the 57th anniversary.

[A change in the rank of fellow practitioners has been detected. Data processing is underway, which will take some time. Please be patient.]

[Due to the increased life level of fellow cultivators, the old version of the strength assessment module is no longer applicable due to insufficient data. Therefore, the system will update this module to better suit fellow cultivators. The update will take some time; please be patient.]

[Data updating...]

[Some information has been compiled and is being shown to like-minded individuals.]

[True Name: Xi (After fellow practitioners transcend the mundane world, your true name will be engraved into the root of this world, becoming a part of its countless foundation stones and contributing to the rise and fall of the world.)

When others chant Your true name, You will be aware of it and can bestow upon them thunder and rain according to Your will.

Species: Spirit of Heaven and Earth (You are the manifestation of this world and heaven. As long as this world and heaven do not break, you will also be immortal and indestructible.)

In this world you inhabit, your power is ever-flowing and inexhaustible.

Rank: Mythical (When a life form ascends to a certain rank, the difference in power between the two becomes negligible. Thus, further subdividing the differences in strength between the two becomes meaningless.)

Only by making more skillful use of every available point can one gain the upper hand in battles against opponents of similar skill level.

■

As Bai Zhou awakens in the early morning, Xi beside him is still lost in a sweet dream and has not yet woken up.

Because their tails were tightly intertwined, he didn't get up for fear of waking Xi, and instead continued to lie in bed with his eyes closed to rest.

"It feels so quiet. There's no one walking around outside. The bamboo forest is so different from the town. No wonder you like to hide away in peace and quiet here."

They had been awake for about fifteen minutes, but hadn't heard any noise from outside during the day. It was as quiet as if the two of them were the only ones in the bamboo forest.

Where have all the A-Yao gone? Logically speaking, they should be calling out "lonely and lonely" by now.

[Someone probably moved them all to another painting.]

The system's text carried an undeniable sense of elation.

"You seem very happy?"

Bai Zhou also noticed the changes in the system and, out of curiosity, asked the question during his mental communication with the system.

"Of course. Since you've successfully ascended, I need to work even harder too."

The system began typing, preparing to pour out its emotions to the daytime.

First, please allow me to offer my blessings to my fellow seekers. Congratulations on officially obtaining your first pass in the pursuit of the Way and successfully stepping onto this stage.

It seems that everything we've accumulated over the years hasn't been in vain. And it will continue to do so, fellow travelers; as long as we keep moving forward, the path will continue to extend…

What exactly are you trying to say?

He didn't understand it during the day, but he was greatly shocked.

So, don't stop, fellow travelers!

Only those with the strongest will can reach the summit, and the stars shine only upon the most brilliant souls.

"That's just how it is."

Bai Zhou was inspired and gained a buff called "High Spirits".

"Sir... are you awake?"

Just as Bai Zhou was about to say something, Xi, who was beside him, sat up groggily, which drew his attention.

"Waaah..."

Xi closed her eyes and didn't answer. She pressed her hands into the quilt, grabbed the tangled tails and untangled them in a few quick movements. Then she threw the two tails aside and lay back down in bed to sleep.

"Oh no..."

Touching his tail, Bai Zhou chuckled a few times as he got down to prepare breakfast.