Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Under the guidance of Si Niang, Xing Ruyi entered Bell's room with the fox. The light was dim, and she could vaguely see a lump on the bed. Just as she was about to take a closer look, she heard Bell's crisp voice from beneath the covers, "Sister-in-law, is Ruyi here?"
"It's me. I heard from Si Niang that you were sick, so I came to check on you."
Before Si Niang could respond, Xing Ruyi had already answered and walked to the bedside. Only then did she see that the lump on the bed was none other than the lively and adorable Bell from before. As she got closer, she noticed that Bell looked even thinner than usual, with many spots appearing on her face. When she spoke, her cheeks would puff out automatically, resembling a toad in dry land.
"Bell, tell Sister Ruyi if you've encountered anything unusual lately or if you've stepped on something you shouldn't have?"
Bell shook her head. "I usually help my sister-in-law at home and rarely go out."
Si Niang nodded beside her. "At Bell's age, she's quite lively. I'm worried she'll get into trouble if she goes out, so I seldom let her leave. The farthest she's gone is to Zhang's Grocery Store nearby to help buy some oil and salt."
"That's strange," Xing Ruyi pondered. From Bell's condition, it was clear that she had been entangled with something of that nature, but how could she have provoked it without reason?
Zhang Family's salt shop? It should have nothing to do with that place. Although the Zhang Family sold salt, it was legitimate government salt. Their family background might not compare to wealthy merchants, but they were still well-off. Their house and yard must be quite well-kept; there shouldn't be anything of that sort there.
"Bell, think carefully again. Did anything special happen before or after you got sick?"
"Something special?" Bell's cheeks were still puffing up as she saw that Fox Demon was asking seriously, so she began to recall earnestly. After a while, she let out a soft "ah" and continued, "I don't know if this counts as unusual. A few days ago, my sister-in-law asked me to buy oil. While I was waiting in the shop, I saw a frog about the size of my palm; it looked a bit strange and had a grayish color. Out of curiosity, I poked it with my toe, and who knew it would jump up and land on my foot? I got scared and started jumping around in place until Brother A Guang came out with the oil bottle; only then did I realize I had stepped on that frog. But I apologized to it and planned to check on it after a few days."
"Did you go see it?" Xing Ruyi asked.
"No," Bell shook her head. "I've been busy at home lately and haven't had time. I thought I'd go check on it next time I went to buy salt or oil. I don't know if it's because I've been thinking about it; I've been dreaming about that frog lately. Sometimes it turns into a boy my age wearing a gray cloth shirt. He keeps asking me why I haven't come to see him. Sister Ruyi, could my illness be related to that frog? Sister-in-law said I looked like a frog when I was sick, so she didn't let me go out for fear of scaring others."
"That wasn't a frog; it was a toad—an angry lazy toad at that," Xing Ruyi said with annoyance as she bent down to pat Bell's head. "Don't worry; Sister Ruyi will cure you. But you must promise Sister Ruyi never to make promises lightly again. If you've already made a promise, you must fulfill it no matter what. This isn't just about honesty; if you encounter someone petty, they might curse you lightly or yawn it off, but the consequences could be severe."
Si Niang listened nearby with a pale face but bit her lip without saying anything further.
After leaving Bell's room, Xing Ruyi glanced at the peach tree in the courtyard and gently tugged at the fox's sleeve.
Zhang's Grocery Store is not far from the Tavern, separated by just a street and a few households, with a layout similar to Sister Si's Family, but their business is much larger.
Toad is not hard to find; it is lying lazily under the counter of the Zhang Family's salt shop, watching the people coming in and out to buy salt or cooking oil. Occasionally, when it sees a pretty or cute girl come in with an adult, it stretches out its long tongue and lightly licks their toes.
"I think I know where that saying comes from now."
"What saying?"
"The lazy Toad wants to eat goose meat!"
The fox was slightly taken aback, but Xing Ruyi had already walked up to Toad, bending down and smiling at it.
Toad raised its two bulging eyes to look up, its gaze sliding past the Fox Demon’s face. It stretched its legs and hopped away to another spot, continuing to lie lazily.
Xing Ruyi looked visibly disappointed, biting her lip in frustration. "Damn Toad, how can you look down on me? Just wait and see how I deal with you."
She reached out her hand but then retracted it upon seeing Toad's bumpy appearance.
"Hey, Fox, maybe you should do it. It looks too ugly."
The fox shook its head. Without seeing any movement from him, the Toad that was originally lying in the corner of the counter had disappeared.
In the outskirts, in the Forest, Xing Ruyi faced off against the now human-shaped Toad.
"So, what have you done to Bell?"
Xing Ruyi crossed her arms and calmly looked at the Gray-Clad Youth before her. While he couldn't be called handsome, he certainly looked much better than when he was a Toad.
“Bell? Who is Bell? I don’t know her.”
Toad let out a light snort, his gaze sweeping past the fox with a hint of fear. He had realized long ago that the fox was also a demon, and one whose cultivation was much stronger than his own. However, he couldn't understand why such a powerful demon would associate with a human. From the looks of it, this woman called Fox Demon could even command that powerful demon.
“Don’t rush. I’ll give you time to think it over,” Xing Ruyi said, narrowing her eyes slightly. “Let me ask you again, what exactly did you do to Bell? You only have one chance to answer. If your response doesn’t satisfy me, I won’t hesitate to let my bodyguard and servant crush you with just two fingers.”
Toad looked at the fox and shivered slightly.
“Is she the girl who has a string of Bell on her?”
“Yes, that’s her. Be honest, what have you done to her?”
“I haven’t done anything to her,” Toad replied, lowering his head and kicking at the grass by his feet. “I just like her and occasionally play with her in her dreams.”
“Just playing?” Xing Ruyi narrowed her eyes into slits, her knuckles cracking ominously as she tightened her grip. “Toad, there’s something I must tell you: honesty brings leniency, while resistance brings severity. Also, I really enjoy using extrajudicial punishment, especially on demons. You’d better think carefully before you answer.”
“I—I just want to turn her into someone like me,” Toad licked his lips. “I want her to be my wife.”
“Pfft!” Xing Ruyi felt as if she had been choked by a mouthful of spit.
Comment 0 Comment Count