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"Alright, I'll go along with you!" The fox looked at her affectionately.
"Really?" Xing Ruyi tilted her head, lying in the fox's embrace, her fingers gently tracing the fox's handsome brow. "But he doesn't like it!"
"It doesn't matter; he can't speak yet and has no say," the fox glanced at the little one.
Yin Yuan pouted in grievance, tacitly agreeing.
After a night of tossing and turning, Xing Ruyi felt somewhat exhausted. Since the fox had left early, she lazily stayed in bed for a few more hours. By the time she got up, it was already afternoon.
Sunlight filtered through the branches, illuminating the streets where the spring snow had just melted. Amidst the bustling sounds of vendors, there was a lingering scent of earthly life.
She took out the Winter Melon Seeds and white poplar bark that had been dried over the past few days. The Winter Melon Seeds were roasted, and the white poplar bark was dried and then crushed together with dried peach blossoms into a powder. After mixing them well, she added an appropriate amount of honey to form balls about the size of longan. She found a delicate box to store them in, labeled it "White Poplar Bark Powder," and placed it prominently on the counter. Once everything was tidied up, she noticed that a customer had arrived in the shop without her realizing it. The customer wore a lake green outfit with a fluffy white cloak over it.
"Miss, you look unfamiliar; have you just come to Luoyang recently?"
The customer nodded slightly and pointed to the brocade box that Xing Ruyi had just placed down, asking, "Is this White Poplar Bark Powder also Rouge?"
"Oh, that? It's not Rouge; it's a skincare product I made myself," Xing Ruyi replied, gesturing to the counter where some crushed Winter Melon Seeds and white poplar bark remained. "Winter Melon Seeds are cooling and can moisturize the skin; white poplar bark clears heat and removes dampness, helping to whiten and revitalize the skin. I combined these two ingredients with dried peach blossoms and honey to make balls. Taking one after each meal for twenty days will yield results. Would you like to take some?"
"Hearing your enthusiasm as the shopkeeper naturally makes me want to buy some," the customer said, pulling out a silver ingot from her sleeve and placing it on the counter. A slight smile appeared at the corners of her mouth, revealing dimples on her cheeks.
"Though it's a fine product, it's not worth this much silver," Xing Ruyi said as she weighed it in her hand; it was about five taels. "Since you've come here, you must be looking to purchase some Rouge and Face Powder. If you trust me, I can recommend some from Fox Demon."
"In that case, I’ll trouble you," the customer slightly bowed her head in gratitude towards Xing Ruyi.
Xing Ruyi returned the gesture but couldn't help but notice the red mole on the customer's neck.
It is said that some people who are infatuated with love would rather endure suffering in the River of Forgetfulness than drink Meng Po's soup to forget their past lives' lovers. After waiting for a thousand years to fulfill their wish, they return to the mortal realm marked by signs from the underworld. That mark is known as a love mole, perfectly positioned in the center of their neck.
With a sigh in her heart, she turned around and took a box from a corner. The box was heart-shaped, with an elegant blue flower pattern outlined on its milky-white surface.
"Love knows not its origin; it is deeply felt." This box of Rouge is called Luo Ningxiang; it is made from fresh roses and matches you perfectly in both texture and color. Besides being used as Rouge, it can also care for your lips—quite cost-effective."
"Love knows not its origin; it is deeply felt." The customer silently repeated those lines, showing a hint of bitterness in her expression. "This Rouge truly cannot be found elsewhere."
"That’s natural; Ruyi Rouge Shop is unique with no branches," Xing Ruyi added as she handed over another brocade box. "Like raindrops falling softly, nourishing without sound. This item is called Joyful Essence; it is made from ice plum flowers that bloom only once a year—providing moisture, hydration, revitalization—perfect for this cold and dry early spring season. Although it's a bit pricey, combined with these items, it’s just right for what you’ve given me."
"Yueyi is indeed a nice name," the guest said as they took the brocade box without examining it closely, placing it alongside the white poplar bark and Luo Ningxiang.
"Although these are just trinkets, they are quite scattered, and it wouldn't be convenient for you to carry them, miss. May I ask where you currently reside? I can send someone to deliver them to you later, so you won't have to trouble yourself."
"It's no trouble for the shopkeeper; Azure Feather can manage these things," the guest replied, giving a slight nod before turning to leave.
Xing Ruyi leaned against the door, watching Azure Feather depart, shaking her head and muttering, "Another strange guest!"
"What strange guest?" A white shadow swept past, and upon closer inspection, a fox lay at her feet, its shimmering white fur looking even more beautiful in the sunlight.
Xing Ruyi felt displeased about the increasingly mysterious movements of this fox. At that moment, seeing it slightly raise its head to look at Azure Feather stirred an inexplicable feeling within her. She stepped forward with a bit of force and kicked at the fox.
The fox sensed the wind from her foot but did not dodge. Instead, Xing Ruyi regretted kicking it after doing so. She crouched down to meet its gaze, and in those beautiful eyes of the fox appeared her face, which showed seven parts displeasure and three parts inexplicable jealousy.
"Where have you been wandering off to all morning?"
The fox grinned widely, clearly pleased with what it saw, especially the hint of jealousy on Xing Ruyi's face.
"Did you miss me?"
"Who would miss you!" Xing Ruyi frowned and stood up, instinctively preparing to kick at the fox again.
The fox stared at her foot as it waved threateningly in front of it but never came down. Its smile grew even brighter.
Xing Ruyi felt frustrated; after a moment of sulking, she felt a bit wronged. She crouched down again and cupped the fox's face in her hands. "Hey, fox, could you at least let me know next time you go out? I won't ask where you're going or what you're doing, but at least let me know you're safe."
"Fool!" The fox transformed into human form and instantly appeared in the backyard. He gently embraced Xing Ruyi and lightly brushed his fingers against her nose. "I'm a fox spirit; what could possibly happen?"
"Even the most powerful demons fear third-rate Taoist priests; that's how it's portrayed in dramas," Xing Ruyi said with a wrinkled nose. "I don't care; I want to know next time you go out."
"Alright! I'll tell you!"
"Tell me where you're going."
"Okay!"
"And tell me if it's dangerous."
"Good!"
"Not only tell me, but also take me with you."
The fox thought carefully and shook his head. "That's not good!"
"Why is it not good?"
"Because the road is long, and I'm afraid you'll get tired."
Xing Ruyi's face turned red, and she hid in the fox's embrace, lightly tugging at his white shirt.
"Can I practice demonic cultivation?"
"Uh?"
"A-Ling said that in the Six Paths, beings are divided into different realms: Asura Path, Human Path, Beast Path, Hungry Ghost Path, and Hell Path. Moreover, one can only cultivate upwards and cannot descend. After thinking carefully, given my aptitude, I have little hope of becoming an immortal. Being human is difficult, being a good person is even harder, and being a good person who can become an immortal is probably extremely difficult. My aptitude isn't high, I'm lazy, and I don't have much kindness to spare, so I can only practice demonic cultivation. As long as I succeed in becoming a demon, I can be with you forever—immortal and undying."
Xing Ruyi raised her face and said, "Fox, I want to be with you for a long time, even if it means being a bad person—really bad kind of person. Fox, what I want is not just one life! Fox, will you agree?"
The fox didn't say anything; he just lowered his head and kissed Xing Ruyi's forehead. Just when Xing Ruyi was about to cry from sadness, she heard the fox gently say five words: "Fool, I agree!"
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