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墨書 Inktalez
"Shut up, if you have nothing to do, come and help me scrub my back!"
Scrub, scrub, scrub...
In an instant, Shen Yuanyuan forgot to scream. She felt like a wilted eggplant, her back hunched over. Was it really necessary to be this intense? Scrubbing backs usually meant getting into the water, right?
Even though she was just a small bun, she still had the shape of one. Moreover, because of that, she wasn't binding her chest; the clothes were just a bit oversized. As long as no one deliberately observed or tried to feel around, they wouldn't notice this subtle difference.
However, once she got into the water, the clothes would cling to her body. Even a fool would recognize that distinction.
"What are you still dawdling for? Do you not want the antidote anymore?"
Soaking in the hot spring in Skyview City was incredibly comfortable. With her eyes lazily closed, she waited for a while without any movement and then impatiently urged him.
Yet, the corner of her mouth curled into a teasing arc. She had stolen his first kiss and claimed she wanted to marry him. Now, it seemed she had completely forgotten everything she had said, even forgetting about him altogether.
If she didn't receive some punishment, it wouldn't be called learning a lesson.
"Um... um... I'm allergic to water."
Sticking her head out was like inviting a knife; pulling it back was also like inviting a knife. Shen Yuanyuan didn't want to accept this fate, so she grasped at nonexistent excuses. As soon as the words left her mouth, she almost bit her tongue off. Wasn't this just making things awkward for herself?
Every day, I cook my own meals and wash my own dishes, yet at this moment, I boldly claim to be allergic to water and food. Even a fool wouldn't believe that.
"Hmm? That's quite a unique excuse. Why don't you say you're allergic to all kinds of food as well?"
Listening to her strange excuse, Skyview City nearly laughed out loud. After years of wandering the world, Shen Yuanyuan was undoubtedly the dumbest person he had ever encountered. She couldn't even tell the simplest lie, let alone anything more complex. Moreover, she was incredibly naive; like a glass of plain water, if she found any logic in what you said, she would believe it.
At this moment, Shen Yuanyuan was furious. Being allergic to all kinds of food? Wasn't that cursing her to death?
Grinding her teeth, she said, "Well, there are ways to scratch my back. Just come a little closer and hand me the tool for it."
Skyview City didn't expect such a foolish person to come up with any good ideas, so he went along with her request.
After receiving the items, Shen Yuanyuan grinned mischievously and ran off to find a thick and long branch. She used Skyview City's small knife to sharpen one end and then tied a washcloth to it. With all her strength, she began scrubbing his back. The force was so intense that within moments, his back was already bright red. However, he showed no reaction at all and didn't even complain, which made her extremely curious. But she dared not continue; she feared this demon might come up with even more extreme ways to torment her.
"Um... is that enough?"
She stopped her actions and timidly asked when she saw that Skyview City still had no response.
"Yeah, that's enough. Now it's my turn."
After a long while, Skyview City's voice came back nonchalantly as he walked toward the shore.
My turn??
What does he want to change?
Shen Yuanyuan was momentarily taken aback, watching him approach. When she caught a glimpse of the anger and vengeful glint in his eyes, she immediately dropped the twig in her hand, backing away several steps while forcing a laugh.
"Hehe... How could I let you, Young Master Cheng, do it yourself? I really don't need it."
As she spoke, she took a few more steps back.
"But my back hurts; my whole body aches."
Skyview City found her reaction akin to that of a frightened little person or rabbit, and his teasing spirit grew stronger. However, his tone was quite infuriating.
"Well... I can go buy some medicine for you. I guarantee that your pain will be gone in half a day, and this red mark will disappear too."
"Alright, because you said that, I'll let you off the hook today."
As a result...
"Young Master Cheng, could I borrow thirty taels of silver from you? I promise to return it, and not owe you a single coin."
Upon arriving at the pharmacy and requesting the medicine she needed, she realized she didn't have a single coin. Seeing Skyview City's gloomy expression, she mustered her courage and asked.
"Borrowing money from me comes with high interest."
Skyview City said with great interest, looking at her as if to say it was up to her whether she wanted to borrow or not. His gaze was deep, seemingly able to see through her, causing Shen Yuanyuan to instinctively cover her chest and take a few steps back in surprise.
"Are you a loan shark or a vampire?"
Shen Yuanyuan had a look of disbelief and wariness as she glared at Skyview City, but her voice was low and tinged with anger.
"As long as the interest is high, it doesn't matter what it is."
However, she didn't understand Skyview City and overlooked how thick-skinned he was. In the end, despite gritting her teeth, she had to comply with this unequal borrowing agreement. Thus, the great and proud Miss Xia San not only owed thirty taels of silver but also had to pay back a hefty interest.
"Come on, scrub my back."
After getting the medicine, she angrily followed the demon back home. Skyview City directly pulled her into his room and swiftly removed his shirt, revealing his entirely reddened back, commanding her with an air of authority.
"You...."
Upon seeing the almost unrecognizable flesh on his back, Shen Yuanyuan covered her mouth in disbelief, confusion written all over her face. She had only scraped against a tree trunk a few times; it couldn't possibly be this severe. Moreover, the medicine in her hand was not some miraculous cure; it was impossible for it to erase all the scars on his back in just one afternoon. Suddenly, she hesitated with the medicine in her hand.
"Only three hours left."
Skyview City reminded her cheerfully.
In the end, Shen Yuanyuan had no choice but to throw caution to the wind.
Three hours later, Shen Yuanyuan was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner. The meal she was making today was relatively lavish, aimed at pleasing the demon. After all, his back wouldn't heal in just one afternoon. It is said that those who are soft-hearted are easy to take advantage of; she had put in so much effort to please him that she couldn't believe he would remain indifferent. However, just as the first dish was finished cooking, she heard Skyview City's roar.
The voice was laced with infinite anger, shaking the entire house.
Shen Yuanyuan felt a surge of dread in her heart. However, under the eaves, one had to bow their head. She had always been a person of her word and never owed anyone anything. Even if she was scolded harshly, she had to repay this debt and consume all the antidote before she could leave.
Thus, she extinguished the fire and steeled herself to walk towards Skyview City’s room.
However, the moment she pushed open the door, an unpleasant odor wafted toward her. She frowned slightly, feeling guilty. But upon seeing Skyview City’s bloodied back, she wished she could drive a tank through the wall.
The story of the tank was her favorite; it was one she had clung to Xia Muxin and recounted many times. It remained vivid in her memory, every word etched clearly.
“What kind of medicine did you give me?”
Skyview City’s nose was twisted in anger. He had foolishly trusted Shen Yuanyuan. Shen Jing often mentioned in his letters that his sister was useless. He thought there must be at least one thing she could manage, which is why he hadn’t supervised her while she went to fetch medicine today. She merely pointed at the medicine cabinet, and the person there handed over whatever she asked for. He remembered that person even asked what it was for, and she claimed to be a doctor, insisting on using her own secret recipe without letting them interfere.
Now, he was left with his entire back rotting away.
Shen Yuanyuan helplessly bit her finger, frowning as she pondered for a long time but couldn’t figure out where things had gone wrong. Yet, she still felt guilty towards Skyview City and suddenly choked up:
“Well... well... it clearly wasn’t wrong.”
Skyview City silently accepted his fate. In the end, they both went to the clinic at night, only to be scolded mercilessly by the doctor because Shen Yuanyuan had grabbed the wrong bottle. The medicine she concocted was identical to one in her own bag. In her haste, she had simply picked up a bottle and applied it to Skyview City, resulting in this mess.
“Well... Doctor, how much silver will it take to heal this injury?”
However, for the first time, Miss Shen San, who regarded money as worthless, found herself troubled by it and realized how powerful money could be in rescuing her from danger.
Moreover, this responsibility was one she had to bear.
The doctor looked at Skyview City for a while longer, then stroked his graying beard and said earnestly, "The time frame is about six months. As for the silver... it could be more than ten thousand taels or as little as a few thousand taels."
"......"
Upon returning home, Shen Yuanyuan was completely wilted and had been terrifyingly silent the entire way. This made Skyview City somewhat uncomfortable; he pondered whether he had been too harsh on the girl. However, Shen Jing had repeatedly urged him in the letter to take good care of his sister and that stricter punishment and training would be better. Had he used the wrong approach?
He wondered if Uncle Shen and Aunt would hold a grudge against him for teasing their precious daughter.
Would it be difficult to win over this girl in the future?
"Don't worry, I will take responsibility for you."
Finally, the silent and gloomy Shen Yuanyuan spoke up, but as soon as she finished speaking, she slipped into her room and locked the door, leaving Skyview City with a bewildered expression outside.
"Come out and eat something first. I'm a patient now; I need care for twelve hours. What if you let me starve to illness?"
After a moment of confusion, Skyview City suddenly remembered that they hadn't had dinner yet. With a snap of his fingers, within no time at all, several home-cooked dishes appeared on the table. He knocked on Shen Yuanyuan's door and found a very suitable reason to say.
Shen Yuanyuan had already buried her head in sleep but found it hard to rest. Her stomach was indeed feeling a bit hungry. After hearing Skyview City's words, she took the opportunity to step down from her pride and opened the door to go out. As she passed by the table, she didn't even glance at it and headed straight into the kitchen.
Skyview City found the situation quite perplexing. He didn't believe that she was in the mood to eat at that moment, but when he saw her head straight to the kitchen and immediately start to stoke the fire to cook, he walked up to her and waved his hand in front of her face. Noticing Shen Yuanyuan's impatient frown, he couldn't help but ask irritably,
"Are you blind or cross-eyed?"
The dishes on the table were already prepared; all she needed to do was sit down and eat. Yet, it seemed as if she couldn't see them at all. Did she really have the emotional capacity to seek out such self-inflicted suffering? This surprised him, as he didn't think Shen Yuanyuan was so oblivious.
Shen Yuanyuan couldn't be bothered with him and, while stoking the fire, replied curtly,
"Aren't you hungry? If I don't cook, are you going to eat it raw?"
Skyview City was left speechless with anger. He directly pulled out the firewood from the stove and extinguished it with his foot before dragging her to sit at the table.
Only then did Shen Yuanyuan realize that there was already food ready, and it was clear that it had been prepared by a chef from a restaurant.
Without hesitation, she picked up her chopsticks and began to eat.
Watching her eat without any decorum made Skyview City's mouth twitch. Was this really a woman?
*
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Shen Yuanyuan felt extremely despondent. She had contacted the supermarket and asked them to relay her situation in Kyoto to her two brothers. However, after such a long time, there had been no news at all. When she went back to the supermarket to question them, those people were evasive, making her suspect that they might have been bribed by this demon.
"Hey, are you used to the girls here? If you like one, just go in and find her. Besides, you look like a nouveau riche with too much money and nowhere to spend it. It wouldn't be hard for you to buy that girl out; why do you have to spend money sitting here secretly every day?"
As she found herself once again at this unfortunate booth for a meal, Shen Yuanyuan could no longer hold back her reminders and complaints. During this time, it had only been the two of them; the Peacock Man had not shown up again. The young man used to look at her with a strange gaze every time, and even though the food here was delicious, she had no appetite.
Moreover, a man who dawdles is certainly not cut out for great things.
"Well, that girl is still young; I have to wait for the right moment to mature."
Skyview City had long since grown accustomed to Shen Yuanyuan's harsh words, and now, not hearing them for a day felt quite uncomfortable. He quietly watched her for a while before saying something more meaningful.
Shen Yuanyuan was extremely surprised. Did people really care about feelings in a place like this?
She had heard plenty of stories about homeless girls or those forced into situations who were sold off as young as ten years old. The one who offered the most money would get them, and the buyers certainly wouldn’t let you go just because you were young. It was quite thrilling; her parents had once rescued a ten-year-old girl who now worked for their family.
"Alright, have you looked enough? If you’re done looking, then let’s go."
However, upon hearing such words from him, she felt a heaviness in her chest. Suddenly, her tone turned cold as she put down her chopsticks.
"Are you getting cold? Eating so little?"
They had only started eating for a short while when Skyview City noticed her lack of appetite today and reached out to touch her forehead, asking as usual.
"I had breakfast late today; I'm not hungry."
Such physical gestures between them seemed to have become routine, and since she faced his bare upper body every day now, it didn’t feel abrupt at all.
"Eat some more; keep me company."
However, Skyview City was quite domineering. Not only did he prepare some delicious dishes for her, but he also provided a good reason for it.
Shen Yuanyuan had always been unable to resist good food, and soon enough, she half-heartedly joined him in eating. By the end, most of the dishes had ended up in her stomach, and she showed no signs of wanting to put down her chopsticks.
Seeing her appetite increase, Skyview City also made an exception today and ate a bit more.
"In a few days, come with me to a place. Bring your little bundle because there will be danger."
After the meal, the two walked out of the restaurant as usual, but Skyview City casually said to her.
"I only owe you money; I don't owe you my life. There's no need to drag me into everything."
Shen Yuanyuan was not pleased and strongly rejected his suggestion. However, she wasn't wrong; she felt quite downcast, as if she had been abandoned by her family. Moreover, there were spies from her family all over Tianli Kingdom, so it made no sense that she hadn't heard anything after being out for several months. Staying here meant having no friends and nothing fun to do; instead, she was constantly being ordered around. Anyone would have complaints about that.
Furthermore, he seemed to be doing nothing all day, just shuttling between home and the restaurant, soaking in hot springs, and urging her to do things she didn't want to do or imposing a series of unequal agreements. She couldn't help but feel that he resembled her mother in some ways.
"That's true, but I have enemies everywhere, and this is the only safe place I have. Who knows if they will come to the city seeking revenge while I'm away? If you think staying here is fine, I won't force you."
At that moment, Shen Yuanyuan wished she could eat him alive and drink his blood.
She had seen shamelessness before, but never this level of it.
Oh... he was driving her crazy.
"Biao Ge, that's the short man."
In a hidden corner, several sharp-faced individuals were secretly watching the actions of the two. A lewd-looking man pointed at Shen Yuanyuan and gritted his teeth as he spoke.
Since that incident, the business at Yichun Pavilion had clearly suffered greatly. It had been over a month, and the number of customers was minimal, mostly from out of town. After investigating for a long time, they finally identified the culprit behind it all.
Moreover, those more than ten girls were cash cows for the establishment. They had spent over a hundred thousand taels to treat their faces, yet they were still using medicine to recover.
They could not swallow this grievance.
"These days, we must stay alert. Once we catch that brat, we'll definitely flay him alive and make him wish he were dead."
The man known as Biao Ge had a fierce expression, glaring at the gradually shrinking figure and said resolutely.
The others immediately showed lewd smiles as if they had been injected with adrenaline...
Three days later, the two set off.
With two bundles resting on Shen Yuanyuan's frail shoulders, she strode confidently toward Skyview City, holding her head high and chest out, attracting attention from everyone around.
Meanwhile, behind her, Shen Yuanyuan was panting like a pug, walking very slowly and drenched in sweat.
She suspected that the demon was doing this on purpose to torment her.
Her bundle wasn't small either, but it was more than half lighter than his. Besides, she was much shorter than him; how could he make her carry all this? Wasn't that just inhumane?
"I ate six big meat buns this morning, along with a large bowl of soy milk and two fried dough sticks. I really wonder if you ate all that or if it was the dog."
Skyview City finally couldn't stand her slow pace any longer and stood by waiting. Shen Yuanyuan thought he had a change of heart and was there to help share the burden, but instead, he just mocked her.
She rolled her eyes in annoyance.
However, his words still made her blush because she really did eat that much this morning, and all of it was bought by him, though she didn't know where he got it from.
Moreover, she had been in this capital city for quite some time and had no restrictions on her freedom. Her greatest hobby was eating. Although she didn't have much money, this devil provided her with enough to buy rice and vegetables, and she could save quite a bit each day. Most of that money was usually spent on food, yet despite having eaten at so many places, she hadn't tried the buns and soy milk today.
It was her first time eating that much; it wasn't surprising. Besides, he bought plenty—didn't he leave a few behind?
- End of Chapter -
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