44.1 - The Panda Cub Bows For Love

Chapter 44 Exposure Due to the approaching human New Year, the crowd was too large, and all the tickets were hard to come by. In the end, He Xiang took the initiative to wait in line with them to snatch tickets, managing to secure three tickets to the north. Sitting on the plane, Jing Dan gazed out the window at the blue sky and white clouds. Every time she flew, she preferred the window seat, enjoying the sensation of flying in the sky. He Xiang sat beside her, watching her like a child leaning against the window looking outside. Although she acted cool, showing no signs of excessive excitement on her face, it didn't stop He Xiang from imagining Jing Dan's true emotions in her mind. With wide eyes full of astonishment and a slightly open mouth, uttering an "ah~" of surprise, she seemed more like a child. He Xiang stifled a laugh, giving her a gentle look. On the other side, Hu Tu observed: "You're looking at the scenery outside, who's looking at the scenery of you looking outside? With your face of speechlessness, it seems like you two aren't on speaking terms. Can't you tone down the sourness?" Jing Dan turned to He Xiang, a hint of contemplation in her eyes. Not knowing He Xiang's true form, if she were a bird, could she transform and take them flying together into the sky? While airplanes also fly, they lack the exhilaration of soaring freely through the vast sky and the grandeur of overlooking mountains and rivers. Perceiving Jing Dan's gaze, He Xiang couldn't understand what she was silently pondering. Jing Dan's furrowed brows seemed to indicate intense contemplation. He Xiang: "... Why does she suddenly feel so uneasy?" --- Upon arriving in Lanjiang City, the sky had darkened, with snow covering the trees and ice hanging from the branches. Stepping on the snow left footprints behind. Jing Dan liked snow; maybe it was a panda's natural preference. She enjoyed the cold, and seeing snow made her want to transform into her true form and bury herself in the snow, allowing it to cover her whole body. On the contrary, Hu Tu, despite being a demon, didn't share the sentiment. Even during winter, she couldn't help but curse a few times. Winter was so troublesome, requiring thick clothing and everything seemed to wither; ordinary foxes even had to prepare a lot before winter to survive comfortably. Returning to this land, He Xiang felt a moment of nostalgia. Although not much time had passed since her last visit, this return felt different than before. She turned, watching Jing Dan reach for the icicles hanging from the tree, then smiled faintly. Soon, the car arranged by He Xiang to pick them up arrived. She led Jing Dan and Hu Tu into the car. Once inside, the warm air melted the snow on them, leaving a damp sensation. "Take off your coat; we'll go straight home so you don't have to wear this," He Xiang said softly to Jing Dan, unbuttoning her coat. "Um," Jing Dan responded, cooperating to remove her coat. He Xiang then handed her a dry towel to wipe her slightly damp hair, ensuring she wouldn't feel uncomfortable with temperature changes. Hu Tu: "... Why isn't anyone caring if my clothes are wet?" Annoyed, she took off her coat, only to have a clean towel thrown over her head. "..." Alright, that also counts as caring. The driver glanced at the three through the rearview mirror before focusing back on driving. --- As the car drove further, signs of civilization dwindled, surrounded by tall leafless trees exuding a desolate aura. Jing Dan curiously observed their surroundings. Perhaps due to a filter on He Xiang's lived experiences, the desolate scenery appeared uniquely beautiful to her in winter. The car eventually halted in front of a solitary villa. He Xiang led Jing Dan out of the car, gazing at the villa nestled in the deep mountains with a tinge of emotion. Jing Dan and Hu Tu found nothing peculiar about a villa in such remote woods. Many demons integrated into human society while some preferred serene isolation in deep forests to avoid human chaos. After alighting, the car turned back, with the driver not even getting out. "Let's go inside; I'll show you around," He Xiang smiled at Jing Dan before picking up their luggage and entering the house. As she followed inside, Jing Dan noticed the unusually quiet atmosphere. With the dark outside and the eerie stillness inside the secluded forest, the house carried a haunted house vibe with its minimalist decor devoid of warmth. "Isn't there anyone else at home?" Hu Tu asked puzzled. "There is," He Xiang replied, lifting the luggage, "My mother lives on the second floor. She doesn't venture out much, so to avoid disturbing her, we'll stay on the first floor." Thankfully, the house had enough rooms for the three; they chose adjacent rooms and deposited their luggage. Unlike Jing Dan, Hu Tu sensed something amiss. He Xiang returned home, yet it felt as if they were mere guests without their own rooms. Despite mentioning her mother, there was no mention of anyone else living here; did it mean only her mother resided in this house? Oblivious to Hu Tu's thoughts, after settling the luggage, He Xiang went to the kitchen to fetch water for them and asked, "What would you like to eat? I'll cook." Taking the water, Jing Dan scanned the room and softly suggested, "Shouldn't we greet your mother first before settling in? It feels inappropriate to barge into your home like this." He Xiang chuckled, "It's okay; she enjoys solitude. If she doesn't come down, we shouldn't disturb her." "Huh?" Jing Dan was puzzled. Could things proceed like this? "Don't 'huh'; tell us what you'd like to eat!" Hu Tu intervened, pushing her to order quickly. Jing Dan: "Oh, I want stir-fried winter bamboo shoots." It was the best time of the year for winter bamboo shoots. Hu Tu: "... Do you want to expose yourself any further?" Watching Hu Tu's eye roll, He Xiang smiled, "Sure, you wait here. You can also look around, just keep it down." Seeing He Xiang head to the kitchen, Hu Tu sat on the sofa playing with her phone, disinterested to move. Feeling bored, Jing Dan explored the ground floor as He Xiang mentioned her mother's love for solitude, hence avoiding the second floor. Completed the tour on the ground floor, He Xiang wasn't ready yet. Jing Dan peeked into the kitchen, then opened the door to the backyard, intending to explore. Compared to the darkness inside, the backyard twinkled with small lights. Lanterns hung on various frames, giving the appearance of a small light sea in the dark. Intrigued, she walked in. The dim glow exuded a serene ambiance, and a lone, frail woman sat on a swing in the corner. Initially shocked, Jing Dan quickly composed herself, sensing a hint of familiarity in the woman's features and forming a guess. Wasn't He Xiang the one who enjoyed solitude in her room? How did she end up in the backyard? Yet curiosity aside, this was her home; she couldn't just walk up and ask why she was there.