78 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

### Chapter 78 Meat bone tea requires many ingredients and needs to be simmered for a long time, but it's very nutritious. Yue Bai was concerned that Qin Shuang might get hungry, so she used her spiritual power to speed up the process. Making the dough for crystal dumplings is cumbersome, but since it was Qin Shuang's first meal after arriving, she decided to make them. However, fresh shrimp was not available in the hall today, so Yue Bai made a vegetable filling instead and crafted several yuanbao-shaped dumplings. The dumplings were steamed and served together with the meat bone tea. Qin Shuang had been sitting on a small stool in the kitchen all along, her small head following Yue Bai's movements. Whether she was looking at Yue Bai or something else was unclear. Ji Wu Nian had just finished playing a piece on his flute and initially wanted to take Qin Shuang outside to wait, but seeing that Qin Shuang wasn't very willing, he didn't press the issue. Once the preparations in the kitchen were almost done, Ji Wu Nian stood up and went outside to set up a table and chairs in the courtyard. "Xiao Shuang, it's time to eat," Ji Wu Nian squatted in front of her, holding her small hand, "Let's go outside together, okay?" Qin Shuang's eyes were still fixated on the figure by the stove, and though she heard, she barely turned her head. Ji Wu Nian thought for a moment, then walked to Yue Bai's side, taking over the task of ladling the soup. "Why don't you take Xiao Shuang outside first? I'll handle the rest." Jiu Yi couldn't help but comment, "Turned over a new leaf, huh?" Lazy Master hardly ever worked. If there was cooking to be done, most of the tasks fell to Yue Bai. Ji Wu Nian only came in to sneak a bite when he felt snacky. This kind of proactive behavior was rare. Yue Bai glanced at him but still said, "Thank you, Master." There wasn't much sincerity in her thanks. Yue Bai walked over to Qin Shuang, bent down, and held her hand, her tone much softer now, "Xiao Shuang, let's go outside first, okay?" Qin Shuang gripped her fingers with both hands, shuffled forward to make sure her feet were firmly on the ground, and then slowly stood up. She took a couple of small steps, following beside Yue Bai. Yue Bai could tell she was showing caution because of her blindness, and she walked slowly, matching her steps, "Xiao Shuang, come on, this way, walk slowly." "...You might as well carry her," Jiu Yi suggested. Yue Bai replied, "I'll carry her in a bit." Qin Shuang continued to hold Yue Bai's hand with both of hers. The child's steps were slow, but Yue Bai wasn't in a hurry and accompanied her at the same pace. When they reached the doorway, she reminded her, "Xiao Shuang, there's a threshold here, jump over it." Qin Shuang stopped as her toes touched something, her little head turned slightly. "Come on," Yue Bai chuckled softly, "jump." Qin Shuang obediently jumped, holding onto Yue Bai's hand, and Yue Bai lifted her a bit as she jumped, helping her over the threshold. The child's snow-white hair bounced up and down, and a few strands stuck to her face. "Good job, Xiao Shuang," Yue Bai squatted in front of her, brushed the white hair away from her face, and then smiled as she picked her up. Yue Bai wasn't very tall, and carrying Qin Shuang seemed a bit strenuous. However, being a disciple of the immortal sect, the strain was purely superficial. Qin Shuang's joy was genuine. She seemed momentarily stunned when lifted but quickly responded, wrapping her arms around Yue Bai's neck and closing her eyes. "...Divine Lady," she called softly and weakly. Yue Bai patted her back without saying anything. They were only a few steps away from the table and chairs Ji Wu Nian had set up. Yue Bai gently placed Qin Shuang on the chair beside her. Ji Wu Nian had followed them and was now setting the meal, serving three portions of the meat soup and a tray of crystal dumplings. She herself then sat on the other side of Qin Shuang, smiling at Yue Bai. Ji Wu Nian felt somewhat helpless. Her emotions were mixed, feeling a sense of foreboding about this unexpected development. Yet, looking at the person in front of her, she felt a peculiar sense that everything was alright, even a bit amusing and delightful. "It feels like we're raising a child..." Qin Shuang still held onto Yue Bai's sleeve, her gaze fixed on Yue Bai's chest. Yue Bai picked up a bowl of soup, thinking: Isn't that exactly what we're doing... "Then Master, please raise her well and don't lead her astray." No matter how resentful the disciple's gaze, it wouldn't change reality. And in fact, Yue Bai seemed to go along with things effortlessly. Despite any dissatisfaction with Ji Wu Nian, Yue Bai still scooped a spoonful of the meat soup, cooled it, and brought it to Qin Shuang's lips gently, her expression warm, "Xiao Shuang, have a sip of soup." Feeling the heat near her lips and a tint of color before her eyes, Qin Shuang slightly opened her mouth, letting the warm liquid flow in, tinged with a slight bitterness and freshness. She liked the taste, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. Ji Wu Nian noticed, resting her head on her hand, and asked, "Is it good? Does Xiao Shuang like it?" The child turned her head slightly, the color vanishing from her view, but her brows relaxed with evident joy. Her white hair bobbed as she nodded. A happy child is always adorable. Ji Wu Nian patted her head and chuckled, "Then let her make it for you often." Jiu Yi found this kind of offering someone else's efforts to be very disdainful, "Why doesn't she make it herself?" Yue Bai shared the thought. But Ji Wu Nian's insolence wasn't Qin Shuang's fault. Yue Bai didn't dislike the child and spooned another serving of soup, her expression gentle, "If Xiao Shuang likes it, I'll make it often." The child was easily pleased. Her brow visibly relaxed as she was fed by Yue Bai, even her feet, which couldn't reach the ground, swayed a bit. Finding her adorable, Yue Bai picked up a crystal dumpling with chopsticks, holding it to Qin Shuang's mouth with another bowl beneath to catch any drips. "Xiao Shuang, have a bite of dumpling. Be careful, it's hot inside." By this time, the little disciple was so gentle, it seemed like she was encasing Qin Shuang in a soft bubble of comfort and non-invasiveness. Ji Wu Nian coincidentally noticed a black-and-white fuzzball rolling out from a corner of the courtyard, and her heart tightened. "Wan Wan," Yue Bai indeed called to the fuzzball, setting down her bowl and holding onto Qin Shuang's hand. The fuzzball rolled to the disciple's feet, and she guided Qin Shuang’s hand to touch its fur. "Xiao Shuang, does it feel nice?" Warm and soft textures greeted her palm. Qin Shuang opened and closed her small hand, patting around, eventually nodding in agreement without really knowing. "This is Wan Wan," Yue Bai continued to hold her wrist to prevent her from falling while touching Wan Wan, "He's a panda." Qin Shuang seemed intrigued, her small face lighting up with surprise and delight. "…You two go ahead and eat well," Ji Wu Nian got up and picked up the panda, taking a step back to keep them from being distracted, "You can pet him more after eating." Yue Bai glanced at her but picked up the bowl and spoon again, "Xiao Shuang, come on, drink the soup." Qin Shuang, having nothing else to touch, returned to holding Yue Bai's sleeve, gripping it less tightly this time. …It felt like her standing within the hall had dropped again. Ji Wu Nian looked at the considerably big, still squirming bundle in her arms... It wasn't an option to hit it—the little disciple would definitely be upset. She wondered whether to sigh or laugh. Ji Wu Nian placed Wan Wan down, shaking her head. "Wu Nian." At that moment, Liu Li and Wen Zheng entered the Qinglin Hall together, noticing the trio and the panda. "Are you having a meal?" "What brings you here?" Ji Wu Nian stepped forward, blocking their way. Upon hearing the voice, Qin Shuang's face turned cold, losing all expression, becoming as frosty as her name. Her small hand clutched Yue Bai's sleeve tighter. Noticing this, Yue Bai gently put down the bowl and spoon, holding Qin Shuang's hand properly. She couldn't perform a formal greeting, so she nodded towards the two, "Liu Li Immortal, Elder Wen Zheng." "No need for formalities, Ye Er," Liu Li nodded to her, then smiled at Ji Wu Nian, "I just returned from the Headmaster. He said, since Qin Shuang is close to Ye Er, keeping her in Qinglin Hall isn't unreasonable. But he asked that I visit often to ensure she's well taken care of." He looked around the courtyard, "However, with Ye Er here, it's reassuring." "Compared to you, Master, your disciple is much better at taking care of people," Wen Zheng jabbed, stepping forward to stand beside Ye Er and Qin Shuang. His voice softened intentionally, "Qin Shuang... don't be scared, let me take a look at your eyes?" The girl didn't express much through her facial expressions, remaining largely unresponsive. Only the small hand held by Yue Bai moved slightly. Wen Zheng found this awkward and glanced at Yue Bai, "Ye Er, I heard she is close to you?" This "closeness" was a development of just a few hours, something Yue Bai hadn't quite figured out yet. But seeing the snowy-haired child by her side, so fragile, she couldn't bear to be harsh. Yue Bai inched closer to Qin Shuang, "Elder Wen Zheng, Xiao Shuang is still shy. Maybe… later?" Qin Shuang hesitated but then leaned toward Yue Bai, cuddling into her embrace. "Elder Wen Zheng, even if it's to treat an illness, let her settle in more first," Ji Wu Nian also approached, giving Wen Zheng and Liu Li a meaningful look, "Let them finish their meal peacefully." Liu Li seemed to agree, and the three of them left the hall together. "She's quite an interesting child," Wen Zheng remarked, "Cold as ice toward us but so affectionate with Ye Er." "It seems like she recognizes Ye Er," Liu Li asked Ji Wu Nian, "Does Ye Er truly not know who she is?" "No, she doesn't," replied Ji Wu Nian. "Though whether Yue Bai knows is another matter. But Yue Bai did look pretty bewildered; a child suddenly clung to her, now she has to take care of her. You'd think she's grumbling internally by now." Wen Zheng commented, "It's because you're such a useless master, leaving everything for your disciple to handle." "Yes, yes, I'm useless," Ji Wu Nian shrugged. "Take a look when she seems more relaxed," Wen Zheng said to her. "I'll examine her eyes." Ji Wu Nian nodded but was internally pessimistic. "Regardless of the reason," Liu Li glanced inside the hall, "it's good for the little one to have someone she's willing to get close to when she's in an unfamiliar place. It just means more work for Ye Er." ### Chapter List ... ### Next Chapter **Random Recommendations:** - Achieving Stardom - Rebirth in the '80s: Little Fortune Girl - [Inuyasha] Am I the Final Villain?! - The Dual-faced Billionaire’s Adored Wife - Wicked King’s Pet: The Defiant Concubine - Konoha’s Spirit System - Starting as a Donkey Hoof Fixer - Invincible Junior Martial Uncle - The Main God of the Heavenly Dao **Privacy and cookie settings** Managed by Google. Complies with IAB TCF. CMP ID: 300