300 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Yan Yuanqing's gaze gradually became vacant. Nangong Yin: "..." Chapter 328 Sensing the strange look Nangong Yin directed at her, Yan Yuanqing's mind was a cacophony of sharp alarms. Ahhhhhh!!!! Why are these books in Yan Zhao's hands?! She's got so many serious manuals in her study, yet Yan Zhao didn't look at any of them—she only picked out the dual-cultivation manuals! Weren't they all hidden away? Where did Yan Zhao dig them up from? Neither of the mothers said a word, and a small question mark appeared above Yan Zhao's head: "Is this manual too difficult?" If even Yan Yuanqing and Nangong Yin can't solve her questions, is there anyone in the world who can understand this manual and guide her? As she pondered, Yan Zhao thought to herself: Should I maybe try another book? The thought crossed her mind, and Nangong Yin was the first to speak up: "No, the manual isn't difficult." Yan Yuanqing suddenly turned to look at Nangong Yin, her eyes watery, containing a sliver of hope, wishing for Nangong Yin to provide a reasonable explanation to divert Yan Zhao's attention and successfully retrieve those manuals. Yan Zhao also glanced curiously at Nangong Yin, waiting for her to explain. Then, Nangong Yin's red lips parted slightly: "This is a dual-cultivation manual." Yan Yuanqing: "?!" What are you saying?! Stop it!!! Yan Yuanqing jumped up intending to stop Nangong Yin, but unexpectedly her body suddenly froze; not only were her limbs immobilized, but she couldn't even open her mouth, leaving only her eyes able to dart back and forth. It was a Stasis Charm! Nangong Yin anticipated her outburst and deftly pasted the Stasis Charm on Yan Yuanqing's arm. Although a mere Stasis Charm couldn't truly confine Yan Yuanqing, unraveling the charm still required some time. During this period, she heard Yan Zhao ask Nangong Yin: "What is dual-cultivation?" Nangong Yin calmly replied, "As the name implies, it's a manual that requires two people to cultivate together." Yan Zhao understood just from looking at the illustrations but was still puzzled: "What is the purpose of dual-cultivation?" Swordsmanship has moves, blade techniques have forms, yet this dual-cultivation manual looks quite profound—Yan Zhao wanted to know how it is applied. The manuals stored in Yan Yuanqing's study must be extraordinary, possibly some kind of ultimate skill. Nangong Yin explained with composure, "It allows for quick gathering of Qi, enhancing cultivation, and can also be used for healing." The word "healing" struck a chord with Yan Zhao, her eyes lit up instantly as she eagerly asked, "Can I use this manual to heal my senior sister?" "It's not impossible..." Nangong Yin replied with a hesitant expression. Yan Yuanqing's eyes widened; had she not been immobilized, she would definitely be hopping mad, itching to pummel Nangong Yin to vent her frustration. Her internal magic circulated rapidly, ready to break the charm's constraints, when she heard Nangong Yin continue, "But it's best not to use it recklessly. Dual-cultivation is typically practiced by Dao companions. If you wish to use it for healing Miss Ren, you must wait until her consciousness recovers and she consents." "If you cannot cultivate this technique with mutual coordination, the clashing auras can lead to disruption, causing more harm than good." "I see." Yan Zhao nodded, pulling out a small notebook and diligently taking notes. A gust of wind blew the pages of the notebook, making a rustling sound. Yan Yuanqing grabbed Nangong Yin's ear, her voice stern as she whispered, "What are you teaching our daughter?!" Nangong Yin's ears turned slightly red under the tugging, her usual poised expression momentarily disrupted with a hint of helplessness. "It's a normal exchange, not anything untoward. Why are you so worked up?" "What's normal about it?!!" Yan Yuanqing was enraged. Nangong Yin cast her an oblique glance, countering, "Are you suggesting that Yan Zhao should perceive your collection of these manuals as abnormal? That all the books in your study are inappropriate and shady?" Yan Yuanqing: "..." "Children will grow up; she will inevitably face these issues," Nangong Yin continued calmly, allowing Yan Yuanqing to tug her ear, her tone gentle. "As mothers, shouldn't we guide her correctly, ensuring she doesn't stray down the wrong path? If we don't explain it to her clearly now, it may be too late to prevent misuse later on." Nangong Yin's argument was well-founded, and though Yan Yuanqing found it emotionally hard to accept, she couldn't deny the validity of her points. Even if, in her eyes, Yan Zhao is still too young to be exposed to such matters, Yan Zhao's budding curiosity and natural inquisitiveness meant that avoidance would only lead to more problems. In every respect, she should provide the child the respect she deserves. Yan Zhao held down the fluttering pages of her notebook, looking up in confusion at Yan Yuanqing: "Why is Mother pulling A-Yin's ear? Did A-Yin do something wrong?" Senior sister only tugs her ear when she's misbehaving or has done something wrong. Yan Yuanqing, feeling embarrassed, said, "No, I just suddenly felt like pulling it." After saying this, she released her grip and patted Nangong Yin's slightly reddened ear. Nangong Yin did not express anger or pain, and Yan Zhao blinked her eyes, quickly putting the matter out of her mind. She asked Nangong Yin again, "This technique requires practicing with a Dao companion, but what if senior sister doesn't agree to be my Dao companion?" Nangong Yin raised an eyebrow, perplexed, "Do you know why she won't agree?" Yan Yuanqing no longer stopped Nangong Yin, but with Yan Zhao's entire focus on Nangong Yin, she felt a bit disgruntled. She realized the child was impressionable and would side with whoever catered to her desires. Yan Zhao shook her head: "No idea." If she knew, she wouldn't be asking. She repeated the question that Ren Qingyue posed to her: "Senior sister said that just liking each other is not enough to be together. She said when I figure that out, she'll give me an answer." Yan Yuanqing folded her arms, sulking as she watched Nangong Yin—she was curious to see how Nangong Yin would handle their daughter's issue. Nangong Yin's expression relaxed into a smile, and she suddenly asked Yan Zhao, "What if your mother and I both opposed you being with Miss Ren—what would you do?" Yan Zhao was taken aback: "Huh?" The situation was developing unexpectedly, leaving Yan Zhao bewildered. "But Mother..." Yan Zhao refused to consider the question, pouting, "Mother agreed." Yan Yuanqing's eyes widened: "I didn't actually agree. Last time you tricked me with your words. If you two are truly in love, I wouldn't oppose it, but Yue'er hasn't agreed to be with you either." Yan Zhao puffed her cheeks in discontent. Nangong Yin asked again, "Then put your mother's opinion aside—what if I disagreed with you becoming companions with Miss Ren?" Yan Zhao felt wronged; when they were dealing with the monster tribe, Nangong Yin had comforted her despite the obstacles from Tu Shan Hanzhi. Yet now she was suggesting disagreement, leaving Yan Zhao disheartened. She hung her head, gently stroking the small fox's fur with one hand. The little fox yawned lazily in her arms, flipped over, and continued to sleep. Nangong Yin remained serene, sipping tea proudly patient and composed. Yan Yuanqing sent her a look: Isn't it too soon to have this conversation with Zhao'er? Nangong Yin's eyelashes fluttered lightly, and she replied to Yan Yuanqing in whispered tones, "Zhao'er is naive and hasn't experienced emotional hardship. Perhaps she doesn't even know what she truly wants. If she can't overcome this hurdle, no one can help her." Yan Zhao sat silently, lost in thought for a long time. Nangong Yin set down her teacup and asked, "Have you thought it over?" As the words left her lips, Yan Zhao raised her head, her expression now more composed, and she asked back, "Why would Mother and A-Yin not want me to be with senior sister?" Before Nangong Yin could answer, Yan Yuanqing blurted out, "You are both still young and have a long journey ahead. Especially you—you don't even understand what emotions and love truly mean. How can I entrust my disciple to you?" Yan Zhao was stunned. Nangong Yin placed a hand on her forehead—when Yan Yuanqing opened her mouth, her words were always so piercing. She didn't seem to fear provoking Yan Zhao to the point where her daughter might never speak to her again. Fortunately, Yan Zhao wasn't that petty and, after being directly pointed out by Yan Yuanqing, she fell into deep contemplation. In a moment of realization, Yan Zhao seemed to understand what her senior sister was worried about. Even though she really liked her senior sister, just liking her wasn't enough. Everyone knew she liked her senior sister, but no one had faith in their relationship, not even the senior sister, who hesitated and retreated. Ultimately, it was because she wasn't mature enough; she lacked the strength and understanding to be responsible for her current feelings and any future uncertainties. Yan Zhao pondered for a long time, contemplating how to articulate her thoughts. Yan Yuanqing and Nangong Yin didn't rush her, waiting patiently until she was ready. "I like my senior sister," Yan Zhao confessed calmly, her lips pressed together, "I really like her sincerely." Nangong Yin and Yan Yuanqing exchanged glances but stayed silent, allowing Yan Zhao to continue: "Things I don't understand now, I'll figure out eventually. What I can't do now, I'll achieve later. What I don't know, Mother and A-Yin will teach me." "I don't know what the future holds, but I want to grow old with my senior sister." "No matter if she agrees to be my Dao companion or not, I'll keep liking her," Yan Zhao stated earnestly, "I like her every day. And isn't a lifetime just a collection of all those days added together?" Yan Yuanqing gasped. Nangong Yin showed an expression of intrigued interest. This was Yan Zhao's pure heart. Yan Zhao laid her most genuine feelings bare before them, touching their hearts. While her ideas might be naive, they came with a sense of responsibility. No one can predict the future, but without the hope of believing it can be good, how can one truly find happiness? People need to think deeply to face sudden challenges, but they also need the courage to step into the unknown. Simply hesitating won't move life forward. "Zhao'er," Nangong Yin gently called out to Yan Zhao. Yan Zhao tilted her head up, meeting Nangong Yin’s gaze. Nangong Yin's expression softened into a smile, "When your senior sister's injuries heal and she wakes up, tell her what you just said once again." Yan Zhao blinked, momentarily not understanding Nangong Yin's intention. A moment later, Yan Zhao's eyes widened suddenly: "Do you agree?" "It doesn't matter if we agree," Yan Yuanqing said, patting Yan Zhao's head and nodding towards the little fox in her arms, "It's her consent that matters." Yan Zhao then turned to ask the little fox, "Snowball, do you agree for me to become Dao companions with senior sister?" Snowball was sleeping, and she tried to wake it up. The little fox, disturbed from sleep, yawned and bit Yan Zhao's hand, hanging onto her palm. Yan Zhao picked it up, bewildered: "Does this mean yes or no?" Yan Yuanqing and Nangong Yin: "..." Chapter 329 "What good does asking it now do?" Despite Yan Zhao being her beloved daughter, Yan Yuanqing couldn't help but roll her eyes, "Its mind is injured; it can't understand what you're saying. You'll have to wait until she wakes up." Yan Zhao finally realized: "Oh, right." She took the little fox off her hand, gently stroked its head, and a natural brightness filled her eyes: "You need to heal well and recover soon." At this point, Yan Yuanqing cleared her throat: "Ahem, Zhao'er." Yan Zhao turned her head: "Yes?" "Well, about that... uh." Yan Yuanqing hesitated. It was as if she had something to say but didn't know how to begin.