Chapter 22: Let Me Sleep With You

Walking along the streets of Ling City, Jiang Wan was still replaying everything that had just happened in the shop.

“Could that shop really be entirely ordinary, without a single strange thing about it?”

Although the facts seemed to suggest so, Jiang Wan was unwilling to believe it. To her, a shop that appeared completely ordinary was, in itself, very strange.

This visit to Wang Chu’s shop had not dispelled Jiang Wan’s suspicions about his identity; on the contrary, it had deepened her doubts.

She resolved to visit the shop more often in the future. Sooner or later, she would expose Wang Chu’s true nature.

…

“I’m Chu Xue. My name is Chu Xue.”

Inside the room, the weak woman half-sat, leaning against the wall, and spoke her name.

“Chu Xue? That’s a nice name, quite pleasant,” Wang Chu said with a smile.

Chu Xue furrowed her brows.

“It’s not Chu Xue, but Chu Xue.”

Wang Chu paused for a moment.

“The ‘Chu’ as in the beginning?”

“Yes,” she replied.

Wang Chu stroked his chin.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard of such a surname.”

Chu Xue said calmly, “Many people say the same.”

Wang Chu asked, “So, Chu Xue, where are you from? You don’t look like you’re from Ling City.”

“I came from outside the county,” she answered.

“Outside the county?” Wang Chu was somewhat surprised. “You traveled so far just to buy a coffin from me?”

Chu Xue explained, “I came here hoping to try my luck. If I can find that Crown Prince, maybe I won’t have to die.”

Wang Chu said, “You want the Great Rui Court to save you?”

Chu Xue shook her head.

“No, even the Great Rui Court can’t save me now. The only person who might be able to save me is that legendary divine healer, Hua Tuo, who is said to appear and vanish like a dragon.”

“Hua Tuo?” Hearing the name, Wang Chu’s expression grew odd. “You want the Great Rui Court to find Hua Tuo for you?”

Chu Xue gave a bitter smile.

“I can only think of such a desperate measure.”

Curious, Wang Chu asked, “What kind of poison did you contract that only Hua Tuo can cure?”

After coughing dryly twice, Chu Xue said, “The poison is called Seven Calamities. Simply put, I’m doomed to die seven days after being poisoned.”

Wang Chu inquired again, “How many days has it been now?”

Chu Xue’s eyes darkened.

“It’s the third day. So don’t worry, I won’t take up too much of your time.”

Wang Chu clarified, “Don’t misunderstand. I’m just asking casually. Since I’ve accepted your spirit stones, I won’t find it troublesome.”

Chu Xue forced a faint smile.

“That’s the best news.”

She hesitated briefly, then cautiously asked, “Tomorrow, could you take me to see some scenery? I’ve lived this long but have never seriously admired the views.”

Wang Chu looked puzzled.

“Aren’t you still looking for the Crown Prince?”

The young woman shook her head.

“I tried, but found nothing. So I’ve decided to give up. For the remaining days, I want to enjoy a life I never had.”

Having said this, Wang Chu no longer tried to persuade her and agreed.

“All right, tomorrow I’ll take you to see the scenery. There’s a place I think is quite nice.”

She nodded gently, a hint of joy finally touching her tone.

“Good!”

At that moment, Wang Chu stood up from the wooden table.

“Are you hungry?”

Though she wasn’t, the young woman asked, “If I say yes, will you cook something for me?”

Wang Chu narrowed his eyes.

“If you don’t mind.”

After a moment of silence, Chu Xue said, “I’m hungry.”

Wang Chu turned toward the kitchen.

“All right, I’ll make something for you now.”

Watching Wang Chu enter the kitchen, Chu Xue’s eyes filled with anticipation.

The taste of food—how she longed for it…

About fifteen minutes later, Wang Chu emerged from the kitchen, carrying a bowl of simple tomato and egg noodles.

When the bowl was placed before Chu Xue, her eyes widened as if she had seen a priceless treasure.

“What’s this red thing?”

Wang Chu smiled and asked, “You’ve never seen it before?”

Chu Xue stared at the tomato and shook her head.

“No.”

Wang Chu explained, “It’s called a tomato. It’s become popular in recent decades. Mixed with eggs in noodles, it tastes incredibly good.”

Chu Xue swallowed and said, “It looks good, quite appetizing.”

Wang Chu tentatively asked, “Would you like to eat with chopsticks yourself, or shall I feed you?”

Chu Xue pressed her lips shyly.

“I can eat by myself.”

Wang Chu handed her the bowl and chopsticks.

“Here, be careful, it’s hot.”

Chu Xue took the unfamiliar chopsticks and bowl, trying to pick up the noodles.

However, since she hadn’t used chopsticks in a long time, it was still too difficult for her to grasp the slippery noodles.

Despite her best efforts, she failed to lift the noodles.

Her clumsy attempt made her look like a child learning to use chopsticks.

Noticing Wang Chu watching her intently, Chu Xue lowered her head in embarrassment and explained, “I… haven’t used chopsticks for quite some time.”

Wang Chu did not mock her but responded with understanding.

“That’s normal. You don’t look like an ordinary person. You must have been some kind of immortal who doesn’t partake in worldly affairs before.”

“Immortal?” Chu Xue muttered the word, “No, I’m not an immortal, just a cultivator.”

Wang Chu corrected himself, “Alright then, a cultivator.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Chu Xue shyly returned the bowl and chopsticks to Wang Chu and turned her head away.

“Sorry to trouble you.”

Wang Chu took back the bowl and chopsticks with a friendly smile.

“No trouble at all. It’s my duty.”

He then picked up a bundle of noodles, mixed with tomato broth and bits of egg.

“Come on, open your mouth.”

Chu Xue looked at Wang Chu with her usual calm expression, but a faint blush had colored her cheeks.

She took a deep breath, parted her lips, and closed her eyes.

In the next moment, the noodles were gently fed into her mouth.

After taking a bite and chewing slowly, Chu Xue suddenly opened her eyes, a spark of brightness blooming amid the gloom.

“Tastes good! So this is what food really tastes like?”

She had long forgotten when she last ate something flavorful.

She only remembered that after she began cultivating, she had eaten tasteless steamed buns and drunk tasteless water.

After laying the foundation, she took fasting pills that allowed her to go ten or fifteen days without food.

After reaching the golden core stage, she no longer ate but absorbed spiritual energy for sustenance.

“Good to hear. Eat more and try to finish it,” Wang Chu encouraged, picking up another bundle of noodles to feed her.

This time, Chu Xue was no longer shy and opened her mouth naturally.

Still weak, she didn’t finish the noodles, eating only about half the bowl.

After the meal, her spirit was noticeably better, no longer so lifeless.

Night came quickly.

Wang Chu brought some fresh toiletries and helped Chu Xue wash up briefly.

Afterwards, she asked, “Is there only one bed here?”

Wang Chu answered honestly, “Yes, but don’t worry, I have my own—”

“Then sleep with me,” Chu Xue interrupted, lowering her head.

Wang Chu was taken aback.

“Ah?”

…