The wind swept past the banyan tree at the tail end of summer, and the weather was gradually losing its scorching edge. Qiushui Pavilion was no longer bustling with visitors every day.
After all, Qingyuan Sect wasn’t an inn. Ke Mo had bought a house outside, allowing his grandma to stay for the engagement feast, while Ke Dalong and Gu Xueqin took care of things.
Under the bright morning light, which peeked through the gaps in the banyan tree, casting cool golden flecks, Ke Mo was waiting at the door super early for Elder Qian’s signal.
“Dad, Mom, I’m leaving again! This time I’m off to the Eastern Sea, which is super far away.”
Ke Mo tilted his head up at a slight angle, his expression crushed under the weight of travel-induced nostalgia and longing.
“Yeah, when you leave, don’t forget to take out the garbage from the front.”
Ke Dalong didn’t even bother looking up while he was busy with his morning exercise in the yard.
“?”
Little Ke’s back stiffened a bit. He finally understood Uncle Zhong’s feelings from back in the day when no one cared in the main hall.
“Son, take these with you.”
Gu Xueqin handed him several bundles, all stuffed with clothes and daily necessities, one for each hand, and a necklace hung round his neck.
“Thanks, Mom for preparing all this stuff for my trip,” Ke Mo said, touched.
But when he peeked inside, he found there were even women’s clothes: “Uh, some of this stuff probably won’t fit…”
“This is from the house in the capital city.”
Gu Xueqin looked at him with a peculiar expression: “Aren’t you quick on your feet? You’ll just zip over there in a flash. Grandma’s stuff is unnecessary, just take a little with you.”
“Just a minute, there’s more.”
Mom turned back to gather more things.
“??”
Two noisy crows flew overhead, perfectly encapsulating Little Ke’s inner chaos and helplessness.
It looked like he had to accept a harsh reality: in his parents’ eyes, he was already grown up. His shoulders could bear the weight of the world, much stronger than theirs, and he was no longer a childish ghost.
This is probably what one loses in the process of growing up; how annoying.
At this moment, Ying Bing came down from upstairs, joining the family’s packing brigade, dutifully tossing items into the arms of a largeheaded doll.
Her movements were fluid and natural, making Grandma beam with an exceptionally bright smile.
Grandma, worried that the now-ranked Cold Fairy would tire herself out, invited her to sit and rest, taking the time to braid Ying Bing’s hair, showering compliments on her silky strands.
“Little Ice Girl, are you going with Little Mo? Grandma can’t bear to see you go!”
“Nope, he’ll be back in a couple of days. I’m staying here at Ziyang Mansion with you.”
“Alright, today Grandma will cook something delicious for you.”
Ying Bing sat properly, her eyes half-closed in blissful contentment.
Colorful butterflies, drawn to the fragrance of blooming orchids, landed on the tips of her hair. She noticed but didn’t shoo them away, allowing them to add a touch of lively beauty to her look.
Ke Mo leaned against the door, unable to help but smile at her.
He had been spoiled by his family ever since he was little, while Ying Bing had long since stopped feeling such familial affection.
The people from the old Ke family had one thing in common: his mom, his dad, and Grandma—all had delicate thoughts.
They probably wanted to let Ice Chunk know that she had family again.
What did they say about…?
When Ice Chunk smiled, she was stunning. Would he often get to see her at her most beautiful?
“What are you thinking about?”
Little Ke snapped back to reality and found that the girl he was daydreaming about had moved closer, gazing up at him with her delicate features.
“I’m going away for a few days, so I’m worried about one thing.”
“What are you worried about?”
Ying Bing reached out and caught the colorful butterfly on the tip of his finger.
Ke Mo said seriously, “When it gets hot, the mosquitoes come out in droves. Look at how big this mosquito is!”
Ying Bing glanced at the butterfly on his finger: “Is that… a mosquito?”
Friendly Reminder: To help everyone choose stories, our website’s “Rankings” page has been optimized, give it a try!
“Thus, I need to seal off a few things before I leave. This way, I can head to the Eastern Sea without worry.”
“Won’t it be noticed?”
Ice Chunk turned around to glance at Grandma and Grandpa, as if recalling something: “There are places that aren’t seen… that can’t be during the day either.”
“Not a problem. I know a spot that can be seen but remains unnoticed, perfect for planting a seal.”
Li Mo said with utmost seriousness.
Then he grabbed her hand, leading her down the stream from Qiushui Pavilion until they reached the place where he used to train.
Every man should have his own secret base!
He had dug out a water curtain cave behind a waterfall, and it still looked the same.
“Have you been preparing this spot for a while?”
Ying Bing was dragged inside, the surroundings immediately grew dim, and she sighed:
“If I’d known your brain produced such wild thoughts every day…”
“But sis, I haven’t acted like a childish ghost in days.”
“……”
Ying Bing looked up, then down again.
True, Little Li was now the pillar of the Li family; no one saw him as a child anymore, plus there were more family members around lately…
“I can’t do anything about you…”
So there’s a bit of truth in “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
A tiny ‘whining’ sound echoed, way too obvious.
As everyone knows.
The water curtain cave, protected by the waterfall, usually felt stifling if one stayed too long; that led to situations where breathing got heavier.
“Not allowed.”
“What’s with this tiny bit of ice? Who even eats that?”
Facing someone who could transform seventy times, and now vaguely approaching seventy-three transformations, including a werewolf form, Little Li was a handful.
Ying Bing panted for fresh air and hurriedly pressed her palm over his mouth, not letting him munch anymore.
They had already packed everything, and it was time to set off, no time for changing.
As everyone knows.
When faced with delicious food, even the proudest of lips can drool.
And as everyone knows.
If the simple clothing gets wet, it becomes glaringly obvious.
…
The family set off to the new residence in Ziyang Mansion, with Qin Yuzhi and Shang Qin Qing tagging along, after all, with Li Mo gone, Qiushui Pavilion had no one to cook!
Li Mo returned to wait for a while. Elder Qian only mentioned it was daytime but didn’t specify when.
With nothing to do, he started counting his wealth—not including any special treasures.
By afternoon, a round figure, with width and height almost identical, finally appeared at the door.
Elder Qian wiped his sweat: “I had to prepare and count too many things. There were tons of matters in the Outer Affairs Hall that kept me tied up all morning. Sorry for the wait.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Elder. Look at you… uh, you’re so tired and round.”
Li Mo remarked, while his pen never paused as he jotted down accounts.
He continued writing while explaining, “You arriving is fine, I’m still not done counting.”
“Why does it take you longer to count than me?”
“Counting money.”
“??”
…
P.S. Yesterday was often hard, but today’s feeling much better, dear viewers, though I’m still coughing a bit; it’s not a big deal.
