Soul Land—Chapter 10: Bringing Back a Granddaughter-in-law
At the moment of leaving Star Luo City, Ling Qianyao felt that Zhu Zhuqing's tense mind relaxed a little.
Her shoulders sank slightly, and her steps became lighter as if she had thrown off some heavy burden.
The distance from Star Luo City to Ling Qianyao's home was not far. Ordinary people needed only half a day's journey. After awakening their martial souls, they could arrive at their destination in one or two hours.
"Creak—"
Pushing open the door, a familiar and warm atmosphere greeted him. The furnishings in the house were simple but very tidy. He hadn't been back for four months, and there was no dust here.
"It should be Grandpa Jason who has been taking care of it."
Zhu Zhuqing followed Ling Qianyao, looking around curiously. It didn't have the magnificent feel of her own home, but compared to the pressure at her house, this place made her feel unusually at ease.
Looking at Ling Qianyao in front of her, she couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth slightly.
"Zhuqing, sit down for a while; I'll go prepare some food," Ling Qianyao said, walking toward the kitchen.
"I can help." Zhu Zhuqing hurriedly followed him. "I also cook occasionally at home. I may not be as good as you, but I should be able to contribute."
Ling Qianyao nodded, and the two walked into the kitchen together. They took out the ingredients from the storage ring and got busy.
Ling Qianyao was in charge of the cooking, while Zhu Zhuqing washed the vegetables, cut them, and handed over seasonings.
"Very good knife skills," Ling Qianyao praised.
Zhu Zhuqing pursed her lips and smiled. "Thank you for the compliment."
The two of them cooperated well; it didn't seem like it was their first time cooking together.
Zhu Zhuqing took the salt shaker and looked at Ling Qianyao softly. "This feeling is just like a real couple."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and after saying that in her heart, she felt her heart racing like a deer.
From the age of four, until she went to the Soul Master Academy after her martial soul awakened, she encountered many changes. She thought she would never have such a peaceful and warm moment again.
Her heartstrings had been tense because of the sudden engagement and the fateful duel looming over her.
She had become increasingly cold and taciturn, but she was suddenly very glad that she had decided to meet Ling Qianyao after witnessing him teach Dai Gonggong a lesson that day.
When she felt unwilling and confused in her heart, and the road ahead of her life seemed dark, suddenly such a person appeared; how could she not be moved?
After seeing Dai Mubai and Ling Qianyao trying to reshape her acupoints that day, a seed of "dependence" had quietly been planted in her heart.
Ling Qianyao's gentleness, occasional dominance, and unspoken understanding and support were like a beam of light piercing through the haze in her heart.
"Zhuqing, Zhuqing?" Ling Qianyao called, waking up Zhu Zhuqing, who was slightly dazed.
"Hmm? What's wrong?" Zhu Zhuqing came back to her senses and chastised herself inwardly for being lost in thought.
"It's time to eat."
Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing sat opposite each other.
"Delicious!" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up. Although she was still eating in small bites, her speed in picking up dishes visibly increased.
"It's good if you like it. If you want to learn, I can teach you," Ling Qianyao smiled and started to eat.
"Qianyao, thank you," Zhu Zhuqing suddenly said in a low voice.
"Why thank me? You're going to live here for a month. Just treat it as your own home. You're welcome."
"Yeah."
'Treat it as my own home? That's what you said, Qianyao. One month is far from enough.'
Her mouth curled up slightly.
——
"This is my room. You can tidy up the empty room opposite. It will be your room during this period. Don't go into the innermost room normally."
"Okay," Zhu Zhuqing nodded. After a semester of getting to know Ling Qianyao, she already understood his life experience. That room must be his grandmother's former residence.
"Well, you tidy it up first. I'm going out for a while. Don't run around like a rabbit."
"Do you think I'm a child?" she whispered, then replied, "I know."
"Be back soon." Ling Qianyao picked up the package that had been prepared on the table and walked toward the back mountain.
"Huh..." Zhu Zhuqing let out a long sigh. Watching Ling Qianyao leave, she looked at the rooms on both sides. The one on the right would be her room, and the one on the left was Ling Qianyao's.
'Should I go in and take a look?' Zhu Zhuqing thought, but her body couldn't help but move toward the door of Ling Qianyao's room.
"Qianyao's room." Her cheeks flushed as her bare hands rested on the door handle, her heart beating non-stop.
Just take a look; Qianyao won't know. Yes, just take a look.
Turning the door handle gently, the door creaked open slightly, and Zhu Zhuqing carefully poked her head in like a thief.
The room was simply decorated, with a large wooden bed covered with light blue bedding and a window next to it letting sunlight pour in.
There were some items piled on the desk, and a wooden sword was placed next to it. From its appearance, it was the same as Ling Qianyao's Star Breaking Sword.
She walked to the bed, sat down gently, and lay back with her head tilted up. The bedding seemed to still carry the scent of Ling Qianyao.
"Huff—exhale—"
Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily intoxicated, wanting to sleep here and never wake up again.
After a moment, she realized what she had just done, quickly got up, restored the room to its original state, tried her best to erase any traces of her entry, and patted her chest with her small hands.
Her face was as red as blood; she pursed her lips, walked out of the room, and gently closed the door.
At that moment,
"Qianyao! You're back!" Old Jason's loud voice sounded from outside the house, full of joy and warmth.
Zhu Zhuqing was startled and quickly stepped aside, pretending to have just come out of her room. She straightened her clothes and tried to make her expression look natural.
Looking left and right, she decided to bite the bullet and go to the door to greet him.
"Studying at this academy? Hey? You are..." Old Jason's words got stuck in his throat before he finished speaking. Looking at the pretty girl in front of him with a flushed face, as if she had just done something wrong, he was momentarily stunned.
"Hello, Grandpa. My name is Zhu Zhuqing. Yes, I am Qianyao's friend. I will stay here temporarily during the holiday. Qianyao just went out," Zhu Zhuqing said slowly and softly, her voice steady despite her nervousness.
'What have I gotten into?'
"Oh~!"
Old Jason's eyes suddenly lit up. Looking at the girl's appearance and attire, she resembled a young lady from an aristocratic family.
'Look at this pretty face and this gentle, beautiful voice! Good boy! You've brought me back a granddaughter-in-law in less than half a year! It is worthy of being chosen by me. The ability to attract girls is deeply inherited from me!'
But isn't it too early for Qianyao to fall in love? Ugh! If it's going to happen, it's better to raise a wife from childhood!
"All right," Old Jason said, smiling happily, and did not ask where Ling Qianyao had gone. He pulled Zhu Zhuqing to sit down. "Zhuqing, tell Grandpa, how is Qianyao in the academy?"
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks flushed. "He... he is very good."
Old Jason grinned even wider, stable~
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(End of this chapter)