The Taste of Home

"Alright."

Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow and reluctantly extended his tentacles, collecting some branches by the roadside. He then transformed into a skeleton, covered them with black fluid, and quickly formed an umbrella, casting a shadow.

It really wasn't as hot anymore.

"Haha. Great!"

Xiao Wu couldn't help but hug Ye Qiu's arm and became lively again.

"Xiao San, do you want to get closer to me? It'll be cooler."

Although he didn't really want Tang San to come over, he had to be polite. Moreover, Ye Qiu believed Tang San didn't genuinely like him.

"No need, I'm used to being near the stove, I'm not afraid of the heat."

Tang San shook his head and decisively rejected Ye Qiu's offer. What was he doing getting close when they were being so affectionate?

"Then let's keep walking like this!"

Ye Qiu swung his arms a couple of times. The little rabbit was leaning a bit too close.

"Hee hee."

The perverted rabbit shamelessly leaned against Ye Qiu, holding his arm and sticking close to him, saving as much effort as possible.

This was completely different from how it felt when Ye Qiu possessed her. The closer she got, the hotter and more intense Ye Qiu's aura became.

"Mm."

Tang San nodded blankly. Looking at Xiao Wu's shameless behavior, he seemed to understand something. He recalled feeling uncomfortable whenever they paraded around campus together, and his head grew heavier.

Time flew by.

As they got closer to Holy Soul Village, Xiao Wu started to feel weak again. She leaned close to Ye Qiu's ear and whispered, "Ye Qiu, Sister Xiao Wu is a little hungry~"

"I said, don't push your luck!"

A few black lines appeared on Ye Qiu's forehead. The hand holding the black umbrella had stiffened.

"Why are you so fierce? Sister Xiao Wu isn't asking for your things to eat."

Xiao Wu looked at Ye Qiu's slightly impatient profile and didn't dare to be too presumptuous. She was afraid Ye Qiu would genuinely get angry if she went too far.

She muttered softly and fell silent.

She obediently followed Ye Qiu, her tender rabbit lips pouting, seemingly sulking.

After a long while, Ye Qiu's voice came faintly, "You can get it yourself."

"Ah? Okay, okay."

Xiao Wu was stunned for a moment, a little surprised in her heart. Her eyes lit up, and she reached out her small hand to feel for Ye Qiu's pocket.

After fumbling for a bit, her small face felt hot. Ye Qiu's eye twitched slightly, feeling a bit itchy. After a while, Xiao Wu finally pulled out a carrot-flavored lollipop. It was coated with a layer of practical wax, so there was no need to worry about it melting in her pocket.

Xiao Wu, blushing, happily popped the lollipop into her mouth.

"Ye Qiu, do you want one too?"

"No, thank you."

Ye Qiu gently shook his head.

"Xiao San, how much further is it?"

Xiao Wu raised her hand, thoughtfully wiped the sweat from Ye Qiu's forehead, and looked at the distant mountain peaks, asking Tang San.

"We're almost there. See that mountain? Our Holy Soul Village is at the foot of the mountain."

Seeing the village so close, Tang San couldn't help but feel excited. He was no longer uncomfortable with the intimacy between Ye Qiu and Xiao Wu.

He was eager to see his father.

Ye Qiu glanced at Tang San and pouted.

Tang San's joy would be short-lived. Ye Qiu knew that the drunkard Tang Hao had already left Holy Soul Village at this time. Ye Qiu often entered a state of alert at Notting Academy, especially when Xiao Wu was around.

Soon, the three of them walked into Holy Soul Village.

Tang San's family's blacksmith shop was at the entrance of the village. He raised his hand and pointed to the tattered sign on the roof, excitedly saying to Xiao Wu, "Look, that's my home!"

At the same time, Tang San took three quick steps to the door of his house.

He shouted inside.

"Dad! Xiao San is back!"

The door was wide open. Ye Qiu, carrying Xiao Wu on his back, could see the messy piles of things inside, broken bottles and jars, emitting a strange smell.

But Tang San only felt a sense of familiarity. Everything was the same, the same scent!

This... was the smell of home!

Suddenly, a figure walked out from the open door.

Tang San instinctively prepared to recognize his father, but before he could call out, he froze.

"Grandpa Jack?!"

"Yo! Little San, I didn't expect you back so early! I was just about to call Tang Hao to pick you guys up." Old Jack held a crumpled, foul-smelling paper that seemed to have been soaked in alcohol.

"Grandpa Jack, why are you here? Where's my dad?" Tang San felt a sense of unease, and his heart sank.

"Sigh~ You'd better see for yourself. Tang Hao is too irresponsible! He actually left you, a child, and just left like this." Old Jack handed the paper to Tang San, his face full of regret.

"Grandpa Jack, long time no see."

People's joys and sorrows are not interconnected. Just as Tang San looked at the paper in his hand, feeling lost, helpless, and pitiful, Ye Qiu greeted Old Jack with a smile.

"Haha. Little Qiu is back too." Old Jack finally noticed Ye Qiu, and seeing the exquisitely carved Xiao Wu beside him, a hint of surprise appeared on his face. "Huh? Is this the little girlfriend you found, Little Qiu? What a cute little girl."

Ye Qiu didn't answer, just smiled gently, waiting for Xiao Wu to retort. However, to Ye Qiu's surprise, Xiao Wu had no intention of refuting at all.

When Ye Qiu turned his head, he only saw the back of her head. Did this bunny not know what a girlfriend meant?! That shouldn't be right?!

In a direction Ye Qiu couldn't see, Xiao Wu's face was already flushed red. How could she not know what a girlfriend meant? She had been a person for quite some time.

"Haha." Old Jack, seeing this amusing scene, felt as if he had become several years younger. He turned to comfort Tang San, "Little San, don't be too sad. Maybe Tang Hao will come back after a while."

Tang San shook his head silently, carefully folded the paper in his hand, and put it in his embrace. He said to Old Jack, "Thank you, Grandpa Jack. The house is so messy, I won't ask you to stay. I need to tidy up."

Old Jack, who had originally wanted to invite Tang San to his home, was stunned. He hadn't expected Tang San, so young, to ask him to leave. He could only sigh and say helplessly, "Alright. But if you need anything, just come find me."

Old Jack shook his head and turned to leave. He paused at the doorway and smiled kindly at Ye Qiu. "Little Qiu, do you want to bring your little girlfriend to Grandpa Jack's house as a guest?"

"Sure!"

Ye Qiu didn't refuse, but he also didn't neglect Tang San.

"Little San, I'm getting tired carrying this bunny. I need to find a place to rest. You take care of yourself."

Take care of yourself?!

Tang San's heart twinged. He didn't say anything and walked into the house, starting to tidy the messy room.

Old Jack looked at Ye Qiu and nodded.

Compared to the Tang San family, who were a bit unsociable and reclusive, Ye Qiu was more pleasing to the eye and more likable. It was no wonder he could bring back a little girlfriend so quickly.

"Okay, let's go then. Little San, you can come to Grandpa Jack's house for lunch."

Without getting a response, Old Jack didn't lose heart and led Ye Qiu towards his own home.

Xiao Wu, following beside Ye Qiu, looked back at Tang San strangely. She didn't quite understand. Tang San was clearly a genius just like herself, so why did Ye Qiu guard against him in his heart?

Wishing you all a happy life!