The Taste of Home

"Alright."

Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow and reluctantly extended his tentacles, gathering some branches from the roadside. They formed a frame, which he covered with black fluid, quickly turning it into an umbrella that cast a patch of shade.

Well, he had to admit, it really wasn't as hot anymore.

"Haha. This is great!"

Xiao Wu couldn't help hugging Ye Qiu's arm and bouncing around again.

"Xiao San, want to come a little closer? It's cooler over here."

Though he didn't really want Tang San to come over, he still had to be polite. Besides, Ye Qiu was sure Tang San didn't particularly like him deep down.

"No need. I'm used to being beside the forge. The heat doesn't bother me."

Tang San shook his head and firmly declined Ye Qiu's offer. They were all lovey-dovey with each other; what would it look like if he went and squeezed in beside them?

"Then let's keep going like this!"

Ye Qiu swung his arms twice. The little rabbit was clinging rather close.

"Hehe."

The shameless Rogue Rabbit leaned against Ye Qiu and wrapped her arms around his, pressing herself close to him to save as much effort as possible.

It felt completely different from when Ye Qiu was attached to her. This close, Ye Qiu's presence felt even hotter and more intense.

"Mm."

Tang San nodded absently. Watching Xiao Wu act so shamelessly, he seemed to understand something. Thinking about how the two of them had always made him feel uncomfortable when they toured the academy with him, his head grew heavier and heavier.

Time flew by.

As they drew closer to Holy Soul Village, Xiao Wu began to grow listless again. She leaned close to Ye Qiu's ear and whispered, "Ye Qiu, Sister Xiao Wu's a little hungry~"

"I'm telling you, don't push your luck!"

Several black lines appeared on Ye Qiu's forehead. The hand gripping the black umbrella had gone rigid.

"Why are you being so mean? Sister Xiao Wu wasn't asking you for food."

Xiao Wu glanced at Ye Qiu's impatient profile. She didn't dare go too far; she was afraid that if she overdid it, Ye Qiu might actually get angry.

She muttered under her breath, then fell silent.

She obediently stayed by Ye Qiu's side, her rosy rabbit lips pursed high as if she were sulking.

After a long while, Ye Qiu's voice finally drifted over. "You can fish around in my pocket yourself."

"Huh? Okay, okay!"

Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then her eyes lit up with delight. She reached out and felt around in the pocket of Ye Qiu's trousers.

After fumbling around for a bit, her little face flushed hot. Ye Qiu's eye twitched too; it tickled a little. After a while, Xiao Wu finally pulled out a carrot-flavored lollipop. It was wrapped in an edible fruit-wax coating, so there was no worry about it melting in his pocket.

Blushing, Xiao Wu grinned and popped the lollipop she'd fished out into her mouth.

"Ye Qiu, do you want one too?"

"No, thanks."

Ye Qiu shook his head gently.

"Xiao San, how much farther is it?"

Xiao Wu lifted her hand and considerately wiped the sweat from Ye Qiu's face. Seeing a mountain rise in the distance, she asked Tang San.

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

Seeing the village so close at hand, Tang San couldn't help getting excited. He no longer felt uncomfortable about how affectionate Xiao Wu and Ye Qiu were.

He could hardly wait to see his father.

Ye Qiu glanced at Tang San and curled his lip.

Tang San was in for a disappointment. Ye Qiu knew that the drunkard Tang Hao had already left Holy Soul Village by this point. At Notting Academy, Ye Qiu had also gone into alert mode from time to time, especially when Xiao Wu was nearby.

Soon, the three of them entered Holy Soul Village.

Tang San's family's blacksmith shop stood right at the entrance to the village. He pointed at the tattered sign hanging above the roof and excitedly said to Xiao Wu, "Look, that's my home!"

At the same time, Tang San hurried to the doorway in three quick strides.

He called inside.

"Dad! Xiao San's home!"

The door stood open. With Xiao Wu on his back, Ye Qiu could see the jumble of things piled inside: battered bottles and jars that gave off a strange smell.

But to Tang San, it all felt familiar. Nothing had changed; everything still smelled the same!

This... was the smell of home!

A figure suddenly appeared in the open doorway.

Tang San instinctively started to call out to his father, but before he could get the words out, he froze.

"Grandpa Jack?!"

"Well, Xiao San! I didn't expect you back so early. I was just about to ask Tang Hao to come with me to meet you." Old Jack held a crumpled sheet of paper that seemed to have been soaked in liquor. It stank.

"Grandpa Jack, why are you here? Where's my father?" A sense of foreboding rose in Tang San's heart, and he suddenly felt gloomy.

"Ah... you'd better see for yourself. Tang Hao really is irresponsible! He actually left you behind and just took off." Old Jack handed the paper to Tang San with a sigh.

"Grandpa Jack, long time no see."

People's joys and sorrows weren't shared. While Tang San stared miserably at the paper in his hand, lost and helpless, Ye Qiu smiled and greeted Old Jack.

"Haha. Xiao Qiu, you're back too!" Old Jack finally noticed Ye Qiu. Seeing the adorable little girl beside him, he looked surprised. "Oh? Is this your little girlfriend, Xiao Qiu? What a cute girl."

Ye Qiu didn't answer. He just smiled lightly, waiting for Xiao Wu to object. But, to his surprise, she didn't seem inclined to deny it at all.

When Ye Qiu turned around, all he saw was the back of her head. Could the rabbit not know what "girlfriend" meant?! Surely she did?!

Out of Ye Qiu's sight, Xiao Wu's face had already turned bright red. How could she not know what "girlfriend" meant? She'd been living as a person for some time now.

"Haha." Old Jack found the scene amusing and felt a few years younger. He turned to comfort Tang San. "Xiao San, don't be too upset. Maybe Tang Hao will come back after a while."

Tang San silently shook his head. He carefully folded the paper in his hands and tucked it into his clothes, then said to Old Jack, "Thank you, Grandpa Jack. The house is such a mess, so I won't ask you to stay. I still need to tidy up."

Old Jack had been about to invite Tang San to his house, but he froze. He hadn't expected young Tang San to dismiss him. He could only sigh and say helplessly, "Alright. But if you need anything, just come to me."

Old Jack shook his head and turned to leave. He paused, then smiled kindly at Ye Qiu. "Xiao Qiu, why don't you bring your little girlfriend over to Grandpa Jack's for a visit?"

"Sure!"

Ye Qiu didn't refuse, but he didn't leave Tang San out either.

"Xiao San, carrying this rabbit is exhausting. I need to find somewhere to rest. Take care of yourself."

Take care?!

Tang San's heart clenched, but he said nothing. He simply walked into the house and began tidying up the messy room.

Old Jack watched Ye Qiu and couldn't help nodding.

Compared to the antisocial Tang family, whose father and son were both rather withdrawn, Ye Qiu was much more likable. No wonder he'd already found himself a little girlfriend.

"Alright, let's get going. Xiao San, you can come to Grandpa Jack's for lunch."

Tang San didn't respond, but Old Jack wasn't discouraged. He led Ye Qiu toward his home.

Walking beside Ye Qiu, Xiao Wu glanced back at Tang San in confusion. She didn't understand. Tang San was just a genius like her, so why was Ye Qiu wary of him?

Wishing everyone a happy life!