Shocking Her Parents

Qian Xunji explained, "Dong'er was exceptionally gifted and caught the Pope's eye, who took her on as a direct disciple."

"So she has been living in the Pope Palace. Naturally, ordinary people wouldn't be able to see her."

"The Pope's... direct disciple?"

Liu Xiulan's voice trembled. "R-Really?"

"Yes, it's true, Mom."

The moment the words left his mouth, Liu Xiulan swayed and fell backward.

"Mom!" Bibi Xi reacted quickly and hurriedly caught her.

Liu Xiulan leaned against her son's chest. "I... I'm fine. Just a little... a little dizzy."

"Xiao Xi, pinch me. Quick, pinch me. Am I dreaming?"

Bibi Xi didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he pinched his mother's arm.

"Ow!"

Liu Xiulan winced in pain, but then she laughed. As she laughed, she began to cry again. "It's not a dream... it really isn't a dream... My Dong'er became the Pope's disciple."

Bi Dashan took several deep breaths before barely managing to calm himself.

He slowly sat back down in his chair and muttered, "No wonder... No wonder we couldn't find her no matter how hard we searched in Spirit City."

"How could common folk like us even get close to Spirit Hall?"

Liu Xiulan wiped away her tears and held her daughter's hand. "Dong'er, you have such talent and have achieved so much. Your father and I... we're truly happy for you, truly proud of you."

She turned to Qian Xunji. "And we have you to thank for taking care of her all this time, Qian Xun."

"I really don't know how to thank you..."

"You're welcome, Auntie." Qian Xunji smiled and shook his head. "Being able to meet Dong'er was my good fortune."

Afterward, they sat around the wooden table and chatted for over two hours. The tea was refilled three or four times, and more than half the pastries were gone.

Liu Xiulan and Bi Dashan finally gained a rough understanding of what their daughter had experienced over the years.

From being abducted by the Star Luo Empire, to being saved by Qian Xunji, to entering Spirit Hall and becoming the Saintess, every step left the old couple frightened yet comforted and proud.

As the sun outside gradually dipped westward, Liu Xiulan said, "We've been talking so much that it's already this late. Dong'er must be hungry, right?"

She stood up. "Old Bi, go catch the fattest Soul Chicken in the backyard and slaughter it. I'll go to the market and buy some fresh vegetables."

"Xiao Xi, keep your sister and Qian Xun company."

Bibi Dong hurriedly stood up. "Mom, I'll go buy groceries with you."

She desperately wanted to spend more time with her mother. She did not want to waste even a second of the mother-daughter time they had missed over the past ten years.

Liu Xiulan had initially wanted to refuse, thinking her daughter should rest after such a long journey. But on second thought, she could have a private talk with her daughter, so she smiled and nodded. "All right, let's go together."

Once the mother and daughter left carrying baskets, and Bi Dashan went to slaughter the chicken in the yard, only Qian Xunji and Bibi Xi remained in the living room, staring at each other.

After a long silence...

Bibi Xi scratched his head and spoke somewhat awkwardly. "Well, Brother-in-law, our family's circumstances are like this. It's a little shabby, so please don't laugh at us." As he spoke, he refilled Qian Xunji's tea.

"Brother-in-law?"

Qian Xunji smiled at the title. "Don't Soul Masters receive subsidies? I can sense that Uncle and Auntie are Soul Masters as well. Although their ranks aren't high, they should still be able to make a living."

At this, Bibi Xi sighed. "There are subsidies, but Dad and Mom were both injured years ago, and treating those injuries cost a lot. Then... then we started looking for my sister."

"Whenever the subsidies came in, we kept only the most basic living expenses and spent all the rest on searching for her."

"We searched nearly all of the Star Luo Empire—cities, towns, villages, big and small... Whenever we heard even the slightest rumor, no matter how far away it was or how expensive the travel costs were, Dad and Mom would go."

He tugged at the corner of his mouth, revealing a self-mocking smile. "Don't laugh at us, Brother-in-law, but we imagined countless possibilities. We even wondered whether my sister had been sold into some unspeakable place."

"But we never imagined that she would be in Spirit Hall, and at your side."

Qian Xunji listened quietly. Then he reached out and patted Bibi Xi's shoulder. "You won't have to work so hard anymore."

"Would you like to move to Spirit City? Food and lodging won't be a problem, and Dong'er would be very happy too."

Bibi Xi's eyes lit up. "Brother-in-law, you're so good! But we'll have to ask Dad and Mom about that. They've lived in this village for more than ten years, so they may not be willing to leave."

He paused and lowered his voice. "Also, about what I said earlier—about how we spent all our savings looking for my sister... don't tell her."

"I'm afraid she'll feel guilty after finding out and think she dragged the family down."

Qian Xunji nodded. "Don't worry. I won't tell her."

"You're a good little brother."

Bibi Xi felt a little embarrassed by the praise. He chuckled and scratched his head. "Not really... I just did what I should have done."

By evening, the little courtyard suddenly became lively.

The Bi family's Dong girl, who had been taken away ten years ago, had returned. Not only had she returned, she had grown into a beauty like a celestial maiden, and she had even brought back an unbelievably handsome boyfriend.

Thus, aunts, uncles, and elderly neighbors from nearby villages streamed endlessly into the Bi family's small courtyard.

"Oh my, your daughter is all grown up now!"

"Xiulan, you've finally made it through the hard times."

"This young man... Good heavens, did he step out of a painting?"

"What a handsome man and beautiful woman! Such a perfect match!"

Liu Xiulan smiled so broadly that she could barely close her mouth. As she welcomed the villagers with tea and pastries, she introduced her daughter and "future son-in-law" to every visitor.

Bibi Dong was pulled around by the aunties and bombarded with questions until her face turned redder and redder.

Qian Xunji, meanwhile, maintained a proper smile and politely greeted every elder, earning a basketful of praise like, "This young man is so well-mannered."

Bi Dashan slaughtered and plucked the chicken in the yard. Listening to the laughter coming from inside, he felt both proud and sour.

It was not until the sky grew dark that the last group of neighbors finally left reluctantly.

After seeing the guests out, Liu Xiulan turned around and went straight into the kitchen.

Half an hour later, the square table was packed full.

There were six dishes and a soup, along with a large steaming bowl of mushroom soup.

Though they were all simple farmhouse dishes, they looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful. It was clear Liu Xiulan had put her heart into them.

Bi Dashan dug out a jar of wine from behind the house. It was fine liquor he had buried three years ago.

"Come on, fill your bowls!"

Bi Dashan poured everyone half a small bowl of wine, then raised his own bowl first. "Dong'er has come home today. That's a joyous occasion beyond measure. Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

The five bowls clinked together with a crisp ring.

Bibi Dong took a small sip of wine and stuck out her tongue from the burn.

Qian Xunji drank half a bowl without changing expression, earning an approving look from Bi Dashan that said, "This kid can hold his liquor."

"Qian Xun, eat up. Have more!"

Liu Xiulan kept piling food into Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong's bowls.

Before long, small mountains had formed in their bowls.

"Try this Soul Chicken. We raised it ourselves, and the meat is so tender. And this fish too."

"Auntie, I can serve myself." Qian Xunji hurriedly thanked her.

Bibi Dong also picked up a piece of chicken and placed it in his bowl. In a soft voice, she said, "Dar... Qian Xun, eat more."

When Bi Dashan saw his daughter serving that brat food too, his heart soured again. He lowered his head and shoveled down two mouthfuls of rice.

The atmosphere at the table was warm and lively. Bibi Xi recounted what he had seen at Yelin City's Lantern Festival, while Liu Xiulan asked about all sorts of things concerning Spirit Hall.

Bi Dashan occasionally chimed in, but most of the time he silently drank, his gaze drifting back and forth between his daughter and Qian Xunji.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of food.

As Liu Xiulan cleared the bowls and chopsticks, her face was full of contented smiles.

Once she had finished cleaning up, she wiped her hands and went into the inner room to make the beds.

There were three bedrooms in the house. One belonged to her and Bi Dashan, one to Bibi Xi, and the last had always been empty, reserved for her daughter.

After laying out clean bedding, Liu Xiulan returned to the living room with a slightly troubled expression.

"Qian Xun..."

"For tonight's sleeping arrangements... would you like to share a room with Xiao Xi, or with Dong'er?"