Guang Ling-brand "Little Cooling Patch" (revised)

Fragrant, stinky River Snail Rice Noodles?

What was that?

His little darling liked food that smelled both fragrant and foul?

All along the way, Guang Ling kept thinking about what Qian Renyue had told him. She had described the taste of River Snail Rice Noodles and how to make them, but what exactly were river snails? He had lived for several decades and had never even heard of such a thing. Could Sea God Island have them?

Although Qian Renyue had already said she was making things up, Guang Ling had taken her seriously. He figured that if his Yue hadn't eaten them before, how could she have described those whatever-they-were noodles so perfectly?

Hmm...

They definitely existed!

They had to!

Huh, come to think of it, Eldest Brother had been to Sea God Island. Maybe he knew? Yes, he probably did. If he didn't, I'd just have him ask around!

Hehe!

With his mind made up, Guang Ling stopped dwelling on the matter.

The streets of Heaven Dou City were always bustling. Shops lined the roads, a dazzling array of signs filled the eye, and vendors' cries rose one after another. The last time Qian Renyue had come here, Tang San and the others had spoiled things before she could properly enjoy herself. Now that she had finally squeezed out a free day, she was determined to eat well, drink well, and have her fill of fun. Guang Ling had money, anyway.

Her walking purse stayed right beside her, looking left and right. He seemed even more curious than Qian Renyue about what the street vendors were selling. "Grandpa Guang Ling, do you really like this?"

A pair of fair, clean hands entered Guang Ling's view. Qian Renyue picked up the bracelet he had been staring at for ages and couldn't help asking.

"Do you like it, little darling?" Guang Ling raised his eyes to Qian Renyue, smiling warmly. His brows and eyes curved with his smile, and although his eyes seemed as deep as the sea, there was a playful glint within them. Qian Renyue froze at the sight, momentarily lost in a daze, and failed to answer right away.

"This bracelet suits the young lady perfectly, sir! Only ten Gold Soul Coins! Ten Gold Soul Coins, and you can take it straight home!"

Only when the vendor began his sales pitch did Qian Renyue come back to her senses. "...Let me have a look."

As she spoke, she carefully examined the bracelet in her hands. It was emerald green throughout, translucent and gleaming, with numerous golden filigree patterns carved into it. It looked sumptuous yet elegant, but its color wasn't particularly suitable for a girl Qian Renyue's age.

Qian Renyue instinctively glanced at Guang Ling. Whatever she was thinking, she held the bracelet against her wrist and said, "Grandpa Guang Ling, this probably doesn't suit me very well, but if-if someone were a little older, it should suit them quite nicely."

"Oh, so you like it?" Guang Ling completely missed the meaning behind her words. He never cared whether something suited her. As long as Qian Renyue liked it, he could buy it. He had plenty of money, anyway. If he ran out, he could simply ask Eldest Brother, Third Brother, and the others for more.

Qian Renyue nodded. "I think they'd like it."

"Then wrap it up for me!" Guang Ling generously produced ten Gold Soul Coins. The vendor's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected such an easily duped sucker in this day and age. Beaming, he accepted the ten Gold Soul Coins and deftly wrapped up the bracelet.

"Here you are, miss." After placing it in an exquisite little box, the vendor handed the bag to Qian Renyue.

Qian Renyue accepted it. Although she was a little curious about whom Guang Ling intended to give the bracelet to, she remembered how limited her precious time was and said nothing.

She turned her hand and passed the bag to Guang Ling, saying only, "Here, Grandpa Guang Ling. Remember to thank me!"

With that, she continued walking ahead.

"Hey, wait..." Guang Ling took the bag, looking puzzled.

What was going on?

Why did his little darling want him to thank her?

Wasn't his little darling supposed to thank him?

Seeing her getting farther and farther away, Guang Ling stopped pondering and hurried after Qian Renyue. They continued along together. Qian Renyue bought plenty of things along the way, while Guang Ling simply paid. He silently noted the prices of the items she picked out, planning to have Eldest Brother reimburse him for some of it when they returned. Otherwise, paying for everything himself really would hurt his purse.

As they walked and stopped along the way, Guang Ling seemed to remember something. He suddenly opened his Soul Tool, took out a large, exquisite box, and casually handed it to Qian Renyue. "Here, Yue'er. This is a gift I prepared for you!"

A gift?

Qian Renyue tilted her head and reached out to take the box. Finding it a little cold, she looked up at Guang Ling and asked, "What is it?"

Guang Ling lifted his gaze, his expression a little odd. "Didn't your body keep getting hot before? I found a way to craft some Little Cooling Patches. With these, you shouldn't have trouble falling asleep anymore."

"Little Cooling Patches?"

Qian Renyue's eyes lit up with delighted surprise. She had been wondering whether she would roast to death at night once there was no sunlight. She hadn't expected Grandpa Fifth to truly take her troubles to heart. With these, even without taking those two immortal herbs, her flames probably wouldn't flare up for a while.

Looking at the little label stuck to the box, Qian Renyue beamed. Guang Ling-brand "Little Cooling Patch"-what a wonderful thing!

"In that case, I'll give you a gift too!"

Putting away the large box, Qian Renyue suddenly took Guang Ling's hand. His body gave a slight shudder, as though an electric current had passed through him, and his feathery lashes fluttered. A moment later, a Demon Mask appeared in his palm. "This is a mask I bought in Small Town. They say that if you wear it, you'll find the person you love. I originally planned to save it for my future CP, but you gave me such a precious gift today, so I can't just accept it without giving anything back. I don't know whether this mask really works, but it should be useful, right? Ah, never mind! I spent one Gold Soul Coin on it, anyway. It's yours, it's yours! Consider it a thank-you gift!"

Qian Renyue's explanation was muddled, and Guang Ling didn't understand it either. He frowned slightly. What CP? What person he loved? What was useful or useless? He hadn't understood a single word.

Still, this was the first gift his little Yue had given him. Whatever it was, he would just treasure it like a precious heirloom.

Guang Ling picked up the mask and studied it for a while. For some reason, just like Qian Renyue, he found himself rather fond of this Demon Mask. "Huh, it's a little ugly from a distance, but it looks pretty good up close. Xiao Yue'er, you have excellent taste!"

After putting the mask into his Soul Tool, Guang Ling began praising Qian Renyue again. He didn't care about anything else. As long as it came from Qian Renyue, even if it was something he hadn't liked before, he liked it now. This girl was the little genius he had finally managed to coax home, and he would only ever cradle her in his palm and dote on her.

"Right? I think it looks nice too!" Pleased by his approval, Qian Renyue smiled as well. Without realizing it, she linked her arm through Guang Ling's and kept rubbing her head against his clothes like a little kitten. Her sweet, cuddly manner made Guang Ling laugh despite himself. He reached out with his other hand and stroked her head, feeling that ever since Qian Renyue had come into his life, his dull days had begun to change.

"Yueyue?"