Embroiderer, Do You Want to Fly with Gu Zhao?

"Slurp... slurp..."

On a small chair nearby, the white fox was burying its head in a bowl of rice mixed with braised pork knuckle, practically sticking its entire face into it.

With a blush, Xiuniang placed a piece of beef on Gu Zhao's plate, then hastily added a spoonful of cabbage for her grandfather before immediately lowering her head to eat, not daring to look up.

Elder He chuckled, chewing on the tender, fatty cured meat stewed with cabbage, his mouth full of flavor. Days like these were even better than New Year's!

Gu Zhao also felt very relaxed. Although they had only known each other for a little over a week, the comfort he felt eating here was second only to eating at home. The lively and kind Xiuniang was also very likable.

Gu Zhao wasn't foolish; he could sense Xiuniang's feelings. However, he simply wasn't interested in someone who wasn't even an adult yet and hadn't fully grown. To him, Xiuniang was more like a little sister he had met by chance.

While he somewhat enjoyed this feeling, all good things must come to an end. He couldn't stay in this small mountain village forever, traveling between the village and the modern world every day.

Gu Zhao had originally been considering when to leave, but a call from Mother today made him decide.

He would accompany his mother to Sichuan Province. Besides attending a wedding and going shopping with her, he would definitely need to spend a few days with his maternal grandparents. He estimated he wouldn't have time to travel here for about a week.

Since that was the case, he might as well bid them farewell. He wouldn't be returning after that week; he would head directly through Wuhe County to Changping Prefecture, officially begin exploring this world, and return for a visit later.

"Is the rice and cabbage almost finished?" Gu Zhao asked.

"There's still plenty!" Xiuniang replied immediately. "Young Master, you gave us so much. After sharing some of the cabbage and radishes with the villagers, there's still quite a bit left. Grandpa and I have pickled and stored it in the cellar.

We also gave some of the cured sausages to the Zhang family to repay a favor, and sent some meat and rice to Widow Wang and the elderly Mrs. Zhang, who has trouble getting around. But we still have almost half a vat of rice, enough to eat for more than ten days!"

"That's not much, I'll bring some more tomorrow," Gu Zhao nodded.

Elder He's expression changed upon hearing this, and he stopped eating.

Xiuniang hadn't reacted yet, her mind filled with happy worries, "But we only have one big vat for storing grain..."

Elder He interjected, cutting off Xiuniang's daydream, "But Young Master is leaving?"

As soon as he spoke, Xiuniang's movements froze mid-air.

Gu Zhao nodded, "I have something to do in about three days and need to leave. I'm telling you in advance."

"I've had a very happy time with you all. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days. Xiuniang's cooking is truly excellent. I'll bring you some more food tomorrow," Gu Zhao couldn't help but pat Xiuniang's head to comfort her, "I'll come back when I have time."

Gu Zhao's words weren't just empty promises. Elder He and He Xiuniang were the first family he had met in this world. Xiuniang was thoughtful and attentive, and she cared deeply about him. Gu Zhao inwardly accepted her as a sister.

Once he had explored and become familiar with this world, and established himself here, taking care of Elder He's family would be effortless.

The white fox stopped slurping.

Xiuniang didn't look up.

Elder He licked his lips and, gathering his courage, said softly, "Young Master Gu, though this old man doesn't know where you come from, I can see you are of noble birth and conduct yourself with approachability. It was our good fortune to have you stay with us for a few days.

You have matters to attend to and must leave; it must be important, and this old man dares not question it. However, you have no one trustworthy nearby, and it would be difficult to manage your daily life. Having a maid to care for you would make things more convenient.

Although Xiuniang comes from the countryside, she is quite thoughtful and knows how to care for people. If you don't find her unworthy, please take Xiuniang with you and give her a meal. It would also prevent her from being alone after this old man is gone."

"Grandpa!" Xiuniang suddenly looked up.

Elder He's hands trembled slightly, but he still gestured to Xiuniang, looking expectantly at Gu Zhao.

Gu Zhao couldn't help but scratch his head. This is a joke. I have to accompany my mother to Sichuan for the next week. Am I supposed to bring Xiuniang through dimensions?

Never mind if Xiuniang would go crazy, his own mother would probably go mad first.

So Gu Zhao could only refuse, "This matter is rather troublesome, and it's not suitable to bring someone along. It would be inconvenient for Xiuniang to follow me."

"Besides, I'm not saying I won't come back. It's not like I won't be back before you pass away," Gu Zhao comforted him.

"You'll come back?" Elder He smacked his lips, a mix of disappointment and relief on his face.

Xiuniang lowered her head, her shoulders slumping slightly. Then she raised her head. Although her eyes were slightly red, she said earnestly, "Then I'll wait for Young Master Gu to return, and I'll make you some more dishes."

"Okay!" Gu Zhao nodded and ruffled Xiuniang's hair again.

That night, Gu Zhao stayed in the village and practiced his breathing exercises under the cover of darkness.

Xiuniang lay at the foot of the bed, curled up in her quilt. Her body occasionally trembled slightly, but she made no sound.

Elder He leaned against the headboard, gazing at the moonlight, and sighed, "Child, don't dwell on it. Young Master Gu is an important person. It was our good fortune to have him spend a few days with us, and he saved you twice. Don't ask for too much. Just treat these past few days as a dream."

A muffled voice came from under the quilt, "Xiuniang understands. Besides, Xiuniang doesn't want to leave. Xiuniang wants to stay with Grandpa."

Elder He chuckled, "Grandpa is an old man with one foot in the grave. What need is there for you to stay? I'll only be at peace if I see you married off soon!"

Xiuniang's body curled up even tighter, and she fell silent.

Elder He licked his dry lips and also fell silent.

As the night deepened, Elder He and He Xiuniang gradually fell asleep. Only the white fox, which had been lying beside Xiuniang, suddenly shivered. It cast a complex glance at Xiuniang, then rested its head by Xiuniang's ear and closed its eyes.

"Xiuniang! Xiuniang!"

In her sleep, Xiuniang seemed to hear someone calling her. "Who? Who's calling me?"

"It's me!" The voice gradually became clearer, sounding crisp and pleasant.

"Who are you?" Xiuniang asked.

"I've been with you these past few days," the voice said with a giggle. "Who do you think I am?"

"Little White?"

"Cough, cough! I gave myself a name these past few days, Bai Ke."

"Bai Ke, what a lovely name. Hey, you can talk now?"

"Silly, I'm talking to you in a dream right now."

"Then why didn't you talk to me the other days?"

"Hmm... because I hadn't made up my mind yet."

"Made up your mind to do what?"

"To make a pact with you."

"A pact? What's that?"

"It means we'll be of one heart and mind, cultivating together," Bai Ke explained. "Only humans and demons whose souls are particularly compatible can form a pact. The demon can gain insights through the human's soul, and the human can cultivate using the demon's power."

"Ah? I can become a Mage too?" Xiuniang was stunned.

"Our souls are extremely compatible, so our cultivation speed together will be incredibly fast. We might even surpass Gu Zhao!" Bai Ke enticed.

"Impossible!" Xiuniang shook her head repeatedly. "Besides, I don't want to surpass Young Master."

Bai Ke pouted and continued to tempt her, "But then you can be with him, and you can eat... cough, cough, you can travel the world together, live a happy and loving life, and be a devoted couple."

Xiuniang froze instantly and stammered, "Actually, I, I'm already content just being his little maid..."

Bai Ke said softly, "A bed-warming maid, perhaps?"

Xiuniang, still asleep, couldn't help but blush, then leaned a little closer to the white fox.

"Do you agree?"

"...I do."

The conversation in the dream ended, and a surge of demonic energy rose from the white fox, enveloping Xiuniang.