Master, Please Help Me Break the Love Curse! - Chapter 26

A hair ribbon?

Luo Jiu turned to look at her, then after a moment, she remembered. “Your birthday is in a few days, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Shang Qianye replied, gazing up at her with bright, dark eyes. “It’s on the seventeenth of this month. I’ll be twenty.”

“It feels like just yesterday,” Luo Jiu said in surprise. “I remember when you first came to the mountain—you weren’t even as tall as my knee.”

Shang Qianye: “…That’s because I didn’t get enough to eat back then, so I didn’t grow properly. Actually, I was already six years old that year.”

Luo Jiu nodded and stood up from the stone bench. “It’s just a birthday gift. I’ll prepare something for you. Stay here today; I’ll be back tonight.”

Shang Qianye watched Luo Jiu’s retreating figure, still clutching the comb in her hand.

Hearing Luo Jiu say she would prepare a birthday gift for her, Shang Qianye couldn’t help but smile slightly.

In the following days, the two were busy with their own tasks.

Luo Jiu would wake up each morning, eat a quick meal, and then head out to repair the Barrier, returning only when dusk was approaching.

Shang Qianye prepared meals for Luo Jiu every morning and evening. The rest of her time was spent reading or chiseling at the cave walls. By the fourth day at the Heavenly Dao Brake, she had carved out another cave adjacent to the original one, furnished it, and placed a bathtub inside.

Luo Jiu gazed at the bathtub, arms crossed, and marveled, “Have I adopted some kind of Lu Ban? How does she know how to make everything?”

Shang “Lu Ban” Qianye stood beside her and explained, “This cave isn’t very deep. It’s mainly for washing and bathing. Master can bathe and groom here regularly, so the original cave won’t get damp.”

Luo Jiu glanced back at her cave. Thanks to Shang Qianye’s efforts over the past few days, the once-empty space was now filled with furnishings.

Soft bedding and pillows covered the stone bed.

Books and utensils were neatly arranged in niches carved into the walls.

Several sets of clothing hung in the innermost corner.

A candlestick and Shang Qianye’s half-read book rested on the stone table.

A small stove for cooking was positioned near the cave entrance, ensuring smoke wouldn’t drift inside.

Luo Jiu only noticed then how much Shang Qianye had subtly transformed their mountain cave. It was practically unrecognizable.

“Why did you make it like this?” Luo Jiu asked, a hint of exasperation in her voice. “How am I supposed to use this place now? Before, a single stone bed was enough. Now there’s so much stuff to clean up.”

Shang Qianye smiled, moving closer to Luo Jiu. “If Master wishes, you can bring me here every time. Then I’ll take care of the cleaning.”

“You can’t stay by my side forever,” Luo Jiu countered. “How could I bring you here every time?”

Shang Qianye fell silent, gazing at Luo Jiu. She desperately wanted to say that if Luo Jiu would only agree, she could stay by her side forever.

“Alright, I’m done worrying about you,” Luo Jiu said, waving her hand dismissively. “I need to get to work.”

“Master,” Shang Qianye called out as Luo Jiu turned to leave. “Remember to come back early tonight.”

Luo Jiu glanced back, puzzled.

Shang Qianye rubbed her fingertips together, her voice tinged with embarrassment. “Today is the sixth day. It’s time to remove the Gu.”

Luo Jiu: “……”

Has the day already arrived so soon?

Luo Jiu grew uneasy, avoiding Shang Qianye’s gaze. She mumbled a hurried “Mm” and quickly walked away, as if fearing that lingering even a moment longer would lead Shang Qianye to drag her into the cave to remove the Gu.

That day, Shang Qianye found it impossible to focus on her reading, her gaze repeatedly drifting toward the cave entrance. Finally, she set aside the half-read book and went to wait at the entrance.

As the sun set, darkness enveloped the valley.

Shang Qianye stood at the cave entrance in her blue-and-white robes, the candlelight behind her casting a long, elongated shadow. Luo Jiu spotted her from afar and unconsciously slowed her pace.

Shang Qianye noticed Luo Jiu’s hesitation. Her expression paused briefly before she took the initiative to walk toward her.

“Master,” Shang Qianye greeted.

Shang Qianye didn’t scold Luo Jiu for her late return, nor did she mention that Luo Jiu had clearly ignored her earlier request to come back early. Instead, she simply acknowledged Luo Jiu’s attempt to avoid her.

Luo Jiu turned her head, mumbled an “Mm,” and tried to brush past Shang Qianye, but Shang Qianye swiftly caught her sleeve.

Shang Qianye lowered her head and slowly took Luo Jiu’s hand, channeling spiritual energy into her as usual. She murmured, “Walk slowly. It’s already dark.”

Luo Jiu’s face flushed inexplicably, as if the hand she held wasn’t Shang Qianye’s but a burning potato, setting her entire body ablaze.

She felt feverish all over.

Shang Qianye led Luo Jiu back to the cave. Bowls and chopsticks were already set out on the stone table, today’s meal being a simple porridge with pickled vegetables.

Luo Jiu took a few hasty bites but couldn’t eat any more.

“Master,” she said.

Shang Qianye glanced at the remaining porridge in Luo Jiu’s bowl and said evenly, “If you can’t eat it, don’t force yourself.”

Luo Jiu stubbornly replied, “Who said I can’t eat it? I’m just eating slowly.”

After all, once they finished eating, there would be nothing left to do but… remove the Gu. Luo Jiu wasn’t ready yet and wanted to stall for more time.

Shang Qianye saw through Luo Jiu’s intentions. A bitter feeling rose in her heart, but she still said considerately, “If Master doesn’t want to, we don’t have to remove it.”

“What?” Luo Jiu stared at her in surprise.

Shang Qianye sat across from her, her head bowed. “Anyway, by tomorrow, I’ll lose consciousness. Master won’t have to face me anymore, and perhaps you’ll feel more at ease.”

Luo Jiu frowned. “What nonsense are you spouting? Did I say anything?”

“Master may not have said it, but I can tell.”

“Tell what?”

Luo Jiu slammed her chopsticks heavily onto the stone table, glaring at Shang Qianye. “I brought you here precisely so you could remove the Gu without delay! I never said I didn’t want to!”

Shang Qianye looked directly at her. “Really?”

Luo Jiu bit her lip, suddenly feeling trapped.

Fine, fine. Whether I stick my neck out or pull it back, I’ll still face the blade. At least the Shang Qianye before me is still rational—far easier to deal with than tomorrow’s red-eyed Heart Demon. Even if she hurts me, she’ll at least stop.

“…I’m done eating.”

Luo Jiu threw down her chopsticks and stood up, snapping irritably, “Let’s finish this quickly so we can rest.”

Shang Qianye blinked, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. “As you wish, Master.”

The next morning, Luo Jiu woke up groggily, feeling something lightly caressing her body. By the time she realized what it was, the person behind her had already pulled her into their arms.

“Mmm…”

Luo Jiu was exhausted. The stone bed had left her back aching all night, and her legs felt like jelly. Shang Qianye had been so slow and deliberate last night, leaving her waist sore and weak, still throbbing with pain.

Now, two restless hands were already wandering over her body in the early morning.

“What are you doing…?”

Luo Jiu protested weakly, half-asleep. Besides, hadn’t Shang Qianye’s Gu been cured? Why was this starting again?

Could it be that the cure hadn’t worked after all?

“Master.”

Just as Luo Jiu was thinking this, Shang Qianye pressed her naked body against her. Her voice still drowsy, she kissed Luo Jiu’s shoulder, which was exposed above the blanket, and whispered, “Master, you smell so good…”

Luo Jiu glanced at her—her eyes were black, not crazed.

Smell good? She’d been too exhausted to even bathe after last night.

The person behind her clung to Luo Jiu like a serpent, their hand sliding beneath the covers to caress her leg. Luo Jiu tried to push them away twice, but her efforts were futile. She was so drowsy she could barely keep her eyes open.

“Mmm…”

Luo Jiu shuddered as Shang Qianye pressed her down onto the stone bed.

“Master… Master…”

Shang Qianye kissed Luo Jiu’s smooth, snow-white back, leaving a trail of fresh marks. Luo Jiu hummed softly in pleasure, making no attempt to stop her.

Emboldened by this tacit permission, Shang Qianye bit down on Luo Jiu’s nape, relishing the barely suppressed moans from beneath her.

When Luo Jiu’s eyes finally glazed over from exhaustion, she realized Shang Qianye was making up for yesterday’s restraint by claiming her as her first meal of the morning.

Little rascal…

They slept until midday.

Luo Jiu sensed Shang Qianye had risen early, but she was too exhausted to open her eyes. After the night’s and morning’s exertions, she couldn’t be bothered to wake up, even though she couldn’t fall back asleep.

Eventually, Shang Qianye came over and gently patted her shoulder, whispering, “Master, it’s time to get up and take a bath.”

Luo Jiu had never had any particular hobbies in her life. After entering Bigu, she lost interest in almost everything, with only two exceptions: enjoying delicious food and soaking in hot baths.

The newly crafted bathtub, completed just yesterday, was now ready for use.

Luo Jiu leaned back in the tub, feeling completely relaxed.

As a bucket of warm water was added, she noticed Shang Qianye sliding into the tub beside her.

Luo Jiu: “……”

Taking advantage of the tub’s generous size, Shang Qianye moved closer to Luo Jiu, wrapping her arms around her waist in the water. “Master, would you like to lean on me and rest?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Luo Jiu didn’t refuse, turning to lean back against Shang Qianye’s chest.

“Give me a massage,” Luo Jiu murmured lazily, sinking deeper into Shang Qianye’s embrace. “My back and legs are so sore.”

“Of course,” Shang Qianye replied.

The sensation of soaking in a hot bath while receiving a massage was truly blissful. Luo Jiu felt utterly relaxed under Shang Qianye’s skilled hands. The water was warm, the person behind her soft and comforting, and Shang Qianye’s expert touch made Luo Jiu suddenly realize how incredibly fortunate she was to be living such a life.

With Shang Qianye present, the water in the bath remained warm. Luo Jiu soaked in the tub, gazing at the snow-capped mountains in the distance, her mood inexplicably serene.

She couldn’t even bring herself to dwell on Shang Qianye’s behavior from earlier that morning.

Shang Qianye lifted Luo Jiu’s long, black hair, which had been trailing in the water, and kissed the ends between her fingers. Luo Jiu noticed but said nothing.

“Master,” Shang Qianye murmured, cradling Luo Jiu in her arms and resting her head on her shoulder. “We’ll be leaving in a few days, won’t we?”

Luo Jiu hummed in acknowledgment, letting Shang Qianye hold her.

“After we leave, can I still stay by your side like this?” Shang Qianye asked, her eyes filled with reluctance as she gazed at Luo Jiu.

These days spent in seclusion at the Heavenly Dao Brake had been Shang Qianye’s happiest moments. Free from the interference of others in the sect, it was just her and Luo Jiu. And no matter how bold her actions, Luo Jiu never refused her.

Compared to how things had been at the start, this transformation was beyond anything Shang Qianye had dared to imagine.

She even found herself wishing they could stay at the Heavenly Dao Brake forever, just the two of them…