The Sickly Beauty and Her Guide Leopard - Chapter 27

Jian Li had caught her first cold since transmigrating.

 

Upon waking, her animal instincts compelled her to seek warmth. The previous night, Yan Qingshuang had slept beside her, making the Snow Leopard feel embraced by clouds.

 

But today, cold drafts pierced through the wall cracks, leaving the bed icy.

 

Jian Li sneezed. Not seeing Yan Qingshuang, she sneezed repeatedly, forced to fend for herself and rummage for a handkerchief.

 

After blowing her nose, she noticed a note on the table: “I must go to Sect Master Peak to handle urgent matters. Breakfast is warming in the kitchen, spiritually imprinted to your Spirit Mirror. Contact me anytime after waking. I’ll return by noon.”

 

Even when rushing off, she remembered to prepare breakfast, Jian Li thought, touched. She sneezed again. Below the note lay a pale pink peach blossom, glistening with dew.

 

Jian Li sniffed it. Not artificial. Where did she find a peach blossom in this season?

 

She didn’t dwell on it. Hungry, she ambled to the kitchen and grabbed a large bowl of steamed buns, rereading Yan Qingshuang’s elegant, flowing script again and again.

 

The buns were delicious, the blossom fragrant.

 

After devouring a juicy meat bun, she began scouring the Spirit Mirror for tasks, restless as ever.

 

Finding no suitable tasks, Jian Li’s thoughts drifted to Yan Qingshuang. She wondered what Yan Qingshuang was busy with and why she hadn’t reached out first.

 

Afraid of getting cold, Jian Li burrowed under the covers and sent a message:

 

I miss you, Little Shuang.

 

After a moment, Yan Qingshuang replied with a simple “Mm.”

 

Why don’t you say you miss me too? Jian Li asked.

 

Yan Qingshuang’s response was slow, taking a long time to finally reply that she missed her too.

 

Easily appeased, Jian Li’s mood brightened, and she continued tapping away: Huahua just sent me the Dining Hall menu. I’m craving everything! Remember to buy these for me when you get back.

 

She marked all the dishes she wanted for Yan Qingshuang.

 

Yan Qingshuang remained unresponsive. After waiting a long time, Jian Li sent one last message, reminding herself to maintain her good bookkeeping habits.

 

Without hesitation, she began muttering to herself, mentally reviewing her recent Spirit Stone transactions.

 

Yesterday I earned 300. Yan Qingshuang gave me 10 for pocket money. I spent 10 Spirit Stones on skewers for that dragon and 30 on the Celestial Crane ride.

 

I promised the Spirit Mirror to Long Qianmeng, but I haggled the price down from 200 to just 20 Spirit Stones. I’m so proud of my bargaining skills!

 

Unable to calculate with her fingers, Jian Li asked the System to keep track of everything, afraid she’d forget.

 

Jian Li had 645 Spirit Stones left in her account—a modest achievement. Only with money could she live in peace.

 

A new mission suddenly appeared. She clicked on it, intrigued by its light workload and generous reward. She tapped on her Spirit Mirror: Sister Zhang.

 

Zhang Yuan, irritated, flew to Wending Peak to clear her head. Glancing down, she saw a message from the very person who had caused her frustration.

 

She replied: What?

 

Jian Li: I saw the details of the mission you posted—supervising a high-profile prisoner.

 

Zhang Yuan: The dungeon. Guarding that bear.

 

Oh, right, Jian Li thought, remembering the Little Raccoon who had to work even while imprisoned. She asked: Can I claim the mission now? Don’t give it to anyone else.

 

Zhang Yuan: .

 

Jian Li: ……

 

What’s wrong? This coldness isn’t like Zhang Yuan at all, Jian Li thought, puzzled. Her attitude was completely different from before.

 

Just as Jian Li was about to offer a polite remark, she heard someone returning outside. She scrambled to her feet, and her eyes fell upon Yan Qingshuang’s cool, refined features.

 

Jian Li’s eyes sparkled. Yan Qingshuang stood tall and slender, draped in a cold-white brocade robe embroidered with plum blossom patterns. A sash cinched her narrow waist, and silver patterns traced the edges of her flowing cloud boots.

 

Her perfect waist-to-shoulder ratio was immediately striking, radiating an unparalleled air of noble dignity.

 

Yan Qingshuang’s long hair was half-tied up with a white jade hairpin, the rest cascading down like water.

 

The blindfold covering her eyes only accentuated her ethereal beauty.

 

Jian Li stared in awe for several seconds before her brain caught up. She squealed, “Little Shuang!”

 

As she called out, she ran to Yan Qingshuang, eagerly jumping up and stretching out her arms. “Hold me! Hold me!”

 

Even at full stretch, Jian Li barely reached Yan Qingshuang’s knees. The petite girl had to crane her neck to see Yan Qingshuang’s slender jawline.

 

Yan Qingshuang retracted her Bamboo Staff, scooped Jian Li up by the bottom, and cradled her in her arms—the furry little thing felt warm and cozy.

 

Jian Li’s paw-like hands poked at Yan Qingshuang’s flawless, makeup-free face. “Why didn’t you tell me you were dressing up so elaborately today?”

 

Yan Qingshuang: “A certain little pig was sleeping soundly.”

 

Jian Li buried her face in Yan Qingshuang’s embrace, inhaling deeply. “What ‘certain little pig’? Just say my name! Me? Are you calling me a pig?”

 

Yan Qingshuang: “No.”

 

Jian Li’s padded paws kneaded against Yan Qingshuang’s chest. “Then I could have woken up early to keep you company and see you off properly. By the way, what business did you have at Sect Master Peak?”

 

Yan Qingshuang: “The Immortal Alliance assigned me a mission.”

 

Jian Li: “A mission from the Immortal Alliance? That sounds really difficult.”

 

Yan Qingshuang gently stroked Jian Li’s belly, murmuring, “We must face challenges head-on.”

 

Jian Li arched her small belly to meet Yan Qingshuang’s touch, humming softly. “You’re not allowed to leave me.”

 

Yan Qingshuang hummed in agreement.

 

Chang Chi, feeling like a neglected third wheel, couldn’t help but speak up. “Ahem, ladies, did I activate an Invisibility Talisman? Why can’t you see me?”

 

Jian Li finally noticed the outsider. Tilting her head, she recognized Chang Chi. “Little Shuang, do you need to buy medicine from her?”

 

Yan Qingshuang replied, “Not for me. She wants to buy Red Fruit from you.”

 

Chang Chi chimed in, “Xiao Li, the fruit you gave me last time had remarkable properties. It’s incredibly useful for… uh, alchemy. I’d like to buy more. We can negotiate the price.”

 

Jian Li pondered for a moment. She only had twenty-one fruits in total. After eating one and giving away eight, she was left with just twelve.

 

Selling them wasn’t out of the question, but Jian Li observed Yan Qingshuang’s expression, worried she might be reluctant to part with them. These fruits had proven invaluable during Yan Qingshuang’s episodes.

 

Jian Li raised one finger.

 

Chang Chi: “Ten Spirit Stones?”

 

Jian Li shook her head.

 

“A hundred?”

 

Jian Li showed no reaction.

 

“1000?!”

 

Upon hearing the price, Jian Li nodded in satisfaction.

 

Even more of a bandit than an Evil Cultivator, Chang Chi thought, wiping a bead of cold sweat. Though she wasn’t short on money, she couldn’t justify spending 1000 Spirit Stones on a fruit with such limited use.

 

As she hesitated, Jian Li typed on the Spirit Mirror: Take it or leave it.

 

“Take it, take it, take it!” Chang Chi pulled out 2000 Spirit Stones, bought two fruits, and left as if she had acquired a priceless treasure.

 

Jian Li pocketed the Spirit Stones, a hint of confusion flickering in her eyes.

 

“Does she have so much money she doesn’t know what to do with it? She’s a Medical Cultivator herself—what use does she have for a sleep-inducing fruit when she has access to every kind of medicine?”

 

“If she doesn’t want to tell us, fine,” Yan Qingshuang said, taking out the ten dishes and soup she had bought from the Dining Hall. “I got what you asked for. Do you like it?”

 

Jian Li’s stomach was empty. The aroma of meat wafted into her nostrils, making her mouth water, but her rationality suppressed her appetite.

 

“I won’t tell you first. Instead, I’ll ask you, Little Shuang: did you run into Wu Yun at the Dining Hall?”

 

Yan Qingshuang didn’t answer. She turned and went to the kitchen to fetch bowls and chopsticks, first picking up Jian Li’s favorite braised chicken.

 

“Do you mind her?”

 

Jian Li chewed thoughtfully. “Of course not! That’s ridiculous.”

 

Yan Qingshuang hummed in response.

 

“What does that ‘hmm’ mean?” Jian Li pressed. “Oh, wait—did you two have a great time chatting?”

 

As soon as the words left her mouth, Jian Li regretted them, wanting to bite her tongue. Ever since hearing Xiao He’s rumors about Yan Qingshuang and Wu Yun’s relationship, a heavy feeling had been weighing on her chest.

 

Yan Qingshuang picked out a tender piece of steamed fish and fed it to Jian Li. “It’s always nice to catch up with old friends.”

 

Jian Li swallowed the fish without tasting it, determined to probe deeper. “I heard you two were so close as kids, you practically shared the same pair of pants.”

 

She exaggerated the description, watching Yan Qingshuang for any sign of guilt.

 

“Guess,” Yan Qingshuang replied.

 

Jian Li leaped up, bumping into a plate of braised pork. She scrambled to catch it, exclaiming, “You two! You two!”

 

Yan Qingshuang smiled, recognizing the sound of the Little Snow Leopard nearly knocking over the dishes. She pulled Jian Li onto her lap and continued feeding her.

 

“What about us?”

 

Jian Li’s azure eyes glistened with tears as she raged, “You shameless, corrupt conspirators! You have no basic morality! How can you share underwear? It’s so filthy! I thought you were usually so clean!”

 

After her outburst, she refused to eat, biting her fluffy tail and glaring at Yan Qingshuang.

 

Yan Qingshuang picked up a piece of bean cake and held it to Jian Li’s mouth. “Where did you learn such colorful language?”

 

Jian Li remained silent.

 

“Be good…” Yan Qingshuang coaxed.

 

“Achoo!” Jian Li sneezed, snot dripping onto her tail, making it sticky. Tears welled up in her eyes.

 

Yan Qingshuang used her Spiritual Sense to check on the Little Spiritual Beast. The creature looked utterly pitiful, its fur matted on its small face as it desperately tried to wipe the soiled part of its tail with its paw pads.

 

Without a word, Yan Qingshuang rose and went to the kitchen.

 

Why did Qingshuang leave without saying anything comforting? Is she tired of me? Jian Li’s heart ached unbearably. She bit her tail again, seeking solace.

 

Soon, Yan Qingshuang returned, carrying a basin of hot water and a wet towel. Without a word, she scooped Jian Li into her arms.

 

Jian Li squirmed, retreating to a corner. “Don’t touch me!”

 

“You’ve caught a cold,” Yan Qingshuang said.

 

“It’s not your fault,” Jian Li said. “I went to see Huahua and caught a cold while swimming in her pond.”

 

Yan Qingshuang lowered her head and apologized, “I’m sorry.”

 

What good is an apology? Jian Li thought. That’s not the answer I wanted to hear. She knew she shouldn’t push her body too hard, but illness made her stubborn. She stubbornly huddled in the corner, refusing to give in.

 

Yan Qingshuang watched her for a long moment, then sighed and approached. When she was just a step away, Jian Li yelped, darted forward a few steps, and slid under the bed.

 

Jian Li stuck her tongue out at Yan Qingshuang. “You’re not allowed to use your Spiritual Sense! I’m hiding. If you can find me, I won’t be mad anymore.”

 

Yan Qingshuang deactivated her Spiritual Sense, her vision fading into emptiness. “Alright.”

 

Skeptical, Jian Li crawled forward, pretending to pat Yan Qingshuang’s thigh with her paw. When Yan Qingshuang didn’t react, she relaxed.

 

“Are you hidden?” Yan Qingshuang asked.

 

“Get out and wait until I say it’s okay to come back in,” Jian Li replied.

 

And so began their game of hide-and-seek. The room was small, containing only a table and chairs, a bed, a cabinet, and a vanity.

 

Yan Qingshuang waited for Jian Li’s instructions before entering the room, following the rules. Forbidden from using her Spiritual Sense, she had to rely solely on her hands to feel her way around.

 

This was the place where she had grown up; she knew exactly where every object was located.

 

After searching every corner, she finally opened the cabinet. “Xiao Li?”

 

Jian Li had run out of hiding places and ended up in the cabinet. Her rear bumped against a hard, wooden box with a lock hanging in the middle. The lock’s tarnished appearance suggested it had been there for quite some time.

 

As she was pondering how to open the box, a beam of light shone into her eyes, and Yan Qingshuang’s clear, cool voice sounded from behind her.

 

Jian Li turned her head. “Oh, you found me.”