The Sickly Beauty and Her Guide Leopard - Chapter 42

Jian Li had experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. She had just been enjoying Yan Qingshuang’s touch immensely when she entered the house and immediately suffered a nosebleed.

 

That morning, she had nearly become the Great Goose’s breakfast. Her eyes were still red-rimmed, and Yan Qingshuang forbade her from speaking. Jian Li pouted, tears sliding from the corners of her eyes to her temples.

 

Yan Qingshuang pulled her close, resting Jian Li’s head against her stomach. She lowered her head and gently wiped away her tears with her fingers. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.

 

“It’s not your fault,” Jian Li replied.

 

“Partly it is,” Yan Qingshuang insisted. “Xiao Li was uncomfortable, and I still forced myself on you.”

 

Seeing Yan Qingshuang’s self-reproach, Jian Li mumbled, “It was… nice, Little Shuang. I’m just upset because I feel so useless.”

 

“What’s wrong?” Yan Qingshuang asked.

 

Jian Li sniffled, the metallic tang of bl00d rising to her head. “I told you before, but you didn’t seem to care,” she said, her voice tinged with disappointment. “I almost got eaten by the Great Goose at Spirit Taming Peak.”

 

Yan Qingshuang wiped Jian Li’s face clean, though her eyes remained red-rimmed. “That goose wouldn’t have eaten you,” she reassured her. “She was just trying to scare you.”

 

“But even if she wouldn’t eat me,” Jian Li persisted, “what if I get eaten by something else or someone else in the future?”

 

“That won’t happen,” Yan Qingshuang promised.

 

The issue wasn’t Yan Qingshuang’s assurance itself. Jian Li understood her meaning: as long as she stayed by her side, she would be safe and secure, like a warm refuge.

 

Jian Li mumbled, “I’ve figured it out. I need to work hard and become stronger.”

 

Yan Qingshuang agreed. When Jian Li asked how to become stronger, Yan Qingshuang simply told her to wait a little longer.

 

Jian Li didn’t press the matter further. Taking advantage of her nosebleed and claiming to be injured, she asked Yan Qingshuang to make the Peach Blossom bloom again for comfort.

 

Yan Qingshuang told her to wait until later and then brought water to help Jian Li wash up. Jian Li jumped up in surprise.

 

The thought of Yan Qingshuang washing her sticky legs made Jian Li’s face burn so hot it felt like it was about to steam. “I can do it myself! Little Shuang, you go make dinner first.”

 

Yan Qingshuang slowly raised her gaze, as if doubting Jian Li’s current strength. “Really?”

 

Even with her muscle weakness, Jian Li couldn’t let Yan Qingshuang wash her there. The Beast Body had no sense of shame, but in human form, it was a completely different matter.

 

Jian Li declared firmly, “More real than real gold!”

 

Yan Qingshuang nodded. “Alright, I’ll go make dinner then.”

 

With that, she pressed her lips together and checked Jian Li’s nose to ensure the bleeding had stopped before heading to the kitchen. After Yan Qingshuang left the room, Jian Li touched her nose and mouth, feeling utterly humiliated by the earlier nosebleed.

 

But trying to maintain dignity in front of Yan Qingshuang felt a bit pretentious. When her feet touched the ground, her legs still felt weak. Her face flushed crimson as she cursed her own uselessness.

 

Since arriving here, Yan Qingshuang had always handled her washing and dressing. Today was the first time she’d tried to do it herself, and it took her ages to manage. She was grateful Yan Qingshuang had already prepared her undergarments.

 

The undergarments resembled modern designs, made of thin, soft fabric. Jian Li had once caught a fleeting glimpse of them and quickly averted her eyes, but now she was wearing them.

 

A strange sensation lingered, as if she were sharing an even more intimate connection with Yan Qingshuang. Jian Li rested her cheek in her hand, counting the worn marks on the old desk.

 

While she counted aloud, a voice kept repeating in her mind: This is so awkward. I’m wearing Yan Qingshuang’s underwear.

 

When Yan Qingshuang entered with the meal, Jian Li was slumped over the desk, a glistening trail of drool pooling on her arm. Yan Qingshuang didn’t wake her.

 

Jian Li’s nose was as keen as a beast’s. The fragrant aroma of sweet soup roused her from her slumber. She opened her eyes to see Yan Qingshuang setting out the bowls and chopsticks.

 

“Xiao Li, did you sleep well?” Yan Qingshuang asked.

 

Outside the window, darkness deepened, while inside, candlelight flickered gently, casting a warm, amber glow that softened Yan Qingshuang’s features into a serene and gentle expression.

 

Jian Li licked her lips and lowered her head, noticing the puddle of drool that had seeped onto the desk.

 

“I slept too well,” Jian Li grumbled. “Why didn’t you wake me when you saw me drooling?”

 

Yan Qingshuang stroked the top of her head. “Not just drooling—you were snoring too.”

 

Jian Li flushed with embarrassment and slapped Yan Qingshuang’s hand away. “I hate you! You just want to make fun of me.”

 

Yan Qingshuang withdrew her hand and said calmly, “You looked so adorable, I couldn’t bear to wake you.”

 

For some reason, Yan Qingshuang was being unusually affectionate today, showering Jian Li with sweet words. Jian Li worried that if this continued, their relationship would inevitably change.

 

Jian Li feigned a cold hmph and glanced at the sweet soup on the table.

 

Tender white lotus seeds had sunk to the bottom, while silver ear mushrooms floated on the surface. Jian Li wanted to eat it, but she still had to express her picky eating habits: “Xiao Li, I don’t like lotus seeds. The cores are too bitter.”

 

Yan Qingshuang scooped up a spoonful and brought it to Jian Li’s lips. “I know you can’t handle bitterness. I removed all the lotus seed cores.”

 

Jian Li opened her mouth and swallowed. The soft, slippery silver ear mushrooms slid easily down her throat.

 

Chewing the lotus seeds, a delicate sweetness filled her mouth. Her eyes crinkled into a smile. “Little Shuang, how did you know I can’t handle bitterness?”

 

Yan Qingshuang sat down and continued feeding her. “Last time you were sick, you refused to take your medicine no matter what.”

 

Jian Li chuckled, her mouth full of sweetness and her heart even sweeter. “Little Shuang, you care about me so much.”

 

Yan Qingshuang simply replied, “Mm-hmm.”

 

That single “Mm-hmm” wasn’t enough. Yan Qingshuang’s expression remained impassive, and Jian Li sat with her hands neatly folded on her lap, being fed. She knew something was wrong.

 

When the soup was nearly gone, Jian Li shook her head. “I can’t hog it all. You should have some too.”

 

Yan Qingshuang replied, “You’re dehydrated and anemic. You need to replenish your strength.”

 

The anemia was easy to understand, but Jian Li paused, confused, before realizing what “dehydrated” meant. She clapped a hand over Yan Qingshuang’s mouth. “Have you been possessed?!”

 

Yan Qingshuang leaned forward, bending at the waist as if responding to Jian Li.

 

Jian Li withdrew her hand. “Little Shuang, you’re too close…”

 

Why do you have to get so close just to talk? I can hear you perfectly fine.

 

Yan Qingshuang: “I wanted Xiao Li to look at me closely.”

 

Jian Li knew exactly what she was up to. Her gaze darted left and right, refusing to meet Yan Qingshuang’s eyes directly.

 

She was terrified—first, that her heart would start racing uncontrollably, and second, that she wouldn’t be able to resist… the urge to kiss her.

 

Jian Li pushed her away. “Alright, you haven’t been possessed. Let’s split this food evenly.”

 

Yan Qingshuang: “Okay.”

 

Jian Li: “Are you still going to feed me? I’m a grown woman. I can use chopsticks myself.”

 

A smile flickered in Yan Qingshuang’s eyes. “What do you think?”

 

Jian Li hesitated, desperately searching for a reason. Yan Qingshuang gently played with her fingers, and she finally found a reason Yan Qingshuang couldn’t tease her about.

 

Jian Li declared confidently, “You should feed me. My arms are sore from holding you all afternoon, and my legs are too tired to walk. My mouth is the only thing still working properly.”

 

Yan Qingshuang: “Mm, it’s my fault.”

 

“Alright,” Jian Li said. “Since you’re so eager to take the blame, you’re fully responsible.”

 

She deliberately restrained her appetite, leaving a third of the meal for Yan Qingshuang, mostly vegetables.

 

During their last barbecue, Yan Qingshuang had only eaten one piece of meat. Jian Li asked her, “Don’t you like meat?”

 

“Not much,” Yan Qingshuang replied.

 

Is she vegetarian? Or is there another reason?

 

Jian Li didn’t have time to dwell on it. Focusing on the present, she thought, At least Yan Qingshuang won’t be fighting me for the meat anymore!

 

Jian Li’s heart bloomed with joy. Dinner was a success, and as promised, Yan Qingshuang treated her to a mesmerizing display of Peach Blossoms blooming under the night sky.

 

After their baths, Yan Qingshuang helped Jian Li dry her hair, using magic to gently warm it dry, far more effective than a modern hairdryer.

 

When Yan Qingshuang finished her chores and returned to the room, she found Jian Li sleeping on a makeshift bed on the floor, face down.

 

Sleeping on her stomach puts pressure on her heart, Yan Qingshuang thought, lifting Jian Li onto the bed. Still half-asleep, Jian Li shifted and nestled into Yan Qingshuang’s arms, her head nuzzling softly against her chest.

 

The night wind was deep, and the moon hung high in the sparsely clouded sky.

 

Inside the room, the candlelight flickered, nearly extinguished. Yan Qingshuang gazed at the sleeping Jian Li, leaned down, and kissed her forehead, her eyes filled with an unreadable expression. She whispered, “Xiao Li, are you alright?”

 

Whether in a dream or reality, Jian Li heard Yan Qingshuang’s question, her mind hazy and indistinct.

 

A fleeting thought crossed Jian Li’s mind: Yan Qingshuang is too clingy. She won’t even leave me alone in my dreams.

 

She murmured in her sleep, “Mmm…”

 

Having abandoned her human form since morning, the night stretched long before them.

 

Yan Qingshuang’s kisses landed on the tip of her nose, her fair cheeks flushed with a delicate pink, and finally settled on her lips, sweeter than any pastry.

 

Yan Qingshuang didn’t press hard, her delicate kisses leaving faint marks across Jian Li’s skin.

 

Then, they drifted lower.

 

Jian Li’s legs had been off the ground all afternoon, already exhausted—more tiring than running around on missions.

 

Why are my legs still aching? And why won’t it stop? She whimpered, burying her face in the pillow, her words muffled, “Little Shuang… don’t look at the Peach Blossom. Stop it.”

 

Yan Qingshuang licked her glistening lips. “Weren’t you the one who insisted on seeing the Peach Blossom?”

 

It’s so hot, Jian Li thought, feeling dizzy even in her dream. Why am I so tired even in my sleep? “…Don’t look.”

 

Yan Qingshuang asked, “Then do you want me?”

 

Jian Li didn’t answer. Yan Qingshuang tasted a little, then restrained herself.

 

Finally, she sighed, pulled Jian Li into her arms, and drifted off to sleep.

 

The next day, Jian Li woke up feeling like someone was staring at her.

 

As she fully awoke, she poked Yan Qingshuang. “Don’t tell me you stayed up all night just staring at me.”

 

Yan Qingshuang shook her head. “Xiao Li, are you feeling alright?”

 

Jian Li tried to move. “I’m okay, just my legs are really sore.”

 

It was definitely Yan Qingshuang’s fault for making her do it so much yesterday afternoon. Jian Li refused to admit defeat easily. “I’m fine! I could do it many more times!”

 

Yan Qingshuang chuckled. “That’s not what I meant.”

 

“Then what did you mean… uh…” Jian Li trailed off, realizing her voice had become childishly soft and her hands were covered in soft fur. She shouted, “Little Shuang! Little Shuang! I’ve turned back into the Little Leopard!”

 

Yan Qingshuang smiled and patted her head before getting up to gather Jian Li’s discarded clothes from when she had transformed back into her original form. “You can wear these again when you transform into human form later.”

 

“I’m never turning into a human again,” Jian Li declared. “It’s too much trouble, and those Form Transformation Pills are ridiculously expensive!”

 

A Form Transformation Pill costs 1,000 Spirit Stones—only a fool would waste money on such an overpriced item. From today onward, she would adhere strictly to her frugal habits, spending only on essential expenses.

 

“You were so eager to transform before,” Yan Qingshuang remarked.

 

“That was then, this is now,” Jian Li retorted. “You can never step into the same river twice. I’m changing too.”

 

Who knew she could spout such profound wisdom so effortlessly?

 

Yan Qingshuang countered, “Some things never change.”

 

Jian Li’s eyes widened. Her mind, filled with only superficial knowledge, left her utterly clueless on how to debate Yan Qingshuang.

 

After Yan Qingshuang prepared breakfast, Jian Li asked about her plans for the day. Yan Qingshuang replied that she would be cultivating. Jian Li insisted on accompanying her, but was cruelly rejected.

 

Jian Li felt a pang of disappointment, but she suppressed it. It’s fine. I’m busy too.

 

For instance, she spent 100 Spirit Stones on a Concealment Talisman and sneaked into the Minor Mystic Realm where the Red Fruit grew.

 

This time, she had learned her lesson. She carefully observed the hornet’s nest, plucked twenty fruits, and stuffed them into her pockets. She also gathered all the unfamiliar medicinal herbs growing on the ground and crammed them into her Storage Pouch.

 

Returning fully laden, she sent Yan Qingshuang a message: Little Shuang, I’m home! Where are you?