Calamity Messenger

Chapter 353 - 288: Joking Around

"Put them on." Shang Xinlei tossed the new clothes into Yan Qing’s hands.

"I’ll change when I get back..."

"Put them on." Shang Xinlei said calmly, "If they don’t fit, I’ll find someone to alter them immediately. Saves you from running back and forth, which I find annoying."

At this point, Yan Qing had no choice but to accept. Men shouldn’t fuss over things like this. He removed his shirt, wiping away the sweat and blood stains to avoid dirtying the new clothes. What Shang Xinlei brought was a black long robe with golden patterns and a deep blue cloud-patterned gown. Just touching it, he could tell it was high-end material, the kind of custom order you couldn’t even find if you wanted to. It fit perfectly, loose enough without hindering movement.

"Fits well." Yan Qing was very pleased; so far, he’d only been wearing Ye Si’s clothes since their sizes were similar: "No need for adjustments."

Shang Xinlei gazed at him intently for a few moments, pursing her lips, "Glad it fits."

"Could you buy me a few more sets? Just like this style, or tell me which store they’re from, and I can send someone to buy them."

"Let’s talk about it later." She glanced at the door to Pharmacist’s Wish’s room and suddenly said, "By the way, I was just joking yesterday."

"Huh?"

"About repaying the Earth Fiend debt as a kitchen maid." Shang Xinlei drew circles on the ground with her toe, "My cooking isn’t even that great, making however many meals still wouldn’t repay an Earth Fiend debt. Besides, there are plenty of kitchen maids in the world; they don’t lack me... I was just joking yesterday, don’t take it seriously."

"Oh."

"It really was just a joke."

"Alright."

"I really was just joking!"

Shang Xinlei suddenly kicked Yan Qing’s rear and then turned to run. Yan Qing instinctively grabbed her arm because he clearly saw tears glistening in her eyes... as if she might not come back once she ran away.

Thinking for a moment, Yan Qing conjured up a pair of shin guards and handed them to her.

"World-Abandoned Shin Guards, allow you to float briefly and jump multiple times, greatly increasing your mobility, perfect for your Flying Circle style. At mid-range, no three ranks should threaten you." He paused, "Consider it payment for you buying me clothes."

Shang Xinlei looked at the golden-glowing shin guards but didn’t take them. Instead, she asked a strange question, "Did you only think of giving me this because I gave you clothes?"

Yan Qing instinctively wanted to say yes but suddenly remembered how perfectly the new clothes fit, clearly custom ordered long ago, and wondered how she knew his size, so he changed his answer, "I’ve wanted to give them to you for a while."

"Then why didn’t you give them yesterday?"

"Yesterday, you kept rubbing my hand like a fly, totally scrambled my mind."

"You’re the fly!" Shang Xinlei laughed and scolded, taking the shin guards and vigorously wiping her face with her sleeve, "Okay, I’ll help you buy clothes. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going."

Although she said that, Shang Xinlei turned to face Yan Qing, hesitating in her steps as if waiting for something. Yan Qing pondered, "You just said you were joking, not wanting to repay the Earth Fiend debt as a kitchen maid?"

"Yes."

"That’s fine."

Shang Xinlei looked up at Yan Qing and then lowered her gaze again, "I understand, I won’t bother you again—"

"But you’ll still need to cook in the future." Yan Qing interrupted her.

"What?"

"Being a kitchen maid really can’t repay an Earth Fiend debt, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be one." Yan Qing stated matter-of-factly, "What’s wrong, feel like if you can’t repay it you won’t? The Fourth Miss of the Shang Family bullying honest people? You can find other ways to repay me, but the meals still need to be cooked, just consider it interest."

"What makes you an honest person." Shang Xinlei pouted, "My cooking isn’t even that good... You and Black Wolf might as well place orders at a restaurant, no need for me at all."

"But I want to eat with you from now on." Yan Qing said, "Red Snake, I need you."

"Why would you need me? I’m not as strong as Black Wolf."

"That’s exactly why I gave you the World-Abandoned Shin Guards and helped you prepare Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends," Yan Qing said with a ’are you silly’ look, "If you were as strong as Black Wolf, I wouldn’t bother caring about you."

"But even if you’re not as strong as Black Wolf, you’re very important to me." He lowered his eyes, speaking softly, "Even if your cooking isn’t exceptional, just knowing there’s someone who’ll make meals for me makes me feel... like this place is my home."

Shang Xinlei felt a slight stirring in her heart. She knew Yan Qing had stayed at the Thief’s House with little venturing out, and before she saw him as cautious, even timid, but now she realized another possibility... He had nowhere else to call home.

No matter how safe the Thief’s House seemed, Shang Xinlei felt the Shang Family was better, the place where she grew up, with her parents and brothers. Compared to so-called ’safety,’ the Shang Family was what truly made Shang Xinlei feel at ease. No matter where she went, she knew there was a home waiting for her return.

Living in a warm garden, Shang Xinlei never thought the flowers she casually picked could become a precious color in someone else’s world. The overwhelming bitterness gradually faded, replaced by a nameless shyness. Shang Xinlei wiped her nose, turned her head, and said, "If you must... I’ll continue being your kitchen maid."

"This time you’re not joking, right? I took it seriously." Yan Qing raised an eyebrow.

How could Shang Xinlei not hear his teasing? Puffing her cheeks, she said angrily, "And you said you wanted to eat with me in the future, I took that seriously too."

"Alright, whenever I have time."

"Really?" Shang Xinlei’s eyes seemed like green hills cloaked in mist, "You promised for the future."

"Really." Yan Qing nodded confidently.

"You’re not lying to me?" Shang Xinlei sniffed.

"Not lying to you." Yan Qing reached out to wipe the moisture from the corner of Shang Xinlei’s eye, thinking, am I really so untrustworthy? You look so pitiful, as if I’m bullying you, a snotty child.

Shang Xinlei responded with a hum, seemingly aware that she was just being childish, and lowered her head, not wanting to speak. Yan Qing asked, "So does this mean we’ve reconciled?"

"I haven’t been angry with you, where does reconciliation come into play?" Shang Xinlei said with some guilt.

"Since we’ve reconciled—"

Yan Qing suddenly pulled Shang Xinlei to his front, and Shang Xinlei looked at him in shock from such close distance, her mind turning into a mush, heart pounding wildly, and her entire body becoming rigid.

Perhaps... it’s not impossible... but at least the bandages should be removed... but if he insists...

Just as steam was about to rise from Shang Xinlei’s head, Yan Qing’s left hand swiftly like the wind landed three sharp blows on the area tightly wrapped in August fifteenth, echoing throughout the hall!

"Ah! What are you doing!"

"You kicked me once just now, it’s only fair I return three times!"

"Fair my foot, come out! Get out here!"

Yan Qing closed the door heavily, instantly blocking Shang Xinlei’s murderous intent. He let out a sigh of relief and looked at his hands.

It took a great effort to suppress the urge to take a breath.

Don’t mention it, it really shouldn’t be mentioned, but the sensation was unexpectedly nice. Yan Qing even suspected his hand acted on its own and squeezed a bit. Alas, my hand’s flaunting should be suppressed, deserves a slap.

But...

Yan Qing crossed his arms over his chest, tilting his head in thought.

With his rich experience from playing various galgames... well, it’s useless.

Better have a look, maybe it’s just an illusion?

Yan Qing scratched his head, lying on the bed to continue reading about the Primordial Dao Venerable’s dating experiences.

...

...

Even after returning to her room, Shang Xinlei was still not relieved, gnashing her teeth and rubbing the area hit, cursing that bastard a thousand times over in her heart.

How dared he... at most just a kick, how could he slap with his hand, and not just once, but repeatedly, and even... Tomorrow I will cook three plates of stir-fried bitter melon with beef and stuff them all into his mouth!

Noticing an unusual moist sensation, Shang Xinlei squeezed her legs tightly, her face blushing so red it felt like it could drip blood.

Shortly after, the maids in the courtyard began to busy themselves preparing for the Fourth Miss of the Shang Family’s bath, although they were all curious as to why the Fourth Miss would bathe in broad daylight, they assumed it was due to her diligent training causing excessive sweating.

...

...

After Yan Qing and Shang Xinlei returned to their rooms, the Thief Hall returned to quiet. Moments later, the door that Yan Qing and the others had never paid attention to made a brief sound of closing.

Inside the room, Ying Rushi was chuckling to herself, feeling her whole body warm up.

Didn’t expect them to have such a side in private, but it’s a good thing; in the future, they are sure to become supportive teammates. Even without her, the Thief’s House wouldn’t fall apart. Except she’s unsure if Yellow Dog was deliberate or careless, somehow his character seems to have certain issues...

Ying Rushi took a few steps but couldn’t help herself, clutching her abdomen and kneeling to the ground, blood unstoppable from flowing from the large lance-pierced wound, which wouldn’t heal quickly. She sat by the bedside, gasping heavily, her body exhausted as if she’d fall asleep any moment.

She overly relied on the Red Dust Eye, unknowingly consuming too much energy. In a moment of carelessness, her defense barrier was shattered by Baibao Guards... barely survived.

Yet at this moment, the voices around her became uncommonly clear:

"Don’t go out, Ying Le will definitely come to catch you personally! She knows you’ve awakened the Divine Martial True Blood!"

"You’re doomed, daring to betray Ying Le, she won’t let you go. The Thief’s House can’t protect you!"

"Why can they all live peacefully here, while you are hunted by Ying Le? Are you willing?"

"So, you are White Fox... Black Wolf, Red Snake, let’s kill her, such people aren’t worthy to stand with us."

Ying Rushi opened her eyes, without any confusion or resentment, only a deeply entrenched sadness.

"Your Majesty, truly a burden... to have endured this many years."