Thus, An Ying finally nodded.
He even said as he looked at the youth’s bright eyes and the fallen flower in his hand: “……okay.”
He had already unthinkingly lived in the Heavenly Realm for several months, but had never spoken due to various reasons. This word ‘okay’ is precisely the first thing he said in recent days, and this word also laid the foundation for his future dialogue with Little Phoenix. — No matter what the Little Phoenix says or wants, he will always reply with the word ‘okay’ without any principles.
Truth be told, the Little Phoenix completely didn’t know what romance or a romantic relationship is, or ever what love is at all. That was merely his quiescent instinct, as if he was only born to be cherished by the Heavens.
Although the Little Phoenix isn’t a romantic n.o.ble son that does deliberate seduction, but An Ying was still unable to resist his gestures like those charmed girls. An Ying took the proffered fallen flower, and even used Spiritual power to set an enchantment on the flower. The flower was then sealed up in an amber, for it to last for a long time.
As early as their first meeting, the straightforward gaze of the youth was like a drop of water falling into the originally calm heart of the Soaring Serpent, causing layers upon layers of ripples, undulating endlessly. The other party’s smile was even more like a cl.u.s.ter of flame, and he was like a moth, unconsciously yearning for warmth.
The Little Phoenix’s attention was placed on that ‘okay’ word. His large eyes goggled at An Ying, as he said in surprise: “Big Black, you finally spoke! I even thought you were mute, and would never be able to speak!”
The blue veins on An Ying’s forehead unnoticeably throbbed a bit, “.…..my name is An Ying.”
“Oh.” The LIttle Phoenix nodded, but still couldn’t help from expressing his opinion: “But I think that Big Black sounds even better.”
Talking about this, he once again felt the depression of losing a pet, as he said with a flat mouth: “You made me lose a pet. You need to compensate me for the loss.”
With this unreasonable yet righteous and simply transcendental logic, An Ying nevertheless responded positively once more: “.…..okay.”
The Human Realm happens to be on the 12th month of the year.
The flow of time of the Heavenly Realm and Human Realm were different. The Heavenly Realm is still obviously in the season when the flowers of the Chinese parasol tree falls, but the Human Realm is already in the winter season when the red plum blossoms bloom. The capital city was prosperous, and because of the kitchen G.o.d festival*, as well as the temple fair, there were even more stalls and streams of people everywhere. There were various things here for eating, drinking and making merry. The Little Phoenix and An Ying walked side by side along the streets of the Human Realm, with glistening eyes filled with novelty and happiness.
*23rd or 24th of the 12th month
He wore a red robe, with a jade clasp on his hair, a jade belt on the waist, and an exquisite embroidery trim rolled in the hem. Such appearance displays a hundred times more luxurious feel than the son of the most prestigious family in the Human Realm. It’s a pity that his actions and temperament do not match. Having never seen such a lively and conventional temple fair, when the Little Phoenix sees something that he wants, he will pull An Ying to every stall he takes an interest in.
Before long, the Little Phoenix held a sugar-coated fruits on a bamboo skewer with his left hand and a plum blossom cake with his right. He even ran to the front of an excellent candy-making seller, and asked the other to make him a candy Phoenix. An Ying was also forced to carry quite a lot of things, including a mask and a windmill, as well as a wooden sculpture in the shape of a phoenix.
Needless to say, the purpose of their trip was not to look around the temple fair, but to find the Little Phoenix a pet. However, the Little Phoenix was so engrossed in having fun the he was unable to extricate himself, and was even caught in a deep entanglement because of the fork in the road up ahead.
On the right side of the fork, were several shadow plays and juggling tables. On the left side, was a long light maze. So long as the right answers were given, the most beautiful colored lantern can be obtained. The Little Phoenix wants to watch the shadow play and juggling, but also wants the colored lantern. Thus, he told An Ying: “I’m going to watch the shadow play. You win the colored lantern for me, okay?”
“.……okay.”
This is probably the word An Ying said the most to the Little Phoenix, he then added: “Don’t run around.”
He completely didn’t expect for the Little Phoenix to cry at the end of a shadow play.
The storyline staged in the shadow play were completely different with the pair of ideal lover’s romantic love in the contemporary stories, but was a story about a scholar and a fox instead.
A scholar was said to be heading to the capital in order to take the imperial exam. Upon pa.s.sing Mount Langya, he rescued an injured little fox. The little fox is both pretty and lovable. Moreover, the scholar also felt quite lonely traveling by himself. Hence, he brought the little fox along in this travel, feeding it food, brushing it’s fur, and had also told it interesting anecdotes and stories even while knowing full well that it cannot understand. The little fox’s injuries quickly recovered under the scholar’s care, and had even gained a layer of fat by the feeding. One and a half year later, the scholar reached the capital, and brilliantly became a top scorer in the imperial examination in one fell swoop. Managed to become a government official and build a mansion. But still raised the little fox as before, and had even planted an orchard full of fruit bearing trees for it. Until a day in spring five years later, a Taoist priest entered the capital to worship the Heaven. Upon visiting the official residence of the scholar, who had already become a government official, he happened to see the little fox playing under the tree. He immediately did a divination, then ruefully informed the scholar that it was a demon, and that the scholar has a mark of life-and-death contract agreement, which is of ‘life in exchange for a life’ type of agreement, that would later put his life on the line for this demon in vain.
After a brief pause, he said that this life-and-death agreement isn’t unsolvable as well. Just cut the karma between them, and killing the little fox would suffice. But the scholar shook his head and sent the Taoist priest away, then called the little fox over. Expressing that he didn’t want to kill it, nor was he afraid in losing his life for it. But humans and demons have different paths after all, so it would still be better to stop here. He hoped that it would diligently cultivate after that day, take good care of itself, and they will surely ‘meet each other again’ in the future.
The little fox, personally didn’t want to leave. Unfortunately, it’s cultivation was still too low, that it was still unable to speak the human language. It could only shed tears while constantly bowing with it’s two little fore paws held in front, begging the other to not drive it away. However, the scholar had already decided, so the little fox finally left in tears. 5 years later, the scholar was still in good health, and only during idleness, would the memories of the little fox pop up. Recalling that on his way to take the imperial exam, it obediently laid on his arms, after having been allowed to build an official residence, it would pick fruits and frolic around him. This lasted until the New Year’s Eve, when the scholar attended a state banquet. A rebellious party unexpectedly appeared to a.s.sa.s.sinate the Emperor in the banquet. As a loyal official, the scholar stood in front to block the a.s.sa.s.sin with devotion to righteousness that inspires reverence. But didn’t expect the sword to pierce his heart. However, he unexpectedly didn’t feel the slightest trace of pain. What’s even more astonishing was, the complete lack of scar in the chest.
He immediately became dazed in place, then in the next second, automatically burst into tears without warning.
The story had already come to an end, but the shadow play behind the white curtain continued. It turned out to be a flashback scene, during that time in Mount Langya. When the moonlight was as bright as water, and while the scholar was still asleep, the little fox, which had just gained it’s spiritual wisdom, clumsily held a pen in it’s mouth, and with the help of the moonlight, willingly wrote a life-and-death agreement in secret to protect the other’s life.