Mu Ran lay on the bed, her eyes tightly shut, brows furrowed, unconsciously gripping the quilt.Bedding & Bed Linens

She was trapped in a nightmare, unable to escape.

In the dream, she saw many cultivators holding magical treasures and weapons, saying things like "Kill this little demon spawn."

Her husband was gravely injured. Just as a longsword was about to pierce his chest, she threw herself in front of it, blocking the sword and dying a gruesome death.Marriage

"Husband, you must live on well."

With these final words, she breathed her last.

In his overwhelming grief, her husband tore off one of his own arms, activated a forbidden art, and managed to capture a tiny fragment of her soul before it scattered completely between heaven and earth.

Amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, the bloodied man held her cold body, lowered his eyes, and whispered softly, "I won't let you leave me."

For some reason, the pain in the dream felt exceptionally intense. Mu Ran suddenly opened her eyes and sat up in bed. She gasped for breath, calming herself for a good while before realizing she was covered in a cold sweat.

Upon waking, the details of the dream gradually blurred, but she knew she had had a nightmare and still remembered that heart-palpitating fear that seemed to come from her very soul.Psychology

Feeling somewhat panicked, Mu Ran fumbled for a small silver bell placed on the bedside table. Disregarding the fact it was the middle of the night, she infused it with a weak stream of spiritual energy. The bell glimmered with specks of silver light, and soon, a familiar voice came through.

"Ran Ran, what's wrong?"

Mu Ran sniffled, her voice low and hoarse. "I had a nightmare."

"Don't be afraid. Dreams are the opposite of reality."

In the candlelit room, Mu Ran curled her body into a ball, looking utterly pitiful.

When she was a child, she had the misfortune of being captured by a demonic cultivator who intended to use her for alchemy. Fortunately, her rescuers arrived in time, and she wasn't thrown into the cauldron to become a pill. However, from hitting her head, she lost a portion of her memories.

It was also from that time that she developed a fear of the dark, needing a small lamp lit at night.

Cangshu Bai had specifically stayed with her until she fell asleep before leaving to attend to his business. He hadn't expected her to wake up in the middle of the night. Luckily, Mu Ran often had whimsical ideas and liked tinkering with little gadgets in her spare time.Sleep Disorders

This pair of communication bells was her creation—one for her, one for Cangshu Bai—making it quite convenient to stay in touch.

Mu Ran hugged her knees, staring at the little bell, her tone clingy. "Jinzhi, when will you be finished and come back?"

Jinzhi was Cangshu Bai's courtesy name.

Cangshu Bai replied, "Very soon."

Both Mu Ran and Cangshu Bai were low-level cultivators. Mu Ran occasionally took on work at a workshop in town, while Cangshu Bai was a physician at the town's medical clinic, sometimes needing to gather herbs in the mountains late at night.

From the other side of the bell came faint, indistinct "whooshing" noises.

Mu Ran asked with concern, "Jinzhi, is everything alright on your end? You haven't encountered any demonic beasts, have you?"

"I'm fine, don't worry."

"I think I heard other voices over there."

"It's just Boss Hu talking. We found a rather good medicinal herb, and he's quite pleased."

Mu Ran mumbled, "Alright then. It's so dark outside, and I heard there have been demonic cultivators killing people randomly lately. You need to be careful."

He chuckled softly. "Mmm. If you're scared, take out the talismans I left in the cabinet and use them."

"No, those talismans are so expensive. I should only use them in critical situations."

After leaving her family clan, without their support, they naturally didn't have much money. She didn't know where Cangshu Bai had bought that large stash of top-grade life-preserving talismans, but she couldn't bear to use them unless it was a matter of life and death.Family

Mu Ran forced a light tone. "Alright, I'm fine now. You're right, nightmares are the opposite of reality. I'm not scared. Jinzhi, I'm going back to sleep. You be careful out there."

Cangshu Bai said gently, "Alright."

The bell returned to its dull, lusterless state. Mu Ran put it back, then heard the wind pick up outside the window. Branches knocked against the windowpane, creating quite a racket.

The shadows of the trees swayed like beasts baring their fangs and brandishing their claws.

Mu Ran pulled the quilt over her head, covering herself completely, and shivered.

In the mansion at night, the wind howled.

Amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, the wind, tainted with the smell of blood, carried a biting chill. Frost rapidly spread, freezing everything in its surroundings.Death & Tragedy

The man in green robes held the now-silent bell in his hand, the warmth in his eyes slowly fading away.

He stepped on an unidentified corpse that had turned into an ice sculpture, lowered his dark red eyes, looked at the middle-aged man with broken leg bones lying ahead, and asked calmly, "Where is the Primordial Chaos Glazed Lamp?"

The middle-aged man endured the pain and said, "The Primordial Chaos Glazed Lamp is the treasure of the Cangshu family! How could we possibly hand it over to a clan-traitor like you, a demonic fiend!"

Suddenly, the corpse under his foot shattered, turning into icy mist and vanishing completely.

"Eldest Son!" The middle-aged man watched his firstborn son's remains disappear without a trace, heartbroken with grief.

In just a short time, the Cangshu family estate had become a scene of carnage. No one could have imagined that the one they once regarded as useless trash, someone they could bully at will, would return one day.

Over the years, no one knew what fortuitous encounters he had, but his power had reached terrifying heights. Probably only the family's ancestral patriarch could suppress him now.

The world of cultivation was one where the strong preyed on the weak. If one's strength was inferior, sects and families could be annihilated overnight.Family

"I'll ask one more time. Where is the Primordial Chaos Glazed Lamp?"

At that moment, another young man lying on the ground cried out—his arm had been severed, the wound bleeding profusely.

The middle-aged man shouted, "Second Son!"

That foot then stepped on Second Son's head. Second Son's face scraped against the ground, soon becoming a bloody mess on one side.

"You should understand, I'm in a hurry to get home. My patience is limited."

The middle-aged man pleaded, "Cangshu Bai, you are also of the Cangshu family! Why must you exterminate us all?"Magazines

"Is that so?" Cangshu Bai's expression was indifferent. "When my parents were afflicted by backlash from raising demonic beasts for the Cangshu family and needed spirit stones for treatment, did the Cangshu family contribute a single coin? When my mother was critically ill, she knelt and begged you to take me in for the sake of our shared Cangshu blood. You did keep me, but only to use me as fodder for the beasts."

Cangshu Bai continued, "Back then, my skills were inferior, so being bullied was to be expected. Now that I have the power to exact blood for blood, you suffering is also to be expected."

The middle-aged man was Cangshu Yuan, the head of the Cangshu family. Once, he had been immensely powerful; a single word from him could decide the fate of the "useless" members of the clan. He never imagined the day would come when the one he deemed "trash" would bring about the family's destruction.

Second Son lay on the ground, weeping and wailing. "Father, save me..."

With corpses piled like mountains all around, Cangshu Yuan now only had Second Son as his remaining bloodline.Death & Tragedy

Cangshu Yuan knew escape was impossible. Gnashing his teeth, he said, "I can give you the Primordial Chaos Glazed Lamp, but you must promise to let Second Son go!"

Cangshu Bai lifted his foot. "Agreed."

Second Son breathed a sigh of relief.

Cangshu Yuan sacrificed his divine soul, summoning forth a snow-white lotus-shaped lantern. With his dying breath, he said, "Cangshu Bai, with all the deities as witness, you promised to spare Second Son. You must not... break your word..."

His body fell, eyes wide open, devoid of life.

The lantern's light was gentle, dispelling all malevolent spirits wherever it shone. Moreover, its greatest function was to nourish souls, helping one solidify their foundation. With this Glazed Lamp present, cultivation time could be halved, and breakthroughs became effortless.

Second Son shot a hateful glance at the man in green robes, scrambled up from the ground in a panic, and fled into the distance.

Cangshu Bai lowered his gaze to look at the lamp in his hand, fairly satisfied. Then, he lifted his eyes slightly.Anatomy

An icy chill, like a swimming fish, abruptly materialized, silently seeping into Second Son's flesh, freezing him to the very marrow.

Second Son's fleeing steps suddenly froze in place. Before a single scream could escape his throat, his entire body transformed into a frost-covered ice sculpture. He struggled to say, "Cangshu Bai... you go back on your word..."

"I did promise I would spare you. But I never promised that other things would spare you."

The fish, formed of frost and snow, swam back and disappeared into its master's sleeve.

Cangshu Bai turned around. The night wind was bleak and cold, his robes fluttering. The dark ends of his hair swayed lightly with his steps, outlining his broad shoulders and narrow waist—a fine figure like the clear breeze and bright moon, visible yet unattainable.

A faint crack sounded. The frozen figure began to shatter inch by inch from the fingertips, eventually scattering into a pile of cold dust, blown away without a trace by the wind.

Wind slipped through the window crack and extinguished the candle flame.

Mu Ran lay on the bed, curled into a ball under the quilt, her eyes wide and miserable, unable to sleep.Bedding & Bed Linens

She quietly lifted a corner of the quilt. Complete darkness. Her heart grew even more troubled, debating whether to get up and relight the lamp.

Suddenly, points of light spilled into the room once more.

Mu Ran, quilt and all, was scooped up into an embrace.

"I'm back."

It was a familiar voice.

Mu Ran peeked her head out from the quilt. Seeing the familiar face, her eyes curved into crescents, a radiant smile spreading across her features. "Jinzhi!"

Reassured, she wriggled out of the covers, opened her arms, and threw herself against his chest.

Cangshu Bai was considerably taller. The motion of his hand gently patting her back almost encircled her entirely in his arm, shutting out even the chill of the deep night.Anatomy

"The wind was quite strong tonight. My apologies, I shouldn't have gone out this evening."

Mu Ran shook her head, lifting her face, her eyes sparkling. "Jinzhi went out to earn money for our family. I understand. It's not your fault. I'm just timid, and I couldn't help disturbing you while you were busy."

"It's not a disturbance." He lifted her chin, placing a soft kiss on the corner of her lips, reluctant to part, murmuring against them, "Whenever you seek me, I am always glad."

Mu Ran raised her arms to circle his neck. Her long hair cascaded down. Without a trace of makeup, her smile as she looked at him was still as bright and dazzling as ever.

Involuntarily, the corners of Cangshu Bai's mouth lifted in response. He stroked the long hair at the back of her head, its soft texture like touching a cloud.

Mu Ran noticed the new glazed lamp on the table. She pursed her lips. "You bought something unnecessary again."

"This is a lamp I bought from a traveling merchant. It's enchanted to brighten or dim according to its owner's will."

Wasn't that similar to a voice-activated lamp?

Huh?

Mu Ran frowned slightly. What was a voice-activated lamp? Why did such a strange term come to mind?

She snapped back to reality and took Cangshu Bai's hand. "But this must have been expensive."Anatomy

Cangshu Bai shook his head. "It's merely a lamp that lasts a bit longer than ordinary ones. Not very useful. It only cost half a spirit stone."

Mu Ran crawled over, fetched her money pouch, opened his large hand, and placed five spirit stones in his palm.

"You're always buying things for the house. Your pocket money must be running low. If you go out for social occasions, you can't lose face by having no money for meals."

Cangshu Bai gave a light chuckle. "Mm, thank you for your generosity, my lady."

The financial authority in their household lay with her. Cangshu Bai never kept secret funds; whatever he earned, he handed over in full.

Mu Ran leaned against his chest, covering her mouth as she yawned.

Cangshu Bai removed his outer garments, lay down holding her, and as soon as the quilt covered them, she naturally snuggled into his embrace.Bedding & Bed Linens

"Goodnight, Jinzhi."

Cangshu Bai lowered his head and kissed the top of her hair. "Goodnight."

Mu Ran closed her eyes contentedly, drifting into a beautiful dream.

How wonderful. Today was yet another peaceful, happy day.

It was already late autumn, the weather growing colder, making lazy people all the more inclined to nestle under the covers and refuse to get out of bed.

However, the aroma of food kept drifting to her nose, coaxing the sleepyhead to open her eyes.Food

Following the scent, Muran sat up groggily from the bed and recognized the breakfast as her favorite Seven Treasures Porridge.

Instantly energized, she hurriedly put on her clothes, slipped into her shoes, got out of bed, ran out of her room, crossed the main hall, and dashed into the kitchen.

Morning light spilled over the kitchen window lattice, falling on the man's plain cyan robe, making his exceptionally refined demeanor seem almost unreal.

The man had his sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing a red cord bracelet on his wrist. With downcast eyes, he tasted the porridge with a porcelain spoon. Even the drape of his robe accentuated his tall, straight, and relaxed posture, yet it also added a touch of mundane warmth, grounding him in the human world.

Cangshu Bai added more sugar to the porridge. Hearing the stealthy footsteps, he pretended not to notice. Sure enough, before long, someone hugged him from behind.

Muran peeked her head out from behind his back. "You worked hard going out in the middle of the night. We agreed today's breakfast was my job."Breakfast Foods

Cangshu Bai glanced back. "Then I'll have to eat breakfast and lunch together."

He was teasing her for getting up late.

Muran pressed her face against his back, muttering defiantly, "Actually, I woke up a long time ago. I just saw you were up early, so I slept a bit more on your behalf."

"Then will you also eat more on my behalf later?"

Muran lifted her face and laughed. "That could be arranged."

Cangshu Bai took her hand, his gaze gentle. "Go wash up. The porridge will be ready soon."

Muran nodded obediently. She went to freshen up, then sat at the dressing table, combing her hair before the mirror.

The person in the mirror still had the dewy look of someone just awakened, her eyes sparkling as if holding light. Her jet-black hair was braided into a pretty plait with a green hair ribbon, perfectly matching the light cyan ruqun she wore today.Biological Sciences

Cangshu Bai passed by the doorway carrying a bowl of porridge. Catching sight of her fiddling with stray hairs in the mirror, he set the bowl down, walked over, and gently tucked the strand of hair by her cheek behind her ear, his fingertip accidentally brushing her earlobe. "If you dawdle any longer, the porridge will get cold."Bowls

In the mirror, his eyes curved into a smile. Even the arc of his cyan robe brushing against the back of her chair carried a certain warmth.

Muran finally pinned a beaded hairpin into her hair and happily followed him out of the room.

But she couldn't sit still for long. As the sunlight was particularly nice today, by the time Cangshu Bai finished tidying the kitchen and came out, Muran had already taken her bowl and stepped out of the house, joining the neighborly aunties from the same village for a chat.

The neighborly auntie was surnamed Wang, everyone called her Auntie Wang. She usually took on laundry jobs, and when she had too much, she'd share the work with other aunties. Thus, her house was practically a minor hub for gossip.

Auntie Wang said mysteriously, "Hey, have you all heard? The couple at the Li household at the village entrance had a huge fight the other night."

The other aunties worked while asking curiously, "What happened?"

Muran, sitting on a small stool, nodded along. "Yeah, what happened?"

Auntie Wang lowered her voice. "It's about Li's wife being pregnant."Marriage

"Pregnancy is a good thing."

Muran chimed in, "Right, it's a good thing."

Auntie Wang glanced at the others. "But the problem is, Li Ergou left home to sell goods three months ago, yet his wife is only one month pregnant."

"Oh dear, that's truly a sin!"

Muran took a sip of porridge with her spoon, chewing the lotus seeds with relish. "Such a sin."

One auntie said, "Every time I pass the village entrance, the dog their family keeps barks at me. But when Fan the butcher from our village passes by, that dog doesn't make a peep. If Fan the butcher is that familiar with the Li family's dog, there must be something going on!"

"Right, now that you mention it, maybe the one who cuckolded Li Ergou really is Fan the butcher!"

"Li Ergou was crying and wailing, saying he wanted to drown himself in the river."

"He's an honest man, no need to go to such extremes!"Magazines

Muran swallowed a mouthful of porridge and agreed, "Isn't that right? The child might not be his, but at least the wife is still his."

The aunties all looked at Muran, their expressions somewhat odd.

When a bunch of married women gathered to gossip, the young wives in the village usually found them intimidating and avoided them. Muran, however, was an exception, always eager to join their lively discussions.

But Muran had one good point: she was very responsive. Whether she had much to say or not, she would always chime in, never letting the conversation die. They actually quite liked this young wife.

Auntie Wang kindly reminded her, "Xiao Ran, don't you often go to town for work? And your husband goes to the medical clinic in town every day. You both need to be careful. I heard from my man that there are some demonic cultivators killing people randomly. The town is under strict guard now."

Muran's expression changed. "That's terrifying!"

Strictly speaking, in the cultivation world, the strong preying on the weak was the norm. To become stronger, no one's hands were entirely clean. Among the myriad paths of cultivation, there were also those who practiced the "path of slaughter." Incidents of killing for treasure happened frequently, and such people were naturally called demonic cultivators.

Muran had some cultivation, but not much. That's why, after leaving her family, she and Cangshu Bai, who also had modest cultivation, chose to settle in a small village far from conflict.Family

Auntie Wang said, "In my opinion, you'd better quit your jobs in town."

Another auntie said, "You're advising Xiao Ran not to go to town, but isn't your own man still running errands there?"

Auntie Wang waved her hand helplessly. "If it weren't for the debt we incurred years ago to treat my illness, I really wouldn't want him running errands in town. A simple life with plain food would be just fine."

Muran finished her bowl of porridge. As she was about to leave, Auntie Wang pulled her aside and whispered to her privately:

"My man said that Squire Chen in town has been specifically asking if the young master at the medical clinic has a family. You need to be mindful. Your man is so strikingly handsome, be careful someone snatches him away."

Muran had never heard Cangshu Bai mention anything about Squire Chen. She nodded, thanked Auntie Wang, and then, holding her empty bowl, skipped back home lightly.

An auntie sighed with envy, "That girl is really blessed. Clothes come to her outstretched hands, food comes to her open mouth. Why don't I have such good luck to find a husband who dotes on her so much?"Anatomy

Auntie Wang chuckled, "Well, you'd have to be as pretty as that girl first."

Muran passed through the fence gate into the yard. As she neared the door to the main hall, she stopped.

Cangshu Bai was sitting on a wooden chair in the main hall. His posture was upright yet not stiff. The hem of his plain cyan robe draped by the chair, making the white porcelain porridge bowl held between his fingertips appear even more warm and smooth.Bowls

The morning light fell on his profile, yet it seemed blocked by a faint layer of aloofness. Even the way he drank porridge was so elegant it made one hesitant to approach.

However, when he lifted his gaze and her figure entered his dark eyes, the corners of his eyes curved slightly, and the aloofness melted into tenderness.

Mu Ran stood at the doorway, pacing left, shifting right, shaking her head and swaying, occasionally stroking her chin, frowning, then staring at him intently.

Cangshu Bai asked softly, "What are you doing?"

Mu Ran put on a stern face. "Don't disturb me, I'm thinking seriously."

Cangshu Bai set down the bowl in his hand and truly fell silent, his expression relaxed, allowing her to look her fill.Bowls

After a long while, Mu Ran finally seemed to confirm something. She declared, "My husband is indeed handsome!"

A faint light flickered in Cangshu Bai's eyes as he reached out a hand toward her.

Mu Ran quickly stepped up the stairs, entered the main gate, and stood before him. He took her hand, and with his other hand, he took the empty bowl from her grasp and set it aside. Simultaneously, he pulled her down to sit beside him.

He didn't speak, only raised his hand to gently touch the green ribbon in her hair, then smoothed the stray wisps of hair at her temple that had become mussed from her running. His fingertip lingered on her ear, not moving away.

"Jinzhi, that tickles."

She couldn't bear it and tried to lean away, but somehow, with the way he applied pressure, she didn't feel pain yet couldn't break free from his hold. She remained encircled within the intimate space filled with his presence.

He asked, "Are you full?"

Mu Ran shook her head. "I only had one bowl of porridge, I'm just seventy percent full. I want another bowl."Bowls

"No rush."

Mu Ran tilted her head. "Why no rush?"

A pair of hands gripped her waist. Suddenly, she was lifted into the air. In her fluster, she wrapped her limbs around him, clinging to him like a koala.

Cangshu Bai supported her with one hand under her bottom, turned effortlessly, stroked the hair at the back of her head, and kissed the corner of her lips. "Let's attend to other matters first. I'll make you something delicious for lunch."

They entered the bedroom. A gust of wind blew, the door swung shut, cutting off the morning light.

Not long after, fragmented whispers echoed in the dim room.

"What are you going to make for me?"

"What would you like to eat?"

"I've heard... I've heard the Eight-Colors Braised Delicacy is exquisite. It's something even many top-tier cultivators might not get to taste, especially one ingredient that requires the meat of a Fire Qilin Beast. It's very dangerous and hard to find."

"Alright, tomorrow I'll go clear out a Fire Qilin Beast's den."

"You're such a joker..." Her voice suddenly changed pitch. "Jinzhi!"

"Hmm?"

"G-gently! Be gentle!"

"Just seventy percent full. Can't be gentle."

"..."

Cangshu Bai had accompanied Doctor Hu to gather herbs in the mountains last night, so the next day he could go to work at the town clinic in the afternoon.

As usual, he had lunch with Muran, cleaned up the dishes, and then prepared to leave.

At the main gate, he turned back.

Muran, full and content, sat on a chair, hands propping her chin on the table, eyes closed, her head nodding drowsily. She looked utterly comfortable and at ease.Sofas & Armchairs

Cangshu Bai said, "I'm heading out."

Muran's eyes opened a slit. "Oh, go ahead."

Cangshu Bai turned around again and said, "Ranran."

"Hmm?"

"I'm heading out."

Muran stared at him blankly for a moment before suddenly understanding. She got down from the chair, hurried over, threw herself at him, and hugged him, gently patting his back.Sofas & Armchairs

"Jinzhi, be careful out there. I'll wait for you to come home."

Cangshu Bai bent down, resting his chin on the top of her head, his fingertips lightly touching her green hair ribbon. The corner of his mouth moved slightly. "Wait for me to come back and make dinner."

Muran obediently hummed in agreement twice, then stood on her tiptoes and kissed his chin. "Hurry now, don't be late, or the boss will dock your pay again."

He ruffled the top of her head and chuckled softly.

Not long after Cangshu Bai left, Muran also tidied herself up and hurried out the door.

Aunt Wang was hanging laundry and saw Muran emerge from the neighboring courtyard. She remarked, "Xiao Ran, off to work in town again?"

Muran nodded, shaking the tool kit slung over her left shoulder. "I promised Shopkeeper Song I'd go help at the workshop today."

Aunt Wang said, "Your husband earns a decent amount. Why do you always tire yourself out going to town?"Marriage

"Aunt Wang, didn't you say it yourself? Things have been unsettled lately. I want to earn a bit more money and find a chance to talk to Jinzhi about quitting his job in town. Oh, Aunt Wang, please..."

Aunt Wang: "I know, I'll pretend I didn't see you, won't tell your man."

Muran grinned, waved her hand, and said, "Thanks, Aunt Wang! I'm off!"

Watching Muran's departing figure, Aunt Wang couldn't help but smile and sigh with admiration. "Those two really are like an immortal couple, their feelings for each other are so good."

In the past, if Muran needed to go somewhere far, a single flying talisman would get her to her destination at great speed. But now she had to save money, and she couldn't bear to spend it on things like talismans.

She walked for over an hour before reaching the town. It was bustling with people coming and going, very lively.

Perhaps what Aunt Wang said about demonic cultivators killing people more rampantly lately wasn't false. At the very least, she saw many more cultivators on the streets than before, creating a tense feeling of an impending storm.Visual Art & Design

Muran withdrew her surveying gaze and entered the Song Family Workshop.

Shopkeeper Song was past fifty but full of energy. He had been idly fiddling with an abacus on the counter, but upon seeing Muran, his eyes lit up. "Aiya, my Miss Muran, you've finally arrived!"

There happened to be customers casually browsing in the shop. Hearing the words "Miss Muran," two men looked over simultaneously.

Muran quickly said, "I'm just a country woman, Shopkeeper Song. Please don't call me that every time. I can't bear such a title!"

The two men traveling together glanced at each other and whispered.

"I thought she really was the young lady from Green Cloud Mountain."

"That young lady was stripped of her cultivation, expelled from the clan, and driven down the mountain three years ago for refusing to marry the young master of the Desireless Palace. If she's still alive now, she's bound to be in a wretched state."Native Americans

"That's true. I heard later it was the Second Young Lady Muran who took her place and married over. If she knew that the young master, who was comatose and considered a waste back then, has now awakened and inherited the position of Palace Lord, she'd surely die of regret."

Having broken away from the Muran clan on Green Cloud Mountain, a mere woman would surely have a hard life in this world where the strong prey on the weak.

The woman carving wood in this workshop was exceptionally bright and beautiful. Although she was working, her skin was delicate and fair, clearly well-cared for and having suffered little hardship.

How could she possibly be that Muran family's eldest young lady, who was expelled from the clan and whose fate, whether alive and begging for mercy, was unknown?

These two cultivators were dressed finely and looked unfamiliar, likely from out of town and probably from some famous sect.Agricultural Equipment

Usually, such cultivators looked down their noses and wouldn't fancy the things from these small places.

Shopkeeper Song didn't expect them to buy anything either and chatted idly with Muran, who was sitting at the workbench carving wood.

"That mirror you made last time, the girls in town loved it. Looking into it makes them look beautiful... beau..."

Muran said, "Beautified."

"Yes, yes, that's it, beautified." Shopkeeper Song clicked his tongue in wonder. "I really don't know where you get all these ideas, able to make so many peculiar and novel things. Oh, Squire Chen's daughter said she wants to order a batch of mirrors to give as gifts."

Muran nodded. "As long as the pay is sufficient, I'll make as many as needed."

A smile appeared on Shopkeeper Song's face. "Doctor Cangshu Bai is truly fortunate to have such a clever and skillful wife."Music & Audio

Muran smiled. "I think I'm the fortunate one to have such a good husband."

Speaking of which, Muran and Cangshu Bai's meeting wasn't some soul-stirring, epic tale.

Back then, she needed a place to stay, didn't want to attract attention, and had to save her spirit stones, so she rented a small courtyard in the sparsely populated outskirts.

At that time, Cangshu Bai lived across from her. Although they were neighbors, over half a year passed with them only catching occasional glimpses of each other when going out—mere nodding acquaintances who didn't even know each other's names.

Their true fate began on a rainy night.

Muran's roof leaked badly, flooding almost the entire room. Heartbroken over her furniture, she had no choice but to grab an umbrella and knock on the door across the way.

The door opened, revealing a young man in a blue-green robe, his dark hair unbound. "Can I help you?"Men's Interests

Raindrops clinging to the blue-green fabric rolled along its folds, adding a touch of refreshing moisture even more than the curtain of rain falling from the eaves.

She was soaked through and quite a sorry sight. Gathering her courage, she asked softly, "My roof is leaking and needs repair. Do you happen to have a ladder?"

The young man nodded. "Yes."

Her eyes brightened. "May I borrow it?"

He said, "The ladder is in the woodshed. I'll fetch it."

The young man in blue-green stood under the eaves and suddenly looked back at her.Men's Interests

The umbrella she held was tilted slightly by the wind, her shoulder already soaked through. Her light-colored dress clung to her body, accentuating her slender frame.

As if sensing his gaze, she looked up. Raindrops had dampened the ends of her hair, a few strands sticking to her fair cheeks and misting her dark, moist eyes.

Later, he said, "Let me help you."

On that rainy night, they exchanged names. After that, they became more and more familiar. Another half a year later, it seemed only natural that they got married.