I Have a Golden Crow

Du Yu inhaled the refreshing scent of bamboo wood as he followed Lin Shiwei into the bamboo house.

The interior of the bamboo house was simple, clean, and bright, making it very comfortable to be in.

”By the way, what about the Black Bamboo?” Du Yu asked as he walked into the living room, ”Where has it gone?”

The Heterochromatic Demon Beast, Black Bamboo Snake, was a gift Du Yu had given to his girlfriend. It had previously been placed in the Green Bamboo Courtyard, nurtured by the Maple Tree.

Lin Shiwei sat at the bamboo table, picking up a teapot with one hand: ”I took the Black Bamboo to the Tai Sui Bamboo Forest to cultivate together.”

”Wow!” Du Yu grinned, slightly amazed by the magical turn of events.

After all, Black Bamboo had once been the leader of the Bamboo Snake Race!

Regardless of whether it led the clan or not, plenty of Chi Bears had met their end at Black Bamboo’s fangs.

Black Bamboo was unquestionably the Chi Bear’s natural enemy, a mortal foe of the Chi Bear Race!

Yet Lin Shiwei boldly took Black Bamboo right into the Chi Bear’s lair.

Of course, with Chi Ancestor around, Black Bamboo couldn’t cause much trouble.

However, Little Shiwei brought her Demon Pet for ”face-to-face cultivation,” which was pretty overbearing, wasn’t it?

”Black Bamboo is very obedient, cultivating daily in the Tai Sui Bamboo Forest, away from ordinary Chi Bears.” Lin Shiwei handed Du Yu a bamboo cup.

”Hmm~” Suddenly, Little Fen Yang appeared, settling into Du Yu’s embrace.

The little creature looked at Sister Shiwei with wide, eager orange-red eyes.

”Ha.” Lin Shiwei couldn’t help but chuckle, handing over a bamboo bowl as well.

”Wow~ Du Yu, Du Yu!” Little Fen Yang’s eyes lit up, ”So beautiful!”

The bamboo bowl was filled with crystal-clear maple syrup, looking extremely delicious.

Scattered finely on top of the tempting maple syrup were tiny red maple sugar leaves.

Much like ”crushed peanuts” or ”seaweed flakes.”

It’s all about original taste...

”Quick, have a bite!” Little Fen Yang, acting spoiled, couldn’t help but urge, ”Du Yu, Du Yu, good Du Yu~”

Seeing nearly half a bowl of maple syrup, Du Yu couldn’t help but lament.

He pondered for a moment and said, ”Fen Yang, why don’t you come out and eat it yourself? You’d savor it more personally.”

”Eh?” Little Fen Yang blinked, habitually making Du Yu eat delicious things for her.

With Du Yu’s reminder, a Little Black Gold Bird immediately flew out.

”Caw~” The Little Golden Crow, sporting an exquisite black gold feather crown, hopped to the bamboo bowl.

However, being only palm-sized, she was about the same height as the bamboo bowl.

Du Yu’s fist reached out to the bowl’s side.

The Little Golden Crow promptly hopped onto his hand and rewarded him with a peck on the back.

Little Fen Yang Demon Soul still nestled in Du Yu’s lap, looking up and giggling at Du Yu: ”Du Yu is so good~”

Du Yu shrugged.

Looking after you has become my habit too.

Peck~

The Little Golden Crow dipped in the bowl, picking up a small piece of ”maple leaf fragment,” drawing out a thread of crystal-clear maple syrup as she lifted her head.

Had Du Yu not known about the bitterness of maple sugar, he might have given in to temptation and scooped a spoonful to taste.

This scene was too similar to that famous dish—candied apples!

It’s been ages since I had them, just thinking about it makes me crave.

Maybe I’ll go online and find a tutorial after I go back, learn the recipe! I’ve been Chef Du long enough, it’s time to learn some new dishes.

”Yay~” The Little Golden Crow was delighted, spreading her tiny wings.

The Little Fen Yang Demon Soul looked satisfied, licking her lips and snuggled into Du Yu’s chest, rubbing his chest with her cheek.

Lin Shiwei leaned her elbow on the bamboo table, resting her chin in her hand, watching this warm scene with a smile.

Du Yu looked up at the girl across the table and started the conversation: ”By the way, Elder Feng’s Sorrow Seabird has cultivated to become a Saint!”

Lin Shiwei nodded lightly: ”Yes.”

Du Yu eagerly shared his story, ending with slight helplessness: ”The Saint of the Sea of Sorrow and Wind Saint fancy Mengnan.

Elder Feng has taken Mengnan as his closed-door disciple, keeping her by his side.”

Lin Shiwei’s calm expression seemed as if she already knew everything: ”Yes.”

Du Yu glanced at the girl suspiciously, unable to hold back, he asked: ”You knew?”

Lin Shiwei finally moved her gaze from Little Fen Yang and looked at Du Yu, giving him a slight smile.

That smile said it all.

Du Yu grinned: ”You really have become a Divine Stick!”

Lin Shiwei gave Du Yu a playful glower before gesturing to the bamboo cup on the table: ”Drink tea.”

Du Yu picked up the bamboo cup and drank the bamboo leaf tea in one go.

”Drink slower,” Lin Shiwei said softly, taking the empty cup and pouring more tea for Du Yu.

Watching the increasingly mysterious girl before him, Du Yu suddenly asked: ”Have you predicted when you can return to my side?”

Lin Shiwei’s hand froze slightly while pouring tea.

With just one sentence, the atmosphere in the bamboo house turned heavy.

Du Yu was undeniably a calm person.

Generally, when asking such questions, he would feel a little anticipation, some longing.

But this time, Lin Shiwei could detect a hint of dissatisfaction in his words.

Perhaps keeping too many secrets from Du Yu by Chi Ancestor and Lin Shiwei created some tension.

Everyone in the room was an incredibly powerful spirit, with exceptionally keen senses.

Lin Shiwei understood, and Little Fen Yang naturally understood too.

”Uh.” The little one nestled in Du Yu’s embrace, a small hand clutching Du Yu’s clothing, said softly, ”Don’t argue.”

Lin Shiwei poured half a cup of tea and gently placed it in front of Du Yu’s table.

”I can also figure out when to see you next.” Du Yu picked up the teacup again, ”What days are suitable.”

”Gulp, gulp.” Du Yu drank the bamboo leaf tea in one go and placed it on the table.

”The one involved cannot see clearly.”

”Hmm?”

Lin Shiwei took the empty cup: ”This is also why Chi Ancestor has never dared to contract with you. Only when it is isolated from the world can the foretold future be most accurate.

If it were to accompany you, it might likely be unable to see the future clearly.”

Saying this, Lin Shiwei placed the bamboo cup back in front of Du Yu.

”It doesn’t even need to accompany you.” Lin Shiwei continued, ”The time you and Master Qing came to the Cold Bamboo Garden, Chi Ancestor once had a conversation with you, and it couldn’t see your path clearly anymore.”

Du Yu said, ”Precisely because Chi Ancestor gave me a warning, my path changed.”

Lin Shiwei nodded lightly: ”After Chi Ancestor awakens beings, the future of the other party might change, which is not surprising.

However, Chi Ancestor has never been blinded. Your appearance changed its cognition.

So Chi Ancestor is adjusting its strategy to adapt to the unique you.

It will keep an eye on you in the Cold Bamboo Garden, only taking action when truly necessary.”

Du Yu nodded thoughtfully: ”Just like the battle last time in Xiangcha City·Bottomless Abyss.”

Lin Shiwei nodded.

Du Yu picked up the bamboo and wooden cup: ”You contracted with Chi Ancestor, so you can’t stay by my side either.”

Lin Shiwei also held the bamboo and wooden cup, to be precise, she held Du Yu’s hand on the bamboo cup.

Du Yu looked up, and their gazes intertwined.

In Lin Shiwei’s dignified beautiful eyes, there was an outpouring of gentleness: ”I was once somewhat pessimistic.

Confused about the future and about destroying Youhan.

So I thought about having you sooner, that way, even if some accident occurs midway, I would have no regrets.”

Du Yu: ”...”

Lin Shiwei: ”Now, Chi Ancestor provides me with a new route that can genuinely help us handle crises and assist you in destroying Youhan.

So, I’ve grown greedier.”

The girl released her grip on Du Yu’s hand: ”As long as we can win, whether separated for three to five months or three to five years...

Even separated for thirty to fifty years, I can accept that.”

Du Yu held the bamboo cup and tilted his head back to pour the tea.

”Sorry.” Lin Shiwei laughed softly, ”I confessed to you, stole your heart, and then tossed you aside.”

”Pfft... cough, cough, cough.” Du Yu turned his head, but the teasing made him choke.

What kind of words are these!

To put it mildly, you did it for us; to put it more broadly, you did it for the entire Twin Tree Realm, for the people.

Why make it sound as if you’re some heartless woman...

”Fortunately, the years are long.” Lin Shiwei looked at the continuously coughing young man, a face full of smiles, ”As long as we can win, we’ll have plenty of time.”

Indeed,

If we can win this game, the rest of life will be truly long.

”It won’t take three to five years.” Du Yu wiped his wet mouth, ”Do I not become an emperor quickly? It’s just a matter of months.”

”Hmm.” Lin Shiwei’s eyes brightened, her face breaking into a radiant smile, which did not fit her ”Ghost Poet Wei” title.

It seems, she is especially happy with Du Yu’s response.

Du Yu: ”Just now I wasn’t in a good mood, don’t mind it.”

Lin Shiwei didn’t mind at all, she just looked into Du Yu’s eyes and whispered, ”I miss you too.”

”Uh.” Du Yu touched his nose, his action suddenly paused, ”Should I leave sooner, minimizing contact with you?”

He completely understood now, what Lin Shiwei meant when she stood at the bamboo house door and said, ”Maybe my heart is not ruthless enough.”

Lin Shiwei poured another half cup of tea: ”Have another cup of tea.”

Du Yu grabbed the teacup directly, lifting it to take a big gulp.

”Then I’m leaving.” After setting down the bamboo cup, Du Yu picked up the wooden bowl, still filled with Little Golden Crow’s unfinished maple syrup and maple leaf fragments.

Lin Shiwei: ”...”

”What?” Du Yu smiled at the divine stick girlfriend, ”Didn’t foresee this? Not skilled enough huh?”

”Go.” Lin Shiwei laughed and pouted at Du Yu.

Du Yu turned and walked towards the door, picking up the Void Axe.

Though he couldn’t help Lin Shiwei much, at least, he could make the farewell a bit easier.

Just like before, he couldn’t assist Master Qing much either, but at least he could set the other at ease.

”Nai?”

”Pom...”

Lin Shiwei sat at the table, listening to the sounds outside the bamboo house, and reached for Du Yu’s bamboo cup.

The bamboo leaves within still emanated a refreshing fragrance, cleansing her heart.

She pressed the bamboo cup to her lips and drank the remaining shallow tea water.

”Swish~”

Meanwhile, the spatial rift in the courtyard quietly closed.

The timing was just right.