Chapter 74 Chapter 74: Sui Xiang
Chapter 74: Sui Xiang
After the four descended the mountain and returned to Gouwu City, Fiammetta stood before a wall with a troubled expression. On the courtyard wall, several ink strokes outlined a rough shape.
Judging by the outline alone, it seemed to be—a "door"?
"Miss Ling, although Miss Xi's methods are indeed... miraculous, isn't living inside a courtyard wall a bit too much?"
Her distress stemmed precisely from this. Could this be considered what the people of Yan call "failing in the duty of hospitality"?
"It's fine. My stubborn little sister has always been eccentric. It's already quite rare for her to come down the mountain. Don't worry about it; just let her be."
Ling smiled and nudged Fiammetta toward the kitchen. Rather than fussing over her reclusive sister, wouldn't it be better to have Fiammetta prepare some snacks to go with the wine?
"Alright... alright."
Unable to refuse, she reluctantly complied with Ling's wish.
——————
"Mmm, the wine here at your place really packs a punch, Kevin! Oh, imported stuff? Cheers!"
Ling's cheeks were flushed red as she hiccupped. Several plates of snacks lay on the stone table. For people, without these simple pleasures of food and drink, life would hardly be enjoyable.
Compared to Ling's unrestrained demeanor, Kevin was much more reserved. He ignored the drunkard, eating while reading the latest newspaper.
Although Gouwu was a place of simple customs, it was not isolated from news. On the contrary, the latest newspapers were regularly provided to the city's residents, with the gossip sections serving as after-dinner conversation topics for many.
And Fiammetta? She had gone to deliver lunch to Xi...
Holding a tray, the poor pink-haired Lupo stood hesitantly outside the "door" for quite some time.
Her slender, fair hand reached out and gently knocked on the wall.
Knock knock knock—
Strangely enough, the painting actually emitted a muffled echo, as if it were a wooden door. It was simply unbelievable.
"Miss Xi?"
"Come in. It's fine; you won't bump into anything."
A cool voice came from inside the "door." Fiammetta reached out again, and the ink strokes rippled like water. She passed through without any hindrance.
Inside, Xi was lying bare-legged on top of a pavilion, gazing at the clouds. Her long legs were fair and full, her skin taut, complemented by her picturesque face—a truly captivating sight.
Unfortunately, even including herself, there were only two people present, and the other was of the same gender. Such beauty went unappreciated, which was truly a pity.
"You're the first one to 'knock' before entering."
She spoke lightly, but her seemingly casual words seemed to conceal immense sorrow.
Those guys had no manners at all—coming and going as they pleased, as if they were living in their own homes!
Some with short tempers would even casually set her paintings on fire. The Old Celestial Master was like that, and so was Big Sister... It was simply bullying a dragon too far!
Compared to those dark forces, the polite Fiammetta was like a gentle, soothing stream. The more Xi looked at her, the more pleasing she found her.
"Let's eat first, Miss Xi. I've prepared some food. I hope it suits your taste?"
"The food is here? Oh, thank you."
Xi flipped down from the top of the pavilion. With a light stroke of her brush, Fiammetta below was steadily lifted into the pavilion.
"Mmm, not bad, not bad. Care to join me?"
After taking a bite, she nodded in satisfaction and decided to give Fiammetta the opportunity to share lunch with a shut-in.
"Sure."
Both were quiet by nature, and only the sound of chopsticks clinking against plates echoed in the pavilion.
"Miss Xi, what do you usually eat?"
Fiammetta initiated the conversation. After all, this place didn't seem like it had any food.
"What do I eat?"
She smiled, casually picking up a brush from the table. With a few strokes, a plate of pink dingsheng cakes materialized out of thin air.
"Is it the same method as Kevin's?"
"Want to try?"
Fiammetta skeptically broke off a small piece of the cake and put it in her mouth. The sweet, glutinous texture was quite pleasant—a rare delicacy.
"Now, close your eyes and reach out your hand."
"Done."
Fiammetta was puzzled. What was done? It wasn't until she opened her eyes that she felt something extra in her hand.
It was the dingsheng cake. It seemed to have appeared in her hand only at the moment she opened her eyes?
"What is seen is 'real.' As long as you don't see it, it hasn't happened."
Perhaps because Fiammetta had caught her eye, Xi spoke more today than ever before—quite unlike the usual behavior of that shut-in.
"Let's not talk about this anymore. Hmm~ What country is this wine from? I've never seen it before."
She curiously picked up an item from the tray. The unique bottle and faintly discernible aroma of wine piqued her interest.
"It's from Kevin and Miss Ling's table. Do you like it, Miss Xi?"
"I can give it a try."
She eagerly took a wine cup. Fiammetta declined the invitation to drink together because she didn't like alcohol—completely unlike an Ursus native.
As for whether drinking would cause trouble?
Please! No matter how incompetent she might be, Xi was still one of the twelve fragments of "Sui," right? How could she possibly get drunk on mere mortal wine?
Filled with enthusiasm, she poured herself a full cup. First, a small sip: The golden amber-like wine entered her mouth, its long-lasting and mellow aroma instantly filling her entire palate. It flowed slowly down her throat, warmly soaking every inch of her esophagus.
No wonder Big Sister Ling always talked about coming down the mountain—she must have been longing for such fine wine.
Abandoning restraint, she downed the wine in one gulp. The exhilarating sensation made her feel incredibly refreshed.
Cup after cup, the golden wine seemed to pull her soul into the past. She saw her still-immature self, her newly born and ignorant self, and even... Sui from days gone by?!
Boom!
A roar echoed through the painted world, as if some great terror had descended.
——————
Kevin and Ling looked up simultaneously. Their eyes were clear and sharp—not a trace of drunkenness remained!
"Something's wrong."
"Yes, it's from Xi's side. Pozëmka is there too."
Without any hesitation, in less than a breath's time, they arrived before the ink "door."
There was no time for formalities now. Ling and Kevin acted with surprising synchronization.
Bang!
Under their combined force, the "door" was forcibly smashed open—as easily as if they were returning home.
Just as Xi had said: Apart from Fiammetta, no one ever knocked properly...
The two looked up. The painted world had been turned upside down: Clouds churned wildly, and earth and stones lay scattered in disarray.
Above the mountains, an exaggeratedly large beast coiled in the sky. Its dragon-like eyes seemed to contain boundless resentment and fury. Its form was fierce and menacing, though for some reason, its overall appearance seemed slightly illusory.
Xi stood at the foot of the mountain, holding a crimson greatsword as she shielded Fiammetta behind her.
However, if Kevin and Ling weren't mistaken...
—She was trembling?
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