Chapter 106: Never Above

I cannot fathom why Wangchuan refuses to tell me.

I wanted to wait until we returned to ask him, but I feared that if I confronted that old fox, I would be completely outplayed and left frustrated. Yet, my curiosity is so intense that if I don’t find out, I feel like I’ll explode at any moment. After much deliberation, I reached two conclusions: First, I could have Yubao take me into the forest to see Rebecca and find out for myself; second, I could go home and demand answers from Wangchuan.

After a long time, I chose the latter. Even though Wangchuan might try to deflect the conversation until I forget, I figured that as long as I stay firm and don't let it go, it should be fine, right?

Yubao tapped Xiaomi on the head a few times, leaving her lying on her back in a daze. Having made up my mind, I turned back to find Wangchuan. He hadn’t returned yet when I got back, and I had no idea where he had gone. But when he finally did return, I caught a faint scent of Pei Mu on him.

"Did you go see Pei Mu?" I trailed after him, fidgeting. I was currently in human form, wearing multiple layers of clothing just in case! I was terrified he might turn me back into my original form—which would leave me naked and impossible to resist—so I had dressed heavily as a precaution.

Wangchuan looked at me, layered up like a cake, and chuckled. "Your nose has become quite sharp."

"Heh heh," I gave a devious smile. "Maybe it’s because I’ve been with you for so long... By the way, I have something to ask you."

"Wait until we get inside."

I trotted along behind him, the matter weighing heavily on my mind, until Wangchuan took out a small container and placed it on the table. "Try it and see if it’s edible."

"What is this?" I curiously opened it and found a layer of something resembling dry ice, emitting white mist and smelling sweet! "Ice cream?" I noticed a small silver spoon beside it, looking exquisite.

"Ice made from the thousand-year pure spring water of Nanchuan," Wangchuan said, dropping a strange name.

"Are you sure this is edible?" I poked it with the spoon; it felt like shaved ice.

"It should be, right?" Wangchuan glanced at it, looking uninterested. "I had Pei Mu get some Immortal Cherry Fruits from the fruit immortals in the Immortal Realm to mix in. It probably won't... taste terrible." He paused at the end, as if he lacked confidence himself.

"And what is this pure spring water?"

"It’s a well in Nanchuan. It produces only one drop of ice every hundred years. It’s very pure, won’t upset your stomach, and is rich in spiritual energy."

Hearing this, I suddenly froze. "Where is Nanchuan?"

"Why do you keep asking so many questions?"

"Where is Nanchuan!"

"The Spirit Realm."

I blinked. I had gotten my answer, but I was still confused. I realized that this box of ice must have taken thousands of years to form. He had traveled to the Spirit Realm and then to the Immortal Realm just because I wanted ice cream? Would it upset my stomach? I... I had only wanted it because I saw Xiaomi eating something, and since Yubao was so attentive, I just wanted him to be a little more considerate...

Looking at the box emitting a cold mist, my vision blurred. I wanted to cry. I couldn't explain the feeling, only that I felt incredibly selfish. Perhaps noticing my unhappy expression, Wangchuan looked confused. "Don't you want to eat it?"

"No, it's not that," I shook my head, wiping my face.

"If you don't want it now, you can leave it. It won't melt, so you can have it whenever you like..."

Before he could finish, I lunged forward and hugged him tightly.

"Master."

"Hmm?"

"I won't be so willful in the future..."

"What's wrong?"

"Am I being too much trouble?"

"It's fine. Just be obedient."

I started to cry, weeping for a long while. Wangchuan didn't say anything, perhaps thinking I was just having a bad day, and simply held me until I was finished. Once I stopped, I hurried back to the table, used the small silver spoon to scoop out a bit of the ice, and put it in my mouth.

Mmm, it tasted like fruit sorbet! It felt even more refreshing than the kind sold on the streets! "These fruits are so good," I said, poking at the little berries. They were sweet and sour, and just like the ice, they felt incredibly clean and fresh!

"Indeed..." Wangchuan lazily grabbed a fan and waved it a few times. "The Immortal Realm is bizarre. Cherries growing in raging fire—it nearly singed my fur..."

"Eh?" The old man was actually using words like "bizarre"? And he seemed to be complaining... Was this the start of him becoming more human? Or perhaps, after being with me for so long, we were naturally becoming more alike!

I only ate a little of the sorbet, unwilling to finish it all at once. I didn't say much else; even though Wangchuan seemed to have gone to great lengths for this one box, starting from early morning and running around until now, I just couldn't find the words to be overly affectionate.

After confirming he wasn't hurt, I just held him while we sat on the rocking chair in the Chongye Hall, swaying back and forth. Actually, this wasn't much different from Yubao holding Xiaomi. What was there for me to envy? Days like these were leisurely, and being silently loved by him—if you ignored that chilly face and felt it with your heart—was truly blissful!

Besides, when I thought about it, my Wangchuan might be even better than Yubao... Had I really struck gold? Watching Wangchuan, who was still resting comfortably on the rocking chair with his eyes half-closed, I felt a sweet, pleasant surprise in my heart.

That night, I naturally took good care of the big cat, taking the opportunity to check for any injuries. Ever since he let his guard down last time, Wangchuan seemed to have fallen in love with me taking the initiative, and he always preferred me to be on top...

But honestly! He was so recklessly stubborn! I got angry just thinking about those cherries growing in the fire! Those fires in the Immortal Realm must have been terrifying, right? Even if he was a fierce beast, he was still carrying injuries; he shouldn't be pushing himself like that! And he didn't even tell me where he was going, just said he was heading out—I thought he was just going for a stroll like he usually did. It wasn't like he ever told me what he was doing before, anyway...

No, I have to discipline him strictly from now on! He must report before he leaves!

Just like that, my day was thrown into chaos again, and I forgot to ask about Rebecca. That was until I drifted off into a restless sleep and dreamed of being in the forest, surrounded by Rebecca and the other kittens!

I woke up with a start, drenched in sweat, and looked at Wangchuan beside me. He didn't make a sound, but he reached out an arm and pulled me into his embrace, my back against his chest.

"Had a nightmare?" His voice was still groggy, as if he couldn't be bothered to open his mouth.

"Yeah..."

"Don't be afraid." He reached out to touch my forehead.

Once I calmed down, I immediately turned around and poked his collarbone. "By the way, where did Rebecca go?"

"Why are you asking this in the middle of the night?"

"I know everything. You left her in the forest, but why wouldn't you let anyone tell me?"

"Oh." Wangchuan didn't seem the least bit surprised. He shifted slightly and explained, "I was afraid you'd get in the way."

"How did I get in the way..." My voice lacked conviction; it seemed I was the one who usually got in the way the most.

"I stripped her of her authority last time. If you hadn't pleaded for her, I wouldn't have relented. I wouldn't have let her come so close to harming my cub."

"Cub?" I touched my stomach. "What does that mean?!"

"If she had only targeted me, I could have let her enter the cycle of reincarnation and ended it there. But she added something to the soul-bewitching powder. I wasn't happy about that."

"What did she add?" I suddenly felt nervous. He was really too kind to Rebecca; even after all she had done, he was still willing to let her reincarnate.

Wangchuan seemed to know what I was thinking and reached out to pinch my cheek. "Because she saved me once, I owed her a life. This time, she used the same method to harm me; the two cancel each other out. Letting her reincarnate is the most correct choice."

I was speechless for a long moment. I hadn't expected the old man to be so righteous and able to distinguish right from wrong.

"But what did she add?!"

"Don't ask. Go to sleep."

"Damn it, you can't do this!" I jumped up immediately. How could he keep this from me when it might be a matter of life and death?! Telling me the baby might be in trouble and then stopping—how was I supposed to sleep?!

"Who are you snapping at?" Wangchuan narrowed his eyes, and his pupils flashed.

I shrank back, wanting to cry. But having truly become "Mrs. Wang," my courage had grown. I sat up, put my hands on my hips, and roared, "You! If you don't tell me what it was, I will never, ever be on top again!"