Volume 3: Old Tales of Kunlun
You Must Stay by My Side for the Rest of Your Life.
You Yan asked nothing more than a simple question.
And this simple question, Yi Qiu had already asked herself countless times in the bottom of her heart.
If one day, the protagonist’s HE was achieved, and if she had a choice, would she go back or not?
If this question had been asked of her some days earlier, she might not have been able to answer. But at this very moment, after an extremely brief hesitation, she had already secretly made a decision in her heart.
She knew that she was weak and useless, and even frequently dragged the hind legs1 of others, but she was willing to believe that she was needed by You Yan.
She was willing to believe that she already understood You Yan well enough, and that You Yan had also opened her heart to her.
She still remembered, inside that tree hollow2 that had never actually existed, the words that the little red spider had written on the ground.
——Yi Qiu, you don’t know.
——You are just like light.
She had seen Huodou’s3 memories, had watched that seemingly dust-covered mortal world light up bit by bit because of Fuzhu’s4 existence.
If that was light.
If she, too, could become such a ray of light in the bottom of You Yan’s heart.
Then she wanted to stay; no matter what, she had to stay.
【Detected that the Host attempts to remain in the novel world. The Host has her own body, family, job, and friends. The Host does not belong here. When this world returns to stability, the Host should return to the real world!】
The little alpaca gritted her teeth and directly sent the System a “Twenty-Four Hour Mute Package”5.
Afterward, she lifted her dirty little head, her round eyes gazing incredibly earnestly at You Yan: “Rest assured, I won’t eat my words6 regarding the promise I made you.”
Hearing this, You Yan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly raised the corners of her mouth and asked, asking while already knowing the answer, “Which one are you talking about?”
She wanted to hear this little fellow say it personally, to open her mouth and say it to her once more——I will stay with you for the rest of my life.
Although there was rarely a word of truth out of this little girl’s mouth, regardless of whether it was true or false, as long as she dared to say it, she would never allow her to go back on her word.
“You Yan, as long as I’m still alive, I will stay with you for the rest of my life…” Yi Qiu said, pausing for half a second to find a supplement7 for herself, “Until the day you no longer need my company.”
Perhaps, one day when You Yan finds someone she likes, she won’t be so reluctant to let me go… It wouldn’t be too late to return to my own world then, right?
As she thought this, the back of her neck was suddenly pinched. She shuddered all over in fright and subconsciously shrank her long neck back.
When she came to her senses and saw the smile in You Yan’s eyes, she couldn’t help but lower her head and mutter softly, “Don’t suddenly pinch my neck…”
No sooner had the little alpaca spoken than her furry little head was gently pressed into You Yan’s embrace by her five fingers.
She leaned against You Yan’s chest. That body, usually somewhat cold, was now running a bit hot due to the severity of her injuries.
Yet You Yan didn’t say much; she simply extended a finger and gently stroked the damp fur around the little alpaca’s eye sockets.
Yi Qiu blinked involuntarily.
Finally, she tilted her head back slightly and gazed quietly at You Yan, and You Yan gazed back at her.
After a brief moment of eye contact, You Yan smiled and looked up toward the unceasing wind and snow outside the ruined temple’s door. Her brows and eyes were slightly red, and traces of water seemed to linger in those beautiful pupils.
Yi Qiu followed You Yan’s gaze. She didn’t know how long she stared, nor did she know exactly why, but she couldn’t help but laugh out loud as well.
Such laughter caused You Yan to lower her lashes again, shifting her gaze back to the furry little alpaca in her arms.
Yi Qiu felt a bit awkward and spoke up out of concern, “You… your injuries…”
But You Yan interrupted her: “There will be no such day.”
“Ah?” What no such day?
You Yan took a deep breath, then pinched the skin of the little alpaca’s left cheek with zero tenderness.
The little alpaca let out a muffled grunt.
The next second, she heard You Yan say something to her.
“You must stay by my side for the rest of your life, right here next to me, not leaving a single inch.” You Yan said, threatening her without leaving a shred of face8, “You should know the consequences of abandoning me.”
“…Are you going to eat me or something?” The little alpaca pursed her lips.
“If you try to leave, I will shatter your body, seize your soul, find a carry-on object9, and imprison it by my side so you can never go anywhere.”
You Yan’s tone was extremely serious, making it impossible to harbor even the slightest doubt about her words.
Hearing this, the little alpaca bared her teeth, unable to hide her dissatisfaction.
Yet You Yan simply reached out and smoothed her fur. She stroked it for a long time before continuing, “From now on, no matter what it is, you can tell me directly, and I will surely do it for you.”
“I…”
“How do you need me to help Jinwu10 and Fusang11?” You Yan asked.
Yi Qiu thought about it seriously, then shook her head. “I’m at a loss too. In this world now, the way everything is developing is different from the novel I read…”
As she spoke, she glanced helplessly at You Yan.
You Yan gazed back at her. It took a long while before she opened her mouth and said, “Then we’ll walk a step and look at a step12.”
“You…” A trace of curiosity flashed in Yi Qiu’s eyes. She hesitated for a good while, but ultimately couldn’t hold back and asked softly, “Why can you accept everything I’ve said so calmly?”
Could it be that You Yan wouldn’t suspect, nor hate?
Yi Qiu couldn’t help but think that if she were You Yan, she would doubt the truth of the matter, or perhaps hate and resent the author who created this world.
She thought that if this happened to her, she would definitely be cursing people.
After all, the world is so big and there are so many people to choose from; why did that author who deserves a thousand cuts13 have to force so much suffering entirely onto her?
But You Yan simply shook her head after a moment of contemplation.
“I do not believe that my entire life is merely a string paper puppet under someone’s pen.” She spoke softly. Her emotions seemed to fluctuate slightly, but were ultimately suppressed by force. “I am alive, living with absolute clarity.”
She said that everything she had experienced, every choice she made, and every moment of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness were all entirely within her own control.
Throughout her life, from the moment she left Kunlun Mountains14, she had been living with absolute clarity. She was convinced that a self like this was an existence that ink and brush could not bestow.
Not just her, but also this world, and every living being in it.
She said that even if this world was truly created by a “God,” that “God” could not control the entire world.
“I am simply myself.” You Yan’s words were exceptionally firm.
Hearing this, Yi Qiu couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Perhaps You Yan was right.
Even if this world was created by Little Bird Coo Coo Fly15, everything in it had long since broken free from Little Bird Coo Coo Fly’s control.
It was precisely because of this that everyone in the text made moves that contradicted the plot settings time and time again.
In this world, they had broken free from the constraints of the pen shaft16 and lived as their true selves.
“Rest now,” You Yan said softly, rubbing the back of the little alpaca’s head.
The little alpaca hummed softly and obediently closed her eyes.
She was indeed very tired; the moment she closed her eyes, drowsiness washed over her.
Her cultivation was too low. Even with the Blood Coagulation Bead in her body, she couldn’t skillfully use the spiritual power within it. During the day, she had enlarged her body and carried You Yan at full speed for such a long distance; her stamina had long been depleted. The only reason she had held on until now was that a string in her heart had been pulled taut.
Come to think of it, she hadn’t eaten anything today…
Also, as an alpaca, being grabbed by the back and lifted off the ground by a big bird with spikes on its butt was truly a terrible flight experience…
But fortunately, You Yan was conscious, and all the suffering had passed.
She and You Yan had finally talked everything out.
Just sleep for now. When she opened her eyes tomorrow, many things would get better.
Thinking this, the little alpaca shifted into a slightly more comfortable position and fell asleep peacefully in You Yan’s arms.
They were both covered in blood and filth, yet neither minded the other’s dirtiness. They simply snuggled quietly together, and unknowingly passed the uncomfortable, long night.
Early the next morning, Yi Qiu woke from her dreams with a hungry stomach.
She was lying on the dusty and particularly cold, hard ground. Looking up, she saw You Yan sitting nearby, roasting a chicken she had caught from who knows where. She couldn’t help but slurp back her drool.
“I’m so hungry…” the little alpaca mumbled softly. She got up and took a few steps to You Yan’s side, her neck stretching forward unconsciously, only to be blocked back by You Yan’s elbow.
“It’s hot, and not cooked yet,” You Yan said. Her gaze unconsciously glanced at the little alpaca, then she calmly looked away.
The little alpaca licked her lips and obediently lay down beside You Yan, shaking her somewhat groggy head.
She subconsciously looked down at herself; she was covered in dust and mud, and stained with blood that had already turned black.
So dirty, really so dirty.
But in the dead of winter, going into the river wasn’t a good idea. In this desolate wilderness, she couldn’t even find a basin to catch and boil water, so where could she take a bath?
Seeing the little alpaca frowning at her own dirty body, You Yan said indifferently, “After eating, we’ll go into the city to bathe.”
“Okay!” The little alpaca raised her head, her eyes lighting up. Then her expression sank slightly as she asked curiously in a whisper, “Do you have money?”
“No,” You Yan answered with perfect righteousness.
“Then how are we going to bathe…”
You Yan tapped her finger lightly, turning the stones on the ground into silver.
“This…”
“Fake,” You Yan said. “It will change back before long.”
“Ah? Isn’t that scamming people?” Yi Qiu whispered. “The person who accepts this money will be so wronged…”
You Yan glanced at Yi Qiu, her gaze looking as if she were watching a little fool.
Yi Qiu froze for a moment, gave two dry laughs, and said, “Sorry, I forgot, this is a dreamscape.”
As she spoke, seemingly to escape You Yan’s ridicule, she hurriedly changed the subject.
“Yesterday I asked you the question, you didn’t answer!”
“What question?”
“You… are your injuries okay?”
Hearing this, You Yan couldn’t help but ask back, “If they aren’t, what will you do?”
“I…”
“Could it be that like a cat or dog, you’ll help me lick them?” You Yan asked leisurely.
“I’d sooner tuitui17 on them for you!” The little alpaca said, turning her head to the side in feigned anger. “I told you I’m a human!”
“Then that settles it, doesn’t it? Eat when you should eat, sleep when you should sleep. There is no need for you to worry about my injuries.”
You Yan spoke indifferently, reaching out to rub the little alpaca’s head.
Though she said there was no need to worry, the corners of her mouth unconsciously lifted into a smile.
Yi Qiu stole a glance back. Seeing the smile on You Yan’s lips, a warm current rose in her heart as well.
There are so many deadly troubles in this world. To be able to settle down and bicker with someone who says one thing but means another18…
It’s quite nice.
The author has something to say:
Learning how to say sweet nothings from the bird woman; even the wife says Gan19 after hearing them.
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