Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

Another night of rain, pattering softly against the bamboo leaves and rooftops, fell. Inside, a lamp was lit, its warm yellow glow dispelling the chill and dampness of the rainy night.

Xiao Bai and Bi Yao were playing Go again at the small table under the corridor. This time, Xiao Bai was playing white and Bi Yao was playing black. The black and white pieces were intertwined on the board, and they were nearing the middle game.

"Hey, you vixen, can you hurry up? Stop dawdling, are you laying eggs?" Biyao was getting impatient and tapped the edge of the chessboard with a black piece.

Xiao Bai picked up a white chess piece, twirled it between his fingers, and glanced at her lazily: "What's the rush? Chess is about calmness. Yao, you're so impatient, no wonder you always lose."

"Who's getting impatient! Who keeps losing! I clearly won by half a point last time!"

"That's cheating; you switched my pieces when I wasn't looking."

"You're the one cheating! If you're so capable, then don't take back your move this game!"

"When did I take back my move?"

"Just now! You tried to go down there, then pulled back!"

"That was me thinking."

"Think what?! You just want to take back your move!"

The two voices gradually rose, mixed with the sound of rain, but it didn't seem abrupt.

Jiang Xiaochuan sat in a rocking chair a little further away, watching them bicker. He held a book in his hand, but he couldn't concentrate on reading it. The news that Tian Ling'er was pregnant was discovered by Linglong that morning.

In the afternoon, he was picked up by people sent by Su Ru and taken back to Dazhu Peak. She said he needed to take good care of himself during his pregnancy. He should have gone with her, but Ling'er said it wasn't necessary, that his mother could take care of him, and that he should stay home and not worry.

"Xiao Chuan Chuan!" Xiao Bai suddenly called out to him, interrupting his thoughts.

"Um?"

"Tell me, between me and Yao, who's better at chess?" Xiaobai asked with a smile, resting her chin on her hand.

Biyao immediately looked over, her eyes filled with threat, as if she would pounce on him and bite him if he dared to say that Xiaobai was powerful.

Jiang Xiaochuan looked at this one, then at that one, and chuckled twice: "This... each has its own merits, they're all impressive, all impressive."

"Slippery!" the two said in unison, then looked at each other, snorted, and turned their heads away.

Jiang Xiaochuan chuckled, shook his head, and turned his gaze to the deep rainy night outside the window.

I wonder if Ling'er also hears this sound of rain on Dazhu Peak.

A clear morning after the rain...

Lu Xueqi got up very early and practiced her sword in the courtyard.

The Heavenly Sword has been passed on to Yueyao. In her hand is an ordinary green steel sword, but when she unleashes her swordplay, it is as smooth as flowing water, carrying a chilling aura and a natural Daoist charm.

Her silver hair fluttered with her movements, and her moon-white dress brushed against the dew-kissed grass, her figure as graceful as a startled swan.

Jiang Xiaochuan stood under the corridor for a while, watching until she finished her sword fight, before walking over and handing her a cloth.

Lu Xueqi took it, wiped non-existent sweat from her forehead, and looked at him: "Awake? It rained heavily last night, I hope it didn't disturb you?"

"No, I slept very well." Jiang Xiaochuan watched her and naturally tucked a strand of silver hair that was stuck to her cheek with sweat behind her ear.

"You know that Ling'er is pregnant?"

"Yes, Sister Linglong told me."

Lu Xueqi nodded, folded the cloth neatly, and held it in her hand. "It's good news. Your master's wife has taken her back to take care of her, and she's doing a good job. You... don't worry too much."

"I know. It just feels like in the blink of an eye, I'll be having my own child," Jiang Xiaochuan said with emotion.

Lu Xueqi looked at him quietly for a moment, then suddenly reached out and took his hand.

"Come on, walk with me."

The two walked slowly up Qiyun Peak along the stone steps that had been washed clean by the rain.

There was no one along the way, only the chirping of birds and the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind. Lu Xueqi walked ahead, her steps unhurried, her hand always holding his.

Reaching a platform with a wide view overlooking most of Qiyun Peak and the distant, mist-shrouded mountains, Lu Xueqi stopped, let go of his hand, walked to the edge of the platform, and gazed into the distance.

"Ogawa."

"Um?"

"Qiyun Peak will be even more lively after Ling'er's child is born." She had her back to him, her voice slightly swaying in the wind. "Sometimes I feel that time really flies."

Jiang Xiaochuan walked to her side and stood beside her, looking at the same scenery.

"Yes, that was fast." He paused, then turned to look at her. "Xueqi, thank you."

Lu Xueqi tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with doubt.

"Thank you... for always being here," Jiang Xiaochuan said softly. "With you here, no matter how fast or lively the days go by, I feel at ease."

Lu Xueqi didn't speak, she just looked at him quietly.

The morning breeze ruffled her silver hair and clothes, and the sunlight cast a soft golden glow on her cool face. After a long while, she gave a very soft "hmm," then reached out and took his hand again, holding it tightly.

The two stood there quietly, watching the clouds drift by, until the sun rose higher, before slowly walking back.

On the way back, Lu Xueqi seemed to talk more than usual. She mentioned that Yueyao had sent a message the day before saying that the white camellias on the back mountain of Xiaozhu Peak had bloomed, and that Jiang An had recently become very interested in identifying herbs and kept pestering Linglong... Her voice was light and gentle, but every word fell into Jiang Xiaochuan's heart, carrying a comforting warmth.

In the afternoon, Xiaobai took Jiang Xiaochuan to the hot spring in the back mountain.

In the rising steam, she lay lazily on the smooth stones by the pool, her wet silver hair clinging to her bare back, her tail swaying contentedly beneath the water.

"Xiao Chuan Chuan," she suddenly spoke, her voice moist and languid, "I have something to ask you."

"Hmm?" Jiang Xiaochuan leaned against the opposite pool wall, feeling drowsy.

"Did you ever secretly ship Xueqi and Biyao before?"

"What?" Jiang Xiaochuan didn't understand and opened his eyes.

Xiaobai rolled over to face him, her face shimmering with light, her spring-like beauty partially concealed. She rested her elbow on a rock, propping up her chin, her eyes sparkling with gossip and playful gleam.

"I just think they're such a perfect match! Look, one is a righteous fairy, aloof and incomparable, wielding the Heavenly Sword; the other is a demonic witch, mischievous and clever, holding the Soul-Devouring Weapon. The Blood-Devouring Beads in the Heavenly Sword and the Soul-Devouring Staff are sworn enemies entangled for thousands of years! This setting is so exciting! Good versus evil, love and hate...tsk tsk, how great is that!"

Jiang Xiaochuan was stunned and almost choked on his own saliva.

"Little White! What nonsense are you talking about!"

"I'm serious!" Xiaobai swam closer, almost touching him, the warm water and her body heat washing over him. "Don't you think? They used to fight every time they met, their eyes practically sparking, but there was also... um, a strange tension between them. Haven't you ever secretly thought about what it would be like if they were together..."

"Stop, stop, stop!" Jiang Xiaochuan quickly covered her mouth, his face turning red. "No! Absolutely not! Don't talk nonsense!"

The key question is, if Xueqi and Biyao heard this, would he even be able to live?

Xiao Bai pried his hand away, giggled, her body trembling, and the water rippled even more violently.

"Look how scared you are! I was just kidding!" After she finished laughing, she leaned closer and poked his chest with her fingertip.

"But honestly, I think Biyao and I are quite a good match. You see, she's lively, and I'm lazy; she's straightforward, and I... well, I'm smart. Our bickering and fighting would be so much fun!"

Jiang Xiaochuan's ears turned red this time, and he quickly nodded: "Yes, yes, you two are a good match, a good match!" He just hoped that this ancestor would not say anything shocking again.

"You're just being perfunctory!" Xiaobai pouted in dissatisfaction, reaching out to pinch the soft flesh on his waist. "You definitely think Xueqi is the best, don't you?"

"No, no, it's all good, it's all good!" Jiang Xiaochuan said, dodging the object while coaxing, "You're the best, you're the most suitable, okay?"

"That's more like it."

Little White snorted, finally letting him go, and lazily lay back down on the rock, its tail tip drawing circles on the water's surface. It muttered, "But seriously, when I used to read storybooks, I loved reading this kind of thing the most... Hey, don't fall asleep, listen to me..."

Jiang Xiaochuan closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep, but in his heart he thought, "This vixen, she's probably been cooped up in the mountains for too long and is starting to find her own fun. But... Xueqi and Biyao? Biyao and Xiaobai? They seem really good. Ugh, ugh, I can't think about it anymore."

A few days later, at dusk, the setting sun painted the sky a brilliant orange-red. Linglong led the children in playing their newly learned games in the yard, their laughter echoing through the air.

Xiao Bai leaned against a pillar, watching the sunset on the horizon, and suddenly opened her arms to Jiang Xiaochuan beside her: "Xiaochuan, come here, let me hug you."

Jiang Xiaochuan was watching the children play when he heard this. He smiled, walked over, and naturally hugged her.

Xiao Bai smelled of fresh scent after a bath and the warmth of sunshine; she was soft and comforting.

"Me too!" Biyao's voice rang out immediately. She had just come out of the house and saw the two hugging each other. She immediately squeezed over, hugged Jiang Xiaochuan from the other side, pressed her face against his other shoulder, and proudly raised her chin at Xiaobai.

Jiang Xiaochuan found himself surrounded by two women, feeling both helpless and warm.

He patted the two of them on the back: "Alright, alright, how old are you? Still acting like little kids."

"Mind your own business!" they both said in unison.

Lu Xueqi came out of the house, holding an outer robe in her hand. When she saw the three people huddled together in the corridor, she paused, said nothing, and simply walked closer and looked at them quietly.

Xiao Bai, with her sharp eyes, spotted Lu Xueqi. Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly said to Bi Yao, "Yao girl, look at Xueqi, doesn't she want a hug too?"

Biyao turned her head and saw Lu Xueqi's cold gaze. She subconsciously loosened her grip on Jiang Xiaochuan, but still protested, "Who...who wanted to hug me! Xueqi isn't as clingy as you!"

Lu Xueqi ignored her and just looked at Jiang Xiaochuan with a calm gaze.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a little guilty under her gaze, yet also wanted to laugh.

He released Xiaobai and Biyao, took two steps toward Lu Xueqi, and then opened his arms toward her, his eyes asking gently.

Lu Xueqi looked at him, then at Xiaobai and Biyao behind him, each with their own distinct expressions, and remained silent for a moment.

Then, in the afterglow of the setting sun, she took a step forward and gently leaned into Jiang Xiaochuan's open embrace, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her face against his chest.

It was a very light hug, but it gave Jiang Xiaochuan a slight jolt. He tightened his arms and held her even closer.

"Hey! You guys!" Biyao stomped her foot.

Xiao Bai chuckled and walked over, hugging Jiang Xiaochuan from behind. Resting her chin on Lu Xueqi's shoulder, she winked at Bi Yao, "It's more fun with more people! Yao, want to come too?"

Biyao looked at the three people piled up together, bit her lip, and blushed slightly, whether from anger or embarrassment, she didn't know.

She glared at Xiaobai, then looked at Lu Xueqi, who was quietly leaning against Jiang Xiaochuan's chest. Finally, as if she had made a great decision, she walked over and hugged Jiang Xiaochuan from the side, burying her face in his arms and muttering softly, "Fine, I'll hug you! Who's afraid of who!"

Linglong led Jiang An from the backyard. When she saw the "human pyramid" scene under the eaves, she paused for a moment, then smiled gently. She didn't approach, but just watched quietly.

Squeezed in the middle, surrounded by warm and soft women on all sides, Jiang Xiaochuan felt it was hard to breathe, but his heart was...

He shifted with difficulty, trying to give the person in his arms more space, but this only drew a disgruntled grumble from Biyao: "Don't move! You're squashing me!"

"Sister Linglong!"

Jiang Xiaochuan saw Linglong standing not far away, as if he had seen a savior, or as if he wanted to share this warmth with her. He tried to free up one hand and stretched it out to her, "Come on, squeeze in... I can still hug you."

Linglong was stunned, looking at the hand that was reaching out to her, which seemed somewhat helpless in the sunset, and then at Jiang Xiaochuan, who was surrounded by people with a gentle and helpless smile on his face, as well as the women in his arms and around him, who were either scolding or laughing, but whose eyes were full of warmth.

Her gentle smile deepened, and she shook her head slightly, but did not leave. Instead, she took a few steps forward, stood closer, reached out, and gently grasped Jiang Xiaochuan's outstretched hand, their fingers intertwined.

Jin Ping'er also came out at some point, standing in the shadows under the corridor, watching this lively and heartwarming scene with a faint smile on her face and gentle eyes.

She didn't step forward, but just watched quietly, as if she too was sharing in this crowded, overflowing warmth.

The last rays of the setting sun cast long shadows of the couple embracing under the eaves, their figures intertwined and indistinguishable. The sounds of children's laughter drifted from afar, mingling with the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind and the warm, close beating of their hearts.