Traveling Between Two Worlds: From Bread for Maids to Fantasy Overlord

Huang Yiming strode to the tree. Hearing the footsteps, Yang Xiu quickly wiped the moisture from the corners of her eyes, her fingertips repeatedly rubbing against the rough sleeves of her clothes, trying to hide the tear stains. When she looked up, a small face with tear stains but a forced smile came into view. Her voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of sob: "Young master, it's getting chilly. Please put on your cloak." She held the cloak in both hands and handed it to Huang Yiming, her fingertips trembling slightly. She dared not look him in the eye, afraid that he would see through her little scheme.

The cloak still held her body heat; the dense stitches clearly showed the effort that had been put into it. Huang Yiming's gaze fell on the cloak, his heart softening. He took it and draped it over his shoulders; the soft fabric clung to his skin, dispelling the chill of the night. He reached out and gently took her icy little hand in his. Yang Xiu's hand trembled violently, trying to pull back like a startled rabbit, but he held it tightly, preventing her from moving. The warmth of his palm spread from her fingertips throughout her body, instantly turning her ears red.

Seeing the disappointment and timidity in Yang Xiu's eyes, Huang Yiming spoke gently, his voice filled with doting affection. His gaze was fixed on her small face, not missing a single emotion. He had never forgotten that when he was at his lowest point in the other world, ostracized by the refugees, it was Yang Xiu who stayed by his side, sharing her meager rations with him and accompanying him through his hardships. This frail yet resilient girl was his first attachment in the other world, and the bottom line he wanted to protect.

"Xiuer, are you unhappy?" Huang Yiming's tone was gentle, full of doting affection, his gaze fixed on her little face, not missing a single emotion. He had never forgotten that when he was at his lowest point in the other world, it was Yang Xiu who stayed by his side and accompanied him through his hardships. This delicate yet resilient girl was his first concern in the other world.

Yang Xiu lowered her head, her nose stinging, and muttered softly, "No, Xiu'er just feels that Miss Yuling is more worthy of you, young master. Xiu'er is of lowly birth and will only be a burden to you." Her voice grew softer as she spoke, and tears fell to the ground, leaving small wet patches.

Huang Yiming reached out and gently wiped away her tears, his fingertips brushing against her soft cheek. His tone was unwavering: "Nonsense. In my heart, Xiu'er has never been a burden. If it weren't for your unwavering support, I would have died in the wilderness long ago. You are my first family member in this other world, and no one can replace you."

He paused, gazing at Yang Xiu's reddened eyes, and made a promise, word by word: "I don't care what others think, nor do I care about the difference in status. I, Huang Yiming, hereby swear that I will protect you for the rest of my life, and I will never let you down or abandon you. Yu Ling is my soulmate, and you are my life partner; to me, they are equally important."

This promise was straightforward and sincere, without the slightest perfunctoriness. Yang Xiu looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with disbelief. Looking into Huang Yiming's resolute gaze, tears welled up again, this time tears of joy. She could no longer hold back, throwing herself into Huang Yiming's arms, hugging his waist tightly, burying her face in his chest, and bursting into tears. The grievances and anxieties she had suppressed for so long were completely released at this moment.

"Young Master... Xiu'er is not afraid of hardship or fatigue, she only wants to follow you and serve you forever, and never be separated from you." Yang Xiu's voice choked with emotion, filled with deep dependence. Her small hands gripped his clothes tightly, as if afraid that this was just a dream.

Huang Yiming gently patted her back, soothing her softly, letting her cry in his arms. The evening breeze grew cool, but it couldn't dispel their warmth. Yang Xiu cried for a long time before gradually calming down. She got up from his arms, her cheeks flushed, and lowered her head shyly, her little hands twisting the hem of her clothes, looking adorable and endearing.

Looking at her adorable expression, Huang Yiming couldn't help but laugh. He took out a fruit candy from his storage space, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth. The sweet taste spread across her tongue, and Yang Xiu's eyes instantly lit up. Her cheeks puffed out like a little hamster stealing a treat. Her previous disappointment vanished, replaced by pure joy.

"Young Master treats Xiu'er the best." Yang Xiu said with a candy in her mouth, her lips curving upwards, her eyes crinkling with happiness, holding Huang Yiming's hand tightly and refusing to let go.

Huang Yiming took her small hand and walked towards their residence. Yang Xiu followed obediently beside him, her steps light and her face beaming with an unconcealed smile. She knew that the young master did not despise her; this affection was enough for her to dedicate her entire life to following him.

Just as the two reached the entrance to their dwelling, two dark figures suddenly flashed through the distant mountains and forests. Their auras carried faint fluctuations of spiritual energy; they were two Qi Refining cultivators from the Black Stone Sect. Crouching in the grass, their bodies covered in mosquito bites, they dared not utter a sound to shoo them away. They could only stare intently at Huang Yiming's residence, their eyes filled with greed and murderous intent, quietly plotting a night raid on the storage outpost in the back mountains to seize the mountains of supplies.

"That batch of refined salt and Western medicine are rare items even within the sect, and those gold and jade stones too—if we can get our hands on them, we'll rise to the top in one step!" The tall cultivator lowered his voice, his tone urgent, his eyes fixed on the direction of the stronghold, drool practically dripping from his mouth, completely forgetting Qin Hu's brute strength during the day. The skinny cultivator nodded repeatedly, swatting a mosquito on his arm, wincing in pain, but still enduring it, hoping for a quiet night to make his move.

Huang Yiming appeared to be leading Yang Xiu slowly forward, but in reality, he had already noticed the movement in the shadows out of the corner of his eye, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He remained calm and pretended not to notice anything, even deliberately slowing his pace and chatting with Yang Xiu to lower her guard. In his heart, he was already prepared. Since the people from the Black Stone Sect dared to come, he would make sure they didn't leave alive. He would use this opportunity to establish his authority and deter other forces with ill intentions.

Huang Yiming appeared to be leading Yang Xiu slowly forward, but in reality, he had already noticed the movement in the shadows out of the corner of his eye, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He remained calm and pretended not to notice anything, but he was already on guard. Since the people from the Black Stone Sect dared to come, he would make sure they didn't leave alive.