The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 510
Chapter 510: Moving Windchaser
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
A young girl stepped into the ruined temple, her bright eyes lighting up upon seeing Lu Chao Chao and the others.
“Little benefactors, it’s you! We must be fated to meet again!” She carried a large wooden basin, plopped down onto a pile of dry straw, and waved enthusiastically at Xie Yu Zhou.
“Don’t pinch your nose! It may smell terrible, but it tastes delicious.”
“This is called snail rice noodles. There’s plenty of rice noodles at the bottom. Come, give it a try!” She broke a pair of twigs from the ground and handed them to Xie Yu Zhou.
Xie Yu Zhou waved his hands in refusal. “No, no! Whoever eats it is a dog! That is my bottom line!”
The last time someone cooked excrement had left an unforgettable scar in his heart.
“Chao Chao, you eat it! I refuse! I must uphold my dignity!” Xie Yu Zhou sat far away, covering his nose from the pungent stench.
Lu Chao Chao, however, narrowed her eyes and studied the girl. “How did you get in here?”
The girl looked at her in confusion. “I walked in, of course. My village is near the Matchmaker Temple. I often stop by to rest.”
Xie Yu Zhou and Lu Chao Chao exchanged a glance. Wasn’t the Green Fox Demon supposed to have drawn a protective circle?
“Benefactors, you can call me A-Man. I run a snail rice noodles stall on Xuan Wu Street.”
Lu Chao Chao sniffed the air. “A-Man Jiejie, I have never seen this method of preparing snails before. It smells odd, but it makes my mouth water.”
A-Man beamed. “That’s exactly the point!”
“I’ll scoop some into a bowl for you to taste.”
“This dish is unique to my family alone.”
Earlier today, she had failed to sell all her snail rice noodles at the market. Hungry on her way back, she decided to stop at the temple to cook herself a bowl. Who knew she would run into Lu Chao Chao?
“Don’t eat it…” Xie Yu Zhou whispered urgently.
“What if she put excrement in it? I have experience! Trust me!” He dared not speak loudly, so he sneakily winked at Lu Chao Chao.
Lu Chao Chao cupped the bowl with both hands, took a sip of the broth, and her eyes sparkled instantly.
“See? Smells bad, but tastes amazing!”
Lu Chao Chao nodded enthusiastically.
“You’re incredible! This is the best food I’ve ever had!” She had just opened the doors to a whole new world.
A-Man giggled and covered her mouth.
“I can’t take all the credit.”
“My grandmother, who raised me, taught me how to cook. She can make many things, even stinky tofu, which also smells foul but tastes delicious.”
“She even makes something called cake — fluffy, soft, and sweet beyond imagination.”
“I bet it tastes better than the emperor’s feast!”
Lu Chao Chao swallowed hard, stuffing more snail rice noodles into her mouth while savoring every bite.
“I was born as a Coffin Child, considered an omen of misfortune. The village wanted to burn me alive. My grandmother pulled me off the execution pyre and raised me at the foot of the mountain. She’s eccentric but has always treated me well.” A-Man’s eyes shone brightly.
“It was wrong of me to try and end my life today. She saved me. I at least owe her a proper farewell when her time comes.”
Xie Yu Zhou nodded approvingly. “I’m glad you figured that out.”
Lu Chao Chao didn’t even lift her head, already holding out her bowl. “A-Man Jiejie, can I have another bowl?”
A-Man laughed delightedly and filled her bowl to the brim.
Xie Yu Zhou glanced at Lu Chao Chao. Then looked at her again.
“Does the smell bother you? If so, go wait outside. We’ll call you in when we’re done eating.” Lu Chao Chao remained focused on her meal, entirely ignoring Xie Yu Zhou’s aggrieved expression.
“What flavor is it? Is it spicy?” Xie Yu Zhou asked hesitantly.
Lu Chao Chao’s lips were red, eyes slightly teary from the spice. “Spicy, but tasty.”
Watching her devour the meal without a second thought, Xie Yu Zhou gulped audibly.
Eventually, he caved. “Maybe… just a little for me to try? Just a taste…”
A-Man raised a brow. “Benefactor, didn’t you say whoever eats it is a dog?”
“Woof, woof, woof…” Xie Yu Zhou barked without hesitation.
The girl stared in disbelief.
“What happened to your bottom line?”
Lu Chao Chao had already finished her bowl again. Unable to wait, Xie Yu Zhou broke his own twigs and filled himself a large portion.
“It’s fine. Bottom lines can be moved.”
Squatting on the temple threshold, he slurped away in silence.
A-Man laughed so hard she nearly fell over. Her benefactors were truly free-spirited.
“It’s getting darker. Do you want to rest at my home? The Demon Realm’s nights have a Blood Moon, amplifying the power of demons. This temple isn’t safe.”
“Where are your demon friends?”
“Ignore them. A-Man Jiejie, if we go to your home, can we eat cake?” Lu Chao Chao tilted her head, scrutinizing the girl.
There was something familiar about her aura.
“Of course! But my grandmother has a peculiar temper, so please don’t take offense.” A-Man smiled apologetically.
Xie Yu Zhou glanced at the protective circle drawn outside the temple, his scalp tingling.
But Lu Chao Chao simply reached out. “Hold my hand.”
Xie Yu Zhou obeyed and followed her beyond the circle, heart pounding. However, as Lu Chao Chao stepped outside, nothing happened.
Xie Yu Zhou leaped in joy. “Ha! That Green Fox Demon thought they could capture us in three days? Dream on!”
“I just hope we find Windchaser soon so we can return to the Mortal Realm.”
“Windchaser was always pampered, with that glossy coat and the tiny braids Chao Chao carefully wove into its fur. Now that it’s in the Demon Realm, it must be terrified and crying. It must miss home…” Xie Yu Zhou drooped his head. Though he often competed with Windchaser for dominance, he always saw it as a friend.
“Glossy coat? Tiny braids?” A-Man blinked. “A plump, red-furred dog with a silver collar?”
Xie Yu Zhou jumped up. “A-Man Jiejie, you’ve seen it?!”
A-Man nodded. “I saw a Heavenly Wolf Demon return to the Demon Realm carrying such a dog a few days ago. I suspect it was an offering to the Demon King.”
“Oh no! If Windchaser is in the Demon King’s hands, is there any hope?!”
Xie Yu Zhou’s eyes filled with tears.
Lu Chao Chao remained calm. “It has a collar. If it were gravely injured, I would sense it. Windchaser is safe.”
“But the Demon Palace is heavily guarded! How do we get in? If you make another grand spectacle, the heavens will send their forces again.” Xie Yu Zhou shuddered at the memory of divine soldiers swarming the sky when the Green Fox Demon captured Lu Chao Chao.
She glanced at the sky. “As long as I reclaim what is mine…” She touched her chest, “I fear nothing.”
“The Green Fox Demon plans to present us as a gift. We just need to wait here in three days.”
Xie Yu Zhou scratched his head. “Heh, that works too.”
“Windchaser must be missing me…”
“Coming all the way from the Mortal Realm to save it, Windchaser will surely be so moved it cries!”