Chapter 41: Truly Irresistible

When Yan the Chivalrous and Bai Xiaoyue returned to Zhongnan Mountain, the sun was already setting and night was about to fall.

Little Bunny had been waiting anxiously. She and Pinecone had gone out more than once to look for them. Now, seeing Yan the Chivalrous and Bai Xiaoyue return laden with goods, Little Bunny broke into a wide grin and exclaimed,

“Brother Yan, Sister Bai, you’re finally back! Pinecone and I have been so eager for your return, we thought our eyes would fall out from waiting! Hee hee… Brother Yan, Sister Bai, you bought so many things—this is wonderful! Pinecone, hurry and help our brother and sister carry their things!”

“Alright!” Pinecone replied at once, stepping forward with Little Bunny to greet them.

Seeing Little Bunny reaching for the bundle Bai Xiaoyue was carrying, Pinecone quickly took the other parcel from Yan the Chivalrous.

Yan the Chivalrous and Bai Xiaoyue exchanged a smile and handed over their burdens.

Taking the bundle and feeling its weight, Little Bunny cried out in surprise,

“My goodness, this is heavy! Sister Bai, Brother Yan, you two must have worked so hard going down the mountain this time!”

“It was nothing,” Bai Xiaoyue replied with a gentle smile. “Little Bunny, not only did we buy everything we needed today, but we also got carrot seeds. Our home is warm as spring now, perfect for planting. Tomorrow, we’ll sow the seeds in the earth, and when the carrots grow, you’ll be able to eat as many as you like every day.”

“Really?” Little Bunny was overjoyed. “That’s wonderful! I love, love, love carrots! Hee hee… Sister Bai, you’re so clever. With so many things to buy, how did you manage to remember carrot seeds?”

“That was your Brother Yan’s idea.” Bai Xiaoyue smiled. “When we were buying food in Qixia Town, I mentioned that Little Bunny loves carrots, but it’s a pity that since it’s winter, there are none for sale. Your Brother Yan said, ‘If we can’t buy carrots, why not buy seeds and plant our own?’ As luck would have it, we found a shop selling vegetable seeds, so we bought both vegetables and carrot seeds.”

As they spoke, they entered the stone cave and soon reached their dwelling.

Yan the Chivalrous, together with Bai Xiaoyue, Little Bunny, and Pinecone, brought the parcels into the wooden house and set them down. Breathing a sigh of relief, Yan the Chivalrous said to Bai Xiaoyue,

“Sister, my task is done. The day is ending; I must hurry back.”

Bai Xiaoyue knew he had already delayed too long, so she did not try to keep him.

After seeing Yan the Chivalrous off, Bai Xiaoyue joined Little Bunny and Pinecone to open the four bundles and began unpacking them. When Little Bunny saw the carrot seeds, she seemed to see before her a pile of bright, red carrots, and her eyes curved into smiling crescents.

…

At dawn the next morning, Bai Xiaoyue rose from bed.

Little Bunny and Pinecone were still asleep in their rooms. Bai Xiaoyue moved quietly, careful not to wake them. After dressing and washing, she tiptoed into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

On the shelves in the kitchen were many types of food: millet, salted fish, cured meat, preserved eggs, and even golden chicken cubes, shredded fish with green bamboo shoots, salt-baked prawns, and pine nut biscuits—delicacies conjured by Yan the Chivalrous with his Paper Talisman Daoist Arts.

Gazing at the abundance, Bai Xiaoyue felt full of confidence. Today she would make a hearty breakfast, so Little Bunny and Pinecone could eat their fill and focus on their studies.

She was very fond of the two children and had high hopes for their future. She resolved to teach them everything she knew without reservation.

Not only was Bai Xiaoyue beautiful, she was also swift and skillful. In less than half an hour, she had placed on the table a fragrant pot of millet porridge with red dates, a steaming plate of golden chicken cubes, a dish of dry-fried yellow croaker, and slices of cured meat.

Just then, Little Bunny’s cheerful voice rang out,

“Oh, it smells so good! Sister Bai, what delicious breakfast did you make today? The aroma is tickling my nose!”

Hearing this, Bai Xiaoyue turned to see Little Bunny skipping into the dining room, with Pinecone at her heels. She smiled and said,

“Little Bunny, Pinecone, you came at just the right moment. I’ve just finished breakfast—sit down quickly and eat while it’s hot.”

Even before Bai Xiaoyue finished speaking, Little Bunny had already rushed to the table. Seeing the table laden with steaming, fragrant dishes, she clapped her hands and laughed,

“Wow, what a feast! Sister Bai, you’re so lovely—I like you so much! Hee hee… Pinecone, Sister Bai, come sit down, let’s eat breakfast together.”

“Alright!” Pinecone replied cheerfully as he sat down. “Sister Bai, thank you for your hard work!”

“It’s no trouble at all!” Bai Xiaoyue replied with a smile, ladling a bowl of porridge for him. “Pinecone, try it and see if you like it.”

Pinecone took the bowl and tasted the porridge, his face lighting up with delight.

“It’s delicious! Really delicious!”

“Is it?” Little Bunny cried, “Sister Bai, pour me a bowl too!”

Bai Xiaoyue quickly filled a bowl for Little Bunny, who took it, tasted, and praised,

“Mmm, delicious! Sister Bai, your porridge is so soft and smooth and sweet—it’s wonderful!”

“Really?” Bai Xiaoyue asked, half doubting. “Little Bunny, you aren’t just saying that to make me happy, are you?”

...

In fact, Bai Xiaoyue hadn’t planned to eat, wanting Little Bunny and Pinecone to have more. But after hearing Little Bunny’s words, she served herself half a bowl and tried it. Indeed, it was just as Little Bunny had said—soft, smooth, fragrant, and sweet. She felt gratified.

“Mmm, my porridge does taste quite good! Little Bunny, Pinecone, eat as much as you like. Once we finish, let’s go outside and plant the carrot seeds in the grass.”

Little Bunny and Pinecone’s spirits rose at her words.

“Hooray! I get to be a farmer today—how wonderful!” Little Bunny cheered.

Bai Xiaoyue smiled, “Little Bunny is right, today we’ll be farmers. Since I began my cultivation, I’ve never farmed before, so I’m a bit excited. I know the first step is to break ground with a hoe. After breakfast, I’ll use the Paper Talisman Daoist Art to conjure one, and then we’ll go and work the land together.”

Pinecone responded eagerly, “Great! Sister Bai, I’m strong—leave the hard labor to me.”

“Exactly!” Little Bunny laughed, “Pinecone, Sister Bai and I are just delicate girls, only you are a strong young man. Hard work like farming is just right for you!”

“Heh heh…” Pinecone chuckled, “Little Bunny, you sure know how to talk. Your words are sweeter than a song.”

“Wow!” Little Bunny’s bright eyes sparkled with laughter. “Pinecone, you may not be the fastest learner, but your compliments are getting better! What you said today is as pleasing as Sister Bai’s porridge.”

Bai Xiaoyue couldn’t help but laugh, “Little Bunny, you and Pinecone can flatter each other all you like, but must you bring me into it too?”

Little Bunny burst out laughing, and Pinecone joined in.

Merrily joking, they finished their breakfast. Once Bai Xiaoyue had swiftly washed the dishes and tidied up, the three went to the study.

Standing before the desk, Bai Xiaoyue picked up a brush, dipped it in cinnabar ink, and with a few swift strokes drew a hoe on a talisman paper. Setting down the brush, she picked up the paper talisman and began to channel her Daoist art to bring the hoe to life…