My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

She almost accidentally revealed Immortal Lady Yin.

Immortal Lady Yin had promised to help her transform into a ghost. Even if she didn’t turn her into a ghost, she would allow her to consume energy. If this was exposed, all efforts would be in vain.

Chen Yi’s face was full of helplessness, and after a while, he could only say: "Then you should go back first, I’ll bring you some food later, how about that?"

Donggong Ruoshu nodded, but just nodded, still disagreeing in her heart.

Chen Yi turned around and returned to the guest courtyard, returned to the table; at this moment, there was still half a bowl of rice remaining, almost finished. Beside him, Lin Wanxiao had a small appetite, her bowl was empty, and she glanced fearfully at the window.

"Are you afraid of ghosts too?" Chen Yi asked with a smile.

Lin Wanxiao hesitated for a moment, then slightly nodded, "A bit..."

"Ghosts don’t exist during the Lunar New Year; at most, there are Year Beasts." Chen Yi teased.

Lin Wanxiao opened her mouth, wanting to speak but hesitated, ultimately choosing not to respond.

This made Yin Weiyin anxious, and for a moment she felt the same anxiety the little fox had felt watching her.

Just at that moment, Xiuhe couldn’t stand it anymore and spoke up: "Sir is unaware, Madam is very afraid of ghosts. When in the Cui Family, the yard was so cold and quiet that she slept holding me."

Lin Wanxiao’s cheeks flushed red instantly as she admonished, "Xiuhe!"

She turned her head hastily, noticing Chen Yi was smiling broadly at her, feeling instantly embarrassed.

Chen Yi just kept watching, not speaking for a long time, and Lin Wanxiao couldn’t help but mumble, "I’m just a weak woman, unlike you who knows magic; what can I do if a ghost comes?"

"So, if you learned some magic, you’d be fine?"

"...Mm..."

"But you’re not very brave, probably not even as brave as the little fox."

"...I’ve never practiced before, how do you know..."

Lin Wanxiao’s stubborn demeanor seemed a bit spirited, and Chen Yi kept watching, playing along: "That’s what people say, but staying on the mountain is boring, it’s even more boring than being widowed."

Upon hearing him mention being widowed so casually, Lin Wanxiao’s gaze changed slightly; his heart... might no longer have any reservations?

Chen Yi was oblivious to the complex emotions of the little lady and continued:

"No one really celebrates festivals on the mountain; at most, during New Year’s, I fire off some firecrackers and celebrate alone, making dumplings or mooncakes and entertaining myself."

Yin Weiyin responded to this: "Immortals practice as they should. In the South of Chu lives a Netherworld Spirit, five hundred years in spring, five hundred years in autumn; if five hundred years pass in the blink of an eye, why live like mortals?"

Chen Yi lowered his eyes slightly; Yin Weiyin sometimes spoke unpleasantly, making people resentful, which made him very much want to show her his capabilities.

The female crown saw he didn’t respond, thinking he was humbly accepting her teachings.

This evening also counted as their New Year’s dinner; Chen Yi didn’t want anyone being unhappy, besides, the fireworks hadn’t been set off yet.

After shoveling down a few more bites, Chen Yi put down his bowl and chopsticks and said, "Let’s set off the fireworks."

With that, he got up and started handling the fireworks and firecrackers he had long prepared.

Yin Weiyin wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, holding Qin Yue’s hand as they followed him, Lin Wanxiao quietly rose, joining them as they walked out to the open section of the courtyard.

The night was already deep, with the lantern glow carving circles of warm orange on the ground.

Chen Yi efficiently arranged various fireworks in the open space, holding a lit incense stick, the crimson tip striking against the night.

Qin Yue was already bursting with excitement, hopping around the fireworks, her little face full of expectation, pointing to this one then that one, chattering nonstop.

Chen Yi adjusted the fireworks’ positions while patiently answering his daughter’s questions, a relaxed smile on his face.

Lin Wanxiao quietly stood a few paces behind Yin Weiyin and Qin Yue, watching the scene unfold.

The tall, handsome man patiently accompanied the charming daughter, and beside them stood a graceful woman in Taoist dress, illuminated by lantern and moonlight, looking like a harmonious family portrait.

And her? She felt more like an extra observer.

She knew she was actually just an accessory, invited so that Yin Weiyin could flaunt her grace, even on nights like this, which seemed like a family reunion, the focus was probably still on spending more time with his precious daughter.

To him, perhaps... she always felt a separation.

Thinking of this, Lin Wanxiao unintentionally raised a hand to gently touch her still flat and thin abdomen, her emotions complex and sour, all sorts of indescribable flavors flooding her heart, leaving her somewhat dazed, staring blankly at the flickering lantern shadows.

Suddenly, a figure jumped in front of her, carried by the wind, interrupting her thoughts.

Lin Wanxiao was startled, and upon closer look, it was Chen Yi who somehow appeared before her.

He still held that incense stick in his hand, slightly furrowing his brows, gazing at her as if puzzled, with a tone both imperative and urging:

"What are you dawdling for?" He thrust another unlit incense stick in front of her, "Still not setting off the fireworks? Standing there won’t help you see any flowers?"

His voice shattered the fragile shell of self-pity surrounding Lin Wanxiao, jolting her back to awareness.

She looked at the incense stick he held out to her, feeling momentarily at a loss.

Seeing her unmoved, Chen Yi simply thrust the stick into her cool hand, his tone slightly softer: "What, Miss Lin doesn’t even dare to set off fireworks? Or are you waiting for me to light them for you?"

Lin Wanxiao regained her composure and retorted, "I am not a young lady."

"Then what are you?"

"...Madam."

He smirked slightly and continued: "Whose madam?"