Still, she has truly grown up so much. "A woman changes eighteen times by eighteen" is no empty saying.
Cloud Retainer couldn't help but recall Shenhe's childhood.
"Seeing you reminds this Adeptus of Shenhe's childhood," Cloud Retainer remarked wistfully.
Shenhe's childhood? Such a sudden topic, but I'm intrigued!
Qin Yu, now thoroughly captivated, couldn't resist asking, "Is that so? What was Shenhe like as a child?"
"Ah, when she first came to Jueyun Karst, her hair was still black as night. She remained silent all day, gazing blankly at the sea of clouds..."
"Master," Shenhe interjected.
Cloud Retainer seemed to snap out of a reverie. "Hmm, Shenhe, do you not wish to discuss this?" she asked.
"...Not exactly. I'll tell her about it myself later."
Qin Yu was startled. Whatever Shenhe wanted to reveal personally must be something significant. Come to think of it, she still didn't know how Shenhe had become an Adeptus disciple.
Between the Red String controlling her self and her ill-fated Solitary Star Fate, her past must have been difficult.
The more Qin Yu considered it, the less she wanted to pry into Shenhe's past.
Mutual understanding deepened their relationship, and Qin Yu was quite content with their current "good friends" status. In fact, she felt it was best to keep it that way.
If they weren't acting, if there were no lies, their bond could grow even stronger.
But that was just an "if."
Hearing this, Cloud Retainer had no choice but to drop the matter.
Still, considering Shenhe rarely brought friends—especially human friends—her Master felt compelled to do something. To foster their connection, another conversation seemed necessary.
"Let me tell you about something that happened shortly after Shenhe joined the Adeptus Sect. One day, while meditating by the lake under my guidance, I turned to find her fast asleep, having plunged headfirst into the water..."
Pfft... Even Shenhe had moments like that? Qin Yu couldn't contain her amusement and chuckled.
Noticing Shenhe's silent glare, she quickly explained, "I think it's adorable!"
Shenhe turned away, a strange, unfamiliar emotion surfacing in her heart, urging her to flee this place. She understood her Master's intentions but found them difficult to accept.
Cloud Retainer nodded. "Afterward, this Adeptus carried her out by the scruff of her neck, and she fell asleep again almost immediately."
Carried by the scruff of her neck... Ah, she could totally picture it!
Cloud Retainer had used her beak to grab Shenhe's clothes, pulling her up like a fish on a line, while Shenhe maintained her usual expressionless demeanor.
The more Qin Yu thought about it, the more amusing she found it.
Poor thing, she thought. Being confronted with her embarrassing past the moment she gets home... Even Shenhe must feel awkward, right? Qin Yu felt a twinge of envy, but if she ever found herself in that situation, she'd rather avoid it.
Shenhe finally spoke. "Master, may I speak with you in private? I have... a question I wish to ask."
"...Very well," Cloud Retainer replied, a hint of understanding in her voice.
Eh? They're not going to continue?
Qin Yu felt a pang of disappointment. If only I could hear more of Shenhe's embarrassing past... I could use it to properly "punish" her later.
But seeing that the master and disciple had important matters to discuss, she had to abandon the idea.
This left her in an awkward position.
What should I do? Suddenly realizing she was still in someone else's home, Qin Yu felt deeply uncomfortable.
Think carefully. What would you normally do in a situation like this...?
I can't think of anything!
This isn't a normal situation at all. Shenhe's Master is an Adeptus! Right, first things first—I should give her the gift I picked out! But would an Adeptus even like something like this?
Qin Yu hesitated for a moment, thinking it was better than giving nothing at all. She beckoned Shenhe closer, then retrieved a small, carefully wrapped box of cookies from her backpack.
Trembling with nervousness, she blurted out, "Th-this is a gift for you! Please accept it!"
"A gift? Hmm... How courteous. This Adeptus does not dislike it. But what is this?"
"Cookies."
Qin Yu's heart was about to burst from anxiety.
If Cloud Retainer showed even the slightest displeasure, she might just jump off this cliff—a bit of an exaggeration, perhaps, but that's how desperate she felt.
Shenhe interjected promptly, "She spent a long time choosing them."
How do you know that?!
"So, mortal realm food. Very well. Since it comes with sincere intentions, this Adeptus shall accept it."
Qin Yu secretly let out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness.
How did Shenhe know I spent an hour choosing these? Was she following me...? No, that's impossible. If she'd seen me, she would have come over to talk.
Shenhe hadn't been following her, of course. She simply knew Qin Yu would do exactly that.
"This Adeptus and Shenhe have important matters to discuss. While you may not enter the Adeptus Abode, feel free to roam elsewhere as you please."
Isn't that just leaving me with nothing to do?
Normally, Qin Yu would have welcomed such an opportunity. Doing nothing wasn't so bad.
But this was at the residence of an Adeptus.
Qin Yu doubted she would ever return here with Shenhe again, but doing nothing felt wrong.
Shenhe's Master certainly wouldn't entertain guests like a mortal family would.
Besides, Qin Yu was hungry.
Shenhe must be feeling the same, since they'd been eating and moving together all day, their hunger cycles aligned.
"Then... may I light a fire and cook some dishes?"
"I don't presume my cooking will satisfy you, but I owe Shenhe a great debt. If not for you, I would never have met such a wonderful friend."
"So no matter what, I want to offer my sincerity!" Qin Yu declared earnestly.
Shenhe watched Qin Yu intently.
Evaluation: A
This child certainly knows how to speak, Cloud Retainer thought. Her deep affection for Shenhe makes the Adeptus's efforts to save her life worthwhile.
Moreover, Cloud Retainer was genuinely eager to taste some fine cuisine.
"Very well, then. You may use the cooking utensils over there."
A corner of the mountaintop was stocked with a full array of cooking equipment: pots, pans, bowls, and ladles—everything Qin Yu could possibly need. She was delighted.
Though she and Shenhe had cooked meals on their journey, they had typically only prepared a pot of rice and a pot of vegetables, eating with the two bowls and pairs of chopsticks they carried. The limited tools had restricted their menu.
Now, she could finally let loose and cook properly.
Hmph! I'll make absolutely perfect dishes!
"Understood! Thank you so much!" Qin Yu beamed.
She had Shenhe remove her backpack, then carried it herself to the cooking area.
Cloud Retainer and Shenhe watched Qin Yu's retreating figure.
"This child's grown into a better person than I ever imagined," Cloud Retainer remarked.
"Mm. She's so gentle. Not only has she accepted me, but she's also stayed by my side, fulfilling my hopes. I'm deeply grateful to her, and... I want to understand her even more," Shenhe murmured softly.
"Is that truly the case?" Cloud Retainer mused, not doubting Shenhe's words, but still uncertain whether Qin Yu had fully accepted her.
After all, they had both endured such a harrowing experience.
Since Shenhe desired to know the truth, it was time to reveal it.
"However, such an action might alter your relationship, for better or worse. Though I am detached from worldly affairs, even I understand the simple principle of 'maintaining distance'."
Shenhe hesitated for a moment.
As her Master had warned, this could change the dynamics between her and Qin Yu. It might bring them closer, or drive them further apart.
"I understand. Please tell me, Master."
Despite the risk, Shenhe still longed to grow closer.
She vividly remembered the fleeting moment of loneliness that had flashed across Qin Yu's face during breakfast before their departure, when they had spoken of being "like family."
Cloud Retainer nodded slowly. "Then come with me. We'll also use this opportunity to test whether your cultivation has progressed during your time here."