Chapter 663: Chapter 435: Falling in Love
The lamb was praised endlessly for its deliciousness, and the quail eggs surprised everyone as they were less gamey than ordinary bird eggs.
A hotpot meal stretched from just after sundown until nearly the second watch of the night, a full hour and a half, as the family engaged in leisurely chit-chat about all sorts of topics.
If not for the thought that Wei Ziang had to leave early the next morning, they could have continued chatting.
The table wasn’t even cleared yet when the Second Aunt urged Wei Ziang to quickly freshen up and go to bed.
Without even a chance to exchange a few more words with Xiao Mi, Wei Ziang, under the urging of the Second Aunt, reluctantly washed up and returned to his room.
He felt it was still early and that with at least five hours before departing the next morning, it would be enough time.
But evidently, the Second Aunt didn’t think so; she only knew that Wei Ziang needed to reach Lishi City early in the morning. Even if traveling by horse, he needed to leave before dawn.
This also meant deducting time for getting up early, having breakfast, and the time it takes to fall asleep after getting in bed.
So, as soon as they finished eating, she had Wei Ziang clean up and go to sleep while the rest slowly tidied up the pots and pans.
When Xiao Mi came out of her room stretching lazily the next morning, it was no surprise that there was only her left at home again.
Yawning, she went to the kitchen to find something to eat, and soon, two figures, one black and one white, came running in.
It was Xiao Bai and Xiao Mi; these two, along with Xiao Hei, had been sent over from Xiangmu Village early. Xiao Hei, having claimed a new territory, roamed constantly patrolling.
Xiao Bai and Xiao Mi were a bit better; besides Xiao Bai occasionally going out, they mostly wandered near the house.
"Xiao Mi, Xiao Bai, catch."
Xiao Mi threw out two quail eggs, leftovers from last night’s hotpot.
The two caught them deftly with their heads up, quite accurately.
Xiao Mi sipped some vegetable porridge, having eaten too much meat the previous night. Anticipating some heatiness, she had only cooked a pot of vegetable porridge, served with refreshingly pickles.
There was some leftover flour on the table, presumably used to make noodles for her brother, knowing that he would be returning to the army camp today and needing more food due to his activities.
After eating, Xiao Mi washed the dishes and then went outside to sit in the courtyard, leaning against a column beneath the eaves, with Xiao Mi sitting on her lap.
One hand petting the cat, the other stroking the back of the myna bird.
"Ling’er, I’ll give you two potatoes to plant a little further away, okay?"
The myna bird, nourished by Spiritual Energy, consumed food and drinks from the space, its physical condition far exceeding that of ordinary birds.
Especially now, as Ling’er.
Covering hundreds of kilometers in one watch is normal for Ling’er.
It’s much faster than traveling by horse since flying overhead allows a straight-line path without detours.
"Sure, since I’m full,"
Ling’er was grooming its feathers, and of course, when it said it was full, it meant its own full stomach.
It used to eat insects and small grains, which it naturally disliked, but having gained control, it later ate some fruits and buns.
So, whenever there were vegetables, fruits, buns, etc., it was Linger who ate; the tasteless grains and insects, those were for little Ba.
The current myna bird is completely different from the small figure it was when first bought.
It grew several times larger than an average myna, wingspan reaching nearly half a meter, and the whole bird measures roughly one and a half feet in length.
Its feathers are jet black and glossy, the bird vigorous and lively, even those unfamiliar with myna birds can tell at a glance that this is an exceptionally fine specimen.
Overall, its size and vigor are extraordinarily good.
As for its speed, with the added concentration of Spiritual Energy, it’s naturally exceptional.
Seeing Ling’er agreed, Xiao Mi took out two freshly sprouted potatoes, and Ling’er grabbed one in each claw before lifting off with a flap of its wings.
This task might’ve been difficult for Little Ba, but for Ling’er, it was a breeze.
Moreover, Ling’er, usually confined in the space, was glad to live outside whenever possible.
After all, having seen every inch of the space countless times, the outside world offered a fresh experience at every turn.
After Ling’er flew off, Xiao Mi stretched lazily, rolling over with Xiao Mi still cradled in her arms.
The once chopstick-long kitten had grown to weigh over ten pounds now, an especially large bundle.
Xiao Mi held the big bundle with one hand, scratching its chin with the other, leisurely moseying outward, Xiao Bai trailing behind as if it couldn’t decide whether to follow Xiao Mi or Xiao Mi.
Xiao Bai had also undergone quite the transformation; when first seen, it was a grimy, lifeless little creature.
Now, it stood taller than Xiao Mi’s knee, its bushy tail pure white, every hair snow-white.
Xiao Bai loved cleanliness and never needed help with bathing; come summer, it would stroll over to the water for a paddle every few days.
If someone happened to be doing laundry, it would ’Woof Woof’ for some plant-based soap to rub on, turning the entire fox into a fragrant, spotless sight.
But as Xiao Bai grew up, it became less inclined to seek affection.
Every time someone saw it during laundry, it was clear it wanted the soap, and it would whimper afterward as if in gratitude.
Its proud demeanor was quite endearing.
Its snowy tail brushed against Xiao Mi’s leg, prompting her to glance down at it, catching Xiao Bai looking up at her while vocalizing ’Woof Woof’, yet its eyes were on the Xiao Mi in her arms.
Xiao Bai had narrower facial features, a slightly pointed muzzle, round ears, fluffy tail fur, entirely white except for a black nose tip, and big, watery eyes.
Suddenly, for a moment, Xiao Mi felt she could somewhat understand King Zhou.
With just this fox face, she could see the charm and beauty; imagining it as a person, how breathtakingly beautiful it would be.
Notably, Xiao Bai didn’t shed!
Or more accurately, its shed fur was also snow-white, completely defying scientific exploration’s findings of snow foxes changing to grey-black fur in summer!
"Woof Woof~" Feeling Xiao Mi make no move, Xiao Bai seemed a bit anxious, nudging her with its head, yapping at Xiao Mi.
Conversely, Xiao Mi enjoyed lying in Xiao Mi’s arms, completely unfazed.
Seeing Xiao Bai in this state, Xiao Mi resignedly placed Xiao Mi on Xiao Bai’s back.
"Seriously, it’s just holding it for a while, as if I stole your wife. This hot day, with all that fluff, isn’t it too hot for you?"
Whenever she saw them unless eating or catching mice, it was always Xiao Bai carrying Xiao Mi everywhere.
Xiao Mi adjusted itself, ensuring it wouldn’t fall off; Xiao Bai stopped yapping, utterly content, which Xiao Mi could see on its face.
"You guys practically turn into spirits,"
She found herself interpreting the fox’s face as expressing romantic affection.
Oh well, being single for so long, everything seemed like a romance in the making.