Chapter Seventy-Three: Peach

Qin Yu stared at the small figure before her and said in a low voice, “How did you end up here?”

Tao glanced at her, then gradually moved closer. Qin Yu raised her dagger defensively in front of her chest, her muscles taut. The girl, however, seemed unbothered by Qin Yu’s stance; she reached out, tapped the blade, and said, “Alright!”

Qin Yu watched as Tao withdrew her hand and asked again, “How did you end up here?”

Tao walked over and sat down a short distance away, tilting her head as she replied, “I’ve always been here.”

Qin Yu frowned. “Always?”

A cold, indifferent smile appeared on Tao’s face. “Yes, I’ve always been here.”

Qin Yu also smiled. “Do you really expect me to believe that?”

“Believe it or not, that’s up to you. I’ve always been here,” Tao said, fixing her gaze on Qin Yu.

Qin Yu met Tao’s eyes, sensing depths of darkness she couldn’t decipher. She looked at the girl sitting there under the cold moonlight and spoke, “If that’s the case, what brings you here in the middle of the night?”

“It’s nothing, really. I just suddenly felt lonely and thought I’d like to join you on your adventures,” Tao replied. Her words were casual, but Qin Yu could hear a hint of pleading in her tone, as if Tao feared refusal.

Qin Yu raised her eyebrows. “What is it about us that attracts you?”

Tao lowered her head, her left hand rubbing her right thumb. After a long silence, she finally answered, “Perhaps it’s the trust you all share.”

Distrust flashed openly in Qin Yu’s eyes, but Tao, with her head bowed, didn’t notice. Qin Yu looked at the lonely figure bathed in moonlight and said, “We’re not running a charity here. If you want to join us, it’s not impossible. But why should we accept you?”

At these words, Tao lifted her head and stared straight at Qin Yu. Looking into her eyes, Qin Yu was struck by the sudden feeling that this girl before her was her master—someone she would do anything for.

But no, something was wrong. Qin Yu bit her tongue hard, the taste of blood filling her mouth. Watching the cold, indifferent girl opposite her, she said, “You win. You can join us.”

Tao caught the scent of blood in the air and replied, “The feeling is mutual. You’re not bad yourself.” In this world’s end, there weren’t many who could resist her hypnosis. What surprises might this woman bring to her life? Tao was genuinely curious, watching Qin Yu adjust her clothes.

Qin Yu didn’t spare Tao another glance. “Rest here tonight. Tomorrow I’ll introduce you to our other two companions.” With that, she rose, walked to a table, and fell into thought.

Tao got up and walked to where Qin Yu had recently rested. She touched the still-warm bedding and felt an unexpected sense of comfort. How long had it been since she’d last felt warmth like this? Slowly, she lay down, savoring the lingering heat, and closed her eyes. She thought about Qin Yu’s words—companions, was it? She truly was looking forward to it.

Qin Yu seemed to sense when Tao had fallen asleep. She turned to gaze at the sleeping girl and sighed, wondering whether this little girl named Tao would bring them fortune or disaster.

She recalled the cold touch of Tao’s body when they’d first met, a shadow flickering in her eyes.

At that moment, Qin Yu had no idea that, because of this girl’s arrival, their lives were about to become far more interesting.

The newly risen sun bathed the land in light, its rays streaming through the window onto Tao. The warmth gently woke her, and she opened her eyes, looking around. She saw Qin Yu asleep at the table, her expression peaceful. Watching her, Tao felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if she’d once known someone who slept so serenely.

Qin Yu seemed to sense Tao’s gaze. With a soft “hmm,” she slowly opened her eyes and, seeing Tao staring at her, curled her lips into a smile. “What are you looking at?”

Tao, startled by the sudden question, quickly lowered her head, fiddling with the bedding in embarrassment, saying nothing.

“Xiaoyu, are you up?” came Zhao Meng’s lively voice from outside.

Qin Yu sat up and replied, “I’m awake!” She stood, massaged her aching shoulders, and walked out of the room. Just before opening the door, she turned back to Tao. “Get yourself ready and come out for breakfast.”

Hearing this, Tao looked up at the now closed door and smiled—a smile so pure it seemed capable of cleansing all impurity.

Stepping outside, Qin Yu saw the busy Zhao Meng. “Looks like Xia Cheng treats you well—up so early today, tsk tsk.”

Zhao Meng’s cheeks flushed. She shot Qin Yu a glare. “Xiaoyu, you’re getting naughtier! Hmph, you’re not allowed any meat today!”

Qin Yu burst out laughing. “Xiao Meng, since when have you ever given me any meat to eat?”

Zhao Meng, a little flustered, stammered, “I give you some every day!”

“Oh? Really? Are you sure it’s for me and not for Xia Cheng?” Qin Yu grinned mischievously at Zhao Meng.

“Xiaoyu!” Zhao Meng called out, her face turning even redder.

Qin Yu laughed uproariously. Xiao Meng’s reactions were simply too adorable.

“Why are you laughing?” A cold, detached voice suddenly sounded in the room, instantly sweeping away the cheerful mood.

Zhao Meng eyed the sudden appearance of the little girl warily. “Who are you? How did you get in here?” she demanded, edging closer to Qin Yu.

Seeing Zhao Meng position herself protectively, Qin Yu patted her on the shoulder. “Relax. Let me introduce you—this is Tao. From now on, she’ll be one of us.”

She turned to Tao. “This is Zhao Meng. We usually call her Xiao Meng. You should call her Sister Meng—she’s one of your new companions.”

Tao glanced at Zhao Meng, whose body was still tense, then looked at Qin Yu’s warm, smiling face, and asked again, “Why were you laughing?”

Qin Yu was taken aback—she hadn’t expected this question. Her smile deepened. “You’ll understand when you’re older, haha!”

Baffled, Tao looked at the still-smiling Qin Yu and the suddenly blushing Zhao Meng. Her face darkened. “You don’t consider me your companion.”

Sensing the dangerous aura radiating from Tao, Qin Yu quickly walked over, hugged her cold body, and said, “We are your companions. I was laughing because Xiao Meng always eats more meat than I do—she hardly ever gives me any. Even when she threatens to withhold it, it doesn’t work. Don’t you think it’s funny how she’s helpless to do anything about it?”

Feeling Qin Yu’s warmth, Tao reached out to hug her back and murmured, “Mm.”

Qin Yu let out a silent sigh of relief. She’d managed to avert disaster—at least for now.

Thinking back on the aura Tao had just exuded, Qin Yu’s eyes darkened. Keeping someone like her close was undoubtedly the safest choice.

Are there any friends reading along? Whimper, whimper, I have final exams soon. Even after being recommended, I still can’t manage to post double updates…