Chapter 50: How rude!
When old friends meet, there are always endless things to talk about.
Even though there was no alcohol, these glasses of milk and orange juice were perfect for the occasion!
Both Chi Yuliang and Ye Zhibai had small appetites.
Even after they were full and satisfied, the large table of delicious food still looked nearly untouched.
The two exchanged a glance.
What flickered between them was a deep-rooted understanding from their childhood.
The decision that followed was spoken simultaneously, in perfect unison!
“Let’s pack it up.” “We’ll take it home and eat slowly.”
As soon as they spoke, both of them started laughing (Ye Zhibai laughed inwardly).
Who would’ve thought?
After all these years, they still had the same level of understanding!
So you see, being thrifty is truly a good habit!
Chi Yuliang leaned back slightly against her chair.
Feeling a rare sense of relaxation, she sighed softly and said, “Now that I think about it, it still feels like a dream. I thought I’d never see Ye Zhibai again… that we’d be separated by life and death forever. But who knew, the heavens played such a joke… though this joke almost scared me to death. Ye Zhibai, you don’t know how happy I am to be able to sit and chat with you like this.”
I know.
Because I feel the same way.
The enlightened Ye Zhibai silently took a sip of her orange juice,
and expressed her profound outlook on life.
“Just being alive is enough.”
“Pfft… isn’t that the truth. Ah… by the way, Ye Zhibai.”
“Hmm?”
“You still haven’t told me what happened that made you… uh, become so… charming?”
Pfft, cough!!
“Ye Zhibai!”
Cool Sister, don’t say the word “charming” while I’m drinking orange juice!
Don’t get me wrong, even I sometimes spin around in front of the mirror!
It’s not narcissism—it’s only natural!
Accepting the tissue Chi Yuliang handed over, Ye Zhibai wiped the orange juice from the corner of her mouth.
Her gaze drifted to Guang Yu under the table, who was dipping a duck leg in mustard sauce as she ate.
The main force at the dining table was always the little fox.
But right now, Ye Zhibai wasn’t concerned about her appetite.
Instead, it was whether she could answer Cool Sister’s question.
Because if she were to explain truthfully, it would inevitably involve Guang Yu.
As a sneaky fox, ahem, as a deity, Guang Yu probably had some sort of confidentiality rules, right? Maybe she wasn’t allowed to talk about it?
Seeing that Ye Zhibai had tilted her head to one side, looking at who knows what, but not saying a word, Chi Yuliang grew concerned and added,
“Ye Zhibai, if you have your reasons, it’s okay. As long as you’re alive and living better now, that’s already a cause for celebration. The reason behind it… whether I hear it or not isn’t that important.”
We… Even a real angel would feel ashamed of themselves in front of Cool Sister!
But this only strengthened a certain resolve in Ye Zhibai.
“Cool Sister, could you wait just a moment?”
“Uh… okay?”
Though she had no idea what she was waiting for, since Ye Zhibai had spoken, Chi Yuliang obediently sat up straight, waiting patiently like a well-behaved child.
Ye Zhibai wanted to ask Guang Yu directly.
After all, she didn’t know whether she could say anything.
Mind transmission* is activated!
[*”Mind transmission (脑海传声)” — *nǎohǎi chuánshēng*. This refers to a telepathic form of communication, often seen in xianxia and other fantasy genres【8†source】【9†source】.].
Ye Zhibai: Guang Yu, stop eating.
Guang Yu:Wuu-wuu-ah-wuu?! (Are you finally going to take away a god’s right to eat?!)
Her mouth was stuffed with duck meat, and she even worried that Ye Zhibai would snatch the meat straight out of her mouth!
Ye Zhibai was exasperated.
Ye Zhibai: You’re acting like I bully you and never let you eat!
Ye Zhibai: Is it necessary to act like this? When have you ever not swept the table clean like an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves?
[*” Swept the table like an autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves (秋风扫落叶)” — *qiūfēng sǎo luòyè*. This is a vivid metaphor describing how thoroughly Guang Yu eats, leaving nothing behind【9†source】.].
Ye Zhibai: You can keep eating slowly. I just want to ask—Cool Sister is asking about the reason my soul entered this body. Can you show yourself? Probably not, right? If not… I’ll just make something up and leave out your part.
Guang Yu: Oh, go ahead, it doesn’t matter to me.
Ye Zhibai: Mhm, if it’s not allowed, then forget it… Uh, Guang Yu, what did you just say?
Guang Yu: Eh? You can’t hear clearly through mind transmission?! Is my divine power running low again… so lame.
Ye Zhibai: This is called *surprise*, not a hearing issue. So, what did you just say?
“……”
Guang Yu: If you heard it, then why ask so many times?
Guang Yu: Of course, you have to ask several times to confirm something uncertain!
Annoyed, Guang Yu flicked her fox ears.
While continuing to gnaw on her duck leg, she began to “lecture” Ye Zhibai.
Guang Yu: Well… Normally, I definitely can’t show up. If I violate the rules of the Celestial Realm, those old guys up there would send down divine punishment, wiping out my soul completely! I don’t want that… Just thinking about it hurts, and I hate pain the most.
Ye Zhibai: Guang Yu…
Ye Zhibai: Is pain even the right word to describe this?!
Guang Yu: Besides, I still haven’t tasted so many earthly delicacies! I haven’t even cleared the second level of Yanglegeyang*, and I can’t live without mustard!
[*” Yanglegeyang (羊嘞个羊)” — This likely refers to a level-based game or a challenge. The name is playful, similar to how some games in China use fun or quirky names. Guang Yu hasn’t cleared a level in the game【9†source】.].
“May the lightning strike you.”*
[*” May the lightning strike you** (愿雷电制裁你) — *yuàn léidiàn zhìcái nǐ*. A humorous expression is often used to playfully “curse” someone for doing something ridiculous or shameless【9†source】].
Eh?! Ye Zhibai was just joking.
Guang Yu’s sins weren’t that severe.
But, seriously, look at her lack of ambition!
Ugh! It’s infuriating how little she strives for improvement!
Guang Yu finished the duck leg and pushed the plate aside.
She then got to the main point.
Guang Yu: The key is, it’s not like I can’t ever show up. For example, your friend across from you already knows about your soul entering this body, so she’s a person in the know! As a deity, I actually must tell her to keep it secret.
Guang Yu swayed her head back and forth before continuing.
Guang Yu: But even if I didn’t say anything, she’d probably keep it a secret forever anyway. So, Ye Zhibai, do you still want me to show up? It’s up to you.
Ye Zhibai: It’s up to me.
Wow, looks like I have some authority here. Ye Zhibai thought about it for a moment.
She concluded. Mhm… Guang Yu rarely gets the chance to show herself, so actually, it’d be nice to let her.
Even though Ye Zhibai often complains about Guang Yu—she’s gluttonous, lazy, loves to play, causes trouble, and is obsessed with mustard— there are times when Ye Zhibai feels sympathy for her.
Guang Yu can see this colorful world, but the world can’t see her.
Ye Zhibai couldn’t imagine the pain of having to hide under the table every time she ate.
Ye Zhibai: As long as you won’t be punished by divine lightning… then come out and say hello. It must be stifling for a fox to always hide under the table.
Guang Yu: I’m a deity! Not a fox!
This point was very important! The agreement was reached.
Under Chi Yuliang’s puzzled gaze, Ye Zhibai pulled her wandering gaze back and met Cool Sister’s eyes.
Cool Sister asked, “…Ye Zhibai? You suddenly spaced out for a while, what’s going on?”
Ye Zhibai answered, “Nothing, Cool Sister. I just have a little fox… no, a little friend I’d like to introduce to you. Guang Yu, come out.”
Guang Yu said, “Alright!”
“?!”
This sudden voice startled Chi Yuliang!
But what happened next was even scarier!
Originally, there shouldn’t have been anyone near Ye Zhibai.
But from under the table beside her, suddenly a “great fox transformation” took place!
A fox tail snaked upward.
That was the scene when Guang Yu, after undoing her invisibility, crawled backward out from under the table!
“Ye Zhibai!! Watch out, there’s a fox!!”
“Cool Sister, calm down, there is indeed a fox, but it’s fine… It’s a fox, but also a companion.”
“……”
Seeing Cool Sister about to rush over to protect her, Ye Zhibai hurriedly explained to calm Cool Sister down.
Ye Zhibai screamed, “Guang Yu! Crawl faster, will you? Didn’t you see you’re scaring people?”
Guang Yu was stuck under the tablecloth, wasn’t she? Ye Zhibai angrily kicked her, finally speeding up her crawl out.
Guang Yu stood beside Ye Zhibai. She shook her fox ears, wagged her tail, and was full of spiritual energy. The fox girl, now standing as a loli*, patted Ye Zhibai’s shoulder and with her other hand made a peace sign toward Chi Yuliang, showing off her small tiger teeth and greeted her warmly.
[*” Loli (萝莉, luólì)”: A term originating from anime and manga, referring to a young-looking girl with childlike features, typically associated with cuteness or innocence.].
“Hello, human! I’m called Guang Yu, from M78… cough, I mean, from the heavens! My favorite food is wasabi, and I hate chili oil the most!”
“Sorry, I’ve been watching too many cartoons and tokusatsu* shows lately.”
[*” Tokusatsu (特撮, tè cuò)”: A genre of Japanese live-action film or television series that uses a lot of special effects, often involving superheroes or giant monsters. Popular shows like *Ultraman* belong to this genre.].
Foxes have limited brain capacity, you understand.
Chi Yuliang slightly opened her mouth, looking left at Ye Zhibai, and right at Guang Yu.
Soon, she slowly stood up, walked around to Ye Zhibai’s back, and protectively held Ye Zhibai in her arms.
Holding her like that, she cautiously and subtly put some distance between them and Guang Yu.
After making these preparations, Chi Yuliang, still feeling uneasy, tried to ask,
“Are… are you a human or a ghost? Or… a little monster?”
“I told you already, I’m a god!”
You’re killing me here! I was afraid you’d ask that, so I introduced myself beforehand! And you still ask!
You humans…
Why are you all so rude?
