A Night of Rain and Reunion

That night.

Qin Yan lay in his bed, the sound of rain peppering the window with a ‘pitter-patter,’ occasionally interrupted by distant thunder.

Meanwhile, Xiao Miao, a young girl, was asleep on the small sofa in the living room. Despite her slender figure, the sofa was too small for a comfortable night’s rest.

They had argued briefly about who would take the bed, but Xiao Miao’s insistence on ‘ladies first’ had silenced Qin Yan.

Their perspectives on certain matters were often worlds apart, leading to misunderstandings where each clung to their own views.

After all, changing someone’s ways without great suffering is nearly impossible, much like the old Chinese saying: ‘A leopard can’t change its spots,‘ albeit a bit crude, it holds a grain of truth.

Thankfully, Xiao Miao was the one who had accompanied him back, not Fangyuan. Otherwise, the world might have gained another rogue.

Xiao Miao was curled up on the sofa, the only sounds in the room the rain and thunder outside. She hugged her knees, a thin blanket draped over her for warmth.

The weather wasn’t particularly cold, but being in a strange, unfamiliar world was unsettling. At least she had Qin Yan with her; otherwise, she wouldn’t know what to do. She glanced toward the bedroom, her eyes flickering with a mix of fear and relief, as if worried Qin Yan might suddenly disappear.

Thinking of this, Xiao Miao pulled the blanket tighter, inhaling the faint scent of Qin Yan. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she shook her head, chiding herself for her wandering thoughts.

****

The next morning, Qin Yan woke up early and tiptoed into the living room. He saw Xiao Miao asleep on the sofa, her lips slightly parted as she breathed evenly. Her pale legs were casually draped over the edge, her posture relaxed and unguarded.

Perhaps she didn’t understand why a girl should be on guard around a man. More likely, she trusted Qin Yan implicitly, believing he had no ulterior motives. In her mind, there was little about her that would make him look twice.

Seeing this, Qin Yan shook his head. In a world where women held power, a girl like Xiao Miao could easily become a ‘player,’ but their current situation was far from ordinary.

Qin Yan reached for the blanket that had fallen to the floor, intending to cover Xiao Miao again. As he leaned down, he noticed her eyes flutter open, their gazes meeting. An awkward silence hung between them, born of her disheveled appearance or his proximity, or perhaps both.

”You’re awake?”

Qin Yan picked up the blanket and placed it nearby.

”I’m sorry!”

Xiao Miao’s expression was one of apology, as if she feared Qin Yan might be upset about the blanket.

”It’s nothing,” Qin Yan replied with a shrug. ”Besides, you said you were sorry, so I forgive you.”

Xiao Miao blinked, her bewildered expression endearing. In her mind, Qin Yan was teasing her, and she couldn’t fathom what she might have done wrong to warrant an apology.

”You didn’t do anything wrong,” Qin Yan said, grinning. ‘I just think you’re adorable, so I forgive you.’

Xiao Miao found Qin Yan’s logic confusing, but his gentleness left her feeling both puzzled and content. She remained silent, allowing Qin Yan to stroke her hair.

”Breakfast is ready. Come eat.” Qin Yan said softly.

”Mm,” Xiao Miao mumbled, her voice still groggy with sleep. As a sixteen-year-old girl, this was her true self, but in her world, as a cultivator, she couldn’t show such vulnerability.

Soon, Qin Yan returned with breakfast—a steaming tray of meat buns and fried dough sticks. Xiao Miao found them quite acceptable, as similar treats were sold in the northern city. Sometimes, when she didn’t feel like taking Bigu Pills, she would buy a few to satisfy her cravings, much to Shizun’s disapproval.

”Cultivators should curb their desires,” Shizun would often say.

Xiao Miao’s enjoyment of the bun wavered for a moment at the thought, but seeing Qin Yan beside her, it tasted delicious once more. ‘If not for that old hag,’ she mused, ‘I wouldn’t have lost my betrothal to Qin Yan.’

After finishing breakfast, Qin Yan prepared to leave for work. He didn’t know what the future held, but he was certain that without money, survival in the modern world was impossible. Who knew how long this strange situation would last? Qin Yan needed to plan for the long term.

”I’m off to work,” Qin Yan said, then remembered something. He pulled out a spare phone from his pocket. ‘Here, take this. It’s an old phone, but you can use it to pass the time. There’s also a small box called a refrigerator; it has some milk and bread inside.’

”Work?”

Xiao Miao tilted her head, looking puzzled.

”Yes, work. You earn money, just like the commoners in the northern city. Of course, in this world, everyone is a commoner; there are no flying cultivators. Perhaps some might appear, given how strange things have become. I just don’t know what will happen.”

Qin Yan continued, ”Anyway, stay inside. If you get tired, you can rest in the bedroom.”

”Okay,” Xiao Miao nodded vigorously, taking the phone as Qin Yan left.

A short while later, Xiao Miao lay on the sofa, examining the phone, turning it over in her hands. She couldn’t help but think of Qin Yan, her mind drifting to him.

Work, earning money—she hadn’t done anything, and she couldn’t do much, being a wanderer. It felt as if Qin Yan was supporting her, like a kept woman. How could she be so lucky to be cared for by a handsome man?

In the northern city, Qin Yan had given her so many elixirs. It was all so confusing.

She sighed, looking at the phone as it suddenly lit up, startling her. After a moment, she cautiously pressed the screen, mimicking Qin Yan’s actions. To understand a new world, the quickest way was to read its books.

Xiao Miao was clever and soon figured out how to use the phone, downloading a novel app called ‘Tomato Novels.’ Seeing the vast selection of books, her eyes lit up with excitement.