Ye Qiu went to Old Jack's house, stayed for only a short while, had some snacks, and took two carrots with him.
He left behind more than ten gold soul coins before heading home.
Ever since Xiao Wu became the top dog of Nuoding Academy, their work-study students' meal expenses had been covered by Xiao Chenyu. As a result, Ye Qiu had actually saved up a decent amount of gold soul coins, which included the money he earned from Xiao Wu and the extra meals provided by Master Matthew Nuo.
By now, Ye Qiu was considered quite well-off in Saint Soul Village—he might even be the richest person in town.
Even giving away most of his savings didn't make Ye Qiu feel bad. After all, he didn't need to forge hidden weapons, and it was easy for him to earn more money if needed. Besides, he had grown up eating other people's food—it was only right to return the favor and provide some support.
Ye Qiu had a rough burlap sack slung around his neck, filled with a few carrots, and was walking with Xiao Wu toward his home.
"Ye Qiu, where do you live?" Xiao Wu asked softly, nibbling on a carrot and tugging at the corner of his shirt.
"Are you just trying to make conversation?" Ye Qiu rolled his eyes. She had clearly seen his memories—how could she not know where he lived?
"If you've got something to say, just say it."
Based on Ye Qiu's understanding of Xiao Wu, no matter how naive she was, she wouldn't ask such a basic question without a reason.
Xiao Wu pouted, then clung to Ye Qiu's arm and leaned in close to whisper in his ear, "I just want to know... why did you ask me to stay away from Tang San?"
"I'll find time to explain it to you in the future. But if you want to get close to him… I won't stop you either," Ye Qiu frowned slightly. If he weren't worried about scaring Xiao Wu, he would've already told her about Tang Hao being a titled Douluo.
Sensing Ye Qiu's displeasure, Xiao Wu quickly explained, "No, I-I didn't mean that! I wasn't planning to get close to him. I always listen to you…"
"Let go a little—you're too close, it's hot!"
Ye Qiu's voice carried a hint of irritation, and Xiao Wu finally realized she was clinging to him too tightly. But she was being honest—she had turned down plenty of chances to spar with Tang San.
Before long—
Ye Qiu arrived at his little wooden house.
It was divided by wooden planks and a curtain—one bedroom, one living room, and one bathroom. Though small, it had everything necessary.
"Alright, we're here."
Ye Qiu pulled out a key from his chest pocket with a sense of ceremony and opened the worn-out door.
Xiao Wu followed closely behind.
"Ahh~ I'm so tired!"
Ye Qiu didn't care about the dust on the bed and flopped down on it directly.
Seeing Ye Qiu's flushed, exhausted face, Xiao Wu rolled her eyes. Other than training and bullying her, Ye Qiu was always this lazy.
She stood still, looking around the small room. It was cleaner than Tang San's home but clearly much smaller—just one room sectioned into different spaces. When she looked back at Ye Qiu, something changed in her eyes.
Ye Qiu got up and started looking for a rag and water basin to clean the dirty little house. "You dumb bunny, why are you still standing there? You planning to just watch me clean?"
"…"
Xiao Wu was silent for a moment, lips twitching like she wanted to argue about the nickname, but she didn't. Her face flushed red as she said, "D-Do you have an extra rag and water basin?"
"No need to be so formal. It's all old junk anyway. Just look around and use whatever you find," Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow and waved her off. Everything in the cabin was old and unused. He never really bought anything new, and he probably wouldn't in the future either.
"Mm." Xiao Wu nodded slightly. As she turned away, she pouted and looked back at Ye Qiu with a bit of grievance. "Don't call me 'bunny' anymore."
Her voice wasn't as forceful as before—it now sounded more like a request.
After speaking, Xiao Wu tiptoed into the bedroom.
Ye Qiu scratched his head in confusion as he watched her back. Did I even bully her just now? Why is she acting all obedient suddenly?
Although Ye Qiu was single, their long-term bond had made him quite aware of Xiao Wu's feelings toward him.
Sometimes, when Ye Qiu went out and stared too long at mature, attractive women, Xiao Wu would get so jealous and angry that she'd pick fights with him on purpose just to get a reaction.
Everything was moving faster than Ye Qiu expected. Could this be the power of Love Continent?! Or is it that sincere feelings really do bring quick results?
He shook his head, pushing aside these thoughts. The future was long—no need to rush these things now.
—
One incense stick's time later—
When Ye Qiu finished tidying up the small bathroom and the table in the main room, he walked toward the bedroom—only to see Xiao Wu kneeling on the wooden bed, using a soaking wet rag to scrub the wooden planks like she was giving them a bath.
Ye Qiu froze for a second, pressing his hand to his forehead in exasperation. "Seriously… are you actually dumb? You soaked the bed that much—when do you think it's gonna dry?"
"Ah?! I-I didn't know…"
Xiao Wu blinked blankly, still kneeling there, a confused expression on her face.
She had never done this kind of thing before.
Looking at her gray-streaked hair, dust-covered face, and damp clothes, Ye Qiu opened his mouth, but in the end didn't say anything harsh.
"You better go take a bath first. I'll handle the rest," Ye Qiu waved his hand, motioning for her to get off the bed quickly.
"Okay…"
Xiao Wu nodded lightly.
As Ye Qiu took the rag from her, he reminded her, "If you can't handle cold water… I boiled some hot water under the eaves earlier. It should be just right now. If I boil it any longer, I could skin a rabbit with it."
Xiao Wu's touched expression immediately darkened.
"Ye Qiu! I told you—stop calling me a rabbit!"
—
Noon. The sun blazed overhead.
Outside Tang San's blacksmith shop, Ye Qiu was carrying several lunch boxes.
"Xiao San, Xiao San!"
Before even reaching the door, Ye Qiu was already shouting inside.
Tang San, who was busy inside cleaning up empty wine bottles and using hidden weapons to kill rats and cockroaches, frowned when he heard Ye Qiu's voice. Remembering what his father wrote in the letter, he immediately stepped outside.
"Ye Qiu, what's up?"
Ye Qiu lifted the containers in his hands and shook them. "What else? Bringing you food, of course. Grandpa Jack knew we just got back and probably didn't have food at home, so he made meals for us. His legs aren't great, so I brought them over."
Ye Qiu curled his lips slightly. He knew Tang San had plenty of food hidden in his Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlit Night belt, but this was an old man's good intentions, after all.
"Then thank you."
Tang San smiled. Even though he had food, he preferred a warm, freshly cooked meal.
"You're welcome. Here, this one's yours—a nice hot lunch bento box."
Ye Qiu smiled and handed the container over.
Tang San twitched a little at the corner of his mouth. The way Ye Qiu phrased it made him cringe.
He clearly meant to say "bento" as one word.
"By the way, where's Xiao Wu?"
"Don't worry, she's still at my place, waiting for me to bring her food. She's perfectly fine. If there's nothing else, I'll head back first." Ye Qiu waved his hand, clearly not planning to stay long.
"Mm."
Tang San nodded. There was still plenty of time ahead. To win Ye Qiu over and make him loyal, he didn't need to rush.