Chapter Forty-Two: Wang Qiuling Jingze

The campfire crackled softly nearby as Yu Daoyi tended to several plump fish roasting over the flames. With the grilling skills he’d honed in his previous life, along with a few spices he’d brought with him, the aroma grew more and more enticing. Yu Daoyi couldn’t help but smack his lips at the sight and scent.

If only his parents hadn’t banned him from the kitchen for the “safety of the whole family”—he never understood their worries—he could have become a master chef in no time.

To be fair, aside from the strange fusion dishes he’d cobbled together, he’d worked in a grilled fish restaurant during his student days in his past life, supporting himself through school. With these skills, he felt confident this fish could ruin diets on the spot.

Golden in color, fragrant and mouthwatering, crisp on the outside, tender and juicy inside—every aspect was perfect. The fish practically glowed with deliciousness, so dazzling he could barely keep his eyes open.

“That smells wonderful,” Duan Yin couldn’t help but exclaim, taking a deep breath.

Yu Daoyi glanced up at the girl before him—her skin fair and delicate, features gentle and charming, about fifteen or sixteen years old. There was a soft, considerate beauty about her, radiating a unique allure.

She’s adorable too, like a little sun…

“Miss, do you play the zither?”

“No,” she replied.

“Then how did you pluck at my heartstrings?”

…

“Miss, could you help me wash something?”

“What is it?”

“My affection for you.”

…

“Miss, where are you from?”

“Hm? Don’t you know?”

“I just found out—because now, you’re the one in my heart.”

With a snap, Song Cheng—who had been expressionless—turned to the source of the commotion. In his sister’s hand, a black stone was crushed to powder, not a fragment left behind. Song Cheng swallowed hard.

What in the world! Calm down, sis! And you, Yu Daoyi—could you please take it easy?

“Scoundrel! Lecher! Shameless! Vile!” Song Qiuling muttered with a frown, her delicate brows furrowed.

Even Duan Yin’s brother, Duan Yuxuan, was rendered speechless by their banter. Thankfully, his sister was level-headed enough not to need his constant worry, or he might have fretted she’d be whisked away.

After a while, the moon hung in a sparse sky, the night deep and silent. No chirping insects or howling beasts disturbed the peace; all was still. A gentle night breeze stirred, carrying the golden scent of grilled fish from the fire.

“How is it?” Yu Daoyi turned to ask Duan Yin.

“Absolutely delicious,” she praised.

Hearing this, Yu Daoyi grinned, flashing white teeth, and handed her one of the fish without hesitation.

---

“Last night, I made a wish in my dream, and I didn’t expect it to come true today,” Yu Daoyi commented offhandedly.

“What did you wish for?” Duan Yin asked with a smile, accepting the grilled fish he offered.

“To chat with a celestial maiden under the sky, eating fish together, and then—”

“And then?”

“Just enjoying the quiet beauty of the moment.”

Henceforth, call me the Grandmaster of Flirtation, King of the Sea!

One day, with a wave of my hand, countless maidens will flock to me!

The atmosphere was relaxed and playful, the banter light and easy.

A few steps away, Song Cheng noticed that everything near his sister had been reduced to dust, the air around her charged with a barely restrained spiritual energy. He kept touching his Qing Frost Sword—drawing it and sheathing it, again and again—while muttering under his breath.

Better keep my distance, or I’ll be the next to blow away on the wind.

Sorry, Yu Daoyi, this little brother can only do so much. I’ll mourn you properly at your grave.

Cultivators as they were, they didn’t need to eat as regularly as ordinary folk. The meal was mostly Yu Daoyi showing off his culinary skills and enjoying Duan Yin’s enthusiastic praise—she claimed she’d never tasted anything so delicious.

Seeing her eyes crinkle with delight, his confidence soared. Determined to prove himself, he handed out fish to everyone, though Wang Hongjun eyed his portion suspiciously, half thinking it might be poisoned.

Whether by chance or design, Song Qiuling was left for last. When Yu Daoyi was finally done, he grabbed the last fish and hurried over to her, plopping down on the spotless ground beside her.

Huh? So clean you could eat off it—our Qiuling is quite the neat freak.

“Qiuling, Qiuling, have some fish! I grilled it myself,” Yu Daoyi said, a hint of pride in his voice.

An icy, murderous glare shot his way.

What the—what’s with the killer look? Who upset her?

“Eat, come on, it’s… I grilled it…” he stammered, voice trembling, anxiety growing when she didn’t respond.

“Not hungry,” came her reply, voice hollow as a demon from the underworld, her face expressionless, the words drawn out chillingly.

Yu Daoyi swallowed hard, unnerved. What had he done in the time it took to grill a few fish? Was she upset about being served last? But that didn’t seem like her…

“Um, look, it was a lot of work for me to grill these. Cut me some slack, will you?”

He forced a smile, every instinct screaming at him not to make a run for it—if he tried, he’d be seeing stars and greeting Mother Earth before the night was out.

“Oh, it was hard work, was it? You looked like you were having a great time with that celestial maiden—maybe you should go serve her some more?” Song Qiuling’s smile was all teeth, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Sweat poured down Yu Daoyi’s back.

---

No, this can’t go on. If I don’t do something, I’ll be finished.

He shot Song Cheng a desperate glance. Song Cheng, savoring his fish, suddenly straightened under the unspoken plea, and after a brief, frantic exchange of looks, nodded gravely. Yu Daoyi was somewhat reassured.

Then Song Cheng got up, brushed off his pants, and scampered away, finally sitting down several hundred meters off—back turned.

…Traitor! If I don’t survive this, I’ll haunt you!

Deep breath—it’s time to show my real skills!

“Hey! Qiuling, what are you saying? No one is more important than you—not even a celestial maiden!” Yu Daoyi stood abruptly, his tone righteous and sincere, voice raised with conviction.

He snuck glances toward Duan Yin, mentally insisting, You didn’t hear that, you didn’t hear that—if I repeat it enough, maybe you’ll be deaf to it…

“This fish may look like the others, but it’s the very best! I just wanted you to taste the fruits of all my hard work! But look how you’re treating me!”

His earnest scolding took the wind out of Song Qiuling’s sails, her anger ebbing. With less certainty, she asked, “It’s just fish—what’s so special about it?”

“Because I added a secret ingredient.”

“A secret ingredient?”

“It’s called the Spice of Love! Only in this one!”

Grave, upright, not a blush nor a falter—he delivered it with complete sincerity.

Song Qiuling froze, a blush slowly spreading across her cheeks. She turned away sharply, refusing to look at him.

No response for a long while.

What does this mean? Is she no longer angry? Or did she see through my act? That can’t be—this girl isn’t exactly quick on the uptake…

Suddenly, she reached out her right hand, still facing away, not saying a word, holding her pose stubbornly.

Ah—what a mouthy but honest little sister! So adorable! Here, this is for you.

Yu Daoyi gently placed the golden fish in her hand, dusted off his pants, and sat back down.

Song Qiuling turned, took the fish, and nibbled at it. The flavor burst in her mouth—crispy outside, tender within. Such a simple grilled fish tasted as exquisite as the finest delicacy.

“How is it?” Yu Daoyi asked, eyes full of hope.

She glanced at him, still a little annoyed, then looked away.

“It’s all right, just barely edible. If there were anything else to eat, I wouldn’t bother with this.”

Why so many words, O autumn-spirited Queen of Tsundere? Just say it’s delicious and be done…