Qingqiu (Qīngqiū,青丘,中国神话中九尾狐的故乡), located in the eastern coastal region of the Suoluo Continent (Suóluó Dàlù,桫罗大陆), at the border between two super metropolises, was once the domain of the ancient divine race, the Nine-Tailed Foxes (Jiǔwěihú,九尾狐).
To modern people, this is nothing more than an ancient myth. Yet, people still hold it in awe. Because of this reverence, it has become a world-class nature reserve — Qingqiu County (Qīngqiū Xiàn,青丘县) — an independent, top-tier protected area under no institutional jurisdiction. On this continent, a Level One protected zone is already considered extremely high-grade, while a Special Grade is a privilege enjoyed by only a handful of scattered areas.
At the center of the Qingqiu Reserve stands a great mountain called Tushan (Túshān,涂山,九尾狐族的圣山), said to be the place where the Nine-Tailed Fox clan once lived, and revered as the Guardian Sacred Mountain. Tushan is called sacred not only because of that myth, but also because over the past several thousand years, it has protected the two cities and surrounding regions, shielding countless living beings from the reach of supernatural disasters, and soothing fragile hearts — becoming a sacred presence in everyone's mind.
And just moments ago, a terrible disaster struck once again.
The tornado clusters, laden with toxic exhaust, howled like mad, while massive tsunamis, churning with countless pieces of debris, pounded relentlessly as if deranged. From the highest reaches of the sky, lightning and thunder roared down like a torrential storm… each force of nature striking terror into hearts and leaving people utterly at a loss.
Yet, even in such a moment of crisis, there remained a group of people who, as always, rushed about, striving to protect the city. They were respectfully known as the "City Heroes" (Chéngshì Yīngxióng,城市英雄).
The disaster raged for an entire day, and only by dusk did this war without smoke begin to subside. In the short span of time, a super metropolis had been left in ruins. Yet, in the heart of Zhebei City (Zhèběi Shì,哲北市), amid the wreckage, stood a peculiar building shaped like a tree, along with several upscale urban structures, all untouched under the protection of some mysterious power. This was the headquarters of the City Heroes Guild (Chéngshì Yīngxióng Bānghuì,城市英雄帮会) and the municipal center.
Inside a high-floor office of the tree-shaped building, a man stood by the window. His back was straight, his hair disheveled yet his clothes neat, and on his tanned, square face were a pair of large, bloodshot "panda eyes" (Xióngmāo Yǎn,熊猫眼), straining wide to observe the scene outside.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"Ahem… come in!" the man called out loudly, his hoarse voice tinged with urgency. "How's the situation outside?"
"Guild Master—"
This man was the one in charge here — Zhuge Yi (Zhūgě Yì,诸葛毅), the Guild Master of the Zhebei City Heroes Guild. Entering the room was his assistant, a young and beautiful woman in an elegant dress, carrying a strong scent of perfume, her golden hair flowing — the kind of sight that would draw a second glance from anyone.
"The supernatural phenomena have ceased. According to preliminary statistics, over ninety percent of Zhebei City has suffered varying degrees of damage. In addition, the members have been notified to return one after another…"
Most members of the City Heroes Guild were local residents — people of chivalrous spirit who had practiced martial arts since childhood and passed the most rigorous tests. Though ordinary in origin, they were highly skilled in combat, each possessing unique techniques.
Other members were even more extraordinary. These individuals not only excelled in martial arts but also wielded mysterious powers. They hailed from an ancient people — the "Guardian Clan" (Shǒuhù Yīzú,守护一族) — a clan so little known that it survived only in folklore, and whose existence was known only to the highest leaders of each nation. They were regarded by every country as a top-level military secret.
Some had been assigned here because of this catastrophe, while others had settled in the area, living hidden yet free lives.
"Yes… yes… yes…"
Wan'er (Wǎn'ér,婉儿) glanced at Yi (Yì,毅), slumped in his chair yet still thinking about others, and, feeling a pang of concern, quickly handed him a cup of tea. Blinking her large, watery eyes, she smiled and said, "Would you like to take a rest? The situation outside has basically stabilized now… or perhaps the cafeteria has specially prepared your favorite dishes today. If you're hungry, maybe…"
"—Right now… right now, is it 8 o'clock… yet?" Yi suddenly sprang up from his chair with a loud thunk, like a startled lamb, drenched in sweat and looking flustered.
"Ah—there's… one…" Startled herself, Wan'er froze for a moment, then narrowed her eyes and, somewhat reluctantly, glanced at her watch before answering.
"What… one hour? Ah—no! I won't make it… this is bad, this is bad, I'm going to have to kneel on durians (guì liúlián,跪榴莲) again—"
Yi's composure began to crumble, and with it, his image. The "cotton belly" (miánhuā dù,棉花肚) that had popped out in relaxation instantly tightened back in, his once-messy hair puffed up like popcorn, and his dark, shiny face gradually turned ashen…
Then, in the blink of an eye, without another word, he grabbed a jacket at random and bolted. With a sharp whoosh, he moved so fast that Wan'er's hair was blown up, revealing her helpless expression.
"Ah—honestly, I can't tell if he's just thick-skinned or socially clueless…" Wan'er, the special assistant, followed gracefully to the doorway, watching his departing back with slight disappointment, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Oh, right—this place is in your and Da Qiao's (Dà Qiáo,大乔) hands…" Yi called back over his shoulder as he ran, waving his hand.
"Yeah—got it… Is this guy really stupid or just pretending?" Wan'er pouted helplessly, then, with a hint of disappointment, casually added, "Still… he's kind of cute! Heh—"
"Oh my goodness!" Just as Wan'er was gazing down the hallway in mild self-indulgence, a hand suddenly landed on her shoulder with a sharp slap, making the beautiful woman shriek and instantly switch into a tomboyish demeanor, completely different from moments before.
"Oh, it's you… Don't scare me like that—" Wan'er turned to see an old acquaintance, instantly reverting to her elegant self. "Guild Master Qiao!"
"Acting Guild Master—And you… what are you looking at? It's rare to see you so focused—your eyes are about to fall out!"
The one standing behind Wan'er, mischievously startling her, was none other than Da Qiao, the aloof female leader and Acting Guild Master of the City Heroes Guild headquarters, whom Yi had just mentioned.
Da Qiao was the parachuted-in candidate for the next Guild Master. Although she was an ordinary person, during her tenure as branch leader in other cities she had been virtually unstoppable. In every respect she was highly capable — even to the point of arrogantly thinking that the current Guild Master, Yi, was a fool.
"This guy—what's so great about him? I just don't see it…" Da Qiao narrowed her eyes, her expression quite serious.
"You don't understand—" Wan'er shot the female leader a disdainful glance, then turned her head to gaze into the distance, speaking with pride. "Back at our academy, he was practically the campus heartthrob (xiàocǎo,校草)—"
"I know—handsome, righteous, humorous… You were his junior at school, and ever since he gave you a little attention, you've been feeling good about yourself and started chasing after him, right!" Da Qiao pushed up her glasses, speaking like a broken record, her tone cold.
"You already know, so why bother asking me!" At the mention of the past, Wan'er instantly transformed into a lovestruck junior, ignoring the so-called authority of her superior, blushing and smiling to herself. "My senior is such a good person— I…"
"I know—your senior is the best: excellent grades, outstanding martial arts, dashing looks… You came here to work because of him, even giving up the cushy job (jīn fànwǎn,金饭碗) your parents arranged for you, right?" Da Qiao gave a cold smile, speaking her mind. "If he weren't exceptional, how could he have become Guild Master at such a young age? And now, he's even been promoted to candidate for President of the Guild!"
"That's right!"
"But—you do know he's already taken, don't you?"
"Hmph! So what, he's not married—besides, with my qualities, stealing someone's man would be a matter of minutes—" Wan'er remained brimming with confidence.
"Mm—sure, except this is probably your 365th time failing!" Da Qiao struck again, hoping to wake the lovestruck lamb before her.
"I… failure is the mother of success, isn't it? Where there's a will, there's a way—Why are you always trying to discourage me, cousin!" Wan'er gave herself a pep talk before replying, her spirit truly admirable.
"That's your mother—my aunt—trying to set you up with someone… and you're not interested. So they've been pushing me to come up with ideas—" Da Qiao (Dà Qiáo,大乔) glanced at Wan'er (Wǎn'ér,婉儿), speaking awkwardly.
"And you?"
"Tch—of course they wouldn't leave me out. Our mothers want us to…" Da Qiao was caught off guard by her younger cousin's question.
The two cousins exchanged a knowing look, both wearing the same wry smile.
"But speaking of which, Yi's not much different from us ordinary people—he only seems to know martial arts. Aren't the most powerful abilities of your Guardians supposed to be what's called 'Shushu' (Shùshù,数术)? How did he even graduate from the Guardians Academy (Shǒuhùzhě Xuéyuàn,守护者学院)?" Da Qiao cast a glance toward the end of the hallway, her tone puzzled. She and Wan'er were cousins, but Wan'er was from the Guardian Clan (Shǒuhù Yīzú,守护一族), while she was not—so she found it hard to understand.
"Of course it's possible—our academy has special admissions, but the slots are very limited. I remember in my senior's year there were only two spots, and one of them was his—" At the mention of Yi, Wan'er's face lit up again as she smiled and answered.
"And the other?"
"The other one… uh… hmph—"
Da Qiao, holding her posture, tried hard not to laugh as she glanced toward the far end of the hallway, still puzzled. This question was sharp—she used to tease this silly cousin often, and every time the topic came up, Wan'er's mood would sour, clouds gathering over her head, jealousy written all over her face.
—She really couldn't understand. Was he really that great…?
The protective barrier surrounding the building had now been lifted — and suddenly, a flashy convertible shot out from the building with a sharp whoosh, speeding down the already mostly cleared roads.
Night was gradually falling over the city as Yi drove his beloved sports car, racing nonstop in a single direction. Along the way, he gazed at the city in ruins, his heart a mix of emotions.
Though it was June and summer, the air seemed to grow colder and colder, now mixed with light rain. The advantage of a convertible was the open-air ride — but for this, Yi was practically "drinking the northwest wind" (hē xīběifēng,喝西北风), the cold rain slapping hard against his face. Helpless, he gave up on looking cool and tried to raise the roof, only to find the mechanism malfunctioning, refusing to respond no matter what he did. This made Yi mock himself repeatedly; his current situation could be summed up in one phrase — "A Road Trip in Embarrassment" (Rén zài jiǒng tú,人在囧途).
In fact, when he had bought the car, someone had strongly warned him, but Yi had been stubborn, believing that style was the most important thing. He had gone to great lengths, refusing to compromise even under pressure, and had finally gotten his way — but now, he was beginning to understand the punishment for acting on impulse.
—Ah, if she found out, she'd probably mock me again!
As he was thinking this, Yi suddenly noticed something unusual ahead. He slammed on the brakes, stopping at an intersection amid the rubble — a red light!
Even in these extraordinary times, his deeply ingrained sense of traffic safety gave him a moment to pause.
"Sigh—if it weren't for that guy, the forces of nature wouldn't have gone this far, and this city wouldn't be in such a state!"
While waiting, Yi seemed to recall something, suddenly shouting in anger, and slapped the steering wheel of his beloved car. "Ah… my car — did I just damage it? I still have years of payments left on this thing…"
The moon peeked its round head out from behind the clouds, casting light over the land… At that moment, not far away, a figure was waving and calling out to Yi: "—Hey, Guild Master Yi, where are you headed?"
Yi, still feeling distressed over the crack in his steering wheel from that earlier slap, quickly wiped away a tear upon hearing the call. Using the moonlight, he looked toward the source of the voice…
The figure gradually came into view, and Yi recognized them — two young friends of his. They had also taken part in this operation, tasked with capturing the beasts (Yìshòu,异兽), and it seemed their mission was nearly complete.
The one greeting him was a girl with big eyes, petite stature, and waist-length hair, dressed in a specially made work uniform and holding a stone hammer (shíchuí,石锤). Beside her stood a tall boy, calm and cool in demeanor, his hands skillfully manipulating a square device glowing with golden light from within.
The components of the square device slowly separated, then reassembled. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a golden chain, binding a howling beast on the ground hand and foot, sealing its noisy mouth, and dragging it back to its original spot.
Bathed in the golden glow, the beast — covered in wounds, with a particularly large bump on its head — began to shrink in size. At the same time, the golden chain reverted to its square form, neatly containing the beast inside.
"Oh, I'm heading home!" Yi called out with a smile, lazily waving his hand. In that moment, he seemed to have completely forgotten his earlier matter.
"Well, that's perfect — then please, Guild Master, give us a ride!" The girl, carrying her stone hammer, strode over and looked at Yi with big, watery eyes — though it felt less like a request and more like a demand he couldn't refuse.
"Well… fine—ah, hurry up, I'm in a rush!" Yi beckoned to them, suddenly growing anxious again.
"Great, we just finished our mission and took down a big monster," the girl said with a smile toward Yi, then turned and waved. "—We were just wondering how to get back, right?"
"You—hmph…" the boy replied coolly, "—You just want to get back early to enjoy the food at the victory feast (qìnggōng yàn,庆功宴)."
"You, you… nonsense! I'm just hungry from fighting the monster, okay?" the girl protested, looking aggrieved.
"Tired? I wonder who it was that spent the whole fight just watching from the side." A bead of sweat slid down the boy's forehead as he glanced at her, idly spinning the square device in his hands. "A big monster? It was just a small one — look at you making a fuss…"
"Hey, hey, hey!" Having had her little trick exposed, the girl's face flushed bright red. She stomped her foot hard and shouted angrily.
"—Alright, just humor her a little, will you? A real man (nánzǐhàn,男子汉) should have a gentleman's demeanor (fēngdù,风度)!"
At this moment, however, Yi (Yì,毅) had no time to listen to their bickering. He hurriedly cut in, "—Men and women working together makes the job easier (nánnǚ dāpèi gàn huó bù lèi,男女搭配干活不累). Even if she's just standing by, that's still a kind of strength, right, Xiao Dong (Xiǎo Dōng,小冬)…? Hey, you two, hurry up and get in the car! I'm really running out of time here, and the consequences won't be as simple as you two lovebirds (xiǎo qínglǚ,小情侣) squabbling!"
But the moment he said it, he started thinking about it — and the more he thought, the more beads of sweat formed on Yi's forehead. The two finally quieted down and quickly got into the car, the square device nowhere to be seen.
"Guild Master Yi (Yì bāngzhǔ,毅帮主), where are you rushing off to? It's still early," Xiao Wan (Xiǎo Wǎn,小婉) asked curiously.
The boy coolly pushed up his glasses and chimed in, "Yeah, even if we head to the Bureau (guǎnlǐjú,管理局) now to file our report, we'd be home by 7 p.m. at the latest — just in time for the New Year's Eve dinner (nián yè fàn,年夜饭), right?"
The Bureau was where the boy and Xiao Dong worked — an old institution founded by the Guardians' Alliance (Shǒuhùzhě Liánméng,守护者联盟) specifically to manage exotic beasts (Yìshòu,异兽), known as the Exotic Beast Management Bureau (Yìshòu Guǎnlǐjú,异兽管理局).
"You two don't even know what time it is, do you? It's already 8:30."
"8:30? Look!" The boy raised his wristband for Yi to see. "It's 7:30!"
"Uh…"
"Where's your phone? Didn't you adjust the time?" the girl asked, puzzled.
"No… it's… out of battery!"
"And the wristband?"
"Left it… in the dorm."
"The car's dashboard has a clock, doesn't it? Didn't you look?"
"Uh… didn't pay attention!"
…
After a while, Yi was so dizzy from their questioning that he could barely keep the car steady. His eyes darted around, and suddenly he had an idea. "—So, that means I still have an hour to spare?"
"Yeah?"
"You said there's food at tonight's celebration, right?"
"Of course!" Xiao Dong's eyes lit up as she answered.
"Mmm… food, here I come!"
Yi's panda eyes (xióngmāo yǎn,熊猫眼) began to shine, and he drove with renewed vigor. They headed east, and before long, they arrived at a primitive forest park on the outskirts of Zhebei City (Zhèběi Shì,哲北市).
Yi parked near a small grove, pulled a cover over the car, and patted it gently. Then, together with the other two, he walked to the edge of the grove.
The place was shrouded in thick mist, making it almost impossible to see inside. But Yi didn't hesitate, heading straight toward two ancient trees whose trunks intertwined to form a great arched gate.
Just as he stepped up to the gate, a miracle happened…
With a dull thud, Yi stumbled back a step and fell to the ground, clutching his head in pain as if he'd bumped into something invisible.
The other two rushed over to find Yi grinning tearfully while searching for something.
"Uh… where's my token (lìngpái,令牌)?" Yi muttered, patting his pants pockets and rummaging through his coat. "Crap!"
"What's wrong?" the girl asked, concerned.
"—Obviously, he forgot to bring it," the boy said coolly, arms crossed.
"Bro, after all this time, you're still using a token?"
"—Do I look like I'd change?"
"Heh… oh no, I think I left it in the inside pocket of my other coat…"
Yi looked embarrassed and at a loss, forcing a bitter smile before glancing hopefully at the two.
"—Got it!"
Before Yi could speak, the two had already exchanged a look. The boy stepped forward, focused, and a beam of light flashed from his forehead.
The grove seemed to respond — the mist before them slowly parted, forming a narrow path. Without hesitation, they stepped through the arch one by one. The mist closed behind them.
In no time, they were back in their homeland — the Suoluo Continent (Suóluó Dàlù,桫罗大陆), an ancient and magical place where Guardians lived. The mist dissipated instantly upon their arrival.
Suoluo's urbanization rate was low; almost everything in sight was green, and the buildings were all in a traditional style — as if they had stepped back a thousand years.
"Well then, we part ways here. Until we meet again!" the girl said with a playful bow, left fist over right palm (zuǒ quán yòu zhǎng,左拳右掌).
"Do you think you're some kind of heroine?" the boy replied coldly, tossing her a cloak.
As the bickering resumed, Yi chuckled to himself — but then a sudden thought made his heart jolt. No way! He quickly waved goodbye and slipped away, telling himself over and over: No matter who asks me to help, I'm not getting involved!
"—Hey… I think my watch is broken, the time's not—"
"Hyah!"
Under the moonlight, free from trouble, Yi rode his white horse toward the main city of his homeland.
It was where he had grown up — in the eastern region of the Suoluo Continent, one of the five counties of the Guardians' world, Baihu County (Báihǔ Jùn,白虎郡). In terms of status, it was like a provincial capital or a directly governed city.
Tonight was a full moon, and the land was bathed in silver light — bright enough to see without streetlamps, so different from Zhebei City.
Thinking of the fresh air, clear skies, and starry nights of his childhood, Yi felt a wave of nostalgia. Even in the Guardians' world, such natural beauty had become rare. Now they relied on streetlights; it was no longer like before.
As he rode, Yi's expression was no longer anxious — perhaps even relaxed, maybe expectant. Just thinking of the delicious food ahead made him feel warm, his mouth curling into a smile, drool nearly dripping onto the horse's back. His stomach growled, and he couldn't resist pulling out an egg pancake roll (jīdàn juǎnbǐng,鸡蛋卷饼) to take a big bite.
When on missions, he often made food to bring along, and this roll was his favorite and specialty.
—Mmm… still fragrant, soft, and tasty. Even though it was a bit cold, the texture was still good.
The highlight was the filling — braised pork belly with preserved mustard greens (méigāncài kòuròu,梅干菜扣肉), rich with sweet meat juices. It took half a day to cook, fatty but not greasy, absolutely delicious.
—Mmm… huh? Wait! Why is it salty and spicy today…?
"What the—braised pork with preserved greens should be sweet! I—" Yi's indignation rose, but just as the words were about to leave his mouth, a certain woman's image flashed in his mind.
Startled, he swallowed his complaint, cold sweat breaking out. Even the roll in his hand trembled.
He scratched his head with a bitter smile. "Uh… but this flavor's… not bad either… haha."
The Dawan steed (Dàwǎn jùnmǎ, 大宛骏马) beneath him, however, had had enough. Though used to it, the horse still rolled its eyes at the glutton on its back. In its prime, it could have been galloping across the grasslands, courting a mate — but instead, it was stuck carrying this clueless, ever-heavier man.
Its eyes rolled again, and it had an idea — suddenly, it began to buck and leap, then broke into a wild gallop.
Yi (Yì,毅) was instantly thrown into confusion. He had no idea what had gotten into the horse — maybe it had just been startled by something?
"Whoa!" he cried, pulling on the reins while trying to soothe his old companion. "Tangbao (Tāngbāo,汤包), what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell…?"
Generally speaking, there was nothing wrong with Yi (Yì,毅) doing this — he'd often had to operate this way in the past. But now, he'd forgotten that his mouth was still full of food, and he kept chattering away…
—Ah, he had no idea what was going through his horse's mind.
At that moment, with a sudden jolt from Tangbao (Tāngbāo,汤包), Yi yelped in surprise. The mixed saliva and food in his mouth sprayed out by accident — ah!
That was it — the Dawan steed (Dàwǎn jùnmǎ,大宛骏马) completely lost it, and the consequences were easy to imagine.
Caught off guard by the violent jolting, Yi panicked, trembling so much that the delicious roll in his hands fell apart. The dried greens, meat, and sauce all slapped onto his own face in one messy splatter…
After much chaos, the bedraggled Yi finally reached his destination — an ancient city.
The city walls were tall, built mainly from massive bluestone bricks, stacked with masterful skill. It looked as if he had stepped into human society a thousand years ago, yet the walls were solid and strong. Green moss and vines covered the entire surface, like a giant historical painting unfurled before his eyes.
After the bumpy ride, looking disheveled, Yi had no choice but to tidy himself up while leading his horse back to the post station.
Though he'd been treated miserably just now, Yi's deep affection for his horse meant he was still thinking about the earlier scare, worried about his old partner's condition. He began gently stroking its mane, speaking with concern to Tangbao, who was just about to start eating… but the horse only wanted to quietly replenish its strength. It was exhausted, body and mind.
Yet beside it was a nagging human, still going on and on. Tangbao thought to endure it… but suddenly, even the food didn't seem so appetizing anymore.
Blood rushed to the horse's head. Tangbao was not to be trifled with, and it had reached its limit. It glared, leapt forward, front legs pushing, hind legs kicking…
Yi, though fat, was quick-witted. He froze, stepped back, spun around, and hurriedly fled, clearly realizing what was coming.
"Yah, why is Tangbao's temper just like hers…? Ah, good thing I'm quick on my feet…"
He didn't stop until he reached the base of the city wall. Wiping his sweat, he prepared to continue on, but his stomach growled, and he began muttering to himself.
"Hmm? Take the back gate or go straight to the main gate? She's probably waiting for me at the main gate now — hmm… but it's still early, maybe she doesn't know I'm here yet…"
After all, this city was huge. Even for a well-trained Yi, it was hard to quickly circle around to the main gate.
"It's still early. If I arrive too soon… oh, I'll probably still be in trouble!" Yi shuddered at the thought, then had a sudden idea.
"Hmm, from the back gate to the main gate is the shortest — two sides together are longer than the third side, so if I hurry I can get there right away. Going around would waste time… but if I'm late, then what?"
Thinking so much made his head feel like it was smoking.
"—Ah, forget it, just like this… just like this!"
He shook his head, resolve firming, eyes instantly filled with visions of delicious food. Without another word, he strode off under the bright moonlight, charging toward happiness…
The round, full moon hung high in the deep blue night sky, quietly watching over the land.
On the city tower, a female general gazed into the distance. Her high ponytail framed a sharp, striking face, her eyes bright and commanding, brows slightly arched in an intimidating way. One hand rested on the hilt of a cyan sword at her waist, her bronze armor gleaming, her cloak billowing in the breeze — the very image of a heroine who rivaled any man.
She was Qing (Qīng,青) — the girl Yi often thought of, both fondly and fearfully. The girlfriend who had once cut off his beard without caring about his feelings; the tough woman who made him shiver just thinking about her while pacing under the city wall. Her surname was Zhuge (Zhūgě,诸葛), and she was the captain of the city's guard.
The Zhuge clan was one of the oldest families in the city, a symbol of authority and tradition. Every generation's clan leader had been a Zhuge, so although their numbers were few, their status was unquestionable.
At this moment, the Zhuge general seemed to be waiting for something. She stood silently atop the wall, the whole city unusually quiet. Her soldiers barely dared to breathe, most of them looking tired, barely holding on — they had been on duty for a full day without proper rest, and none had eaten dinner yet.
After a while, the deputy general beside Qing couldn't hold back. He had hesitated many times, but under the urging eyes of the others, he finally gathered his courage and asked softly, "Big Sis (dàjiětóu,大姐头), it's getting late and nothing's happened yet. Shouldn't we let everyone eat first?"
The deputy was about Qing's age, with a square, dark face like a mahjong tile, a burly, muscular build, and a loud, gruff voice — though in front of Qing, he was as meek as a child.
The strategist standing with him took the chance to poke his head out from behind and add, "Yes, the battle's been over for a while now. I don't think any more enemies will show up — everyone's been hungry all day… grr! See?"
All eyes turned to the female general with hope — some soldiers' legs were trembling from hunger.
"No!"
Qing's sharp command silenced them. She softened her gaze slightly, swept her eyes over them, then turned back to the front. "This is our master's order. We must not disobey. Everyone, give me your full attention! Hold on a little longer… Master will be back soon — she has never broken her word!"
With her order, the wall fell silent again. The deputy and strategist exchanged looks, then glanced around — everyone shook their heads.
"Dinner time—!"
Just then, a warm, familiar voice rang out. Yi appeared, carrying large bags of takeout, like a savior to everyone — except Qing.
The deputy and strategist lit up, rushing over like they'd found family. "Brother-in-law (dàjiěfū,大姐夫), you're finally here! Now we have hope!"
The nickname "Brother-in-law" had been given to Yi years ago, pairing with Qing's "Big Sis."
The two quickly took the food and quietly signaled the soldiers to get ready to eat.
"Ahem!"
A cough from the captain made everyone's hair stand on end. Qing didn't turn around, just cleared her throat — enough to nearly make the two drop the food.
"Reporting to the captain, soldier Yi reporting for duty!"
Yi approached cautiously, saluted with one fist to the palm, and began whispering sweetly.
"I'm here, right on time, see? I came straight over after finishing guild work, didn't even rest — my stomach…" He smiled, gesturing for everyone to eat.
"The town's snacks were good, huh? Ate so much you're stuffed, not afraid your belly will burst?" Qing finally turned, smiling faintly.
"No way… I came straight to see you, didn't stop for snacks — besides, there wasn't time!" Yi's forehead beaded with sweat, but his experience let him recover quickly and explain.
"Oh? Well prepared this time, huh? Then why's your mouth so oily?" Qing gave him a sidelong glance.
"This… I was starving, so I ate one of the rolls you made on the way back—" Yi tried to stay calm, wiping his mouth only to find a bit of oil still there. That sharp gaze — all because the snacks were too good…
Yi had just eaten at a century-old, famous shop he visited almost daily. The aroma alone stopped him in his tracks.
"The snacks at Happiness Café (Xìngfú Xiǎo Cānguǎn,幸福小餐馆) are really something. No wonder business is so good. How long did you wait in line—"
Qing's tone turned teasing. "—Oh, right, no need to line up if you cut in, just like you sneaking in the back gate earlier—"
Of course she knew him well. At the end of every month, he sweet-talked her into going there. Though she resisted, his wallet always ended up empty.
"That's not… how do you know so clearly?"
Yi's (Yì,毅) sweat poured. "Uh—no, I didn't…?"
The owner of the little restaurant was an old acquaintance of Yi's — not because he was a daily VIP customer, but because, like Qing (Qīng,青), he was one of the Guardians of this city. That's why Yi could cut the line.
Thinking of what he'd just eaten — noodles with sauce, a big chicken leg — Yi couldn't help but drool again.
The shop owners, a husband and wife, were kind people. Knowing Yi was henpecked, they always gave him generous portions and plenty of extras. The place had a cozy atmosphere that made him eat even more. Their adorable three-year-old daughter often ran around the shop, calling him "big brother" whenever he came in — which made him even happier, and hungrier. And tonight, being both New Year's Eve and the victory celebration, the mayor had declared: "All food is free!"
"Wipe that drool — and stop denying it. Someone saw you and told me…" Qing crossed her arms, glancing at the wilted-looking Yi. She couldn't even muster her anger anymore, only a helpless smile and a scolding tone.
In truth, she had already guessed most of it. Yi's cravings, pent up for days, had been fully unleashed tonight.
"I didn't — I wasn't — I did take the back gate, but I didn't…" Yi's voice grew smaller and smaller, until it was barely a mosquito's buzz.
"You… didn't—" Qing's face flushed with anger. She kicked him hard on the backside, pointing at his belly, round and protruding like a watermelon.
Everyone's eyes followed her gesture. That belly said it all. Yi realized he was caught, scratching his messy hair with a sheepish grin.
"Next time I'll take you with me… ah—"
"You're hopeless—" Qing almost laughed at the big boy in front of her, but held it in. She stepped closer to straighten his appearance.
Suddenly, her face darkened. "Oh, so you went to see that fox spirit (húlijīng,狐狸精) again, didn't you!"
"I… didn't—" Yi was baffled, replying instinctively.
"Then what's with the perfume smell? It's the same every time, and so strong!"
Qing leaned in to sniff, then quickly pulled back, fanning her hand in front of her nose. She grabbed Yi's ear. "Still want to deny it!"
She rolled up her sleeves, ready to mete out punishment. Yi darted behind the deputy general for cover.
"Big Sis, calm down. Maybe it's just a coincidence—"
The deputy was simple and straightforward. Trembling slightly, he shielded Yi. "Besides, Brother-in-law (dàjiěfū,大姐夫) is a man of some standing. It's normal for him to meet women—"
But saying that only made things worse.
Qing's temper flared. She swung fists and kicked, Yi dodging behind the deputy, who kept talking, while the strategist shook his head at the sight.
Finally, the strategist pulled the battered deputy aside.
Smack!
Qing, not expecting her shield to be removed, lunged forward and collided with Yi. He seized the chance to take her hand, looking into her eyes with a playful smile. "Alright, alright — it's my fault. I admit it! I won't do it again, I promise I won't lie to you or see her again."
Though he still couldn't figure out the source of the perfume, he added earnestly, "Look at you, Captain — what will the others think?"
They both glanced at the onlookers. The soldiers were smiling, some eating, some reaching for the takeout.
"What are you looking at? Eat!"
Qing's face reddened. She gently pushed Yi away, turned to compose herself, and looked out over the city. "This time — no next time!"
"Yes, ma'am — food time…" Yi replied obediently, then, like a victorious warrior, urged everyone to dig in. The soldiers crowded forward, grabbing their meals and eating heartily.
"Here… your favorite snack."
Holding a delicate treat, Yi offered it to Qing. "Hungry? Try it — see if it's still the same taste."
"I… I'm not hungry…" Qing glanced at the food, reluctant but refusing.
Grr!
Her stomach betrayed her. Yi quickly popped the snack into her mouth. Though a bit sudden, Qing didn't seem surprised. She took it, bit down, and smiled in satisfaction.
"—Mmm, so sweet!"