(17) Soaking Our Feet Together

“Is it wrong for a girl like me to live with a bit of refinement? I was born beautiful—without makeup, I’m still more attractive than those painted faces. Surely I shouldn’t ruin my own looks, right?” Lu Yunshu saw it as a failure of men that she wasn’t allowed her freedom to wear makeup or dress as she pleased. In the past, she’d crafted her appearance with more care; now, all the cosmetics were cheap brands, incapable of highlighting her true beauty. She looked like the same person, yet everything about her felt different.

Hardship and adversity had left her features coarse.

Their argument ended with her teary complaints, and Jiang Guangyu admitted his fault. He wanted to tell her that, in times like these, fussing over appearances was hardly wise, but at the last moment, he changed tack.

“I want to give you a better life, but my brothers… Since they went out chasing after Liu Yi the night before the earthquake, there's been no news. We don’t know if they’re even alive. Their families hound me every day, and I’m at my wit’s end. Darling, having you suffer hurts me more than if I suffered myself. Do you understand?”

Lu Yunshu might have looked down on him a little, but she still relished the feeling of being cherished.

After a moment’s intimacy, their conversation returned to the lab’s recent development of a serum that could awaken latent abilities. Those with powers were heaven’s chosen, the elite among thousands—second only to the authorities in the refuge. Now, thanks to the serum, anyone’s genes could be triggered to awaken abilities—a discovery that was nothing short of explosive.

Especially galling was that Liu Yi’s remarried mother had also gained an ability—a particularly practical wood-type power for growing crops. Their household was so overrun with fruits and vegetables that the produce rotted before it could be eaten.

How long had it been since Lu Yunshu tasted anything fresh? She blamed Liu Yi for carelessly exposing her stockpile before the quake. Jealousy and resentment welled up in her heart like spring grass after rain, spreading uncontrollably.

Unaware of all this, Liu Yi paid it no mind, even if she had anticipated it. Other places struggled with water shortages, but not atop Nine Peaks. The vegetation was lush, the groundwater abundant—there were streams and even hot springs. The manor’s design was the height of luxury; the bathing pool connected directly to an underground spring. The waterworks were wrapped in anti-freeze insulation, making burst pipes highly unlikely.

Previously, Liu Yi had been too busy digging outside, exploring the manor only during stormy days. If a door needed turning, she turned it; if a lock needed breaking, she broke it. In a land without an owner, whatever she claimed became hers.

It was only after the polar night that she realized darkness wasn’t absolute. Occasionally, colorful auroras shimmered across the sky—brilliant, yet devoid of warmth. At least it cooled the searing heat, letting the already radiation-hardened ecosystem thrive all the more.

During the heat, when she encountered saplings on the verge of dying of thirst, she’d send Water Cannon to sprinkle them.

As a water wielder, Water Cannon was always eager to fill the home’s tanks, to help with chores, but was routinely dismissed. Frustrated, it finally found its calling—helping parched plants survive.

Every day, it eagerly watered them.

All things have spirit, and the trees and grass were generous. When the season arrived, they repaid their benefactors with brilliant blooms and plump fruit.

When the winds finally eased, preparations for the coming cold resumed.

Qisha once again went deep into the mountains to hunt. Worried that the temperature might drop too low and stall the biogas digester, Liu Yi took the young ones out to gather firewood, collect nuts, and pick fruit—stocking up on everything they might need.

Little Feng, sharp-eyed, noticed her fondness for pine nuts and, using his flight advantage, gathered pinecones from treetops even squirrels couldn’t reach. Though wild, these nuts were larger and fuller than farmed ones.

Liu Yi was secretly delighted. What a dutiful child!

Night fell, ending a busy day. She shed her outer garments, wrapped herself in a cool yet warm snakeskin, and sat on a small chair by the hot spring, soaking her feet to relieve fatigue.

Liang Zuan, having finished wiping the table, passed by and noticed the door ajar. Birds have sharp eyes—even in a quick glance, he caught sight of Liu Yi through the crack.

Seeing she was about to bathe, he flapped back, hooked the door handle with his little claws, and tried to close it properly.

“So it’s Little Feng—come in!” Liu Yi called, beckoning him with a smile.

Liang Zuan hesitated for a moment, then nudged the door open with his head, not forgetting to pull it shut behind him with his claws. He kept his gaze lowered, but his round, glossy black eyes couldn’t help glancing at her reflection in the water.

For a few seconds, the mist-shrouded figure left him dazzled.

She was a delicate beauty—apricot eyes and peach cheeks, her skin so fair it seemed to glow. Her dark eyes were misty and luminous, inviting one glance after another. She was slim, but not in the unhealthy way of malnutrition.

Suddenly, he understood: true beauty lies in the bone, not the skin.

“What are you thinking about?” Liu Yi couldn’t guess what thoughts spun in his walnut-sized brain, nor understand his chirping reply.

Liang Zuan shook his fluffy white head, then hopped lightly onto her knee, balancing with his wings. He set his jade-like claws on the surface of the hot spring, soaking his feet along with hers.

Little Feng was actually joining her for a foot soak?

In Liu Yi’s experience, most small animals avoided water, sidestepping even the smallest puddles. Yet he showed no fear—how sweet!

She thought back to the old days, when her salary barely covered the basics and her coworkers were no fun. She’d never found much joy in life. But in this moment, she finally understood the happiness of watching a child grow and change.

Outside the door, Ice Lump noticed Little Feng and Great-Grandma soaking their feet together. Like a calf, he butted the door open and barged in, demanding a cuddle.

Liu Yi swept him into her arms, worried he’d knock Little Feng into the water, and held his chubby paw.

Wait—she distinctly remembered that, just a few days ago, the tiger cub’s paw pads were pink. Now they’d turned black. Had he been eating something strange?

She squeezed and kneaded the paws…

Ice Lump obligingly spread his toes, making it easier for Great-Grandma to inspect. As her hands, damp with steam, rubbed his paws, rolls of black mud came off.

Oh dear, what a strong smell—time to mop the floor, perhaps.

Ice Lump: … At last, the gunk in his claws was cleaned out. Happy!

He expressed his joy with a big, dopey headshake. His tail swished, splashing hot spring water all over his Great-Grandma’s face.

Liu Yi: …

Best to discipline them early—once they grew bigger, they’d be harder to manage.

In a flurry of wings and paws, Liu Yi caught Ice Lump and gave him a good scolding. Little Feng hovered above, pecking at Ice Lump’s forehead, mangling the yet-to-form “King” character until fur flew everywhere.

“Awoo!” Ice Lump howled woefully.

Mom, save me!

Grandpa Dog, save me!

Grandma Dog, save me!

Little Tiger can’t take it anymore…