I Got Together with the Goddess [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 40

“Having no father and no mother—isn’t that just an orphan?”

“She’s our Qingfeng Village’s little orphan… how pitiful.”

“Hahahaha!”

“Why aren’t you speaking? Are you mute?”

Several boys surrounded a thin, frail girl, insisting she speak. Seeing her silence, they began pushing and shoving her.

The girl’s stubborn eyes were filled with rage. After being pushed back a step and staggering, she swung her fist and smashed it into the head of the lead boy.

Instantly, a large lump swelled up on the boy’s head.

“You actually dare to hit back?”

“We’ve got to show you a lesson!”

Just as the boys were about to start kicking and punching, Jiang Yiqing let out a sharp cough, catching their attention.

The girl turned her head and saw two beautiful young women who looked like celestial beings. One had features as delicate as a painting, elegant as an immortal, her spirit-filled eyes—usually as lively as a deer’s—now held a rare spark of indignation. The other was graceful and dignified, possessing a natural aura of authority, her phoenix eyes flashing with an undeniable brightness and majesty.

The girl’s eyes widened because she had secretly watched the two of them during the Gu Duel Festival. One was the Village Chief she had known for a long time, and the other was the Village Chief’s fiancée.

Shui Mingsheng shouted coldly, “Whose families do you belong to? How can you be so ill-bred?”

As soon as her reprimand reached their ears, the boys fled at lightning speed, causing Shui Mingsheng to frown once more.

The two women were merely out for their routine inspection and stroll through the village; they hadn’t expected to encounter such a scene.

Jiang Yiqing walked over, took the girl’s hand, and asked, “Little one, what is your name?”

“My name is Xiao Zhi,” the girl said.

“Those boys were too much. Shall we tell your parents and have them go to their houses to demand an apology for Xiao Zhi?” Jiang Yiqing asked gently. “Where is Xiao Zhi’s home? We will walk you back.”

Xiao Zhi replied, “I have no family left.”

Shui Mingsheng’s expression soured. She remembered this matter; not long ago, an elder had reported to her that there was a family in Qingfeng Village obsessed with refining Gu. Ultimately, the husband and wife both lost their lives, leaving behind a young child, solitary and helpless.

According to the customs of Qingfeng Village, the child’s relatives were supposed to adopt her. The elder hadn’t reported on the matter since then. Looking at the situation now, it seemed the child couldn’t find anyone to take her in and had fallen to the point of being bullied by her peers.

Jiang Yiqing felt a pang of compassion and said softly, “Don’t worry, Xiao Zhi. We will figure something out together.”

She had assumed such a young child wouldn’t have her own ideas, but to her surprise, Xiao Zhi said clearly, “I want to live in my original home. I can take care of myself.”

Hearing this, both Jiang Yiqing and Shui Mingsheng were stunned. They were only eighteen themselves, and this child was barely half their age, yet she spoke with such maturity.

It is only when parents are irresponsible that children are forced to be so sensible.

“You seem quite clever. How about coming to work for us?” The thought suddenly occurred to Shui Mingsheng.

She had witnessed the scene just now. Only when Xiao Zhi became strong herself could she retaliate against those who bullied her—and that was the only way to truly help her.

“Chief Shui? Really?” Xiao Zhi asked, her voice crisp and seemingly filled with joy.

“I want to train someone to handle matters for me. I just don’t know if you can do it, being so young.”

Jiang Yiqing hadn’t expected Shui Mingsheng to have such an intention, and Xiao Zhi shouted, “I can!”

“Good. Then report to the Elders’ Hall. Someone will arrange work for you. Once you can stand on your own, I will assign you other tasks. As for where to live… you will live at my house.”

“Won’t I be a burden to the two older sisters?” Xiao Zhi asked.

Since Xiao Zhi was so young, it was unsafe for her to live alone. Jiang Yiqing said, “Come home with us. We can look after each other.”

“Thank you, sisters.” Xiao Zhi lowered her head, clutching the hem of her clothes, holding back her tears.

Each woman took one of Xiao Zhi’s hands as they walked back. Jiang Yiqing suddenly felt that they looked very much like a family.

The moment that thought crossed her mind; she realized that the atmosphere between her and Shui Mingsheng was truly ambiguous. How could she just come here for a visit and then leave? When she chose to come, wasn’t it because she felt a special sentiment for her?

This thought struck her heart unexpectedly, making her cheeks flush a deep crimson.

Shui Mingsheng had been watching her and Xiao Zhi. Noticing the change, she asked, “Yiqing, why is your face so red?”

“It’s not. Don’t talk nonsense,” Jiang Yiqing said, looking away.

Shui Mingsheng was thinking the same thing, especially when Jiang Yiqing mentioned “going home together.” She knew her feelings weren’t one-sided.

Holding their hands, Xiao Zhi gradually began to smile. She said, “In the future, Xiao Zhi also wants to find a partner who has a relationship as good as you two sisters!”

Jiang Yiqing stole a glance at Shui Mingsheng, only to be caught red-handed. Shui Mingsheng asked, “What is Yiqing looking at?”

“I’m looking at a great beauty, okay?” Jiang Yiqing said.

“Just looking isn’t enough,” Shui Mingsheng replied.

“Then what do you want?” Jiang Yiqing raised an eyebrow provocatively.

Shui Mingsheng took this as an invitation. After all, being so close to the person she wanted but unable to reach her “moon” had been quite painful and agonizing.

Shui Mingsheng leaned in, her lips pressing close to Jiang Yiqing’s cheek. That jade-white skin was just as enticing as it had been that day in the car. Shui Mingsheng couldn’t always restrain herself; she whispered softly, “Like this.”

Her lips brushed against the cheek in an ambiguous caress. Though she wanted to kiss those nearby soft lips even more, being too reckless wouldn’t be good.

Shui Mingsheng wrapped one arm around Jiang Yiqing’s slender waist. Jiang Yiqing’s fragrance swirled around her, nearly driving her mad. Jiang Yiqing’s breathing noticeably quickened; she stared with wide eyes in disbelief, the corners of her eyes turning red as if she were being bullied.

“Yiqing, don’t look at me like that,” Shui Mingsheng said.

Their breaths mingled.

“Wh… why?” Jiang Yiqing was flustered but tried to maintain her composure.

“Because… some thoughts are not suitable for children.”

Only then did Jiang Yiqing notice that Xiao Zhi’s face was completely flushed as she stared at them blankly.

Jiang Yiqing’s face turned scarlet as well, feeling that this was truly inappropriate.

Shui Mingsheng burst out laughing.

“Sisters, you don’t need to mind me,” Xiao Zhi said quickly, her clear eyes filled with a longing for such a beautiful scene.

“You little girl, you really are a clever one.” Shui Mingsheng tapped the top of Xiao Zhi’s head, feeling that this child was quite similar to how she had been as a kid.

Not suitable for children. What did that mean? Jiang Yiqing felt like she understood the term yet also didn’t.

“And you, my Qing-girl, being so defenseless… be careful or I might really make a move.” Shui Mingsheng continued to hold Jiang Yiqing’s waist, and Jiang Yiqing hadn’t even noticed anything was wrong.

Jiang Yiqing gave her a reproachful look and said, “You really are a bad person.”

Handling the affairs of a village didn’t always go smoothly.

On this day, a conflict arose among the three villages over the distribution of resources from Mount Zhuji.

Qingfeng Village, Ningjiang Village, and Lianye Village were the three villages closest to the Qing River in Southern Xinjiang. The surrounding mountains were rich in Gu insect resources, but because of this, they were constantly arguing over ownership.

The question of which village Mount Zhuji belonged to had never been clearly settled. Some people from Qingfeng Village had gone there to collect Gu insects, which led to a dispute with people from Ningjiang Village. The two sides came to blows, and eventually, people from Lianye Village showed up claiming the items belonged to them.

Miao people were famous for being fierce and fond of fighting. In this dispute, two people at the center were seriously injured. Subsequently, someone proposed a duel between the chiefs of the three villages; the loser would forever surrender the rights to ten mountain peaks in the back mountains.

Due to the passing of the old Chief and the decline in the power of the Spirit Snake Gu, Qingfeng Village’s foundation was unstable. The chiefs of the other villages noticed that Shui Mingsheng was still gathering herbs and amassing wealth under these circumstances, which made them even more dissatisfied. They wanted to use this opportunity to ruthlessly crush her spirit.

The challenge letters from the other villages had already arrived at the Qingfeng Village Elders’ Council.

Jiang Yiqing was worried about the situation and asked, “Mingsheng, what should we do? Is it our only option to accept the challenge?”

“It seems so.”

“Those people are going too far.”

“Ningjiang Village is actually fine; we know their strength well. But the Chief of Lianye Village—it’s said his power has increased significantly recently.” Shui Mingsheng frowned slightly and said, “If it really comes down to it, we’ll merge the King Gu with the Spirit Snake Gu. Yiqing, don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. With the boost from King Gu, I will definitely be able to defeat those two chiefs.”

Jiang Yiqing and Shui Mingsheng had been feeding King Gu with the best resources they could find. Watching it grows from a larva and seeing its condition improve day by day, they had developed an attachment to it. If it were suddenly merged into another Gu without reaching its full potential, it would feel like a waste.

It was the height of summer. Fearing Jiang Yiqing would be too hot, Shui Mingsheng had installed an air conditioner in the Green Jade Pavilion. Watching her in a sleeveless long dress, staying within arm’s reach, Shui Mingsheng feared her own “blood and qi” would become too restless, so she lowered the temperature by another two degrees.

“What are you doing? It’s freezing,” Jiang Yiqing said, shrinking her shoulders.

The bamboo house was naturally airy and cool, and since Jiang Yiqing wasn’t used to the machine yet, she couldn’t help but question it.

“Is it? I feel hot,” Shui Mingsheng said.

“Hot my foot,” Jiang Yiqing said, getting up to find a shawl to put on.

As Shui Mingsheng watched her walk barefoot across the cool mats, her skirt fluttering and inadvertently lifting with her movements, she felt even hotter. She quickly pulled her back and said, “No need, I’ll turn it up.”

“You are so strange,” Jiang Yiqing said, returning to her medical books.

Shui Mingsheng opened the refrigerator and took out an ice cream bar. However, she didn’t dare let Jiang Yiqing eat such things; once, after Jiang Yiqing took a single bite, her voice became nasally. Her body was too delicate—she was truly a pampered young lady.