My Ghostly Darling Cuddles Me Every Day - Chapter 25.2

Chapter 25.2

Jin Xuan was a Daoist, and Bo Jingxian had a “bad smell”—it was likely as simple as that.

Bo Yu absentmindedly rubbed Xiexie’s stomach, her heart feeling an inexplicable, faint sense of melancholy. Meanwhile, Xie Yinwan squinted her eyes, finding the rubbing of Bo Yu’s soft hands quite comfortable. She was also watching the monkey wreak havoc in the Heavenly Palace with great appreciation. What a fine monkey, she thought.

After returning home and finishing dinner, Bo Yu and Sheng Nanyan were in the kitchen learning how to make desserts. Bo Yu wore an earphone in her left ear as a precaution; if Xie Yinwan appeared suddenly, she could pretend to be on a call while responding to the talkative ghost. Otherwise, Xie Yinwan was always threatening to kill her.

As she had done previously, Bo Yu placed Xiexie in a bamboo basket on the counter, adjusting her posture so the doll sat comfortably. Because Xiexie was a stylized cotton doll—cute and “chibi” rather than a realistic humanoid—her family didn’t find it strange that she carried it everywhere. Even Bo Qin only sighed inwardly, thinking Bo Yu was simply stuck in her own world.

Seeing Bo Yu carefully adjusting the doll’s sitting position in the kitchen, Sheng Nanyan smiled. She loved how Bo Yu cared for the doll; it looked as if she were taking care of her own daughter.

“Xiexie is wearing a new Chinese-style short dress tonight. It’s beautiful. Be careful not to let her skirt flip up,” Nanyan teased.

Bo Yu gave a light laugh, carefully pressing Xiexie’s knees together, and then went back to pondering what dessert to make for the picky Xie Yinwan. Nanyan made many delicious things, and Bo Yu found herself unusually indecisive about which one to choose.

Nanyan brought an apron over, stepped in front of Bo Yu to put it on her, and then reached her arms around Bo Yu’s waist to tie the thin ribbons at the back. “Still haven’t decided?”

“Mhm. So many of your desserts are good.”

Nanyan looked down at Bo Yu’s slender waist, her gaze lingering on her figure for a moment. A flicker of affection crossed her eyes, but she quickly pulled her gaze back. After tying a neat bow, she lightly brushed Bo Yu’s arm and suggested with a smile: “How about making Wife Cakes?”

Bo Yu felt a bit sensitive at the word “Wife.”

Sheng Nanyan explained softly: “When making Wife Cakes, the key is the puff pastry—the process of creating those flaky layers. Many people struggle with that. I’ll teach you how to do it; once you master it, you’ll be able to make many other desserts that require flaky crusts.”

Bo Yu was instantly convinced. “Alright, let’s do that.” Wife Cakes were also known as Winter Melon Cakes; she would just have to explain that to the “illiterate” Xie Yinwan later.

“What filling do you want?” Nanyan asked, still brushing against Bo Yu’s arm. “Classic winter melon mash. Do we have winter melon at home?” “We do. Let’s make those then.” “Okay.”

Nanyan first taught Bo Yu how to steam the winter melon to prepare the mash, and then how to make the oil-water dough and the lard-flour pastry.

From the living room, Grandma’s sharp scolding drifted in: “Bo Jingxian, is it really that hard for you to respect others?! You must apologize to Daoist Jin Xuan and your sister tomorrow!”

Sheng Nanyan moved closer to Bo Yu, her arm pressing against Bo Yu’s, and whispered: “Did several dogs really rush in? Are you truly okay?”

Bo Yu shook her head, her voice very soft: “They did rush in, but they didn’t bite anyone. I’m really fine.”

Nanyan was still worried. “Bo Jingxian was scared to tears; how could they not have bitten anyone? Are you just saying that to make us feel better? I’ll come to your room later—take off your clothes and let me check. Dogs can damage the skin even if the pants don’t look torn.”

Xie Yinwan’s tired eyes snapped open. She narrowed them at Nanyan. Over the past two days, she had learned that Nanyan wasn’t a “concubine” but a “stepmother.” After Bo Yu’s mother died, her father married a second wife—Bo Jingxian’s mother—and then divorced her to marry this current woman.

Since Nanyan wasn’t a concubine, her relationship with Bo Yu wasn’t master-servant, but mother-daughter. However, even if they were mother and daughter, a stepmother asking her stepdaughter to “take off her pants” felt… improper. Too intimate.

Xie Yinwan watched with a cold, displeased glare. She did not like this stepmother who wanted Bo Yu to undress!

Bo Yu suddenly felt a chill. She pulled her neck in slightly and turned to look at Xiexie. Xiexie still wore her cute, smiling expression. Bo Yu smiled back and turned to Nanyan. She didn’t think much of it; she just felt Nanyan’s concern was the same as Bo Mi’s.

“They really didn’t bite. The dogs just circled me; they didn’t even open their mouths,” Bo Yu said, kneading the dough. “Is this okay?”

Nanyan leaned down to look closely, brushing a stray hair from her face. She looked up with praise. “Very good. You’re excellent at everything you do, Xiao Yu.”

Bo Yu smiled and continued kneading. The kitchen lights shone on her soft, serious face, making her look serene—like a white peony blooming quietly, regardless of the noise around her. Nanyan stared, dazed. Xie Yinwan also stared, mesmerized.

Once the dough was kneaded, Bo Yu covered it with plastic wrap to let it rest for half an hour. Just as she set it aside to start the lard pastry, she felt a chill on the back of her neck. Thinking Nanyan was poking her with a wet hand, she turned with a smile. “Why…”

She stopped mid-sentence, her smile freezing as she tilted her head back slightly.

It was Xie Yinwan, dressed in a pure white, wide-sleeved celestial robe!

After not seeing her for three days, Xie Yinwan looked even more beautiful. Her brows were like distant mountains, and her face was like a peach blossom in full bloom—ethereal like an immortal, gorgeous like a flower.

Sheng Nanyan was standing by the steamer checking the winter melon. Hearing Bo Yu, she turned. “What’s wrong? Were you talking to me?”

Bo Yu’s heart skipped two beats. She averted her gaze from Xie Yinwan and looked at Nanyan with a natural smile. “Nothing. Zhu Ying called; I’m on the phone with her.” As she spoke, she touched her earphone to indicate she was on a call.

Nanyan lowered her voice. “Should I step out?”

“No need,” a cold, somber voice commanded Bo Yu.

Bo Yu shook her head. “No need, it’s nothing important. I’m just chatting with her while you teach me.”

“Alright.” So Nanyan stayed.

Suddenly, Xie Yinwan dropped down from the air and moved to embrace Bo Yu. It was a frontal hug. Or rather, a clingy embrace.

Bo Yu’s hands were covered in oil. The cold, aloof-looking Xie Yinwan simply walked right into her, pressing her cheek against Bo Yu’s. Bo Yu held her breath and closed her eyes. It was so sudden that her heart began to race.

Xie Yinwan’s voice was icy: “Are you making desserts for me?”

Bo Yu nodded. “Yes, I am.”

Xie Yinwan gave a silent, light laugh, then asked coldly: “Are you on the phone with Zhu Ying?”

Bo Yu replied: “No. It’s convenient to talk to you now.”

Xie Yinwan’s smile deepened. She wrapped her hands around Bo Yu’s fragrant neck and refused to let go. I really, really like my Bo Yu, whose heart and eyes are full of me.

Bo Yu didn’t hear the light laugh or see the smile. She only heard the cold, ghostly tone and reflexively assumed Xie Yinwan was angry and looking for trouble again. She walked stiffly toward the counter. Whenever she saw Xie Yinwan, the ghost looked solid, not transparent; she only realized she was ethereal when she tried to touch her. It was like a hyper-realistic virtual image that could actually block her field of vision. Now, as she looked down to work, Xie Yinwan’s clothes and body partially obscured her view, making her movements awkward.

“I said,” Bo Yu whispered softly, “you could move a little so I can see.” She kept her words brief to maintain the illusion of talking to Zhu Ying, hoping Xie Yinwan would understand.

“This Immortal doesn’t want to move. This Immortal just wants to smell you like this.”

“…”

Taken literally, the words sounded like she was acting spoiled, but Xie Yinwan’s tone was incredibly arrogant. Bo Yu had to try her best to pretend Xie Yinwan wasn’t there, her hands passing through the ghost’s body as she worked.

At the moment she passed through Xie Yinwan, Bo Yu suddenly felt a sting in her nose. It was a strange feeling. Every time she realized she could never truly touch Xie Yinwan, a sense of loss filled her heart—like wanting to see peach blossoms in summer or winter snow in spring; always lagging behind by a distance she could never close.

Bo Yu quickly composed herself. “Can you move to the back?” she whispered. “No.”

“…”

“You were always in the back before.”

“This Immortal wants to be in the front today.”

“…”

Not only was Bo Yu speechless, but Sheng Nanyan’s movements slowed as she poked the winter melon with chopsticks. Front, back—these words sounded unusual. Was the relationship between Bo Yu and Zhu Ying purely platonic, or were they in an ambiguous stage, or perhaps already dating? Nanyan listened with her head down, forgetting the heat of the steam until the back of her hand felt scorched. She quickly ran it under cold water.

Bo Yu didn’t know how she had provoked this ill-tempered ghost again, but she had to endure the teasing. “By the way, thank you.”

Xie Yinwan: “?” Was she thanking her, or calling Xiexie’s name?

Bo Yu said, “Thank you for what you reminded me about last time.” Xie Yinwan’s lips curled slightly. “About your sister?”

“Mhm.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I should still thank you.”

“Hm. And the striptease you owe this Immortal—is it ready?” Xie Yinwan asked, sniffing Bo Yu’s ear.

Bo Yu’s ear went numb, and she gave her head a little shake. “Well?” Xie Yinwan’s voice turned cold. “I’ve been waiting for you… to see which style you like so I can decide.”

“Hmph.”

Bo Yu managed to bluff her way through for a while. A bit later, the talkative Xie Yinwan, still sniffing Bo Yu’s neck, asked, “How much longer?”

Bo Yu turned to Nanyan. “Nanyan, how much longer until we’re completely done?”

Nanyan slowly plated the steamed winter melon. She was always methodical—her movements gentle and her voice soft. “About two hours. The melon is ready. I need to filter and squeeze out the moisture. Xiao Yu, do you want to do it all yourself, or should I help?”

Xie Yinwan commanded: “Don’t let her help.”

Bo Yu had to say warmly to Nanyan: “No need, I’ll do it. Nanyan, go sit and play on your phone for a bit. You don’t have to keep helping me.”

Nanyan agreed, but she took a few more looks at Bo Yu. Stepping closer, she said, “Your face is a bit red. Is it the heat, or do you have a fever?” She reached out to touch Bo Yu’s forehead.

Bo Yu’s face turned even redder. She backed away to prevent Nanyan from touching her—and from touching Xie Yinwan. “I don’t have a fever. Zhu Ying is mentioning embarrassing things from when we were kids on the phone. I’m just a bit flustered. I’ll be fine in a moment.”

At that moment, Xie Yinwan was hanging onto her neck with both hands, constantly sniffing her neck and the corner of her mouth, so she really was flustered. And because Nanyan couldn’t see it, it felt even more bizarre and improper.

“It takes so long,” Xie Yinwan said, resting her head on Bo Yu’s shoulder. “Aren’t you tired?” “If you do something from the heart, you don’t get tired.” “Are you doing this from the heart now?” “Yes. Last time too.” “Hm.” Xie Yinwan stepped onto Bo Yu’s feet, closing her eyes with a satisfied smile. She happily inhaled Bo Yu’s sweet fragrance and commanded lazily: “Continue then.”

Under Xie Yinwan’s intermittent interference, two hours passed, and Bo Yu finally finished the Wife Cakes. Just as she was about to set half aside for her family, Xie Yinwan commanded: “Since you made these for this Immortal, you aren’t allowed to give them to anyone else. Do you hear me?”

Bo Yu: “…” She wasn’t used to being greedy. Even if she didn’t give any to her Second Aunt, she should share them with Grandma and with Nanyan, who had taught her for nearly three hours. It was basic politeness.

“I hear you, but I think I should be generous to those who helped me,” Bo Yu said cryptically. Xie Yinwan, who only ever practiced greed, said coldly: “Do you want to die?”

Bo Yu, who did not want to die, had no choice but to be greedy.

“Um,” Bo Yu said, carrying the tray of cakes and looking noticeably awkward as she spoke to Nanyan. “Nanyan, I’m sorry, I have something I need to take care of in my room. I’ll take this batch upstairs first. Next time I’ll make a fresh batch for you to taste.”

Nanyan smiled gently, walked over, and patted Bo Yu’s back with a soft, soothing touch. “Why are you being so polite? We’re family. If you have something to do, go upstairs. I’ll try your cooking next time. Go on.”

Bo Yu’s cheeks were flushed. She nodded goodnight, grabbed Xiexie, and carried the cakes out of the kitchen. Xie Yinwan floated elegantly beside her, her feet off the ground, her hand around Bo Yu’s waist like a lover in a passionate relationship.

As she left the kitchen, she saw Bo Jingxian standing there with red, swollen eyes. Grandma stood behind her. Grandma’s eyes narrowed slightly when she saw Bo Yu, but she quickly recovered and urged Bo Jingxian: “Apologize!”

Bo Jingxian whimpered, “Sister, I’m sorry. I won’t cause trouble anymore. I won’t take secret photos or spread rumors. Even though I did it out of concern for you, I…”

Grandma interrupted: “Save the excuses. If you’re wrong, admit it. Don’t make excuses.”

Bo Jingxian had to swallow the rest of her “concern” and apologized again. Grandma, standing behind her, couldn’t see her expression, but Bo Yu saw it clearly—sincerity on her lips, but hatred in her eyes. Bo Qin had also returned and was sitting in the living room with his back to them, maintaining an aloof, uninvolved attitude.

“Mhm, I see.” Bo Yu responded indifferently, as if unwilling to waste another word on them. She said to Grandma, “Grandma, I’m going upstairs now,” and headed straight for the stairs.

Old Mrs. Bo watched in stunned silence as Bo Yu carried the entire tray of Wife Cakes away! She didn’t even offer her a taste! Xiao Yu must be truly furious with her sister today, so mad she forgot to let me try one, the old lady sighed, feeling sorry for her second granddaughter.

Bo Yu reached her room with outward composure, but her heart was in chaos. She had actually walked away with “exclusive food” right in front of Grandma; she had never done anything so impolite in her life.

Once inside, she locked the door and immediately set up the gold ingot brazier to burn the cakes for Xie Yinwan, who had been staring at her for two hours. Although Xie Yinwan hadn’t scolded her directly, she knew the ghost had been judging her for being slow. She had to serve this ill-tempered little ancestor first.

After burning the cakes and cleaning up the ash and heat shields, Xie Yinwan didn’t show herself. The two heat shields flew back into the cabinet on their own. Incredible, Bo Yu thought, having the absurd idea once again of starting a moving company.

For the next half hour, Bo Yu didn’t see Xie Yinwan. She wondered if the ghost was hiding somewhere to eat the cakes. She hadn’t even had a chance to test her with the Journey to the West plot yet. She also wondered if Xie Yinwan liked the Wife Cakes better than the peach blossom pastries.

Bo Yu’s thoughts drifted. She drank the herbal medicine for having seen Xie Yinwan, then took the medicine to prevent dreaming of her. Regardless of side effects, she took them all. The girl who used to be so afraid of bitterness that she needed sugar could now swallow the medicine without blinking.

After washing up, Bo Yu changed Xiexie into pajamas and sat on the bed waiting until nearly midnight, but Xie Yinwan didn’t come. After three hours of making desserts, she hadn’t received a single comment or bit of feedback. And she had forgotten to eat any herself, burning them all for the ghost.

Feeling a bit disgruntled, Bo Yu pursed her lips, turned on the camera, and slowly fell asleep.

After an unknown amount of time, Bo Yu suddenly heard a sound of heartbroken weeping. She opened her eyes in surprise and found herself in a forest of peach blossoms. The sound of sorrowful crying came from deep within the forest. She followed the sound.

Grandma also had a peach blossom forest; that’s where Nanyan had picked the blossoms. Grandma also had vineyards, apple orchards, and cherry orchards, so Bo Yu didn’t find the scenery particularly special.

Soon, she saw a familiar figure—dressed in soft, translucent gauze, sitting beneath the roots of a tree covered in thick peach petals, her face buried in her hands as she sobbed. All around, pink petals drifted through the air.

Bo Yu suddenly felt the scene was incredibly beautiful.

“Xie Yinwan?”

During the previous two times, she hadn’t realized she was dreaming immediately. This time, she knew at once.

Bo Yu ran toward her. “Xie Yinwan, why are you crying?”

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