By the time Yang Kai returned to Maple Forest City, night had already fallen.
He entered the city with practiced ease, heading straight for his cave dwelling.
After activating the dwelling’s protective ward, Yang Kai flashed inside.
Before he had even steadied his footing, a joyful voice suddenly rang out: "Sir, you’ve returned?"
Yang Kai was taken aback. Only after turning to look did he abruptly remember that there was still someone in this dwelling—that little girl from the Zhang family, Zhang Ruoxi!
All these years, he had wandered abroad mostly alone. Now, suddenly having someone else accompany him felt somewhat unfamiliar. Moreover, he had been preoccupied with the matters of Liu Yan these past few days and had nearly forgotten Zhang Ruoxi’s existence.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Yang Kai gave her a slight nod.
"Sir has been toiling these past days. It must have been arduous outside." Zhang Ruoxi lowered her head, speaking softly.
Her voice was very quiet; had the dwelling not been utterly silent, Yang Kai might not have heard her.
His gaze swept over her form. He noticed the girl seemed somewhat nervous, her small hands twisting the hem of her clothes, looking restless and uneasy.
"Master, who is this girl? She seems quite afraid of you," Liu Yan’s voice echoed in his mind, tinged with a hint of teasing. "Her strength isn’t high either. Did Master pick her up from somewhere? But... the little girl is quite pretty. Nice face, nice figure, tsk tsk..."
Before Liu Yan could finish, Yang Kai focused his thoughts and directly threw her into the Mystic World Bead, cutting off their connection.
Inside the Mystic World, Liu Yan froze for a moment, then humphed: "Guilty conscience!"
After that, she adeptly located the Solar Essence, transforming into a firebird to envelop it, devouring the True Solar Fire to strengthen herself.
Back in the dwelling, Yang Kai looked at Zhang Ruoxi. As she waited anxiously, he spoke: "You’ve been waiting here this whole time?"
If she hadn’t been waiting, she wouldn’t have appeared the moment he stepped inside.
"No, I-I just arrived here," Zhang Ruoxi answered with her head down.
Yang Kai naturally didn’t believe her. He glanced around and noticed the dwelling seemed to have been cleaned, looking fresh and tidy. He couldn’t help but smile: "Sit down. There’s something I need to say to you."
Zhang Ruoxi quickly waved her hands: "No need, sir. I’m fine standing."
Yang Kai sighed. Reaching out, he pulled her over, and despite her body stiffening, gently pressed her into a chair. He then walked to the opposite side and sat in another chair.
After considering his words for a moment, Yang Kai said: "Ruoxi, is it alright if I call you that?"
Zhang Ruoxi slowly shook her head but remained silent.
Yang Kai smiled, softening his tone as much as possible: "Since you’re not saying anything, I’ll take that as okay. Look, I brought you out of the Zhang family not because I expect any repayment, nor do I have any other intentions. My agreement with the Zhang family was solely due to your great-grandfather, Zhang Gaoxuan. So now, my obligations with the Zhang family are settled. Neither owes the other anything."
"Sir has shown great kindness to the Zhang family. Ruoxi will remember it always. I will work like an ox or a horse for the rest of my life to repay you!" Zhang Ruoxi said softly, though her tone was resolute.
Yang Kai nodded: "Think what you will. I just want to tell you that I brought you here because there might be things I’ll need your help with in the future."
Zhang Ruoxi kept her head lowered: "If sir has any task, Ruoxi will do her utmost to fulfill it. Since sir brought me away from the Zhang family, I am no longer their person. I will do whatever sir requires, as long as it pleases you."
Yang Kai rubbed his forehead, feeling somewhat like he was talking to a brick wall, utterly helpless. He could only say: "If you put it that way, I don’t know how to explain it to you. How about this—stop calling me ‘sir,’ and don’t call yourself a ‘servant.’ I’m a bit older than you. From now on, just call me Brother Yang."
"How could I possibly do that?" Zhang Ruoxi looked up, waving her hands repeatedly. Noticing Yang Kai staring at her, she quickly lowered her head again: "That’s absolutely forbidden! I cannot be so rude to sir!"
"You stubborn girl..." Yang Kai was amused by her stubbornness.
Zhang Ruoxi looked flustered, thinking he was truly angry. She hurriedly stood, intending to kneel.
Seeing this, Yang Kai reached out with a wave of his hand, making her sit back down.
"Never mind. I won’t argue with you about this. But since you’re staying by my side now, and I may need your help in the future, I won’t mistreat you. Here—take this first." As he spoke, Yang Kai retrieved a jade bottle from his space ring. He uncorked it and poured out a single spirit pill marked with pill patterns.
"What is this?" Zhang Ruoxi asked curiously.
"A poison. Do you dare take it?" Yang Kai said with a straight face. The moment the words left his mouth, he knew his attempt at dark humor had fallen flat and inwardly berated himself.
Zhang Ruoxi, however, simply gave a small smile: "Sir is teasing me."
Yang Kai looked slightly embarrassed. Without explaining further, he simply said: "Take this pill, then find a bedroom and cultivate properly. I’ll be heading out again in a few days. Stay here obediently and don’t go running around."